DAY 1Managua, Nicaragua Upon your arrival in Managua you will be greeted at the airport and escorted to the colonial city of Granada.
La Gran Francia Hotel, Granada
DAY 2Granada Walk through the historic center of Granada, the oldest colonial city in Central America, to visit important monuments: the Cathedral, San Francisco Convent, the Merced Church and the famous Casa de Los Leones. Part of today’s city tour will be by horse-drawn carriage. Relish the views and the cuisine as you eat lunch on the edge of the great Lake Nicaragua. Board a boat and take a trip to the scenic “Isletas,” an archipelago of about 350 islands formed by an ancient volcanic explosion.
La Gran Francia Hotel, Granada
DAY 3Masaya Volcano National Park, Catarina & San Juan de Oriente Observe the activity of the Masaya Volcano from the edge of the Santiago crater and learn about the volcano and the seismology of Central America at the ecological museum. At the Masaya market you can shop for handicrafts and observe the daily life of the Nicaraguan people.
La Gran Francia Hotel, Granada
DAYS 4 & 5Lake Atitlán, Guatemala On arrival at Guatemala’s La Aurora Airport, you will be met and transferred to Lake Atitlán. Set in a deep crater, the crystal blue waters make this one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Cross Lake Atitlán by motorboat to fully appreciate its vistas. Twelve villages surround the lake; their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quiché, Cackchiquel and Tzutuhil Nations. This is an ideal place to witness Guatemalan culture.
Hotel Atitlán, Panajachel
DAY 6Chichicastenango In the morning transfer to Chichicastenango. In the afternoon, visit the town of Pascual Abaj, which contains an ancient Mayan shrine. Mayan priests perform ceremonies and the townspeople still come to make offerings and ask for blessings, as they have for centuries.
Mayan Inn, Chichicastenango
DAYS 7 & 8Chichicastenango & Antigua Visit the most colorful and picturesque open-air market in the country in Chichicastenango. Explore Antigua via Iximché, a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in the colonial style. Other highlights of Antigua include Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala’s first capital. Take a city tour of Antigua’s most interesting churches, monasteries and factories.
Camino Real Hotel, Antigua
DAYS 9 & 10Flores, Petén & Tikal In the morning you will transfer by plane to Flores and then on to Tikal. Explore the archaeological complex, among the most stunning of the Mayan ruins and pyramids, “lost” for centuries amidst dense jungle. You’ll be able to see the original causeways, sculptures and hieroglyphs that this fascinating culture left behind.
Camino Real-Tikal Hotel, Tikal National Park
DAYS 11 & 12Guatemala City & Depart for Home On Day 11 transfer to Flores Airport for your flight to Guatemala’s capital city. On Day 12 you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.
Vista Real Hotel, Guatemala City
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“The surprise lunches and dinners—all the little things added up to a wonderful trip. Of course the Galápagos Islands & Macchu Picchu in the same trip was incredible.”
- Lois Roby“A very educational, unique experience. Galápagos was surreal.”
- Teresita Calderon