11-Day Mayan Ruins Tour: Guatemala and Copán
Your 11-day journey begins in Guatemala City. Continuing to the Western Highlands of Guatemala you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Santo Tomas Church where the famous Popol Vuh was founded.
Visit the first capital of Guatemala, Iximche, the open market of Chichicastenango and one of the most beautiful lakes in the World: Atitlán.
We will continue to the Guatemala border to visit two important UNESCO Heritage sites that historically where involved together, Quiriguá and Copán in Honduras.
Then visit the Caribbean Coast and two of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan civilization: Tikal and Yaxhá.
You´ll have the chance to appreciate the differences of architecture, art and majesty of the Mayan constructions and monuments.
This journey has unequal diversity to explore all the beauties of Guatemala, “The land of the eternal spring” named like that because of its perfect climate.
ItineraryDay 1: Guatemala City Airport – AntiguaStop At: Antigua, Antigua, Sacatepequez Department
Transportation to your hotel in Antigua.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Antigua or similar
Day 2: Antigua and Coffee Tour Stop At: Antigua, Antigua, Sacatepequez Department
Spend the day discovering Antigua on this guided day tour. Located in the central highlands of Guatemala, Antigua is home to cobblestone streets and terracotta roof buildings that give the city its colonial charm.
Your tour begins with a visit to Cerro de la Cruz, where you'll admire the whole city of Antigua from atop the hill. Then, head back down to Antigua's Central Plaza, where you'll visit San Francisco Church, home to the shrine of Peter of St Joseph Betancur. See also the famous arch of Santa Catalina, built in the 17th century and once home to Santa Catalina Convent.
Next, visit La Merced Church, which has a beautiful Baroque-style façade.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Finca La Azotea, 1ra. Calle y 1ra. Avenida , Zona 3, Jocotenango 03001 Guatemala
Eat lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before heading to a nearby coffee plantation. Learn how coffee is made and sample some of the fresh product before being transported back to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Antigua or similar
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano Tour Stop At: Pacaya Volcano, Antigua 05001 Guatemala
Morning hike up to Pacaya Volcano, the most active volcano in Guatemala.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Antigua or similar
Day 4: Iximché and Chichicastenango’s Market Stop At: Iximche, Tecpan Guatemala
After pickup from your Antigua hotel, venture northwest approximately an hour to the dusty town of Tecpán. Here, explore the Mayan ruins of Iximché, once the Kaqchiquel Maya capital and a Guatemala must-see attraction. Upon entering the ruins, you'll see four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. The plazas were used for things such as housing for residents and special ceremonies, and the ball courts were used to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, a sport that dates back to 1400 BC.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chichicastenango, Chichicastenango, El Quiche Department
Feel as if you’ve gone back in time as you walk along the town’s narrow, cobblestone streets and past its red-tiled roofs. In the central plaza, discover Chichicastenango’s most prominent attraction, the open-air market, filled with local goods like ceramic pots, wood carvings and other handmade wares, as well as fruits and vegetables. Browse the locally made goods and pick up a souvenir or two to take home!
While you’re in the plaza, visit the Iglesia de Santo Tomas (Church of Santo Tomas), located on the east side of the plaza. Dating back to 1540, the church is often home to Mayan rituals. On the west side of the plaza, visit Calvary Church, a smaller version of Iglesia Santo Tomas.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Posada de Don Rodrigo Panajachel or similar. 4-Star; Hotel Atitlán or similar
Day 5: Lake Atitlán – Boat Tour to Santiago Atitlán Stop At: Santiago Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan, Lake Atitlan, Solola Department, Western Highlands
Enjoy a beautiful sightseeing cruise across the lake to the Tzutujil village of Santiago de Atitlán.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Panajachel, Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Solola Department, Western Highlands
Visit Panajachel, a small town located on the northeast shore of Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlan). Known as a hub for traveling across Lago de Atitlán, Panajachel is a quaint, charming town where you'll have lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before heading over to the town’s main thoroughfare, Santander Street. Stroll down the street with your guide and observe town life going on at the locally made handicraft stalls, other shops and restaurants. Transfert to Guatemala City.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Best Western Plus Stofela or similar. 4-Star; Hotel Barcelo or similar
Day 6: Guatemala City - CopanStop At: Copan Ruinas, Copan Ruinas, Copan Department
Located only 37 miles (60 km) from the Guatemala border, the ancient UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Copan is considered a spectacular example of Mayan pre-Colombian culture. Along with your knowledgeable guide, explore the huge complex here, consisting of several plazas and ceremonial temples. Admire the impressive detailed carvings of the more than 4,000 structures on site.
Visit the Great Plaza, located on the north side of the complex, before seeing Copan's most famous monument, Altar Q, which is an intricate structure depicting all of the city’s 16 kings in succession. Enjoy lunch (own expense) in Copan before having free time to explore on your own for the rest of the day.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3 or 4-Star Hotel; Marina Copán or similar
Day 7: Quirigua - Rio DulceStop At: Quirigua, Quirigua, Izabal Department
Visit to the Mayan site, Quirigua. It's known for the Mayan world’s tallest stela. When finished, transportation to Rio Dulce.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3 or 4-Star Hotel; Hotel & Marina Nana Juana or similar
Day 8: Boat tour to Livingston - Flores Stop At: Livingston, Livingston, Rio Dulce, Izabal Department
Time to enjoy a boat trip from Río Dulce to Livingston and a stop at a hot water springs. After lunch continue to Flores.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Casona de la Isla or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Tikal or similar
Day 9: Tikal RuinsStop At: Tikal National Park, Tikal National Park, Peten Department
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tikal National Park, embark on a 4.5-hour tour with your knowledgeable guide.
One of Guatemala's most important archaeological sites, Tikal was built during the Classic Period. The park, which covers 341 square miles (550 square km), contains thousands of separate ruin structures. Your guide will show you the layout of the complex, including the Central Acropolis, which consists of a maze of courtyards, small rooms and temples.
Visit Complex Q and R, featuring twin-pyramid complexes with altars set in front of the temples. Walk to Temple I—the Temple of the Grand Jaguar—a 144-foot (44-meter) temple with three rooms, including exterior stairs leading to the top. Then head to the nearby Temple II, also known as the Temple of the Masks, regarded as one of the most important within the vast complex.
At the completion of your guided tour, return to the visitor center to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
• Lunch: Drinks not included.
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Casona de la Isla or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Tikal or similar
Day 10: Yaxha Ruins - Guatemala CityStop At: Yaxha, National Park, Peten Guatemala
Visit Yaxhá, a former ceremonial center and city of the Pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. When finish transfer to Mundo Maya Airport to take the flight back to Guatemala City.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Best Western Plus Stofella or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Hotel Barcelo or similar
Day 11: Guatemala City Airport Stop At: Guatemala City, Guatemala City, Guatemala Department
Transfer to La Aurora International Airport to take flight back to your country.
Duration: 15 minutes
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults"
"Infant meals not included"
"May be operated by a multi-lingual guide"
"A minimum of 2 people per booking is required"
"Infants must sit on laps"
"Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs or bikes) may have certain restrictions, please inquire with the operator prior to travel to confirm if your excess luggage is acceptable"
"Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Hora de Inicio:
07:00 AM
Duración: 11 Days
Lugar de comienzo: Traveler pickup is offered
Airports- La Aurora Airport, Guatemala City Guatemala
Cancelaciones y devoluciones:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
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