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Compare Mayan Encounter by G Adventures vs Guatemala: All Around by Vibe Adventures

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Duration 12 days 9 days
Price From $ 1,349 $ 1,390
Price Per Day $ 112 $ 154
Highlights
  • Listen to howler monkeys from the top of temple iv at tikal
  • Revel in caye caulker sunsets
  • Sway to reggae beats wafting through the belizean air
  • Wander the colonial streets of antigua
  • Visit UNESCO-listed Quirigua, one of the most ancient Mayan cities that contain some outstanding 8th-century monuments and impressive series of carved stelae and sculpted calendars.
  • Relax in unique natural hot waterfalls of Finca el Paraiso.
  • Enjoy the quietness and beauty of Flores – a picturesque town on the island on Lago Petén Itzá.
  • Explore UNESCO-listed Tikal – one of the major sites of the Mayan civilization situated in Guatemalan jungles.
  • Swim in Semuc Champey – a magnificently beautiful stepped series of limestone pools with cool, flowing river water.
  • Learn Mayan traditions and try home-cooked cuisine while staying at authentic Mayan home-stay near Atitilan Lake.
Trip Style Small group tour Small group tour
Lodging Level Standard Standard
Physical Level
  • 2- Easy
  • 3- Moderate
Travel Themes
  • Cultural
  • Transformative
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • High Adventure
Countries Visited
Cities and Attractions
  • Antigua
  • Caribbean
  • Caye Caulker
  • Flores
  • Playa del Carmen
  • San Ignacio
  • Tikal
  • Antigua
  • Tikal
Flights & Transport Ground transport included Ground transport included
Activities
  • Culture
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Caving
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Hot Springs
  • Kid-friendly activities
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Swimming
Meals Included 1 lunch, 1 dinner
  • Meals: 3 Breakfasts & 1 Dinner
Description

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays, lounge in gorgeous Caye Caulker, and finish up in bustling Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a Chief Experience Officer, this trip offers the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe.

One of the most colorful countries in Central America, the center of the Mayan civilization covered by tropical rain forests – all this is amazing Guatemala. In this 9-day “Guatemala: All Around Tour”, you can enjoy the beauty of local nature and ancient monuments, see by yourself the villages in which the descendants of legendary Mayans still live nowadays, dive headlong into local customs and visit amazing architectural structures, the likes of which cannot be found on the entire planet.

Itinerary: Mayan Encounter

Day 1 Antigua Guatemala

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.

Please note that Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua— it's nowhere near the start of this tour!

Day 2 Antigua Guatemala/Rio Dulce

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

Day 3 Rio Dulce/Flores

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

Day 4 Flores

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

Day 5 Flores/San Ignacio

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Day 6 San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

Day 7 San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.

Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

Day 8 Caye Caulker

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

Day 9 Caye Caulker

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

Day 10 Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

Day 11 Playa del Carmen

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

Day 12 Playa del Carmen

Depart at any time.

Itinerary: Guatemala: All Around

Day 1: Guatemala City

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Guatemala City

Welcome to Guatemala City! The largest city of Central America, it absorbed the trends of the new time, mixing them with traditional Latin American flavors. Arrive at any time and join your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meeting followed by an optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: Guatemala City – Quirigua

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house near Quirigua

After a morning walking tour in Guatemala City, leave towards Quirigua (UNESCO) – one of the most ancient Mayan cities in the world that contain some outstanding 8th-century monuments and impressive series of carved stelae and sculpted calendars. Accommodation in a nearby hotel, optional dinner & get-together in one of local restaurants/bars.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: walking tour in Guatemala City

Day 3: Quirigua – Castle of San Felipe de Lara – Finca el Paraiso

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house near Finca el Paraiso

After a guided visit to Quirigua Ruins go to Castle of San Felipe de Lara (UNESCO) that was built in 1652 to keep pirates from looting the villages and commercial caravans of Izabal. Afterward, move to Finca el Paraiso and enjoy its natural hot waterfalls. Accommodation in a nearby hotel, optional dinner & get-together in one of local restaurants/bars.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: guided visits to Quirigua Ruins and Castle of San Felipe de Lara; visit to Finca el Paraiso hot waterfalls

Day 4: Finca el Paraiso – Flores

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Flores

After breakfast and morning bath in the waterfalls, continue to Flores – a picturesque town on the island on Lago Petén Itzá, a base for exploring El Petén area and a stunning spot to recharge your energy. Check-in, walking tour around the town, free time to explore the area.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: walking tour in Flores

Day 5: Flores – Tikal – Lanquin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Lanquin

Tikal (UNESCO), Guatemala

In the morning, after breakfast, go to Tikal (UNESCO) – one of the major sites of the Mayan civilization that lies in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation. In the afternoon, after optional lunch, continue to Lanquin – a pretty village located in the deep valleys between the mountains, a perfect base to explore the wonderful cave system just out of town and as a jumping-off point for visiting the natural rock pools at Semuc Champey. Upon arrival: check-in, orientation walk, free time to explore the area.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: guided visit to Tikal; orientation walk in Lanquin

Day 6: Lanquin – Semuc Champey – Uspantán

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: a conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Uspantán

In the morning choose whether to sleep, explore nearby Lanquin Caves, swim in Salto del Cabro waterfalls or tube down the Lanquin River. In the afternoon join the group to Semuc Champey – a stepped series of limestone pools with cool, flowing river water. Afterward, take one of the most picturesque roads in Guatemala that will bring you to Uspantán – a quiet and charming town in a stunning setting of a fertile valley at the base of green forested mountains. Accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner & get-together.

Activities Included: orientation walk in Uspantán; visit to Semuc Champey

Day 7: Uspantan – San Jorge La Laguna

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mayan homestay in San Jorge La Laguna

In the morning continue to San Jorge La Laguna – a peaceful Maya village in the hills next to Lake Atitlán. Optional lakeshore hike & local villages tour followed by accommodation and dinner in Mayan homestay.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: lakeshore hike & local villages tour in Lake Atitlán area

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Day 8: San Jorge La Laguna – Pacaya Volcano – Antigua Guatemala

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Antigua Guatemala

FIrstly, in the morning, go to Pacaya Volcano – an active complex volcano of 2,552 meters that has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish arrival to Guatemala. After an easy hike to the summit, continue to Antigua Guatemala (UNESCO) – a city in the central highlands famous for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque influenced architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches. Take an orientation walk with the rest of the group or explore this beautiful city by yourself. In the evening join optional farewell dinner& get-together with the rest of the group in one of the local restaurants/bars.

Transportation: private vehicle/mini-couch

Activities Included: Pacaya Volcano hike; walking tour in Antigua Guatemala

Day 9: Antigua Guatemala

Meals: Breakfast

Last day of our trip – depart at any time by a private taxi/group shuttle directly to the airport (40 km) or extend your vacation and stay more.

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