40% Off Luxury Guatemala Highlands Tour
40% off 7-day tour of luxury Guatemala Highlands
Enjoy 40% off this luxury 7-day tour of the Guatemala Highlands and save up to £500 per person. Maya Mystery & Magic is combined with stays in the colonial city of Antigua and on the shores of Lake Atitlan in charming boutique hotels - the Palacio Dona Leonor and the Laguna Lodge.
The itinerary
Day 1 (Sun). Arrival &private transfer to Antigua
Upon arrival at Guatemala City Airport you will be met by you bi-lingual driver and transfered to Antigua (1hr).
Overnight: Palacio Dona Leonor
Day 2 (Mon). Antigua Walking Tour & Free Afternoon
After breakfast at the hotel your private guide will meet you at your hotel for a half day walking tour of Antigua. Afternoon is free to explore Antigua on your own.
Overnight: Palacio Dona Leonor (B)
Day 3 (Tue). Free Day in Antigua
Free Day in Antigua - book tours locally to visit Coffee Farms, Maya museums, textile tours, climb the active volcano of Pacaya or any number of interesting activities.
Overnight: Palacio Dona Leonor (B)
Day 4 (Wed). Transfer to Lake Atitlan
Private transfer by car and boat to Laguna Lodge on the shores of Lake Atitlan often described as ’the most beautiful lake in the world’. Overnight: Laguna Lodge - Eco Boutique Hotel (B) (Please note that only Laguna Lodge serves gourmet vegetarian food only)
Day 5 (Thur). Chichicastenango Market
Today you will take a private transfer to Chichicastenango Market where you will spend time exploring (unguided).
Overnight: Laguna Lodge - Eco Boutique Hotel (B)
Day 6 (Fri). Lake Tour
Transfer by boat for a full day Lake and Village Tour to San Juan La Laguna and Santiago.
Overnight: Laguna Lodge - Eco Boutique Hotel (B,L)
Day 7 (Sat). End of Tour
Transfer to airport in time for international flight (B)
| Departures | Prices From (per person) |
Saving (per couple) |
| Jun - Nov 2009 | £695 | £1,000 |
| Conditions: Only available for tours beginning in June 2009. Tours must start on a Sunday. Price based on double occupancy - please enquire for single or small group travellers. | ||
| International flights not included - please call us for latest fares and offers. | ||
Hotel & Destination Information
Antigua
Antigua Guatemala. La Antigua (the old one), former colonial capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, combines 17th and 18th century buildings and ruins with all the modern conveniences discerning travelers desire. The city was established as Santiago (St James) in 1543 after a mudslide destroyed the former capital. Santiago’s history was punctuated by massive earthquakes, followed by rebuilding and reparation, until the earthquake of Santa Marta in 1773 prompted a move to the present capital in Guatemala City. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Antigua exudes a unique atmosphere of history, intrigue and surprise. Resting in a fertile valley at 1530 m and surrounded by hills and volcanoes, Antigua’s climate is likened to ’eternal spring’.
Antigua - Luxury Boutique Hotel - Palacio de Dona Leonor
An authentic colonial mansion is the location for this beautiful 12 room boutique hotel right in the heart of Antigua. Just half a block from the central park this is Antigua’s most central hotel. Each room is named after a historical figure from Antigua’s past and is decorated in a different way still in keeping with the colonial theme of the hotel. There is a restaurant, breakfast room, outdoor lounge and breakfast areas in the central courtyard. The hotel prides itself on offering the best service in Antigua and lots of personal touches to make the guest’s experience truly outstanding.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan has been called by many "the most beautiful lake in the world". It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan Volcanoes. You can take a private boat to villages surrounding the lake and experience the local indigenous customs, traditions, dress and crafts. In the village of Santiago guides can show you where the local Mayan community worships an image called Maximon feeding him alcohol and cigarettes in an attempt to make their wishes come true. This village is also famous for its primitive art and beautiful woven "huipiles" - women’s tunics.
Lake Atitlan - Luxury Eco-Boutique Hotel - Laguna Lodge
Laguna Lodge is a luxury, boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Atitlan close to the village of St Cruz. It is only accessible by boat. The hotel is in fact located on a large private area of land called the Tzantizotz Nature Reserve and the hotel is operated with a strong focus on sustainable travel best practice. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious and with balconies that offer wonderful views across the lake to the San Pedro and Atitlan Volcanoes. Food is gourmet vegetarian.
Chichicastenango Market
Chichicastenango is famous for its large craft market on Sunday and Thursday. This is when craftsmen and villagers from all over the highlands converge on this small town to sell their wares. Sunday is an interesting day to visit because as well as the hugely colorful market, many village shamans will come from miles around to "Chichi", as the locals call it, to perform Mayan rituals on behalf of people in their community. There are many hillside Mayan altar sites where the rituals are performed and, yet more strangely, many are performed on altar slabs inside the catholic church. Chichi is one of the easiest places for travellers to experience the strange way that Mayan & Catholic faiths have merged in Guatemala. During a trip to Chichi, you can also visit the small mask factory and see a traditional dance display performed by the local children.
Lake Tour
You will be picked up from your hotel & transfer to San Juan La Laguna Village where you visit a local textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and to see how they still dye with natural dyes. You will 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 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 you 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.
Terms & conditions
- Prices are per person based on two people sharing accommodation.
- International flights are not included and tours must start on a Sunday in June.
- Supplier booking conditions apply and offers are subject to availability.
Pricing on this offer is no longer valid. For the latest prices call one of our tailor-made travel experts now on 0845 643 6548.
To book, call 0845 643 6548
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX357.
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