Authentic Guatemala, from Tikal to Antigua

Panoramic visit of the capital's historic center around the Parque Central: the National Palace, one of the country's finest architectural achievements, and the 18th-century cathedral. Lunch of typical dishes, then the road to Cobán, a mountain town in Alta Verapaz where German settlers once developed coffee and cardamom. Dinner and night there.

Early departure by 4x4 to the village of Sayaxché, then boarding a motorized canoe on the Rio Pasión, through the mangrove, to reach the Maya site of Ceibal and its hundreds of structures — carved stelae and one of the oldest circular Maya observatories. Packed lunch, return to Sayaxché and on to Flores, a pretty town set on an island in Lake Petén Itzá, where you spend two nights.

A day in the heart of Tikal, the only site in the world listed as both cultural and natural World Heritage: temple-pyramids over 60 meters tall emerge from a canopy where howler monkeys, coatis, and anteaters live. The Plaza Mayor, the Temple of the Great Jaguar, the Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent… lunch on site, deep in the jungle. Back to Flores at the end of the day and a stroll through its colorful colonial lanes at sunset.

Road to Rio Dulce, then a boat trip to Livingston, a Garifuna village with a Caribbean vibe at the river's mouth. On-foot discovery of the village, then back up the Rio Dulce through a tropical mini-canyon and the Chocón Machacas biotope, refuge of the manatee and hundreds of birds. Garifuna tapado lunch, dancing to the sound of drums, and a look at the Castillo San Felipe before returning to Rio Dulce for the night.

A stop at the UNESCO-listed site of Quiriguá, famous for carved stelae among the tallest in the Maya world. Lunch around a Guatemalan churrasco, then the Honduras border crossing and arrival in Copán, a charming village with cobbled lanes and a peaceful colonial atmosphere. Typical dinner in the town center and night there.

Visit to the archaeological zone of Copán, nicknamed “the Athens of the New World”: nowhere else do Maya carved stelae and monuments reach such finesse. A walk in the shade of the great ceiba trees, among temples, pyramids, and a superb ball court. Typical lunch, then the return to Guatemala City with another border crossing. Dinner and night in the capital.

Road to Lake Atitlán, ringed by three volcanoes. Boat crossing to the Tzutujil village of San Juan la Laguna and a meeting with the Rupalak K'istalin women's association: weaving and natural dye workshops, medicinal plants, artisanal chocolate making, and Maya art galleries. Lunch at a local home, then, for those who wish, a hike up to the lookout and its view over the volcanoes. Night in Panajachel.

Early departure for Chichicastenango and its market, one of the most colorful in the Americas: embroidered huipils, masks, flowers, and pottery all the way to the whitewashed steps of Santo Tomás church, where Maya and Christian prayers answer each other. Visits to costume workshops and the most colorful cemetery in the world. Then the road to Antigua, a UNESCO-listed colonial jewel overlooked by three volcanoes. Dinner and night there.

A day in Antigua, the country's most beautiful city: the Parque Central and its colonial buildings, the Santa Clara convent, La Merced church and its stucco facade, a jade workshop, and a coffee farm. Tuk-tuk transfer up to the Cerro de la Cruz for the finest panorama over the city and its volcanoes, then free time. In the evening, a farewell dinner with music under the Santa Catalina arch, Antigua's emblematic monument.

Depending on your flight time, transfer to Guatemala City airport and the flight home to France. Services and night on board.

Want to extend? A few nights on Honduras's Caribbean or an extra night in Antigua — talk to our team (see “Extend the adventure”).

Arrival in France, your head full of Maya temples, colorful markets, and volcanoes. ¡Hasta pronto!