Itinerary
- Day 1
Antigua
You'll land in Antigua, a city known for its crumbling churches, vibrant markets, and bohemian cafes with a volcano in the background. If your flight gets in early, check out the ChocoMuseo to learn how locals make chocolate traditionally, or just relax at Central Park. At 6 pm, there's a welcome meeting at your hotel where you'll meet your group leader and other travelers.
Optional Activities
- Visit ChocoMuseo to learn about traditional chocolate production
- People watch at Central Park and explore the city
Landmarks ChocoMuseo Central Park - Day 2
San Andres Itzapa - Quetzaltenango
After breakfast, head to San Andres Itzapa in the highlands to see where Mayan culture and Catholicism blend together. You'll participate in a shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon (Maximon), the chain-smoking saint, and can bring a rum or tobacco offering if you'd like. Grab lunch with the group, then travel on to Quetzaltenango (Xela) for a walk around the city with your leader to get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch)
Included Activities
- Shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon
- Group lunch
- Leader-led orientation walk through Quetzaltenango
Landmarks Temple of San Simon 
- Day 3
Quetzaltenango
Before breakfast this morning, ride a chicken bus (a colorful old American school bus decorated by local owners) to Almolonga market. The market is famous for its giant vegetables that locals say were blessed. Wander through the vibrant stalls, maybe pick up some produce, then head back to your hotel for breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chicken bus ride
- Visit to Almolonga vegetable market
Landmarks Almolonga Market - Day 4
Chichicastenango - Panajachel
After breakfast, head to Chichicastenango (Chichi), one of the biggest outdoor markets in Latin America and one of Guatemala's most historic towns. An expert local guide will walk you through thousands of stalls selling textiles, wooden handicrafts, jade jewelry, traditional garments, handmade pieces, pottery, and incense. The market sits surrounded by mountains and fills with both locals and visitors. Later you'll travel to Panajachel and have the evening free to find a restaurant for dinner with other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chichicastenango market visit with expert local leader
Optional Activities
- Browse and purchase souvenirs (huipils, handmade jewelry, pottery, incense, tablecloths, ceremonial masks, leather goods)
- Dinner at a local restaurant with fellow travelers
Landmarks Chichicastenango Market 
- Day 5
Santiago Atitlan
Take a scenic lancha (boat) across Lake Atitlan surrounded by volcanoes and Maya villages, heading to Santiago Atitlan, the lake's largest town but less touristy than other spots. Visit the current shrine of Maximon (San Simon) where local shamans are present. Bring local spirits as a gift to share with the shamans while you learn about the shrine, the deity, and life on the lake. You'll return to Panajachel in the afternoon with your evening free to walk along the lake shores.
Included Activities
- Boat ride (lancha) across Lake Atitlan
- Visit to the shrine of Maximon in Santiago Atitlan
- Shamanic gathering with local spirits
Landmarks Lake Atitlan Santiago Atitlan Shrine of Maximon 
- Day 6
Panajachel to Antigua
The morning in Panajachel is yours to do what you want. Sleep in or join an optional cooking class to learn local flavors and how important sharing food is culturally. In the afternoon, a private transfer takes you back to Antigua. After you check in, your local leader will walk you through the historic center. In the evening, you might gather other travelers for a group dinner.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk through historic Antigua
Optional Activities
- Mayan cooking class in Panajachel
- Day 7
Antigua
Antigua is yours to explore at your own pace today. Consider heading to rooftop terraces for views of the volcanoes, checking out the 18th-century Monastery of Santa Clara ruins, or trying a chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo. Salsa lessons and street food are other options. There's a welcome meeting later if new travelers have joined the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit 18th-century Monastery of Santa Clara ruins
- Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo
- Salsa dance lesson
- Street food exploration
Landmarks Monastery of Santa Clara ChocoMuseo - Day 8
Antigua
Start with a tuk-tuk tour around Antigua, stopping at Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint, Santa Clara ruins, Union Tank viewpoint, and Central Park for drinks. Continue to Calle del Arco, Iglesia la Merced, and NimPot Crafts Market to see local artisan work. You'll see Central America's largest colonial-era fountain and visit the altar of the local saint Maximon. Your guide shares the city's history, religion, myths, legends, and native heritage. Then join a corn and comal workshop where you'll learn to make tortillas, understand their cultural importance, and eat what you make with fresh guacamole, roasted chirmol, chiltepe peppers, beans, and cheese.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch included with corn and comal workshop—tortillas made during the workshop served with fresh guacamole, roasted chirmol, chiltepe peppers, beans and cheese)
Included Activities
- Tuk-tuk city tour with stops at Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint, Santa Clara ruins, Union Tank viewpoint, Central Park, Calle del Arco, Iglesia la Merced, NimPot Crafts Market, and Maximón altar
- Land, Corn and Comal workshop with lunch
Landmarks Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint Santa Clara Ruins Union Tank Central Park Calle del Arco Iglesia la Merced NimPot Crafts Market - Day 9
Antigua to Copan
After a quick breakfast, you'll depart around 7 am toward the Guatemala-Honduras border. Your leader shares information about daily life and teaches some Spanish during the drive. You'll arrive in Copan in the early afternoon with the rest of the day free, maybe spending it at a cafe trying Honduran coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Guatemala-Honduras border
- Crossing into Honduras
Landmarks Copan - Day 10
Copan
The morning takes you through Copan's UNESCO-listed Maya ruins with a local guide explaining the history and significance of this ancient site. You'll see intricately carved pillars with faces and glyphs. Your afternoon is free to relax at natural hot springs with a mud soak and dinner, or visit Macaw Mountain Park to see bird rescue programs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Copan archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Natural hot springs and mud soak with dinner (USD 50)
- Macaw Mountain Park
- Temple of Rosalila
Landmarks Copan Ruins Macaw Mountain Park Temple of Rosalila - Day 11
Copan to Santa Ana
You'll depart Honduras toward El Salvador, passing through Central America's lush landscape with national parks, mountains, and volcanoes visible along the way. Lunch and refreshments happen during the drive. After crossing back through Guatemala, you'll reach Santa Ana, El Salvador. There's time to see the colonial architecture in the historic center before grabbing dinner locally.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Central America
- Border crossing into El Salvador
Landmarks Santa Ana - Day 12
Santa Ana
The day starts at El Molino El Carmen, a coffee plantation dating back to 1930. You'll tour La Casona estate house and the coffee mill, sample coffee with pastries, and have a picnic lunch. You'll get a bag of Ataco Gourmet coffee to take home. The afternoon drives through the scenic Ruta de las Flores, stopping at the colorful villages of Ataco, Salcoatitan, Juayua, and Nahuizalco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch at coffee plantation)
Included Activities
- Coffee plantation tour at El Molino El Carmen
- Coffee tasting with pastries
- Picnic lunch
- Ruta de las Flores scenic drive
Landmarks El Molino El Carmen Ruta de las Flores Ataco Nahuizalco - Day 13
Santa Ana to San Salvador
From Costa del Sol, you'll head toward San Salvador with a stop at Joya de Ceren, a UNESCO site called the 'Pompeii of the Americas.' You can see this 7th-century Maya farming town preserved in volcanic ash. In San Salvador, there's an included group lunch, then a walk through the city center with your leader. You'll stop at the UNESCO-listed brutalist El Rosario Church to learn about local culture and religion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Joya de Ceren archaeological site
- Group lunch
- Leader-led orientation walk in San Salvador
- Visit to El Rosario Church
Landmarks Joya de Ceren El Rosario Church San Salvador - Day 14
Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol's peaceful atmosphere is yours to enjoy on this free day. Six nearby Pacific beaches offer gorgeous coastal scenery and plenty to do. Grab lunch at a local restaurant your leader recommends, or take an optional boat tour through the Estero Jaltepeque mangrove forest to spot birds and wildlife. Your group meets up in the evening at a local spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to nearby Pacific beaches
- Estero Jaltepeque mangrove forest boat tour (USD 75)
- Local restaurant dining
Landmarks Costa del Sol Estero Jaltepeque - Day 15
Costa del Sol
No activities are scheduled today. You can leave your accommodation whenever it works for you, making this your final day of the tour.
