Mundo Maya - 22 days

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Mérida – 1st night)   
Included: Guided visit in English– Chichén Itzá archaeological site

Drive across the Yucatán Peninsula to visit the world-famous archaeological site of Chichén Itzá.

With your English-speaking specialist guide, explore this immense city covering over 300 hectares (740 acres) — once one of the largest Maya centers in the region.

Its monuments influenced the entire area from the 10th to the 15th centuries. The sacred city is dominated by the Temple of Kukulkán (the Feathered Serpent). You’ll also see the Temple of the Warriors, the Cenote of Sacrifices, the Wall of Skulls, and the Ball Court. Chichén Itzá’s history spans nearly a thousand years, marked by the successive presence of various peoples whose architectural styles merged here — from the Classic Maya style seen in the El Caracol Observatory, to Toltec influence in the imposing Temple of Kukulkán. This blend of traditions makes the site particularly fascinating. Probably the main religious center of the region during the 10th century, Chichén Itzá was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and elected one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Without question, it remains one of the most impressive sites of the Maya world. The city was built near two natural sinkholes (cenotes) that provided access to underground water. The last major constructions date from the 13th century, and the ruins were not explored until 1841. Chichén Itzá still holds many mysteries…     

After the visit, drive to Mérida — today known as the White City for its colonial architecture.    

Overnight in Mérida’s historic center (two nights).

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Mérida, 2nd night)     

Self-guided visit of Mérida’s colonial center. In the morning, stroll through the old town, its narrow streets, and local market. Mérida is a lively and beautiful city. Like most Spanish colonial towns in the New World, its urban layout forms a vast grid of straight streets and perfectly squared blocks.

The Municipal Palace of Mérida stands on the site of an ancient Maya pyramid, whose stones were reused in part to build both the cathedral and the Montejo House — not to be missed. The colonial area of the city is characterized by a series of plazas, most of them with their own church. The region around Mérida flourished until the early 20th century thanks to henequen production, which generated great wealth still visible today in the elegant, elaborate mansions that line its avenues. Until the mid-19th century, Mérida was a fortified city, and several of its gates have survived to this day. Suggestion: you may visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, an excellent museum dedicated to Maya culture and history.      

Optional excursion: visit the cenote of Kankirixche, a natural limestone sinkhole with crystal-clear waters located near Mérida — available on request.     

Second night in Mérida’s historic center.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Campeche)
Included: Guided visit in English – Uxmal archaeological site

After breakfast, drive to the Uxmal archaeological site for a guided visit with a specialist. Maya architecture here rivals that of Palenque in elegance and beauty, distinguished by the unique Puuc style, a sort of “Maya baroque” characterized by exuberant high-relief stone carvings covering the facades. Uxmal is one of the few Maya archaeological sites where visitors can appreciate an almost complete ceremonial center in an exceptional state of preservation. The main structures include the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace, the House of the Turtles, and, of course, the Ball Court. Founded around 700 AD, the city may have had up to 25,000 inhabitants. The ceremonial temples of Uxmal and its neighboring cities represent the pinnacle of late Maya art and architecture. Most of the buildings are covered with stylized masks representing Chaac, the rain god. The richness of the carvings reflects the Maya’s complex worldview and their deep connection to the natural environment.        

In the afternoon, continue to the colonial city of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its historic center, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a port city of colonial Spanish America. Campeche still preserves its original city walls and fortified system — remarkably well maintained — which once protected the port from pirate and corsair attacks from the Caribbean Sea.

 Overnight stay in the historic center of Campeche.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Palenque)
Included: Guided visit in English– Palenque archaeological site

A morning walk through the streets around Campeche’s main square allows you to enjoy the early light and better appreciate the pastel tones of its colorful houses. Colonial Campeche is undoubtedly the most colorful city in the Yucatán Peninsula — simply superb!

Drive south into the state of Chiapas.

The archaeological site of Palenque lies deep within lush tropical forest. A well-maintained trail allows visitors to observe both flora and fauna as they explore. Although smaller than Tikal, Palenque stands out for the elegance of its architecture and the refinement of its carvings and stuccoes. The excavated area covers about 2.5 km² (1 sq. mi.), which represents only about 10% of the city’s full extent — over a thousand additional structures remain buried under the forest canopy. These mysterious mounds allow you to imagine how the city must have looked when rediscovered in the late 18th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Palenque is celebrated for its architectural harmony and the richness of its bas-reliefs and sculptures. Among the most remarkable structures are the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace (one of the finest architectural achievements of the Classic Maya period), the Temple of the Cross, the Temple of the Foliated Cross, the Temple of the Sun, and the ball court. During your guided visit with a specialist, you’ll also admire numerous carved stelae. Time permitting, you may visit the excellent site museum, which showcases many artifacts from the excavations.

Overnight stay near the village of Palenque, only a few minutes from the ancient Maya city and its impressive forest surroundings.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Corozal)
Included: Guided visit in English – Yaxchilán archaeological site

Transfer and self-guided visit of the small Bonampak archaeological site, deep in the Lacandon forest. The national park and site are partly managed by the Lacandon Maya community, an ethnic group that has preserved many pre-Hispanic cultural traditions. Their traditional dress consists of long white tunics, and the men wear their hair very long. The ethnologist Jacques Soustelle wrote fascinating accounts about this group, notably in his book Les Lacandons.     You’ll enter the jungle in one of the Lacandon association’s vehicles and continue to the archaeological site, where you can still admire magnificent Maya frescoes dating from the 9th century.     

Continue by vehicle to the Usumacinta River, which forms the natural border between Guatemala and Mexico..

By motorboat, you’ll reach the Yaxchilán site — a remote and spectacular place — accompanied by your English or Spanish-speaking specialist guide. Yaxchilán is a vast city hidden in the tropical forest, straddling the Mexico–Guatemala border, and still shrouded in mystery. Some researchers believe it once featured the remains of a massive suspension bridge that crossed the Usumacinta River — used as a trade route — allowing the Maya of Yaxchilán to extend their influence on both banks. The city rivaled powerful states such as Palenque and Tikal for control of the river. Most of the structures visible today — located in the three main groups (the Great Plaza, the Great Acropolis, and the Small Acropolis) — date from the 8th century, the site’s period of greatest splendor. Yaxchilán is renowned for its large number of finely carved monuments, particularly its superb lintels, which are considered masterpieces of Maya art.

Overnight in Corozal, the last Mexican village before Guatemala, located on the banks of the Usumacinta River.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lodge (Tikal)

A short motorboat crossing takes you to Bethel, on the Guatemalan side of the Usumacinta River, where you’ll meet your Guatemalan driver and new vehicle — marking the beginning of the Guatemalan part of your journey.

Drive toward El Remate, a lakeside village on the shores of the vast Lake Petén Itzá (90 km² / 35 sq. mi.), following a mix of dirt roads and paved routes through the landscapes of the Petén region. Along the way, you’ll see many ceiba trees, the national tree of Guatemala and the sacred tree of the Maya. Once in El Remate, enjoy a stroll along the lake and perhaps lunch at one of the small local restaurants overlooking its calm, pastel-colored waters.     

Continue on to Tikal National Park, located within a protected natural area of over 576 km² (222 sq. mi.) of tropical forest. Both the park and the archaeological site are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for their outstanding natural and cultural significance.²  

Visit the small museums of Tikal before settling into your lodge.

Overnight in a lodge inside the national park, just steps from the archaeological site—an ideal location to soak up the magic of Tikal. At dawn and dusk, coatis, ocellated turkeys, and agoutis often wander near the lodges, making for easy wildlife observation.

It’s possible to return to the site for sunset or sunrise — contact us for more details.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Flores)
Guided visit in English included: Archaeological site and Tikal National Park

Visit the archaeological site of Tikal with an English-speaking specialist guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tikal is one of the few places listed for both its natural and cultural value — recognized for its extraordinary biodiversity and its immense archaeological importance. This former ceremonial center, active mainly from the 9th century BC to the 10th century AD, is located in the heart of the tropical forest. With its majestic pyramids (Temple IV rises more than 70 m / 230 ft high!), Tikal is considered the most impressive Maya site in the country — and perhaps in the entire Maya world. During your visit, your guide will also help you discover the rich flora and fauna of the park. The protected ecosystems are home to several species of monkeys, anteaters, coatis, deer, and more than 300 species of birds. The tropical vegetation is equally remarkable, with over 200 species of trees recorded within the reserve.            ²  

In the afternoon, drive to Flores, an island town connected to the mainland by a bridge over Lake Petén Itzá — the second largest lake in Guatemala. The island was once home to Tayasal, capital of the Itza Maya and one of the last cities in the Americas to fall to the Spanish, resisting for more than 150 years before its conquest at the end of the 17th century.             

Overnight on the charming island of Flores, where sunsets over Lake Petén Itzá are truly breathtaking.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Livingston - 1st night)   

Drive through the Petén region to reach the Río Dulce. The last region to be recolonized by modern Guatemalans (in the 20th century), Petén was once one of the major centers of Maya civilization. Recent lidar studies have revealed that several million Maya inhabited these fragile lands for over 18 centuries!     

After lunch, take a motorboat excursion on the tranquil waters of the Río Dulce.

The Río Dulce, Guatemala’s largest river and the gateway to the Caribbean Sea, connects to Lake Izabal—the country’s largest lake (590 km² / 228 sq mi).² 

After visiting the small fortress of San Felipe, continue east by boat down the river toward the Caribbean. With its gorges and lush tropical vegetation, the riverbanks include several natural reserves—towering cliffs, bird islands, and mangroves—where pirates once hid to ambush ships laden with treasures bound for Spain. Monkeys, anteaters, toucans, coatis, iguanas, manatees, pelicans, egrets, and herons inhabit this region rich in wildlife and flora. Midway through the trip, visit a local Maya community association before continuing to the Caribbean coast.       

Arrival and overnight stay in Livingston, a Garifuna village facing the sea. (Two nights planned here.)

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Livingston)     

Your boatman will pick you up at the dock for a beautiful excursion on the Caribbean Sea. Following the northern coast by boat, you’ll reach the natural site of Siete Altares (“the Seven Altars”), a series of lovely waterfalls in the tropical forest (an easy walk suitable for everyone; swimming possible—sturdy water shoes recommended). You’ll then head to Playa Blanca, a white-sand beach perfect for relaxing among hammocks, lounge chairs, coconut trees, and pelicans.

Return to Livingston by boat. Free afternoon to enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere of the village.
The population of this village, isolated from the rest of the country, is still primarily composed of Black Garifuna people, who live along the Atlantic coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This unique culture emerged in the 17th century from the blending of African slaves and Indigenous Caribs. In 2001, Garifuna dance, music, religion, and language were proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Suggestion: enjoy a piña colada or coco loco (fresh coconut with rum) on a café terrace, or try the local specialty tapado, a delicious seafood and coconut milk stew.
Second night in Livingston.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Copán – 1st night)   

Short boat transfer to Puerto Barrios, the country’s former main Atlantic port, where you’ll meet your driver and vehicle. Follow the Motagua geological fault and river, formed by the movement of tectonic plates in this region. Stop at Quiriguá for a self-guided visit of the archaeological site, famous for its impressive stelae—the tallest yet discovered in the Maya world. The site lies within a pocket of tropical forest surrounded by vast banana plantations. Numerous bird species such as toucans and parrots can be observed here, along with many beautiful tropical trees. During the drive through the plantations, you’ll stop to observe how this giant herb is cultivated—a crop that literally shaped the country’s political, economic, and social landscape during the 20th century.

After visiting the site, drive toward the Honduran border. Cross the border (you keep the same vehicle and driver—administrative formalities are simplified for Copán, located only 14 km / 9 mi from Guatemala).

Overnight in the welcoming colonial-style village of Copán Ruinas. (Two nights planned here.)

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Copán – 2nd night)     
Guided visit in English included: Archaeological site and museum of Copán

The stelae of Copán are masterpieces of Maya art. The Hieroglyphic Stairway, carved with over 1,800 glyphs, is a marvel of craftsmanship and symbolism. Often referred to as the “Athens of the Maya world,” Copán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The on-site museum is also not to be missed — it brings together many of the site’s most remarkable reliefs, sculptures, and temple decorations. Set in a tropical valley at around 600 m (1,970 ft), Copán was rediscovered in the late 16th century, though serious excavations only began in the 19th century. The archaeological park remains covered by beautiful tropical forest, and as you explore, you may spot scarlet macaws—the national bird of Honduras—flying over the monumental plazas.          

After your visit, we recommend sampling the excellent local coffee.

In the afternoon, you may wish to visit Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve, a sanctuary set in a lovely forested canyon. It respectfully shelters numerous tropical birds of the region, with the goal of reintroducing them into their natural environment whenever possible—a great opportunity to observe them up close.      

You can also visit the two small museums near the charming main square of Copán village, both offering fascinating complements to the archaeological site.

Second night in the welcoming colonial village of Copán Ruinas.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: hotel (Antigua)

Drive back into Guatemala via the Atlantic highway, crossing a variety of landscapes along the way. You’ll follow the Motagua Valley and River, traverse plains dotted with giant cactus and fields of melons and pineapples, then climb into the beautiful mountains of the Sierra de las Minas before reaching the Guatemalan Highlands and the colonial city of Antigua.

Nestled in a lush tropical valley between the volcanoes Agua (3,760 m / 12,340 ft), Fuego (3,763 m / 12,345 ft), and Acatenango (3,976 m / 13,045 ft), Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas. A baroque architectural jewel, it is listed as a National Monument, a Monument of the Americas, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish, the former capital suffered several devastating earthquakes throughout its history—reminders of the living, dynamic nature that the ancient Maya once revered as divine. In 1776, the Spanish government decided to move the capital to what is now Guatemala City, freezing Antigua in time. Ever since, the city has remained a living museum of colonial architecture, romantic ruins, and lush gardens. Antigua is best explored on foot—its main monuments are located in the historic center: La Merced Church, the cathedral, the central square, the convents of Capuchinas and Santa Clara, and Parque de la Unión.
Overnight in the historic center of Antigua.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Panajachel)

Travel across the highlands to reach Panajachel, a lakeside village on the shores of Lake Atitlán—considered by Aldous Huxley as “the most beautiful lake in the world.” Located at 1,500 m (4,920 ft) in a tropical region (in Guatemala, tropical ecosystems extend up to about 1,800 m / 5,905 ft), the lake sits within an ancient caldera framed by three towering volcanoes rising over 3,000 m (9,840 ft).
Along a spectacular panoramic road—with several photo stops—you’ll discover the northeastern shore of Lake Atitlán and its Kaqchikel Maya villages. In San Antonio Palopó, locals practice terraced agriculture, growing tomatoes and other vegetables, while in Santa Catarina Palopó, you’ll see women wearing turquoise huipiles (traditional hand-embroidered blouses) and men in colorful, embroidered short pants.
Overnight in Panajachel.

Included meals: breakfast at the hotel and lunch with a Maya family.
Accommodation : Hotel (Quetzaltenango).

A scenic boat crossing from north to south takes you between these majestic volcanic peaks to a quiet bay where, early in the morning, fishermen glide across the water in their traditional wooden boats.

In Santiago Atitlán, admire the richly embroidered traditional garments worn by the women, especially the tocoyal—a long, multicolored turban wrapped around the hair—and the men’s white trousers embroidered with bright birds. You’ll also visit Maximón, a contemporary Maya deity. This richly dressed statue resides in a chapel within a confraternity member’s home, where devotees bring flowers, incense, and offerings of alcohol—a fascinating blend of ancient and modern devotion.

Continuing by boat, you’ll sail beneath the imposing slopes of San Pedro Volcano toward San Juan La Laguna, one of the loveliest villages on the lake. Here, women’s cooperatives preserve ancestral textile and dyeing traditions using local plants. You’ll share a traditional lunch with a Maya family, organized by a local ecotourism association.

Boat ride back to Panajachel on the northern shore.

In the mid-afternoon, transfer across the highlands and its volcanic landscapes via the Pan-American Highway to the city of Quetzaltenango.

Overnight in the historic center of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Huehuetenango)

After breakfast, follow the Pan-American Highway across the highlands to the village of San Francisco El Alto, located at 2,630 m (8,630 ft). Stroll through one of the largest Indigenous markets in the region—filled with livestock, brightly embroidered textiles, pinewood furniture, and fruits and spices from across the country. Nearby, you may witness Maya ceremonies performed against an exceptional mountain panorama. After exploring this vast market, visit several traditional Maya villages in the area: Zunil, with its colorful cemetery beneath the slopes of Santa María Volcano (3,770 m / 12,370 ft); San Andrés Xecul, whose church has an extraordinarily colorful façade; and Salcajá, home to the oldest church in Central America, founded in 1524.

Then travel along a scenic road winding through patchwork fields cultivated by hand to reach the Fuentes Georginas hot springs. Here you can relax in large natural pools of steaming thermal water on the slopes of the Zunil Volcano, surrounded by a lush mountain jungle filled with giant tree ferns. Little visited by travelers because it lies off the main tourist routes, the Quetzaltenango region offers beautiful natural sites and traditional Maya villages rich in heritage.

In the late afternoon, drive to the town of Huehuetenango (1,900 m / 6,230 ft), at the foot of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes.
Overnight in Huehuetenango.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: hotel (Chichicastenango).

Transfer to the high plateau of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, an immense karstic range rising between 1800 m (5900 ft) and 3900 m (12,800 ft), formed by the uplifting of tectonic plates beneath Guatemala. The wide variations in altitude create striking contrasts in vegetation. This is the highest non-volcanic mountain range in all Central America.
The Guatemalan writer Miguel Ángel Asturias (Nobel Prize in Literature) wrote in his book Maladrón:

 “It is the first land the navigator discovers from the South Sea. He gazes in awe. It is the earthly cloud where corn is born. The first grain of corn on earth. The pink puma takes refuge in its hills before time descends from the sky. Freedom of the first pine, dark green of the night, lunar, followed by another pine, then another, and another. Pines and cypresses go together up the hills, extending branches to help each other across ravines; they form groups, spread across plateaus, cluster in hollows, separate in gorges, and climb in single file toward the peaks to admire, from the highest of the Green Andes, under a vivid indigo sky, the smoke-crowned volcanoes, the silvery rivers, and shining nickel lakes.”
Miguel Angel Asturias : Maladrón

Then descend through the valley to the village of Todos Santos, at 2500 m (8200 ft), following a road that offers breathtaking panoramic views. The Mam Maya people living in this region have preserved their magnificent handwoven traditional clothing: for men, richly embroidered shirts and red-and-white striped trousers; for women, blouses in shades of mauve and red, and dark blue skirts. (Market day in Todos Santos: Saturdays.) The main activities in the area are agriculture (coffee, potatoes, corn) and sheep farming.
Continue down from the mountains and drive toward the Maya village of Chichicastenango, where you can stroll through the narrow streets to observe preparations for the famous market.
Overnight in Chichicastenango, at 2150 m (7095 ft).

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Antigua – 1st night)   

The village of Chichicastenango is a remarkable Maya town, deeply rooted in tradition. One of the few surviving pre-Columbian texts, the Popol Vuh — often considered the Maya Bible — was discovered here.        

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll discover one of the most famous handicraft markets in the region — a true explosion of colors! You’ll find wooden carvings, silver jewelry, textiles, fruits, and the traditional incense known as copal. Among the finest local crafts are the embroidered huipils (blouses worn by Maya women) and the beautifully carved masks used in traditional dances.

Just a ten-minute walk from the center lies the town’s colorful cemetery, where you may witness Maya families performing ancestral ceremonies to honor their ancestors. Nearby, the Pascual Abaj hill serves as a sacred site for rituals that blend ancient Maya beliefs with Catholic elements.

In the afternoon, drive back across the highlands and volcanoes along the Pan-American Highway to reach Antigua Guatemala.

Overnight in the historic center of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, the lively main square glows with lights that highlight the elegant colonial façades.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Antigua – 2nd night)     

1) Guided hike in Pacaya Volcano National Park (active volcano)

A guided hike led by a local guide

This hike is suitable for active travelers used to walking on forest trails. Elevation gain: +350 m (490 ft) / −350 m (490 ft), for about 3 h 30 of hiking in total. (Optional horseback assistance available.)

Transfer to Pacaya Volcano National Park. Accompanied by your local guide, hike from the visitor center to the base of the volcano, where vast fields of black lava stretch across the landscape. When the weather is clear, you’ll enjoy magnificent views not only of Pacaya (summit around 2552 m / 8370 ft) but also of several other volcanoes in the volcanic chain, including the spectacular and highly active Volcán de Fuego (“Fire”). Depending on volcanic activity, you may even witness glowing lava flows. Pacaya is one of the most active — and most accessible — volcanoes in Central America.

Return to Antigua in the afternoon.

Second night in the historic center of the city.

2) Visit of a coffee plantation

Just outside Antigua, in the village of Jocotenango, visit its charming colonial church and the La Azotea Coffee Plantation and Museum.
Wander through the main house to learn about the history and techniques of coffee cultivation and processing.
Within the same complex, explore Casa Kojom, a captivating Maya music museum showcasing both pre-Columbian and contemporary traditions.

If you wish, continue to the nearby village of Ciudad Vieja, where you can admire the magnificent façade of the first cathedral built by the Spaniards when they founded their initial capital in Central America. Located at the foot of the majestic Volcán de Agua, the city was partially destroyed by a volcanic mudslide in 1541.

Return to Antigua in the afternoon.

Second night in the historic center of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Short transfer to Guatemala City Airport for your return flight (baggage check-in recommended three hours before departure). Depending on your flight schedule, it may be possible to visit some of the capital’s main museums before leaving—please ask us for details. In that case, we recommend choosing a mid- or late-afternoon flight.