Day 1 - Arrive Guatemala City

Upon arrival at the international airport in Guatemala City you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations: WESTIN Camino Real Hotel – www.caminoreal.com.gt click on WESTIN Camino Real
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Pacaya Volcano & Spa

Drive south just 20 miles to the Pacaya Volcano National Park to climb a real active volcano at its best with lava flows and the occoasional trembling underfoot. After the hike, visit a natural hot spring and spa before an afternoon ride heading north to the Cloud Forest area for overnight accommodations at a local family run hotel with cabins.

Accommodations: Rio Escondido Lodge - www.rioescondido.net
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Mario Dary Tropical Cloud Forest Reserve & San Simon River Tubing

Visit the Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera Nature Reserve where your guide will lead a three hour hike among a verdant world of waterfalls, orchids and ancient trees. The reserve is commonly known as the Biotopo del Quetzal, a protected habitat for Guatemala's national bird, the Resplendent Quetzal.

In the afternoon drive north to the San Simon River. A local community of Maya Keckchi hosts a river tubing service in the San Simon River through a limestone canyon. Continue north to the lowland rainforests of the Peten region and the village of Candelaria. Overnight at a jungle lodge located by the entrance of the Candelaria caves.

Accommodations: Candelaria Lodge – www.cuevasdecandelaria.com
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Candelaria Cave Exploration

Enter the underworld realm of Candelaria, an extensive limestone cave system considered to be the sacred entrance to the underworld by the ancient Maya. Caves National Park encompasses miles of caves containing spectacular limestone features and archeological evidence of ancient Mayan ceremonies. Armed with headlamps, we'll walk among magnificent limestone features and spectacular chambers. Emerge from the cave for the car drive to the Pasion River, where you will board a small motorized launch for the scenic two hour river journey to the Petexbatun Lagoon. Along the way watch for abundant bird and wildlife including spider and howler monkeys.

Accommodations: Chiminos Island Lodge – www.chiminosisland.com
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Aguateca

A short boat ride from the lodge leads to the Mayan site of Aguateca; perched 300 feet above the lagoon. Hike inside a natural limestone fissure or chasm used by the Maya as a defensive wall. You may get a chance to see archeologists at work as this site is still being excavated. In the afternoon you will have the chance to visit Chiminos. The hotel is at the tip of a Peninsula artificially converted into an island by the Ancient Maya on the Petexbatun Lagoon.

Accommodations: Chiminos Island Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Ixpanpajul & Tikal

This morning you'll transfer by boat and van to the Ixpanpajul Park – www.ixpanpajul.com where you can experience the Sky Way, a hike that brings you above the canopy using hanging bridges. You'll find many viewings of birds and a spectacular view of the forest and nearby lake. In the afternoon, transfer to the ancient kingdom of Tikal. A short walk from the hotel leads to Tikal's central plaza surrounded by great temples. Climb to the top for a stunning sunset over the ancient city and encroaching rainforest. Surrounding the temples, Tikal National Park encompasses miles of pristine rainforest habitat that is home to abundant flora and fauna, easily observed as you explore the ruins. Overnight accommodations within the National Park.

Accommodations: Tikal Inn - www.tikalinn.com
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Tikal

You may wish to rise early for bird watching or climb an ancient temple to watch the sunrise. The awakening rain forest is a spectacular experience as you watch the early rays of dawn spread across the vast jungle canopy. Spend the Day in the company of an expert Mayan guide exploring the magnificent achievements of these fascinating ancient people. At its height Tikal was home to over 100,000 Mayans and was a cultural and political center. It becomes easy to imagine life in the city as you explore temples, plazas, multi leveled palaces, ball courts and living areas. Howler and Spider monkeys, coatamundi, are commonly seen while the elusive jaguar and ocelot are known to survive in this protected rainforest reserve. Almost 300 species of bird have been identified in Tikal including toucans, motmots, trogons and many different parrots. At the Days end transfer to Lake Peten to relax at the resort hotel pool.

Accommodations: Camino Real Tikal Hotel – www.caminoreal.com.gt click on Camino Real Tikal
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8 - Yaxha & Flores

Visit to Yaxha National Park archaeological site. This was the setting for "Survivor Guatemala" a few years ago. It provides the opportunity for the last hike of the trip in a pristine forest. In the afternoon visit Flores, a small town built on an island in Lake Peten Itza. Wander the narrow streets and hilltop central plaza flanked by charming homes, shops, and restaurants with red tile roofs. From Flores take a short scenic flight back to Guatemala City.

Accommodations: WESTIN Camino Real Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 - Depart

Transfer to airport for your departure or begin trip extension.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: Breakfast