Guatemala: AMAZING

Antigua Guatemala, Lago de Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Zunil, San Andres, Xecul, Tikal, Yaxhá, Río Dulce, Livinston, Ruinas de Quirigua, Ruinas de Copan

D1: ARRIVAL
Airport greeting & drive to Antigua for lodging

D2: ANTIGUA, Colonial Jewel
Pleasant walking tour of the Colonial Capital of Central America, admiring it’s beautiful architecture and learning about it’s interesting history.  End of tour around noon.  Free afternoon on your own for relaxation, shopping or any additional tour.  Lodging in Antigua.

D3: Antigua : Organic Coffee, Roses & Macadamia Nuts
Visit (in van & with guide), to a plantation of the famous Antigua Gourmet Coffee, for seeing the plantation,  guía especializado, a una plantación de café orgánico del famoso “Café de Antigua”, degustación y visita al Museo del Café y del Traje Indígena, para luego visitar también una plantación de rosas y otra de nueces de Macadamia, donde los turistas no solo pueden degustar estas deliciosas nueces y sus distintas presentaciones, sino reciben un masaje facial con el famoso aceite de estas.  Incluye snack con café recién tostado y molido, terminando al medio día para tener la tarde libre.  Hospedaje en Antigua.

D4: LAKE ATITLAN, Natural Jewel
Transfer to Panajachel, on Lago Atitlán, named “the most beautiful in the World” by writer Aldous Huxley.  Boat tour to visit Santiago Atitlán, Mayan village Rich in live ancient culture, beautiful textiles and paintings.
Enjoy beautiful landscapes and views of the volcanoes.  Free afternoon and lodging in Panajachel (on the lake)

D5: CHICHICASTENANGO, Cultural Jewel
Visit Chichicastenango village, where every Thursday and Sunday, the quiet town becomes the largest indigenous handicraft market, with textiles of different regions, vegetables of all kinds, etc., that the Maya bring to sell and buy for their families, with a visit to the Mayan Idol and/or Colonial Catholic Temple for asking favors for their crops, health, etc.  Free time for shopping.  Drive back to Panajachel to spend the night.

D6: MAYAN VILLAGES: Quetzaltenango, Zunil, San Andrés Xecul, Cultural Jewels
Visit the interesting Mayan villages around Quetzaltenango, full of history and interesting sights, and even bathe in the beautiful hotsprings at Fuentes Georginas.  Drive back to Guatemala city for lodging.

D7: TIKAL, Archeological Jewel
Early morning (6:30am) flight to Flores, for tour of the impressive Mayan ruins of Tikal, the most important in the Maya World, surrounded by tropical jungle, offering good chances to observe monkeys, insects and exotic plants.
Hotel stay in Flores.

D8: YAXHÁ, Archeological Jewel
Visit this small yet important ruin, on the shore of the beautiful lake with the same name (means “jade” in Maya)  Drive to Rio Dulce in the afternoon to spend the night.

D9: RIO DULCE & LIVINGSTON, Our Caribbean
Visit the colonial fort called “Castillo de San Felipe” to travel back to the time of pirates that opperated in this area, followed by a pleasant boat ride observing bird nesting islands, lush forests of mangrove trees and even take a bath at the hot Springs on the river’s canyon.  Visit our only Caribbean town : Livingston, returning to hotel later in the day to rest and spend the night.

D10:  QUIRIGUÁ RUINS
Free morning to rest and enjoy the tropical weather.  Leave around noon to visit the interesting ruins of Quirigua, en route to Copan, in Honduras to spend the night (arrival 4-5pm). 

D11: COPAN RUINS
Visit these impresive and full of art ruins, it’s “burilas” and museum, leaving in the afternoon to spend the night in Guatemala city (arrive 7-8pm).

D12: DEPARTURE
At needed time, transfer to airport in Guatemala city to take flight out of the country