Compare Guatemala Highlands Explorer by Adventure Smith vs Guatemala: See & Experience it ALL in 8 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City

Accommodation: Panamerican Hotel

Upon arrival at the international airport in Guatemala City you are met by our local representative and transferred to a charming hotel from the 1920s in downtown Guatemala City.

Day 2: Guatemala City & Coban

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Casa Duranta Hotel

In the morning, visit Guatemala City’s outstanding National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to gain a better understanding of what is coming during your trip. In the afternoon take a scenic drive to Coban. The road goes through contrasting landscapes, from the Motagua River Valley's cacti to lush tropical cloud forest in Coban, a city where there are still some buildings from Spanish Colonial days. Your hotel will be one such building, located right in downtown.

Day 3: Semuch Champey

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Casa Duranta Hotel

This is the region of the Maya-Kekchi People, and Coban is its larger city. At 4,000 feet above sea level, weather is a little bit warmer than in the “higher” Highlands. Today’s highlight is Semuch Champey Natural Monument. Getting there is half the fun. The road there travels through coffee and cardamom plantations in “karstic” landscapes. Semuc Champey is where the Cahabon River sinks into a cave of about 1 mile long, leaving on top a series of crystal clear pools to swim in - deep enough to even dive! All if this is surrounded by a tropical lush forest. Those with energy may climb up to a lookout for a breathtaking view. The day ends back to Coban.

Day 4: Coban to Nebaj

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda San Antonio

Today is a day of landscapes in scenic routes. Still in the outskirts of Coban, visit a traditional coffee plantation and mill as well as an orchid nursery. The road then runs through mountains and valleys, and Maya villages like Uspantan and Cunen. At the Chixoy River Valley, before its name changes to Usumacinta and becomes the border between Guatemala and Mexico, a portion of the road is not paved and the ride gets a bit bumpier. Arrive at the end of the day to the area of another Maya people, the Ixil. Overnight in Nebaj's village of Acul at a dairy farm.

Day 5: Nebaj

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hacienda San Antonio

Wake up in rural Acul, listening to the roosters and the village's church bell. After breakfast, take a scenic 2-hour mountain hike to Nebaj where the town’s “Culture House” organizes a full day of sharing their way of life. The Maya Ixil People lives in Nebaj, Chajul and Cotzal. These 3 towns were called the “Ixil Triangle” during Guatemala’s Civil War (1961-1996) and they were deeply hurt. Isolated by history and nature, they heartedly welcome visitors. Lunch will be in a local home. If in the afternoon you're up for another hike to a waterfall, it will be included.

Day 6: Chichicastenango

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Uxlabil Hotel

Located 2 hours from Nebaj and enroute to Lake Atitlan, a visit Chichicastenango for one of its market days (Thursdays and Sundays) is a must. It is the largest and most colorful handicrafts market in the Americas, and even though it is an area inhabited by the Maya Kiche, here you will see people and products from all over the country. The Saint Tomas Roman-Catholic Church is a very good example of Guatemala's religious syncretism. It was built on top of a pre-Columbian temple and it is still considered sacred for the Maya that come to the stairway in front to burn incense and pray to their ancient Gods. In the afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlan, arriving by boat to today's final destination: San Juan La Laguna town.

Day 7: Lake Atitlan & San Juan La Laguna

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Uxlabil Hotel

Today is a day dedicated to Lake Atitlan, which is a caldera lake formed by an explosion of a volcano that geologists estimate happened 80,000 years ago. It is almost circular, with a 10-mile diameter, 1,000 feet deep and surrounded by 3 imposing volcanoes. A scenic boat ride to San Juan (its full name is San Juan La Laguna, or San Juan-by-the-lake) will bring you to visit the Maya Tzutuhil People. Your day here actively involves the local “Community Tourism Committee,” whose organization we respect and support. Spend a very active day visiting a natural dyes workshop and learning about the town's organic coffee and handwoven textiles; the Tzutuhil women embroider their tops with colorful birds and flowers. Hike to a nearby lookout with stunning views of the lake.

Day 8: Iximche & Xetonox

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Posada Don Rodrigo Hotel

Today's drive from Lake Atitlan to Antigua goes through the beautiful landscapes of Maya villages and their plantations of vegetables. Leaving Atitlan behind, the first Maya People is the Cackchiquel. More than half a million Guatemalans are Maya-Cackchiquel, and the first stop is to visit Iximche Archaeological Site, which was the capital of the Cackchiquel Kingdom, built in 1470 and destroyed by the Spanish conquistadores in 1524. It was never lost or forgotten like happened with many sites in the rainforest, and it is still a sacred place for the Cackchiquels. The second stop is at Xetonox, a small village where a local family gladly shows you their way of life, their crops and their weavings. Lunch is served at their home. Visiting the village’s Grade School is a good way to learn more about the local life.

Day 9: Antigua

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Posada Don Rodrigo Hotel

Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the best examples of how was life during the Spanish Colonial days. Built in 1542 and destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, Antigua's name was once Guatemala City and was for over two centuries the capital of Central America, including what is today the State of Chiapas in Mexico and the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. During that time, it was the third largest city in the Americas, after Lima, Peru, and Mexico City. A guided tour takes you through the city's best palaces, churches, convents, monasteries and plazas, in a picturesque walk down cobbled stones and with sights of the nearby volcanoes. Antigua's perfect spring-like weather all year round, has made this an attractive city of residence for artists and writers, among them Antoine Saint-Exupery, who wrote “The Little Prince,” and Gore Vidal. The afternoon is free to enjoy the city at your own pace, and your guide will advise on how to make good use of it.

Day 10: Depart Guatemala City

This morning a transfer to the Guatemala City International Airport is included. Depart for home or continue your explorations with AdventureSmith.

Day 1: Flores Island with a Personal Tour Guide

If you wish to be picked up from Belize instead of Mundo Maya International Airport (IATA: FRS) just outside of Flores, let us know. We will make arrangements for you to join us.

Our tour starts in Flores, a small town located on an island. Flores is best used as a base from which to make daytrips. Let's go on a walking tour around Flores with an English-speaking and private tour guide.

Day 2: Helicopter Ride Over Ancient Temples Found Deep in the Jungle

Today we are making a daytrip by helicopter to an archeological site called El Mirador. Although containing striking examples of Pre-classic Maya civilization, the remote location of El Mirador has prevented it from becoming a popular tourist site. Get ready for a hike as we discover the area. Lunch is included on today's tour.

Note that the helicopter ride often gets cancelled due to bad weather. In the event we cannot get onto the flight, this tour would be replaced with a visit to a natural park called Ixpanpajul as well as an archeological site called Yaxha. At Ixpanpajul, first we would go walking on the sky-way (a.k.a. hanging bridges) for about 1 hour. We would then go zip-lining for about 1.5 hours. At around noon, we are taken to Yaxha. There we are provided with a guided tour.

Day 3: Seeing One of Central America’s Greatest Archaeological Sites Followed by Relocating to the Colonial City of Antigua

Before flying from Flores through Guatemala City to reach Antigua (where we are based for the remainder of our trip), we are making a daytrip to Tikal. It is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization and one of the country’s greatest tourist draws. Lunch is included on today's tour.

Day 4: Hiking a Complex Volcano

Today we are making a daytrip to an active complex volcano called Pacaya. It first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago. Pacaya has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. It rises to an elevation of 2,552 meters (8,373 feet). After being dormant for over 70 years, Pacaya began erupting vigorously in 1961 and has been erupting frequently since then.

Day 5: Hanging Out with Hippies, Hiking “The Mayan Face” & Experiencing Truly Traditional Life in Lakeside Villages

Today we are making a daytrip to Lake Atitlán. The town of Panajachel serves as the gateway to this popular area. Firstly, we go on a guided tour to the surrounding villages, all located on Lake Atitlán. Although the cultures of these villages are influenced by the Maya people, each has its own personality and distinctive indigenous style. Our first stop is the village of San Marcos. There we have some time to walk along a long street filled with shops and hippies alike. This street is San Marcos’ main attraction. Next, we are taken by boat to the village of San Juan. From this village’s pier, we are taken by road to the base of La Nariz del Indio (a.k.a. The Mayan Face). The 1-hour guided hike to the viewpoint is worth the effort. We have some time to relax while up there. We should be back at the base of the mountain around 12:30pm. We then return to the dock in San Juan and have lunch.

Around 1:15pm, we are taken by boat to the village of Santiago. There we are provided with a guided tour. The greatest attraction in this village arguably is seeing traditional women washing clothes in the lake. Next, we return by boat to Panajachel. There we are provided with a guided walking tour, wandering the handful of streets filled with restaurants and tourists alike. Afterwards, we head back to Antigua.

Not included in the tour price but in high demand nonetheless is paragliding over Lake Atitlan. There are two places near Lake Atitlan which offer this experience. One is located above Santa Catarina Palopo, which can be reached via a 25-minute drive from Panajachel. The other is located across the lake in the village of Santa Clara La Laguna, which can be reached via a 30-minute drive away from San Pedro or San Marcos. Which of these two locations would be available for you? It usually depends on the direction of the wind. If you are interested in paragliding, then please let us know. Note that most paragliding companies offer a GoPro camera for rent. To save yourself some money, bring your own memory card.

Day 6: A Visit to the Country’s Biggest Indigenous Market

Today we are making a daytrip to Chichicastenango, a town popular specifically for its Thursday and Sunday market. Expect to see vendors selling traditional attire, masks, handicrafts, food, flowers, pottery, wooden boxes, condiments, medicinal plants, candles, pom and copal (traditional incense), cal (lime stones for preparing tortillas), pigs and chickens.

Note that "Day 6" may be switched out with another daytrip from Antigua in order for Chichicastenango to be visited on a Thursday or Sunday.

Day 7: A Full-Day & Private Tour of Guatemala’s Showcase City

Surrounded by 3 enormous volcanoes and mountains and otherwise famous for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture as well as a number of colonial-era landmarks, this town is unarguably Guatemala’s most beautiful. Antigua was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. We are provided with a full-day tour of Antigua, getting around in a private car.

Day 8: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Antigua is the final destination on our tour of Guatemala. The capital of Guatemala, where the international airport is located, takes about an hour to reach by shuttle from Antigua. A shuttle will be arranged for you to reach that airport.

Note that if you wish to spend another day in Antigua rather than go home today, then consider taking the 5-hour hike up Acatenango Volcano. Watching lava burst out of the volcano in the middle of the night is jaw-dropping. Tours leave from Antigua usually at 8:30am and 11:00pm. The morning departure includes lunch and dinner as well as an overnight stay. The late-night departure allows you to arrive at the viewpoint around 3:30am, in time to see both the bursting lava as well as sunrise a couple of hours later. If you are interested in this hike, we can make arrangements for you. The best advice we can give you is to stay warm! It is really cold up there…but it is also an unforgettable experience.

There is one more thing to note. Purely due to the difficulty in getting there, not included in our standard “Guatemala in 8 Days” itinerary is a visit to a popular natural monument called Semuc Champey. It consists of a natural 300-meter limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabon River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped and turquoise pools, which are used for swimming. Semuc Champey can be reached via an 8-hour bus ride from Antigua. Adding Semuc Champey increases our standard 8-day itinerary to now 10 days in total. Let us know whether you would like to add it.