Mayans & Markets

Day 1 : Guatemala City

Upon your arrival in Guatemala City, Guatemala, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 2 : Guatemala City > Chichicastenango

Today you will journey to the country’s most colourful and picturesque open-air market, where hundreds of indigenous people from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods. Experience the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year-old Church of Santo Tomas. Afterwards, you will continue to Chichicastenango for your overnight stay.

Day 3 : Chichicastenango > Panajachel

In the morning, you will make your way to Solola Market, an authentic Indigenous market where men and women proudly wear traditional clothing from their communities. The market is vibrant with colours, as people from surrounding villages gather to trade goods. Solola remains one of the few highland villages where traditional attire is still worn, with fabrics and embroidered motifs indicating social and economic status, as well as civil and religious hierarchy. Next, continue to Lake Atitlan, renowned for its crystalline-azure waters nestled in a volcanic crater. Surrounded by twelve Indian villages, Lake Atitlan is a perfect place to experience Guatemalan folklore and culture, with inhabitants descended from the great Quiché, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations.

Day 4 : Panajachel > San Juan La Laguna

Embark on a motor launch and cross Lake Atitlan to the charming village of San Juan La Laguna, one of the twelve scenic lakeshore communities. From there, continue your journey to Antigua Guatemala, the most captivating city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, Antigua seamlessly blends ancient ruins with meticulously restored colonial buildings and new constructions in the same historic style. Recognised as a “Monument of America” in 1965, the city remains a stunning testament to its rich colonial heritage. In 2024, your overnight will be in Santiago Atitlan.

Day 5 : San Juan La Laguna > Guatemala City

Today you will travel to Antigua, Guatemala, the most significant and captivating city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, Antigua is a stunning blend of ruins, restored colonial structures, and newly built edifices in colonial style. Declared a “Monument of America” in 1965, this city offers a unique glimpse into the past. Explore the Central Plaza, surrounded by the historic cathedral, the municipal government building, and the Palace of the Captains General. Discover colonial churches and monasteries and visit a jade factory where this precious stone is crafted into exquisite jewellery. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Guatemala City for your overnight stay.

Day 6 : Guatemala City > Flores > Tikal

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Flores, Peten. Upon arrival, your representative will guide you to Ceibal, a Mayan archaeological site in Sayaxche near the banks of La Pasioin River, where you might spot crocodiles and exotic birds. The Ceibal Stelae are among the finest and best-preserved sculptures of the Late Classic Period, earning the site the nickname “Maya Art Gallery” due to the hardness of the local stone, which has withstood centuries of weather and natural events. One of the most notable structures is a round stone, a rare find in the Mesoamerican region.

Day 7 : Tikal > Yaxha Lake & Topoxte > Tikal

Enjoy a visit to Yaxha, a city contemporary to Tikal, situated on the northeastern side of Lake Yaxha. With over 1400 mapped monuments and a decade-long excavation program, Yaxha reveals its magnificent architecture. Explore ball courts, residential and religious areas like the Maler Group, the recently restored North Acropolis, and Temple 216, which stands over 90 feet high. Next, continue to Topoxte, located on seasonal islands on the western side of Lake Yaxha. The buildings here resemble those of Tulum in Yucatan, Mexico and were inhabited between 900 and 1200 AD during the Postclassic period.

Day 8 : Tikal > Flores > Guatemala City

Journey back over 2,000 years with a visit to Tikal National Park. You will be guided to the ancient Mayan City of Tikal, set within a 575 km2 park. Tikal thrived from 600 BC to 869 AD, peaking during the late Classic period (690 to 850 AD). Explore Twin-Pyramid Complexes “Q” and “R,” the Lost World Complex with the Great Pyramid and Temple 5C-49, Temple III, the Palace of the Windows, and the Great Plaza. The plaza is flanked by the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles, and Pyramid IV, the tallest Mayan pyramid. In the afternoon, transfer to Santa Elena’s Airport for your flight to Guatemala City. Upon your arrival, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

Day 9 : Guatemala City

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport where your journey through Guatemala concludes.