Original
Explorer
Heart of Guatemala
6 days • 4.6
4.5
Excellent
circle28 reviews
location_on 6 days
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Start
Antigua, Guatemala
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Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
tour
Trip Code
QBSG
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 16
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch
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Transport
Private vehicle, Shared boat
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights)
From £730(6 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Visit San Andres Itzapa and see the shamanic ceremonies devoted to San Simon, a popular chain-smoking saint that has stolen the hearts of the Maya people.
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Take an elaborately decorated chicken bus to a local market and witness the larger-than-life vegetables this region’s known for – decide for yourself whether it’s the result of the fertilizer or the blessings from God.
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Visit Chichicastenango market – known as Chichi for short – and pick up your very own huipils (a traditional Maya 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 Maya descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon.
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Start and end your trip in Antigua, making sure to see the city’s restored Spanish buildings and epic views of the volcano that towers over it.
Is this trip right for you?
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The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be really hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours.
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While your leaders on this trip will bridge any language gaps you have along the way, you'll find meeting locals easier the more Spanish words you know. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.
Itinerary
Take a trip to the cultural heart of Guatemala
From gorgeous Antigua, this six-day adventure to the Guatemalan Highlands, away from the tourist crowds of Central America and experience authentic modern Mayan culture. With a mix of Spanish influences, Catholicism and traditional Mayan practices, this place is a feast for the senses. Hit markets like Almolonga – famed for its giant vegetables – and Chichicastenango – full of homemade wares and medicinal plants. See the shamanic ceremonies at the Temple of San Simon, then depart the highlands and head for Lake Atitlan, surrounded by mountainous volcanoes. Take a scenic boat ride to the shrine of Maximon, and find out why this culture holds the chain-smoking deity in such high regard.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Antigua
- DAY 2Day 2 • Quetzaltenango
- DAY 3Day 3 • Quetzaltenango
- DAY 4Day 4 • Panajachel
- DAY 5Day 5 • Antigua
- DAY 6Day 6 • Antigua
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch
airport_shuttle Transport
Private vehicle, Shared boat
bed Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights)
festival Included activities
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
circleQuetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - Free
circleQuetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55
circleXela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings - USD25
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£880£748
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Monday Jul 14, 2025
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£880£748
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Monday Aug 18, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left
£913£730
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Monday Oct 06, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left
£913£776
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Monday Nov 10, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£952£904
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Monday Nov 24, 2025
Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,051£998
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Monday Dec 08, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left
£952£904
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Monday Dec 22, 2025
Saturday Dec 27, 2025
Trip size max: 16 - 6 spaces left
£1,012
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Monday Dec 29, 2025
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left
£952
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Monday Jan 19, 2026
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,001
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Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£1,078
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Monday Feb 02, 2026
Sunday Feb 08, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left
£957
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Thursday Feb 05, 2026
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left
£1,078
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Monday Feb 09, 2026
Sunday Feb 15, 2026
Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left
£1,078
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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 Antigua. 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 and from Antigua; make sure you fly into Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights to Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
Reviews (28)
5 stars
21
4 stars
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3 stars
1
1 star
1
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Jennifer
May 10, 2025
I thought this trip was wonderful. It's a short trip emphasizing the Mayan culture of the country. Some participants wanted more hiking, beaches or exciting ruins. This trip is not that. It is wonderful on It's own or combined with another central American tour.
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Beth
Apr 08, 2025
Overall great experience, as a result of a wonderful guide Isaias. Not enough time at Lake Atitlan, would recommend Intrepid changing the itinerary to have more time here, and less time at Quetzaltenango. We got a real feel for this amazing country, and would love to come back and see more.
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Kezia
Apr 07, 2025
I had a brilliant time in Guatemala with our brilliant tour leader Isaias. Although time on the tour was short, I learnt so much about Mayan culture and had a fantastic time.
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Harriet
Feb 19, 2025
Guatemala is a beautiful and unique country. You will learn a lot and see lots of interesting places. You are lucky if you get Isaias as a tour guide. Highly recommend this trip.
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karen
Feb 19, 2025
An excellent trip exploring the culture of the Maya, past and present. Visiting less touristy areas and interacting with local communities. A great introduction to Guatemala.
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Deborah
Feb 16, 2025
Our first tour with intrepid did not disappoint as the tour was well planned with a excellent tour leader leading us through a interesting itinerary
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Leanne
Feb 10, 2025
The Heart of Guatemala was a remarkable adventure thanks to the outstanding leadership of Isaias Soliz. Through his eyes we felt and experienced the wonders and beauty of Guatemala, its history, its friendly, proud & family oriented people and the traditional Mayan way of life. The highlight was his homeland, the shores of breathtaking Lake Atitlan. So many treasured memories !
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Wilf
Feb 08, 2025
Excellent, Educational tour leader by highly qualified tour leaders showing the best of the Culture, History and Scenery the country has to offer.
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Sylvia
Jan 12, 2025
The Heart of Guatemala stole my heart. The trip I made to Guatemala was very meaningful to me. I had wanted to go to this country for a long time and I always put it off. I took this trip with Intrepid so I wouldn't go alone because I always had the perception that it was a dangerous place, but how wrong I was!!! Guatemala is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. In addition to its beautiful landscapes, the people are very kind, and the food is delicious. Thanks to Intrepid I learned more about this country and its customs.
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Lukasz
Dec 16, 2024
Amazing tour, strongly recommend! Erica our tour guide managed to organized tours that were not included in itinerary. Had amazing time with amazing people! Thank you intrepid!