Classic Guatemala Tour
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
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Tour Information
Description
Encounter rich Maya culture, the UNESCO colonial city of Antigua, and one of the most culturally historic lakes in the world on this 7 day / 6 night Classic Guatemala Tour. On this experience of a lifetime, you will exercise senses you didn’t even know you had as you unearth the mysteries of the Maya, explore the colorful streets of Antigua, taste the world’s best coffee and chocolate, and dive head-first into what could be one of the best vacations of your days. Your professional guide will accompany you the entire way, with four nights in astounding Antigua and two nights at the breathtaking Lake Atitlán. On this tour, it’s guaranteed that you will experience Guatemala at its finest and gain a true understanding and appreciation, from experience, why Guatemala is such a colorful and top-notch destination.
Itinerary
Day One: Arrival & Antigua
Based upon the time your flight arrives at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, your professional guide will be waiting for you at your final customs exit. Following a quick meet and greet, you will ride to Antigua, get settled into your private accommodations. After a time of acclimation and rest from a long travel day, you will be taken to one of our favorite restaurants in the city to experience their mouth-watering cuisine and the incredible ambience that they offer! If you choose, your guide will drop you off at your accommodations after dinner. If you desire to explore the nightlife of Antigua, you will be free to do so.
Day Two: Guatemalan History & Culture
At the pre-arranged time that you choose, your professional guide will take you to the best viewpoint, overlooking the city of Antigua. After a short walk down, you will begin your day with an Antigua Walking Tour where you will receive a completely comprehensive education on Guatemalan culture, history, folklore, and much more on this two hour tour. You will be walked through Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, led by a professional guide, to learn of and visit some of the city’s colonial architecture, churches, ruins, cuisine, rich textiles, local people groups, personalities and so much more. Each step will take you deeper into the secrets of this ancient city, helping you to discover and understand the complexities of Guatemalan society via its history, customs, culture, and a number of other things that may leave you scratching your head.
After lunch at the restaurant of your choice, you will be transported just outside of town to meet one of the most experienced jade artisans in Guatemala. You will be welcomed into the home of he and his family to learn all about his trade, jade, its history in Guatemalan culture, and then you will spend time choosing, shaping, and polishing a stone that is yours to keep. What you may find most amazing about this experience is the time with their family, learning each other’s stories and connecting with one another as you work.
Following your Jade Workshop, you will be returned to your accommodations to rest and freshen up before dinner at a restaurant that offers an artistic and tasty interpretation on international cuisine from a prized chef. Oh, and their desserts may leave you drooling with a curiosity that beckons you to the kitchen to give it a try yourself. After dinner, your guide will drop you off at your accommodations if you so choose. If you desire to further explore the nightlife of Antigua, you will be free to do so.
Day Three: Colonial Antigua & Local Trade
Day three will be the grand finale of your relaxing time in Antigua with a Guatemala Coffee Farm Tour, time to explore the best local artisan markets, and dinner at our favorite restaurant in Antigua!
Following your breakfast, you will be transported to a local Guatemalan coffee farm to experience a day in the life of a local Guatemalan coffee farmer. After a short hike up Volcán Agua to explore and learn about the coffee fields, you will be invited into the farmer's house to experience and utilize the machinery used to process coffee. The best part comes at the end when you get to roast coffee in the traditional Guatemalan way, over the fire, and share a fresh cup of coffee with the farmer and their family.
After lunch at the restaurant of your choice, you will be guided to the most famous artisan markets in Antigua to satisfy your appetite for souvenirs and gifts. And believe us when we tell you, Antigua has a great variety of high quality souvenirs for everyone alike!
Just before dinner, you will take time to freshen up to experience our favorite culinary establishment in the city, one that offers dishes that might leave you drooling for more. The chef is a self-made genius in the kitchen who has published a number of books. Just wait, you won’t leave disappointed. Following dinner, you may want to explore Antigua's nightlife, but if not, your guide will escort you to your accommodations.
Day Four: Farewell Antigua, Hello Lake Atitlán
After breakfast, you will take off for Iximché, a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological site that was once the capital of the late Maya Kaqchikel kingdom. There, you will explore the over 500 year old pyramid-temples, palaces, and ballcourts to uncover some of the mysteries of the Maya empire that may leave you scratching your head.
Following your departure from Iximché, you will be transported about an hour and a half to Lake Atitlán to get settled into your accommodations. Depending on the location of your accommodations, you may eat lunch at a restaurant of your choice either before or after arriving.
You will then have the opportunity to either rest a bit and get acclimated to the relaxing pace of Lake Atitlán or you may want to walk down and dip your toes in the crystal clear blue waters of Central America’s deepest lake. Lake Atitlán is also renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world that is surrounded by a number of different cultures of Maya.
After your amazing afternoon, you will then take time to clean up before being transported to the highest rated restaurant in Panajachel that offers top-notch service and a delightful selection of authentic cuisine. After dinner, your guide will ensure that you are transported safely back to your accommodations. If you desire to explore the nightlife, you will be free to do so.
Day Five: Breathtaking Views & Tribal Experiences
At the arranged time you choose, your professional guide will meet you to begin your day with an easy and relaxing hike that offers some of the best views of Lake Atitlán. You will first be transported to your beginning location in a boat taxi, then you will be free to take your leisurely hike at your own pace, stopping for as many photos or awe-struck moments as you please. It’s guaranteed that you will love it!
Following your hike, you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at a special place overlooking the water. This is the perfect time to kick your feet back and soak it all in, as you will be on top of the world.
After your relaxing lunch, you will take a short boat taxi to a nearby town to experience the entire craft process of tribal weaving and will learn about its significance in the local Maya cultures. You might even get to help dye the threads in their natural ways or finish a piece with the local Maya. One thing we guarantee is that you will see tribal weaving at its most pure and pride-filled form.
To finish your evening in the most immaculate style, after cleaning up, you will be taken just off the water, high into a mountain town to a place that has been claimed by many as the restaurant with “the best view and the most creative and tasty food in Guatemala.” What's better is that this restaurant employs students from an acclaimed culinary school and all its proceeds go to support the local community. There you will experience an in-depth education and hands-on experience with one of Guatemala’s proudest creations: chocolate. You will learn about its origin and history while you are making your own bar of chocolate, starting from the bean, with your very own private chef. All the while, you will be looking out from the most beautiful viewpoint of Lake Atitlán. After you spoil your dinner with chocolate, you will take a seat and experience their fine dining at the same restaurant, what we claim is the best tasting cause in Guatemala. One thing guaranteed is that you will leave with a full stomach and a happy heart.
Day Six: Maya Chichicastenango & Colonial Antigua
At the arranged time, your professional guide will ensure that you are checked out of your accommodations and transported from at the proper time to your taxi where you will journey through the highlands of western Guatemala to the small indigenous Maya town of Chichicastenango. It is there that you will spend time at the largest and most well-known artisan market in Central America. The Chichicastenango Market can be best explained as an “explosion of color and creativity.” You might even get the chance to see a ceremony at the Saint Thomas Church, a Catholic church where both Mayan rituals and Catholic traditions are mixed and practiced daily by the locals.
From Chichicastenango, you will be transported back to Antigua for your final night in Guatemala. Since you are already familiar with Antigua, depending on your time of arrival and check-in status at your accommodations, you might have time to explore the city and visit that place that caught your eye at the beginning of your tour.
No matter what, you will finish your tour with a bang at a historical restaurant that provides a romantic atmosphere and a wonderful selection of award-winning international cuisine. You might even want to stay a little longer, just to cherish the sheer beauty of your final night to soak it all in and reflect on your time in Guatemala. After dinner, your guide will ensure that you are transported safely back to your accommodations, but if you desire to explore the nightlife, you will be free to do so.
Day Seven: Final Taste & Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight, you might have the opportunity to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Antigua. If so, you will have time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs from local artisans and/or take those photos that you may have missed. At the appointed time, you will be picked up by your private taxi, escorted directly to the La Aurora International Airport, and dropped off three to four hours prior to your departure for an ample amount of time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs, check your bags, go through security and customs, and arrive at your gate for a safe flight home.
Included & Not Included
Included
- Professional Guide*
- Hand-Picked Accommodations*
- Four Nights in Antigua
- Two Nights at Lake Atitlán
- Breakfasts (6) & Dinners (6)
- Airport Pick-up / Drop-off
- All Transportation
- Viewpoint at the Hill of the Cross*
- Antigua Walking Tour
- Jade Artisan Workshop
- Coffee Farm Tour*
- Antigua Market Tour
- Iximché Archaeological Site Tour
- Leisurely Hike with Incredible Views*
- Tribal Weaving Experience
- Bean to Bar Chocolate Experience
- Chichicastenango Tour*
- Professional Photography + Photos
- Detailed Itinerary & Tour Packet
- Seasonal Packing List
- Emergency Support
Not Included
- Airfare
- Lunch
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Tips (Guide, Drivers, etc)
More Information
- A star next to items under INCLUDED notate that more information can be found in the WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR TOUR section below.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR TOUR
On this Classic Guatemala Tour, you will begin and end at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. You can expect your complete itinerary from transportation, accommodations, private tours/experiences, and meals to be previously arranged and paid for by your guide. You will be accompanied the entire tour by a Gardner Tours professional guide, educated on Guatemala’s colorful culture and history, its coffee, etc, and all we require of you is to simply enjoy yourself! In the event that something changes or doesn’t go exactly as planned, please be patient and courteous, as it is our guarantee that our guides will handle any challenges with timely grace to ensure that you are taken care of and that you get the authentic Guatemalan experience you desire.
Your Tour Guide
Each of our guides are well versed and able to answer almost any question you may have for them! You will have complete freedom to take your tour at the pace you please, deciding to sit and enjoy the view as long as you desire, asking the coffee farmer as many questions as you want, or simply enjoying your dinner just a little longer than normal. Your guide will give you time and space to enjoy your lunch each day as you like (with or without them). They meet you at the arranged time each morning to begin your day and will drop you off at your accommodations each night. They will serve you along the way and ensure that you are well taken care of during your entire stay.
Classic Guatemala Tour Accommodations
Your accommodations will be at authorized Guatemalan BnB or hotels that are equipped with air-conditioners as well as private bathrooms. Each of our accommodation partners provide private rooms and can occupy up to two persons per room with the occasional exception. If you desire to share a room with your travel companion, or desire three or more persons per room, please specify in the details of your booking.
The Hill of the Cross
The Hill of the Cross provides arguably the best view of Colonial Antigua possible, but we can’t guarantee you that there won’t be thick clouds. Throughout most of the year, the mornings are when the sky is clear, showing you the entirety of the city and Volcán Agua in the distance. Don’t worry, your guide will keep their eyes on the weather to ensure that you get the best view at the right time.
Guatemalan Coffee Harvest
Coffee harvest in Guatemala is during the dry season, from October to March. If you book in these months, you might even get to help in harvest! However, if you happen to book from April to September, know that you might see barren coffee plants, but it is our guarantee that you will experience the same education and coffee experience as if you were visiting in-season. You might not get to witness the acts of harvest, but you will definitely encounter the world’s greatest coffee culture at work.
Leisurely Hike on Lake Atitlán
One morning on your tour, you will get the chance to take a leisurely hike along the waters of Lake Atitlán. The hike will be about 1.25 miles / 2 kilometers of different terrain from rocks to bamboo bridges and wooden sidewalks all the way to grassy knolls by the water. The elevation change will be approximately 250 feet / 76 meters, but not all at once. Remember, this is a leisure hike with a difficulty of easy to moderate and you are free to take it at your own pace. More than anything, we want you to enjoy the breathtaking views as you get out and about.
Visiting Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is truly an unforgettable place to visit, as it houses Central America’s largest market and one of the only places left in the world where tribal rituals are still mixed and ceremonially celebrated today. The Chichicastenango Market is only open on Thursdays and Sundays, so if you happen to book your tour that does not begin on a Saturday, your tour will have to skip Chichicastenango. However, if that is the case, we will ensure that you spend more time enjoying Lake Atitlán or are returned to Antigua with ample time to thoroughly explore that which caught your eye at the beginning of your tour. No matter what, your experience is our top priority.
Our Guarantee To You
Gardner Tours is committed to delivering you the most hospitable and entertaining tours offered in Guatemala! If you have questions or would like to adjust this tour in any way, feel free to contact us and we will gladly accommodate your desires.
Map & Location
Encounter rich Maya culture, the UNESCO colonial city of Antigua, and one of the most culturally historic lakes in the world on this 7 day / 6 night Classic Guatemala Tour. On this experience of a lifetime, you will exercise senses you didn’t even know you had as you unearth the mysteries of the Maya, explore the colorful streets of Antigua, taste the world’s best coffee and chocolate, and dive head-first into what could be one of the best vacations of your days. Your professional guide will accompany you the entire way, with four nights in astounding Antigua and two nights at the breathtaking Lake Atitlán. On this tour, it’s guaranteed that you will experience Guatemala at its finest and gain a true understanding and appreciation, from experience, why Guatemala is such a colorful and top-notch destination.
Day One: Arrival & Antigua
Based upon the time your flight arrives at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, your professional guide will be waiting for you at your final customs exit. Following a quick meet and greet, you will ride to Antigua, get settled into your private accommodations. After a time of acclimation and rest from a long travel day, you will be taken to one of our favorite restaurants in the city to experience their mouth-watering cuisine and the incredible ambience that they offer! If you choose, your guide will drop you off at your accommodations after dinner. If you desire to explore the nightlife of Antigua, you will be free to do so.
Day Two: Guatemalan History & Culture
At the pre-arranged time that you choose, your professional guide will take you to the best viewpoint, overlooking the city of Antigua. After a short walk down, you will begin your day with an Antigua Walking Tour where you will receive a completely comprehensive education on Guatemalan culture, history, folklore, and much more on this two hour tour. You will be walked through Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, led by a professional guide, to learn of and visit some of the city’s colonial architecture, churches, ruins, cuisine, rich textiles, local people groups, personalities and so much more. Each step will take you deeper into the secrets of this ancient city, helping you to discover and understand the complexities of Guatemalan society via its history, customs, culture, and a number of other things that may leave you scratching your head.
After lunch at the restaurant of your choice, you will be transported just outside of town to meet one of the most experienced jade artisans in Guatemala. You will be welcomed into the home of he and his family to learn all about his trade, jade, its history in Guatemalan culture, and then you will spend time choosing, shaping, and polishing a stone that is yours to keep. What you may find most amazing about this experience is the time with their family, learning each other’s stories and connecting with one another as you work.
Following your Jade Workshop, you will be returned to your accommodations to rest and freshen up before dinner at a restaurant that offers an artistic and tasty interpretation on international cuisine from a prized chef. Oh, and their desserts may leave you drooling with a curiosity that beckons you to the kitchen to give it a try yourself. After dinner, your guide will drop you off at your accommodations if you so choose. If you desire to further explore the nightlife of Antigua, you will be free to do so.
Day Three: Colonial Antigua & Local Trade
Day three will be the grand finale of your relaxing time in Antigua with a Guatemala Coffee Farm Tour, time to explore the best local artisan markets, and dinner at our favorite restaurant in Antigua!
Following your breakfast, you will be transported to a local Guatemalan coffee farm to experience a day in the life of a local Guatemalan coffee farmer. After a short hike up Volcán Agua to explore and learn about the coffee fields, you will be invited into the farmer's house to experience and utilize the machinery used to process coffee. The best part comes at the end when you get to roast coffee in the traditional Guatemalan way, over the fire, and share a fresh cup of coffee with the farmer and their family.
After lunch at the restaurant of your choice, you will be guided to the most famous artisan markets in Antigua to satisfy your appetite for souvenirs and gifts. And believe us when we tell you, Antigua has a great variety of high quality souvenirs for everyone alike!
Just before dinner, you will take time to freshen up to experience our favorite culinary establishment in the city, one that offers dishes that might leave you drooling for more. The chef is a self-made genius in the kitchen who has published a number of books. Just wait, you won’t leave disappointed. Following dinner, you may want to explore Antigua's nightlife, but if not, your guide will escort you to your accommodations.
Day Four: Farewell Antigua, Hello Lake Atitlán
After breakfast, you will take off for Iximché, a Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological site that was once the capital of the late Maya Kaqchikel kingdom. There, you will explore the over 500 year old pyramid-temples, palaces, and ballcourts to uncover some of the mysteries of the Maya empire that may leave you scratching your head.
Following your departure from Iximché, you will be transported about an hour and a half to Lake Atitlán to get settled into your accommodations. Depending on the location of your accommodations, you may eat lunch at a restaurant of your choice either before or after arriving.
You will then have the opportunity to either rest a bit and get acclimated to the relaxing pace of Lake Atitlán or you may want to walk down and dip your toes in the crystal clear blue waters of Central America’s deepest lake. Lake Atitlán is also renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world that is surrounded by a number of different cultures of Maya.
After your amazing afternoon, you will then take time to clean up before being transported to the highest rated restaurant in Panajachel that offers top-notch service and a delightful selection of authentic cuisine. After dinner, your guide will ensure that you are transported safely back to your accommodations. If you desire to explore the nightlife, you will be free to do so.
Day Five: Breathtaking Views & Tribal Experiences
At the arranged time you choose, your professional guide will meet you to begin your day with an easy and relaxing hike that offers some of the best views of Lake Atitlán. You will first be transported to your beginning location in a boat taxi, then you will be free to take your leisurely hike at your own pace, stopping for as many photos or awe-struck moments as you please. It’s guaranteed that you will love it!
Following your hike, you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at a special place overlooking the water. This is the perfect time to kick your feet back and soak it all in, as you will be on top of the world.
After your relaxing lunch, you will take a short boat taxi to a nearby town to experience the entire craft process of tribal weaving and will learn about its significance in the local Maya cultures. You might even get to help dye the threads in their natural ways or finish a piece with the local Maya. One thing we guarantee is that you will see tribal weaving at its most pure and pride-filled form.
To finish your evening in the most immaculate style, after cleaning up, you will be taken just off the water, high into a mountain town to a place that has been claimed by many as the restaurant with “the best view and the most creative and tasty food in Guatemala.” What's better is that this restaurant employs students from an acclaimed culinary school and all its proceeds go to support the local community. There you will experience an in-depth education and hands-on experience with one of Guatemala’s proudest creations: chocolate. You will learn about its origin and history while you are making your own bar of chocolate, starting from the bean, with your very own private chef. All the while, you will be looking out from the most beautiful viewpoint of Lake Atitlán. After you spoil your dinner with chocolate, you will take a seat and experience their fine dining at the same restaurant, what we claim is the best tasting cause in Guatemala. One thing guaranteed is that you will leave with a full stomach and a happy heart.
Day Six: Maya Chichicastenango & Colonial Antigua
At the arranged time, your professional guide will ensure that you are checked out of your accommodations and transported from at the proper time to your taxi where you will journey through the highlands of western Guatemala to the small indigenous Maya town of Chichicastenango. It is there that you will spend time at the largest and most well-known artisan market in Central America. The Chichicastenango Market can be best explained as an “explosion of color and creativity.” You might even get the chance to see a ceremony at the Saint Thomas Church, a Catholic church where both Mayan rituals and Catholic traditions are mixed and practiced daily by the locals.
From Chichicastenango, you will be transported back to Antigua for your final night in Guatemala. Since you are already familiar with Antigua, depending on your time of arrival and check-in status at your accommodations, you might have time to explore the city and visit that place that caught your eye at the beginning of your tour.
No matter what, you will finish your tour with a bang at a historical restaurant that provides a romantic atmosphere and a wonderful selection of award-winning international cuisine. You might even want to stay a little longer, just to cherish the sheer beauty of your final night to soak it all in and reflect on your time in Guatemala. After dinner, your guide will ensure that you are transported safely back to your accommodations, but if you desire to explore the nightlife, you will be free to do so.
Day Seven: Final Taste & Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight, you might have the opportunity to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Antigua. If so, you will have time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs from local artisans and/or take those photos that you may have missed. At the appointed time, you will be picked up by your private taxi, escorted directly to the La Aurora International Airport, and dropped off three to four hours prior to your departure for an ample amount of time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs, check your bags, go through security and customs, and arrive at your gate for a safe flight home.
Included
- Professional Guide*
- Hand-Picked Accommodations*
- Four Nights in Antigua
- Two Nights at Lake Atitlán
- Breakfasts (6) & Dinners (6)
- Airport Pick-up / Drop-off
- All Transportation
- Viewpoint at the Hill of the Cross*
- Antigua Walking Tour
- Jade Artisan Workshop
- Coffee Farm Tour*
- Antigua Market Tour
- Iximché Archaeological Site Tour
- Leisurely Hike with Incredible Views*
- Tribal Weaving Experience
- Bean to Bar Chocolate Experience
- Chichicastenango Tour*
- Professional Photography + Photos
- Detailed Itinerary & Tour Packet
- Seasonal Packing List
- Emergency Support
Not Included
- Airfare
- Lunch
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Tips (Guide, Drivers, etc)
More Information
- A star next to items under INCLUDED notate that more information can be found in the WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR TOUR section below.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR TOUR
On this Classic Guatemala Tour, you will begin and end at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. You can expect your complete itinerary from transportation, accommodations, private tours/experiences, and meals to be previously arranged and paid for by your guide. You will be accompanied the entire tour by a Gardner Tours professional guide, educated on Guatemala’s colorful culture and history, its coffee, etc, and all we require of you is to simply enjoy yourself! In the event that something changes or doesn’t go exactly as planned, please be patient and courteous, as it is our guarantee that our guides will handle any challenges with timely grace to ensure that you are taken care of and that you get the authentic Guatemalan experience you desire.
Your Tour Guide
Each of our guides are well versed and able to answer almost any question you may have for them! You will have complete freedom to take your tour at the pace you please, deciding to sit and enjoy the view as long as you desire, asking the coffee farmer as many questions as you want, or simply enjoying your dinner just a little longer than normal. Your guide will give you time and space to enjoy your lunch each day as you like (with or without them). They meet you at the arranged time each morning to begin your day and will drop you off at your accommodations each night. They will serve you along the way and ensure that you are well taken care of during your entire stay.
Classic Guatemala Tour Accommodations
Your accommodations will be at authorized Guatemalan BnB or hotels that are equipped with air-conditioners as well as private bathrooms. Each of our accommodation partners provide private rooms and can occupy up to two persons per room with the occasional exception. If you desire to share a room with your travel companion, or desire three or more persons per room, please specify in the details of your booking.
The Hill of the Cross
The Hill of the Cross provides arguably the best view of Colonial Antigua possible, but we can’t guarantee you that there won’t be thick clouds. Throughout most of the year, the mornings are when the sky is clear, showing you the entirety of the city and Volcán Agua in the distance. Don’t worry, your guide will keep their eyes on the weather to ensure that you get the best view at the right time.
Guatemalan Coffee Harvest
Coffee harvest in Guatemala is during the dry season, from October to March. If you book in these months, you might even get to help in harvest! However, if you happen to book from April to September, know that you might see barren coffee plants, but it is our guarantee that you will experience the same education and coffee experience as if you were visiting in-season. You might not get to witness the acts of harvest, but you will definitely encounter the world’s greatest coffee culture at work.
Leisurely Hike on Lake Atitlán
One morning on your tour, you will get the chance to take a leisurely hike along the waters of Lake Atitlán. The hike will be about 1.25 miles / 2 kilometers of different terrain from rocks to bamboo bridges and wooden sidewalks all the way to grassy knolls by the water. The elevation change will be approximately 250 feet / 76 meters, but not all at once. Remember, this is a leisure hike with a difficulty of easy to moderate and you are free to take it at your own pace. More than anything, we want you to enjoy the breathtaking views as you get out and about.
Visiting Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is truly an unforgettable place to visit, as it houses Central America’s largest market and one of the only places left in the world where tribal rituals are still mixed and ceremonially celebrated today. The Chichicastenango Market is only open on Thursdays and Sundays, so if you happen to book your tour that does not begin on a Saturday, your tour will have to skip Chichicastenango. However, if that is the case, we will ensure that you spend more time enjoying Lake Atitlán or are returned to Antigua with ample time to thoroughly explore that which caught your eye at the beginning of your tour. No matter what, your experience is our top priority.
Our Guarantee To You
Gardner Tours is committed to delivering you the most hospitable and entertaining tours offered in Guatemala! If you have questions or would like to adjust this tour in any way, feel free to contact us and we will gladly accommodate your desires.
Preparation
After booking, you will receive an email with a detailed itinerary and tour packet. Those documents will guide you through the entire process of preparation (purchasing flights, visas, packing list, etc), what your arrival will look like, the details of your tour (duration), and how your departure will be handled.
Our team is committed to serve you with the utmost hospitality, so we are honored to serve you and ensure that you are prepared in the most comfortable way that suits you.
Be assured that if you need help, we will be here to personally guide each step of the way.
Arrival
Based upon the time your flight arrives at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, your Gardner Tours Professional Guide will be waiting for you at your final customs exit.
Following a quick meet and greet, you will make your way to Antigua in a privately arranged taxi, get settled into your BnB, then kick your tour off with a bang!
It won't take long before you're kicking back and enjoying a uniquely memorable vacation!
Duration
Your Gardner Tours Professional Guide will accompany you the entire way, guiding you through all seven days of your tour. That includes four nights in astounding Antigua and two nights at the breathtaking Lake Atitlán!
You will have complete freedom to take your tour at the pace you please, deciding to sit and enjoy the view as long as you desire, asking the coffee farmer as many questions as you want, or simply enjoying your dinner just a little longer than normal. Your guide will serve you along the way and ensure that you are well taken care of during your entire stay.
Gardner Tours is committed to delivering you the most hospitable and entertaining tours offered in Guatemala!
Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight, you might have the opportunity to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Viñales. If so, you will have time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs from local artisans and/or take those photos that you may have missed.
At an appointed time, you will be picked up by your private transport, escorted directly to the José Martí International Airport, and dropped off three hours prior to your departure for an ample amount of time to purchase any last-minute souvenirs, check your bags, go through security and customs, and arrive at your gate for a safe flight home.
Your guide will accompany you all the way until the end.
A Truly Colorful People
On our Classic Guatemala Tours, you will uncover the alive-and-well Mayan culture in the UNESCO colonial city of Antigua and bask at one of the most culturally and gorgeous historic lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán.
Throughout your visit, you will find a number of different creative forms of how the Mayan people express themselves in modern day, from their unique jewelry to their high quality and colorful textiles.
You will have ample opportunity to engage with and learn directly from a quiet yet proud people. It is guaranteed that you will walk away with a profound appreciation for Guatemalan and Mayan culture.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Creativity
Whether you're learning how to make Mayan chocolate from its original source, sipping some of the world’s most premium coffee, or simply taken aback at the incredible creativity and expression of Guatemalans as expressed in everything they do, each day presents a number of opportunities to enjoy something new!
From the handmade jade jewelry to the minute details found in each woven fabric, those delightful surprises often inspire comments like, “I can’t believe the high quality and amount of detail they put into each piece!” and “These are the things that make me remember why I love traveling so much!”
It is our honor to deliver you with the most hospitable experiences, to ensure that you truly unwind and enjoy yourself like never before on this Classic Guatemala Tour.
A Perfect Private Experience for Your Group
Traveling with Gardner Tours means that you travel in private, no strangers! Each and every tour is tailored to you and your travel desires and needs. You will only travel with the people in your booking, allowing you to have the most amazing and memorable time possible in the setting that you choose with us!
There's nothing like traveling in your own private group and it is our honor to ensure that your time with us is world-class.
After all, we are a hospitality company!