Tour Package: Guatemala in 15 Days

Maya archaeological sites, vibrant markets, and breathtaking landscapes await your discovery in this 15-day journey through Guatemala, offering a complete and comfortable exploration of this rich country.

Itinerary for the Guatemala Tour Package

Day 1: Arrival in Guatemala City

Welcome to Guatemala! Upon your arrival at La Aurora International Airport, you will be greeted and transported to your hotel in the capital, where you will rest for the night.

Day 2: Discovering Guatemala City

We will commence the tour with a guided exploration of Guatemala City, where you'll witness notable landmarks including the National Palace, the Cathedral, and the Civic Center.

Next, we will visit the archaeological site of Iximché, the location of the nation's first capital, where you'll wander among ancient pyramids, ceremonial palaces, and ball courts. The day concludes with a visit to the Museum of Iximché, featuring sculptures and ceramics uncovered from the site.

In the afternoon, we will depart the capital and head to Chichicastenango for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Chichicastenango

The day begins at the vivid open-air market of Chichicastenango, celebrated as one of the country's finest indigenous markets. Following this, we will head to the church of Santo Tomás, where ancestral ceremonies are regularly performed.

After familiarizing ourselves with the town, we will travel to Quetzaltenango, providing an opportunity for an overnight rest.

Day 4: Exploring Quetzaltenango

Renowned for its historical significance and cultural heritage, Quetzaltenango features neoclassical landmarks and is popular among visitors. Here, we'll explore the market at San Francisco El Alto and the church of San Andrés Xecul, both of which showcase the city’s emblematic architecture. In the afternoon, our journey continues to Panajachel, situated by the picturesque Lake Atitlán.

Day 5: Adventure on Lake Atitlán

Following breakfast, we will embark on a delightful boat ride across Lake Atitlán, allowing you to soak in the stunning views framed by mountains and volcanoes.

Our boat will take us to Santiago Atitlán, a Maya village on the shoreline, where you'll have a chance to learn about local customs and community traditions. After our visit, we will proceed to the historic town of Antigua Guatemala.

Day 6: A Day in Antigua Guatemala

On day six, our focus is on Antigua Guatemala. We will navigate its colonial streets, visiting landmarks including the cathedral of Santiago, Central Park, and the convent of the Capuchinas, positioned atop a hill with breathtaking panoramic views.

Later in the afternoon, we will return to Guatemala City for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Quetzal Biotope

Eager to start the day, we will depart the capital early, heading to Alta Verapaz to explore the Quetzal Biotope, established to conserve the endangered quetzal bird.

Following this, we'll proceed to Orquigonia, a private reserve dedicated to orchid conservation. After enriching experiences, we’ll head to Cobán for overnight accommodation.

Day 8: Journey to Semuc Champey

Today's excursion takes us to Semuc Champey, a natural marvel nestled in Lanquín. Here, you will admire the stunning bridges, springs, and canyons formed by sedimentary rock, and appreciate the area's diverse flora and fauna.

Day 9: Exploring Copán

We will cross into Honduras to visit Copán, where you'll delve into its remarkable Maya ruins. You'll find yourself surrounded by intricately carved stelae, temples, and plazas that evoke the grandeur of ancient civilization.

A visit to the Museum of Maya Sculpture within the archaeological site allows us to gain insight into the rich history of Copán and the larger Maya culture.

Day 10: Quiriguá Awaits

Our day begins early as we return to Guatemala to explore the archaeological site of Quiriguá, renowned for its exceptional Maya monuments and stunning stone carvings. Notable highlights include stelae depicting human figures and hieroglyphs, especially the impressive stela E at over 10 meters (33 feet) tall.

We'll wander through the Central Plaza and Acropolis, while also experiencing the Great Jaguar and the Maya ball game area. In the afternoon, we will make our way to Río Dulce for an overnight stay.

Day 11: Discovering Livingston and the Dulce River

The day kicks off with a boat tour along the Dulce River, leading us to the vibrant city of Livingston, where we'll uncover its rich history and take in the sights of the castle of San Felipe.

In the afternoon, we will continue on to Flores or Tikal, where you’ll have time to relax until the following day.

Day 12: Ceibal Exploration

In the morning, we will journey to Ceibal, an archaeological site located in Sayaxché next to the La Pasión River. This site, often called the Maya Art Gallery, features beautifully preserved stelae from the classic Maya period.

Following our explorations, we will head back to our accommodation in Flores or Tikal.

Day 13: Yaxhá and Topoxté

Today's itinerary includes visits to two renowned Maya archaeological sites, both contemporary with Tikal. Our first stop is at Yaxhá, perched on a hill with approximately 1,400 structures. We’ll explore its main enclosures, several restored, and conclude at its prominent temple, towering over 30 meters (98.5 feet).

In the afternoon, we will venture to Topoxté, a post-classic site that evokes memories of the Tulúm ruins in the Yucatán. Afterward, we will return to our hotel in Flores or Tikal.

Day 14: The Majestic Tikal

Finally, we reach the highlight of our 15-day journey: the ruins of Tikal.

We will explore this magnificent world-famous archaeological site, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Great Plaza, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Temple of the Masks, and the Palace of the Nobles. Climbing Temple IV rewards us with incredible views over Tikal, surrounded by lush jungle.

After a lunch break, we’ll explore the museum, which exhibits numerous pre-Columbian artifacts uncovered during excavations.

In the afternoon, we will catch a flight back to Guatemala City for our last evening together.

Day 15: Departure from Guatemala City

As our tour comes to a close, we will assist you with your departure. Three hours before your scheduled flight, we will transfer you to La Aurora International Airport for your journey home.

Accommodation Details

Your tour package provides accommodations for 14 nights, including breakfast. During booking, you have the option to select from categories A, B, or C hotels.

Guatemala City: Barceló Hotel (categories A and B), Westin Camino Real Hotel (category C)Antigua Guatemala: Hotel Mesón de María (category A), Hotel Camino Real Antigua (category B), Pensativo House Hotel (category C)Atitlán: Hotel Villa Santa Catarina (category A), Porta Hotel del Lago (categories B and C)Chichicastenango: Hotel Mayan Inn (categories A, B, and C)Quetzaltenango: Hotel Latam (categories A, B, and C)Cobán: Park Hotel (categories A, B, and C)Copán (Honduras): Hotel Marina Copán (categories A, B, and C)Río Dulce: Catamarán Hotel (categories A, B, and C)Flores/Tikal: Hotel Villa Maya (category A), Hotel Camino Real Tikal (category B), Hotel Bolontiku (category C)