Luxury Tour of Guatemala and Belize

Day 1 : Guatemala City

Bienvenidos a Guatemala!

Arrival at the Guatemala City International Airport “La Aurora”.

Private transfer from the airport to your hotel, then settle in your hotel. Night at the Real Intercontinental Guatemala. Deluxe room.

Day 2 : Guatemala City

Market day in Chichicastenango:

Today travel to Chichicastenango to explore it’s famous market (Thursday and Sunday). The Kaqchikel Indians descend from surrounding villages twice a week to sell their handicrafts here. The city is transformed into a real kaleidoscope of colors and smells! The women wear the traditional huipil, representing the seasons of the Mayan calendar. In the center of the village, shamans purify the stairs of the church with incense and partake in Mayan rituals.

The Emblematic Lake Atitlan:

Today, depart for Lake Atitlan, a true symbol of Guatemala. This beautiful lake is nestled between 3 volcanoes at 1,600 meters above sea level. Take in the panoramic views! There are many small villages that sit on the shores of the lake, often only accessible by boat. Here, they celebrate local festivals and host markets rooted in tradition.

Arrive in Panajachel at the end of the day. Overnight stay in a standard room at Atitlan Hotel.

Day 3 : Panajachel

Boat Trip to Mayan Villages on Lake Atitlan

In the morning, hop on a boat and discover the Tzutuhil villages of Lake Atitlan. The Tzutuhil are one of the 21 Mayan peoples of Guatemala. They are present in only a handful of villages located southwest of Lake Atitlan. Visit Santiago Atitlan where you’ll discover a curious syncretic cult: Maximón, the cigarette smoking God of Guatemala is feared as much as he is idolized. Somewhere between good and bad, the villagers offer Maximón gifts in the form of cigarettes, alcohol or money.

After, discover the small Mayan village of San Juan La Laguna. Here the weavers’ cooperative will open its doors to teach you about the techniques of natural coloring and traditional weaving. Appreciate the colorful paintings that represent scenes of daily life in the region.

Transfer by boat to the village of Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of Lake Atitlan. The inhabitants of this pretty little village live mainly from agriculture, fishing and weaving. Since 2016, a community project has been progressively repainting the houses of the village in the colors of the local huipil: deep blue with traditional patterns. Beautiful! Option included: local English speaking guide for the day.

Night at the hotel Atitlan. Standard room

Day 4 : Panajachel

In the morning, visit the Sololá market. This is one of the most authentic and colorful markets in the region! Visit the wholesale market that attracts buyers from all over the region. Take time to appreciate the great variety of traditional outfits, whose colors correspond to their village of origin.

After the lunch, road towards the Maya site of Iximché, capital of the Kaqchikel Mayas who allied with the Spanish colonists against the Quiché Mayas. The conquistadors established the first Spanish city in the country, but the Kaqchikels revolted and burned the city in 1562. The site is sometimes the place of Mayan rites practiced by shamans and the locals of the region.

Continuation towards Antigua. End of the day free to explore this beautiful colonial city. Night at the hotel Palo Santo.

Day 5 : Antigua

Discovery Antigua’s surroundings by Vespa:

Meet at 9:00AM to discover Antigua on board a Vintage Vespa. Visit a Macadamia nut plantation. Taste and discover of its uses in local cuisines, medicine and cosmetics. Then, climb aboard once again to reach Ciudad Vieja, a small colonial city that was the second capital of Guatemala for a short 14 years. Continue down the slopes of the Agua volcano on the road to San Juan del Obispo, where you’ll meet two local families who produce chocolate and artisanal wine. Visit the workshops and wine tasting. Return to Antigua around 12:00.

Note: Tours in small groups (2 to 12 people) with an English speaking guide.

Driver’s license and experience required.

1 person per Vespa (discount of 10 usd per person if 2 people per Vespa)

Vespa 150cc; helmet provided; third party insurance.

Night at the hotel Palo Santo.

Day 6 : Antigua to Copan, Honduras

Private transfer to Copan, Honduras.

Visit of the archaeological site. The city of Copan was an important cultural and scientific influence at its peak in the 7th century. It’s baroque style, sculptures and finely ornamented steles make it one of the most spectacular Mayan cities. You may also enjoy bird watching on site.

Option included: local English speaking guide in Copan.

Night at the Terramaya boutique hotel.

Day 7 : Copan

Return to Guatemala and drive to Quirigua. Visit an archaeological site in the Motagua valley. Quirigua was an important and respected city during the Mayan classical period (200 – 900 AD). The site is famous for the beauty of its steles, the highest reaching 10.70 meters high and weighing 65 tons.

Continue towards Puerto Barrios, where you’ll begin to feel the Caribbean vibes. The contrast with the rest of the country is striking!  Transfer by private boat to Livingston (30 minute crossing). Here, a large part of the population is Garifuna, a mixed indigenous and African people descended from the Black Caribs. Night at the hotel Villa Caribe.

Day 8 : Livingston

Relaxing boat trip down the Río Dulce. Cross a canyon and stop to bathe in the hot springs. Reach the village of Río Dulce where many sailboats come to drop anchor. Visit the fort San Felipe, built in the 17th century to stop recurrent pirate attacks.

Drive to Flores, in the heart of Petén.

Option included: private boat from Livingston to Río Dulce.

Night at the hotel Isla de Flores. Superior room Jr. Suite.

Day 9 : Flores

Tikal: Jewel of the Mayan world

Day dedicated to the exploration of the impressive city of Tikal, built in the 4th century BC. The impressive Mayan city reached its peak between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD.

Some 3,000 structures rise from the rain forest in a mystical atmosphere. The temple of The Great Jaguar faces the Temple of the Masks on the great square, the heart center of the city. At 65 meters high, the Snake Temple was the highest building in the new world until the 19th century.

Nature is not to be outdone, engulfing the traveler who enters the reserve. Watch for spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans and other multicolored parrots. The cries of howler monkeys can be heard for miles around. Smells of lianas and roots surprise the traveler.

In 2017, new research techniques discovered uncovered temples still buried in the jungle. Tikal has not yet finished revealing all its mysteries…

Transfer to Flores located on a peninsula of Lake Peten Itza.

Option included: local English speaking guide in Tikal. Night at the hotel Isla de Flores. Superior room Jr. Suite.

Day 10 : Yaxha

Departure for Yaxha, meaning “green water” in the Mayan language. The city is located on the shores of Lake Yaxha, which was used to supply the Mayan population with fresh water. Walk on the marked paths of this large and little frequented site. Don’t miss the view of the lake from the Temple de las Manos Rojas!

Transfer to Melchor de Mencos at the border with Belize. Welcome and pick up at Belize.

Drive to Belize City. Boat taxi from Belize City to San Pedro on the Ambergris Caye (1 hour 30 minutes; 38 USD round trip to be paid locally).

Night at Matachica Resort & Spa, Seabreeze Beach Bungalow.

Day 11 : San Pedro

Free day to explore San Pedro on the paradise island of Ambergris.

Caye Ambergris is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Belize with dreamy beaches, lagoons and an exceptional underwater garden.

Free day to sip cocktails and soak in the sun.

Possibility to organize sea fishing, snorkeling or inland excursions (please contact us for more information). Night at Matachica Resort & Spa, Seabreeze Beach Bungalow.

Day 12 : San Pedro

Free day to explore San Pedro on the paradise island of Ambergris.

Caye Ambergris is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Belize with dreamy beaches, lagoons and an exceptional underwater garden.

Free day to sip cocktails and soak in the sun.

Possibility to organize sea fishing, snorkeling or inland excursions (please contact us for more information). Night at Matachica Resort & Spa, Seabreeze Beach Bungalow.

Day 13 : San Pedro

Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour:

The Hol Chan reserve is one of the most famous sites for snorkeling in Belize. Thousands of small and large fish live in the underwater reserve, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Observe multicolored fish, rays, and even swim in the midst of nurse sharks (who are totally harmless!)

To be paid on the spot: 10 USD entrance fee  to the marine reserve.

Night at Matachica Resort & Spa. Seabreeze Beach Bungalow.

Day 14 : Belize City

Private transfer to Belize International Airport.