A Luxury Discovery of Guatemala
Devour delicious local street food, explore ancient Iximche ruins and enjoy strolling round markets while soaking up the country’s natural beauty
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
What's included
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Privately guided tours tailored specifically to you
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Luxury accommodation throughout
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Private transfers
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Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
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Tour of ancient Iximche ruins
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Street food tour in beautiful Antigua
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Visits to local markets and textile cooperative
At a glance
Enjoy an authentic exploration of Guatemala that offers an insight into local culture and lets you experience some of Central America’s most beautiful landscapes.
Your adventure starts in the charming city of Antigua, once one of the largest seats of the Spanish colonial empire. As well as being filled with beautiful baroque architecture, the city enjoys a favourable setting in a central highland valley, ringed by three volcanoes.
Sample local delicacies on a street food tour that takes in some of the city’s tastiest food, and enjoy some time to explore the city on your own. Its pretty streets were made for walking and there are plenty of quaint plazas in which to enjoy a cup of local coffee.
En route to Lake Atitlan, visit the famous Maya archaeological site of Iximche and its atmospheric ruins, where a local shaman will perform an authentic Maya ceremony. You’ll then enjoy three days at the beautiful and peaceful Lake Atitlan, formed 80,000 years ago by a violent volcanic eruption.
As well as visiting a local textile cooperative and vibrant markets you’ll enjoy some time to take in the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings before heading to Guatemala City for your return flight.
Example trip itinerary
Antigua
Transfer
Private transfer from Guatemala airport to your hotel in Antigua
Accommodation in Antigua
- Seven rooms
- Small pool
- Dining Room
- Terrace
- Lounge
A charming boutique hotel full of character, Posada del Angel is an excellent base from which to explore Antigua. As one of the first boutique hotels in the area they have built up a deserved reputation.
There are just seven rooms and service is attentive and very friendly. Rooms are all individually decorated in a colourful colonial style. The hotel also has an excellent ‘Rosas’ suite at the top of the building with its own private terrace area.
- 14 rooms
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Rooftop terrace
One of the most comfortable and luxurious boutique hotels in Antiqua, El Convento takes its name its location just next to the historical Convent.
Built in a Colonial style the rooms are very spaciously constructed with private patio walled patio areas, large bathrooms and luxury fittings.
The hotel has a courtyard area, restaurant, bar and rooftop terrace.
- Thirteen guestrooms
- Restaurant
- Tea room
- Jacuzzi
- Wi-Fi
Steps from the cultural city of Antigua is the colonial gem Palacio de Doña Leonor. The former home of the daughter of Spanish conqueror, Don Pedro de Alvarado, this historic and elegant property is built around a pretty courtyard with a fountain shrouded in greenery and boasts superb service.
Each of the thirteen guestrooms, which range from rooms to suites, are individually designed in luxury Spanish style. Four poster beds, original art and antique chandeliers create a regal feel, while your private balcony or terrace looks down onto either the city or garden. Further graceful touches you’ll find here include hand-painted ceilings, stone fireplaces and a heated Jacuzzi spa.
What’s more, the Palacio Restaurant offers modern international cuisine and the Tea Room makes the perfect spot to enjoy a tasty cocktail.
- 125 rooms
- Large outdoor pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Museum
A historic destination in itself, Casa Santo Domingo is set over large grounds in a historic convent. Besides its well preserved and restored construction, the hotel is home to many antique pieces recovered through excavations of the grounds. The hotel includes an excellent on-site museum showcasing many of these pieces.
Flagstone walkways lead through the large hotel, leading into various gardens and courtyards – just exploring the hotel can take some time given it’s scale.
This is an excellent choice for those looking for the support and infrastructure of a larger hotel whilst still being in keeping with the historic and colonial setting of Antigua.
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Three nights in Antigua
Spend your days in this enchanting city strolling through avenidas, plazas and calles, soaking up the baroque architecture and lovely atmosphere. Explore the central market and artisan workshops and then head up to the Hill of the Cross for impressive city panoramas. Your travel designer will give you our top recommendations for culture, dining and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here.
Street food tour in Antigua
Discover the local cuisine on a tour that takes in some of Antigua’s best street food. You’ll visit several stalls, each with their own speciality, and enjoy sampling delicious morsels along the way.
Day at lesiure in Antigua
Spend a day in this enchanting city strolling through avenidas, plazas and calles, soaking up the baroque architecture and lovely atmosphere. Explore the central market and artisan workshops and then head up to the Hill of the Cross for impressive city panoramas. Your travel designer will give you our top recommendations for culture, dining and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here.
Tour of Iximche ruins and shaman ritual
Today you will be driven from Antigua to the famous Mayan archaeology site of Iximche for a tour of this fascinating site. Towards the back of the site is a lesser known (to visitors) yet it is an extremely important Maya spiritual, ceremony site. Here you will meet a local Shaman who will perform an authentic Maya ceremony for you in a local Maya language and include you in the ceremony as much as you wish. After the ceremony you can enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant.
Lake Atitlan
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel at Lake Atitlan
Lodges at Lake Atitlan
- 15 rooms
- Three-bed villa room
- Restaurant – Indoor and outdoor dining
- Indoor and outdoor lounge
- Small solar powered infinity pool
- Bar
- Gym
- Helipad
This charming and exclusive small villa hotel, built into the hills near the village of Santa Catarina Palapo village and on the shores of Lake Atitlan, provides guests with splendid views of three magnificent volcanoes. Casa Palopo is also the only Relais & Chateaux hotel in Guatemala
Casa Palopo stands as one of the most beautifully designed luxury hotels in the country; each of the 15 rooms are spacious and reflect the country’s unique décor and design, with each suite being different from the next. 12 of the rooms are located in the main hotel, while the luxurious villa boasts three rooms. Half of the rooms in the main hotel were added in 2018 and feature a more contemporary style, thought they are still very Guatemalan in their design. Guests can enjoy the spacious lounge areas inside and out and exquisite food and wines are served in the hotel’s top restaurant, where guests can enjoy their meals in elegant and sophisticated surroundings with spectacular views.
This is the perfect base for exploring the Guatemalan highlands, visiting the traditional and authentic villages to learn about Mayan culture, hiking up the heights of one of the volcanoes (Toliman, Atitlan, and San Pedro), with a local guide.
Three nights at Lake Atitlan
Spend your time at Lake Atitlan taking in the incredible scenery and exploring this outstanding area of natural beauty. The tranquil atmosphere of this location means that it's the perfect place to relax for a few days.
Full-day tour to San Juan village and Santiago village on Lake Atitlan
Transfer to San Juan La Laguna Village where you can visit a local textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and to see how they still dye with natural dyes. You can also visit the home and workshop of local naïf painters before boarding the boat onto Santiago Village for lunch. After lunch walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege of taking care of their God so his location changes. Once with Maximon you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman for you to have a personal ceremony performed. After visiting Maximon guests can visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from this area. When you are ready you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Tour of Chichicastenango Market
Today you'll be brought on a tour of the vibrant Chichicastenango Market. Explore the stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, flowers and pottery to livestock such as pigs and chickens. Textiles are a favourite at the market and make for great souvenirs. Next to the market, you'll see the 400 year old Church of Santo Tomas. This ancient church has been built on an even older site and its steps originally lead to a Mayan Temple, with each of the 18 steps standing for one month of the Maya calendar year. You'll then be transferred on to Antigua.
Time at leisure at Lake Atitlan
Guatemala City
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City
Accommodation in Guatemala City
- 274 guestrooms
- Restaurant, cafe and bar
- Swimming pool, gym and spa
- Tennis, racquetball and squash courts
- Art gallery
Take some time to relax here at the Westin Camino Real in the centre of Guatemala City.
You can look forward to plenty of comfort and all the typical features of a large, luxury hotel. Rooms and suites offer the regular mod cons, while the numerous dining spots serve up an array of local and international dishes, cakes and pastries plus tasty Guatemalan coffee.
What’s more, the wide range of leisure amenities include a heated swimming pool, a spa and tennis, racquetball and squash courts.
Overnight in Guatemala City
Transfer
Transfer to Guatemala City airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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A Luxury Discovery of Guatemala
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Enjoy an authentic exploration of Guatemala that offers an insight into local culture and lets you experience some of Central America’s most beautiful landscapes. Your adventure starts in the charming city of Antigua, once one of the largest seats of the Spanish colonial empire. As well as being filled with beautiful baroque architecture, the city enjoys a favourable setting in a central highland valley, ringed by three volcanoes. Sample local delicacies on a street food tour that takes in some of the city’s tastiest food, and enjoy some time to explore the city on your own. Its pretty streets were made for walking and there are plenty of quaint plazas in which to enjoy a cup of local coffee. En route to Lake Atitlan, visit the famous Maya archaeological site of Iximche and its atmospheric ruins, where a local shaman will perform an authentic Maya ceremony. You’ll then enjoy three days at the beautiful and peaceful Lake Atitlan, formed 80,000 years ago by a violent volcanic eruption. As well as visiting a local textile cooperative and vibrant markets you’ll enjoy some time to take in the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings before heading to Guatemala City for your return flight. | Whats included?
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Days 1-4 |
Antigua |
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Flights & transfers
Private transfer from Guatemala airport to your hotel in Antigua |
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|
Accommodation in Antigua
•
Posada del Angel - $$$$$
A charming boutique hotel full of character, Posada del Angel is an excellent base from which...
•
El Convento - $$$$$
One of the most comfortable and luxurious boutique hotels in Antiqua, El Convento takes its...
•
Palacio de Doña Leonor - $$$$$
Steps from the cultural city of Antigua is the colonial gem Palacio de Doña Leonor. The...
•
Casa Santo Domingo - $$$$$
A historic destination in itself, Casa Santo Domingo is set over large grounds in a historic...
|
|
| Three nights in Antigua Spend your days in this enchanting city strolling through avenidas, plazas and calles, soaking up the baroque architecture and lovely atmosphere. Explore the central market and artisan workshops and then head up to the Hill of the Cross for impressive city panoramas. Your travel designer will give you our top recommendations for culture, dining and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. |
|
| Street food tour in Antigua Discover the local cuisine on a tour that takes in some of Antigua’s best street food. You’ll visit several stalls, each with their own speciality, and enjoy sampling delicious morsels along the way. |
|
| Day at lesiure in Antigua Spend a day in this enchanting city strolling through avenidas, plazas and calles, soaking up the baroque architecture and lovely atmosphere. Explore the central market and artisan workshops and then head up to the Hill of the Cross for impressive city panoramas. Your travel designer will give you our top recommendations for culture, dining and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. |
|
| Tour of Iximche ruins and shaman ritual Today you will be driven from Antigua to the famous Mayan archaeology site of Iximche for a tour of this fascinating site. Towards the back of the site is a lesser known (to visitors) yet it is an extremely important Maya spiritual, ceremony site. Here you will meet a local Shaman who will perform an authentic Maya ceremony for you in a local Maya language and include you in the ceremony as much as you wish. After the ceremony you can enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant. |
|
Days 4-7 |
Lake Atitlan |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel at Lake Atitlan |
|
|
Lodges at Lake Atitlan
•
Casa Palopo - $$$$$
This charming and exclusive small villa hotel, built into the hills near the village of Santa...
|
|
| Three nights at Lake Atitlan Spend your time at Lake Atitlan taking in the incredible scenery and exploring this outstanding area of natural beauty. The tranquil atmosphere of this location means that it's the perfect place to relax for a few days. |
|
| Full-day tour to San Juan village and Santiago village on Lake Atitlan Transfer to San Juan La Laguna Village where you can visit a local textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and to see how they still dye with natural dyes. You can also visit the home and workshop of local naïf painters before boarding the boat onto Santiago Village for lunch. After lunch walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege of taking care of their God so his location changes. Once with Maximon you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman for you to have a personal ceremony performed. After visiting Maximon guests can visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from this area. When you are ready you will be transferred back to your hotel. |
|
| Tour of Chichicastenango Market Today you'll be brought on a tour of the vibrant Chichicastenango Market. Explore the stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, flowers and pottery to livestock such as pigs and chickens. Textiles are a favourite at the market and make for great souvenirs. Next to the market, you'll see the 400 year old Church of Santo Tomas. This ancient church has been built on an even older site and its steps originally lead to a Mayan Temple, with each of the 18 steps standing for one month of the Maya calendar year. You'll then be transferred on to Antigua. |
|
| Time at leisure at Lake Atitlan | |
Days 7-8 |
Guatemala City |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City |
|
|
Accommodation in Guatemala City
•
Westin Camino Real Guatemala - $$$$$
Take some time to relax here at the Westin Camino Real in the centre of Guatemala...
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| Overnight in Guatemala City | |
|
Flights & transfers
Transfer to Guatemala City airport |
