GUATEMALA + HONDURAS

Dates: December 7 - 22, 2024

Duration: 16 days / 15 nights

Number of participants: 8 – 12

Number of participants: 8 – 12

Cost per person:
- 3 490 USD subject to 12 participants,
- 3 690 USD subject to 10 – 11 participants,
- 3 990 USD subject to 8 - 9 participants, based on twin/double accommodation.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before June 7, 2024)

Everything is included except for:
– international flight to Guatemala city and back
– medical insurance
– lunches and dinners
– Guatemala visa (not required for Russian citizens)
– Optional excursions

Estimated cost of the flight Moscow - Guatemala City - Moscow: 2000 - 2500 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight Istanbul - Guatemala City - Istanbul: 1800 - 2300 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight Madrid - Guatemala City - Madrid: 1200 - 1400 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight Miami - Guatemala City - Miami: 800 - 1100 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight New York - Guatemala City - New York: 600 - 900 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight Mexico City - Guatemala City - Mexico City: 300 - 500 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).
Estimated cost of the flight Lima - Guatemala City - Lima: 800 - 1000 USD (usually bought on your own, we consult).

Single supplement: 700 USD (provided along the whole itinerary except night on the volcano, where the possibility of single occupancy is negotiated separately).




TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO Guatemala and Honduras


Day 1. December 7, 2023 (Saturday). GUATEMALA CITY (GUATEMALA) – ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

Arrival to Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Transfer to the hotel in the city of Antigua Guatemala (distance 40 km; 1 hour driving). Overnight at Genessis Hotel or Villa Colonial in Antigua Guatemala.

* Recommended international flights to Guatemala City:
- any flight from any city arriving in Guatemala City at any time on December 7 or on the night of December 7-8.

Meals Included: No
Accommodation included: Genessis Hotel or Villa Colonial or similar



Day 2. December 8, 2024 (Sunday). ANTIGUA GUATEMALA – LAKE ATITLAN

Breakfast in the hotel. Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala.

Antigua Guatemala lies in the Panchoy mountain valley, sandwiched between the cones of the Agua, Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. The city was founded in 1543 as the third capital of Guatemala, and was called Santiago de Guatemala. All of capitals of Guatemala were named after the Apostle James or Santiago. And only after the strongest Santa Marta earthquake occurred in 1773, the capital had to be moved to a new location in Guatemala City, and after 2 years people began to call the third capital Antigua Guatemala or ancient Guatemala.

The city reached its peak by the middle of the XVIII century, when an unprecedented building boom tripled its area, and the population grew to fifty thousand people. By 1773, this city had about 25 churches, 5 female monasteries, 8 male monasteries and a cathedral built in 1680 and which was compared only with the cathedral in Mexico City and Lima, Peru for the beauty and majesty of the building.

The most important museum of Antigua is the city itself, its streets, where you can learn its history.
In the afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlán (90 km, 2 hours drive).
Overnight at the hotel on the lake.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Villa Santa Catarina or similar



Day 3. December 9, 2024 (Monday). LAKE ATITLAN – SAN JUAN – SANTIAGO ATITLAN

Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will see the most interesting cities where the Tzutuhili Maya still live on Lake Atitlan. And we'll start with San Juan. The boat trip to San Juan takes about 30 minutes.

San Juan is the cleanest and tidiest town on the lake. There are many art galleries here, whose artists paint in the style of Naive or Primitivism. There are many women's cooperatives in San Juan. You can visit a women's textile factory, see the processes of hand weaving and natural dyeing, and meet a group of comadrons or midwives who grow different types of medicinal herbs for natural medicine.

Traditional agriculture, fishing, weaving of reed mats and the production of high-quality textiles are an integral part of the life of the local population.

Here you will definitely not find souvenirs from China. And of course, we will try very tasty coffee in one of the coffee houses. After, we will take a boat to the other side of the lake in the city of Santiago Atitlán.

Santiago, founded in 1547 at the foot of the Toliman volcano, is the largest city with a population of 32 thousand people, 95% of whom are the Tzutuhil Maya. The local population lives off fishing, farming and making cayucos (local canoes). Artisans specialize in painting, woodwork and weaving. Santiago is the city of worship of Mashimon, a pagan deity or god of the Mayan people, to whom donations of alcohol and cigars are made. He lives in the house of the head of the religious brotherhood or cofradia for a year; and the family in whose house Mashimon lives does not work. Their only job is to take care of the god.

We will also look into the local Catholic church, where two religions have merged - Catholicism and Mayan beliefs, and walk past the local city hall, where the elders of the city are sitting dressed in white striped shorts and birds embroidered at the bottom.

All men in Santiago wear striped shorts with birds around the edge, while women wear a voipil (blouse) with bird embroidery. Also in Santiago, women wear special headdresses - tokoyal.

Overnight at the hotel on the lake.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Villa Santa Catarina or similar



Day 4. December 9, 2024 (Tuesday). LAKE ATITLAN – LA SOLEDAD – ACATENANGO VOLCANO BASE CAMP

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the foot of the famous Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes, to the village of La Soledad (200 km, 4 hours of travel), where we transfer to jeeps and begin our climb to the harsh Acatenango volcano with a height of 3976 meters.

After an hour of travel, we will leave the jeeps and walk the last hour to the base camp at an altitude of 3560 meters. The climb to base camp, where we are going today, does not require mountaineering training.

Dinner at the camp and, very likely, a fire show from the nearby active Fuego volcano.

The name of the volcano Fuego ("fire" in Spanish) speaks for itself. This is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Fuego is known for being almost constantly active at a low level. Small emissions of gas and ash, as well as lava, occur every 10–20 minutes. And, probably, we will be able to observe all this from a better position.

Larger eruptions are rare. However, over the past 3 years, they have occurred at least once a year. Often such eruptions are very destructive.

Fuego connects with Acatenango and the complex of two volcanoes is known as La Horqueta.

Overnight in huts on mattresses and in sleeping bags in a mountain hut at the base camp of the Akatenango volcano (3570 m.a.s.l.), 2-4 people each.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch on the volcano, dinner on the volcano
Accommodation included: cabins in the mountain hut at Acatenango Base Camp



Day 5. December 10, 2024 (Wednesday). ACATENANGO VOLCANO BASE CAMP – ACATENANGO CRATER – ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

We wake up before dawn. The last 400 meters of altitude difference (a little over 1 km distance) to the summit (3976 m) we advise you to go early in the morning to meet the sunrise at the very top. The fantastic view from the crater to all directions of the world covers the area from the Mexican border to San Salvador. After sunrise and taking photos, breakfast at the camp and descent to the jeep.

Transfer to Antigua Guatemala via La Soledad. Rest at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Genessis Hotel or Villa Colonial or similar



Day 6. December 12, 2024 (Thursday). ANTIGUA GUATEMALA – COPAN (HONDURAS)

Transfer to the border with Honduras (270 km, 5 hours drive).

We get to Copan, the most interesting place in Honduras. The main value of Copan is the unreal beauty and accuracy of the art on the steles. This site of the Mayan civilization was called the Athens of Mesoamerica.

Tour of Copan. Here we find a stele made in three dimensions. A real work of art is considered to be the Staircase with hieroglyphs, built by the Maya during the classical period. Each of its 63 steps is decorated with intricate writing, and balustrades depicting snakes and birds are erected on the sides.

Overnight at the hotel in Copan.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Plaza Copan or similar



Day 7. December 13, 2024 (Friday). COPAN – LAKE ISABAL AND RIO DULCE RIVER (GUATEMALA) – LIVINGSTON

Breakfast. Transfer to the department of Izabal (distance 270 km, 4 hours on the way) to the most picturesque river of Guatemala - the Sweet River. In the department of Izabal is the beautiful and largest lake in Guatemala, Izabal, which is a source of the famous river Rio Dulce.

In keeping with its peculiar geological history, which dates back at least 400 million years, Isabal is a complex mixture of karst caves and hills, rivers, lakes, swamps and large plains. You can see Mayan Pyramids hidden in the rainforest, vegetation and water. This region of Guatemala is a paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

The natural area of Izabal resembles the richness of the Amazon forests. The rainforest of Izabal is unambiguously impressive. With the highest biodiversity in the country, with an abundance of vegetation on the banks of the rivers, it is rightfully called the Jade Coast.

Transfer to a boat and a trip along the Sweet River (2 hours on the way): the steep walls of the river canyon, thermal springs, the beauty of the tropical jungle will leave an unforgettable experience.

Let's get to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, where pirates and galleons fought for supremacy in colonial times. This area on the Caribbean coast seems to have remained unchanged.

Today, more than 350 bird species and countless other fauna such as howler monkeys, dolphins and manatees can be found in the region.

And of course, the city of Livingston, where the Garifuna people live, the descendants of slaves taken out of Africa. Excursion to Livingston (the city cannot be reached by land, only by water) - a settlement of the Garifuna people with a unique culture that combines African, Caribbean and European elements. The settlement was founded in the XVIII century by African slaves fleeing British violence off the coast of the Gulf of Honduras, and emigrants from various Caribbean islands. Modern Garifuna speak a strange mixture of Spanish and English, live in colorful wooden houses and still retain their traditions and the memory of their roots. Spreading palm trees, reggae music and amazing seafood are symbols of Livingston, allowing you to experience the true spirit of Jamaica in the center of Guatemala. During our trip, you will be able to try a typical Garifun dish - tapado soup (seafood soup boiled with coconut milk).

Overnight at the hotel in Livingston on the Caribbean coast.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel Villa Caribe or similar



Day 8. December 14, 2024 (Saturday). LIVINGSTON – WHITE BEACH – FLORES

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to the most beautiful beach in Guatemala, White Beach. Relax and swim in the Caribbean.

In the afternoon, transfer to the very north of Guatemala, to the department of Petén (distance 220 km, 3.5 hours driving). Overnight at the hotel in Flores on the shores of the lagoon of Lake Peten Itza.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Villa Maya hotel or similar



Day 9. December 15, 2024 (Sunday). FLORES – YAXHA (EL-MIRADOR) – TIKAL

Breakfast in Flores and transfer to the archaeological park of Yaxha, once the city of the Mayan civilization (70 km, 1.5 hours on the road). Unfortunately, Yaxha remains a mystery, with very little information available. The city is not heavily visited by tourists, although it is located on the shore of a beautiful lagoon with the same name. The complex was inhabited by the Mayan indigenous people for 16 centuries, from 600 BC to 900 AD. The complex contains over 500 structures, including 9 pyramids. From the Red Hand Pyramid or Structure 216, there is a magnificent view of the jungle and the lagoon.

Optionally, instead of a trip to Yaxha, for an additional fee ($600 per person), a helicopter tour to El Mirador can be organized (45 minutes flight).

El Mirador is one of the oldest and probably the largest cities built by the ancient Maya during the peak of their civilization over 2500 years ago. The ruins of this mysterious city are located in the north of Guatemala, in the department of Peten. Inaccessible and filled with countless mysteries, they are a must-visit for those interested in historically significant structures.

Most guidebooks mention two enormous pyramids, as they are the only ones that have survived relatively intact to the present day. However, in reality, El Mirador consisted of the Central Acropolis and three pyramid complexes: Tigre, Monos, and Danta. Danta, which was built later and served as an administrative and religious center, was constructed in several stages on top of a natural hill, with temples, terraces, and small pyramids gradually covering its slopes. The pyramids of Monos, on the other hand, were interspersed with long strips of palaces and stelae and had strong complex fortifications.

Currently, only two preserved pyramids can be seen, which are truly impressive in their size. For example, the Tigre pyramid rises to a height of 55 meters, while the Danta pyramid reaches a staggering 72 meters! The total volume of the Danta pyramid structure is 30 times larger than the volume of Temple I in Tikal!

Here, you can also see a decorative composition showing the twin gods Ishbalankue and Huna-Apu, which is recognized by historians as the oldest one found. The buildings of El Mirador are adorned with numerous scenes from the life of Vukub-Kakish, a proud deity depicted as a macaw.

For the past 20 years, archaeological excavations have been conducted in the city under the guidance of Richard Hansen, the principal scientific consultant for the film "Apocalypto" by Mel Gibson.

El Mirador is located 7 kilometers from the Mexican border and 105 kilometers from Tikal, and it is very difficult to reach this city. The expedition to El Mirador takes 2 days on foot or by mule (8 hours per day) for the most resilient, or 45 minutes by helicopter for the cleverest. Return by helicopter to Flores (45 minutes on the way).

Transfer to the hotel in Tikal National Park. Overnight at Hotel Jungle Lodge Tikal or similar.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Jungle Lodge Tikal or similar



Day 10. December 16, 2023 (Monday). TIKAL – FLORES

Get up early and meet the sunrise at the highest Mayan temple in Tikal. After that, breakfast at the hotel and a tour of Tikal.

Tikal means "the place where the voices of the spirits are heard." - All the largest temples were built as funerary ones. The Maya considered the pyramids to be analogues of the mountains, on which, according to their beliefs, the spirits of the dead live.

Compared to other cities of the classical period, Tikal seems huge - it is the largest settlement in pre-Columbian America. Scientists came to this conclusion after a series of excavations conducted in the late 1950s. The population of Tikal is believed to have been up to 200,000.

It has been inhabited since 800 BC. until AD 900, only to be conquered again by the tropical jungle, from the early XI century until the early XX century, when Tikal was discovered and restoration work began.

The urban complex of Tikal (excluding the outskirts) occupied an area of about 16 square kilometers. There were 3 thousand buildings on it, and the pyramids were distinguished by a specific style that is not found anywhere else in Mesoamerica.

Particularly impressive are the six pyramidal temples, which, against the background of other structures of this type, look like real skyscrapers (up to 72 meters high). No wonder archaeologists called Tikal - the New York of the Mayan civilization.

Today, the Tikal National Park covers 575 square kilometers and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as a cultural and natural heritage of mankind.

Evening transfer to Flores (60 km, 1.5 hours on the way) and overnight at the hotel in Flores.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Villa Maya or similar in Flores.



Day 11. December 17, 2024 (Tuesday). FLORES – CANDELARIA CAVES – LANQUIN

Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will go to the greenest and rainiest department of Guatemala, Alta Verapaz (350 km, 5 hours on the road).

On the way we will visit one unique cave. Candelaria Caves is one of the most important caves in this region and one of the two largest caves in the Americas. Moreover, the 30-kilometer Candelaria is one of the top 6 largest caves in the world. For the ancient Mayans, this cave served as the entrance to the underworld of Xibalba. Currently, Mayan rituals still take place here. The main gallery is about 22 km.

Night in a lodge in Lanquin.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: El Retiro Lodge Lanquin



Day 12. December 18, 2024 (Wednesday). LANQUIN – SEMUC CHAMPEY – LANQUIN

Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will visit one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala, Semuc Champey - a series of small, beautiful, natural ponds and pools (16 km, 1 hour on the road). In the Mayan Qʼeqchiʼ language, Semuk Champey means "Sacred Water"

The Cahabon River enters at the very beginning of Semuc Champey and exits about 400 meters later, after passing a natural limestone bridge with beautiful, crystal-clear ponds. The water in these natural pools is emerald green and sometimes resembles deep sapphire blue. Overnight at a lodge in Lanquin.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: El Retiro Lodge Lanquin




Day 13. December 19, 2024 (Thursday). LANCIN – CHICHICASTENANGO

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the largest high mountain Mayan market in Chichicastenango (350 km, about 6 hours on the road).

Chichicastenango is famous for its bazaar, which is a collection of stalls with colorful souvenirs and handicrafts. Surrounded by valleys and mountains that cover the horizons, Chichicastenango may seem isolated in time and space from the rest of Guatemala. When its narrow, mighty streets and red-tiled roofs are covered in fog, and this happens often, it can seem like you are in some kind of fairy tale.

Every year, on the eve of St. Thomas's Day, Guatemalan Indians in traditional colorful clothing head to the high Chichicastenango, where performances of musical and dance ensembles, as well as outlandish folklore performances, are held in honor of the holiday.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Santo Tomas or Hotel Museo Mayan Inn or similar.



Day 14. December 20, 2024 (friday). ANNUAL CARNIVAL IN CHICHICASTENANGO

The annual carnival in Chichicastenango begins today. This holiday, in fact, is the month of the city of Chichicastenango, because the most important days are December 20 and 21, but they begin to celebrate from December 1. All Chichikastenans who live in the USA sponsor every day of this holiday. And this means that every day there are dances, local musical groups and a lot of agua ardientes.

We arrive here on December 20 to see one of the most important dances of Guatemala - Palo Volador. This is a tall pillar, on which from 2 to 4 people dressed in monkey costumes climb on ropes and then they go down on these ropes. After a few attempts, they begin to descend upside down. It's worth seeing!

On the days of the festivities, women wear traditional "huipil" (blouses) and "corte" (skirts), painted in amazingly rich and bright colors. At the same time, the traditional costumes of the inhabitants of each of the settlements are unique, like the dialect, which gives the carnival a special flavor. Dancers in festive costumes and masks at the festival perform a carnival dance that mocks the conquest of America and immerses "Chichi", as Chichicastenango is affectionately called, in a rainbow whirlwind. During the festivities, images of St. Thomas can be seen everywhere on the streets. At this time, the smell of incense is heard from the churches, and fireworks explode in the streets and brass bands play loudly.

The main part of the festivities is concentrated in the church of St. Thomas. One glance at the church and its decoration is enough to notice the mixture of Catholic and Amerindian cultures, which is especially pronounced during the celebration of St. Thomas's Day.

Overnight at the hotel in Chichicastenango.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Santo Tomas or Hotel Museo Mayan Inn or similar


Day 15. December 21, 2024 (Saturday). ANNUAL CARNIVAL IN CHICHICASTENANGO – ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

Today we will be at the city day celebration in Chichicastenango. Today is the main day of celebrations and we will see a lot of other local dances, as well as processions of 14 cofradia (religious brotherhoods) of Chichicastenango, a lot of fireworks and firecrackers. It's just a brain blast!

The Catholic patron saint of the city is St. Thomas, in his honor the church of Santo Tomas was built in the city in 1540. When the Catholic missionaries came, they destroyed the Mayan temple and built a white church in its place. The only thing left of the temple is 18 steep steps leading to the church according to the number of months in the Mayan solar calendar, Haab. Therefore, this church is probably the most unique Catholic church in Guatemala due to the religious symbiosis within the church. Half of the church is the Catholic church with all its attributes, saints, etc. and in the center lie slabs - altars, under which the sacred Mayan ancestors rest and on which the locals burn candles and pom, pour agua ardiente (local vodka) and honey, sprinkle with flower petals and communicate with their gods. Flowers, candles and pomace are sold on the steps of the church. Just like in front of the pyramids, in front of the stairs there is an altar - a round flat stone, from which smoke rises in clubs from smoldering pom. Along with the smoke, various requests from local residents rise to the sky. Right in front of the ahkih entrance, a Mayan priest or intermediary between humans and gods brandishes a tin can, which also emits smoke. The modern Guatemalan Indian, who diligently served in the Catholic Church, after it can openly go to the pagan temple to bow to the ancient gods. Christian dogmas in Guatemala are often mixed with elements of ancient Indian cults. So, many Indians perceive the Christian cross not only as a crucifix, but also as a symbol of the Mayan beliefs - the designation of the four sides of the world.

In the direction of the local cemetery, you will see another Catholic Church called Golgotha or Calvario. For many years this church was closed to tourists and even the Ladinos. Only the local Mayans could climb it. Inside this church, in a small, dark room sits Chuchhau (translated from the Qʼeqchiʼ language - mother and father) or a local shaman. All the inhabitants of Chichicastenango come to him to find out the future or the cause of disease.

If you still want to look at the Mayan temple, then climb the sacred hill of Pascual - Abach. There are several stones and an idol with a stone face - Pascual Abach. It is said to be several thousand years old. Locals regularly bring food, cigarettes, flowers, spirits, Coca-Cola, and sometimes chickens as a sacrifice, in gratitude and hope for a continuation of life.

And what is a market without shopping, so take enough money with you to buy souvenirs. In the market, you can pay with US dollars. Chichicastenango market is famous mainly for its textiles and masks.

In the afternoon transfer to Antigua Guatemala (110 km, 2-3 hours drive). Overnight at the hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Genessis Hotel or Villa Colonial or similar



Day 16. December 22, 2024 (Sunday). ANTIGUA GUATEMALA – GUATEMALA CITY – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

After breakfast, transfer to the Guatemala City airport (40 km, 1 hour drive).

International flight home from the international terminal of Guatemala City Airport no earlier than noon.

* Recommended international flights from Guatemala City:
- any flight from Guatemala City no earlier than 12 noon on December 22.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no