Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Guatemala City. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

WED I GUATEMALA CITY

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the city of Chichicastenango to visit the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in the country. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. Also, witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tom&#225;s. (B)

THU I GUATEMALA CITY I CHICHICASTENANGO

Have breakfast at your hotel before heading out to visit Solol&#225; Market, an authentic indigenous market where men and women wearing typical clothing from the distinctive surrounding villages make it even more colorful. Today, Solol&#225; is still one of the few villages from the highlands where people proudly wear traditional clothes that portray their social and economic status and position in the civil and religious hierarchies. Then you will be transferred to Lake Atitl&#225;n, one of the most beautiful in the world with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below. Atitl&#225;n is the ideal place to learn more about Guatemalan folklore. Twelve Indian villages surround the Lake, and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quich&#233;, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. (B)

FRI I CHICHICASTENANGO I LAKE ATITLAN

Right after breakfast you will board a motor launch to cross Lake Atitl&#225;n to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitl&#225;n, one of the twelve lake-shore villages. Enjoy this bustling Indian community where weavers work colorful textiles. In the afternoon, transfer to Antigua, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, nowadays Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared a &#8220;Monument of America&#8221; in 1965. (B)

SAT I LAKE ATITLAN I ANTIGUA

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel for your Guatemala sightseeing. Visit the Central Plaza, that is surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, the Palace of the Captains General, colonial churches and monasteries, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry. In the afternoon, transfer to Guatemala City. (B)

SUN I ANTIGUA I GUATEMALA CITY

Today you will go back more than 2,000 years in time when you visit Tikal National Park. Early this morning, you will be transferred to the airport to board a flight to Flores, Pet&#233;n. From there, you will be taken to the Mayan City of Tikal, located in the center of the National Park that bears its name and extends out 222 square miles. Tikal was inhabited from 600 BC until 869 AD. Visit the Twin-Pyramid Complexes &#8220;Q&#8221; and &#8220;R,&#8221; and the Lost World Complex where the Great Pyramid and Temple 5C-49 are the most important. Also, visit Temple III and the Palace of the Windows, the Great Plaza &#8211; squared off with the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles, and Pyramid IV. From its peak, a complete view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle can be enjoyed. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Guatemala City. (B,L)

MON I GUATEMALA CITY I TIKAL I GUATEMALA CITY

Transfer to Guatemala International airport to board your flight home. (B)

TUE I GUATEMALA CITY TO USA

WONDERS OF GUATEMALA

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Guatemala City. The remainder of the day at leisure.&#160;&#160;

TUE I GUATEMALA CITY

After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel for a sightseeing tour of Guatemala city. The principal sites you will visit include the National Palace, the Cathedral, and Civic Center Complex. You will also tour residential areas, for an overall view of the rapidly growing metropolis that is Guatemala City. Then you will head on to Iximch&#233;, dating back to the 15th Century when it was the capital of the Cakchiqueles. This was where the first Spanish capital was established. Continue on to your hotel in Chichicastenango for an overnight stay. (B)

WED I GUATEMALA CITY I CHICHICASTENANGO

Have breakfast at your hotel and prepare to enjoy market day in Chichicastenango. Visit the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in the country. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. You will also have a chance to witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tom&#225;s. You then continue to Quetzaltenango, considered the second most important city of Guatemala. The city has preserved its colonial architecture and several neo-classical buildings can be seen. Some of these are located around the Centro America Park, considered the hearth of the city. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

THU I CHICHICASTENANGO I QUETZALTENANGO

Rise and shine with breakfast at your hotel before visiting Almolonga market, known for its vegetables and fruits cultivated on small parcels of land. Continue your excursion with a visit to San Andr&#233;s Xecul, boasting an important XVI century temple with a fabulous bright-yellow fa&#231;ade &#8211; representative of the local huipil (or indigenous blouse). Your next stop will be San Francisco El Alto, featuring a typical market where people gather in front of City Hall to sell their products and handicrafts. Then you will be transferred to Lake Atitl&#225;n, one of the most beautiful in the world with its crystallineazure waters in the crater bowl below. Atitl&#225;n is the ideal place to learn about Guatemalan folklore. Twelve Indian villages surround the Lake, and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quich&#233;, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. Overnight in the Lake Atitlan area. (B)

FRI I QUETZALTENANGO I SAN FRANCISCO EL ALTO I LAKE ATITLAN

After breakfast, board the motor launch to cross Lake Atitl&#225;n and reach the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitl&#225;n. Enjoy this bustling Indian community, where weavers work colorful textiles. Later you will be travel to Antigua, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, nowadays Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared a &#8220;Monument of America&#8221; in 1965. Overnight in Antigua. (B)

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a city tour of Antigua. You will visit the Central Plaza surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, as well as the Palace of the Captains General, colonial churches and monasteries, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry. In the afternoon, return to Guatemala City for your overnight stay. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to the USA. (B)

MON I GUATEMALA CITY TO USA

GUATEMALAN EXPERIENCE

Welcome to the land of Eternal Spring! Upon arrival at Guatemala&#8217;s airport, you will be transferred to Guatemala City for your overnight stay.

FRI I GUATEMALA CITY

After breakfast, depart for Antigua, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. Founded by the Spaniards in 1543, nowadays Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared a &#8220;Monument of America&#8221; in 1965. Visit the Central Plaza that is surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, the Palace of the Captains General, colonial churches and monasteries, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry. In the afternoon transfer to Chichicastenango for your overnight stay. (B)

SAT I GUATEMALA CITY I ANTIGUA I CHICHICASTENANGO

Have breakfast at your hotel and prepare to enjoy market day in Chichicastenango. Visit the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in the country. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. You will also have a chance to witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tom&#225;s. Continue on to Lake Atitl&#225;n, one of the most beautiful in the world with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below. Atitl&#225;n is the ideal place to learn more about Guatemalan folklore. Twelve Indian villages surround the Lake and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quich&#233;, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. In the afternoon, transfer back to Guatemala City for overnight. (B)

SUN I CHICHICASTENANGO I LAKE ATITLAN I GUATEMALA CITY

After breakfast enjoy some leisure time before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

MON I GUATEMALA CITY TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)

GUATEMALA WEEKEND

<span>Mayan ruins, Spanish colonial architecture, indigenous art, old world culture, and welcoming locals are ready to greet you as you visit Guatemala with Central Holidays. Come get snap-happy exploring Antigua&#8217;s many amazing sights. Antigua is famous for its natural setting, colonial city charm, Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture and a number of ruins. Look for the popular landmark of the city, the marigold-colored Arco de Santa Catalina, the only piece remaining of the original Convent of St.</span><span class="morecontent">&#160;Catalina, much of which was destroyed in a 1773 earthquake. Beyond its towns and city splendors, Guatemala offers superb natural scenery with less than two percent of its landmass urbanized. See all that Guatemala has in store for you this year with Central Holidays.</span>

Latin America