Guatemalan Highlights Adventure

Activities; Volcano Climbing - Hiking - Biking - Kayaking
Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Pacaya Volcano, Chichicastenango, Yaxha, Tikal

Guatemala

This exhilarating multi-sport itinerary takes you to all the main sights of Guatemala whilst at the same time exploring on an active adventure! You will climb an active volcano, hike through spectacular volcanic scenery, bike on dirt roads through the Antigua valley, and cross-country past remote villages and farmlands and then kayak on the atmospheric Lake Atitlan with wonderful views of its surrounding volcanoes. You will also be able to explore the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, meet the Maya God, Maximon & climb ancient temples in the rainforest at Tikal.

The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Antigua
Arrival and transfer to Antigua. Overnight in Antigua

Day 2: Biking Antigua Valley
This morning we provide an orientation and safety talk before selecting the bikes, giving out helmets, gloves and water bottles and embarking on the first "warm-up" ride. The morning ride takes you through colorful local Maya villages, coffee plantations and colonial ruins. You will enjoy biking on the slopes of Antigua's towering volcanoes and through traditional farms and fields. After the tour, which includes a picnic lunch, you have some free time to explore Antigua & to enjoy the varied nightlife.(B, L)

Day 3: Pacaya Volcano Hike (& Bike)
This morning you are tranferred in approx 1 hour to Pacaya National Park where we begin our hiking ascent of this famous, active volcano! The hike takes around 2.5 hours and at the top you can see down into the crater to the lava as well as experience the energy of an active volcano. When it is clear you can also enjoy spectacular views towards the coast an even to El Salvador. For those who wish, on the return to Antigua, they can enjoy a fun bike ride on dirt roads and pavement down the foothills of the volcano. After the tour, which includes a picnic lunch, you have some free time to further explore Antigua & to enjoy the varied nightlife. (B, L)

Day 4: Bike to Lake Atitlan
Today we transfer and then bike all the way to Lake Atitlan. You experience riding through glorious Maya mountain villages and beautiful remote highland countryside. In the last portion of the ride you are able to enjoy magnificent views towards Lake Atitlan and her three surrounding volcanoes. Upon arrival at the lake we take a boat ride over to our hotel. Overnight at Lake. (B L)

Day 5: Kayak Santiago Bay
This morning you take off and Kayak on what many have called, "the most beautiful lake in the world", Lake Atitlan. You pass by local fishermen, indigenous Maya women doing their washing and men working in the fields wearing their famous embroidered Santiago shorts. After lunch we recommend a visit to the village of Santiago Atitlan, with its lively market and its strange Maya God, " Maximon" which locals revere and perform rituals in front of to bring good luck - or bad!(B)

Day 6: Chichicastenango market and bike
Today you transfer to the town of Chichicastenango with its famous craft market. Once in Chichi you will have time to wander through the market and barter for crafts such as textiles, masks, jewelry and many other beautiful pieces of artesania. After lunch you transfer first then ride through glorious mountain peaks and remote indigenous villages. Overnight in Antigua (B L)

Day 7: Jungle and Mayan ruins
Early morning flight to the rainforest area of the Peten, enjoy a delicious breakfast at a gorgeous Lake shore restaurant. A short drive deep into the rainforest tot the Lagoon and Mayan Temples of Yaxha. A short boat ride brings us the peninsula of Topoxte, where the Mayas held their ceremonies. We hike through the jungle and end at the impressive site of Yaxha. Time for a tour and climb the highest temple, on a clear day you can see all the way to Tikal. After lunch transfer to the national Park of Tikal for the night(B L)

Day 8: Tikal Day Trip
Today we enjoy a collective guided tour of the famous Maya temple site in the jungle. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. At around 14:00 guests transfer back to the airport and fly back to Guatemala City. At the airport you will be met by your transfer to take you to your hotel and the rest of the evening is free to enjoy the nightlife of Guatemala City. Overnight in Guatemala City (B, L)

Day 9: Departure
You will be met at your hotel by your transfer to take you to the airport in plenty of time for your international flight out. (B)

General Information

Rated: Adventure. The activities in this tour include moderate walking and/ or other moderately vigorous activities. Trekking & biking is often at high altitudes, across varied terrain, and up steep inclines. There is some rough road travel and at points we will be remote from medical facilities. Tours are still appropriate for all ages, but travelers should be fairly fit and enjoy active itineraries. Frequent physical activity in preparation for this trip is recommended. Travelers with any medical problems or conditions should consult us regarding the specific physical demands of each trip before booking.

Distances & Times: Daily distances are between 10-20 miles on bike, 5-8 miles on foot, time wise this translates into 2-5 hours of daily activities.

Is it for me? If you enjoy multi-activity tours that take you to cultural destinations full of local color and traditions, world famous archaeology monuments and architecture, friendly people and spectacular scenery then this tour is a MUST!

Climate & Altitude: The elevation covered ranges between 1500mts or 5000 feet up to 3000 mts 9900 feet. Temperature oscillates between 5 degrees Celsius / 40 Fahrenheit at night to 25 / 80 during the day

Fixed Departure dates
Dates 2006:
Jan: 7 – 15
April: 1 – 9
July: 1 – 9
Nov: 4 – 12
Fixed departures: minimum 4 passengers

Tour Tariff
	Fixed Departure	Private Departure		SGL Supp.
N° of participants	1	2	3
USD	$ 1360	$ 1835	$ 1835	$ 267
EUR	€ 1129	€ 1523	€ 1523	€ 222
GBP	£ 761	£ 1028	£ 1028	£ 149

(*) Price last updated on 05 November 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .

Included:
* Meet & Greet at Guatemala Airport
* All transfers in minibus and a support vehicle
* Accommodation in 2/3 Star Hotels
* Breakfast each day and other meals as specified in the itinerary
* Bikes, helmets, gloves, life jackets, water bottles
* Specialised guides
* All local taxes


Not included:
Meals not mentioned, tips, personal expenses, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc.

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