Guatemala. The world of the ancient Maya, unique history, natural wonders

Arrival in Guatemala City, meeting the guide. From there we head to Antigua - a city of magnificent colonial architecture (about 1 hour on the road). Check-in at the hotel.

All day we will spend wandering the streets of an ancient city. We will visit churches, colorful squares and noisy markets. We will also take a walk to the observation deck with a magnificent view of the city and volcanoes, and we will start to discover the local cuisine.

After breakfast, we begin a two-day ascent to the volcano Akatenango (3.976 meters high), the hike takes about six hours with breaks for rest and lunch. Staying for the night in the tents on the slope.

We will wake up very early to see an incredible dawn from the slope of the Akatenango and to see the amazing active volcano of Fuego, which constantly spews lava and clouds of smoke. After breakfast we begin to descend to the foot of the volcano and return to rest and spend the night in the city of Antigua.

Transfer with private transport to the Lake Atitlan (4 hours on the way). This is the deepest lake in Central America and one of the most picturesque – three volcanoes and dozens of Mayan settlements are located on its shores! We stop in the city of San Pedro la Laguna, to plunge into the culture and life of Maya. We will visit the market, art galleries, embroidery workshops. Those who want can go kayaking.

Wake up at four in the morning to climb to the summit of the Indian Nose to see a spectacularly beautiful dawn (the hike takes around than 40 minutes). From the top of the mountain, you can see a panorama of the lake with six volcanoes around! After breakfast and short rest, we’ll go on a boat trip through the villages on the banks of the lake. Each of them is unique.

Transfer to the city of Chichicastenango (2 hours), to the largest market in Guatemala. Here you can find the largest bazaar in Guatemala, where you can buy national costumes of Maya and souvenirs. One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Central America is also located here. Check-in at the hotel. We leave deep into the country in the city of Lankuin (7 hours on the way) to see unique natural Semuk Champey complex. Night in eco-lodge among the Guatemalan jungle.

We take off to Flores (6 hours on the way) - a picturesque mountain island on the Peten Itza lake. We will stay at the hotel and take a walk around the island. Those interested can go kayaking. In the morning we go to the largest of the Mayan cities - Tikal. Where in the 7th century BC was the center of civilization now stand majestic ruins in the middle of the wild jungle. We explore look at the palaces of the rulers and the ruins of the observatory, but the pyramids with the temples on the summits are particularly impressive. Maya believed that the spirits of the dead live in the mountains, and the pyramids were built as analogs of the mountains, with temples on their peaks. By the way, the name of the place itself - Tikal in Mayan language means “a place where the voices of spirits are heard”. We will also see one of the first football fields. Yes, the ancient Maya played football! Scientists believe that the main rule was to keep the ball in the game, and stone rings on the walls of the stadium appeared in a later period. A rubber ball weighed about 4 kilograms! It is believed that the ball game was often carried out for ritual purposes and included human sacrifices.

Transfer to Guatemala City (8 hours by bus or 1 hour by plane). Flight back home.