Round trip Guatemala & Mexico 3 weeks

• Visit the Maya highlight of Chichén Itzá before the site opens to other tourists
• Sample the richness of Guatemalan cuisine on a culinary walk through the colonial city of Antigua
• Immerse yourself in the Mayan culture of Chichicastanango near the idyllic Lake Atitlán
• Go on a museum hop in the cultural hotspot of Mexico City
• Combine Mayan ruins set amongst rock formations with tropical beaches in Tulum

Day 4 | Antigua – Atitlán

After breakfast, your private driver will collect you and take you to Lake Atitlán. The route takes you through stunning countryside. You’ll travel along mountain roads and get a glimpse of daily life in the Guatemalan countryside. At Lake Atitlán, you’ll board a small boat that will take you to your accommodation, situated right on the lake’s shore. The fairytale-like Lake Atitlán was formed by volcanic activity and is surrounded by three volcanoes on its southern shore. On the northern shore, you’ll see a mountain range reaching 1,000 metres in height. Dotted around the lake are several small villages where the inhabitants still live in the traditional way and wear traditional dress.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlán | bed and breakfast

Days 5 and 6 | Atitlán

These days are free to spend as you wish, allowing you to enjoy the fairytale surroundings of Lake Atitlán. You can visit the village of Chichicastenango at your leisure. Along the way, you’ll see the local people in their traditional dress going about their daily routines: working in the fields, gathering firewood, or travelling between two markets to sell their wares. Chichicastenango, popularly known as ‘Chichi’, has been famous for centuries for its large, colourful market. Your guide will take you on a trip of this immense and extensive market.
It is also a special experience to learn about Maya culture by seeking out the house where the Maya god Maximón currently resides. Each year, a different member of the religious brotherhoods looks after this god, who takes the form of a doll. You’ll see the local shaman performing their rituals for the local people. This deity is honoured with liqueur and tobacco products, and the whole scene, illuminated by candles, is a truly unique experience to witness.
Overnight stay: Hotel Atitlán | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Atitlán – Guatemala – Flores

Today you will be taken to Guatemala City airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Flores. On arrival in Flores, you will be welcomed and taken to your hotel. You will immediately notice that you have swapped the highlands of Guatemala for the dense tropical lowland jungle. The temperature and humidity are considerably higher here. You will be staying at La Lancha, which is beautifully situated on Lake Petén and in the rainforest. The casitas offer views of the lake or look out over the lush greenery. Don’t be surprised if, during your stay, you hear the loud howls of howler monkeys from a nearby tree.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Flores

You will be picked up today and taken on a very special excursion. You will travel with your guide to Yaxhá National Park, the third-largest Mayan site in Guatemala, situated in the jungle. In this park, you can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, spotting monkeys and tropical birds along the way. You will, of course, also visit the ancient Mayan temples of Yaxhá, which comprises 500 structures, including nine temples and one of the few double pyramid complexes outside Tikal. As evening falls, you will head to the largest pyramid in the complex. From here, you’ll have a spectacular view over the jungle and Lake Yaxhá. The setting sun will be directly in front of you, slowly but surely disappearing over the horizon. A truly special spot for an unforgettable sunset. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Flores – Guatemala City – Mexico City

In the morning, you will be taken to Flores Airport, from where you will take a domestic flight back to Guatemala City. On arrival, you will transfer to your international flight to Mexico City. Once you arrive in Mexico City, you will be met by one of our local staff and taken to your accommodation. Mexico City is situated in a volcanic belt, on the high plateau of south-central Mexico. It lies between the two large snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, at an altitude of 2,240 metres above sea level. The city currently has over 25 million inhabitants, which is a fifth of Mexico’s entire population! Due to its high altitude, Mexico City enjoys a pleasant climate all year round, without extremely low or extremely high temperatures.
Accommodation: Hotel Zócalo Central | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Mexico City

Today you will be collected from your hotel and taken to some of the main attractions in Mexico City. Your guide will take you to the Metropolitan Cathedral – the largest cathedral in North and South America – and to the ruins of the Templo Mayor. Before the arrival of the Spanish, this was the largest and most important temple of the Aztecs, standing a staggering 60 metres tall. You will also visit the Presidential Palace. Inside this palace, the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera created a huge mural depicting the history of Mexico. You will then be taken along Reforma Avenue to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, situated in the beautiful Chapultepec City Park. The museum is housed in a magnificent modern building, which tells the story of Mexico’s anthropological history from its very beginnings. You will also find many works of art and artefacts from the various pre-Columbian cultures that flourished in Mexico, such as the Aztec, Zapotec and Maya civilisations. Afterwards, you will be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Zócalo Central | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Mexico City – Cancún – Chichén Itzá

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Mexico City airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Cancún. Once you arrive, you can collect your rental car and drive to your accommodation in Chichén Itzá at your own pace (approx. 200 km / 2.5-hour drive). You’ll be staying near the remarkable archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. The hotel has a lovely, peaceful garden and features an outdoor swimming pool and a relaxing spa. It also offers various activities, such as the Mayan nature trip or birdwatching. A few minutes’ drive away is the small village of Piste, where you’ll find a few Mexican eateries and charming souvenir shops.
Overnight stay: Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa | bed and breakfast

Days 16 to 19 | Tulum

These days are free to plan as you wish. There are various activities to enjoy near Tulum, but you can also simply relax on one of the beautiful beaches. One thing you absolutely must do on one of these days is visit the Mayan city of Tulum, situated on a 14-metre-high cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was probably originally called Zama. This means something like ‘City of the Morning’ or ‘City of the Sunrise’. Tulum means ‘Wall’. The city is entirely walled and features several temples. One of the structures served as a kind of lighthouse. At night, a fire was lit here which shone through an opening in the wall. This enabled sailors to navigate their way through the reefs. Tulum was founded by the Maya in the year 1000. It is the only Maya city situated by the sea. Tulum is open to visitors every day, and a trip there can easily be combined with a visit to the Xel-ha lagoon. According to the Maya, the ruins of Tulum should be called Zama. Places of interest naturally include El Castillo by the sea, the Templo del Dios Descendente and the painted walls of the Templo de los Frescos. Half a day is more than enough time to explore the ruins and spend a little while on the beach. Spend the rest of your days enjoying the sun and the delicious Mexican cuisine on offer here.
Accommodation: Maria del Mar Tulum | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Tulum – Cancún – Amsterdam

In the morning, you’ll drive your rental car to Cancun Airport (approx. 120 km / 1.5-hour drive), where you’ll return it. You’ll then board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.