10 Day Guatemalan Expedition

Today we will head out on a bike ride through the Riders can bike through Almolonga Valley to the Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala’s former second capital, buried by an earthquake-triggered mudslide in 1541. Along the way, we can stop off at an interesting experimental macadamia farm in the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Along other trails, such as the Las Tierra Altas route, we can pass through the coffee growing regions for a different experience. In the afternoon, we will visit the ruins, churches and museums of the city.

Today, we will visit Iximche in Tecpán, a Mayan city founded in 1463. Before the Spanish arrived, the city was important, yet almost a century later, played a decisive role in the Spanish conquest of this region of Guatemala. The city's remains can still be found in the surrounding pine forests, with its ceremonial plazas, temples and ball courts still on display. We will enjoy a traditional lunch in Tecpán before heading back to Panajachel, where we will spend the evening.

In the morning, we will head out onto the lake in a kayak to experience the incredible scenery around us. We will then continue by boat towards the Cerro de Oro, where we will enjoy a 2 hour hike to the top of the Cerro. We will then return to Lake Atitlan, where we will visit Santiago Atitlan, to see the famous Mayan deity, Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. Each year a different family houses the saint of the town, taking care of their cigarette, smoking God. We will then head back to our hotel for the evening in Panajachel.

After breakfast, we will continue on our way to San Buenaventura to enjoy the jungle canopy tour by zip line and the spectacular wildlife trails in the national park. After this interesting nature adventure to spot the local flora and fauna, we will return to Antigua, where we will spend the evening.

Today, our driver will take us to the Coban region of Guatemala. On the way, we will stop off at the Quetzal reserve. We will have the incredible opportunity to see the famous Quetzal bird, the national bird of Guatemala, among many other bird species. We will then continue to the town of Coban, where we will spend the evening.

Today you will visit Semuc Champey, a limestone bridge on top of different sized natural pools filled with fresh crystal clear mountain spring water. Beneath the bridge flows the Cahabon River, and at the end of the bridge, the water from the pools falls naturally into the river, forming a waterfall. We can hike to the 2 lookout points for impressive views or just relax in the beautiful blue water of these incredible pools. We will then head off to the Lanquin Caves, home to thousands of bats that will fly out at dusk to greet us!  We will then head back to Coban for the evening.

Today, we will head to Flores, visiting the Candelaria caves along the way. This is one of the most extraordinary underground systems of caves on the planet and is set within the limestone mountains in northern Alta Verapaz. The Candelaria caves were sacred for Q’eqchi Mayans and were thought of as a stunning passageway into the underworld. We will then head back to Flores for the evening.

After breakfast, you will head into the Tikal National Park to see these incredible Mayan ruins set in the rainforest. This was the most important city in the Mayan world and is the perfect combination of nature and Mayan archaeology. In the afternoon, we will head to the airport in Flores for a flight to Guatemala City, where we will spend our final evening.

Today is our final day in this amazing country. Our driver will take you to the International airport in time to catch your flight back home or on to your next exciting destination.