Guatemala: Ultraluxe journey to sacred lands in Antigua, Atitlan & Tikal (7 days)

Please note that the following itinerary is an example, as all of our journeys are custom-made.

Your private tour through Guatemala's fascinating sacred lands begins with an international flight to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your personal host, driver, and private vehicle and taken to your hotel located in the historical city of Antigua (approx. 45 minute transfer).

Enjoy your first afternoon in the capital exploring the main sightseeing attractions of Antigua including the Palace, the Cathedral, La Merced Church, the San Francisco Church and the many charming and colorful cobblestone streets characteristic of Antigua. Your host will take you around to the different sites and show you the rhythms of the city. Antigua was the third capital of Guatemala and is among the most culturally significant towns in Central America, a significance recognized by UNESCO in declaring it a World Heritage Site.

In the evening, savor a recommended dinner at one of Antigua's best restaurants.

Climb the Pacaya Volcano with your personal guide. You will depart your hotel and be taken by private transfer to the volcano (approx. 1 hour transfer), and begin your ascent (about 2.5 hours up, 1.5 hours down). Enjoy the view of the neighboring volcanoes, the lagoon and nearby Guatemala City below.

Easily accessible from Antigua, the Pacaya Volcano has an altitude of 8,400 feet and first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago. It’s part of a chain of volcanoes stretching along the Pacific coast of Guatemala, formed by the subduction of the Cocos Plate underneath the Caribbean Plate. The hike up this active volcano is a 2-3 hour strenuous climb to the summit, where you will be able to rest and enjoy the panoramic view and have some snacks, sandwiches, and refreshments.

Return to your hotel in Antigua to freshen up before a recommended dinner in town.

Proceed by private vehicle to the mystical Lake Atitlán, a mountain-surrounded lake in the highlands, Atitlán’s shores are dotted with indigenous communities not frequently visited and true to their Mayan roots. Stopping by quaint markets on the outskirts of Antigua along the way, peruse the various stalls showcasing the work of local artisans.

After exploring the markets, continue to Lake Atitlán, passing traditional Mayan villages along the way. As you pass the many towns, you will notice how much of the way people dress, especially the women, has remained unchanged for many generations, with the Mayan heritage expressed in the weavings and different prints.

Upon arrival at Casa Palopó, relax and unwind as you take in the view which overlooks Lake Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes. In the early evening, enjoy cocktails as the sun sets whilst you learn about Mayan astrology from an esteemed scholar who has been living amongst the Mayan community for more than 20 years.

In the evening, savor a recommended dinner at Casa Palopo’s 6.8 Restaurant, which offers an uninterrupted view of spectacular sunsets and awe-inspiring volcanoes.

Head out on your private speedboat with your personal guide to enjoy a hike to the village of Jaibalito de Santa Cruz - a route which features dazzling views of the San Pedro Volcano and Lake Atitlan. You will see the locals in their traditional dress walking through the village.

Later, continue your exploration by boat and explore the traditional villages bordering the lake. Stopping along the way you will see spiritual sights such as the shrine to the Mayan deity, Maximon. Visiting San Juan La Laguna, you will meet with master textile artist Socorro Sicay Perez, who has been awarded for her efforts to recuperate traditional weaving techniques.

At Casa Palopó’s helipad, board your private helicopter to fly to the Tikal region via Guatemala City. Along the way, stop in the Mirador archaeological complex, known for its abundance of Mayan pyramids, some of which are the largest in the world. Of its 26 known sites, only 14 have been studied; an estimated 30 more await discovery. Upon arrival, you will embark on a hike to the complex where you will explore its ancient mystery with your personal expert guide. Later, board your private helicopter and head to the Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel.

In the evening, you will have a private session with a Guatemalan scholar from a local university, from whom you will be able to learn about the significance of Tikal to the Mayan civilization which stretched throughout Central America, as well as their customs and beliefs.

Enjoy a private guided tour of the legendary ruins of Tikal. Listen to howler monkeys, spot toucans and explore the jungle as you discover the superb temples, palaces, and public squares of this ceremonial center with your own personal guide.

Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Tikal is considered one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and contains ancient temples and a wealth of history. Considered the greatest of the surviving classic Mayan cities, Tikal once supported an estimated population of 100,000 people who inhabited it from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. Archaeologists have identified over 3,000 structures and in its heyday, the city probably covered as much as 25 square miles (65 sq. km). Rising out of the dense jungle, the pyramids are some of the most perfect examples of ceremonial architecture in the Mayan world.

In the afternoon, you will return to your lodge, where you will have the option to relax, or venture out onto the lagoon and go kayaking with your guide. Later that evening, you will also enjoy a private riverboat ride and special dinner in the boathouse.

Greeting by your host for your private transfer to Flores airport (approx. 15 minute transfer) for your commercial flight to Guatemala City in time to catch your international departure. At the airport in Flores and Guatemala City, check-in and luggage assistance will be provided by your personal host.