Guetamala And Honduras: The Mayan Trail

Day 01

Guatemala - Antigua

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El Convento Boutique Hotel / Mesón Panza Verde / Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

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Once you arrive at La Aurora International Airport, you'll be met and assisted for your transfer to Antigua Guatemala, a scenic drive of about 40 km through lush highlands and colonial charm. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02

Antigua

San Francisco church, Arch of Santa Catalina, La Merced Church, Museo del Jade

El Convento Boutique Hotel / Mesón Panza Verde / Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast, begin a guided walking tour of Antigua, Guatemala’s enchanting UNESCO-listed colonial capital. Visit the historic San Francisco Church and its evocative ruins, home to the shrine of Pedro de Betancourt. Stroll beneath the iconic 17th-century Arch of Santa Catalina, then admire the stunning baroque façade of La Merced Church, a masterpiece of colonial architecture. Continue to the Museo del Jade, where artisans transform jade into exquisite jewelry. Explore the gallery and appreciate the craftsmanship behind each piece. Enjoy the city’s vibrant streets and cultural richness before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay in Antigua.

Day 03

Antigua – Pacaya Volcano - Antigua

Pacaya Volcano

El Convento Boutique Hotel / Mesón Panza Verde / Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

Breakfast , Lunch

Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on an unforgettable adventure to Pacaya Volcano, renowned by National Geographic as one of the world’s best hikes. The 1-hour 45-minute ascent brings you to a summit at 2,552 meters, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping vistas of dramatic volcanic cones, craters, and rolling hills. Marvel at the tranquil lagoon sustaining over 14 communities and, on clear days, spot the neighboring volcanoes—Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango—along with the beautiful lagoons of Calderas and Amatitlán for a truly mesmerizing experience.

Day 04

Antigua – Copán Hondura

Copan - Ancient Maya city

Casa Villamil Boutique Hotel or Hotel Marina Copan

Breakfast , Lunch

Rise early for a 5:00 AM departure, breakfast box in hand, and begin your scenic private transfer to Copán, Honduras—an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a six-hour journey through lush landscapes, meet your local guide for a deep dive into the ancient Mayan city. Explore its intricate stelae and temples while uncovering its powerful connection to Guatemala’s Quiriguá and the dynasty that ruled from the 5th to 9th centuries. Discover how Maya culture flourished here, leaving behind vibrant traditions, sacred art, and a legacy that still pulses through western Honduras.

Day 05

Copan

Las Sepulturas, Museum of Archaeology

Casa Villamil Boutique Hotel or Hotel Marina Copan

Breakfast

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before stepping into the enchanted world of ancient Copán. Wander through Las Sepulturas, where forested paths reveal homes, offices, and tombs once alive with Mayan daily life—carvings whispering secrets of a lost civilization. Continue to the Museum of Archaeology, a treasure trove of pottery, jade, altars, and regal portraits. Among its most haunting relics lies the tomb of a scribe, buried with two human heads, echoing sacred rituals of the past. Though modest in size, the museum gathers Copán’s rarest artifacts under one roof, offering a spellbinding glimpse into the soul of the Maya

Day 06

Copán – Quiriguá – Puerto Barrios – Livingston

Quirigua, Maya Stelae,Stela E and Stela C, Puerto Barrios, Boat ride to Livingston

Laguna Lodge Eco-resort and Nature Reserve

Breakfast

After breakfast and check-out, depart Copán for Quiriguá, Guatemala (approx. 3 hrs). Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its towering Maya stelae, including Stela E, the tallest ever discovered. Discover the legacy of K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat (Heaven Kawak), whose reign marked Quiriguá’s independence. Don’t miss Stela C, which references the Maya Long Count calendar—from 3114 BCE to December 21, 2012—symbolizing cosmic cycles and renewal. This visit offers a profound glimpse into Maya artistry, astronomy, and spiritual history etched in stone.Continue to Puerto Barrios (95 km / 1 hr 45 min), then enjoy a scenic boat ride to Livingston. Settle in for the night at Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve, surrounded by lush nature and Caribbean charm.

Day 07

Livingston – Rio Dulce – El Petén with Yaxhá sunset

Private boat through Rio Dulce, Yazha, Temple 216

Petén Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel

Breakfast

Begin your day with breakfast in Livingston, a vibrant coastal town where Garifuna, Afro-Caribbean, and Mayan cultures blend into a rhythmic tapestry of reggae beats, Latin flair, and brightly painted homes. Then, embark on a private boat journey through the majestic Rio Dulce, gliding past towering 300-foot jungle-clad cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and the calls of howler monkeys and toucans echoing through the rainforest.As the river meets the Caribbean, continue by car to El Petén (approx. 4 hrs) and explore the mystical ruins of Yaxhá, nestled between twin emerald lakes. Wander through ancient plazas, pyramids, and ceremonial causeways, culminating at Temple 216, where the sun sets in golden silence over the jungle canopy—a moment of pure magic

Day 08

Tikal

Tikal National Park, Temple IV, Temple of Jaguar, Grand Plaza, Temple of Masks and the Acropolis

Petén Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel

Breakfast , Lunch

After breakfast, journey to Tikal, the grand Maya city deep in the rainforest. Explore over 3,000 ancient structures in Tikal National Park, surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife like toucans, spider monkeys, ocelots, and ocellated turkeys. Climb Temple IV, the tallest Prehispanic structure in the Americas at 69 meters, offering breathtaking jungle views. Follow your guide through Tikal’s Great Plaza, exploring the Temple of the Jaguar, Temple of the Masks, and the Acropolis, tracing the footsteps of Maya royalty. Visit local museums showcasing stunning artifacts unearthed in the 1950s and 60s. With a picnic lunch provided, this immersive journey blends ancient architecture, rich history, and vibrant nature into an unforgettable experience.

Day 09

Petén – Guatemala

Monkey Island tour

Hilton Guatemala or InterContinental Real Guatemala by IHG

Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy the Monkey Island Tour at Las Lagunas, where spider monkeys thrive on two lush islands within the largest lagoon. Cruise by yacht at 10 a.m., feeding monkeys and soaking in the serene landscape. In the afternoon, transfer to Mundo Maya Airport for your flight to Guatemala City, followed by a comfortable hotel check-in upon arrival.

Day 10

Guatemala

Guatemala City, Popol Vuh Museum, Metropolitan museum, National Palace,Supreme court building and City Hall, and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Hilton Guatemala or InterContinental Real Guatemala by IHG

Breakfast

After breakfast, embark on a private tour of Guatemala City, nestled in the scenic Valle de la Ermita. Begin with a drive along its grand avenues, then visit the Popol Vuh Museum to admire exquisite Mayan pottery and jewelry. Explore the Metropolitan Cathedral (1782) and the elegant National Palace, followed by mid-century gems like the Supreme Court Building and City Hall. Dive into Guatemala’s rich heritage at the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, home to over 25,000 artifacts. End your tour with the remarkable Relief Map of Guatemala, a ground-level masterpiece offering a stunning overview of the country’s diverse geography.

Day 11

Guatemala

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Testing Mayan Trail

Breakfast

Savor your final breakfast as the sun rises over Guatemala, wrapping up a journey rich in ancient wonders and vibrant culture. Then, transfer to La Aurora International Airport, carrying unforgettable memories as you lift off toward your next adventure.

Guetamala And Honduras: The Mayan Trail