11-day Mayan Ruins Tour: Guatemala And Copán

Itinerary

Day 1: Guatemala City Airport – Antigua

Stop 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: La Azotea, Calle del Cementerio Final, Jocotenango 03002 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:
• Breakfast
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:
• Breakfast
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, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, Panajachel 07010 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:
• Breakfast
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:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Best Western Plus Stofela or similar. 4-Star; Hotel Barcelo or similar

Day 6: Guatemala City - Copan

Stop 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:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3 or 4-Star Hotel; Marina Copán or similar

Day 7: Quirigua - Rio Dulce

Stop 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:
• Breakfast
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:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Isla de Flores or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Tikal or similar

Day 9: Tikal Ruins

Stop 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:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Drinks not included.
Accommodation included: 3-Star Hotel; Isla de Flores or similar. 4-Star Hotel; Camino Real Tikal or similar

Day 10: Yaxha Ruins - Guatemala City

Stop 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:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
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:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.