Antigua Lake Atitlan Chichicastenango Coban Tikal & the Peten The Cayo District
This overland journey combines the classic sites of colonial Antigua and picturesque Lake Atitlan before you set off into the remote highlands to reach the tropical Peten via the limestone mountains, rivers and caves of the Alta and Baja Verapaces. Visit isolated communities, explore the extraordinary Semuc Champey National Park and wander amidst ancient Mayan ruins way off the beaten track. And all this before you reach the highlight – Tikal! The journey culminates just across the border in Belize amidst the rivers, caves and glorious landscapes of the Cayo District.
Itinerary Highlights
Wonder the crumbling colonial streets of Antigua
Delve into the hisory and traditions of Lake Atitlan
Visit the extraordinary Semuc Champey National Park
Explore the isolated Mayan sites of Aguateca & Dos Pilas
Paddle through flooded caves in the Cayo District
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
15
Nights
Price Guide
$8550 – $11,000 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Arrive Antigua
Day 2-3
Antigua – Colonial Splendour & Mayan Wonder
Where else to start your Central American adventure than at the former capital Antigua, a colonial gem and UNESCO World Heritage Site ringed by Volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Here, amidst the crumbling colonial architecture and colourful markets, you gain a fascinating insight into the country’s rich history and strong Mayan heritage. Wander the cobbled streets, explore the relics of Hispanic power and sample the colours and tastes of traditional Guatemalan cuisine. If you are feeling active, take a bike tour in the hills past coffee farms and tranquil mountain communities or even challenge yourself with Pacaya Volcano and enjoy magnificent views out across the mountains as far as the Pacific Coast and even El Salvador.
Day 4-5
Lake Atitlan – History & Heritage
The journey continues as you head deeper into the highlands towards the magnificent Lake Atitlan. Time allowing, enjoy a stop at the market and colourful murals of Comalapa as well as the small Mayan ruins at Iximche, a precursor to the glorious Mayan citadels that lie hidden in the tropical lowlands. Lake Atitlan graces many a tourist brochure, sacred lake of the Maya and a gorgeous expanse of turquoise water framed by distant volcanoes. Enjoy breathtaking views from your waterfront lodge before setting off by boat (or if you prefer – kayak) to visit the traditional Mayan communities. Lake Atitlan has changed little over the centuries and under the watchful eye of their “trickster” saint Maximon, you can spot Mayan farmers tending their fields or washing clothes in the lake or fishing from hand-carved ‘cayucos’ boats – a photographer’s dream!
Day 6-7
Chichicastenango & the Cuchumatanes
Today, you start your journey into the remote Guatemalan mountains to reach the high plateau of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes just outside the lively highland town of Huehuetenango (or “Huehue” as it is more affectionately known). On route, Chichicastenango is unmissable, one of the Central America’s great market towns and a throbbing hive of activity where you can lose yourself amidst the colours, scents and sounds of the traders. The rocky outcrops of the Cuchumatanes are dotted with pine and cypress trees and a far cry from the steamy cloud-forest around Atitlan. Energy-allowing, you may like to visit the emerald waters of Laguna Magdalena framed by steep limestone cliffs and tumbling waterfalls.
Day 8-9
Coban & picturesque Semuc Champey
Next stop is Coban due east of “Huehue” and the regional capital nestled amidst lush, rolling hills cloaked in coffee and cardamom plantations. Renowned for its leather- and silver-work, Coban is an attractive colonial town best explored on foot and dominated by the eye-catching St. Dominic Cathedral and pastel-coloured Calvario Temple. For nature-lovers, head into the mountains and visit the wonderful Semuc Chamepy National Park , a picturesque series of waterfalls and cascading turquoise pools that sit atop a natural limestone bridge under which flows the Cahabón River. Dominated by soaring mountains cloaked in steamy cloud-forest, the park is home to a huge diversity of wildlife, especially birds and with luck, you may even spot the iconic resplendent Quetzal!
Day 10-12
Tikal & the Ancient Mayan Kingdoms
Bid farewell to the Alta and Baja Verapaces as you drop down into the tropical lowland Peten via the famous Candelaria caves. These huge caverns stretch over 14 miles beneath the mountains and were seen as gateway to the underworld by the local Maya. Your journey takes you into the heart of Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve which hides some of the most impressive Mayan complexes in all Central America. The magnificent site of Tikal needs little introduction, encompassing some 3,000 pyramids, walkways and temples that still lie undisturbed in the surrounding rainforest. However, venture further into the jungle and you can visit the fascinating and enigmatic sites of Yaxha, Topoxte, Ceibal and our favourite Aguateca, accessed via a spectacular natural fissure in the limestone cliff. Or for even more adventure, why not stay at a tented camp within the atmospheric ruins of Uaxactun?
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Day 13-15
Belize & the Cayo District
Cross the border into Belize via the wonderful site of Xunantunich, a city-state with large plazas and pyramids that thrived near the end of the Classic Period (300-900 A.D.). Your overland journey culminates with the caves, rivers and waterfalls of Belize’s beautiful Cayo District or unique Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve where you can relax and catch your breath at a comfortable mountain lodge. Here, you can bike, hike or paddle or enjoy boat trips or bird-watching in the surrounding forest. For more Mayan intrigue, the incredible Mayan site of Lamanai is in easy reach with over 720 archaeological structures, most of which still to be excavated.
Day 16
Transfer to Belize City for onward connections
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $8550 – $11,000 per person
When to travel
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Belize has a subtropical climate, with a well-marked dry season from late February to May and a wet season from June to November that is interrupted from August to September by another dry season. The mean temperature in Belize City is about 23 °C in December and 29 °C in July.
In Belize, the month of January usually experiences mild and pleasant weather conditions. The average temperature during this time of the year ranges from a low of 21°C to a high of 28°C. There may be occasional rainfall, but it is usually short-lived and does not interfere with outdoor activities. Overall, January is a great time to visit Belize and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.
February in Belize usually has pleasant weather conditions, with an average temperature ranging from 21°C to 29°C. There may be occasional rainfall, but it is generally short-lived and does not affect outdoor activities. Overall, February is another great time to visit Belize and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.
In March, Belize experiences warm weather with an average temperature ranging from 22°C to 30°C. While there may be occasional rainfall, it is typically short-lived and does not significantly affect outdoor activities. Overall, March is a great time to visit Belize and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.
The weather in Belize during April is warm, with an average temperature ranging from 23°C to 31°C. While there may be occasional rainfall, it is typically short-lived and does not significantly affect outdoor activities. Overall, April is a great time to visit Belize and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.
In May, the weather in Belize is warm with an average temperature ranging from 24°C to 32°C. While there may be occasional rainfall, it is typically short-lived and does not significantly affect outdoor activities. Overall, May is also a great time to visit Belize and enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.
June in Belize is warm and temperatures typically range from 25°C to 32°C. While there may be occasional rainfall, it usually doesn't have a significant impact on outdoor plans. Overall, June is a great time to visit Belize and enjoy its natural beauty.
July in Belize is generally warm with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. While there may be some rainfall, it typically does not affect outdoor activities. Overall, July is a good time to visit Belize and enjoy its natural beauty.
In August, Belize experiences warm temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C, similar to the weather in July. While there might be some rainfall, it generally doesn't impact outdoor activities, making August another great month to visit Belize and take in its stunning natural scenery.
In September, Belize experiences warm temperatures ranging from 24°C to 31°C, slightly cooler than the previous months. Rainfall may increase, but it usually doesn't affect outdoor activities, making September another great month to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of Belize.
In October, temperatures in Belize range from 23°C to 30°C, with occasional rainfall that doesn't typically affect outdoor activities. It's still a great month to experience the natural beauty of Belize.
In November, the temperature in Belize ranges from 22°C to 28°C. Although there may be occasional rainfall, it typically doesn't interfere with outdoor activities. It's still a great time to enjoy the natural beauty and attractions of Belize.
In December, temperatures in Belize typically range from 21°C to 27°C, making it an ideal time to explore the country's natural beauty and outdoor activities. While there may be some occasional rainfall, it shouldn't hinder any plans for enjoying all that Belize has to offer during this time of year.
Add on’s
At the end of your trip, why not continue on to the golden beaches and coral cayes of the Great Mayan Reef a short distance away – the famous “Blue Hole” draws divers from far and wide! Or heading west, you could cross the Usumacinate River to enter Mexico and then travel up through Chiapas State and to reach the glorious ruins, colonial cities and beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Continuing the theme of “off the beaten track” Guatemala, you could join an exhilarating trek out to reach El Mirador, six times larger than Tikal and home to La Danta, one of the world’s tallest pyramids.
Or for wildlife and breathtaking national parks, Costa Rica is a perfect add-on – take a boat trip through the mangrove channels of Tortuguero, hike the hanging bridges of Arenal or Monteverde or experience the Osa Peninsula, the “the most biologically intense place on earth” according to National Geographic.
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