10 Days: Guatemala, El Salvador, Copan, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan

Tour overview:

Explore the worlds of today and yesterday in Central America. This tour balances the adventure of visiting ancient remains of the Mayan civilization with opportunities to enjoy the pristine beaches, flourishing markets and vibrant lifestyle many find so compelling in modern Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Day 1 - Arrive Guatemala City (Guatemala)

Welcome to the land of Eternal Spring! On arrival at Guatemala's La Aurora Airport, our representative will transfer you to your hotel. 

Day 2 - Guatemala City / San Salvador (El Salvador)

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to El Salvador, where you will visit the Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park. Like the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculano, the pre-Hispanic agricultural community of Joya de Ceren was suddenly buried by an eruption of the Laguna Caldera Volcano around the year 600. Thanks to its perfect state of preservation, the remains of this site provide exceptional testimony about the daily life of Mesoamerican farmers of this time. At the end, transfer to your hotel for accommodation at San Salvador Hotel.

Day 3 - San Salvador - City Tour

Today you will be picked up at your hotel for a tour of the city of San Salvador. The city is an epicenter of the economic, business, social, cultural and financial development of the country. Including cultural progress such as museums, monuments and its historic center. In the afternoon, return to your hotel.

Day 4 - San Salvador / Copan (Honduras)

Today we will set off for Copán, Honduras. We will visit the Ruta de Las Flores (Flower Route). A charming journey with a pleasant, cool climate, sites steeped in tradition and history, and unique gastronomy. Overnight accommodations at Copan Honduras.

Day 5 - Copan

Continue to the archaeological site of Copán. As you step inside the park, witness elaborate stone sculptures everywhere. As you walk into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza you are witness of the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya. Copán’s main plaza contains the greatest collection of Maya sculptures in Central America. Take time to explore and marvel at the beautiful Mayan stellae, majestic temples, and complete ball court. In the afternoon, return to Guatemala City.

Day 6 - Copan / Chichicastenango (Guatemala)

At 07:00 a.m., you will be picked up at your hotel for your transfer to Chichicastenango. Visit the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in the country. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. Also, witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tomás (No shorts or bathing suits are allowed inside the Church, PLEASE NO PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE THE CHURCH). Overnight accommodation in Chichicastenango.

Day 7 - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlan (Guatemala)

This morning, you will be transferred to Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below. Atitlan is the ideal place to come in contact with Guatemalan folklore. Twelve Indian villages surround the Lake, and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quiché, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. At 09:00 a.m., you will board the motor launch to cross Lake Atitlán to the picturesque Indian village of San Juan la Laguna, one of the twelve lake-shore villages surrounding the Lake. Enjoy this bustling Indian community, where weavers work the colorful textiles. Overnight accommodations in Lake Atitlán.

Day 8 - Lake Atitlan - Guatemala City

This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for your transfer to Antigua Guatemala, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, nowadays Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared “Monument of America” in 1965. Visit the Central Plaza, which is surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, and the Palace of the Captains General; colonial churches and monasteries, primitive foot-looms where colorful textiles are woven, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry. Then you will be transfer to Guatemala City for overnight accommodations. 

Day 9 - Guatemala City - Tikal National Park

Today you will go back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit the Tikal National Park. At 4:30 a.m., you will be picked up at your hotel for transfer to the airport to board the flight to Flores, Petén. On arrival, our representative will take you to the Mayan City of Tikal which is located in the center of the National Park that bears its name and has an extension of 222 square miles. Tikal was inhabited from 600 BC., till 869 AD. Its highlight was between 690 till 850 AD., a time period known by archaeologists as the Late Classic. Visit the Twin-Pyramid Complexes “Q” and “R”, Lost World Complex where the Great Pyramid and Temple 5C-49 are the most important. Also, visit Temple III and the Palace of the Windows, the Great Plaza, squared off with the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles, and Pyramid IV. This one is the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from its top a complete view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle can be enjoyed. In the afternoon transfer to Santa Elena’s Airport, in Flores, Petén, to board the flight to Guatemala City. On arrival, our representative will transfer you to your hotel. 

Day 10 - Guatemala City / Depart

You will be transferred to the airport three hours prior to your flight’s departure time.