Guatemala Circuit: On the Road of the Must-Sees

Welcome to Guatemala! Your driver takes you from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Guatemala. After settling into your hotel, your Guatemala stay begins! Take your first steps in the country's former capital, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encircled by volcanoes.

An English-speaking guide takes you to discover Antigua, a colonial city founded in the 16th century and a true jewel of architecture! Visit the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Santiago, the Arch of Santa Catalina (the city's iconic emblem), the Convent of Santo Domingo and its 5 museums.

Continue discovering Antigua Guatemala at your own pace through its cobbled streets and colourful markets. Other options: visit the surrounding villages to discover traditional textiles, explore Guatemalan coffee culture with local farmers, or visit the Finca el Pilar.

Head for Pacaya Volcano (one of Guatemala's most active) for an easy 2-hour hike. At the top, toast marshmallows over the volcanic ground while enjoying views over the surrounding volcanoes. A traditional lunch with a local family, then on to Monterrico on the Pacific coast.

A free morning in Monterrico to enjoy the surprising black sand beaches. Monterrico is also home to sea turtles in their natural habitat and a mangrove reserve: an ideal birdwatching spot. After lunch, take the road up to the Guatemalan highlands.

Head for the Quiché region. First stop: Chichicastenango and one of the largest markets in Central America: a labyrinth of a thousand colours! Visit the Church of Santo Tomás, where the Popol Vuh (the sacred book of the Maya) was discovered. Lunch at a local home, then on to Panajachel on the shores of the majestic Lake Atitlán.

Formed inside an ancient volcanic crater, Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Sail its magnificent waters to San Juan La Laguna to take part in a naïve painting workshop with local artists. Lunch with the family, then return to Guatemala City.

On to the Caribbean! En route, stop at Quiriguá to visit its superb UNESCO-listed archaeological site, with its many remarkably well-preserved Maya civilisation remains. On arrival at Río Dulce, a boat transfer takes you to your hotel on the riverbank.

Navigate the Río Dulce by dugout canoe, discovering Fort San Felipe and the Golfete, home of the Caribbean manatee. You disembark at Livingston, a charming little Caribbean town inhabited by the Garifuna people, born of the intermingling of African slaves and indigenous communities. After lunch, head for Tikal.

Plunge into 2,000 years of history at Tikal National Park. UNESCO-listed, this immense archaeological site encompasses more than 3,000 structures at the heart of a jewel of nature. Let your guide carry you through the story! After lunch, a domestic flight returns you to Guatemala City.

This morning, your guide takes you on a tour of the Guatemalan capital's historic centre: the Plaza de la Constitución, the Cathedral of San José Los Infantes and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Lunch at a Guatemala City restaurant, then transfer to the airport for your international flight home.