Maya lands tour

Included meals: breakfast at the hotel and dinner with a Maya family.
Accommodation: Maya homestay (Lake Atitlán).
A guided hike led by a local guide

Walking level: easy

Elevation gain: +150 m / –150 m — about 3h45 walking time

Lake Atitlán is often described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world — Aldous Huxley himself wrote about it “Lake Atitlan too much of a good thing.” It lies at 1,500 m / 4,920 ft above sea level, in a tropical highland region framed by three lofty volcanoes between 3,000 and 3,500 m / 9,840 and 11,480 ft. 

From Panajachel, you’ll take a boat with your guide to the village of Santa Cruz La Laguna, then follow a scenic trail along the lakeshore to the hamlet of Tzununá. This off-the-beaten-path route offers some of the most spectacular views of the lake and its volcanoes. The path winds through small hamlets, offering an authentic glimpse of daily Maya life. Lake Atitlán was formed in an ancient volcanic zone; a series of calderas sculpted the surrounding mountains and gave the region its dramatic relief.

In mid-afternoon, you’ll reach the Maya village of San Juan La Laguna, one of the most charming on the lake. Many women here are organized in cooperatives, preserving their ancestral cotton-dyeing techniques using natural plants. You’ll also discover beautiful murals depicting different aspects of Maya identity, painted on the façades by local artists. Dinner will be hosted by a Maya family (through a local ecotourism association), followed by an overnight stay in their home — a warm, authentic experience and a chance to share moments of everyday life with your hosts.
 

Overnight at a local homestay in San Juan La Laguna.

Included meals: Breakfast with your host family.
Accommodation: hotel (Chichicastenango).

To reach Santiago, you’ll take a boat ride skirting the impressive slopes of San Pedro Volcano (2,990 m / 9,810 ft), crossing the calm bay where fishermen set out at dawn in their traditional wooden boats.

In Santiago, you’ll admire the richly woven traditional garments worn by the women — including the tocoyal, a long, colorful turban wound around the hair — and the men’s white trousers embroidered with bright birds. You’ll also have the chance to visit Maximón, a contemporary Maya deity. The statue, richly dressed, resides in a chapel inside a confraternity member’s home — a unique scene of devotion blending flowers, incense, and offerings of alcohol. Explore the church, the village square, and the lively local market stalls.

In the afternoon, return by boat to Panajachel, crossing between the majestic volcanoes, then transfer to Chichicastenango. On the eve of market day, you’ll witness the fascinating preparations for the famous indigenous market.

Overnight in Chichicastenango.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation : Hotel (Quetzaltenango).

The village of Chichicastenango is deeply rooted in Maya tradition. One of the few surviving pre-Columbian manuscripts — the Popol Vuh, often considered the Quiché Maya “Bible” — was discovered here.

The village is best known for its vibrant, colorful markets and for the scenes of religious syncretism that can be observed both outside and inside its colonial church. This church, built by the Spanish in the 16th century on the site of an ancient Maya temple, has a staircase with 18 steps, symbolizing the 18 months of the Maya calendar.

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, transfer across the western highlands along the Pan-American Highway toward Quetzaltenango (2,300 m / 7,545 ft). The city sits in a highland valley at the foot of Santa María Volcano (3,770 m / 12,370 ft).

Overnight in the historic center of Quetzaltenango, a charming blend of colonial and neoclassical architecture.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Guatemala City)

After breakfast, follow the Pan-American Highway through the highlands to the village of San Francisco El Alto, perched at 8,630 ft (2,630 m). Stroll through one of the largest indigenous markets in the region—featuring a lively livestock market, colorful embroidered textiles, pine furniture, and fruits and spices from every corner of the country. Nearby, you may also witness traditional Maya ceremonies set against a breathtaking mountain panorama. After exploring this vast market, continue through the Maya villages of the region: Zunil, with its beautiful traditional cemetery dominated by the Santa María volcano (12,370 ft / 3,770 m); San Andrés Xecul, whose church is famous for its strikingly colorful façade; and Salcajá, home to the oldest church in Central America, founded in 1524.

Next, follow a scenic road through hand-tended patchwork fields to reach the Fuentes Georginas hot springs. Here, you can relax in large natural pools of steaming mineral water on the slopes of the Zunil volcano, surrounded by a lush mountain jungle of giant ferns and tropical vegetation. Less visited due to its distance from the main tourist routes, the Quetzaltenango highlands are filled with natural beauty and deeply rooted Maya traditions.

By mid-afternoon, drive back across the highlands toward the capital.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Copán)
Guided visit in English included: Copán archaeological site and museum

Drive east toward Honduras via the Atlantic route, passing through a striking variety of landscapes — the beautiful Sierra de las Minas mountains, the Motagua Valley, and broad plains dotted with cactus and tropical crops like melon and pineapple.

After crossing the border (with the same vehicle and driver), visit the Copán archaeological site with a English-speaking specialist guide. The carved stelae of Copán are masterpieces of Maya art, and its hieroglyphic staircase is truly exceptional. Often called the “Athens of the Maya world,” Copán is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its museum is also remarkable — gathering bas-reliefs, sculptures, stelae, and temple decorations of great artistic and historical value. Set in a lush tropical valley at about 600 m / 1,970 ft above sea level, the park is still covered in forest where you may spot brilliant scarlet macaws, the national bird of Honduras.
After your visit, don’t miss the chance to sample the region’s excellent coffee.
Just steps from the village square, two small museums provide fascinating additional insights into the site’s history.
Overnight in the charming colonial village of Copán Ruinas.

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

Return to Guatemala and head for the Caribbean coast! En route, stop at Quiriguá, a remarkable Maya site known for its enormous carved stelae — the tallest ever discovered in the Maya world. The site sits within a pocket of tropical forest surrounded by vast banana plantations, home to toucans, parrots, and towering tropical trees. During your passage through the plantations, you’ll learn about the banana cultivation system — a crop that shaped the political, economic, and social landscape of Guatemala throughout the 20th century.

By midday, transfer to Puerto Barrios, the country’s former major Atlantic port, where you will meet your boatman for a trip along the coast to the Caribbean village of Livingston. The population of this isolated village remains largely Garifuna, a people living along the Atlantic coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. With a unique history, the Garifuna people emerged in the 17th century from the blending of escaped African slaves and Indigenous Carib peoples. In 2001, their dance, music, religion, and language were declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Overnight in the village (two nights scheduled).

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Livingston - 2nd night)     

Your boatman will meet you at your hotel’s dock for a beautiful coastal excursion. Cruising along the northern shore, you’ll reach the Siete Altares nature site—“The Seven Altars”—a series of small freshwater waterfalls hidden in the tropical forest (swimming possible; water shoes or sandals recommended). Continue by boat to Playa Blanca, a lovely white-sand beach lined with coconut palms, hammocks, and pelicans—perfect for relaxing under the Caribbean sun.     

Return to Livingston by boat. Free afternoon to enjoy the village’s Caribbean vibe.

Suggestion: try a coco loco (fresh coconut with rum) at a seaside café, or sample the local specialty, tapado — a delicious seafood and coconut milk stew.

Second night in Livingston.

Meals included: Breakfast
Hébergement : hotel (Flores).

After breakfast, embark on a motorboat excursion along the tranquil waters of the Río Dulce, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The river’s dramatic gorges and verdant banks are home to several nature reserves, with steep cliffs, mangroves, and bird islands — once hideouts for pirates attacking Spanish treasure ships returning to Europe. Monkeys, anteaters, toucans, coatis, iguanas, manatees, pelicans, egrets, and herons inhabit this rich ecosystem. Midway, visit the Ak’ Tenamit Maya community project to learn about the local Q’eqchi’ Maya crafts and tropical forest conservation. A vital waterway linking Lake Izabal (590 km² / 228 mi²) to the Caribbean Sea, the Río Dulce forms one of the most important hydrographic systems of eastern Guatemala, draining the highlands’ rainfall into the Atlantic. At the end of the excursion, visit the small San Felipe fortress, which once protected Spanish warehouses from pirate incursions. Today, the charming stone fort is one of the region’s postcard-perfect landmarks.

In the afternoon, drive across the Petén region to reach the small island town of Flores, on Lake Petén Itzá. Along the way, you’ll see many ceiba trees — sacred to the Maya and now Guatemala’s national tree. This vast region, one of the last to be re-colonized, was once a major center of Maya civilization. Recent lidar research has revealed that millions of Maya inhabited these fragile lands for nearly 18 centuries.
Overnight on the island of Flores. Its cobblestone streets wind between colorful houses and offer lovely views over the lake.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lodge (Tikal National Park)
Self-guided visit

Suggestion: Before leaving Flores, take some time to stroll around the island by following the inner street that circles it—rather than the one along the water. The architecture of the old houses is elegant, with scallop-shaped door and window arches, and doorsteps raised above street level (the lake’s water level rises every fifty years or so, sometimes flooding the lower streets). The colorful façades and peaceful atmosphere make it a pleasant walk.

Transfer by dirt road to the archaeological site of Yaxhá. This little-known site is, after Tikal, the most beautifully restored in Guatemala. From the top of the main pyramid, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding region and Yaxhá Lake. Off the beaten path, take a short motorboat ride across the lake to reach the lovely site of Topoxté, occupied by the Maya up until the 16th century. Like Tikal, both Yaxhá and Topoxté are nestled in the heart of the tropical forest—a natural paradise where visitors can discover exceptional flora and fauna. Photographers and nature lovers, keep your eyes open and your cameras ready!

After your visit, transfer to Tikal National Park. To reach your lodge, you’ll cross the southern section of the park—a wonderful opportunity to observe wildlife and lush forest landscapes along the way.

Overnight in a lodge inside Tikal National Park, just steps from the archaeological site—perfect for soaking up the magical atmosphere. At dawn and dusk, you may see coatis, ocellated turkeys, and agoutis wandering near the lodges.

Note: It’s possible to enter the archaeological site for sunrise or sunset—please contact us for more details.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Flores)
Included: Guided tour in English— Tikal archaeological site and National Park

Tikal National Park is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites recognized for both its cultural and natural significance—thanks to its extraordinary biodiversity and its archaeological importance.            ²   

With its towering pyramids—Temple IV rises over 230 ft (70 m)—Tikal is the most awe-inspiring Maya site in the country, and perhaps in all the Maya world. During its pre-Columbian peak, this great metropolis extended its political, economic, and cultural influence as far as the Mexican highlands. Your guide will introduce you to both the site’s fascinating history and its rich ecosystems. The protected habitats shelter several monkey species, anteaters, deer, coatis, and more than 300 bird species. The vegetation is equally remarkable, with over 200 tree species thriving in the reserve.

In the afternoon, transfer back to Flores.

Overnight on the island.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Candelaria)
Included: Guided tour in English– Aguateca Archaeological Site

Travel south with your expert guide to the La Pasión River and the village of Sayaxché. There, you’ll meet your boatman for a scenic ride along the Petexbatun River, a tributary of the La Pasión. As you travel through lush jungle landscapes, you’ll have the chance to spot an incredible variety of birds, as well as crocodiles resting on the sandbanks and the occasional turtle.

As the river narrows, it winds its way into the Aguateca Archaeological Park, hidden deep within the rainforest. This region is particularly significant to archaeologists—it’s here that they first found evidence of the waves of invasion from peoples originating in what is now Mexico, which contributed to destabilizing the Classic Maya cities in the 9th century. Some local sites show architecture and stelae with styles very different from traditional Maya art. Fortifications and depictions of armed figures reveal that the region was once in a constant state of warfare.     

At Aguateca, the Maya fortified their city using an extraordinary system of geological fault lines—some reaching 50 m (165 ft) deep! Visitors can enter the site through a steep but accessible trail leading down into this natural trench before reaching the main ruins. (Optional: this short descent is the only technical challenge on the excursion and remains accessible to all active travelers.).

Remote and surrounded by dense jungle, Aguateca is one of Guatemala’s most mysterious sites. Its river access and rainforest setting make it an unforgettable experience for travelers who love nature and adventure—without any particular difficulty.

After your visit, return by boat to Sayaxché and continue south toward the Candelaria cave region.

Overnight near the cave network entrance.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Cobán)

In the morning, explore one of the Candelaria caves with a local Maya guide. This network—spanning nearly 80 km (50 mi) including its secondary caves—is the longest cave system in Latin America and has not yet been fully explored. For the ancient Maya, these caves opened a passage to the underworld and were considered sacred places. Archaeologists have discovered numerous offerings, burials, and ceremonial remains here. Today, the site is still revered by the Q’eqchi’ Maya, who continue to perform religious ceremonies inside.

An interesting stop along your route through the Verapaces region, the visit offers a deep insight into both nature and Maya spirituality.

Continue your journey through tropical forest and coffee plantations. The name Cobán, in the Q’eqchi’ Maya language, means “between the clouds.” The road winds through misty mountain forests—home to orchids and the sacred quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird.

Overnight in the old colonial city of Cobán, located at 1,320 m (4,330 ft) above sea level, an important center for the country’s coffee production.

Meals included: Breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel (Lanquin)

From Cobán, you’ll travel through lush coffee and cardamom plantations toward the village of Lanquín, where you can also visit impressive limestone caves.

From there, continue by well-maintained dirt road in a 4x4 vehicle to reach the natural site of Semuc Champey (at 350 m / 1,150 ft above sea level). Here, the Cahabón River forms a spectacular series of natural pools with turquoise and jade-colored waters surrounded by tropical forest. A unique geological feature makes this place extraordinary: part of the river actually flows underground beneath the limestone bridge before resurfacing several hundred meters downstream, where it rejoins the surface waters cascading through the pools. The name Semuc Champey means “where the river hides beneath the stones.” The area has been classified as a National Monument for more than twenty years. From the viewpoint above, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the river, the pools, and the surrounding forest.

Overnight in the village of Lanquín.    

Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Guatemala City)

Depart Lanquín and travel through the Verapaces region (from the Spanish “Verdaderas Paces”, meaning “True Peaces”), an area historically entrusted by the Spanish Crown to Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, the famed defender of Indigenous peoples. Verapaces  

Stop at the Mario Dary Rivera Nature Reserve, founded in 1976, to explore the unique ecosystem of the cloud forest, located between 1,500 and 2,300 m (4,920–7,550 ft) above sea level. This pristine primary forest is filled with a remarkable variety of trees, mosses, and ferns typical of high-humidity mountain environments. Along the trail, you’ll encounter crystal-clear waterfalls, giant tree ferns, orchids, and delicate epiphytes. The forest is also home to many species of hummingbirds and the striking Montezuma oropendola. Two marked mountain trails allow you to explore at your own pace: Los Helechos Trail – 2 km (about 1 hour) and Los Musgos Trail – 4 km (about 2 hours)    

This magnificent bird, about 32 cm (12.5 in) long, belongs to the trogon family. Males have dazzling green, red, and sky-blue plumage, and their tail feathers can reach 50 cm to 1 m (1.6–3.3 ft) long, waving gracefully in flight. Sacred to the Maya for millennia and now the national bird of Guatemala, the quetzal symbolizes freedom and divinity. It represents one of the forms of the god Quetzal Serpent (known as Quetzalcoatl in Mexico). Because quetzals rarely survive in captivity, this reserve is among the best places in Guatemala to observe them in the wild.   

By late afternoon, arrive in the capital city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Short transfer to Guatemala City Airport for your international departure (check-in three hours before the flight). Depending on your flight schedule, you may visit the city’s main museums (upon request). In that case, we recommend choosing flights departing in the mid- or late afternoon.