Itinerary

Day 1 Antigua

Antigua is situated southwest of Guatemala City, and was considered to be one of the most splendid cities in Central America before its partial destruction in the earthquake of 1773. The town is now a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Despite the damage of countless earthquakes, floods and fires, Antigua is a beautiful place of multi-colored, single-story buildings, tropical gardens, plazas, fountains and cobbled streets. A popular tourist center, it has several good hotels, restaurants and bookshops with a fairly lively nightlife.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport in Guatemala city for your international or domestic flight.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Like many of the hotels in Antigua, the Spanish influence is still obvious in the Villa Colonial. An old, quaint ambiance surrounds this 50 room hotel, where traditional decor and modern necessities ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Enjoy an array of fresh fruits and juices at breakfast, along with other staples for a satisfying start to the day. Be sure to try the nearby restaurants to have a taste of the region's specialties firsthand. Lounge in the courtyard, mingle with other guests, or simply take in these beautiful surroundings. The center of town is a bit of a walk, and a short taxi ride away, but it is important to discover the history of these old walls and buildings when free time arises.

Overnight at Villa Colonial.

Day 2 Antigua

You will be met at your hotel reception by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrances are included to the Iglesia San Francisco (church), the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church.

Overnight at Villa Colonial.

Day 3 Antigua

Transfer to Lake Atitlan (2.5 hrs) to the town of Panajachel and board a private boat to cross Lake Atitlan for a 30 minute scenic boat ride past the 3 impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlan & San Pedro. Arrive in Santiago and visit the house of Maya God Maximon. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege olf taking care of their God. Once with Maximon you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman, in order to have a personal ceremony. After visiting Maximon, you can visit the local church to learn about the history of this very traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from the area.

Overnight at Villa Colonial.

Day 4 Antigua

Be sure to pre-book your local excursions through Kensington Tours to ensure you make the most out of your time in Guatemala. Optional activities in Antigua include: City Tour, Chichicastenango Market, Lake Atitlan Tour, Birdwatching, Biking and Volcano hiking.

Overnight at Villa Colonial.

Day 5 Flores

Flores is built on an island in the middle of Lake Petén Itza. A causeway connects Flores to the mainland town of Santa Elena, where the banks and main shops are located. Buses run throughout the day from both Santa Elena and Flores to Tikal. The spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal (City of Voices) encompass vast pyramidal temples, ball courts, causeways, plazas and public buildings that extend over some 16 sq km (6 sq miles). While there are about 3000 known structures, many more lie buried under dense jungle vegetation. First occupied in about 800 BC, this great city was eventually abandoned around 1000 years later.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

Enjoy a short flight from Guatemala City to Flores.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

A haven of wildlife and nature's secrets, the Villa Maya sits on the shores of Petenchel and Monifata about 45 minutes from the Tikal National Park. The huge private reserve plays host to the villa's 56 rooms, which are designed to offer the most modern living conditions while still keeping to the rustic, pleasant side of adventure getaways. This means there are no televisions or phones in the rooms. Friendly service goes hand in hand with tasty local and international dishes utilizing ingredients from the region. This beautiful environment features monkeys, deer, birds and insects of all sorts, for guests are practically left to play in the jungle. Roam the lagoons, swim in the pool, and simply discover Villa Maya.

Overnight at Villa Maya.

Day 6 Flores

Pick up from your lodge and begin your privately guided tour of Tikal National Park. Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD. Some of these pyramids are over 60 meters high (200 feet). Enjoy some free time at the site and return to your hotel after lunch.

Overnight at Villa Maya.

Day 7 Guatemala City

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) .

More information from Kensington Tours:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.kensingtontours.com/tours/central-america/guatemala/guate…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips