Undiscovered Guatemala

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Blessed with outstanding natural beauty, Guatemala is a land filled with volcanic highlands, lush river valleys and dense tropical rainforests, liberally sprinkled with ancient Mayan ruins. Perhaps one of the most culturally rich destinations in Central America, it also boasts a strong national identity and a rich mix of indigenous traditions and lively markets.

Beginning in the captivating city of Antigua, you will have an opportunity to explore one of the loveliest colonial towns in ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Discover the cobbled streets and beautiful architecture of colonial Antigua
  • Witness the traditional ceremonies of the Mayan people of Lake Atitlán
  • Visit the bustling markets of San Juan Comalapa and Chichicastenango
  • Bathe in the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey
  • Visit the stunning ruins of Tikal and watch the sunset over the Mayan temples
  • Visit a small independent coffee farm and enjoy a tour and a zipline over the plantation

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 ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY - ANTIGUA

Day 1 ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY - ANTIGUA

Transferring straight out of Guatemala City on arrival, this adventure begins in the graceful colonial city of Antigua. Set in a lovely scenic valley and surrounded by a number of volcanic peaks, Antigua has been described as one of the most charming of Central America's colonial gems. Dating back to the early part of the 16th century, this World Heritage city is blessed with a stunning collection of beautifully preserved colonial buildings that have survived centuries of earthquakes, floods and increasing tourism.

Meson De Maria

Day 2 ANTIGUA

Day 2 ANTIGUA

The day begins amongst the mountain villages that surround Antigua, home to colourfully attired Mayan people who still follow the practises of their forebears. A visit to a textile co-operative offers a chance to see how their traditional Mayan costumes are made, before you continue on to a macadamia nut farm to taste a variety of locally farmed products. After a break for lunch back in the city, the afternoon is then spent enjoying a walking tour amongst the ruined churches, convents and cathedrals of this beautiful colonial jewel.

Meson De Maria
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 ANTIGUA - SAN JUAN COMALAPA - IXIMICHE - LAKE ATITLAN

Day 3 ANTIGUA - SAN JUAN COMALAPA - IXIMICHE - LAKE ATITLAN

Meeting your guide at the hotel this morning you will then drive on to San Juan Comalapa, a historic market town famed for its murals. Depicting major events from Guatemalan history, these remarkable pieces of artwork span the country's development from its Mayan origins and the Spanish conquest through to the more recent events of its bloody civil war. A wander through the authentic market precedes lunch, before you head off to visit the enchanting ruins of Iximiche, the ancient capital of the Cakchiquel Maya. After the visit you then complete the journey on to Lake Atitlan.

Villa Santa Catarina
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 LAKE ATITLAN

Day 4 LAKE ATITLAN

Occupying a volcanic caldera, Lake Atitlan is Central America's deepest and most spectacular lake. A boat trip this morning takes you across to one of the indigenous settlements that dot the shore, where you will be able to watch artisans continuing trades that have endured here for generations. After lunch set off in search of the Mayan saint, Maximon, a deity whose location and allegiances change depending upon which local 'brotherhood' he is protecting. You may have a chance to watch local shamans performing their rituals before returning across the lake to your hotel.

Villa Santa Catarina
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 LAKE ATITLAN - CHICHICASTENANGO - QUETZALTENANGO

Day 5 LAKE ATITLAN - CHICHICASTENANGO - QUETZALTENANGO

In the company of your private driver-guide you'll head on to the highland market town of Chichicastenango this morning. The town's colourful and lively market is famed throughout the region and it is an ideal place to pick up a bargain or two amongst the pigs and pottery. You will also have a chance to visit the 400-year-old Church of St Tomas, where a unique mix of Mayan ceremony and Catholic faith demonstrates a fascinating centuries-old collaboration between the two religions. After an optional hike up to the hilltop cemetery the journey then continues to Quetzaltenango (Xela).

Hotel Bonifaz
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 QUETZALTENANGO

Day 6 QUETZALTENANGO

A full day in the western highlands presents the opportunity to take a long hike through the stunning volcanic scenery. Rich in crops of coffee, wheat and fruit, the landscapes that surround Quetzaltenango are scattered with volcanic peaks, hot springs and river valleys, providing the perfect backdrop to a day's walking. Alternatively, you could pay a visit to the nearby towns of Almolonga and San Francisco El Alto. The former is better known as the 'Garden of Central America', whilst the latter is home to an authentic array of animal and textile markets.

Hotel Bonifaz
Breakfast

Day 7 QUETZALTENANGO - ANTIGUA

Day 7 QUETZALTENANGO - ANTIGUA

Today you will transfer from the mountains back to Antigua to spend another evening amongst its colonial grandeur.

Meson De Maria
Breakfast

Day 8 ANITGUA - COBAN

Day 8 ANITGUA - COBAN

Setting off early this morning, you will begin the full day’s journey through the beautiful Guatemalan heartlands to the peaceful lowlands around Coban, a city founded by the Dominicans in 1543. Surrounded by mountains and stunning natural reserves, the city lies at the heart of one of the country's major coffee growing regions.

Casa Duranta
Breakfast

Day 9 COBAN

Day 9 COBAN

Travelling with your guide this morning, head to Semuc Champey, one of Central America's most spectacular natural sights. Crossing the Cahabón River, a natural 300-metre limestone bridge presents a series of stepped, turquoise pools and cascading waterfalls that provide an idyllic setting for a swim. After walking up to a panoramic lookout point you then pay a visit to the caves of Lanquin, where partially explored caverns are filled with a collection of stalactites and stalagmites that resemble a variety of animals and which, at dusk, witness the mass exodus of thousands of bats.

Casa Duranta
Breakfast

Day 10 COBAN

Day 10 COBAN

A morning visit to a large orchid farm presents an astonishing array of prize blooms, including the monja blanca (white nun), Guatemala's national flower. From here you will then continue on to a coffee plantation run by a small Mayan community, where you will have a chance to learn about the harvesting process and sample some of the produce. There will also be an opportunity to take a zip-line across the farm, an ideal vantage point from which to take in the pine trees that have been planted around the lake as part of an important reforestation project.

Casa Duranta
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 COBAN - FLORES

Day 11 COBAN - FLORES

Today you will drive on to the tropical forests of El Peten in the country's north-eastern corner. Here, amongst the jungles of the Tikal National Park, you will find some of the finest Mayan ruins anywhere on the continent. Arriving at your hotel later today you find yourself before the lush curtain of the Mayan jungle, a fitting setting for some of Guatemala's most spectacular archaeological ruins.

Villa Maya
Breakfast

Day 12 FLORES

Day 12 FLORES

You will be taken to the Yaxhá National Park this morning to visit one of the region's less famous Mayan ceremonial sites. Set on top of a hill overlooking two scenic lakes, this picturesque landscape provides the perfect setting for the temples that tower majestically above the distant horizon. It is possible to climb to the top of the temple, to enjoy a well-earned drink whilst watching the sun set over the rainforest canopy. An evening trek back through the jungle then presents the ideal opportunity to spot some of the park's nocturnal wildlife before returning to the hotel.

Villa Maya
Breakfast

Day 13 FLORES - TIKAL - GUATEMALA CITY

Day 13 FLORES - TIKAL - GUATEMALA CITY

A private guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal National Park this morning presents you with one of the greatest of all the Mayan cities. Rising from the rainforest floor, these stunning ruins provide an incredible insight into the Maya culture, as you take in its Great Plaza and the Temples of the Jaguar and the Masks. Accompanied by the ever-present sounds of the surrounding jungle, a canopy tour through the trees (payable locally) rounds off the visit, after which you will return to the hotel to pick up your luggage and then fly back to Guatemala City for your final evening.

La Inmaculada
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 DEPART GUATEMALA CITY

Day 14 DEPART GUATEMALA CITY

Your driver will transfer you back to the airport today in time to catch your international flight back home.

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

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

14 days from £3,790

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