Guatemala & Deep History
This 9-day private Guatemala history tour explores the country’s most significant archaeological sites alongside the living traditions that continue around them. From Antigua to the highlands and into the Maya Biosphere, the journey connects Tikal, Iximche, and Yaxhá with contemporary ritual practice, expert interpretation, and cultural continuity—linking ancient Maya cities to the communities and ceremonies that remain active today.
What's Included
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Private airport arrival transfer
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8 breakfasts, 1 lunch
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9 activities as shown in itinerary
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8 nights in 3-4 star hotels
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Private ground transportation between locations
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Roundtrip domestic flights to/from Peten
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Tikal National Park entry fees
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Iximche Entry Fees
Day 1
Arrival & Historical Antigua
- You’ll be met on arrival and transferred by private taxi from Guatemala City airport to Antigua, followed by hotel check-in.
- Uncover history with a private guided walking tour led by a local historian, focused on lesser-known details of Antigua’s colonial and Indigenous history, including social life, power dynamics, and continuity that standard tours rarely cover.
- End the day with a recommended dinner at Guatelaria, known for traditional Guatemalan dishes and regional sweets.
Day 2
Markets, Museums & Colonial Ruins
- Begin with a guided morning market tour, with attention to traditional Mayan candles and their symbolic use, which will reappear later in ceremonial contexts.
- Lunch recommendation at Tartine’s, offering rooftop views over the ruins of the Cathedral of Santiago de los Caballeros.
- Meet your guide in Central Park for a guided visit to the MUNAG museum and the ruins of Antigua’s main cathedral, focusing on religious, political, and urban history.
- Dinner recommendation at Panza Verde—arrive early to enjoy the rooftop views and on-site art gallery.
Day 3
Coffee, Cacao & Everyday History
- Travel in the morning to Finca La Azotea for a combined coffee and chocolate tour, focused on production, trade, and cultural use.
- Spend time in the finca’s park-like grounds, which include a small museum and ethnographic displays showing traditional and historical Guatemalan homes.
- Return to Antigua for a free afternoon, with recommended nearby sites including Convento de las Capuchinas or Convento de Santa María de Jesús.
Day 4
Iximche & the Highland Ceremonial Landscape
- Depart Antigua by private taxi around 9:30 am for a guided visit to Iximche.
- Take part in a two-hour expert-led tour, focused on Kaqchikel Maya life, post-classical political structures, cosmology, and language; the guide specializes in living traditions and still speaks Kaqchikel.
- Observe how authentic ceremonies led by practicing Maya priests continue on the site today, with local people visiting regularly for ritual purposes.
- Continue to Panajachel, check into Posada Don Rodrigo, whose on-site museum highlights submerged Maya ruins discovered beneath Lake Atitlán.
Day 5
Ritual Life Around Lake Atitlán
- Travel by private lancha with a private guide to Santiago Atitlán for visits related to Maximón, local mask traditions, and religious syncretism tied to patron saint celebrations.
- Lunch in San Juan La Laguna, followed by an educational demonstration of a Mayan ceremony, including a fire ceremony and tree planting, emphasizing contemporary ritual practice.
Day 6
Lake Atitlán → Flores
- Enjoy a leisurely morning in Panajachel.
- After breakfast, depart by private transfer to Guatemala City airport.
- Take an afternoon flight to Flores, then transfer to your hotel on the historic island of Flores.
- Dinner recommendation at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake and island.
Day 7
Tikal: Archaeology in Context
- Transfer by private vehicle to Tikal National Park.
- Join a private, in-depth guided tour covering approximately 85% of the park, lasting up to six hours and structured as a comprehensive archaeological and historical lecture.
- Return to Flores by early evening in time for dinner.
Day 8
Yaxhá & the Eastern Lowlands
- Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on Flores Island
- Depart around 12:00 pm for a shared guided tour to Yaxhá, with transport included.
- Explore Yaxhá, known for its lakeside setting, elevated temples, and quiet atmosphere, offering a contrasting experience to Tikal with strong landscape integration and fewer visitors.
Day 9
Departure
- Transfer by private transport to the airport for your onward flight out of Guatemala.
At a glance
- 9 days
- Private · Fully managed
- Start: Antigua · End: Flores
- $3,300
Local team · Fixed pricing · Travel on your dates
Good to know
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Arrival & transfers: Fly into GUA. Private transfers included in itinerary.
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Pace: Moderate — walking tours and light hikes, balanced with downtime.
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What you organize: International flights and travel insurance. Everything else is handled.
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On-the-ground support: Local teams run the route and are available throughout your trip.
Love a route, but want to mix and match?
Our trips are designed in advance to ensure flow and fixed pricing.
If you’d like to combine elements from different journeys, book a call and come ready with your favorites — we’ll puzzle-piece it together before you commit.
About Due South
You’ll fly into Guatemala City International Airport (GUA). All routes include a private transfer from the airport to Antigua on arrival, and onward transfers as outlined in your itinerary. If your route ends in Antigua or Lake Atitlán, we’ll coordinate your return transfer to Guatemala City for departure.
We recommend arriving in Guatemala City by early afternoon to allow time for airport formalities and the transfer to Antigua. Your welcome activity is scheduled for the evening. If you arrive later, our team will adjust logistics to ensure a smooth arrival.
Departures should be scheduled for late morning or later on your final day. If your route ends at Lake Atitlán, we’ll provide guidance on transfer timing back to Guatemala City to ensure a comfortable departure window.
Yes. All airport transfers included in the itinerary are handled by our local team. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred privately between destinations throughout your trip.
Tips are not included unless otherwise stated. We provide clear guidance before your trip so you can tip appropriately, without guesswork or awkwardness.
Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, UK, and EU do not need a visa to enter Guatemala for short stays. Entry requirements can change, so we recommend checking with your local authority prior to travel.
No special vaccinations are required for Guatemala beyond standard travel recommendations. We advise consulting your healthcare provider for personalized advice, particularly if you plan to spend time at Lake Atitlán or in rural areas.
These routes are designed for travelers with a moderate level of fitness. Activities include walking tours, light hikes, and day-to-day movement through towns and markets. There is no technical trekking, and downtime is built into the itinerary.
The structure and highlights of the route remain consistent. Occasionally, timings or activities may shift due to weather or local conditions. Any adjustments are handled by our team to maintain the overall flow and experience.
Why travelers choose Due South
Book with confidence
Travel on your dates
No fixed departures or group schedules. Travel privately, entirely on your timeline.
One provider, start to finish
Design, bookings, and operations handled by one team. No third-party hand-offs.
On-the-ground support
Local teams run each route and remain available throughout your trip.