DAY 01: GUATEMALA CITY
Arrival in Guatemala City. Reception at the Airport. Transfer to your Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 02: GUATEMALA CITY / ANTIGUA (City Tour) / LAKE ATITLAN
After breakfast , we will depart to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. We will visit the most charming corners of this wonderful city like: the convent of la Merced and its fountain, Las capuchinas, convent of the Jesuits, Santo Domingo and its museum, San Carlos, San Francisco and others.
After the visit continue to Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world surrounded by three volcanoes and twelve native villages.
DAY 03: LAKE ATITLAN (Chichicastenango Market )
Breakfast. Visit Chichicastenango, known for it’s famous open-air native market (only on Thursdays and Sundays) and the Church of Santo Tomas built 400 years ago. Here you can see how local people mingle Catholic ceremonies and pre-hispanic rites. After the visit return to Lake Atitlan.
DAY 04: LAKE ATITLAN / (Tour Santiago Atitlan) / ANTIGUA
Breakfast. Boat tour at 8:30 AM to visit the town of Santiago Atitlan. Bright colors and ancient designs can be seen in the traditional dresses, proudly worn by these highland inhabitants. Then transfer to Antigua for overnight.
DAY 05: ANTIGUA
Breakfast. Day off to take an optional tour, like climbing Pacaya volcano, coffee tour, city tour, or playing golf.
DAY 06: ANTIGUA / (Visit Yaxha) / PETEN
Early in the morning, depart from the hotel to the Airport to board a flight to Flores, Petén (Not Included).
After arrival visit of the spectacular archeological site of Yaxha establish by the sacred lagoon of the same name. The site contains several acropolis, ball courts and stelae that are connected by causeways. From all, the two sets of pyramids where the solstice and equinox were commemorated by the ancient Mayas are the once that gives Yaxha it importance. Lunch (included).
DAY 07: PETEN (Tour to Tikal )
Early in the morning, depart from the hotel to the Airport, board a flight heading to Flores Petén to visit Tikal National Park. Visit the Q complex, Plaza Central, Acropolis North and Center, Lost world, Temple IV where you can admire the green of the jungle. Lunch (included).
DAY 08: PETEN / (Visit to Yaxhilan) / PALENQUE
Breakfast and departure to Usumacinta River, where we will take a boat down the river. We will cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico to visit the archaeological site of Yaxchilán. Box Lunch included. Our trip will continue to Palenque arriving in the evening.
DAY 09: PALENQUE (Tour to Palenque) / CAMPECHE
Breakfast. Today we will visit the archaeological site Palenque, considered one of the most beautiful sites in all Mexico. A UNESCO historical monument, Palenque is considered a world treasure. Ancient structures rise out of the lush rainforest on multiple terraces set against the mountains, many of them built by the great King Pacal in the 6th & 7th centuries AD. There are many major buildings to explore and new buildings are now being uncovered and studied. Many wonderful examples of Maya art and history are carved into the buildings’ facades, some of them the most famous depictions from the ancient Maya world.
After the visit we will continue to Campeche for overnight.
DAY 10: CAMPECHE / (Tour to Uxmal) / MERIDA
Breakfast. Drive on to Mérida via a stop at Uxmal, known to many by way of legend, myth or anecdote. It is situated within a series of hills known as the Puuc or “mountainous area” in the Maya. The name was later given to describe the architectural style of the region, such as the colossal Magicians Pyramid, impressive Governors Palace, intricate Dove’s Temple and grand Nuns Quadrangle.
Lunch included. The next stop will be Kabah, a Puuc-style city that flourished around the year 800 AD. Kabah is known as the second largest religious center in the Puuc-style. (Puuc is the Mayan name given to a series of low-lying hills with a unique culture and style.) Next visit the palace, a building of great beauty located on a high esplanade forming a quadrangle. The most remarkable construction however, is the palace of the masks, with an impressive facade comprised of over 250 masks of god Chaac. Each mask is finely cut from stone and positioned in magnificent baroque-style. Arrival in Merida for overnight.
DAY 11: MERIDA (City Tour)
Today discover and admire the sights of this beautiful colonial city. This city features a fascinating combination of art, history and culture throughout its cobbled streets, stunning architecture and lovely parks. We will visit the spectacular buildings of the Cathedral, Casa de Montejo and the palace, then walk down Paseo de Montejo, a beautiful city avenue with more than one hundred years of history. Flanked by stately mansions, this route will take you back in time as you enjoy this fantastic journey through one of Mexico’s beautiful cities.
DAY 12: MERIDA / (Tour Chichen Itza) / CANCUN
Today we will depart from Merida to Chichen Itza, the ancient city of the Itzae Maya. The ceremonial center of this site covers an area of more than 2 miles. As you visit its impressive pyramids, plazas and temples – El Castillo, the Ball Court, the Observatory and the Nunnery- to name just a few, you’ll begin to understand the power of Chichen Itza. For centuries it was a sacred place and today draws thousands of visitors each year. The ruins were recently declared one of the “Seven Modern Wonders of the World!”
A delicious buffet lunch will be served at the famous Mayaland Hotel, where you can also take a refreshing dip in any of the swimming pools, stroll through the tropical gardens or simply relax in the cool breeze. You can also stroll through our beautiful gardens and watch the birds.
In the afternoon transfer to Cancun. Arrival, check in and accommodation.
DAY 13-14: CANCUN
Warm white powdery sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters together with the famous Mexican hospitality make this a place like no other. Enjoy 2 full days at leisure!
DAY 15: CANCUN – END OF THE TOUR
Breakfast. Check out and transfer to the airport.