Mayan Mysteries of Guatemala

Explore some of the Mayan civilisation’s remaining treasures on this incredible tour, which takes you to some of Guatemala’s most ancient sites. Discover local Mayan descendants, dramatic ruins and lasting traditions as you uncover Guatemala’s fascinating past.

TOUR OVERVIEW

•   Stay in the colonial city of Antigua
•   Stop at the highland Mayan ceremonial site of Iximché
•   Spend a night at Lake Atitlán, steeped in Guatemalan folklore
•   Visit an Indian village of Mayan descendants
•   Discover Quetzaltenango’s colonial architecture
•   See San Andrés Xecúl’s brightly-coloured 16th Century temple
•   Experience a traditional Guatemalan market
•   Observe local life in Mayan community Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
•   Discover Chichicastenango’s open-air market and religious ceremonies
•   Explore Tikal National Park’s incredible Mayan ruins

Guide

This tour is escorted by local English-speaking guides. Local assistance will also be provided on extensions.

MEAL PLAN
Prices include:
•   Breakfast daily
•   Lunch on Day 8

ACCOMMODATION
•   The hotels featured in this itinerary are of a 3 and 4 star standard.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
•   Tipping is common in Guatemala and is at your discretion. We recommend tipping your driver and guide at the end of the tour.

DAY 1 – LONDON TO GUATEMALA
Fly American Airlines from Heathrow to Guatemala via Miami. On arrival, transfer to the colonial city of Antigua for two nights at the Westin Camino Real.

DAY 2 – ANTIGUA
Tour the city and its fascinating landmarks. Visit the Central Plaza – surrounded by the antique Cathedral, Municipal Government Building and Palace of the Captains General – plus colonial churches and monasteries, a traditional textile workshop and a jade factory.

DAY 3 – ANTIGUA TO LAKE ATITLÁN
Transfer to Lake Atitlán via Iximché, a highland Mayan ceremonial that dates back to the 15th Century and is known as the last capital of Cakchiquel Maya. Explore ruined temple pyramids, plazas and ceremonial platforms surrounded by ravines, a deep moat and a pretty border of trees and vegetation.

Arrive at volcanic Lake Atitlán for one night at the Hotel Atitlán. Dubbed ‘the most beautiful lake in the world’ by writer Aldous Huxley, this is Central America’s deepest lake and it occupies a spectacular setting bordering three volcanoes. Steeped in Guatemalan folklore, the Atitlán is surrounded by 12 Indian villages whose inhabitants descend from the great Quiché, Cackchiquel and Tzutuhil nations.

DAY 4 – LAKE ATITLÁN TO QUETZALTENANGO
Cross Lake Atitlán to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitlán. Observe local life in this bustling community, where weavers create colourful textiles. Continue to Quetzaltenango for one night at the Hotel Pension Bonifaz. Set in the Sierra Madre, this beautiful city is known as Central America’s ‘Cradle of Culture’ with its colonial architecture and colourful markets.

DAY 5 – QUETZALTENANGO TO HUEHUETENANGO
This morning visit Almolonga Market, which sells an array of fresh fruit and vegetables. Continue to San Andrés Xecúl and see its 16th Century temple, with a bright yellow façade adorned with colourful sculptures of flowers, angels, fruit and birds.

Experience the hustle and bustle of a traditional Guatemalan market at San Francisco El Alto, where locals haggle for fruit, vegetables, livestock and handicrafts. In the afternoon transfer to Huehuetenango for one night at the Hotel Premier.

DAY 6 – HUEHUETENANGO TO CHICHICASTENANGO
Visit Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, a Mayan community nestled in a beautiful Cuchumatanes Mountains valley. Here you will gain a fascinating insight into local life, spotting men in a bright outfit of red-and-white striped trousers, colourful shirt, straw hat and a black cipaxy or woollen cape. Transfer to Chichicastenango for one night at the Mayan Inn.

DAY 7 – CHICHICASTENANGO TO FLORES
Discover Chichicastenango’s vibrant Indian open-air market, where women wear the colourful ‘huipil’, a beautiful native costume intricately woven to reflect Mayan symbolism. Perhaps enjoy a friendly barter with the traders before witnessing captivating religious ceremonies at the 400-year-old Church of Santo Tomás. Fly to Flores for two nights at the Hotel Camino Real Tikal.

DAY 8 – FLORES
Visit Tikal National Park, which is home to plethora of archaeological treasures and fascinating ruins from the great Mayan city of Tikal. Journey over 2,000 years back in time as you explore mysterious pyramids, temples, carvings, plazas and altars scattered over 222 square miles of beautiful parkland. Climb Pyramid IV, Tikal’s tallest structure, for spectacular views of the abandoned city and surrounding jungle.

DAY 9 – FLORES TO GUATEMALA CITY
Fly from Flores to Guatemala City for a final night at the Westin Camino Real.

DAY 10 – GUATEMALA CITY TO LONDON
Fly American Airlines to Heathrow via Miami, arriving the next day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

BELIZE
DAY 9 - FLORES TO AMBERGRIS CAYE
Fly American Airlines to the paradisaical  island of Ambergris Caye and transfer to the Victoria House Hotel for three nights. Relax on soft white sands under swaying palm trees or discover colourful marine life with superb diving.
DAY 12 - AMBERGRIS CAYE TO LONDON
Return flight with American Airlines to Heathrow via Miami, arriving the next day.

HONDURAS
DAY 10 – GUATEMALA CITY TO HONDURAS
Fly TACA International Airlines from Guatemala City to San Pedro Sul in western Honduras. Transfer to Copan for three nights at the Hotel Marina Copan and enjoy time exploring this fascinating Mayan site.
DAY 13 – HONDURAS TO LONDON
Transfer back to San Pedro Sula and fly to Heathrow via Miami, arriving the next day.