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.

After the long arrival flight into the capital you will have the chance to rest up before flying on towards the country’s small but thriving Garifuna community. The Garifuna port of Livingston, more reminiscent of a lazy Caribbean town than part of the Latin ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Do a coffee tour and tasting at an independent coffee farm
  • Enjoy a walking tour around the pretty, colonial UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua
  • Explore the indigenous villages surrounding picturesque Lake Atitlán
  • Tour the iconic Mayan ruins of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Enjoy sunset like a Mayan priest from the top of Yaxhá ruins
  • Take a boat tour around the Caribbean influenced Garifuna community of Livingston

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.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 GUATEMALA CITY

Day 1 GUATEMALA CITY

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in the capital for a chance to freshen up and rest up after the international flight in.

La Inmaculada

Day 2 GUATEMALA CITY - LIVINGSTON

Day 2 GUATEMALA CITY - LIVINGSTON

Transfer back to the airport this morning for your short flight to the country’s short east coast, home to the distinct Garifuna community that settled here in the 1800s. The main Garifuna port town of Livingston can be found on the small, underdeveloped stretch of Atlantic coastline that belongs to Guatemala and can only be reached by boat down the Río Dulce. Spend the afternoon and evening in the colourful, dusty town of Livingston, sampling the regional cuisine and seafood.

Villa Caribe
Breakfast

Day 3 LIVINGSTON

Day 3 LIVINGSTON

This morning, take a boat tour and explore the area around the town. As you cross ‘El Golfete’, the river’s mouth, and navigate up the Río Dulce (Sweet River), you will pass the dramatic canyon cliffs of limestone covered with verdant jungle forest. The tour stops at various points of interest such as the Chocon Machaca National Park and floating gardens and a local cooperative that assists the villagers with educational and medical needs. The tour ends at a local restaurant for some Caribbean influenced grub, before heading back to your beachside hotel to relax.

Villa Caribe
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 LIVINGSTON - TIKAL NATIONAL PARK

Day 4 LIVINGSTON - TIKAL NATIONAL PARK

This morning take the 45-minute boat transfer back to the main, inland road and begin the long drive of around five hours, arriving at your next destination in time to visit the lesser-known, but very scenic, Yaxá ruins in time for sunset. After a tour of the Mayan ruins with your private guide on hand to explain its history, head up to the top of the main pyramid to watch the sun set on the river and incredibly breathtaking scenes below, just as the Mayan kings and priests would have done. Spend this evening at the Jungle lodge in the Tikal National Park, home to jaguars and other elusive wildlife.

Jungle Lodge
Breakfast

Day 5 TIKAL - FLORES

Day 5 TIKAL - FLORES

Following an early breakfast head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal for a sunrise tour and, weather conditions permitting, watch the sun come up over this sprawling, ancient Mayan city. A full day with your expert guide is needed to uncover the fascinating stories of architectural ingenuity, social structures and successes and troubles of the empire that once resided here, once the largest Mayan city in the Americas. Your guide will take you through the Great Plaza, the Temples of the Jaguar and the Masks, and the Acropolis. During the tour, look out for cheeky howler monkeys and the eye-catching resplendent quetzal amongst the forest trees. There is also the option to do a canopy tour via a series of cables through the trees (payable locally). Lunch in the national park will break up the day’s educational activities. Head to the quaint lakeside town of Flores for the evening.

Villa Maya
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 FLORES - GUATEMALA CITY - LAKE ATITLAN

Day 6 FLORES - GUATEMALA CITY - LAKE ATITLAN

After breakfast, you will be taken to the nearby airport for a short flight back towards the west of the country, arriving into the capital. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the scenic, mountainous Lake Atitlán, sitting at just over 1,500 metres above sea level. Described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as “the most beautiful lake in the world”, it is characterised by the three volcanic peaks on its southern flank and the strong indigenous cultures and communities that dominate the area. Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Posada De Don Rodrigo
Breakfast

Day 8 LAKE ATITLAN

Day 8 LAKE ATITLAN

Enjoy today at your own leisure. You can explore the surrounding town, take one of the taxi boats to a neighbouring village not yet explored or simply have a bit of down time at the hotel.

Jardines del Lago
Breakfast

Day 9 LAKE ATITLAN - CHICHICASTENANGO - ANTIGUA

Day 9 LAKE ATITLAN - CHICHICASTENANGO - ANTIGUA

Following breakfast, your private driver-guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you 1.5 hours to the highland town of Chichicastenango, famous across the country for its authentic, indigenous market (the largest in the country). Everything is sold here including local produce; handmade textiles; handcrafted furniture and ceramics; and indigenous, artisan products, making this a good place to pick up some souvenirs. After a tour of the market, there may be time to stop at the town’s St. Tomas Church to witness a curiosity found in a few places across Latin America, an interesting fusion of indigenous and Christian beliefs. Here, at the catholic church, the local communities come to perform Mayan rituals passed on by their ancestors. After a stop for lunch, in the afternoon continue on to the final destination of the trip, the very pretty colonial town of Antigua.

Casa Encantada
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 ANTIGUA

Day 10 ANTIGUA

You will be picked up this morning for a relaxing stroll around Antigua’s picturesque cobbled streets. One of the most prominent capitals of the Spanish empire, its historic importance is evident from the grandeur of the colourful colonial buildings, so beautifully preserved. Then, head out of the quaint city to one of the independent coffee farms scattered around its outskirts for a tour of the plantation, a lesson in the coffee production and a coffee tasting. Head back to Antigua in time for lunch where you will be spoiled for choice.

Casa Encantada
Breakfast

Day 11 ANTIGUA

Day 11 ANTIGUA

A enjoy a final day in Guatemala at leisure to explore the town at a relaxed pace. Discover the cute boutique stores and independent restaurants and cafés. If you’re feeling up to it, take the short but rigorous hike up Cerro de la Cruz for gorgeous panoramic views of the town and the encircling volcanoes.

Casa Encantada
Breakfast

Day 12 ANTIGUA - GUATEMALA CITY

Day 12 ANTIGUA - GUATEMALA CITY

Depending on the departure time of your flight, you may have a bit of leisure time in the morning before transferring back to the international airport in the capital for your onward journey home.

Casa Encantada
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

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

12 days from £3,175

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.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN GUATEMALA