- 13-21 November 2026
- 8 Nights/ 9 days
- Weather 16 - 29 C
- Fitness - Med 5km per day
- Price Range - $$$
Guatemala: A Land of Vibrant Contrasts
Explore Guatemala’s nature and history on this 9-day tour. Visit Antigua with its colonial charm, the picturesque Lake Atitlan surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan villages, and the Petén region, home to jungles and archaeological sites like Tikal.
Guatemala offers diverse landscapes: rainforests, colonial cities, turquoise lakes, active volcanoes, Mayan villages, and Caribbean coasts. The rich Mayan heritage is evident in national monuments and pre-Columbian temples hidden in jungles. Half of the population is of Indian origin, preserving dialects and customs. Guatemalans are incredibly hospitable, welcoming you with open arms. Experience colourful markets, ancestral traditions, and explore the jungle of Petén to uncover Mayan civilization. Sail Lake Atitlan at sunset and discover the beauty of Guatemala.
Oh the places we'll go ......
Guatemala City, or “Guate” as the locals affectionately call it, is a dynamic blend of ancient history and modern urban energy. As the country’s capital and largest city, it offers a fascinating contrast between its colonial past and contemporary growth. Wander through historic zones filled with Spanish architecture, bustling markets, and cultural landmarks like the National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. Dive into the city’s vibrant art scene at museums such as the Museo Popol Vuh and the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles.
Step back in time as you explore the awe-inspiring ruins of Tikal, one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilisation. Nestled deep within the lush jungles of northern Guatemala, Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its towering temples, grand plazas, and intricate carvings that tell the story of a civilisation at its peak. Discover the secrets of the Maya as your guide leads you through this ancient city, bringing its rich history and culture to life.
Discover the charm of Antigua, Guatemala’s most enchanting city, known for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture, vibrant culture, and dramatic volcanic backdrop. Once the colonial capital, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that invites you to stroll through cobblestone streets lined with colorful facades, historic churches, and bustling markets.Whether exploring its fascinating history or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, Antigua offers a captivating blend of the past and present, making it a highlight of your journey.
Nestled on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Atitlán, Panajachel is a picturesque town surrounded by towering volcanoes and lush hillsides. Known as the “Gateway to Lake Atitlán,” this vibrant town offers stunning views, a lively atmosphere, and a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Explore the bustling Calle Santander, filled with artisanal markets, colourful textiles, and local handicrafts. Take a boat ride across the lake to visit nearby indigenous villages, each with its unique traditions and charm.
Trip Highlights
- Guatemala City Tour
- Catch sunset with a view of the lake from the Temple de las Manos Rojas
- Visit Tikal National Park
- Explore the archaeological site including the Great Jaguar Temple, Masks Temple, and the Snake Temple
- Visit the Mayan site of Iximché
- Enjoy the view of Lake Atitlan
- Boat Trip to Mayan Villages on Lake Atitlan
- Visit the syncretic cult of Maximón
- Visit San Juan La Laguna for traditional weaving techniques
- Experience Mayan spiritual ceremony at Mount Pascual Abaj
- Explore famous markets in Chichicastenango
- Antigua Half Day Guided Tour
- Taste local specialties in Antigua
Book your Guatemala Tour 2026
- Twinshare – $4175 AUD
- Single Room – $4745 AUD
*FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED
This tour requires a $500 deposit, followed by two installment payments.
The first installment is due 6 months before the start of the trip.
The second installment is due 75 days prior to departure.
*Receive $100 discount for combining two trips, which has already been applied to the final pricing.
If this tour is fully booked, but you’re still hoping to join us, don’t worry—you can be added to our waitlist.
Simply email us at [email protected]
Experience the finest in guided travel with our Escorted Tours, fully led by a certified, English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the journey, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the destination.
For groups of eight or more, a Vibrant Women Travel Host will join the tour to provide additional support and ensure a seamless travel experience.
Inclusions
- 7 nights Accommodation
- Domestic Flights to and from Guatemala City to Flores
- Meals as stated on itinerary
- Airport transfer to and from the hotel
- Private vehicle transport all throughout activities
- Professional Guide as provided throughout itinerary
- Entrance Fees as per itinerary
- Local Tours
Exclusions
- International airfares to and from Guatemala
- Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
- Some Lunches and Dinners
- Personal purchases
- Tipping is for tour guides, drivers and hotel staff - $25AUD per day. To be collected on arrival or beforehand added to your invoice.
Travel Itinerary
Bienvenidos a Guatemala!
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, where you will be warmly greeted by your driver and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy a comfortable transfer and settle into your accommodations.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel Stofella or similar
Today, meet your driver and transfer to Guatemala City Airport.
Prepare for your domestic flight from Guatemala City to Flores.
Arrival at Flores airport and departure for Yaxha, “green water” in Mayan language. Lunch (not included) near the site. The city is located on the shores of Lake Yaxha, which served to supply fresh water to the Mayan population. Walk on the marked trails of this large and rarely visited site. Do not miss the sunset with a view of the lake from the Temple de las Manos Rojas.
Road to Tikal National Park. Transfer to your hotel for one night in the heart of the Peten jungle.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge Tikal or similar
Depart at 4:30 am for Tikal, a notable Mayan city from the 4th century BC to its peak between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD. Arrive in darkness to climb the highest pyramid and experience the jungle waking up with howler monkeys and birds greeting the dawn. As light reveals the pyramids, explore the archaeological site, featuring 3,000 structures including the Great Jaguar Temple, Masks Temple, and the Snake Temple, which stood as the tallest New World building until the 19th century.
Enjoy sightings of wildlife such as spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans, and parrots. The atmosphere is rich with jungle scents and sounds.
After lunch, transfer to Flores airport for your flight to Guatemala City.
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, meet your driver and transfer to Antigua.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Panchoy or similar
Visit the Mayan site of Iximché, the Kaqchikel Mayas’ capital, who allied with Spanish settlers against the Maya Quiché. The conquistadors founded the first Spanish city here, but it was burned by the Kaqchikels in 1562. Nowadays, shamans and locals sometimes perform Mayan rituals at the site.
Next, we head to Lake Atitlan, a stunning symbol of Guatemala, surrounded by three volcanoes at 1600 meters above sea level. Numerous small villages on its shores are often accessible only by boat, celebrating local festivals and hosting traditional markets. We’ll arrive in Panajachel at the end of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Toliman or similar
This morning, take a boat to explore the Tzutuhil villages of Lake Atitlan. The Tzutuhil people are one of the 21 Mayan groups in Guatemala and reside in a few villages southwest of the lake. In Santiago Atitlan, visit the syncretic cult of Maximón, the smoking God of Guatemala, revered and feared by locals who offer cigarettes, alcohol, or money.
Next, head to San Juan La Laguna, where upon entering the town, we wander through and enjoy the street art and murals. Then continue on to the weavers’ cooperative for a demonstration on natural colouring and traditional weaving techniques.
Return to your hotel for a leisurely afternoon in town. Guided Tour is included.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Toliman or similar
We just put today aside for you to relax and enjoy the lakeside vibe.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Toliman or similar
Today, travel 1h30 to Chichicastenango to visit its market. The Kaqchikel Indians come from nearby villages twice a week to sell their goods here. The city becomes a mix of colours and smells. The women wear traditional huipil representing the seasons of the Mayan calendar, and in the centre of the village, shamans purify the church stairs with incense and perform Mayan rituals.
Walk with an English-speaking guide to Mount Pascual Abaj (1h30 round trip), a place known for its stories and legends where many ancestral rites and sacrifices are practised.
Enjoy lunch of local specialities.
Then experience traditional ceremony performed by a Mayan shaman (spiritual purification, protection, and good omens).
In the afternoon, continue your journey towards the city of Antigua. Arrive in the late afternoon and spend the evening in this colonial city.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (no drinks)
Accommodation: Hotel Panchoy or similar
Antigua, surrounded by three volcanoes, has experienced many natural hazards throughout its history, including earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions. Despite these challenges, Antigua is now recognised as one of the most picturesque cities in Guatemala.
In the morning, take a guided tour of the city, which features over thirty monasteries and convents and a grand cathedral located in the central square. The cobblestone streets connect to the colourful patios of colonial houses. Walk along the arcades of Parque Central, where you can see the volcanoes Fuego, Agua, and Acatenango.
Taste the Local Gastronomy
Lunch is included at a restaurant that serves local specialties. The afternoon is free for leisure activities in Antigua. Note: This is a walking tour of the city with no vehicle provided.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Panchoy or similar
Check out from the hotel.
Today, meet your driver and transfer to Guatemala City Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
*NOTE: WHEN PLANNING TOURS SO FAR IN ADVANCE YOU CAN EXPECT SOME CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY PLEASE ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS.
Accommodation
Guatemala City
Stofella
With an excellent location in the Zona Viva of the City, in the commercial area and only 10 minutes from the airport. Offering a restaurant, Best Western Stofella is located in Guatemala. Free WiFi access is available. Each room here will provide you with a TV and air conditioning. Private bathroom also comes with a shower.
Tikal
Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostel
Stay in the heart of the Mayan Biosphere, in the first archaeological campsite of Tikal. Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostel is located in Tikal, just 1 km from the main square of Tikal. It features free WiFi and beautiful tropical gardens.
Antigua
Hotel Panchoy
The hotel is part of the colonial ruins of the convent built for the order of the cloistered nuns of Santa Catalina, which was founded in 1609 in La Antigua. Located in Antigua Guatemala, 300 meters from the central park, Hotel Panchoy has a garden. Hotel Panchoy has a large rooftop terrace with a 360-degree view of Antigua.
San Lucas Toliman
Hotel Toliman
We are a family-run social enterprise hotel located in Lake Atitlán, in the town of San Lucas Tolimán, also called “The Hidden Gem of Lake Atitlán”, as it is one of the few towns around the lake that has not been spoiled by overtourism. This also means the night life is pretty quiet and you won’t find many choices of bars & restaurants. However, if you’re looking to delve into a slower rhythm of life and get to know life in a traditional Maya Kakchiquel community, you’ve found the right place!
What our Guests have to say about our Tours
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrival is to and from Guatemala International Airport.
If you are joining fromthe Mexico tour, you will need to book a flight from Cancun to Guatemala City for November 13th. Typically, there are only two flights per day, with prices ranging from AUD $200 to AUD $500. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours. We will inform you 6 months before the tour’s start which flight to book to ensure the group remains together.
Domestic flights mentioned in your included package have a baggage limit of 22 kilos for checked luggage 4.5 kg for the hand luggage.
*Any additional luggage will be paid at the airport at the guests expense.
- Passport: A passport that is valid for at least six months and has at least one blank page
- Electronic travel declaration: A completed electronic travel declaration form before arrival
- Proof of onward travel: A round-trip plane ticket or other proof of onward travel
- Proof of sufficient funds: Proof that you have enough funds for your trip
- Proof of purpose of trip: Proof of the purpose of your trip
- Documents for next destination: All documents required for your next destination
- Airline confirmation: Confirmation from your airline that you will be permitted to board without a visa
On arrival, you will receive a stamp in your passport that acts as a visa for 90 days. This stamp allows you to travel to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua during this time.
- You’ll need to pay an airport and security tax in cash on departure at the airport.
- You’ll also need to pay an exit tax if your plane ticket price doesn’t include it.
Travel via the United States
If you’re travelling through the US, ensure you meet all current US entry or transit requirements, including if you’re transiting through Hawaii.
This tour requires a $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. Once you have secured your booking, you will receive a welcome email with all the details for the trip.
The first installment is due 6 months before the start of the trip.
The second installment is due 75 days prior to departure.
Our rates do not include any kind of travel insurance and each guest must make sure to arrange their own necessary insurance prior arrival. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, all travel involves some degree of risk we strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for your adventure.
Your insurance protection should include cover for cancellation, medical, in particular Coronavirus and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive please check this before travelling. Or contact our preferred Travel Insurance provider CoverMore.
Cancellation Policy
Read more about our Booking Process and why we have the cancellation policy we do HERE
- Up to 180 Days Before Tour Start: A $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained.
- From 180 – 75 Days Before Tour Start: 25% of the tour cost, plus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be forfeited.
- From 75 – 45 Days Before Tour Start: 50% of the tour cost, plus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be forfeited.
- Less Than 45 Days Before Tour Start or No Shows: The entire amount 100% of the tour cost will be retained, as we would have already incurred costs for accommodation, transport, flights, and activities, which cannot be refunded to us.
- After Tour Commencement: No refunds will be issued.
This is why travel insurance is compulsory. We suggest taking out travel insruance within 2 weeks of booking your tour.
CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR A REFUND
Failure to Read Terms and Conditions
– Refunds will not be issued if you have not read and understood our Terms and Conditions, Website General Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, or the specific Fine Print for your tour.
Change of Mind
– Refunds will not be issued if you change your mind after paying your deposit, regardless of the reason.
Cancellation Within 45 Days of Travel Date
– Refunds will not be issued if you cancel within 45 days of your travel date.
Unmet General Expectations
– Refunds will not be issued if the tour experience did not meet your general expectations, regardless of the reason.
Inability to Travel Due to Personal Reasons
– Refunds will not be issued if you are unable to travel due to a medical condition or any other personal reason. Cancellations on medical grounds should be covered by your travel insurer.
No-Show
– Refunds will not be issued if you fail to show up or the suppliers (airline) decide to cancel your booking.
We’re sorry, but we’re unable to accommodate complex dietary issues on our tours. If you can manage your dietary needs independently, that’s perfectly fine. However, we cannot assume responsibility for guests’ health and wellbeing regarding food in foreign countries, as sometimes there can be misunderstandings due to language barriers. We hope you understand that our primary concern is to ensure that none of our guests become unwell while travelling with us.
Thank you for your understanding.
Our tours are designed to provide a rich and immersive experience, which includes walking tours on some days. Participants will encounter uneven footpaths, stairs, and other elements that require good mobility. Therefore, we recommend that women joining our tours have a medium level of fitness. You should be able to walk up to 7km a day to fully enjoy all the activities and explore the beautiful destinations with ease.
To ensure a safe and healthy journey, it’s important to be up-to-date with your vaccinations. We recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or visiting a travel health clinic for personalised advice based on your travel itinerary. For comprehensive information on required and recommended vaccinations, please visit Travel Doctor. They provide expert guidance to help you stay protected while exploring the world.
**Preparation notes for your trip are available in your trip dashboard and can be accessed once you register.
Extend your stay in Central America
Join us on a vibrant journey through Mexico, a land of ancient civilisations, mouthwatering cuisine, and stunning natural beauty. Our Mexico Odyssey invites you to discover why this diverse country belongs on your 2026 travel list. From the bustling heart of Mexico City to the tranquil shores of Playa del Carmen, this 9-day adventure offers an unforgettable mix of cultural exploration, historical immersion, and delicious culinary experiences.
