Original
Explorer
Heart of Central America
15 days • 4
4
Very Good
circle1 reviews
location_on 15 days
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Start
Granada, Nicaragua
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Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
tour
Trip Code
QBSKC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
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Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
From £1,870(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation.
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Visit an Indigenous artists’ village in Nicaragua to meet with a local artist who makes traditional masks – an important part of the history of the country's revolution.
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Drive up through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and head on a hike to one of the crater lakes with an expert local guide.
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Visit Chichicastenango market – known as Chichi for short – and pick up your very own huipils (a traditional Mayan garment worn by women and girls) or some handmade jade jewellery.
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Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, with 95% of the population of Mayan descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon and share a bottle of local spirits with them as they tell you stories of local life.
Is this trip right for you?
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As this trip covers destinations across four countries, you’ll make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers.
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This trip involves some long travel days as you traverse four countries in a short amount of time.
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Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
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If you are traveling with a UK passport, a visa is now required to enter Honduras. Please ensure you check the Important Notes and Essential Trip Information for more details.
Itinerary
Journey into the very heart of Central America
Take a wild ride through the heart of Central America – a place of diverse culture, Maya civilisations and modern religions. Take a 15-day trip starting on Lake Nicaragua, surrounded by active volcanoes. Visit Mombacho Volcano, travelling through cloud forest to the top at the crater lake, then explore the city of Leon at your own pace. Meet a former guerilla in the Cinquera community, during a tour of the small town, then enjoy a spot of bird watching in El Salvador. Learn to make some local favourites in a cooking class and explore the Copan ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hit the markets of the Guatemalan Highlands and ride on a traditional chicken bus – the source of pride for many locals in Quetzaltenango. Learn about the history and pull of the deity San Simon and find all the hidden gems in Antigua before enjoying a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Granada
- DAY 2Day 2 • Leon
- DAY 3Day 3 • Leon
- DAY 4Day 4 • Leon to El Cuco via Honduras
- DAY 5Day 5 • Suchitoto
- DAY 6Day 6 • Suchitoto
- DAY 7Day 7 • Suchitoto to Copan, Honduras via Guatemala
- DAY 8Day 8 • Copan, Honduras
- DAY 9Day 9 • Antigua
- DAY 10Day 10 • Antigua
- DAY 11Day 11 • Quetzaltenango
- DAY 12Day 12 • Quetzaltenango
- DAY 13Day 13 • Panajachel
- DAY 14Day 14 • Antigua
- DAY 15Day 15 • Antigua
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi
bed Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
festival Included activities
circleMonimbó - Indigenous artists village visit
circleGranada - Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
circleLeon - Leader Led Walking Tour
circleSan Salvador - El Rosario church
circleSan Salvador - Leader-led orientation walk
circleSuchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
circleSuchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
circleSuchitoto - Cinquera Community tour with former guerilla
circleCopan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
circleAntigua - Leader-led Orientation Walk
circleSan Andres Itzapa - San Simon shamanic ceremonies
circleWestern Highlands - Almolonga vegetable market
circleQuetzaltenango - Chicken Bus Experience
circleChichicastenango market visit
circleSantiago Atitlan - Shamanic Keepers of the Shrine of Maximon
circleLake Atitlan - Boat to Santiago Atitlan
museum Optional activities
circleLeon - Volcano Sand Boarding (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD55
circleLeon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD55
circleSuchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration - USD44
circleCopan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) USD - USD10
circleCopan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50
circleQuetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - Free
circleQuetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55
circleXela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings - USD25
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£2,338£1,987
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Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£2,338£1,870
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Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£2,338
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Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Saturday Nov 08, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£2,525£2,398
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Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£2,673£2,539
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Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£2,536£2,409
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Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday Dec 27, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£2,602£2,471
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Important notes
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1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Granada. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
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2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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3. Please be careful when booking flights to Granada; make sure you fly to Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights to Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.
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4. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly from Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
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5. As per updated Nicaragua entry requirements, customers are currently required to supply a copy of their passport front page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure.
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6. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the Honduras pre-registration, your leader will be able to assist on Day 1 of your tour. For more information, visit the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the ‘Essential Trip Information.’
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7. IMPORTANT FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS: You must obtain a multiple entry visa to Honduras before traveling on this trip. Due to reported delays in securing embassy appointments, we recommend checking appointment availability with the Honduran Embassy before confirming your travel plans. See the Passports, visas and entry requirements section in your Essential Trip Information for details.
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8. Under Honduran law, travelers under age 21 who are traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent must have written, notarized permission to travel (in Spanish) from the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian(s). Please check with your local embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
Reviews (1)
4 stars
1
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Heather
Mar 16, 2024
5 days in Guatemala was an excellent trip full of cultural experiences and an excellent guide in Isaias.