Guatemala: Land of the Maya

Flight to Guatemala from any airport.

Arrival at the La Aurora International Airport. Transfer to Antigua. Overnight stay at the hotel.

CHICHICASTENANGO - ATITLAN LAKE

Today we will visit the largest Mayan market – Chichicastenango, famous for its wide selection of textiles and masks. At first glance, Chichicastenango may seem isolated from the rest of Guatemala, as it is surrounded by mountains and valleys. However, shortly after, the place becomes magical, especially when narrow, cobbled streets and roofs covered with red tiles are enveloped in mist. Crowds of vendors and tourists gather here every Thursday and Sunday. The city itself, built in 1540, is named Santo Thomas after its patron saint, St. Thomas. When the missionaries arrived here, they destroyed the Mayan temple and built a Catholic church in its place. Only 18 steep steps leading to the church remain from the ancient temple, symbolizing the number of months in the Mayan solar calendar. Today, these steps are mainly used for selling flowers, candles, or perfumes. After visiting the market, we will head to Panajachel, a town located on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight stay.

Lake Atitlan

Today we will visit another town located on Lake Atitlan, inhabited by the Tzutujil Maya people. We will start with a boat ride to San Juan, where numerous art galleries showcase works of art in the style of primitivism and naïve art. Then, we will cross the lake to the town of Santiago. Founded in 1547 at the foot of the Atitlan volcano, it has a population of 32,000, with 95% being Tzutujil Maya. The local population earns their living through fishing, agriculture, and making local kayaks. Santiago is a city of worship for Maximon, a pagan Maya deity to whom offerings of alcohol and cigars are made. We will visit the local Catholic church, where Catholicism and Maya beliefs have merged. We will also take a stroll through the local town hall, where the city’s elders meet. Our final stop before returning to Panajachel will be San Antonio Palopo. Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

LAKE ATITLAN - CITY GWATEMALA - FLORES, PETEN

In the morning, we will have some free time for ourselves, which we can use for a walk or shopping. After lunch, we will head to the airport in Guatemala City for a flight to Flores. Upon arrival, we will check into a hotel overlooking Lake Peten Itza. In the evening, we will take a stroll through the famous old town. Overnight stay at the hotel.

TIKAL - CITY GWATEMALA

Today, we will explore Tikal, also known as the “place where the voices are heard.” Compared to other cities from the classic period, Tikal is the largest pre-Columbian settlement in America. This opinion was confirmed by scientists based on a series of excavations conducted in the late 1950s. The city was inhabited in 700 BCE only to be forgotten as the local jungle overtook it. It was not until 900 BCE that it was rediscovered and restored. Tikal, covering an area of ​​66 km², housed three thousand buildings, and its pyramids stood out with a specific style unmatched anywhere else in Mesoamerica. Today, six pyramidal temples somewhat resemble skyscrapers. It is no wonder that archaeologists have called Tikal the New York of the Mayan civilization. The Tikal National Park covers 575 km² and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Afternoon flight to Guatemala City. Overnight stay.

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