Guatemala & Beyond - 15 Days

Welcome to Guatemala! Your trip starts in the colonial city of Antigua – surrounded by volcanos, the views from this city are all you need to make the trip. Antigua is known for its Spanish buildings, many restored after the 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s status as Guatemala’s capital. Your trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by an optional group dinner.

This morning after breakfast, travel to San Andres Itzapa in Chimaltenango. The Guatemalan Highlands are the best place to see the result of Mayan culture and Catholic religion coming together. Witness the unique culture firsthand with a shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon. San Simon, the chain-smoking saint also known as Maximon, is a somewhat morally ambiguous deity. As few Mayan gods survived Spanish colonialism, scholars now think that San Simon is a symbol of numerous lost deities. After leaving your rum or tobacco offering (which can be purchased at the on-site liquor store), you’ll stop for a group lunch, before heading to Las Fuentes Georginas – volcanically heated hot springs in Xela. Surrounded by ferns, these luxurious hot springs are also the entrance to the forest reserve, with trails to the Zunil volcano. When you start to prune, you’ll carry on Quetzaltenango, where you spend the night.

Early this morning before breakfast, you’ll hop on a chicken bus – a truly local experience, chicken buses are a source of national and personal pride. This popular transport option unique to Guatemala has little to do with actual chickens – they are old American school busses passed down to new owners who decked them out in bright colours and decorations. Each bus is unique to the independent driver, many of whom have made this their sole business. The chicken bus will take you to a local market – Almolonga – famed for its giant vegetables, which some believe were blessed by God. Whether you believe the vegetables are a gift from above or due to the high amounts of fertiliser used by locals, this colourful market is a great place to rub shoulders with the locals and maybe pick up a giant carrot. Afterward, return to your hotel for breakfast.

As Guatemala is home to many markets, today’s adventure is a great contrast to yesterday’s Almolonga. After breakfast, you’ll head to Chichicastenango market (nicknamed Chichi), home to textiles, wooden handicrafts and jade jewellery. This is one of the largest outdoor markets in Latin America and Guatemala’s most historic. Surrounded by mountains, you’ll explore the market with an expert local leader who knows all the best spots and walk among thousands of locals and tourists who hit these stalls weekly. Maybe grab some souvenirs or a huipils for yourself – a traditional garment worn by the Indigenous girls and women of the area. You can also pick up some handmade jewellery, pottery, incense, tablecloths, a ceremonial mask used in traditional Mayan dances or some leather goods. Tonight, spend the night in Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, where you’ll have a free evening for dinner.

This morning after breakfast, head for hop on a boat (called a lancha) on Lake Atitlan – surrounded by volcanoes, rolling hills and Mayan villages, this is definitely one of the most beautiful lakes in the world (as said by Aldous Huxley). Take the scenic ride to Santiago Atitlan, taking in the sweeping views from the water. Although this is the largest town on the lake, it sees far fewer tourists, making it the perfect spot to find authentic Guatemalan people, culture and activities. Here, you’ll visit the current shrine of Maximon (San Simon), where the local shamans keep watch. Your group will bring a gift of local spirits to share with the shamans, and while you drink, you’ll discuss the holy shrine, the perplexing deity and local life on the lake. Return to Panajachel in the afternoon and enjoy a free evening along the shores of Lake Atitlan.

Spend a free morning in Panajachel and then return to Antigua by private transfer in the afternoon. After checking into your hotel, join your leader for an orientation walk in the historic centre. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Perhaps get your group together and take in the volcanic views from one of the city’s many rooftop terraces.

Enjoy a free day to explore the city, with nothing scheduled until a meeting to welcome any new travellers joining you on your adventure. Maybe grab some roasted beans from a street vendor and munch them while you stroll around. If you’ve got a historical bent, perhaps check out the 18th-century ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara. Why not get a taste of local tradition with a chocolate-making workshop in the ChocoMuseo, or strut your stuff with a salsa dance lesson?

Start your day with a tuk-tuk tour through the city, stopping by the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint, the Santa Clara ruins, a view of the Union Tank before having a refreshing drink by Central Park. Continue to the Call del Arco, Iglesia la Merced and the NimPot Crafts Market to see the work of local artisans, then see the largest colonial-era fountain in Central America and finish at the altar of the local saint Maximón. Along the way, your guide will teach you about the city’s history, religion, myths, legends, conflicts and native people. After all that exploring, it’s time for a true taste of Guatemala at a workshop on corn and comal (traditional flat griddle for cooking). Learn about the tortilla-making process and its cultural importance before you eat what you make, accompanied by fresh guacamole, roasted chirmol (fresh vegetable salsa), chiltepe peppers, beans and cheese.

Eat a quick breakfast before leaving your accommodation around 7 am to beat the traffic. Sit back and relax as you drive towards the Guatemalan Honduran border. As you drive, your local leader may share a bit about daily life and teach you some handy Spanish to help you interact with locals on your trip. Depending on traffic and time spent at the border crossing, you’ll arrive in Copan sometime in the early afternoon. With plans to visit Copan’s famous ruins tomorrow, perhaps spend some time this afternoon taking in the palm-tree-lined Central Plaza from a café, sipping on top-tier Honduran coffee (if you don’t like it sweet, ask for sugar on the side).

Gear up for a morning exploring Copan’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins. Meet your local guide, who’ll share the history of the excavated ruins of this ancient Maya citadel and public square. Aside from being one of the most important areas of Maya society, the site is known for the intricately carved pillars inscribed with faces and glyphs. After your tour, enjoy free time in Copan. If you’re looking to kick back, visit the nearby natural hot springs for a mud soak, dip in the refreshing pools and included dinner. But if you’re up for more exploring, perhaps spend a colourful afternoon at the Macaw Mountain Park to learn about bird rescue and rehabilitation, or another archaeological site at the Temple of Rosalila.

Today, depart Honduras and head towards El Salvador. Enjoy the drive through Central America’s lush greenery, passing national parks, mountain peaks and even a volcano or two. Along the way, stop for lunch and refreshments. The journey will take you back into Guatemala before arriving in Santa Ana, El Salvador, so expect some layover time at the border crossings. Santa Ana is El Salvador's second-largest city and has some of the most well-preserved colonial architecture in the country. Tonight, why not head out for an evening stroll through the historic center and grab a bite.

Start the day with a hit of caffeine with a morning visit to El Molino El Carmen, a coffee plantation founded in 1930 that has been using a traditional method of processing coffee for four generations. Enjoy a tour of La Casona (the estate house) and the coffee mill, but don’t worry, you’ll be able to sample the coffee yourself along with a selection of pastries. Finish your visit with a picnic lunch and a bag of Ataco Gourmet coffee to take home. Your afternoon will be spent taking in the view of the scenic Ruta de las Flores. Known as the ‘flower route,’ enjoy the sights of green hillsides as you drive between the colourful villages of Ataco, Salcoatitan, Juayua and Nahuizalco, where you’ll wander through street art, coffee crops and plant nurseries. Tonight, perhaps enjoy an al fresco dinner in Santa Ana’s Old Town.

This morning, set off from Costa del Sol to San Salvador, stopping along the way at Joya de Ceren. Nicknamed the ‘Pompeii of the Americas,’ this UNESCO World Heritage site is a significant archaeological area. It contains the ruins of a 7th-century Maya farming town that appears frozen in time after being covered in ash from a volcanic eruption. Spend time exploring the site, then head towards San Salvador, where you’ll sit down to an included lunch with your group. After lunch, with your local leader as today’s guide, hear about how El Salvador’s religion, culture, cuisine and more are combined in its capital as you walk through the city centre. Along the way, stop by the UNESCO-listed El Rosario Church. Known for its unique brutalist architecture, it definitely stands out within San Salvador’s Historic District, but hold your breath because its interior is just as surprising.

Today is a free day in the quaint Costa Del Sol area. This spot is the perfect place to end your adventure, with six nearby beaches that boast gorgeous Pacific scenery. Grab a bite to eat at a local spot (your leader will have some great recommendations) or, if you feel like exploring, you can take a boat tour of the Estero Jaltepec. This 28-kilometre-long mangrove forest is home to many species of birds, mammals and aquatic wildlife, notably the yellow-naped amazon and great black hawk. Tonight, relax with your group and maybe find another local spot to cheers to a trip well-travelled.

There are no activities planned for your last day and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to stay an extra couple of days and it's recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.