Guatemala is Central America’s most diverse country which offers landscapes and experiences that have been beguiling travellers for centuries.
This 8-day customizable tour of Guatemala is sure to captivate and mystify the visitor. Guatemala is a visually stunning country with its dramatic, volcano-studded landscapes, charming Maya villages, and historical colonial cities with cobblestone streets. Friendly locals, vibrant markets, beautiful colonial towns, and stunning scenery, this Guatemala Tour showcases some of the highlights of Guatemala including Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango.
Contact us for custom tour details! Please note that this is a Sample Itinerary and can be altered to best suit your travel needs.
Highlights
STARTS AT
USD per Person
THIS IS A CUSTOMIZABLE ITINERARY FOR GROUPS OF ALL SIZES.
DATES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
Bienvenidos a Guatemala! You will be met at the airport by your driver and transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua which is nestled in the central highlands. Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. You will visit breath-taking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards.
Spanning a mountainous slice of Central America, Guatemala is loaded with incredible natural, historical and cultural appeal. As the birthplace and heartland of the ancient Maya, the country is in many ways defined by the legacy of this early civilization. Their rainforest cities were abandoned centuries ago, but Maya people continue to thrive in the Guatemalan highlands, where traditions and religious rituals, mingled with Catholic practices, form the richest and most distinctive indigenous identity in the hemisphere.
As today is arrival day, there are no planned activities. Enjoy your afternoon exploring the streets of Antigua. Antigua’s setting is gorgeous at an elevation of 1500m, nestled between three volcanoes: Agua (3766m), Fuego (3763m) and Acatenango (3976m). Its myriad of streetscapes – with sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins and pastel facades under terracotta roofs – offer photo opportunities at every turn.
Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: -/-/-
DAY 2: ANTIGUA TOUR & COOKING CLASS
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby to start your walking tour. A former capital, the city boasts an impressive showcase of colonial relics in a spectacular setting. Streetscapes of pastel facades unfold beneath three volcanoes. Many old ecclesiastical and civic buildings are beautifully renovated, while others retain tumbledown charm.
This walking tour will take in the main highlights of this ancient city, from the hustle and bustle of the atmospheric Central Park to the secret passageways of the many crumbling colonial convents and churches. A few other things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.
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After the walking tour, you will be transferred to San Miguel Escobar Town. On arrival, you will go into the home of the “chef” (also known as a Guatemalan wife and mother) who doesn’t use a recipe because after years of experience, she knows how to make this dish by heart. Learn how to prepare a traditional Guatemalan dish at a real Guatemalan home. Your chef will be a real housewife and one of a kind authentic experience. After your cooking class experience transfer back to Antigua.
Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/L/-
DAY 3: PACAYA VOLCANO HIKE
After an early breakfast at the hotel and checking out, you´ll be transferred to Pacaya volcano on the outskirts of Guatemala City. The hike to the viewpoint overlooking the flowing lava fields takes around 1.5-2 hours and is a very gentle with a wide trail. From this viewpoint, you’ll experience beautiful views of the volcanoes around Antigua and Lake Atitlan, looking back over our journey in the highlands. Enjoy a picnic lunch on top of the volcano.
The afternoon is free for you to explore the beautiful area or go Ziplining.
Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo Airstream
Meals: B/L/-
DAY 4: CHICHI MARKET & LAKE ATITLAN
Early this morning travel to Chichicastenango, the largest indigenous market in Central American (open on Thursdays and Sundays only). Surrounded by valleys with mountains punctuating the horizons, Chichicastenango can seem isolated in time and space from the rest of Guatemala. When its narrow cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs are enveloped in mist, it’s downright magical. The sounds, smells, and brilliant colours of the market are incredible to experience. On arrival, your guide will show you the church which is a very important and iconic monument in Mayan history. If you’re lucky you may also witness special ceremonies and mix of religions.
After tour and free time to shop and take photos, you will transfer to Lake Atitlan. With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlan is spectacular. Although volcanic activity has been going on for millions of years, today’s landscape has its origins in the massive eruption of 85 000 years ago, which blew ash as far away as Florida and Panama.
Fertile hills dot the landscape, and over everything loom the volcanoes, permeating the entire area with a mysterious beauty. With the sun, mist, rain, and clouds…it never looks the same twice. It is very easy to realize why so many people fall in love with this area. It is characterized by its natural beauty surrounded by gorgeous views of the volcanoes and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.
Overnight accommodations at hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 5: KAYAK, HIKE + VILLAGE TOUR – LAKE ATITLAN
After breakfast, you’ll transfer by boat to the village of Santa Cruz for kayak gear pick up. Paddle for approximate 45 minutes along delightful peninsulas admiring the shore’s beautiful gardens. The views are spectacular with three stunning volcanoes, Atitlan, San Pedro, and Toliman.
After kayaking you will start the hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you will hike along ancient paths that have been used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries.
After the hike, transfer by boat to San Juan, famous for its naïf art galleries, town murals and natural dyed textiles. Its beauty and artisan cooperatives have created the perfect village.
Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 6: DAY TO EXPLORE LAKE ATITLAN
Enjoy your day at leisure around beautiful Lake Atitlan. You may choose to visit some of the other villages around the lake such as San Pedro, San Marcos or Santiago.
Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 7: AVOCADO FARM TO ANTIGUA
After breakfast, bid farewell to stunning Lake Atitlan and meet with your driver for your transfer back to Antigua. Upon arrival meet your guide for your transfer to an Avocado Farm. You will learn the history, cultivation, and distribution of Hass avocado at the farm starting with a walk through the nursery of the avocado plantation and ending with an avocado tasting while learning learn how to prepare Guatemalan-style guacamole.
Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-
DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY
After breakfast, transfer to the La Aurora International Airport for your flights.
OR
Extend your trip to – Tikal or the beaches of Belize! Just ask us!
Meals: B/-/-
Tour Exclusions
IMPORTANT NOTES
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Mother Nature, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
FLIGHTS: Please do not purchase your flights until your trip is confirmed.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS & VACCINATIONS: Responsibility of the traveller.
Date: Custom Departure available upon request
Prices from: $2895 USD per participant based on Double / Twin accommodation (pricing may vary depending on season)
*Please note, the hotels and routing of this tour can be altered to best suit your needs. Pricing is based on 2 travellers.
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
Please note that these are just sample hotels and all accommodation is subject to change. We can upgrade hotels for an additional fee.
Antigua: Casa Santo Domingo
Lake Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS
Travel with confidence knowing that you’re covered with Manulife Insurance.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS – JOHN HANCOCK
Explore the world, stress-free, when you book travel insurance with John Hancock International.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading.No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
Our unique itineraries are designed to best showcase some of our favourite destinations around Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. All itineraries are fully-customizable.Not your typical online travel agency, nor are we quite a tour operator, we are international travel designers with a flair for unique experiences. We’d love to hear from you!
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