Itinerary Details

Upon your arrival at the Guatemala City airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and, when the whole group assembles, you will be transferred to Antigua Guatemala (approx. a 1-hour drive; 39 km), where you will spend the rest of the day, relaxing and exploring the neighborhood at your own pace. Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It is renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital. Note: Only one group transfer from the airport to the hotel has been included in the price. Additional arrangements can be made at an extra cost. Accommodation: Camino Real Antigua - Deluxe Room (https://www.caminorealantigua.com.gt/en/) or similar.
After an early breakfast, you will head to Pacaya Volcano in the Pacaya National Park (approx. a 1-hour drive; 35.8 Km), and the beginning of the trail in the small village of San Francisco de Sales. Located just outside the capital of Guatemala City, Pacaya Volcano rises to 2,552m (8,373ft) and is one of three active volcanoes in Guatemala. After a period of dormancy, it became again active since 1965. The roughly 3.5-km trail is relatively steep but well maintained and climbs steadily through farmland and pine forests before arriving on an exposed ridge which offers panoramic views of Pacaya's smoking black cone. Miles of old blackened lava flows and the volcanoes to the north around Antigua and Lake Atitlan can also be seen. The hike continues towards the barren moonscape of the lava flows where you will be able to roast marshmallows over hot spots for s’mores ala Guatemala! You will also have picnic lunch with views of the crater from afar (National Park regulations do not allow climbing to the top of the crater). Duration of the hike: approx. 4 hours, both ways.( 8 kms) Difficulty of the hike: Medium level. You will then head to Kawilal, a nearby ecolodge, for a relaxing afternoon by natural hot springs, enjoying a thermal circuit at the hot pools. At the end of the day, you will return to Antigua (approx. 1-hour drive; 35.8 Km.). Accommodation: Camino Real Antigua - Deluxe Room (https://www.caminorealantigua.com.gt/en/) or similar.
After breakfast, you will embark on a 4-hour guided tour in the town. You will visit magnificent colonial monuments and you will learn why this city was the bustling center of the region during the colonial era. Starting at the central plaza, you will be introduced to the colonization period, Guatemala’s history and contemporary issues. You will also admire from outside some of the most important buildings of the city like the Palacio de Capitanes, the City Hall, and El Portal; you will also visit the backstage of the Cathedral, the Cathedral ruins and the San Francisco church. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing and exploring the town at your own pace. Accommodation: Camino Real Antigua - Deluxe Room (https://www.caminorealantigua.com.gt/en/) or similar.
Enjoy a well-deserved relaxing morning, before heading to Lake Atitlan (approx. a 2-hour drive; 74 km). Lake Atitlán is a body of water in a massive volcanic crater in Guatemala’s southwestern highlands. Ringed by steep, verdant hills, it is known for its Mayan villages and volcanoes with striking pointed cones. Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan (https://www.hotelatitlan.com/) or similar.
After an early breakfast, you will board a private boat to visit San Juan la Laguna and Santiago Atitlan: two special and different towns around the Lake. Santiago is home to Maximon, a venerated pagan saint who smokes tobacco and drinks moonshine. He resides in a different house each year. San Juan la Laguna, on the other hand, is quieter, less visited and home to several textile coops and art galleries. Duration of the tour: approx. 6 hrs. Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan (https://www.hotelatitlan.com/) or similar.
After breakfast, you will board a boat again and head to the starting point of your kayaking adventure. You will paddle for around 45 minutes along delightful peninsulas, admiring the shore's beautiful gardens. After kayaking you will start the hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no road access, so you will be hiking along ancient paths that have been used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries. You will view villagers going about their daily life and enjoy magnificent scenery on the way. Duration of the hike: 3 hours. Difficulty of the hike: Medium. Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan (https://www.hotelatitlan.com/) or similar.
After a very early breakfast, you will head once again to the Guatemala City airport (approx. a 3-hour drive; 125 km), to catch a domestic flight to Flores. Domestic Flights: 10:30 AM Flight GUA-FRS. Once there, you will be transferred to the Yaxha archaeological site for a Yaxha sunset tour (starting at 2pm; duration: approx. 4 hours). Yaxha is an archaeological site and ancient ceremonial center of the Mayan civilization, situated in the northeast of Peten. This site is a mix of archeology, beautiful landscapes and ecological tourism. With more than 500 structures, including 40 stelae, 13 altars and 9 pyramids, Yaxha is a “must” when visiting the area. You will end the day admiring the sunset from the top of the pyramid. Accommodation: Villa Maya (https://www.villasdeguatemala.com/en/villa-maya) or similar.
After breakfast, you will head to Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies one of the major sites of Mayan civilization, inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. The ceremonial center contains superb temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps. Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside. With the help of your guide you will explore the area, the layout of the temples, the architecture and history, and will learn some theories on why the Mayans disappeared. If you are lucky, you may see a few monkeys, parrots, macaws, and toucans as well. After the tour, you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle. Duration of the tour: approx. 5 hours. Afterwards, you be transferred to Flores airport for Domestic flight: FRS - GUA (approx 1hr) Upon arrival at Guatemala City, you will be transferred to your hotel for rest. Accommodation: Inmaculada https://www.inmaculadahotel.com/ or similar.
In the morning, you will head to Guatemala City airport for your departure flight.

Optional Belize Extension

After breakfast, you will head to Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies one of the major sites of Mayan civilization, inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. The ceremonial center contains superb temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps. Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside. With the help of your guide you will explore the area, the layout of the temples, the architecture and history, and will learn some theories on why the Mayans disappeared. If you are lucky, you may see a few monkeys, parrots, macaws, and toucans as well. After the tour, you will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle. Duration of the tour: approx. 5 hours. You will then be transferred to the Belize Border (approx. a 1.5-hour drive; 98.8 km), which you will cross on your own and, on the other side, a new Rahhalah representative will welcome you. Together, you will head to San Ignacio (a 30-min drive; 14.6 km). Accommodation: San Ignacio Resort (https://www.sanignaciobelize.com/) or similar.
Early in the morning, you will head to the Xunantunich Archeological Site, where, through a guided tour, you will visit the most important monuments, like the structure called El Castillo, which rises 40 meters above ground, and, as such, is one of the highest buildings in Belize. From its top, you can enjoy impressive panoramic views of the Mopan River valley, the large stucco frieze of a lower temple, and a mask with large ears next to a moon sign with a border of signs representing Venus. You will then head to Belize International Airport (approx. a 2-hour drive; 120 km) to catch the domestic flight to San Pedro. (a 15-min flight). Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel with a private Golf Car (5 min. drive) Accommodation: Ramon's Village https://ramons.com/ or similar.
After another early breakfast, you will head to Hol Chan and the Shark Ray Alley. Hol Chan is the oldest marine reserve located on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. It covers approximately three-square miles and it is divided into four zones. At Zone D, you will find Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays. The Shark-Ray Alley is a popular dive site since these creatures seem to enjoy human interaction. During the tour, you will make two stops to enjoy the amazing underwater landscape of the Barrier Reef to the fullest. You will also see corals of all forms, sizes, and colors as well as bright tropical fish. The second stop will be at Shark Ray Alley: a shallow area where you may feed and pet Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays, and, if brave enough, you may even swim with them. Duration of the tour: approx. 2 hours (on shared basis). Accommodation: Ramon's Village https://ramons.com/ or similar.
Enjoy a day at leisure to relax, swim, and explore the area at your own pace. Accommodation: Ramon's Village https://ramons.com/ or similar.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the San Pedro airstrip for your flight to Belize city and, from there, back home. Domestic Flight: San Pedro to Belize City. Note: Only one group transfer to the airport has been included in the price. Additional arrangements can be made at an extra cost. Recommended afternoon /evening departure flight from Belize.