Journey Guatemala & Mexico

Day 4: Antigua - Atitlán

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to Lake Atitlán. The route takes you through a beautiful landscape. You will drive on mountain roads and you will see the daily life of the Guatemalan countryside. At the lake of Atitlán, you will get on a boat that will take you to your accommodation. The fairytale-like Lake Atitlán was created in a volcanic way and is surrounded by three volcanoes on the southern shore. On the northern shore, you will see a mountain range of 1,000 metres high. Around the lake, there are several small villages where the inhabitants still live in the traditional way and walk around in traditional clothing.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlán | bed & breakfast

Day 5 and 6: Atitlán

These days are at your leisure, on which you can enjoy the fairytale surroundings of Lake Atitlán. You can visit the town of Chichicastenango, popularly known as 'Chichi'. The town has been known for centuries for its large colourful market. Your guide will take you on a voyage of discovery of this immense and extensive market. 

It is also special to get to know more of the Mayan culture by looking for the house where the Mayan God Maximón lives at that time. Every year a different member of the religious brotherhoods takes care of this God, who is shaped like a doll. You can see the local shaman performing their rituals for the local people. This saint is honoured with liqueur and tobacco and this whole scene with candles is a very special sensation to see.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlán | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Atitlán - Guatemala City - Flores

Today you will be taken to the airport of Guatemala City, where you will board your domestic flight to Flores. Upon arrival in Flores, you will be welcomed and brought to your hotel. You will immediately notice that you have traded the highlands of Guatemala for the dense tropical lowland jungle. The temperature and humidity are much higher here. You will stay in La Lancha, which is beautifully situated at Lake Peten and in the rainforest. The casitas have views over the lake or look out over the beautiful greenery. Don't be surprised if you hear the loud roaring of howler monkeys in a nearby tree during your stay.
Accommodation: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 9: Flores

You will be picked up for a visit to the National Park of Yaxhá, the third-largest Maya town in Guatemala, located in the jungle. In this park, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, where you will see monkeys and tropical birds along the way. Of course, you will also visit the ancient Maya temples of Yaxhá, which has 500 buildings, including nine temples and one of the few double pyramid complexes outside Tikal. By nightfall, you will visit the largest pyramid of the complex. From here you have spectacular views over the jungle and Lake Yaxhá. The setting sun is right in front of you and slowly but surely disappears on the horizon. A very special place for an unforgettable sunset. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your accommodation.
Accommodation: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 10: Flores - Guatemala City - Mexico City

In the morning you will be taken to the airport of Flores, from where a domestic flight will take you back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival here you will transfer to your international flight to Mexico City. Once you have arrived in Mexico City, one of our local staff will welcome you and take you to your accommodation. Mexico City is located in a volcanic belt, on the plateau of South Central Mexico. Between the two large snowy volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. As much as 2,240 metres above sea level. Due to the altitude at which Mexico City is located, the city has a pleasant climate all year round, without extremely low or extremely high temperatures.
Accommodation: Pug Seal Allan Poe - Quetzalcoeatl | bed & breakfast

Day 11: Mexico City

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to some of the most important sights in Mexico City. Your guide will take you to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral in North and South America and to the ruins of the Templo Mayor. This was before the arrival of the Spaniards, the largest and most important temple of the Aztecs. You will also visit the presidential palace. In this presidential palace, the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera created a huge mural depicting the history of Mexico. After this, you will be brought via Reforma Avenue to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, located in the beautiful city park Chapultepec. The museum is housed in a beautiful modern building, in which the anthropological history of Mexico is told from the very beginning. There are also many works of art and utensils from the various pre-Columbian cultures that have flourished in Mexico, such as the cultures of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Mayans. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Pug Seal Allan Poe - Quetzalcoeatl | bed & breakfast

Day 14: Mexico City - Cancún - Chichén Itzá

You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Mexico City Airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Cancún. Once here, you can pick up your rental car and drive to your accommodation in Chichén Itzá on your own (approx. 200 km / 2.5 hours drive). You will stay near the special archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. The hotel has a beautiful peaceful garden and features an outdoor swimming pool and relaxing spa. Furthermore, the hotel offers various activities such as the Maya nature tour or bird watching. After just a few minutes of driving, you will find the small village of Piste where you will find some Mexican eateries and nice souvenir shops.
Accommodation: Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa | bed & breakfast

Day 16 to 19: Tulum

These days are at your leisure. Near Tulum, you have several activities you can participate in, but you can also enjoy one of the beautiful beaches. An absolute must see these days is the Maya city of Tulum, situated on a 14-metre-high cliff at the Caribbean Sea. The city is completely walled in and there are several temples. One of the buildings served as a kind of lighthouse. A fire was lit here at night, shining through an opening in a wall. This allowed the sailors to navigate between the reefs. Tulum was founded by the Mayans in the year 1000. It is the only Mayan city by the sea. Enjoy the rest of the days under the sun and the delicious Mexican dishes you can get here.
Accommodation: Maria del Mar Tulum | bed & breakfast

Day 20: Tulum - Cancun - Amsterdam

In the morning you drive with your rental car to Cancun airport (approx. 120 km / 1.5-hour drive) where you drop it off. You will then board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21: Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.