Itinerary - Albee Adventures

The magic of Guatemala
10 days
Guatemala
Caribbean
Sea
Guatemala City
Pacific Ocean
In this trip you will experience…
 Discovering the wonders of the Guatemalan ancestral cultures
 Flying over the active volcanoes and hiking on one of them
 Exploring the Mayan culture and its legendary cities
Day 1: Arrival to Guatemala
Guatemala is a magical place. If you’re into the Maya, the
mountains, the markets or a million other things, you’re bound to
be captivated. People come and they stay. Or they leave and return.
There's almost too much going on here, and even the shortest trip
takes you completely different places, with new challenges and
surprises. Students of Spanish flock to Antigua, a gorgeous town
nestled between three volcanoes, while those travelers seeking
more off-the-beaten-track destinations might head to lesser known
places like Lago de Izabal. And sooner or later, just about everyone ends up in the Highlands –
Lago de Atitlán being an irresistible draw card... Guatemala's Maya heritage is everywhere. El
Petén's remote archaeological sites are unmissable; the fascinating town of Chichicastenango
adheres to pre-Hispanic beliefs and rituals even now.
GUATEMALA
Arrival to magical Guatemala! At the International Airport exit, a friendly driver will be waiting for you to
take you by private transfer to your hotel. Private transfer to Antigua City (Approx. 45 minutes) - Spend
an afternoon/evening enjoying this magical colonial town, considered by some to be the most beautiful in
the world. Walk its romantic cobble stone streets and enjoy fine cuisine at one of the many fine gourmet
restaurants in the area.
You will experience…
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. In the space
of under three centuries the city, which was built on a grid
pattern inspired by the Italian Renaissance, acquired a
number of superb monuments.
Your Hotel…
Casa Santa Rosa Hotel-Boutique,
which opened its
doors in 2007, is one of the most luxurious hotels in Antigua
Guatemala, offering its guests comfort, tranquility, security,
and an exclusive atmosphere. Two lovely garden areas
complete the picture and let you enjoy nature while taking
pleasure in your gourmet breakfast or reading a good book.
The hotel’s colonial architecture and decoration make it a
warm and cozy place to stay at. Being located only a few blocks
from Antigua’s Central Park Casa Santa Rosa is in the perfect
location to go sightseeing, visit the many good restaurants in
town and at the same time enjoy peace and quiet once your are
at your hotel.
3 nights at Hotel Boutique Casa Santa Rosa
Meals not included
Day 2 : Antigua and the surrounding villages…
You will experience…
Antigua City & Villages Experience -
Enjoy of this
day to visit the villages around Antigua Guatemala. Your
private driver will meet you at 9:00 am, and will take you to
visit the villages of Ciudad Vieja, San Juan del Obispo and
Jocotenango. Each of the towns has its own specialty. You will
return to Antigua at lunchtime. Be picked up at 2:00 pm from
your hotel lobby for a private 3 hour guided walking tour of La
Antigua, with an expert guide who will share with you the
many wonders of this city, once the third most important
Spanish colony in the Americas. La Antigua was home to more
than 30 monastic orders, stunning monasteries, convents and
cathedrals from the Spanish colonial days. The tour consists of
an informative walk behind the walls of this colonial capital,
focusing on cultural trends, city history, restoration efforts
and the city today. Spend the rest of the afternoon in this
magical colonial village visiting its monuments, museums,
shop at the various indigenous markets & stroll through the
cobble stone streets.
Day 3: Land of volcanoes !
You will experience…
Helicopter experience over the Volcanoes
and Pacaya Volcano Hike Be picked up 8:20 am
from your hotel lobby to take you to helipad, for your
helicopter flight over the volcanoes (40 min approx.)
Upon your return, around 9:10 am, your private driver
will be waiting for you at the helipad to take you to
Pacaya National park where you will begin you 2-3 hour
ascent of this still active volcano through pine forest,
over volcanic ash to the summit. Accompanied at all
times by your private guide you will be able to peer down into the crater and on occasion see molten
lava. Enjoy fabulous views from the top to the Pacific coast and even to El Salvador on a clear day.
Day 4: Meet the lake Atitlan
After breakfast you will meet your private guide for a new journey of discoveries. Today you will enjoy one
of the most beautiful and famous landscapes of Latin America: the Atitlan Lake.
You will experience…
Lake Atitlán,
is a beautiful volcanic lake in the Western
Highlands of Guatemala . It is ringed by small towns, many of
which are favorites among backpackers. The region
encompasses the lake and the towns around them. Panajachel
is best known, and a good entry point, but more off the beaten
track are San Pedro la Laguna or the "less party, more
meditation" village of San Marcos. Due to the region's
popularity, other towns along the lake, such as Santa Cruz la
Laguna and San Juan , are now starting to see growing tourism.
Closer to Lake Atitlan, you could also choose to stop at the Solola market (if
market day) to see some of the finest arts and crafts produced in Guatemala
(please ask your driver on the way if interested and if market day.) Arrive in
Lake Atitlan midafternoon, check into the hotel and spend the rest of the
day visiting the lake side village of Panajachel, or just relax at your deluxe
lake side hotel.
Your Hotel…
Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve
conceived and created the eco-lodge,
designing, engineering, building and decorating in an organic process that is still unfolding. The hotel
sees nature and culture as an asset to be protected and respected by sustainable tourism.
Encompassed by mountains and volcanoes, immersed within the 100 acre nature reserve, the
luxuriously natural Eco-Resort is perched on the
shores of the beautiful and mystical Lake Atitlan.
Also the entry into this Mayan world begins by
boat. Inspired by nature the lodge is built from
volcanic stone, adobe, wood and palm. Spacious
suites with large private balconies offer spectacular
views over the lake to the volcanoes.
3 nights at Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve
Meals Not included
Day 5: Colorful Chichicastenango
You will experience…
Chichicastenango
-
Departure towards
Chichicastenango, in private transportation, we will
be pick you from the hotel dock at 8:00 am (1 hr
drive). The city is located at 2500 meters above sea
level and is famous for its market on Thursdays &
Sundays. Spats of traditionally dressed villagers in a
kaleidoscope of colors come to sell their very
colorful textiles, fruits, vegetables and flowers here.
Also worth a visit is the cemetery and the idol
Pascual Abaj.
Day 6: The villages around the lake
You will experience…
Lake Side Villages
Today, be picked up by your driver at 9:00
am at your hotel lobby for a private village-boat-tour to some of the
several lake side villages around Lake Atitlan. Your “lanchero” (boat
driver) will take you by boat three of the Indian villages along the
shore of the lake. We recommend visiting San Juan La Laguna,
Santiago de Atitlan, and San Antonio Palopo. Your guide will share
many insights on local customs and traditions with you. Enjoy the
spectacular scenery the lake has to offer and learn more about the
villagers, whose traditional costumes still vary from one village to the
other, as well as their history. We recommend having lunch in
Santiago de Atitlan at the lovely Posada de Santiago.
Day 7: The Peten tropical forest and the “Mayan biosphere”
Spend a free morning enjoying one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Be picked up at the hotel for
you private transfer to Guatemala City Airport. A quick stop for lunch or coffee at the lovely café Katok is
always a lovely option we are sure you will enjoy. Arrive at Guatemala City airport for your flight to Flores..
Local flight from Guatemala City to Flores Airport (Approx. 1 hour) Private transfer from Flores Airport to
La Lancha (Approx. 45 minutes) A friendly driver from La Lancha will greet you at the Flores Airport and
transfer you to the lodge.
Your Hotel…
La Lancha Resort
is tucked into the rainforest
high above the shore of Lago Petén Itzá in Guatemala’s
largest and most northern department, the Petén. The
lodge is located an hour away from the Belize border
and only a 45-minute drive from the magnificent Maya
ruins of Tikal and the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Across
the lake, the ancient island capital of the Itzá tribe,
Tayasal, now lies under the cobbled streets and colonial
buildings of modern day Flores. La Lancha’s ideal
location makes it easy to explore the wonders of the
ancient Maya.
3 Nights at La Lancha Resort / Continental Breakfast
Included
Day 8: Wonders of the Mayan ancient civilization
You will experience…
Yaxha Sunset Experience, Guatemala
A 60minute drive across the Guatemalan border will take you
to Yaxha National Park where they can enjoy a private
guided tour of this lesser visited, atmospheric site. There
you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the howler and
spider monkeys as well as many colorful tropical birds and
other mammals in this area, which is rich with wildlife.
Sunset drinks are then enjoyed at the end of the tour on
top of the main temple with views over the surrounding
rainforest and nearby lake Yaxha. You will then trek back
through the jungle with torches as it starts to turn dark perhaps spotting some nocturnal wildlife along the way and return to Belize.
Day 9: The great pyramids of Tikal
Today the journey will take you to one of the most famous archeological sites of the world, and then cross
the border to another country…
You will experience…
Private Tikal in the morning
Perhaps
the most visually stunning and impressive of
all Maya sites, Tikal’s five monolithic temples
pierce the jungle canopy (Temple IV reaching
a height of almost 230 feet) and ancient
plazas, stelae and ball courts tell of a rich and
powerful history when Tikal’s population
reached almost 100,000.
After that exciting experience, you will continue to the Belize border, and your new hotel.
Day 10: Departure
Farewell time… All good things must come to an end.
You will leave with your luggage full of great memories,
and your body and mind revitalized.
Contact us for a quotation of this trip. Final price will depend to the season and availability of the
premium rooms. A version of this trip with a rented car, instead of private transfer, is also possible. Our
Travel Designers will be delighted to assist you!
Email: [email protected] Or call us: 1-800-326-0202
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