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Guatemala
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Sacatepéquez Department
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Antigua Guatemala
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Tours & Activities
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8-Day Best of Guatemala Tour: Antigua, Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan and Tikal Ruins
8 days
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport - Antigua Guatemala
Stop At: The Plaza Central Park, Plaza Mayor City Center, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Once you arrive at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, enjoy convenient transportation to your hotel in Antigua to gear up for your exciting 8-day guided Guatemala tour.
Duration: 45 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 2: Antigua Guatemala and Coffee Plantation
Stop At: The Plaza Central Park, Plaza Mayor City Center, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Explore the charming colonial city of Antigua on foot with your knowledgeable guide. Visit some of the city’s most beautiful churches, including the Baroque-style La Merced Church, San Francisco Church and Santo Domingo Monastery.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Iglesia de La Merced, Antigua Guatemala
Visit La Merced Church.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande, Calle Oriente,1a Avenida Sur 7a, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Visit San Francisco Church
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano
Stop At: Parque Nacional Volcan De Pacaya, Escuintla Guatemala
Enjoy breakfast before spending the morning hiking up Pacaya Volcano, the most active volcano in Guatemala. Admire impressive views of the Calderas Lagoon and the three nearby volcanoes -- Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. As you take an easy hike up Pacaya, your guide will tell you about the history of the active volcano and point out unique volcano vegetation. After your 5-hour visit to Pacaya Volcano, the rest of the day is yours to explore Antigua on your own.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 4: Lake Atitlan boat Tour to Santiago
Stop At: Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apostol, Sol 4, Santiago Atitlan 07019 Guatemala
Enjoy a beautiful private sightseeing cruise across the lake to the Tzutujil village of Santiago de Atitlan. Hop ashore here to discover local village life of the Tzutujil Mayan people, and visit the main street filled with shops selling everything from oil paintings to woven baskets.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Visit one of the most beautiful lakes in the World: Atitlan.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Atitlan or Similar
Day 5: Chichicastenango Market and Iximché Ruins
Stop At: Mercado de Chichicastenango, Btw 7a & 8a Calle, Chichicastenango 14006 Guatemala
Transfer to Chichicastenango, located approximately one hour and a half north of Panajachel. Admire the beautiful landscape as you are transported north by a comfortable car. Walk through the town’s narrow cobblestone streets and past its red-tiled roofs. In the main town plaza, visit the famous Chichicastenango open-air market, filled with locally made products, like ceramic pots, wood carvings and handmade goods, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Santo Tomas Church, Plaza Mayor, Chichicastenango 14006 Guatemala
Visit Santo Tomas Church.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Iximche, Tecpan, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, Panajachel 07010 Guatemala
Visit the archaeological site of Iximché, which was once a Mayan city. With your guide, explore the ruins’ four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. Learn about the history of this fascinating ancient site as you tour the area.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barcelo Guatemala City or Similar
Day 6: Guatemala City - Tikal Ruins
Stop At: Peten, Tikal National Park Guatemala
Visit the Mayan ruin site of Tikal in Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore everything from the Central Acropolis, a maze of courtyards and small temples, to Complex Q and R, where you'll see twin pyramid complexes with altars set in front of the temples. Visit the massive Temple I, the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and learn about its historical importance from your guide.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Tour includs lunch at Tikal Park (drinks not included)
Accommodation included: Overnight at Camino Real Tikal or Similar
Day 7: Yaxha Ruins - Guatemala City
Stop At: Yaxha, National Park, Peten Guatemala
Explore the scenic jungle landscape of this unique area overlooking the Yaxha and Sacnab lakes. As you follow your guide around Yaxha, learn about the history of this ceremonial Mayan site, which features more than 500 ancient structures. Spend time visiting various areas including pyramid temples, ball courts and elevated plazas.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barcelo Guatemala City or Similar
Day 8: Guatemala City - Airport
Stop At: Colonia Villas de San Juan, Guatemala City, Guatemala
After your amazing 8-day tour, relax on the drive back to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Airport - Antigua Guatemala
Stop At: The Plaza Central Park, Plaza Mayor City Center, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Once you arrive at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, enjoy convenient transportation to your hotel in Antigua to gear up for your exciting 8-day guided Guatemala tour.
Duration: 45 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 2: Antigua Guatemala and Coffee Plantation
Stop At: The Plaza Central Park, Plaza Mayor City Center, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Explore the charming colonial city of Antigua on foot with your knowledgeable guide. Visit some of the city’s most beautiful churches, including the Baroque-style La Merced Church, San Francisco Church and Santo Domingo Monastery.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Iglesia de La Merced, Antigua Guatemala
Visit La Merced Church.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande, Calle Oriente,1a Avenida Sur 7a, Antigua 03001 Guatemala
Visit San Francisco Church
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano
Stop At: Parque Nacional Volcan De Pacaya, Escuintla Guatemala
Enjoy breakfast before spending the morning hiking up Pacaya Volcano, the most active volcano in Guatemala. Admire impressive views of the Calderas Lagoon and the three nearby volcanoes -- Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. As you take an easy hike up Pacaya, your guide will tell you about the history of the active volcano and point out unique volcano vegetation. After your 5-hour visit to Pacaya Volcano, the rest of the day is yours to explore Antigua on your own.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Camino Real Antigua or Similar
Day 4: Lake Atitlan boat Tour to Santiago
Stop At: Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apostol, Sol 4, Santiago Atitlan 07019 Guatemala
Enjoy a beautiful private sightseeing cruise across the lake to the Tzutujil village of Santiago de Atitlan. Hop ashore here to discover local village life of the Tzutujil Mayan people, and visit the main street filled with shops selling everything from oil paintings to woven baskets.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Visit one of the most beautiful lakes in the World: Atitlan.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Atitlan or Similar
Day 5: Chichicastenango Market and Iximché Ruins
Stop At: Mercado de Chichicastenango, Btw 7a & 8a Calle, Chichicastenango 14006 Guatemala
Transfer to Chichicastenango, located approximately one hour and a half north of Panajachel. Admire the beautiful landscape as you are transported north by a comfortable car. Walk through the town’s narrow cobblestone streets and past its red-tiled roofs. In the main town plaza, visit the famous Chichicastenango open-air market, filled with locally made products, like ceramic pots, wood carvings and handmade goods, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Santo Tomas Church, Plaza Mayor, Chichicastenango 14006 Guatemala
Visit Santo Tomas Church.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Iximche, Tecpan, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, Panajachel 07010 Guatemala
Visit the archaeological site of Iximché, which was once a Mayan city. With your guide, explore the ruins’ four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. Learn about the history of this fascinating ancient site as you tour the area.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barcelo Guatemala City or Similar
Day 6: Guatemala City - Tikal Ruins
Stop At: Peten, Tikal National Park Guatemala
Visit the Mayan ruin site of Tikal in Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore everything from the Central Acropolis, a maze of courtyards and small temples, to Complex Q and R, where you'll see twin pyramid complexes with altars set in front of the temples. Visit the massive Temple I, the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and learn about its historical importance from your guide.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Tour includs lunch at Tikal Park (drinks not included)
Accommodation included: Overnight at Camino Real Tikal or Similar
Day 7: Yaxha Ruins - Guatemala City
Stop At: Yaxha, National Park, Peten Guatemala
Explore the scenic jungle landscape of this unique area overlooking the Yaxha and Sacnab lakes. As you follow your guide around Yaxha, learn about the history of this ceremonial Mayan site, which features more than 500 ancient structures. Spend time visiting various areas including pyramid temples, ball courts and elevated plazas.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barcelo Guatemala City or Similar
Day 8: Guatemala City - Airport
Stop At: Colonia Villas de San Juan, Guatemala City, Guatemala
After your amazing 8-day tour, relax on the drive back to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 7x Breakfast
- Accommodation included: 7 nights
- Private boat tour
- Transport between sites
- Professional English-speaking guide
- 7 nights of accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch)
- Small group tour of 15 pax maximum
- Entry/Admission - The Plaza Central Park
- Entry/Admission - Parque Nacional Volcan De Pacaya
- Entry/Admission - Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apostol
- Entry/Admission - Iximche
- Entry/Admission - Tikal National Park
- Entry/Admission - Yaxha
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Features
Tourism
100%
Cultural
65%
Aquatic
30%
Reviews
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The itinerary is well designed. Every place is worth visiting. All the drivers and guilds always showed up on time. We didn't feel unsafe at all throughout the trip. Camino Real Antigua and Hotel Atitlan are very good accommodation choices. But there are some problems with their trip quality assurance: 1) Our guide didn't take us to Santo Domingo Monastery in Antigua. We spent more time in Azotea Coffee Farm watching video. 2) Our guide didn't take us to Santiago de Atitlan. He took us to Santa Catarina and Santa Antonio. 3) Our guide didn't take to Iximché. 4) Our local guide at Tikal explained a lot about other acropolis, temples...but didn't explain anything at the most seen Grand Plaza. 5) Hotel Peten Esplendido was not as nice as other accommodations. 6) Not agency's issue...it's a nice hike onto the top of Pacaya Volcano, but we didn't get to see any lava flowing. And I want to say our local guide at Yaxha did a great job. Too bad I forgot his name.
This tour was a big disappointment. I have seen the ruins of Mexico including the Sun and Moon pyramids, Palenque, Uxma and Chitza-Itza. Those ruins are fairly well preserved and restored, many with some of the original colorings and reliefs intact. Tikal was ok, but had none of the original colors and reliefs. Our guide there spoke great English but he didn't tell us anything about the traditions and rituals of the Mayan people who lived there. Yaxha was not interesting and Ixhimche wasn't worth going to at all. The only thing I enjoyed was our hotel in Antigua, its proximity to the market place, the boat ride across the lake and the Pacaya Volcano. Our tour guide that we had for the first 4 days was only 50% intelligible. We had to work very hard to understand him, unfortunately. I have taken many trips and have never felt like I wasted my money until now. It just was not worth the cost.