Experience the rich culture of Guatemala & mystical ruins of Copan in Honduras
Begin your Guatemala Explorer holiday in the atmospheric city of Antigua, where cobbled streets, elegant plazas and volcanic backdrops create a captivating introduction to Guatemala. Discover its flavours and stories on a street food tour that brings local culture to life through traditional dishes and family recipes. It’s a warm and engaging way to connect with the city’s heritage from the very start.
Continue to the shimmering shores of Lake Atitlán, celebrated for its natural beauty and rich Maya culture. Visit lakeside communities to learn about local traditions, crafts and daily life, all set against the dramatic silhouettes of surrounding volcanoes. From here, journey north to Tikal in the Petén region, where ancient Maya temples rise above the rainforest canopy and wildlife calls echo through the jungle.
Your adventure then unfolds along Guatemala’s Caribbean coast in Livingston, a lively town shaped by Garifuna culture and the lush waterways of Río Dulce. Enjoy a scenic boat journey through verdant gorges and wildlife rich riverbanks before travelling across the border into Honduras. Here you’ll explore the impressive archaeological sites of Copán and spend a night in the charming town of Copán Ruinas, rounding off a journey filled with culture, nature and remarkable history.
Visit several regions in Guatemala & Honduras
Accommodation detailed in itinerary
See details in itinerary below
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches
What you'll experience
- Discover the atmospheric Tikal Maya site in Guatemala’s northern Petén region: Explore towering temples rising above the rainforest canopy and listen for the calls of howler monkeys echoing through the jungle.
- Travel by boat along Río Dulce to Livingston: Cruise through lush river gorges and mangrove lined waterways before arriving in this vibrant Caribbean influenced town.
- Spend a day on Playa Blanca’s Caribbean white sands: Relax on soft shores and swim in clear turquoise waters, a peaceful contrast to your cultural explorations.
- Enjoy a private boat tour on the beautiful Lake Atitlán: Visit lakeside villages framed by volcanic peaks and learn about the rich traditions of the local communities.
- Stay in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, to discover the fascinating Maya site of Copán: Wander through intricate stone carvings, plazas and towering structures that showcase the artistry of this remarkable Maya centre.
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- 11 nights’ accommodation
- 13 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- All tours mentioned in itinerary, on a private basis
- Transfers as per itinerary
Prices from £5,899pp
Excludes:
- Meals not indicated in your itinerary
- Local departure taxes payable locally
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc
- Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)
- Camera or video fees at any sites
Quick Itinerary
Guatemala Explorer 13-day Itinerary
Days 1-2 UK - Guatemala City - Antigua
Today you will depart the UK on your international flight to Guatemala. Spend two nights in Antigua, one of the oldest and prettiest cities in the Americas. Take a walking tour to explore the cobbled streets and plazas of the city then visit the surrounding villages on a street food tour, to eat like a Guatemalan!
Days 3-5 Lake Atitlan
After departing Antigua, you’ll visit Iximche archaeological site and experience a Maya ceremony. Continue to Panajachel, one of Lake Atitlan’s villages, for the next three nights at the iconic Hotel Atitlan. You’ll have the chance to visit local community initiatives such as a weaving workshop, and a private boat tour reveals the picturesque lakeside villages.
Days 6-7 Tikal & El Peten
Fly to Flores in Peten and stay on the northern shores of Lake Peten Itza. Explore the National Park of Tikal and some of the most important archaeological discoveries of the Maya civilisation, visiting various temples including the Temple of the Jaguar and Temple of the Masks.
Days 8-9 Livingston & Rio Dulce
Travelling to Livingston is part of the adventure, this village unlike any other in Guatemala has a distinctly Caribbean flavour and culture. Travel to Rio Dulce and from here take a boat tour through the beautiful ecological reserve. Spend the following day at Playa Blanca, a picturesque white-sand beach, a short boat-ride from Livingston.
Days 10-11 Copan, Honduras
The return boat journey along Rio Dulce provides more wildlife spotting opportunities, and a visit to Quirigua archaeological site uncovers the particularly fine engravings found there. The town of Copan is just across the Honduran border and the nearby Maya archaeological park is fascinating to discover. Considered the political centre of the Maya world, this ancient city is located in a small valley surrounded by mountains. After a day exploring Copan, travel to Guatemala City for the final night.
Days 12-13 Guatemala City - UK
Depart on your overnight flight, arriving back in the UK on Day 13.
Speak to a dedicated Guatemala Holiday Specialist
All our Guatemala itineraries can be tailored to your unique requirements. Enquire about our Guatemala Explorer holiday and let us plan your perfect Latin American adventure.What Makes a Latin Routes Holiday Truly Unforgettable?
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