8-Day Best of Guatemala Tour: Antigua, Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan and Tikal Ruins

Once you arrive at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, enjoy convenient transportation to your hotel in Antigua to gear up for your exciting 8-day guided Guatemala tour.

Explore the charming colonial city of Antigua on foot with your knowledgeable guide. Visit some of the city’s most beautiful churches, including the Baroque-style La Merced Church, San Francisco Church and Santo Domingo Monastery.

Visit La Merced Church.

Visit San Francisco Church

Enjoy breakfast before spending the morning hiking up Pacaya Volcano, the most active volcano in Guatemala. Admire impressive views of the Calderas Lagoon and the three nearby volcanoes -- Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. As you take an easy hike up Pacaya, your guide will tell you about the history of the active volcano and point out unique volcano vegetation. After your 5-hour visit to Pacaya Volcano, the rest of the day is yours to explore Antigua on your own.

Visit the archaeological site of Iximché, which was once a Mayan city. With your guide, explore the ruins’ four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. Learn about the history of this fascinating ancient site as you tour the area.

Transfer to Chichicastenango, located approximately one hour and a half north of Panajachel. Admire the beautiful landscape as you are transported north by a comfortable car. Walk through the town’s narrow cobblestone streets and past its red-tiled roofs. In the main town plaza, visit the famous Chichicastenango open-air market, filled with locally made products, like ceramic pots, wood carvings and handmade goods, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Visit Santo Tomas Church. Time for lunch (own expense) When finished, transfer to Atitlán.

Enjoy a beautiful private sightseeing cruise across the lake to the Tzutujil village of Santiago de Atitlan. Hop ashore here to discover local village life of the Tzutujil Mayan people, and visit the main street filled with shops selling everything from oil paintings to woven baskets.

Visit the main church of Santiago Atitlán

Return to Panajachel to have lunch (own expense) and visit the Santander Street. Transfer to Guatemala city.

Visit the Mayan ruin site of Tikal in Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore everything from the Central Acropolis, a maze of courtyards and small temples, to Complex Q and R, where you'll see twin pyramid complexes with altars set in front of the temples. Visit the massive Temple I, the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and learn about its historical importance from your guide.

Explore the scenic jungle landscape of this unique area overlooking the Yaxha and Sacnab lakes. As you follow your guide around Yaxha, learn about the history of this ceremonial Mayan site, which features more than 500 ancient structures. Spend time visiting various areas including pyramid temples, ball courts and elevated plazas.

After your amazing 8-day tour, relax on the drive back to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.