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information |
testimonials |
Guatemala Guatemala offers everything to the traveller who is looking for culture, adventure and relaxation. Despite having a troubled past, the Central American country of Guatemala is now attracting tourists from all over the world to experience the welcoming local hospitality and magnificent sights on offer. So what does the county have to offer you?
Sample Itinerary – Guatemalan Highlights From the Northern reaches of the Petén Rainforest, to the relaxed Caribbean lifestyle of Livingston, the colonial town of Antigua and the volcanic magnificence of Lake Atitlán. Day 1 Fly to Guatemala City and transfer by overnight bus to Flores, the easy-going capital of the Petén region in the north. Day 2 Spend the day in and around the colourful town of Flores.
Explore the cobbled streets; take a boat trip on the Lago de Petén Itzá; visit the famous Ak'tun Kan caves (the legendary home of a huge snake) in the hills behind Santa Elena; or take a lancha to the traditional villages of San Andrés and San José. Overnight in Hotel Mirador del Lago in Flores Day 3 Take a local minibus from Flores to the friendly village of El Remate on the eastern shore of Lago de Petén Itzá. Visit the Biotopo Cerro Cahuí on the north shore of the lake – a 650 hectare wildlife conservation area with a rich variety of plant, bird and wildlife. Take an evening boat trip on the lake with Lou, who is a mine of information about the local birds and wildlife. Explore a couple of rivers - see if you can spot the heads of the baby turtles poking out of the water in the fading light, and watch the playful antics of the bat colony.
Overnight in La Casa de Don David Day 4 Visit the superbly situated ruins of Yaxhá, a site overlooking a spectacularly colourful lake surrounded by dense rainforest. Although perhaps not as grand as Tikal, Yaxhá provides a more intimate experience of ancient ruins as there are far fewer visitors.
Overnight in La Casa de Don David Day 5 Spend a relaxing day in El Remate. Swim in the warm waters of the aquamarine-coloured lake; recline in the hammock on your balcony and watch the afternoon thunderstorm pass over the lake; take a walk into the village and visit the wood carver; and have a leisurely dinner in the restaurant at La Casa de Don David, watching the glow worms flashing by through the dark grass.
Overnight in La Casa de Don David Day 6 An early start from El Remate is the way to get the best out of a visit to the majestic ruins of Tikal, one of the greatest centres of Mayan culture, dating back to around 600BC. Take a minibus to the park and spend the day exploring the site with an English speaking local guide. Climb temples, watch the mischievous spider monkeys swinging through the trees, hear the howler monkeys calling from the surrounding jungle and marvel at the flashes of colour as toucans and parrots dart overhead.
Overnight in La Casa de Don David Day 7 Spend the day on a rainforest canopy tour, flying through the forest canopy on zip wires, exploring the walkway bridges and horse riding through the forest.
Overnight in La Casa de Don David Day 8 Take a bus from El Remate south to Río Dulce, where you can take a lancha (water taxi) along the spectacular gorge, past the hot springs and giant water lilies to the Garífuna town of Livingston, a mixture of Guatemalan and Caribbean cultures.
Overnight in La Casa Rosada Day 9 Spend the day in Livingston, relaxing with the laid back Garífuna street life, take a walk to Siete Altares, an impressive series of waterfalls 5km northwest of the town, and sample the seafood dishes from which the town makes its living. Overnight in La Casa Rosada Day 10 Explore the mangrove rivers by canoe, straight from the door of the hotel. See the pelicans landing in palm trees and the storks hunting for fish in the bay. Have a relaxing afternoon swinging in a hammock sipping ice cold drinks. Overnight in La Casa Rosada Day 11 Take the lancha back up the gorge to the town of Río Dulce and catch a bus to Antigua via Guatemala City. Overnight in Hotel Santa Clara, Antigua Day 12 Spend the day exploring beautiful Antigua, an impressive colonial town set in the shadow of volcanoes, which was once the capital of all of Central America. Visit cathedrals and churches, markets, nut plantations, museums displaying colonial history, or take a volcano tour to climb the nearby Pacaya volcano.
Overnight in Hotel Santa Clara, Antigua Day 13 Take a colectivo to the town of Panajachel on the shores of Lago de Atitlán, which, surrounded by volcanoes, is known and accepted by many as the most beautiful lake in the world. Spend the afternoon wandering the markets and the town, and sampling one of the many varieties of cuisine on offer here.
Overnight in Posada Monterosa, Panajachel Day 14 Take a boat trip across the lake to the charming village of Santiago Atitlán, where the brightly coloured traditional dress of the local Tz'utuhil Maya is still worn. Walk up the hill though the bustling market to visit the old colonial Catholic church, and before you leave the village, visit the ‘secret’ resting place of Maximón, the cigar–smoking and whiskey–drinking saint.
Overnight in Posada Monterosa Day 15 Spend the day on a coffee plantation tour, with a local guide showing you the local villages and their churches, a visit to a medicine man, lunch with the locals, culminating with the plantation visit.
Overnight in Posada Monterosa Day 16 Take a trip to the famous market of Chichicastenango, one of the best places to experience modern day Maya culture. Aside from the market, which you can easily spend a whole day wandering around, the town is also known for its shamanistic and ceremonial overtones.
Overnight in Posada Monterosa Day 17 Begin to make your way back to Guatemala City for the journey home. Take a colectivo from Panajachel to Antigua and spend the night there after an evening meal and a concert. Overnight in Posada del Hermano Pedro Day 18 Travel by taxi to the airport in Guatemala City and fly home. Day 19 Arrive home. |
