Daily from Guatemala City
8 days, 7 nights

his tour of Mayan highlights starts with 2 nights in colonial Antigua, with a complete day at leisure to explore.

Drive through the Petén rainforest to Copán in Honduras. The inhabitants of this 2500 year-old site were advanced in the arts, and ball courts and towering columns are on display here alongside the renowned hieroglyphic stairway. Spend a night close to the ruins and continue by road and boat to Livingston, where the Rio Dulce meets the Caribbean Sea. En route you will visit the Mayan site of Quiriguá with its intricate carved stellae.

Livingston’s brightly coloured houses reflect a thriving Afro-Caribbean culture. Spend a night here and take a river trip along the Rio Dulce through tropical forest. Visit the fortress of Castillo de San Felipe, built to repel pirates 500 years ago. Drive on to Tikal for 2 nights. For many this vast site is the Mayans’ crowning achievement, the pyramids and temples brought to life by prolific jungle wildlife: guided tour here. Overnight in Guatemala City.