Classic Guatemala

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

A stunning combination of natural beauty, Central American culture and Mayan history, Guatemala provides the rich backdrop to this ‘classic’ journey across the country’s must-see attractions and destinations. 

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

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Day 1 Arrive Guatemala City

Day 1 Arrive Guatemala City

After a warm, hearty welcome at the airport by your private guide and driver, you’ll be taken straight to your hotel in one of the city’s upmarket, residential areas nearby. Take the rest of the day to rest and settle in after your flight.

La Inmaculada

Day 2 Guatemala City – Livingston: Quirigua Ruins & Down the Rio Dulce

Day 2 Guatemala City – Livingston: Quirigua Ruins & Down the Rio Dulce

Reuniting with your guide and driver this morning, you’ll set off from the capital to the country’s short east coast, home to the distinct Garifuna community that settled here in the 1800s. The drive across the country and boat ride down the Rio Dulce (Sweet River) to the main port town of Livingston are broken up with a stop at the remote Mayan ruins of Quirigüa, one of only four UNESCO World Heritage sites found in the country. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in the colourful, dusty seaside town of Livingston, sampling the regional cuisine and relaxing into the Caribbean atmosphere.

Villa Caribe
Breakfast

Day 3 Livingston: Boat Tour

Day 3 Livingston: Boat Tour

Today you’ll explore the area around the town by boat. Crossing ‘El Golfete’, the river’s mouth, and navigating up the Río Dulce, you will pass the dramatic canyon cliffs of limestone covered with verdant jungle forest. Stops at various points of interest, such as the Chocon Machaca National Park and floating gardens and a local cooperative assisting villagers with educational and medical needs, offers some insight into life in this quiet corner of the country. End at a local restaurant for some Caribbean-influenced grub before heading back to your seaside hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Villa Caribe
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Livingston – Tikal National Park: Mayan Ruins Sunset

Day 4 Livingston – Tikal National Park: Mayan Ruins Sunset

The adventure then takes you deep into Guatemala’s remote northeastern rainforests. The day’s journey should see you arriving to the forest teeming with ancient Mayan history in time to enjoy a mystical sunset from atop the main pyramid at Yaxhá ruins. The warm blanket of orange and red tones covering the dense forest canopy and glistening lagoons below before plunging the area into darkness is a sight to behold. Retire to your comfy Jungle Lodge for dinner.

Jungle Lodge
Breakfast

Day 5 Tikal National Park – Flores: UNESCO World Heritage Ruins

Day 5 Tikal National Park – Flores: UNESCO World Heritage Ruins

A very early start provides the opportunity to head to the national treasure of Tikal, the UNESCO World Heritage ruins, and to climb up one of its temples for a prime sunrise spot. After watching the sun light up the sprawling, ancient city below, head back down for breakfast to prepare you for the day’s sightseeing. A full day with the training and knowledge of your guide is invaluable in uncovering the intricate social structures, successes and troubles faced by the empire that built this marvel - at one point the largest Mayan city in the Americas. From the Great Plaza you’ll learn about its architectural ingenuity whilst looking out for cheeky howler monkeys and the eye-catching resplendent quetzal amongst the overgrown trees. There should also be time to do an optional canopy tour through the forest trees via a series of cables (if of interest) before lunch and a transfer to your next hotel in the small lakeside town of Flores. 

Villa Maya
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Guatemala City – Lake Atitlan: Fly to the West

Day 6 Guatemala City – Lake Atitlan: Fly to the West

A flight from the nearby airport brings you back to the capital for a tour of the country’s western highlights over the next few days, beginning with the mountainous Lake Atitlán sitting at just over 1,500m. Described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as “the most beautiful lake in the world”, it is characterised by three volcanoes on its southern flank and strong indigenous cultures and communities that dominate the area. Check into your hotel and make use of its enticing infinity pool overlooking the lake against a backdrop of volcanic peaks.

Jardines del Lago
Breakfast

Day 7 Lake Atitlan: Lakeside Villages Tour

Day 7 Lake Atitlan: Lakeside Villages Tour

Collecting you from the hotel, you’ll hop on a boat taxi with your guide zigzagging across Atitlán this morning to explore some of the other villages around the lake. First, stop at San Juan La Laguna village for a tour of its impressive naïf art galleries, town murals and naturally dyed textiles. Then head over to San Antonio Palopó, now known and recognised for their trademark ceramics, to visit a workshop and work on a ceramic masterpiece of your own. The afternoon can be spent exploring the trendy village around your hotel or unwinding back at the pool.

Jardines del Lago
Breakfast

Day 8 Lake Atitlan – Chichicastenango – Antigua: Indigenous Market

Day 8 Lake Atitlan – Chichicastenango – Antigua: Indigenous Market

Drive over Guatemala’s highlands today stopping at the town of Chichicastenango, famous across the country for its indigenous market (the largest in the country). Everything can be found here - local produce, handmade textiles and indigenous, artisan products - making it a good place to pick up some souvenirs. After touring the market, a walk over to the town’s St. Tomas Church is well worth it for the chance to witness an interesting fusion of indigenous and Christian beliefs. A curiosity found in a few places across Latin America, the local communities come to perform Mayan rituals passed on by their ancestors at the catholic church here. After some lunch, continue on to the final destination of the trip, the undeniably attractive town of Antigua.

Camino Real Antigua
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Antigua: Coffee & Colonial Architecture

Day 9 Antigua: Coffee & Colonial Architecture

Ready and waiting outside with your bikes this morning, you and your guide will cycle through the coffee farms just outside of town to meet a small-scale coffee cooperative being empowered to produce and sell their goods for export. After taking you on a tour of the farm, sat in the foothills of Agua Volcano, and learning about the community’s coffee processing techniques, you’ll be invited back to one of the farmer’s homes for lunch. Cycling back to town, you’ll then switch from two wheels to two feet for a private walking tour of the colonial city to learn the history behind the churches, convents and cathedrals lining its cobblestone streets. We recommend enjoying one of Antigua’s many excellent dining options for your final evening.

Camino Real Antigua
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Antigua – Guatemala City

Day 10 Antigua – Guatemala City

Depending on your departure flight, you may have a bit of leisure time in the morning before being taken back to the capital’s international airport, where your tour of this Central American gem comes to a close

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

10 days from £3,715

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 10908 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Guatemala’s sublime natural beauty, pales in comparison to its cultural wealth. With more than 21 languages spoken in a country one fifth the size of France, Guatemala’s diversity is incredible.

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