Activities: Hiking and Walking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Small Ship, Culture Exploration, Wildlife and Jungle Exploration, and Archaeology

Departures: Every day

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Places Visited: Antigua Guatemala, Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Ixpanpajul Park and Guatemala City

Description:

Guatemala Family Tour is part of GA´s Guatemala Family Travel. This is the perfect family vacation that will guide you throughout Guatemala, combining child-friendly activities, learning and pleasure to maintain the family atmosphere as you were at home. This program is designed for adults and children where you will visit the active Pacaya volcano very easy to ascend and watch the lava; enjoy a canopy ride through the middle of the forest and observe the nature just as the birds see it or enjoy Lake Atitlan by biking through indigenous villages

GA Unforgettable Memories:

• Horseback ride to ascend the Pacaya Volcano and when getting to the summit see the active crater
• Explore the virgin Jungle of Tikal and climb the astonishing Temple IV
• Enjoy a zipline and coffee tour in a coffee plantation with a magnificent view of the three volcanoes surrounding Antigua

Itinerary:

Day #1 Guatemala City – Antigua Guatemala:
Reception at the airport “La Aurora”.  Transfer to your hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #2 Antigua Guatemala – Coffee Plantation (B):

Visit to one of the oldest coffee plantations in Guatemala.  Time to have an amazing adventure in a zipline tour through the forest and mountains in Finca Filadelfia.   In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to discover how coffee is made.  Our guide will show the whole process since the beans are picked up in the plantation until it is served as one of the best coffees in the world.  This will be a very interesting experience that will teach you all the hard work that takes to make a cup of coffee and the people who are involved.  Visit to the most important and significant attractions of the city including Antigua’s most beautiful churches, monasteries, convents, and the cultural center.  When finished transfer back to your hotel in Antigua.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #3 Pacaya Volcano (B)

Visit to the most active volcano in Guatemala, its 2500 mts. above the sea; the environment is formed by humid forest and rocks.  This is one of the most exciting experiences in Guatemala, where you will enjoy from impressive views of the lagoon of Calderas and other three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango and landscapes as if you were on the moon. It is readily accessible and you don’t need to be in good shape to climb it, however you need to wear good hiking boots and wear long pants.  Early in the morning around 8 a.m. transfer to Pacaya Volcano for a 5 hours.  Free Afternoon in Antigua Guatemala.  Overnight accommodations in Antigua.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #4 Lake Atitlán (B):

Bike Tour for about 5 hours where you will enjoy Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The word “Atitlán” is a Mayan word that translates as “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. Discover the magic that surrounds all its greatness while visiting some Mayan Villages and other interesting sites.   Free Afternoon.

De Luxe: Atitlán Hotel or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #5 Lake Atitlan(B):
Visit to Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The word “Atitlán” is a Mayan word that translates as “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. Upon arrival discover the magic that surrounds all its greatness while taking a boat to cross the Lake and visit two different Tzutuhil Villages. Visit a small town around the lake, where you’ll be able experience the Mayan culture to the purest. Then transfer to Santiago where you will visit the confraternity of the local saint named Maximon or Ri Laj Mam, visited by different people of different ethnicities who come to ask health and prosperity in their lives. Whether you believe in it or not, make sure to enjoy this magical experience. Transfer back to Panajachel by boat to have lunch.  Transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City.  Transfer back to Panajachel by boat to have lunch.  Transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Intercontinental Hotel or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #6 Tikal (B, L):
Early in the morning we take a flight to Flores, Petén. Upon arrival transfer to one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan World, Tikal, its name means “Place of Voices”, built during the Maya Classic Period.  There are places on this earth that are so stunning that it is impossible to capture them in words or photographs. Tikal is such a place and is considered the second largest city in the Maya world. Tikal has the distinction of being the first site in Guatemala declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at Tikal archaeological site, the guide will show you the layout of the complex of Temples and Acropolis.  Visit to the Complex Q and R, then to the Central Acropolis, Temples I “El Gran Jaguar and the Temple II” Los Mascarones “, regarded as the first and one of the most important monuments in the complex.   Visit to the Lost World.  Transfer back to Flores or Tikal for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: La Lancha or similar

Standard: Camino Real Tikal or similar

Day #7 Ixpanpajul Park (B):

Visit to Ixpanpajul Park where the adventure will begin with a walk through six amazing suspension bridges where you will see the wonderful local flora and fauna.  You´ll choose to ride a horse, a tractor or bike to go around a pathway that surrounds a fruit plantation and the jungle.   Then you´ll begin the Canopy tour through nine platforms and a crossed cables system and you´ll have the chance to see different wild animals in their natural habitat.  At proper time transfer to the airport to take flight back to Guatemala City. Overnight accommodations in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Barceló or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #8 Guatemala City (B):
Transfer to the airport to take flight back to your country.

The package includes:

• All ground transportation as specified in itinerary
• Flight Guatemala City - Flores, Petén - Guatemala City via TAG (Saab 340A , Embraer 110)
• Lodging every day of the trip in specified hotels
• Boat Tour in Lake Atitlan
• All breakfasts at the hotels
• Specialized guide in your language
• All entrances and taxes
• Lunch in Tikal Park #6
• Cooler box with drinks and snacks throughout the tour

Not included:

• Tickets abroad
• Meals not specified
• Tips and Personal expenses
• Taxes on tickets abroad

Activities: Hiking and Walking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Small Ship, Culture Exploration, Wildlife and Jungle Exploration, and Archaeology

Departures: Mondays and Thursdays

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Places Visited: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Río Dulce, Livingston, Monterrico, Tikal, Yaxhá and Guatemala City

Description:

Guatemala Family Tour is part of GA´s Guatemala Family Vacations. This is the perfect family vacation that will guide you throughout Guatemala, combining child-friendly activities, learning and pleasure to maintain the family atmosphere as you were at home. This program is designed for adults and children where you will visit the active Pacaya volcano very easy to ascend and watch the lava; enjoy a canopy ride through the middle of the jungle and observe the nature just as the birds see it or relax in the black-sand beach in Monterrico.

GA Unforgettable Memories:

• Horseback ride to ascend the Pacaya Volcano and when getting to the summit touch the lava with a stick
• Explore the virgin Jungle of Tikal and climb the astonishing Temple IV
• Be in touch with wild animals in the Auto Safari where the car windows are the only thing that separates you from the jaguars and monkeys
• Riding a boat to through the waters of Río Dulce and admiring the unique vegetation and wildlife.

Itinerary:

Day #1 Guatemala City – Antigua Guatemala:
Reception at the airport “La Aurora”.  Transfer to your hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #2 Antigua Guatemala- Coffee Plantation (B,L):

Visit to the most important and significant attractions of the city including Antigua’s most beautiful churches, monasteries, convents, and the cultural center. In the afternoon visit a coffee plantation for a mule ride and experience the entire coffee process considered one of the best in the world in quality and flavor.  Overnight accommodations in Antigua Guatemala.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #3 Pacaya Volcano (B):

Visit to the most active volcano in Guatemala, its 2500 mts. above the sea; the environment is formed by humid forest and rocks.  This is one of the most exciting experiences in Guatemala, where you will enjoy from impressive views of the lagoon of Calderas and other three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, and landscapes as if you were on the moon. It is readily accessible and you don’t need to be in good shape to climb it, however you need to wear good hiking boots and wear long pants.  Early in the morning around 8 a.m. transfer to Pacaya Volcano for a 5 hours visit.     Free afternoon in Antigua.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #4 Chichicastenango (B):

Transfer  to Chichicastenango’s market, the most colorful and exciting place in the Mayan Highlands and the only place in Guatemala of 100% Quiché population. Admire the historical and mystic Church of Santo Tomás, where the Mayan bible was discovered. Be the witness of Mayan ceremonies inside the church, where you can presence their gifts to the Mayan God’s. Transfer to Panajachel for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: Hotel Atitlán or similar

Standard:  Posada de Don Rodrigo

Day #5 Lake Atitlán (B):

Bike Tour for about 5 hours where you will enjoy Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The word “Atitlán” is a Mayan word that translates as “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. Discover the magic that surrounds all its greatness while visiting some Mayan Villages and other interesting sites.   Free Afternoon.

De Luxe: Hotel Atitlán or similar

Standard:  Posada de Don Rodrigo

Day #6 Auto Safari Chapín – Monterrico (B):

Transfer to Monterrico Beach.  You will visit Auto Safari Chapín, the first zoo in Central America where you can drive through in your car. Your car windows and doors are the only things that separate you from the animals.

De Luxe & Standard: Dos Mundos or similar

Day #7 Monterrico (B):

Free morning to enjoy the black sand Beach at Monterrico.  Transfer to Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Barceló or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #8 Río Dulce (B):

Transfer from Guatemala City to Río Dulce.  Visit to Finca Paraíso.

On the riverside of the waters that divide Río Dulce and Lake Izabal is the Castle of San Felipe, which was built and rebuilt several times in the early sixteenth century because of the constant incursions of pirates by the Río Dulce.  Time for your own in Rio Dulce.

De Luxe & Standard: Nana Juana or similar

Day #9 Río Dulce (B):

Time to enjoy a boat trip from Río Dulce to Livingston, which is a river running from Lake Izabal, in the eastern part of Guatemala, to the Carribean. On the way visit to the Isle of Birds and the Ak-Tenamit Project, that is a Kekchi origin population. Then the excitement continues with a half an hour stop in the area of hot waters, near the entrance of the canyon of Rio Dulce. At the end of the journey the river mouth will reach the Caribbean Sea “La Buga” Livingston, a population of African origin that was originally called La Buga which means La Boca. Livingston is a fun and interesting Carribean town that is populated by the Garifuna people of African origin with a laid-back Carribean attitude, their own language (though they tend to speak Spanish and English as well), and a style of dancing known as “Punta” that requires the hips to move faster than lightening. Transfer to Tikal or Flores for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: La Lancha or similar

Standard: Camino Real Tikal or similar

Day #10 Tikal (B,L):

Transfer to one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan World, Tikal, its name means “Place of Voices”, built during the Maya Classic Period.  There are places on this earth that are so stunning that it is impossible to capture them in words or photographs. Tikal is such a place and is considered the second largest city in the Maya world. Tikal has the distinction of being the first site in Guatemala declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at Tikal archaeological site, our guide will show you the layout of the complex of Temples and Acropolis.  Visit to the Complex Q and R, then to the Central Acropolis, Temples I “El Gran Jaguar and the Temple II” Los Mascarones “, regarded as the first and one of the most important monuments in the complex.   Visit to the Lost World.  Transfer back to Flores or Tikal for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: La Lancha or Similar

Standard: Camino Real Tikal

Day #11 Ixpanpajul Park (B,L):

Visit to Ixpanpajul Park where the adventure will begin with a walk through six amazing suspension bridges where you will see the wonderful local flora and fauna.  You´ll choose to ride a horse, a tractor or bike to go around a pathway that surrounds a fruit plantation and the jungle.   Then you´ll begin the Canopy tour through nine platforms and a crossed cables system and you´ll have the chance to see different wild animals in their natural habitat.  At proper time transfer to the airport to take flight back to Guatemala City. Overnight accommodations in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Barceló or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #12 Guatemala City (B):

Transfer to the airport to take flight back.

(Includes: One way flight from Flores, Petén to Guatemala City)

The package includes:

• All ground transportation as specified in itinerary
• Flight from Flores, Petén to Guatemala City via TAG (Saab 340A , Embraer 110)
• Lodging everyday of the trip in hotels specified
• Private Boat Tour in Lake Atitlan and Rio Dulce
• All breakfasts at the hotels
• Specialized guide in your language
• All entrances and taxes
• Lunch in Tikal Park on Day #9
• Cooler box with drinks  throughout the tour

Not included:

• Tickets abroad
• Meals not specified
• Tips and Personal expenses
• Taxes on tickets abroad

**Prices may vary depending on selected hotels.

Other Related & Recommended Family Vacations in Guatemala:

Mayan Expedition Tour – 11 Days and 10 Nights

Explore the Soul of the Earh – 8 Days and 7 Nights