Upon arrival transfer to the colonial city of Antigua and hotel selected for three nights. Balance of the day free.

After breakfast get to know this colonial jewel on a private guided walking tour of the city. Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. Points of interest include the church of La Merced, the city cathedral and the San Francisco church. (B)

This morning visit the Azotea coffee plantation on a private guided tour. The guide will explain the growing and the processing of the coffee. This is an interesting lesson on the rich Guatemalan coffee “from the bean to the cup”. The tour also includes a visit to the Mayan Traditions Museum and the workshop of a local woodcarver. The afternoon is free to explore the city. (B)

After breakfast take a private transfer to Comalpa to tour the colourful Comalpa Market and see the work of the renowned painters of this area. A box lunch is included and, in the afternoon, continue to Lake Atitlan to check in at the selected hotel for two nights. (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by private boat to the town of Santiago Atitlan. On the tour of Santiago visit the shrine to Maximon, a Mayan deity, to whom the local people make offerings to insure his favourable disposition. Lunch is included at Posada Santiago. Afternoon and evening are free. (B, L)

After breakfast transfer to the famous Mayan market town of Chichicastenango. There is time to explore the busy market and select a souvenir from the many beautiful and inexpensive traditional handcrafts. The town is rich in an unique blend of Mayan and Catholic religious and cultural practices. In the early afternoon, take a private transfer to the airport in Guatemala City for the flight to Flores in the Guatemalan Highlands. Upon arrival in Flores, transfer to the selected hotel for two nights. (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel then depart on a full day tour to the Mayan site of Yaxha. The lakeside ruins of Yaxha represent the third largest Mayan site in Guatemala and dates from the period 300-900AD. Among the over 500 structures are twin pyramids and numerous “acropolis temples”. The setting on the lake and surrounded by rainforest is very beautiful. The tour includes lunch. (B, L)

Today visit the best known Mayan site in Guatemala and one of the most important in the entire Mundo Maya, Tikal. Tikal was a very large and important centre during the Mayan era, and the site contains over 3,000 separate temples, shrines, ball courts and plazas. The largest temples at Tikal tower over the surrounding jungle and those that climb them are rewarded with an unforgettable view of the jungle canopy. After lunch at the Tikal Park restaurant, take a private transfer to the airport for the return flight to Guatemala City in the afternoon and overnight for one night at selected hotel. (B, L)

The morning is free until the transfer to the airport for departure. (B)