VISITING: Guatemala, Antigua, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)
Tours start on: Tuesday or Friday
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Guatemala – Antigua
Airport Pick up. Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala, town known for its beauty and tranquility, declared in 1979 as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 2: Antigua
After a nice breakfast at your hotel, we invite you to enjoy a walking tour around Antigua. This Spanish style town is famous for the unique architecture that was inherited from the colonial years. Government buildings, churches, convents and houses had stood the test of time, and give us their history narrated by one of our local guides. For over 232 years this town was the center of the Americas, having the first university founded on this side of the world.
Leisure time in the afternoon
Overnight in Antigua
Day 3: Antigua – Chichicastenango - Quetzaltenango
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Chichicastenango. This day you will experience a market day that hasn´t changed through the years. A unique and colorful market is waiting for you. This is a place where you can put your bargaining skills to the test. The market is held only on Thursdays and Sundays, and people from the surrounding towns gather on the central plaza of Chichicastenango, in between two main churches. This plaza is full o color, flowers, handicrafts, wood work, textiles, and souvenirs unique in their design, but you also find people praying to their ancestors doing rituals inside the church, with their ceremonial suits. Chichicastenango is also famous because it is the place where the Popol Vuh, the Mayan religious book that recounts the origin of mankind, was found. In the afternoon you will be taken towards Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala, also known as Xelajú or Xela. Overnight in Quetzaltenango.
Day 4: Quetzaltenango
Around the pre-Hispanic times, Quetzaltenango was a Quiche town called Xelaju, meaning “under the ten hills”. Quetzaltenango is a Nahuatl word that means place of the Quetzales (national bird). Spanish chronicles narrate that the conquistador of Guatemala informed that during the death of the Quiche prince Tecun Uman, he was covered with thick green apparel made out of feathers of a bird called Quetzal, so in honor of his death, this place was named Quetzaltenango.
This day we will visit surrounding indigenous towns of interest. But we will start with showing you how blown glass is made here in Quetzaltenango. The glass factory is famous for their unique designs in a light blue color. Later we visit the towns of Zunil and Almolonga, both towns of interest one for their colorful costumes and the other is known to be the largest agriculture field in Guatemala. And last but not least, we will take to a natural spa for your relaxation; this natural spa is called Fuentes Georginas that consists of a natural thermal water pool. Overnight in Quetzaltenango
Day 5: Quetzaltenango - Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)
Leisure time during the morning, in the afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlan. Overnight in Panajachel
Day 6: Panajachel - Guatemala
This lake is often called “The most wonderful lake in the world”; The origins of this lake were caused by a massive explosion on the crater of an old volcano, and with time three volcanoes grew around the lake, TOLIMAN, ATITLAN AND SAN PEDRO, creating this magnificent view. An immense hole was left in the earth's crust, leading to Atitlan being one of the world's deepest lakes.
The tour today will consist of a boat tour visiting 3 main towns, San Pedro la Laguna, Santiago Atitlan and San Antonio Palopo. Later in the afternoon return to Panajachel.
Later in the afternoon we drive back to Guatemala City. Overnight in Guatemala City.
DAY 7 DEPARTING GUATEMALA
If your flight is in the morning, you will need to be at the airport 2 hours and a half before the departure of your flight.
If your flight is in the afternoon, you can explore Guatemala City with an optional tour, and taken to the airport 2 hours and a half before the departure of your flight.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Taxes (VAT, Hotel taxes)
- Guided tours in Antigua, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Lake Atitlan
- Boat Transportation in Atitlan
- Land transportation to the different sites detailed on the itinerary, service is shared with other tourists
- Transportation from and to International Airport
- Accommodation on 3, 4, or 5 star hotels upon request
- Breakfast in all of the hotels
- Entrance fee where needed
NOT INCLUDED:
- International Airfare
- Airport tax for national or international flights
- Personal expenses
- Phone calls
- Entry Visa to Guatemala
- Personal Insurance
- Medical fees of similar
- Tips to guides, drivers, bellboys and maids.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Guatemala
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
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