On the Land of the Mayas
From the Mayan highlands to the mysteries of the Petén jungle, a journey to the heart of Guatemala's ancestral heritage.
Duration
15 days
From
€1,720/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
A varied and complete circuit that takes you to discover the cultural and natural riches of Guatemala. You will discover the must-sees of the country and well-kept treasures, you will have privileged contact with Maya communities who will share their know-how and traditions with you. You will navigate through the heart of the Biosfera Maya to reach a natural reserve that is home to many protected species (Macaws, crocodiles, jaguars and many more…). This circuit alternates between nights with locals, comfortable hotels and ecolodges. A circuit for lovers of nature and cultures !
As you travel, you will explore authentic villages where time seems to have stopped and where colorful markets reflect all the diversity of the country. You will enjoy spectacular landscapes, between majestic volcanoes, lush tropical forests and lakes with crystal-clear waters. Maya archaeological sites will immerse you in the fascinating history of an ancient civilization. Each stage has been designed to encourage meetings, exchanges and immersion into local traditions. An adventure rich in discoveries, combining emotions, authenticity and respect for the environment.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Antigua
Free day in the surprising Antigua, for a gentle first approach to the country. A colonial city with colorful streets, this UNESCO World Heritage Site city is overlooked by 3 majestic volcanoes. The ruins of numerous colonial and religious buildings give undeniable charm to the former capital of the country. It is very pleasant to stroll through Antigua, discover its small cafés and venture into its craft markets.
Around Antigua: the Almolonga valley by bike
Half-day bike ride (accessible to all) to discover the Almolonga valley west of Antigua
Head to Ciudad Vieja, the country's second capital, which was covered by a mudslide from the Agua volcano.
Along the way, cross through different picturesque villages and stop at a farm producing macadamia nuts.
Free afternoon in Antigua
Active Volcano Pacaya and Lake Atitlan
From Antigua
Early in the morning, travel to San Vincente Pacaya and begin the partial ascent. After approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of climbing you will reach the old lava fields, witnesses to the volcano's constant activity. If conditions permit, you will observe the almost constant eruptions of recent years. For safety reasons, it is not currently possible to reach the crater.
To Panajachel
Return to San Vincente and drive to Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
Panajachel → San Juan La Laguna
From there, you will board for the village of San Juan La Laguna. Meals and overnight stay with a local family.
Meals and overnight stay with a local family.
Lake Atitlan: San Juan cooperatives and Santiago village
San Juan La Laguna → Santiago
After breakfast at a local home, accompanied by a local guide, you will visit various artisanal workshops: medicinal plants, cocoa, textiles, etc… This village, which has chosen to organize itself into cooperatives in order to preserve the ancestral traditions of the Tz'utujil Maya, allows you to discover a little more about the richness of Maya culture.
Boat to reach the Santiago Bay and your hotel located facing the lake. Possibility to stop in San Pedro la Laguna on the way.
Lake Atitlan: Quetzal Observation Hiking
Santiago → Lac Atitlán
Before dawn, short transfer by pick-up.
Easy bird watching hike (approximately 3 hours) in a nature reserve offering magnificent panoramic views of the Pacific region. Accompanied by our local English-speaking specialist guide, you will set out in search of the quetzal, a sacred bird and symbol of the country.
Lac Atitlán → Santiago
Return to Santiago to enjoy the hotel's facilities facing the lake (Mayan sauna (temascal), kayaking, swimming pool and magnificent garden) or free walk around the village.
San Francisco el Alto Market / Momostenango / Totonicapan
Santiago → Panajachel
You will cross the lake by boat to reach the village of Panajachel.
Panajachel → San Francisco El Alto
Then, you will take the road to San Francisco el Alto, and its picturesque market. Producers and farmers from the Quetzaltenango region gather there to sell all kinds of products, food, clothing, local crafts, medicinal plants, and what makes this market particularly special, livestock.
Lunch with a local family and presentation of a traditional carpet-making workshop.
San Francisco El Alto → Totonicapán
Dinner and night at a local home in Totonicapán.
Totonicapán – Flores
Totonicapán → Guatemala City
After breakfast at your host's home, visit a ceramic workshop in Totonicapán, stop at the town market and then travel to Ciudad de Guatemala.
Guatemala City → Flores
Depending on road traffic, if time permits, a stop at the Iximche archaeological site. From there, a flight to the Peten region at the end of the day.
Night at the hotel in Flores, a colorful small island in Lake Peten Itza.
Flores – Tigre National Park
From Flores
In the morning, drive to the Laguna del Tigre National Park (4x4).
Visit a Q'eqchi' Maya village and have a meal in this remote community.
By motorized boat, you will reach your lodge located in the heart of the Maya Biosphere.
Transfers of 40 min by motorized boat.
Tigre National Park
Bird watching, jungle trekking, nocturnal boat trips to observe wildlife: caimans, amphibian reptiles, jaguars and several hundred species of exotic birds ... Possibility of hiking to the el Peru archaeological site (7km). Night in an ecolodge in the nature reserve.
Tikal National Park/El Remate
To El Remate
Free morning in the reserve to enjoy the magic of the place.
Lunch at the lodge then drive to the village of el Remate, located on the shores of Lake Peten Itza.
Transfers: 40 minutes by motorized canoe, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by road including 1 hour 30 minutes on dirt road.
Tikal Archaeological Site
El Remate → Rio Dulce
Route to the Tikal National Park and visit to one of the most emblematic archaeological sites of the Mayan world.
In the heart of the Peten forest, to the sound of howler monkeys, discover the temples and pyramids, witnesses to the greatness of this past civilization which today still has not revealed all its secrets.
Route to the village of Rio Dulce where you will take a boat to reach your lodge on the riverbank.
Night in an ecolodge on the Rio Dulce river.
Rio Dulce – Livingston
Free day to kayak, swim, hike in the surrounding jungle, and discover Livingston, an atypical Afro-Caribbean village at the mouth of the Rio Dulce.
Quirigua Archaeological Site
From Rio Dulce
Boat to reach Puerto Barrios.
To Guatemala City
Route for Ciudad de Guatemala.
Stop at the Quirigua archaeological site where you can discover the tallest stelae in the Mayan world.
Departure
Transfer to Ciudad de Guatemala international airport for return flight.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Boat transfers on Lake Atitlan
- Meals not mentioned
- The entrance to the Iximché site (50Q per person)
- Entrance to the Quirigua site (80Q per person)
- Beverages and personal purchases
- Tips
- Personal travel insurance
- Additional transfer (outside main transfer) per pax airport/Antigua: 35 USD
- English-speaking guide for the entire circuit or at Lake Atitlan
- Private boat on Lake Atitlan
Included
- 14 nights in the aforementioned accommodations (2-3* hotels, ecolodges and homestays), subject to availability
- Breakfasts with local families on day 5 and day 8
- Lunch at a local resident's home on Day 7
- Dinners at local homes on D4 and D7
- All meals in the Laguna del Tigre reserve: from lunch on Day 9 to lunch on Day 11
- Ground transfers in private vehicle with Spanish-speaking driver
- Private boat transfers on the Rio Dulce
- Flight Flores/Guatemala outbound on Day 8
- Accompaniment by local guides on Day 4 at Pacaya, Day 5 in San Juan, Day 6 for the quetzal hike
- English-speaking guide on day 7 in Momostenango
- Day 3 bicycle day: Mountain biking, helmet, guided by an English-speaking local guide
- The entrance to the Tikal archaeological site
- The entrance to Pacaya
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below applies to travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Guatemala for tourism purposes. As entry requirements may change, we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Guatemala, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date into the country and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 90 days upon entry into the territory. Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua: the 90-day duration applies to the entire zone as a whole, not to each country separately. An extension may be requested from the Guatemalan General Immigration Office (Dirección General de Migración).
The authorities may also request:
a return ticket or onward travel itinerary (return flight or continuation),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Entry form
Before your arrival, it may be necessary to complete an entry form established by the Guatemalan authorities. This document allows the transmission of certain information to immigration services necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details
address of your first accommodation in Guatemala
We recommend verifying with the competent authorities or your carrier whether a digital or paper form is required before your departure or upon arrival.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Guatemala from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. However, several vaccinations are recommended as a preventive measure:
typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B,
yellow fever: recommended for travelers heading to tropical low-altitude regions (particularly the forested areas of Petén and the Pacific coast).
Guatemala is a country where malaria is present in certain rural low-altitude areas. It is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure to assess the need for prophylactic treatment. Dengue is also present in the territory.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the country may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence. Furthermore, Guatemalan authorities may request additional documentation when a child travels with only one parent or a third party.
Other nationalities
Entry requirements may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Guatemala in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended that you have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To enter Guatemala, you must hold a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. Under a regional agreement, certain nationalities may stay without a visa. Residency conditions vary depending on your nationality. Before booking your trip, verify the entry requirements applicable to your nationality with the Guatemalan consular authorities or the Guatemala consulate in your country of residence.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 140 and 230 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1,300 euros round trip) are additional. Guatemala is an affordable destination, often combined with Belize or Honduras.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You'll exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You'll receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You'll refine every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Central Antigua Region
Trail Blazer of Maya Paths, based in Guatemala City
I love seeking out paths that aren't yet in standard itineraries. That's often where Guatemala reveals its most beautiful surprises.
— Jean-François
