Compare Grand tour of Guatemala by Audley Travel vs Guatemala & Honduras in 9 days - Magic of the Mayans - Superior by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 5,761 | $ 1,999 |
| Price Per Day | $ 443 | $ 222 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 8 Breakfasts and 1 Lunch. *** |
| Description |
Holidays in Guatemala can feel more intrepid than journeys to other parts of Central America. In reality, our specialists will tell you that Guatemala is a safe, compact country to explore. Pockets of it - such as the mountain communities of the Western Highlands - have changed little in centuries. While we can suggest a tried-and-tested circuit for your Guatemala holiday, you might also like to explore less trodden destinations such as the Rio Dulce and Livingston, where Carib-influenced Garifuna culture beats to the sound of African-inspired drumming. |
Explore vibrant Guatemala City before crossing the border into Honduras to uncover the ruins of Copan. Discover Quiriguá's Mayan legacy before cruising on the Rio Dulce and soaking up the Caribbean flavors of Livingston. Let Flores charm you before exploring the ruins of majestic Tikal. Admire the glistening waters of Lake Atitlan and end your adventure in Antigua Guatemala.
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Day 1 : Antigua
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Guatemala City. Arrive in Guatemala City today where you will be met and driven to the historic capital of Antigua in private vehicle.
Day 2 : Antigua
Today you will have a half day walking tour of beautiful colonial Antigua to get your bearings and visit the many pretty squares and churches.
Day 3 : Antigua
Free day to further explore Antigua at your own leisure or perhaps go on a chocolate making tour, visit a coffee plantation or try a volcano hike.
Day 4 : Lake Atitlan
This morning you will be transferred Lake Atitlan via a colourful indigenous market - gain a fascinating insight into community life as locals barter for their weekly shop.
Day 5 : Lake Atitlan
Today you will take to the waters of Lake Atitlan with your private guide, visiting some of the communities dotted around the lake shores.
Day 6 : Quetzaltenango
Drive from Lake Atitlan through spectacular scenery and traditional villages until you reach Quetzaltenango, in the heart of the highlands.
Day 7 : Antigua
Depart early this morning to reach the authentic San Francisco El Alto animal market, held once a week where locals buy and sell livestock of all kinds. After time exploring continue on to Antigua for the night.
Day 8 : Lanquin
This morning take the long journey between Antigua and Lanquin, passing cloud forests and lush jungle. After a stop at the Biotopo del Quetzal reserve, home to a variety of birds, you will continue on to Lanquin.
Day 9 : Lanquin
Full day private guided tour to the beautiful pools at Semuc Champey and nearby caves.
Day 10 : El Petén
Depart Lanquin this morning for the drive to Flores, gateway city to Tikal.
Day 11 : El Petén
Today you will take a private tour of Tikal. This really is one of the most outstanding places you can visit in Central America - dramatic Mayan ruins towering in the jungle with monkeys and toucans in the trees above you!
Day 12 : International return flight
Transfer back to Flores for your domestic flight to Guatemala City, and onward international connection.
Day 13 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: US - Guatemala City
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Guatemala. Arrive in Guatemala City, known for its volcanoes, mountainous location, and Inca heritage. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Guatemala City. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Guatemala City - Copán (Honduras)
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for the Northeast of Guatemala City, and cross the border to Copan, in Honduras. In the afternoon, visit Copan Archaeological Site which is considered one of the most important in the Mayan World. Tour the complex with its sculpted stelae slabs, a stairway with Mayan glyphs and the impressive ball field. Overnight stay in Copan.
Day 3: Copán - Quiriguá - Río Dulce
Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Guatemala City and visit the Quiriguá Archaeological Park, located on the banks of the Motagua River. The park is comprised of a complex of stela slabs, sculpted in sandstone, among which is the tallest stela of the entire Mayan world, as well as zoomorphic figures that date from the classic period of the Mayans. Afterward, transfer to Rio Dulce an area of immense natural beauty. Overnight stay in Rio Dulce.
Day 4: Río Dulce - Livingston - Flores
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a boat on the river and head to the town of Livingston, known for its reggae music and coconut bread. Continue up the river and admire the exuberant vegetation and an amazing natural canyon. From the boat enjoy a panoramic tour of the Castle of San Felipe de Lara, a fortress built in the seventeenth century by the Spanish. Afterward, transfer to Flores, situated on an island on Lake Petén Itzá. Overnight stay in Flores.
Day 5: Flores - Tikal - Guatemala City
Breakfast at the hotel. Today explore the most important Archaeological Site of the Mayan world, Tikal, built during the classic Mayan period. Your guide will show you the model of the Temples and Acropolis complex and guide your visit of the Q and R Complex, the Central Acropolis, the Temples I "The Great Jaguar" and the Temple II "of Los Mascarones". Enjoy lunch at Tikal before transferring to the Mundo Maya Airport to take a flight back to Guatemala City. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Guatemala City.
Day 6: Guatemala City - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlan
Breakfast at the hotel. Seize the day with an early morning visit to Chichicastenango market, located in the central Guatemalan highlands and visit the local Church of Santo Tomas. Transfer to Lake Atitlan, surrounded by three volcanoes Atitlán, Tolimán and San Pedro. Its crystal clear waters are amazingly beautiful. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Panajachel. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Lake Atitlan.
Day 7: Atitlán Lake - Panajachel - Antigua
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, take a boat ride to the indigenous village of Santiago Atitlán, located between the volcanoes Tolimán and San Pedro. Explore the town and visit the church of Santiago Apóstol and the Brotherhood of Maximón, one of the expressions of religious syncretism in our country. Return to Panajachel and transfer to Antigua. Overnight stay in Antigua.
Day 8: Antigua
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a half-day tour of Antigua, considered one of the most beautiful colonial cities of America. During the colonial period, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala and included the provinces of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After an earthquake in 1773, the city was uninhabited the population moved to what is now Guatemala City. Visit La Merced church, Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to go shopping and at the indicated time return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Antigua.
Day 9: Antigua - US
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to US. Arrive in the US and end your trip.
