Guatemala & Belize Bespoke Holiday
Experience the soul of Central America on this hand-crafted journey. From the mist-covered volcanic peaks and colorful Mayan markets of Guatemala to the turquoise waters and lush jungles of Belize, this itinerary blends deep history with pure relaxation. With your own private chauffeur and expert guides, you’re free to explore at your own pace.
Our Suggested Day By Day Itinerary
This tour can be fully personalised and upgrades are available.
Ecuador & Galapagos tailor-made holidays will be designed to suit your preferences.
PACKAGE DETAILS
From £4,970 Per Person
Based on 2 people sharing
- Price Includes:
- Return economy flights from UK London/Manchester/Birmingham. Contact us for flights quotation from different countries.
- Excursions,
- Entry fees,
- Transport: Private A/C Car with Chauffeur Guide
Hotels: Mixture of Mid-range & Deluxe hotels on Breakfast Basis
Business Class Flights Upgrades Are Available
Day 1 – Hello Guatemala! Arrival in Antigua
Touch down in Guatemala City, where your friendly private guide will be waiting to whisk you away to Antigua. This UNESCO World Heritage jewel is famous for its cobblestone streets and pastel-colored colonial architecture. Settle into your boutique hotel, enjoy a fresh Guatemalan coffee, and soak up the mountain views.
Accommodation: Casa Encantada
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 2 – Antigua – Discover at Your Own Pace
Today is all about the “slow travel” vibe. Antigua is a city that rewards the wanderer; with no set schedule, you’re free to follow the scent of fresh-roasted coffee or the sound of distant marimba music through the cobblestone streets.
Whether you want to find a quiet courtyard to read in or dive headfirst into local life, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to help you craft your perfect day:
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Walk Through History: Join a guided Antigua City Tour to uncover the secrets behind the crumbling ruins and grand cathedrals of this UNESCO World Heritage gem.
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A Treat for the Senses: Satisfy your inner foodie at the Cacao and Chocolate Museum (trust us, the smell alone is worth it!) or visit a local macadamia nut farm to see how these creamy treasures are grown.
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Treasures & Textiles: * Jade Hunting: Guatemala is one of the rare places on Earth where high-quality Jadeite is found. Visit the Jade Museum to see ancient carvings and modern jewelry.
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Local Crafts: Head to the vibrant daily market for a kaleidoscope of color, or visit a Women’s Weaving Cooperative in San Antonio Aguascalientes to see the intricate artistry of Mayan textiles.
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Custom Style: Take a quick trip to the village of Pastores—the “boot capital”—to have a pair of handmade leather cowboy boots fitted just for you.
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Outdoor Energy: If you’re feeling active, we can arrange horse-riding through the valley or mountain biking along the lush ridges overlooking the city.
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Pure Bliss: If relaxation is the priority, head just outside the city to the Santa Teresita Hot Springs for a restorative soak in the thermal waters.
However you choose to spend it, the magic of Antigua is yours to discover.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 3 – An Active Adventure – Conquering Pacaya Volcano
Fuel up at breakfast because this morning is all about adventure! We’ll head just outside Antigua for a private hike up the mighty Pacaya Volcano, one of Guatemala’s most iconic and active peaks. The trek begins in the village of San Vicente de Pacaya and takes about 90 minutes to reach the base of the crater. As you climb, the views get better with every step, stretching out over the bustling cityscape of Guatemala City. Once you reach the top, the landscape feels truly elemental; you’ll be surrounded by the majestic peaks of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango, and if the sky is clear, you can even spot the distant mountains surrounding Lake Atitlán.
Because Pacaya is a living, breathing volcano, you’ll feel the warmth of the earth beneath your feet and smell the faint hint of sulfur rising through the porous lava rock. If luck is on your side, you might even catch a glimpse of glowing lava flow! And here’s a quirky highlight: the ground gets so hot in certain spots that you can actually toast marshmallows right on the volcanic rock. It’s an intermediate hike reaching an altitude of 2,550 m (8,366 ft), so be sure to bring sturdy shoes, a light jacket, and plenty of water. If you’d prefer a more relaxed ascent, horses are available to rent at the trailhead. After your exhilarating morning on the mountain, the afternoon is yours to kick back and recuperate in Antigua or tick off another local activity from your wishlist.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 4 – Ruins, Ziplines, and Arrival at Majestic Lake Atitlán
Today, we trade the cobblestones of Antigua for the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlán. Your private transfer is a journey through history and adrenaline, starting with a stop at the Iximché ruins. Once the powerhouse capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom, this archaeological site is the perfect place for a self-guided stroll among ancient plazas and pyramid temples. It’s a quiet, atmospheric glimpse into Guatemala’s storied past before we ramp up the energy for the afternoon.
Next, it’s time to see the jungle from a different perspective at the San Buenaventura Nature Reserve. Get ready to soar on the Cables X-Tremos Zipline Circuit, a thrilling series of eight zip-wires stretching over 1,300 meters. You’ll glide high above waterfalls, deep canyons, and lush coffee plantations. The experience includes a scenic hike across five suspension bridges—keep your eyes peeled and ears open, as the reserve is home to nearly 250 species of tropical birds! After about an hour of high-flying fun, your driver will take you the rest of the way to the shores of Lake Atitlán to settle into your home for the next two nights.
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Stay: Dos Mundos La Posada, Panajachel (Half-Board)
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Highlight: Crossing suspension bridges through the canopy before your first flight!
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Day 5 – The Spirit of Atitlán – Maximon and Santiago Village
Prepare for a day that feels like stepping into another world. Your morning begins with a private boat ride across the shimmering, volcano-fringed waters of Lake Atitlán. The destination is Santiago Atitlán, a town where ancient Mayan traditions aren’t just remembered—they are lived every single day.
The highlight of the morning is a visit to the elusive folk saint, Maximon (or Rilaj Maam). Finding him is part of the adventure! Because a different local “brotherhood” cares for his effigy each year, his shrine moves to a new secret location annually. Your expert guide will lead you through the winding backstreets to find him, where you might witness local shamans performing smoke-filled rituals. For those seeking a deeper connection, your guide can even help arrange a personal ceremony just for you.
After visiting Maximon, you’ll hop in a local tuk-tuk to explore the rest of the village. You’ll visit the historic church, wander through a bustling market famous for its vivid textiles and “primitive” style paintings, and learn about the deep-rooted spiritual beliefs of the Tzutujil Maya people. It’s a day of breathtaking scenery and profound cultural insight that you won’t soon forget.
What’s Included Today:
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Private boat transport across the lake
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Your own expert English-speaking guide
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Local tuk-tuk rides through the village
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Maximon shrine donation fee
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Day 6 – The Famous Chichicastenango Market and Flight to Flores
Start your day with a scenic drive into the highlands to visit Chichicastenango, or “Chichi” as the locals call it. Today is Thursday, which means the town is at its most vibrant! You’ll arrive just as the world-famous market is in full swing. This isn’t just a place to shop; it’s the beating heart of the region, where villagers from across the mountains gather to trade, share news, and perform sacred ceremonies.
You’ll have plenty of time for a self-guided exploration through the winding stalls. The air is thick with the scent of incense and the streets are a literal kaleidoscope of color, flooded with hand-woven textiles and intricate handicrafts. Keep an eye out for the men wearing traditional religious attire—a rare and beautiful sight that highlights the deep history of this town. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or just want to soak in the atmosphere of the Catholic church and nearby Mayan altars, Chichi is an experience for the soul.
In the afternoon, we’ll leave the highlands behind and head back to Guatemala City for a quick evening flight. In just about an hour, you’ll touch down in the tropical north. A private transfer will be waiting to take you to the charming island-town of Flores, a colorful outpost tucked away on Lake Petén Itzá.
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Stay: Hotel Isla de Flores (2 nights)
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- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 7 – Maya ruins at Tikal
Prepare for a day that feels like stepping into a movie set as you journey deep into the rainforest to explore Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most powerful ancient superpowers ever discovered. With your expert English-speaking guide leading the way, you’ll wander through a sprawling archaeological wonderland where history and nature collide. The highlight for many is scaling Temple IV (The Two-Headed Serpent); at over 70 meters tall, it offers a breathtaking panorama where the stone peaks of the Great Jaguar and Temple of the Masks pierce through the vast, unbroken jungle canopy. You’ll walk the hallowed grounds of the Central Plaza and discover the Lost World Complex, an ancient hub for astronomical observations. But Tikal is more than just stone; it’s a living breathing nature reserve. Between exploring temples, you’ll be on a tropical safari—keep your ears open for the prehistoric roar of Howler Monkeys and watch for Spider Monkeys and colorful Toucans flitting through the trees. After a delicious included lunch, you’ll head back to the colorful island-town of Flores for a relaxing evening by the lake.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 8 – Crossing into Belize & The Stone Woman of Xunantunich
Get ready for a change of pace as you leave the Petén region of Guatemala behind and head for the vibrant, lush jungles of Belize’s Cayo District! Your morning begins with a private transfer to the border, where you’ll breeze through formalities before meeting your friendly, English-speaking Belizean driver. Your first true taste of Belize is a visit to the remarkable Xunantunich ruins, but the journey there is half the fun—you’ll cross the Mopan River on a charming, hand-cranked ferry that feels like a step back in time. Once at the site, your local guide will introduce you to the “Stone Woman,” a thriving ancient city featuring El Castillo, a towering 130-foot pyramid. Climbing to the top rewards you with sweeping views of the jungle and the intricate stucco friezes that still decorate the temple. After a delicious local lunch, you’ll head deeper into the wilderness to the stunning Black Rock Lodge. Settling into your classic cabin for the next three nights, you’ll enjoy the lodge’s famous family-style meals—the perfect way to swap stories with fellow travelers as the sounds of the jungle come alive around you.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 9 – Coastal Adventure – Snorkelling at Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley
Today, you’ll experience the incredible diversity of Belize as you travel from the heart of the jungle to the sparkling Caribbean coast for a world-class snorkeling adventure. You’ll join a small group and set sail for the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a stunning natural channel in the Belize Barrier Reef. Here, you’ll plunge into crystal-clear waters ranging from shallow flats to dramatic depths, swimming through flourishing coral gardens teeming with tropical fish and graceful sea fans. The excitement ramps up at Shark Ray Alley, a world-famous spot where you can glide alongside majestic Southern stingrays and completely harmless nurse sharks. It’s a heart-pounding, “pinch-me” moment that often becomes the highlight of the entire trip! After your coastal excursion, head back to the comfort of Black Rock Lodge to unwind. Whether you choose to swap your snorkel for a river tube on the Macal River, go for a sunset bird-watching stroll, or simply enjoy a well-earned cocktail by the pool, the evening is yours to soak up the peaceful jungle atmosphere.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Days 10 – Jungle Leisure – Relax and Recharge
After nine days of incredible adventure, today is your chance to simply breathe and embrace the “go slow” spirit of Belize. Spend a lazy morning on the deck of your cabin with a fresh cup of coffee, or grab a book and head to the pool to soak up the tropical sun. The beauty of staying at Black Rock Lodge is that you can be as active or as relaxed as you like. If you’re still craving a bit of exploration, the lodge offers fantastic local experiences: you can grab a tube for a refreshing, scenic float down the Macal River, or join a guided birding walk to spot some of the region’s most exotic feathered residents. For those who haven’t had quite enough history, there are several lesser-known Mayan ruins nearby that offer a quiet, personal look at ancient life without the crowds. Whatever you choose, you’ll end the day with one last famous family-style dinner, sharing stories and laughter with fellow travelers as the jungle symphony plays in the background. It’s the perfect, peaceful finale to your Central American journey.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Day 11 – Farewell Belize – Departure Day
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
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Tailor Your Tour - Potential Highlights
If you love this tour but want to change some details our team will tailor this tour to match your interests. With our in-depth knowledge we will provide you with the best advice on every detail of the tour.
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Request A Video MeetingTailor Your Tour - Potential Highlights
If you love this tour but want to change some details our team will tailor this tour to match your interests. With our in-depth knowledge we will provide you with the best advice on every detail of the tour.
Guatemala & Belize Holiday 2026-2027
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