Antigua, Comalapa, Lake Atitlan, Chichi, Coban Area, Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Yaxha, Tikal
12 days / 11 nights
From $3,190 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Guatemala City – Antigua
Guatemala City Airport reception and transfer to Antigua. Overnight at an Antigua hotel (Casa Encantada or similar), breakfast included – 2 nights.

Day 2: Antigua Architecture & History Tour
You will be met at your hotel reception this morning by your private guide for a half-day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city, with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents, and cathedrals. Entrance fees are included to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park, and La Merced Church. This tour is flexible and if you have specific sights that you wish to see please notify your guide. If you wish to visit other monuments you will need to pay the entrances directly. At the end of the tour your guide can either accompany you back to your hotel or take you to a drop off point of your choosing. Strolling the streets you'll see that Antigua has kept its original character by preserving its monuments and retaining its original architectural forms. As a consequence, Antigua was declared a Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1979. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 3: Comalapa Market, Local Naif Painters and transfer to Lake Atitlan
You will met at your hotel and transferred to the colorful authentic market at Comalapa which is a small, not so often visited town and market in the highlands near Antigua nestled in amongst some beautiful agricultural scenery. You will be able to see traditional farming life of the Maya people of the area and local crops. Once in Comalapa your guide will take you for a tour of the local market and for a visit to some of the famous local primitive painting galleries as well as a stop at a local bakery to try out the “rosca” biscuits and finally a stop at the famous town mural which was painted by the local children to commemorate the signing of the peace accords. When ready you will transfer on through the highlands to Lake Atitlan and take a boat across the lake to their hotel. Overnight at a Lake Atitlan hotel (Hotel Atitlan or similar), breakfast included – 2 nights. (B,L)

Day 4: Lake Atitlan Tour (San Juan, Santiago)
This morning you will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of San Juan La Laguna where you can visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process. Also here visit the studios / homes of the celebrated naïf painters. From here you continue to the village of Santiago where you have lunch at a local hotel and tour the village visiting the Maya God Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. (B,L)

Day 5: Chichi Market (market days – Thursdays/Sundays) - Antigua
Today you will be met by your guide and transfer approximately 1 hour to the famous market at Chichicastenango. Time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church before transferring on to on to Antigua for the night. Overnight at an Antigua hotel (Casa Encantada or similar), breakfast included. (B,L)

Day 6: Antigua - Coban
This morning you will be met by their driver and guide for the transfer to the Coban area. On the way you will stop to visit the Biotop El Quetzal Reserve. Here you will have the opportunity to see the famous Quetzal bird among many other species. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight in Lanquin at the El Recreo, breakfast included – 2 nights. (B,L)

Day 7: Semuc Champey & Lanquin Caves
Today you will visit Semuc Champey, a limestone bridge on top of which there are several natural pools of different sizes, filled with crystalline mountain spring water. Underneath the bridge is the Cahabón River. At the end of the bridge, the water from the pools falls to rejoin the river, forming a waterfall. You can hike to the two overlooks for a fantastic view or just relax in the beautiful blue water pools. When ready you will be transferred to Lanquin where you will visit the caves of Lanquin. These caves are the home of thousands of bats which will fly out at dusk. (B,L) Optional overnight extension to Cancuen & Candelaria Caves Optional overnight extension to Chiminos Island Lodge to visit Aguateca Site and Rainforest wildlife

Day 8: Lanquin – Tikal/Flores
This morning you will be transferred to your hotel in the Tikal Area (approximate travel time - 5 hours). Rest of the day free to explore the area or just to relax at your hotel. Overnight at the Jungle Lodge in Tikal, breakfast included – 2 nights. (B)

Day 9: Yaxha Sunset
Free morning at leisure. Optional morning Canopy Tour (not included in trip cost). After lunch you transfer to Yaxha National Park to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments and wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples. (B)

Day 10: Tikal – Guatemala City
This morning you will transfer to Tikal National park to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch you will have time to relax and refresh before transferring to the Flores Airport for your 30-minute flight to Guatemala City. Airport reception and transfer to the Camino Real Guatemala City, breakfast included. (B,L)

Day 11: Int’l Departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the airport for your departing flight. (B)