Guatemala Tour - "A place of many trees" 

The name "Guatemala" comes from the Nahuatl word Cuauhtēmallān (nahwiki), or "place of many trees", a derivative of the K'iche' Mayan word for "many trees" or, perhaps more specifically, for the Cuate/Cuatli tree Eysenhardtia. This was the name that the Tlaxcaltecan warriors who accompanied Pedro de Alvarado during the Spanish Conquest gave to this territory.

Day One: Arrive Guatemala

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF ETERNAL SPRING!  On arrival at Guatemala's La Aurora Airport, our representative will meet you then you are transferred you to your hotel.

Remainder of the day at leisure at your hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Barcelo Guatemala City Hotel - Meals: None

Day Two: Guatemala - Chichicastenango

At 09:00 a.m., you will be picked up at your hotel for your transfer to Antigua Guatemala, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, nowadays Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared “Monument of America” in 1965.

Visit the Central Plaza which is surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, and the Palace of the Captains General; colonial churches and monasteries, primitive foot-looms where colorful textiles are woven, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Chichicastenango for overnight accommodations.

OVERNIGHT: Mayan Inn Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Three: Chichicastenango - Guatemala

In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a visit of the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in the country. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. Also, witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tomás (No shorts or bathing suits are allowed inside the Church, PLEASE NO PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE THE CHURCH).

Continue your transfer to Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below.  Atitlán is the ideal place to come in contact with Guatemalan folklore. Twelve Indian villages surround the Lake, and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quiché, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Guatemala City for overnight.

OVERNIGHT: Barcelo Guatemala City Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Four:Biotopo Del Quetzal

At 7:00 am, the trip to Alta Verapaz will begin, to visit the Biotopo del Quetzal. It was created for the protection of the Quetzal, which is the national bird and is in danger of extinction. This protected habitat was established in 1976 by Mario Dary and since then it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. Given its location and wooded area, the place has a variety of fauna and flora that can be found from hummingbirds to orioles. You will also visit Orquigonia, a wonderful place that is a corner of exuberant nature where the visitor can see and learn of orchids, other forest plants, admire its beauty in its natural state and breathe the pure air peace and tranquility in the green heart of Guatemala. It is a relatively small area but it has a great biodiversity, since its acquisition in 2007, the wooded land has been regenerated naturally and now it is a refuge not only for orchids but also for a large number of plants such as: tree ferns, tillandsias, bromeliads, forest species with fruits and epiphytes with flowers. The tour will end with a museum visit. 

OVERNIGHT: Park Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Five:Semuc Champey

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel to visit Semuc Champey which is located in the municipality of Lankin, on the Cahabón river. Semuc Champey is built by a natural bridge of about 500 meters long, inside which the Cahabón River circulates underground, in what is known as a siguán. In the upper part a great variety of pools of 1 to 3 meters deep is formed, which are fed by mountain springs. These pools are in a small canyon formed by sedimentary rock and limestone typical of the highlands of the Polochic valley.

OVERNIGHT: Park Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Six:Copan - Hondorus

At 07:00 a.m., depart to Copán, Honduras. After completing official immigration formalities, continue to the archaeological site of Copán. As you step inside the park, witness elaborate stone sculptures everywhere. As you walk into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza you are witness of the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya. Copán’s main plaza contains the greatest collection of Maya sculptures in Central America.

Take time to explore and marvel at the beautiful Mayan stellae, majestic temples, and complete ball court.

OVERNIGHT: Marina Copan Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Seven: Quirigua

This morning, transfer to the Mayan site of Quiriguá, where extraordinary monuments include 12 carved stellae, 4 zoo morphs, enormous carved stones of mythological animal forms, and unrestored temples.  Dates recorded are at exact intervals of 800 days.

After your tour, transfer to Rio Dulce to check into your hotel and overnight. 

OVERNIGHT: Catamaran Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Eight: Rio Dulce

Today, enjoy a boat ride exploring Río Dulce, undoubtedly one of the country’s most unique tourist attractions. The enormous Río Dulce offers a natural experience; while navigating on its beautiful waters one enjoys the riverine forest and listens to the sounds of the howler monkeys.  The nice spots on the riverside include natural forests and bathing places in a unique natural environment. Several islands and islets along the river are the nesting grounds for thousands of aquatic birds which offer beautiful displays as they set flight and when they feed in large groups on the river waters.  A section of the river is much wider, thus forming a 60 square kilometer water deposit, called El Golfete, which can be considered a river and a lake at the same time.

Then, transfer to Flores. Check in at your hotel and overnight. 

OVERNIGHT: Villa Maya Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Day Nine: Ceibal Tour

Today you will visit Ceibal, the Mayan Archaeological site situated in Sayaxché, near the banks of La Pasión River where you can see crocodiles and exotic birds.  The Ceibal Stelae is among the finest and best-preserved sculptures of the late Classic Period.  Because of the hardness of the local stone, which has withstood centuries of rain, root penetration, and falling trees, it is often called the “Maya Art Gallery”. One of its most important structures is a round stone, which is considered very rare in the Mesoamerican area. 

OVERNIGHT: Villa Maya Hotel - Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

Day Ten: Tikal - Guatemala 

Today, you will go back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit the Tikal National Park.  This morning, our representative will take you to the Mayan City of Tikal which is located in the center of the National Park that bears its name, and has an extension of 222 square miles. Tikal was inhabited from 600 BC., till 869 AD.  Its highlight was between 690 till 850 AD., a time period known by archaeologists as the Late Classic. Visit the Twin-Pyramid Complexes “Q” and “R”, Lost World Complex where the Great Pyramid and Temple 5C-49 are the most important. Also, visit Temple III and the Palace of the Windows, the Great Plaza, squared off with the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles, and Pyramid IV. This one is the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from its top a complete view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle can be enjoyed. 

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Santa Elena’s Airport to board the flight to Guatemala City. On arrival, our representative will transfer you to your hotel for overnight.

OVERNIGHT: Barcelo Guatemala City Hotel - Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

Day Eleven: Depart Guatemala  (flight not included)

Breakfast at your Hotel and checkout. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

MEALS: Breakfast

*** End of our services***

 

 

Guatemala Registration

 

     Your tour includes:

• Accommodation as indicated, American Breakfast, including 12% VAT, and 10% Tourism (Inguat) Tax
• Barbeque lunch is included during the Ceibal, & Tikal Tours, including 12% VAT and 10% gratuity
• Sightseeing transportation as specified, including 12% VAT
• Transfer by a 4x4 open-air vehicle from main highway to Semuc Champey
• Entrance fees to visiting sites
• Tips to porters at hotels
• Guatemala / Copan border tax
• Flight Frs/ Gua with TAG Airlines
• Airport Security Tax domestic flight (US$3.00 per person, per flight FRS/GUA)
• The permitted luggage weight for the domestic flight is 20 pounds for checked luggage and 10 pounds for hand luggage per person. ***The airline will charge US$3.00 for each extra pound upon check in which has to be paid directly by you***

 

      Excludes:

• Meals not specified
• WiFi access at hotels and restaurants
• Tips to Chambermaids, Driver, and Guide
• Personal expenses such as:  beverages, phone calls, laundry, etc.

 

**Times may vary according to traffic and weather

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