Guatemala Highlights
7 Days
from
$2,495*
Highlights:
Guatemala
(Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Flores)
Trip Start/End:
Guatemala City
/
Guatemala City
This value tour of Guatemala features the Colonial gem, Antigua. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, and is the focus of much curiosity, in its mysterious allure. Discover lakes and volcanoes in Atitlan while learning about ancient rituals and mysticism. Take a domestic flight to Flores and enjoy a tour of the Tikal ruins, set in the heart of the Guatemalan Jungle! Listen to the Howler Monkeys roar across the distance as you climb to the top of these ancient ruins. Tikal was an important Mayan settlement for over 1500 years, starting about 700 BC. During the Classic Period 300 - 900 AD, the city prospered through trade and military conquest when the population peaked at 100,000. Return to Guatemala City by domestic flight.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Guatemala City - Antigua
| - Meet and Greet
- Transfer - Guatemala City - Antigua - Vehicle/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Villa Colonial
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Posada de Don Rodrigo (standard)
|
- Day 2
- Antigua
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - 1/2 d Walking tour - Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Villa Colonial
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Posada de Don Rodrigo (standard)
Alt: (None)
|
- Day 3
- Antigua - Lake Atitlan
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - Chichicastenango Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel Atitlan
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Lake Atitlan - Antigua
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - 1/2 d Hike & Canopy Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Transfer - Lake Atitlan - Antigua - Vehicle/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Villa Colonial
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Posada de Don Rodrigo (standard)
|
- Day 5
- Guatemala City - Flores
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Airport/hotel - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Guatemala City - Flores [Direct (0.5 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport/Villa Maya - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Private - 3/4 d Yaxha Sunset Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Villa Maya
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Casona del Lago (Standard)
|
- Day 6
- Flores
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - 3/4 d Tikal Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Villa Maya
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Casona del Lago (Standard)
|
- Day 7
- Flores - Guatemala City
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Airport/Villa Maya - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Flores - Guatemala City [Direct (0.5 hr)] - Economy
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Antigua
Villa Colonial, Antigua
Day 1: Guatemala City - Antigua
Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locate your vehicle.
Transfer to Antigua by private vehicle and professional English-speaking driver.
Accommodation: Villa Colonial Like many of the hotels in Antigua, the Spanish influence is still obvious in the Villa Colonial. An old, quaint ambiance surrounds this 50 room hotel, where traditional decor and modern necessities ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Enjoy an array of fresh fruits and juices at breakfast, along with other staples for a satisfying start to the day. Be sure to try the nearby restaurants to have a taste of the region's specialties firsthand. Lounge in the courtyard, mingle with other guests, or simply take in these beautiful surroundings. The center of town is a bit of a walk, and a short taxi ride away, but it is important to discover the history of these old walls and buildings when free time arises.
Iglesia San Francisco church
Day 2: Antigua
You will be met at your hotel reception by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrances are included to the Iglesia San Francisco (church), the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church.
Accommodation: Villa Colonial 
Lake Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan
Day 3: Antigua - Lake Atitlan
The Chichicastenango Market tour includes a visit to the famous Maya market. This service will drive you from your hotel to Chichicastenango (2.5hrs) where you will enjoy free time to enjoy the market. The small Mayan town of Chichicastenango lies on the crest of mountain tops two thousand meters high and is home to one of the most colorful native markets in all of the Americas where you can make some great bargain buys including textiles, ceramics, wood items, flowers, and more! You can also visit the famous St Tomas Church where local Maya people come to perform rituals within the Catholic church. You can also hike up the hill to the Pascual Abaj ritual site to see if any local shaman are performing rituals and/or to the cemetary on the outskirts of town. This tour departs on Thursdays and Sundays only. Return to your hotel in Antigua after the end of the tour.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan Hotel Atitlan, located in the beautiful Panajachel region, with a wonderful position overlooking the lake and its surrounding villages. The 62 rooms are set amongst gardens of flowers and gorgeous caged birds, providing an exotic setting for guests. The rooms embrace a traditional, native outlook on decor. Dine at the hotel restaurant, over fresh seafood cooked with local ingredients. Meals taken outdoors make for a heavenly experience like no other. Spend time sipping on mojitos and tropical cocktails or visit the nearby marketplaces. Also make use of the wonderful swimming pool and hot tub.
Reserva Atitlan
Day 4: Lake Atitlan - Antigua
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your private guide and driver and will be transferred to Reserva Atitlan. Here, you will enjoy a moderate hike in the tropical forest with enchanting waterfalls and bridges. The reserve contains a variety of interesting plants and animals, including monkeys, the raccoon-like coatis and exotic birds, such as Guatemala's national bird, the quetzal. The Nature reserve also has an enclosed butterfly preserve with a breeding laboratory with approximately 200 living specimens of nearly 20 species of native Guatemala butterflies. Later, if you are in for a bit more adventure, end your hike with an exciting canopy tour. During the canopy tour you will have to hike uphill for approximately 30 minuts on a steep trail, however, are rewarded with lovely views of the lake whilst on the canopy ride of which the longest cable is over 200 meters.
Pick up from your hotel in Atitlan and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in Antigua with a professional English-speaking driver..
Accommodation: Villa Colonial 
Flores
Lake Yaxha
Villa Maya, Flores
Day 5: Guatemala City - Flores
Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.
Enjoy a short flight from Guatemala City to Flores.
Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.
Pick up from your hotel and transfer with your driver and guide to Yaxha National Park. Enjoy the sites and sounds of the howler and spider monkeys as well as many colorful tropical birds and other mammals in this wildlife area. 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. The site has more than 500 structures, including 40 stelae, 13 Altars, 9 Temple Pyramids, 2 Mesoamerican ballcourts, and a network of sacbeob (causeways) that connect the central, northern (Maler), and eastern 'acropoleis', and the Lake causeway that was the main entrance in the past. The top of Temple 216 (restored) provides a view of the two lakes on one side and the jungle and the stepped-pyramids on the other. Trek back through the jungle with torches as it starts to turn dark (perhaps spotting nocturnal wildlife along the way). Return to your hotel in the evening.
Accommodation: Villa Maya A haven of wildlife and nature's secrets, the Villa Maya sits on the shores of Petenchel and Monifata about 45 minutes from the Tikal National Park. The huge private reserve plays host to the villa's 56 rooms, which are designed to offer the most modern living conditions while still keeping to the rustic, pleasant side of adventure getaways. This means there are no televisions or phones in the rooms. Friendly service goes hand in hand with tasty local and international dishes utilizing ingredients from the region. This beautiful environment features monkeys, deer, birds and insects of all sorts, for guests are practically left to play in the jungle. Roam the lagoons, swim in the pool, and simply discover Villa Maya.
Tikal National Park
Day 6: Flores
Pick up from your lodge and begin your privately guided tour of Tikal National Park. Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD. Some of these pyramids are over 60 meters high (200 feet). Enjoy some free time at the site and return to your hotel after lunch at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Villa Maya 
Guatemala City
Day 7: Flores - Guatemala City
Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.
Take a domestic flight from Flores to Guatemala City. Approximate duration is 30 minutes.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Villa Colonial, Antigua
Villa Colonial - Antigua
Like many of the hotels in Antigua, the Spanish influence is still obvious in the Villa Colonial. An old, quaint ambiance surrounds this 50 room hotel, where traditional decor and modern necessities ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Enjoy an array of fresh fruits and juices at breakfast, along with other staples for a satisfying start to the day. Be sure to try the nearby restaurants to have a taste of the region's specialties firsthand. Lounge in the courtyard, mingle with other guests, or simply take in these beautiful surroundings. The center of town is a bit of a walk, and a short taxi ride away, but it is important to discover the history of these old walls and buildings when free time arises.
- Hotel Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan - Lake Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan, located in the beautiful Panajachel region, with a wonderful position overlooking the lake and its surrounding villages. The 62 rooms are set amongst gardens of flowers and gorgeous caged birds, providing an exotic setting for guests. The rooms embrace a traditional, native outlook on decor. Dine at the hotel restaurant, over fresh seafood cooked with local ingredients. Meals taken outdoors make for a heavenly experience like no other. Spend time sipping on mojitos and tropical cocktails or visit the nearby marketplaces. Also make use of the wonderful swimming pool and hot tub.
- Villa Maya, Flores
Villa Maya - Flores
A haven of wildlife and nature's secrets, the Villa Maya sits on the shores of Petenchel and Monifata about 45 minutes from the Tikal National Park. The huge private reserve plays host to the villa's 56 rooms, which are designed to offer the most modern living conditions while still keeping to the rustic, pleasant side of adventure getaways. This means there are no televisions or phones in the rooms. Friendly service goes hand in hand with tasty local and international dishes utilizing ingredients from the region. This beautiful environment features monkeys, deer, birds and insects of all sorts, for guests are practically left to play in the jungle. Roam the lagoons, swim in the pool, and simply discover Villa Maya.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Guatemala
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid U.S. passport is required for all U.S. and Canadian citizens, regardless of age, to enter Guatemala and to depart Guatemala. Even if dual nationals are permitted to enter Guatemala on a second nationality passport, U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Guatemala are not allowed to board their flights without a valid U.S. passport. An exit tax must be paid when departing Guatemala by air. The exit tax (currently $30) is generally included in an airline ticket price, but may be charged separately. There is an additional airport security fee (20 Quetzales, approximately $2.50) that all travelers must pay at the airport. Canadian citizens using Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter Guatemala for stays under ninety days. In June 2006, Guatemala entered a “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement” with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under the terms of the agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land borders from one of the countries to any of the others without completing entry and exit formalities at immigration checkpoints. U.S. citizens and other eligible foreign nationals, who legally enter any of the four countries, may similarly travel among the four without obtaining additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three countries. Immigration officials at the first port of entry determine the length of stay, up to a maximum period of 90 days.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Guatemala for the most up to date information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/guatemala.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Guatemala City.
Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
Language: The official language is Spanish. There are also 22 indigenous languages.
Religion: About 60% of the population are Catholic. Most of the remaining population are Protestant. Some indigenous communities hold services combining Catholicism with pre-Columbian rites.
Time: GMT - 6.
Electricity: 115-125 volts AC, 60Hz. There are some regional variations. Plugs are the flat two-pin American type.
Telephone: Country code: 502. Most public phone booths accept phone cards.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is increasing.
Internet: Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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