GeoTours

Showing Travelers the Wonders of this World
Home      Guatemala, July 2011
Print this pageAdd to Favorite
 
 
 
 
GeoTours Guatemala  JULY 1-9, 2011
TRIP COST = $750 (Hotels, transportation by private tour bus, breakfasts, many activities/entries)
LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT MAY BE AVAILABLE. 
EMAIL Matt Ebiner (MATTEBINER@GEOTOURS.US)
 
GUATEMALA - JULY 2011 - ITINERARY AND REGISTRATION FORM (PDF FILE) - CLICK HERE
 
PHOTOS OF THE 2010 GEOTOURS GUATEMALA TRIP
 
GUATEMALA  HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Stroll through colonial Antigua, with beautiful historical buildings and mild weather
  • Explore Tikal, one of the greatest ancient cities of the Americas, situated amidst a rainforest with monkeys and other wildlife
  • Immerse yourself in the colorful Chichicastenango Sunday market, filled with indigenous villagers in traditional clothing
  • Cruise by boat around beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatemala’s “crater lake”, with volcanoes towering above the shoreline
  • Hike up active Pacaya Volcano (if you’re energetic) with a chance to see flowing lava
  • Ride in a dugout canoe through El Boqueron gorge with a wonderful swimming opportunity
  • Soak in hot springs and waterfalls at El Finca Paraiso
  • Stay at the beautiful jungle lodge, Hacienda Tijax, on a river amidst mangroves
  • Explore magnificent Bombil Pek cave, with an option to abseil from the top of the sinkhole
  • Shop for traditional handicrafts at great prices (e.g., carved wooden masks for $5-10)
  • Enjoy the outstanding value of fine restaurants where excellent meals cost $3-15
  • Wonderful photographic opportunities of people and cultural, historical, and natural features
  • Small group of about 15 travelers; comfortable private tour bus

GUATEMALA 2011 ITINERARY  

               

Fri 7/1/11 – Depart USA and Arrive Guatemala; Guatemala City to Antigua (45 minutes driving time on the bus)

                Fly TACA (or LACSA)  to Los Angeles, arriving in Guatemala early around 6 or 7 am

                Drive 45 minutes to Antigua, old colonial capital, located below Volcan Agua (volcano)

                Antigua is one of the most pleasant towns of Latin America

                                Pleasant temperatures (5000’ elevation)

                                Beautiful colonial-era buildings and cobblestone streets

                                Good restaurants and shopping with very good prices

Walking tour of Antigua

                Night #1 - Antigua

 

Sat 7/2/10 – Antigua

                Full day in Antigua or arrival day for some in the group if they left on Friday night

                Saturday is market day in Antigua, very active in the morning

                Time to soak up the ambience of Antigua

Option to do a hike up active Volcano Pacaya (medium difficulty) with a group

           Can ride a horse partway up. Might get close to flowing lava!  7-hour tour leaves at 2 pm

                Night #2 - Antigua

 

Sun 7/3/10 – Antigua – Chichicastenango – Panajachel on Lake Atitlan (3 hours on the bus)

                Depart Antigua at 7 am for Chichicastenango (2 hours)

                                Sunday is market day in Chichicastenango

                                                One of the most famous and colorful markets in Latin America

                Depart for Lake Atitlan in late morning

                Stop in village of Santa Maria Visitacion for a fiesta

                Atitlan Nature Reserve has nice trails, forest, monkeys, and option to go ziplining ($19)

                Lake Atitlan is a caldera lake (like Crater Lake in Oregon or Lake Taupo in New Zealand)

                                Surrounded by volcanoes and villages with traditional Mayan culture

                                Oftentimes called one of the world’s most beautiful lakes

                                Pleasant temperatures due to 5000’ elevation (mid-70s)        

                Night #1 in Panajachel, on Lake Atitlan

 

Mon 7/4/11 – Panajachel & Lake Atitalan (No driving today)

                Take a boat (20 minutes) to village of Santa Cruz

                                Hour walk along the lake to Jaibalito

                                Great views across the lake to 3 volcanoes

Boat from Jaibalito to Santiago Atitlan

                                Visit the church, main plaza and pagan shrine for Maximon

                Night #2   in Panajachel, on Lake Atitlan

 

Tue 7/5/11 – Panajachel – Guatemala City – Rio Dulce (8 hours on the bus; our longest day)

                Long drive to Rio Dulce

                Night  #1- Hacienda Tijax, Rio Dulce on the river amidst mangroves and jungle; nice pool
 

Wed 7/6/11– Day trip around Rio Dulce (2-3 hours on the bus)

                Sunrise option to go kayaking amidst the mangroves ($13) or walking in the rainforest

                Castillo de San Felipe, a Spanish castle built to fight British pirates

El Boqueron - river trip (20-30 minutes on the water) through a canyon in a dugout canoe

Can swim/float back down the river (about a half mile)

                Finca El Paraiso Hot Waterfall (into a cool river) – bring your swimming suit and towel

                Night #2 - Hacienda Tijax, Rio Dulce    

 

Thu 7/7/11 – Rio Dulce to El Remate; 6 hours on the bus

                Drive Rio Dulce – El Remate, check into hotel (4 hours driving time)

                Visit ancient Maya city of Tikal with English-speaking guide to Tikal

One of the greatest ancient cities of the Americas

                                Wear good walking shoes; will probably walk 3-4 miles

                Night #1 – El Remate
 
Fri 7/8/11 – Tikal – Coban (5 hours on the bus)

                Drive to Coban (4½ hours)

En route we visit Bombil Pek, a very impressive cave, 40-minute walk from the road

                                Wear good shoes and bring headlamp or flashlight; clothes might get dirty

                                Entrance to the cave is at the bottom of a deep sinkhole

                                                Hike down steep, dirt (muddy?) steps; bring a walking stick if possible

                                                Or can descend by rappeling 280’ on a rope (no experience required)

                Night #1 in Coban

 

Sat 7/9/11 – Coban – Guatemala City – Antigua (5 hours on the bus)

                Travel back to Guatemala City and Antigua for final afternoon (5 hours driving time)

                Antigua - last chance to go shopping; Nim Pot closes at 5 pm

                Depart Guatemala City in the evening

                Arrive LAX around midnight