Explore Guatemala with this 8 day trip.  You’ll start from the charming city of Antigua, with court cafes and flourishing gardens. Imagine the stories you’ll take home after a visit to Maxi Mon (ma-shee-món), the smoking-and-drinking Mayan-Catholic deity. You’ll also visit the famous market at Chichicastenango.  You’ll end the trip at the amazing Maya Temple site of Tikal. Here huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest.  

Day 1- Arrival & Transfer to Antigua
On arrival to Guatemala City, you will be met by our bi-lingual driver for your 1 hour transfer to Antigua.  Surrounded by majestic volcanoes and green-clad mountains that border the highlands of Guatemala, Antigua is an excellent base from which to travel. There are also plenty of activities to do, from the colorful markets to the interesting museums, all deserving a visit. The climate is mild, warm in the days and fresh in the evenings. Stay in Antigua.

Day 2-Chichicastenango Market

Today guests transfer approx. 2hr to the famous market at  
at Chichicastenango. Chichicatenango is a small stucco-white town, lying on the crests of mountaintops. The town is home to what is said to be the most colorful native market in Central America. This town has been, since pre-Hispanic times, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area. The famous handicraft market draws not only the K’iche’ of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. They represent many of Guatemala's linguistic groups. Each person hawks his or her products in a cacophony of color, dialects, costumes, smoke, and smells. Hand-woven and hand-embroidered textiles in traditional Mayan colors and designs are among the most outstanding items, from skirts and blouses to tablecloths and wool blankets. After spending time shopping, you’ll have an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church. Transfer on to Antigua for a final night in this beautiful city. Stay in Lake Atitlan 2 nights. (B,L)

Day 3- Lake Tour & Visit to Santiago
This morning guests will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the Village of Santiago where they have lunch in a local hotel and tour the village. You will visit the Maya God Maximon and learn about the spiritualism & beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. While in Santiago de Atitlan, get a glimpse of how the Tzutujil Maya live, almost oblivious to the fact that the Conquistadors arrived five centuries ago. No trip to Santiago is complete without a visit to Maxi Mon (ma-shee-món), the smoking-and-drinking Mayan-Catholic deity. Stay in Lake Atitlan (B,L)

Day 4- Solola Market & Iximche  

Guests will be transferred to visit the colorful authentic market at Solola and enjoy a tour of the market. Lunch will be in a traditional restaurant on route back to Antigua There will also be a short tour of the small Maya Archaeology site at Iximche. The site's name, Iximché, dervives from the mayan words ixim (maize/corn) and ché (tree), resulting in "Place of the Maize tree." Iximche is known to have an elaborate market set aside in it during the Postclasic Era. It was made of a square plaza area for the market with installed government officials to collect taxes, enforce rules, and to settle disputes. Here, the pyramids still sleep under a blanket of vegetation. Stay in Antigua 2 nights. (B,L)

Day 5- Architecture & History Tour

Guests will take a half day tour of Antigua. A beautiful city, the streets are lined with cobblestones and an abundance of authentic colonial buildings.   It has been given the rare World Heritage title by UNESCO preserving the charming and unique atmosphere.  Visitors come and enjoy all the court cafes with flourishing gardens and fountains. The tour takes in the main square, palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church, Capuchinas Convento, St Clara & San Francsico Church.  All entrances are included. Free afternoon. (B)

Day 6- Yaxha Sunset Tour
Today guests will transfer to Guatemala City (unguided) and take the morning flight up to Flores. They are met at the airport by their private driver for the transfer to their hotel and have some time to relax. After lunch guests transfer to Yaxha National Park (approx 1hr) to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples. Yaxhá is a stunning place for nature and archeology. Rediscovered in 1904, the site continues to be excavated. It was part of one of the largest ancient Mayan cities. The site is part of the National Park Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo. You will stay tonight in the Tikal Area. (B)

Day 7- Tikal
Explore the amazing Mayan Temple site at Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch guests will transfer to Flores airport and fly to Guatemala City. At the airport guest are met by their driver for an unguided transfer to their hotel in Guatemala City. 1 night in Guatemala City. (B,L)

Day 8 - Transfer Out
This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport in plenty of time to catch their international flight onward. (B)