Exploring Guatemala in Considerable Comfort & Style
Tour Introduction
This is a classic tour of Guatemala, all the while staying in very comfortable accommodation. The itinerary takes you to three unmissable highlights: Antigua, Lake Atitlan and the Mayan ruins and jungles of El Peten. Marvel at the Spanish colonial splendour of Antigua; traverse the huge volcanic lake of Atitlan, the heart of current Maya culture; explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, Yaxha and Uaxactun; and discover the wildlife of the dense tropical rainforest of El Peten. Throughout you will be taken care of by private guides and reside in top quality boutique hotels and the only true wildlife lodge in the country, all full of charm and character: we even include a helicopter transfer to save you valuable enjoyment time and provide a bird’s eye view of Guatemala’s stunning landscape. If you value comfort combined with character and seek a selection of the best sites, this is the Guatemala itinerary for you.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Guatemala City. Met & transfer to your hotel.
Staying at Hotel La Immaculada . Includes In-flight Meals.
Morning transfer to Antigua, one of Latin America’s best preserved Spanish colonial cities with cobbled streets and a wide variety of churches, shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Arrive at your colonial hotel and check in.
Staying at Posada del Angel . Includes Breakfast.
Morning guided walking tour of Antigua to see the old buildings and monuments. After lunch in town, transfer to nearby San Miguel Escobar. Enjoy a short hike up Agua volcano to see coffee fields then learn about coffee making in the old way, sharing a cup with the farmer and his family.
Staying at Posada del Angel . Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
After breakfast, transfer to Pacaya volcano, 2,500m above sea level and one of the youngest and most active volcanoes in the region. Hike the trails with far views to three other volcanoes and Lake Atitlan. Afterwards transfer to a nearby eco-lodge for lunch and a wallow in the thermal spring waters, with the option of some spa treatments. Return to Antigua late afternoon.
Staying at Posada del Angel . Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Morning transfer to the heliport for a helicopter ride high over the countryside to Lake Atitlan. On arrival transfer to your charming hotel and settle in.
Staying at Casa Palopo . Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Transfer to the dock and take a boat to visit two villages. Each village around Lake Atitlan is named after one of the 12 Apostles: begin with Santiago at the southern end of the lake. There you can visit the church, various shops and the shrine of Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smokes cigars. Continue to San Juan la Laguna, famed for its naïve art galleries, murals and textiles. After lunch at a local restaurant, return by boat and car to the hotel.
Staying at Casa Palopo . Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Morning transfer to Solola, about 10 minutes from Lake Atitlan, for the second largest Maya market in Guatemala filled with colour and bustle. Every Tuesday and Friday, vendors and buyers congregate at Solola dressed in their distinctive traditional village clothes to deal in fabrics, live animals, herbal medicines and much more. Return to the hotel and relax.
Staying at Casa Palopo . Includes Breakfast.
After a morning at leisure, transfer to Guatemala City airport and fly to Flores in El Peten. Rainforested El Peten occupies a third of the land mass of Guatemala but has only three percent of its population. On arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel in 300 acres of private grounds and settle in.
Staying at Hotel Las Lagunas . Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Before daybreak, transfer to Tikal National Park and climb Temple No.4 to watch the sun rise over the jungle and other Maya structures. After exploring Tikal, return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon transfer to Yaxha temple site in time to see the sun set over the rainforest from atop a pyramid-shaped temple. Plenty of wildlife can be seen along the roads to Tikal and Yaxha.
Staying at Hotel Las Lagunas . Includes Breakfast.
Morning transfer to Uaxactun Maya site, surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. Uaxactun’s Astronomical Observation Complex is still important for present day Maya ceremonies and rituals, with equinoxes and solstices celebrated each year during the Uaxactun Festival. Lunch at a local village house. After lunch, transfer further north and west and take a boat up a river to a large rainforest reserve and your wildlife lodge.
Staying at Las Guacamayas Biological Station . Includes All Meals.
Each day there will be morning and afternoon activities, as well as a possible nocturnal nature walk or boat ride. You might walk the trails behind the lodge, take a boat trip along the river, hike to a Maya site, and walk other trails within the reserve.
Staying at Las Guacamayas Biological Station. Includes All Meals.
Morning and afternoon activities, as well as a possible nocturnal nature walk or nocturnal boat ride. Actual activities will be decided at the time with your personal lodge guide.
Staying at Las Guacamayas Biological Station . Includes All Meals.
Morning transfer by boat and car to Flores for your flight to Guatemala City. On arrival, met and transfer to your hotel.
Staying at Hotel La Immaculada . Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and catch your international flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
La Inmaculada Hotel
Overview
La Inmaculada Hotel offers a comfortable base from which to explore Guatemala City if desired. Located in the famous Zona Viva with its great choice of restaurants, yet insulated from the bustle of the city centre, the hotel’s beautifully landscaped courtyard offers an oasis of calm and its small size allows the hotel to prioritise attentive, personal service which often cannot be found in larger hotels.
The rooms are named after coffee bean varieties, highlighting the local pride in Guatemala’s famous export. Café Excelsa rooms are entry level, featuring one double bed. Liberica rooms are larger, offering two double beds, and Arabica suites contain a king-sized double and have spacious working areas. Furthering their coffee theme, La Inmaculada devised the ‘How do you like your coffee’ service, in which guests mark down their coffee preferences and their ideal drink can be delivered each morning alongside a wakeup call, or enjoyed at leisure in the courtyard.
The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, alongside cocktails and wine from the small private cellar. Alternatively, the hotel are happy to recommend local bars and restaurants to suit all tastes.
La Inmaculada Hotel is a 100% no-smoking property. All of the rooms and suites are decorated with contemporary furnishings and hardwood floors and offer either a balcony or a patio, with a view of the lush courtyard. Thoughtful touches, including turndown service, and an iPod deck alarm clock, will make you feel right at home.
Room amenities include satellite TV and complimentary wireless Internet access. Sophisticated bathrooms are accented with marble counter tops, rain shower heads and sumptuous L’Occitane spa products.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
On-site restaurant (complimentary breakfast each morning and open for lunch and dinner), high speed WiFi in all areas of the hotel, ‘How do you like your coffee’ service, in-room spa treatments, wake up call with coffee of your choice, foreign exchange, daily housekeeping service, complimentary daily newspaper in the lobby, room safe, laundry service by request, and express check-in and check-out are available.
Optional Activities
Guatemala City itself offers all the usual city attractions, including numerous retail and dining options, and cultural attractions.
Posada del Angel
Overview
Posada del Angel is an award-winning pioneer of the boutique hotel concept in the world-class cultural destination of Antigua. Located on a quiet cobblestone street a few blocks from the main plaza, it occupies an original Spanish colonial “casona”, with its seven rooms surrounding a central patio, small lap pool, romantic garden and a dramatic roof terrace with views to the impressive Volcán de Agua.
Typical features of the larger suites include luxurious Guatemalan décor, original wooden floors and antique furnishings, wood burning fireplaces in the bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms with specially commissioned toiletries, and private terraces with fantastic volcano views.
The dining room is a cosy, stone-walled affair serving delicious local breakfasts of tropical fruits, eggs, corn tortillas and refried beans, and excellent coffee. Its bespoke crockery was inspired by engravings from a ruined Capuchin monastery: this gives you some idea of the attention to detail which makes this hotel such a joy in which to stay.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Each room is individually and tastefully decorated and contains working fireplace, cable TV, safe and a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and free toiletries.
Optional Activities
Tours of the volcanoes and surrounding countryside can be arranged.
Hotel Casa Palopó
Overview
Set in the village of Santa Catarina Palopo, not far from Panajachel town, Hotel Casa Palopó is a small boutique hotel offering a lounge, bar and garden terrace affording fine views over the lake. There is also an outdoor pool. It is the only Relais & Chateau hotel in Guatemala.
Each of the original nine unique, individually decorated rooms benefits from a balcony, en-suite bathroom with a bath and free toiletries, and a private seating area. There is also a recently added extension wing with six new, modern rooms and suites which keep to the original vision, making a total of 15 rooms.
Casa Palopó has a restaurant offering American or continental breakfasts, and for lunch and dinner a variety of delicious local and French dishes, and vegetarian and vegan options too.
The highly regarded hotel, situated on a hillside, is one of the premier accommodation options in the vicinity of Lake Atitlan, with discreet and attentive service. Plans afoot include a new wellness centre featuring a fitness studio and spa.
For those wanting more exclusivity, Casa Palopo has a private two-bedroom villa set just above the hotel, with its own pool and a kitchen, living room and Jacuzzi.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
This no-smoking hotel features a restaurant, an outdoor pool and a bar cum lounge. There is free WiFi in public areas and spa treatments are available.
All nine individually decorated properties feature thoughtful touches including bathrobes and slippers, and guests will also find balconies and room service (during limited hours).
Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel
Overview
Situated by a large lagoon surrounded by rainforest in the heart of the Mayan world, very close to the magnificent Tikal, Uaxactún and Yaxhá ruins, the beautiful Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel is possibly the best accommodation in the Flores area.
The hotel was built by Edgar Castillo Sinibaldi who first visited the region as a young man in 1950 when it was largely virgin jungle. Many years later, Edgar followed his dream of creating a refuge for the wildlife that was progressively losing its forest habitat to settlement and development by buying over 200 acres of still unspoilt forest. Today his private reserve protects many species and provides nature trails for his guests.
Suites are either located on high ground or over the lagoon and are categorised as Master Suite, Waterfront Suite or Waterfront Master Suite. Each contains satellite TV, iPod dock, cascade shower, Egyptian cotton linen, feather duvet, safe, minibar and air-conditioning. Waterfront and Waterfront Master Suites boast a private Jacuzzi on the deck over the water, with the latter also enjoying a living room and dining area.
The restaurant serves exceptional food and the staff are attentive and welcoming. The rooms are beautiful providing lots of space and light. The pool, the grounds and the entire property is serene and peaceful.
Activities such as birdwatching are available along with a tour to Monkey Island. There is also a small museum on site containing pre-Colombian Mayan artefacts collected over the years by the owner, which is well worth a visit.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
19 suites with lagoon views, private bathroom, hot water, phone, cable TV and internet.
The Shultun Restaurant within the hotel serves both international cuisine as well as local specialities for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free WiFi in the lobby, restaurant, pool and snack bar areas.
Laundry service, Daily cleaning service, Daily turndown service, A museum with archaeological pieces, Inside tours, 24-hour front desk,
Bilingual staff, Money exchange (US$), a Safety box (in the suite)
Kayaks and bicycles are available to use and nature walks and yoga classes are offered.
Local Wildlife
Las Lagunas Private Reserve is part of the Las Lagunas property covering an area of over 200 acres. The conservation of Guatemala’s native species is their main objective. Las Lagunas Private Reserve has created a safe environment for fauna and now more than 250 bird species have made this land their home.
Optional Activities
Its Private Reserve blends a breeding facility of native species with eco adventure activities such as trekking, bird watching trails, kayaking and 4 x 4 ATV rides in an area exceeding 200 acres. The area is popular for biking and hiking. The hotel also provides free use of bicycles.
Las Guacamayas Biological Research Station
Overview
Las Guacamayas Biological Research Station (as the name implies) was first set up for scientific purposes and now has a small lodge to accommodate a few lucky visitors. The property, the only true wildlife lodge in Guatemala, serves as an essential facility for the conservation of the natural resources and cultural heritage of the southeastern section of the Laguna Del Tigre National Park, located in El Petén.
The station is relatively isolated, providing a relaxing means to enjoy the natural beauty of the reserve. Watching the sunset over the Rio San Pedro river from the high viewpoint is an experience you’ll never forget.
The nature walks provide a good opportunity to explore the rainforest, ably assisted by local naturalist guides. Ask to be taken to the high viewpoint at night to see if the owls will make an appearance, or seek out the scarlet macaw nests. If you’re not able to walk a lot there are other lighter activities such as boat tours along the river.
The meals are included during your stay and are simple but delicious, using mainly fresh local ingredients.
Access to Las Guacamayas is via a dirt road heading northwest from Flores to the village of Paso Caballos (about a two-hour drive). From there, it’s a 20-minute motorboat ride to the biological station, located on a hillside in a loop of the river.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
There are two categories of rooms: the two Waterfront Rooms are the most luxurious ones, large and well appointed with quirky animal carvings, custom-made furniture, private river-view decks, en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The four standard rooms come with private bathrooms, fans and hot water. There is a small plunge-size pool for general use, a laboratory, kitchen, dining room, conference hall and museum available for all guests to use. The electricity is only on in the evening, beginning at 5:00 pm.
Local Wildlife
The landscape consists of tropical rainforest in which there are species like the guacamaya, or scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera), jaguar (Pantera onca), Tapirs (Tapirus bairdii), as well as a great variety of resident and migratory birds, reptiles and amphibians.
These are also mixed wetlands in the upper basin of the San Pedro Martir river which play a fundamental role in the regulation the hydro-biological cycle, crucial to maintaining the reserves of the country's largest source of freshwater. In the evening, you can go out on the river in search of crocodiles with the station’s staff.
Bird-watching is available in the mornings. There are observation platforms inside the site where the scarlet macaw project operates. The staff offer photo safaris whereby you can watch and photograph macaws from a platform. The best time to visit for a glimpse at nesting macaws is during February and March, though the macaws can usually be seen between November and April.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly BA from London Heathrow to Dallas and connect with American Airlines to Guatemala City.
Best Visited:
November to April
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
This itinerary must begin either on a Wednesday or a Saturday to fit in with Solola market days. If Maya markets are your interest, while at Atitlan you could fit in a day trip to the largest one, Chichicastenango, which operates on Thursdays and Sundays. Guatemala combines perfectly with the reefs and lodges of Belize for a comprehensive Central American holiday. Ask us for details.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
