Guatemala Encompassed
Guatemala Encompassed
Guatemala Encompassed
11 Days Starting and ending in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Visiting: Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Lake Atitlán, Antigua, Flores, Yaxhá, Tikal National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GED
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
16-80
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Guatemala with the "Guatemala Encompassed" tour. Discover the dramatic ruins of Tikal, journey by boat on the picturesque Lake Atitlan, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua. Bargain for treasures at the vibrant Indian markets of Chichicastenango and appreciate the rich culture and natural beauty of Guatemala. This tour includes comfortable accommodations in 3 or 4-star hotels, internal flights, airport transfers, and expert bilingual guides. Enjoy 10 breakfasts and 3 lunches as you immerse yourself in the history, architecture, and stunning landscapes of this captivating country.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Guatemala City
Location: Guatemala City
Accommodation Name: Barcelo Hotel or similar
Arrival in Guatemala City. You will be picked-up from the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city for overnight accommodations. Please look out for our representative holding up a sign with your name on it.
Overnight: Barcelo Hotel or similar.
Day 2 : Guatemala City Panoramic Tour And Transfer To Chichicastenango Via Iximche
Location: Guatemala City
Accommodation Name: Mayan Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
An early morning start greets you as you get picked up to be taken for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Guatemala City. Key highlights include the National Palace, Cathedral and Civic Centre complex while also visiting residential areas (No shorts or bathing suits permitted). After continuing to Iximché, the capital of the Chackchiqueles dating from the 15th Century. This unique site includes several pyramid-temples, palaces plus two Mesoamerican ball courts. Declared a Guatemalan National Monument in the 1960’s, there’s evidence of human sacrifice plus preserved remains of murals on some of the buildings. Check out the small museum on site that displays a number of sculptures and ceramics before continuing onto Chichicastenango for your accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Mayan Inn or similar.
Day 3 : Market At Chichicastenango, Journey To Quetzaltenango
Location: Quetzaltenango
Accommodation Name: Latam Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is market day in Chichicastenango! Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products in this colourful and picturesque open-air market. While here step inside the 400-year-old Church of Santo Tomás (No shorts or bathing suits are allowed inside the church. No photographs inside the church) and witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps. Continue on to Quetzaltenango, the second most important city in Guatemala due to its size, industrial, cultural and commercial activity. The city has preserved its colonial architecture and if you keep an eye out you can see several neo-classical buildings located around the Centroamerica Park (hearth of the city). East of the plaza lies the Espiritu Santo Cathedral with its two facades. The first, constructed in 1535, is highly ornamental whereas the latter is of neo-classical style, forming part of the structure made of several domes dating back to 1899. On the southern end of the plaza is the La Casa de la Cultura, the Natural History Museum which contains a collection of pre-Hispanic pieces and historical memorabilia. Upon arrival into the city, you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight accommodations.
Overnight: Latam Hotel or similar.
Day 4 : Lake Atitlan
Location: Lake Atitlán
Accommodation Name: Porta Hotel del Lago or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we will head off to visit Almolonga market, known for its vegetable and fruits that are cultivated in small parcels which are then exported to Central America and Mexico. We then continue onto San Andrés Xecul, which houses the famous yellow church, Iglesia del Calvario. This important 16th Century temple was painted so bright to be representative of the local huipil (indigenous blouse). We continue onto Sololá for a market visit before heading onto Lake Atitlán. Known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, marvel at the crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl. This is an 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. Tonight, we stay at Lake Atitlán.
Overnight: Porta Hotel del Lago or similar.
Day 5 : To Antigua
Location: Antigua
Accommodation Name: Porta Hotel Antigua or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we will take an early motorboat across Lake Atitlán to get to one of the twelve lake-shore villages surrounding the lake, the picturesque village of San Juan La Laguna. Afterwards we continue onto Antigua, the more important and probably the most charming city of colonial Guatemala. Antigua was founded by the Spaniards in 1543 but today is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings and new buildings in the same style. In 1965 the city was declared a “Monument of America” and is where we rest our heads for the night.
Overnight: Porta Hotel Antigua or similar.
Day 6 : Antigua Sightseeing
Location: Antigua
Accommodation Name: Porta Hotel Antigua or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we spend the morning exploring the amazing city of Antigua. 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 colourful textiles are woven, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewellery. Surrounding the city are the huge volcanoes that make this part of the world so dramatic. Antigua satisfies everyone’s desire to see a perfect colonial city. The remainder of the day is free to explore.
Overnight: Porta Hotel Antigua or similar.
Day 7 : To Guatemala City
Location: Guatemala City
Accommodation Name: Barcelo Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After lunch return to Guatemala City.
Overnight: Barcelo Hotel or similar.
Day 8 : Fly From Guatemala City To Flores
Location: Flores
Accommodation Name: Camino Real Tikal or Villa Maya Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a long day ahead, at 4am you will be picked up at your hotel to transfer to the airport for your flight across to Flores Petén. Don’t worry, it’s not just a flight today, once you arrive you will be transferred across to Sayaxché. From here catch the boat trip across to Ceibal, one of the best-preserved Mayan cities in the region, overlooking the scenic La Pasión River. One of the earliest constructed structures from the Mayan World, the ruins date back to 900BC, wander around La Pirámide Circular, El Altar Zoomorfo, El Jugo de Pelota and the two Las Calzadas. After a long and activity packed day you will be taken across to Santa Elena where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Overnight: Camino Real Tikal or Villa Maya Hotel or similar.
The maximum check-in luggage weight for the domestic flights is 20 pounds (approx 9kg) and 10 pounds (approx 4.5kg) for hand luggage.
Day 9 : Yaxha Sightseeing
Location: Yaxhá
Accommodation Name: Camino Real Tikal or Villa Maya Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we continue our adventure in Flores and head out to the third largest Maya city of Yaxhá. This archaeological site was a great importance to Mayan development due to its strategic location and one of the few that retains its original name, meaning Green (Yax) Water (Ha). At its peak it had over 1000 structures, built from 600BC, though only 14 structures have been restored to date and is the most accessible part of the National Park. Walk along ancient Mayan roads past pyramids covered with jungles, the ball court and the astronomical centre. We visit one of the key highlights of Temple 216, the tallest in the complex, which offers 360 degrees vistas of the area displaying unparalleled landscape of the two Sacnab-Yaxhá lagoons and the jungle of the Yaxhá National Park. After navigating across the Yaxhá lagoon we head to the archaeological site of Topoxté. Playing a key role in trade routes between the Matan highlands and the Yucatan peninsula, the majority of Topoxté's structures are from postclassic origins although there is evidence of two distinct periods of occupation. Several plazas are temples are being restored and shares similar characteristics with other sites in the region. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys above your head but you can also see both crocodiles and turtles sunning themselves along the shores. After a long day of historical learnings, head back to your accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Camino Real Tikal or Villa Maya Hotel or similar.
Day 10 : To Tikal, Fly To Guatemala City
Location: Tikal National Park
Accommodation Name: Barcelo Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will go back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit the famous Tikal National Park, probably the most well-known Mayan ruin in Guatemala. Tikal is situated in the heart of the jungle occupied, as a major site of Mayan civilisation, from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. The winding, mossy jungle paths open up to a surreal world of pyramids and temples, where howler monkeys, frogs and birds like toucans create a cacophonous crescendo. The inner urban zone fills almost 400 hectares and contains palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, roads, large and small squares - the list goes on! You will start with observing the full model off Tikal to give you an indication of the amazing size of the archaeological site, most of which has not been excavated. Multiple historic discoveries have occurred here including the deciphering of the hieroglyphs, considered the most sophisticated writing system created in the New World, in the 1960s. Tikal has a number of step pyramids whose forty-four or so metres you can climb to gain a view across the jungle canopy. From the maze of courtyards of the Great Plaza, temples spread out into the jungle, including the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and the North Acropolis of King Moon Double Comb. The Mayans settled in Tikal around 700 BC and had started to build the grand North Acropolis by 200 BC. By the time of Christ, the Grand Plaza was being built from stone, but it wasn’t until AD 250 that Tikal became a religious and cultural centre. It reached its glory under King Great Jaguar Paw in AD 300 and underwent a renaissance around AD 700 under King Moon Double Comb, before falling into a mysterious decline, like other Mayan centres, around AD 900. After a busy day exploring this amazing site, head back to Flores airport to return to Guatemala City by air, you’ll be met upon arrival and taken to your accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Barcelo Hotel or similar.
Day 11 : To Airport, Where Our Trip Concludes.
Location: Guatemala City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Meals
10 breakfasts and 3 lunches are included.
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Accommodation
Comfortable well-located accommodation on a twin-share basis in 3 or 4 star hotels.
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Internal Flights
Internal flights between Guatemala City and Flores are included.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfer on arrival and departure, including transfers for additional nights pre and post tour if booked with us.
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Transportation
Transportation on a seat-in-vehicle basis is provided.
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Sightseeing and Entrance Fees
Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed in the itinerary are included.
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Guides
Expert bilingual guides (tour will be conducted in English and Spanish) are included.
What's Not Included
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Personal Items
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks of any kind (e.
g.
bottled water, soft drinks, beers etc) are not included. -
Tips
Tips are not included.
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International Flights
International flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Visas
Visas are not included.
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Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is not included.
What You Carry
You will be required to carry all your luggage between hotels and transportation. On sightseeing days you will be required to carry a day pack with your camera, water proof clothing and any other personal items you may require during the day.
Grading
These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes internal flights between Guatemala City and Flores, airport transfers on arrival and departure, and travel on a seat-in-vehicle basis. A motorboat ride across Lake Atitlán and a boat trip to Ceibal are also included.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable, well-located accommodation on a twin-share basis in 3 or 4-star hotels, including stays at Barcelo Hotel, Mayan Inn, Latam Hotel, Porta Hotel del Lago, Porta Hotel Antigua, Camino Real Tikal, and Villa Maya Hotel or similar.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides comfortable, well-located accommodation on a twin-share basis in 3 or 4-star hotels.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, airport transfers on arrival and departure are included. Transfers are also provided if you book additional nights pre and post-tour with the tour operator.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 10 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
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Are internal flights included in the tour package?
Yes, internal flights between Guatemala City and Flores are included in the tour package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided on a seat-in-vehicle basis.
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Are sightseeing and entrance fees included?
Yes, sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed in the itinerary are included.
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Will there be a guide during the tour?
Yes, expert bilingual guides will conduct the tour in both English and Spanish.
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What should I carry during the tour?
You will need to carry all your luggage between hotels and transportation. On sightseeing days, you should carry a day pack with your camera, waterproof clothing, and any other personal items you may need during the day.
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What is the difficulty level of this tour?
This tour is one of the least demanding trips, suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. It may involve long travel days and sightseeing on foot.
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Are there any restrictions on luggage for the internal flights?
Yes, the maximum check-in luggage weight for the domestic flights is 20 pounds (approximately 9kg) and 10 pounds (approximately 4.5kg) for hand luggage.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have offices on three continents which means your travelling companions will be just that – international and wonderfully eclectic. Part of small group travel means that although travellers come from various locations and backgrounds, you will be travelling with like-minded companions who, like you, are keen to share the experience and forge lifelong friendships.
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What about environmental impact?
We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a strong relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. Our responsible travel policies have been carefully developed to ensure that we minimise the impact of our presence and help to protect the regions we visit while contributing positively to the local community.
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What should I pack?
Your pre-departure documents include a detailed packing list with items that you need to bring. While most of the equipment for daily activities is included in your tour cost, some items like helmets and hiking boots are best brought from home. The pre-departure documents also include information on layering and recommended brands for various items to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes. World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone on the vast majority of our trips. Our holidays are primarily on a twin share basis, so if you are joining the group as a solo traveller, we will match you with someone of your own gender. The choice is yours however; if you prefer not to share, we do offer single supplements for private occupancy.
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Are tips included in my trip price?
Tips are not included in the tour cost. Tipping is a personal thing, do not worry about how much, or when, to tip. Tipping guidelines are provided for certain destinations in our pre departure information upon booking, however the best advice will be provided by your tour leader.
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Am I suited to small-group travel?
We recognise that many of our travellers have not been on a ‘group trip’ before. Yet what our departures provide is both structure and flexibility, allowing you plenty of freedom within the framework of the itinerary. You’ll find that with our maximum group size at 16, you’ll travel in a minimal impact style with a great group of like-minded travellers.
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Can you advise which vaccinations are recommended?
While our pre-departure kit provides information on vaccinations, we suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
World Expeditions allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform world expeditions, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
World Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 400 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of world expeditions charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.