Private Tour Highlights
- Enjoy private transfers and guided tours throughout this exciting trip
- Cover the architectural and historical highlights of these colonial cities
- Behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals
- Scenic boat ride across lake Atitlan, passing by three impressive volcanoes
- Find the house where the Maya God Maximon is residing
- See local shaman performing rituals and a possible personal ceremony
- Learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the area is famous
- Visit the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal
- Listen to the sounds of the rain forest with the hundreds of birds, monkeys and more!
- Take in the view from the largest pyramid—El Castillo
- Make some indigenous friends at the Belize Zoo just outside of Belize City
- Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve with the afternoon at leisure
- Several days at leisure to relax on the lovely beaches
- And so much more!
Tour Overview
Combine the Maya ruins of Guatemala (a noted biodiversity hotspot) and Belize with the turquoise beaches and barrier reefs of Belize. This tour includes the Maya ruins of Tikal in Guatemala, and Xunantunich and Altun Ha in Belize, with a beach extension to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. Yampu travelers will also visit the city of Antigua Guatemala and Lake Atitlán—the deepest lake in Central America, with three volcanoes on its southern flank.
Inclusions
Package Price: From £$ 5975
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Flight to Guatemala
Upon arrival in Guatemala City, private transfer to the hotel in La Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua).
Upon arrival in Guatemala City, private transfer to the hotel in La Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua).
Antigua
Morning, read more...
Morning, private tour of Antigua. For two centuries the capital city of the Spanish military in Central America. Travelers will be met at the hotel for reception at 9 a.m. by a private guide to begin a half-day walking tour of Antigua. This tour will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrance fees are included to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church. This tour is flexible, and if there are specific sites that one wishes to see please let Yampu know. At the end of the tour, privately transfer to the hotel in Lake Atitlan. ...read less
Half-day tour to Santiago Atitlan
Be read more...
Be picked up from the hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, walk with the guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different “brotherhood” has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon, travelers may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if one so wishes, it is possible to ask the guide to assits with hiring the services of a shaman for a personal ceremony to be performed. Next, visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the area is famous. Take a ride in a local “flete”—a pickup truck in which passengers stand in the bed—to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch. After lunch, private transfer to Antigua for overnight. ...read less
City of Tikal
Early morning, transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Upon arrival, visit the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its peak, one can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.
Early morning, transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Upon arrival, visit the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its peak, one can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.
Morning of Leisure
Private transfer to the town of San Ignacio in Belize. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Private transfer to the town of San Ignacio in Belize. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Xunantunich
Morning read more...
Morning visit to the Xunantunich Maya site. Arrive at the village of San Jose Succotz where a hand-cranked ferry carries vehicles and passengers to the other side of the Mopan River. One more mile will bring the visitor to Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). A major ceremonial center, and one of the country’s larger excavated sites, the view from the largest pyramid—El Castillo—is remarkable. The trip continues with a visit to the Belize Zoo, some 40 minutes from Belize City. Only indigenous species are housed at the zoo, all of which have been either rescued or donated from owners who could not take care of the animals properly. The “guests” (birds, cats, crocodiles, monkeys, etc.). are housed in large compounds containing what would be their natural habitats. This is a great opportunity to view and photograph these beasts of the rainforest not easily seen in the wild. Transfer to Belize City, and transfer to the hotel. ...read less
Altun Ha Maya site
Enjoy a morning tour of Altun Ha Maya site. Located 35 miles from Belize City on the Old Northern Highway, Altun Ha (Rock Stone Water) is a great example of a Maya ceremonial and trading site. It was here that Dr. David Pendergast uncovered a very precious Mayan artifact—the Jade Head representing Kinich Ahau, the Sun God. Air transfer from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.
Enjoy a morning tour of Altun Ha Maya site. Located 35 miles from Belize City on the Old Northern Highway, Altun Ha (Rock Stone Water) is a great example of a Maya ceremonial and trading site. It was here that Dr. David Pendergast uncovered a very precious Mayan artifact—the Jade Head representing Kinich Ahau, the Sun God. Air transfer from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in the selected San Pedro Hotel.
Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in the selected San Pedro Hotel.
Day of leisure
Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.
Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.
Flight Home
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Belize and connect with international flight home.
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Belize and connect with international flight home.
Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán, Solola, Guatemala
Tikal, Peten, Guatemala
Belize City, Belize
San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize
Ambergris Caye, Corozal, Belize
San Ignacio, Misiones Province, Argentina
Places You'll See
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Ambergris Caye
Take in the striking white sands and blue waters at Ambergris Caye, the largest Island of Belize. With so many options for entertainment and adventure, one will never grow bored! Take on the Mayan Underworld, a series of caves that one can experience through tubing. Enjoy the wildlife with birding or scuba diving, or just relax in the soft snow-white sands.
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Belize City
The largest city in its country of the same name, Belize is the commercial center of the country. Be sure to take in the Colonial architecture and enjoy walking and horse-and-buggy tours of this magnificent beach city. Enjoy the ocean breeze and visit the local zoo with a chance to see Lucky Boy, the Zoo’s beloved rescued Jaguar.
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Peten
Dotted with many Mayan Archaeological sites the area of Peten, once the hub of Mayan civilization, is full of history and ancient mysteries. Deep in the rainforests of Peten is the ancient city of Tikal, among other lost Mayan cities that have begun restoration.
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Lake Atitlan
Surrounded by several volcanoes and with a once volcanic basin, Lake Atitlan is Central America’s largest and deepest lake. The villages around the edges of this gigantic body of water offer many places to enjoy eating as well as activities. From hiking the volcanoes and kayaking along the massive body of water to culture and coffee tours, there are many activities to take in.
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Antigua
Founded by the Spanish in the 17th century, Antigua city follows traditional layout and Spanish Baroque Style architecture. Enjoy chocolate making classes as you learn about the culture of the area or, For the more adventurous, there is the option to hike up several active volcanos in the region. With a walking coffee tour, one can learn about the process of picking and roasting one’s own coffee.
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Testimonials
Debbie
Traveled February, 2011
We loved our tour guides and will keep in touch with some of them.
We had such an amazing time and must say most of the reason was due to your wonderful coordination of services in Belize and Guatemala! We loved our tour guides and will keep in touch with some of them. I will go on travel web sites and comment about Yampu and the great job you did. The only place that we did not like was the hotel (Carnino Real Tikal) and especially the food in Guatemala; our guide said it was not known for the best food. All else was the best!
Traveled To
Liz K
Traveled February, 2012
Thank you again for everything
The trip went off without a hitch due to your excellent planning, awesome tour guides and drivers and wonderful accommodations. I had an incredible time, the Mayan sites were indeed magic and the scenery in Honduras, Guatemala and Belize is something not to be missed. I wanted to mention my driver, Gustavo Morales, who drove me from the Lake Atitlan hotel to the Guatemala Airport (for my flight to Flores). Gustavo should as far as I am concerned be nominated for the Tourist Driver of the Year Award. If such an award doesn’t exist, one should be created for him. On the day he was to drive me to the airport, there was a massive two-large truck collision in the middle of the main highway to the Airport. In addition, the teachers had gone on strike and were blocking the roads. Gustavo thought that we would not make it to the airport in time, but said he would try his best. He backtracked almost as far as Antigua and took all the back roads through Guatemala City to circle the city and come back to the airport from the other direction. Not only did he give me the Drive of a Lifetime, but he did get me to the airport in plenty of time for the flight. It was nothing short of a miracle and I would like to pass along my thanks and also, my admiration for his driving skills. He is a wonderful guy and I wish him all the best of luck for the future. Thank you again for everything I will definitely recommend Yampu to anyone who wishes a fantastic, personally tailored vacation.
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Mark & Jill
Traveled December, 2015
Thanks again for the usual great Yampu trip.
We loved everything – it really was a perfect itinerary and all the transports were great. The hotels were really top-notch and just what we expected. We did a river tour on the first day in the Black Orchid that we enjoyed. The Belize Zoo is really unique and worth the visit. We also thought the Mayan ruins in both Belize and Guatemala were exceptional. We liked the cave tubing. Ramon’s Village was very good and the water activities superb.
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