Antigua, Atitlan & Tikal's Mayan Ruins
Guatemala in 11 Days, 9 Nights in Destination starting from 1,599$
Trip Highlights
Antigua Guatemala
Chichicastenango
Flores
Panajachel
Tikal
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Some meals
Availability
Departures available until March 2026
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $580
Add up to 3 nights to your stay
Categories available
charm included
superior from + $800
Itinerary
Begin with the charming colonial architecture and colorful atmosphere of Antigua, where you can discover the famous Chichicastenango Market. Admire the glistening waters and volcanic landscapes of Lake Atitlan with a stay in the vibrant lakeside town of Panajachel. Continue on to Flores, a base to view and learn more about the fascinating Mayan ruins at Tikal.
1st Day: US - Guatemala
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight to Guatemala.* Arrive in Guatemala and transfer to Antigua (approx. 1h 30m), a beautifully-preserved city with an abundance of colorful colonial architecture nestled in the lush central highlands. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Antigua.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
2nd Day: Antigua Guatemala
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a half-day walking tour of Antigua, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. During the colonial period, it was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Guatemala, which included the provinces of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After an earthquake in 1773, the city was abandoned, and the population moved to what is now Guatemala City. Visit La Merced Church, Plaza de Armas, and the Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to enjoy a little shopping or a snack before returning to the hotel. You can complete your day with an optional cooking class*. Overnight stay in Antigua.
*Cooking class: Enjoy a market tour to see and smell the ingredients used for Guatemalan cooking. After the tour, return to the kitchen to begin your cooking class. Enjoy a typical Guatemalan meal. Transfers will be provided by tuk-tuk.
3rd Day: Antigua Guatemala
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day exploring at your leisure. Go shopping for local artisan crafts, people-watch from one of the old town's charming cafe terraces or pay a visit to the chocolate museum to indulge your sweet tooth! Alternatively, why not head out of the city to hike one of the many nearby volcanoes or the popular Corazón de Agua trail, for fabulous views across the surrounding landscapes. You can complete your day with an optional visit to La Azotea and Hobbitenango and finish your day with an optional dinner with “Marimba and Morros” Show. Overnight stay in Antigua.
*Visit to La Azotea and Hobbitenango: Visit a farm that has been producing coffee for 150 years and discover the details of its production. Afterwards, head to the picturesque village of Hobbitenango, and enjoy free time to walk among its small “hobbit houses”.
**Dinner with “Marimba and Morros” Show: Enjoy a traditional evening at Don Rodrigo Antigua's restaurant-inn. Indulge in a full menu while enjoying a lively concert of marimba music. Transfers will be provided by tuk-tuk.
4th Day: Antigua Guatemala - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlán
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will start your day with a transfer to Chichicastenango, a journey that will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the vibrant Chichicastenango market, famous for its color and cultural diversity, followed by a visit to the historic Santo Tomás Church. After this enriching experience, you’ll continue your journey to Lake Atitlan, with a 1 hour and 30-minute drive. Along the way, you’ll stop at a viewpoint to admire the stunning views of the lake. Finally, you’ll arrive in Panajachel where you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay at Lake Atitlan.
5th Day: Panajachel
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a leisurely day on your own in Panajachel to explore the wonders of Lake Atitlan. Why not take a boat trip to discover the numerous Mayan villages dotted around the lake's border or go kayaking for unobstructed views of the volcanic landscape? Other experiences to enjoy whilst staying in Panajachel include indulging in a traditional Mayan sauna, known as a 'Temescal', or shopping in the local markets. Also, you can book a Boat tour through 3 villages*. Overnight stay in Panajachel.
*Boat tour through 3 villages: Discover the beauty of San Juan, San Pedro, and San Pablo de la Laguna. Our local guide will meet you at the dock to begin a tour with stops in these three lakeside villages. During the tour, visit a chocolate cooperative to see its production; a textile cooperative, to learn about the dyeing process.
6th Day: Panajachel - Guatemala City
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure, taking in the spectacular views of Lake Atitlan for the final time. In the afternoon, transfer back to Guatemala City (approx. 3 hours) and get settled at the hotel. Enjoy exploring the city's street food scene or strolling through the capital's atmospheric plazas. If you want to enjoy the nature, you can add our optional Canopy in Atitlan Natural Reserve*. Overnight stay in Guatemala City.
*Canopy in Atitlan Natural Reserve: We start by visiting the San Buenaventura Natural Park and its colorful Butterfly Farm. Then, begin your adventure through two zip line circuits through which you will enjoy magnificent views of forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and Lake Atitlan.
7th Day: Guatemala City - Flores
Get a bright and early start* with a transfer to the airport for your flight to Flores, gateway to a region brimming with Mayan archeological sites. On arrival, drive about an hour and a half to reach Tikal, the famous ruins of a once-powerful capital city. On this half-day tour, your guide will show you various structures, visiting Complexes Q and R before continuing to the Central Acropolis, Temples I (The Great Jaguar) and Temple II (of the Masks), considered to be the most important within the complex. In the afternoon, return to the Visitor's Center for an included lunch. Return to Flores and check into your hotel for your overnight stay.
*Departure for the airport is at 4 AM in order to make a 5:45 AM flight.
8th Day: Flores
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day to explore Flores. The old town is situated on a small island in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá, offering beautiful views over Guatemala’s third-largest lake. For those craving more fascinating Mayan history, feel free to join our optional tour of Yaxhá,* once a ceremonial center for the Maya. Return to the hotel in Flores for the evening’s overnight stay.
*Optional Yaxhá full-day tour: Depart at the specified time for Yaxhá. This archeological wonder is home to several important ceremonial structures, which show influence from the faraway Teotihuacán civilization in the Valley of Mexico. Outside of Tikal, Yaxhá is home to the only other pair of twin pyramids in Guatemala. Enjoy an included lunch while on-site, then return to Flores for the night.
9th Day: Flores - Guatemala City
Breakfast at the hotel. You’ll have much of the day free in Flores before returning to Guatemala City on an evening flight. Transfer to the airport at the confirmed time, and arrive in Guatemala City around 10 PM. Transfer to your hotel and spend the night.
10th Day: Guatemala City - Night on board
Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Guatemala today as you transfer to the airport, ready to catch your flight back to the US. Night on board.
11th Day: US
Arrive back in the US and end your trip.
