Stone walls and towers of Castillo de San Felipe seen from the water of Río Dulce

Featured journey

Culture & Nature

Copán · Río Dulce · Tikal · Semuc Champey · Lake Atitlán · Antigua Guatemala

Combine Maya heritage with Guatemala’s varied natural landscapes. This overland journey connects Copán and Tikal with tropical rivers, underground caves, natural pools and cloud forest before reaching the highlands.

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Destinations: Guatemala and Honduras
Experience: Culture, archaeology and overland nature discovery

Your journey, day by day.

Day 01
Welcome to Guatemala City
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City.
- Overnight: Guatemala City
Day 02
Cross into the Maya world of Copán
Travel to Honduras, completing border formalities en route. Explore Copán’s archaeological site, including its carved stelae, Hieroglyphic Stairway and ball court.
- Overnight: Copán
- Highlights: carved stelae, Hieroglyphic Stairway, ball court
Day 03
Quiriguá and Río Dulce
Return to Guatemala and visit Quiriguá’s sculpted monuments before continuing to Río Dulce.
- Overnight: Río Dulce
- Highlights: Quiriguá’s sculpted monuments
Day 04
Río Dulce and Livingston
Travel by boat to Livingston and discover its Garífuna character. Navigate through tropical scenery, the river canyon and channels, with panoramic views of San Felipe Castle. Continue overland to Flores.
- Overnight: Flores / Petén
- Highlights: Livingston, the river canyon, San Felipe Castle
Day 05
A day at Tikal
Explore Tikal’s Q and R complexes, Central Acropolis, Temple I and Temple II. Visit Mundo Perdido if time allows, enjoy lunch and return to your hotel.
- Overnight: Flores / Petén
- Highlights: Q and R complexes, Central Acropolis, Temple I and Temple II
Day 06
Candelaria’s underground landscapes
Travel from Flores toward Cobán, stopping to explore the Candelaria cave system and learn about its significance to Maya communities. Continue to Cobán.
- Overnight: Cobán
- Highlights: Candelaria cave system
Day 07
Discover Semuc Champey
Journey to Semuc Champey to experience its natural limestone bridge, spring-fed pools and surrounding forest. Return to Cobán after the visit.
- Overnight: Cobán
- Highlights: natural limestone bridge, spring-fed pools
Day 08
Into the cloud forest
Visit the Quetzal Biotope near Purulhá and discover its cloud-forest environment. Continue to Guatemala City. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions.
- Overnight: Guatemala City
- Highlights: Quetzal Biotope, cloud-forest environment
Day 09
Market colors and lake views
Travel to Chichicastenango to explore its traditional market and Santo Tomás Church. Continue to Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanic peaks, and enjoy a panoramic introduction to Panajachel.
- Overnight: Lake Atitlán
- Highlights: traditional market, Santo Tomás Church, Panajachel
Day 10
San Juan La Laguna to Antigua
Cross the lake by boat to San Juan La Laguna. Visit its Catholic church, discover chocolate-making at a local cooperative, learn about natural textile dyes and meet artisans working with medicinal plants. Return to Panajachel and continue to Antigua Guatemala.
- Overnight: Antigua Guatemala
- Highlights: chocolate-making, natural textile dyes, medicinal plants
Day 11
Antigua’s colonial heritage
Discover La Merced Church, the main square and the Cathedral during a half-day tour. Enjoy time to browse local shops, followed by a free afternoon to explore at your own pace.
- Overnight: Antigua Guatemala
- Highlights: La Merced Church, the main square, the Cathedral
Day 12
Until next time
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight.