Fly to Guatemala City. Transfer to Antigua, the former capital, with its cobblestone lanes, pastel coloured architecture and attractive squares. Stay 2 nights at Meson de Maria or similar.
Morning walking tour of historic Antigua. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional excursion to visit a local community and its weaving workshops. (B)
Drive to Lake Atitlan, via a coffee farm and the Mayan Traditions Museum. Stay 2 nights at Hotel Atitlan. (B)
Full-day tour of the lake, including the villages of Santiago Atitlan and San Juan La Laguna. (B, L)
Visit Chichicastenango market (Thursday or Sunday) for hand-made Mayan weavings and art, and see Mayan rituals being performed in the small Catholic church. Return to Antigua for 1 night. (B, L)
Drive towards the Caribbean coast, visiting the Mayan stelae of Quirigua en route. Take a boat from Puerto Barrios along the coast to Livingston, with its Caribbean Garifuna culture. Overnight at Villa Caribe. (B)
Optionally*, before visiting Livingston, break your journey with a 2-night side trip to visit the ruins of Copan in neighbouring Honduras.
Morning at leisure to explore Livingston, then take a boat ride along the Dulce river, visiting the Bird Island and a local community project. Transfer by road to El Peten for a 2-night stay at Villa Maya or similar. (B)
Morning tour of the ancient Mayan citadel of Tikal.
Morning at leisure or optional excursions such as the Yaxha. Evening flight to Guatemala City for a 1-night stay at the Biltmore Express. (B)
This morning, fly to your next destination. (B)