A Long Weekend In The Jungle

With easy, daily nonstop flights to Guatemala from several major U.S. cities, we came up with the best answer to the question of '…so what did you do over the weekend?' Nobody will be prepared for your answer when you respond that you spent the last few days exploring the jungles of Central America! This fascinating tour will have you discovering the riches of Guatemala's lush jungle Petén region, which contains one of the largest remaining continuous tracts of tropical forest in the Americas. You will explore an ancient Mayan city deep in the jungle and traverse an elevated walkway for a bird's eye view of the canopy. A hike into the jungle along forest trails to beautiful emerald colored lagoons to learn about the diverse ecosystem of the region will round out this amazing trip. Your weekends will never be the same again but your bragging rights will be rightfully earned...

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Guatemala (-)

Upon arrival at Guatemala City airport you will connect to your evening flight to the town of Flores in the northern jungle region of Petén. You will be warmly welcomed by your guide and escorted to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Day 2 – Lake tour, local villages, Parque National Ixpanpajul (B)

You will awaken this morning to the sounds of the jungle, a far cry from where you were 24 hours ago. After enjoying an al-fresco breakfast in your hotel, you will be taken on a private boat tour of Lake Petén Itzá, surrounded by deep green jungles and characterized by its turquoise-blue waters where you will visit the very friendly and laidback lakeside villages of San Andrés and San José.

Following lunch in the colorful island town of Flores, your tour will continue to the fascinating Ixpanpajul National Park – a wonderland of tropical rainforest from where you can experience a bird's eye view of the forest via a series of six suspension bridges constructed through the canopy. As you walk across the bridges, you will have the opportunity to view nature close-up, concluding at the top of Miramás hill, where you can gaze at the splendor of the jungle and the beauty of lake Petén Itzá in the distance. Forest nature trails, horseback riding and bird watching trails are also found in this fascinating eco-tourism destination.

Day 3 – Tikal, Jungle lagoons (B,L)

Following a leisurely breakfast in your lakeside hotel, you will be given a private guided tour of Tikal. This is one of the most impressive ancient ruins in the world. It was the Mayan civilization's greatest city and is located in a spectacular, remote jungle setting with pyramids rising above the forest canopy. Settled around 800 BC and occupied continuously until records ended in AD 869, it once covered an area of 12 square miles and had a population of at least 100,000 people. The jungle reclaimed Tikal after it was abandoned and the cityguatemala landscape remained unknown to the western world until its rediscovery in the 17th century.

Tikal boasts an amazing variety of flora and fauna, with abundant wildlife viewable early and late in the day. Over 400 bird species have been recorded here. The pyramids here are some of the few in the Americas that you can climb from where you can marvel in the beautiful scenery and spectacular views from over 200 feet above the floor of the jungle. Try the thrill of zip-lining through the forest canopy here for an amazing experience. This evening you will be driven to Flores airport for your evening flight to Guatemala City.

Day 4 – Farewell to Guatemala (B)

This morning you will be driven by private car to Guatemala City airport for your your flight home.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Flores - Luxury - Camino Real (Standard Room)

Flores - Deluxe - Camino Real (Superior Room)

The Camino Real is located between two indigenous villages and the national reserve of Cerro Cahuí on the shores of Lake Peten Itza. It offers private access to the second largest lake in Guatemala and the nature that surrounds it.

The hotel is a tropical retreat located in the heart of the Petén jungle, with excellent facilities and comfort that will ensure an unforgettable experience. Air-conditioning, cable tv, internet and fine linens are standard amenities for all rooms, while the Nakún restaurant serves a delicious selection of Guatemalan and International cuisine.

Guatemala City - Luxury - Princess Hotel

The Princess Hotel boasts an excellent location in the heart of Guatemala City’s affluent Zona Viva, where there are many excellent bars, shopping and dining options. This fine hotel has been recently updated and features 104 luxurious rooms, each designed with modern European decor with one king-size or two queen-size beds, air-conditioning and flat-screen tv. The Garden Court restaurant features a different style of cuisine every night from Guatemalan, to Caribbean to International, while Clancy’s English Pub offers a warm and unique atmosphere.

Guatemala City - Deluxe - Intercontinental Hotel

This luxury hotel is the perfect accommodation for business, entertainment and relaxation. Enjoy the recently renovated restaurants and leisure areas. Indulge yourself with more than 260 menu options from fouur creative restaurants - The Market, Picasso, Tanoshii, Saint Honoré and the vibrant Maya Lounge. Unwind in your spacious suite, rejuvenate in the new spa and fitness center. You will love staying at this hotel, our favorite in the city, renowned for its service and unparalleled location in the affluent Zona Viva. Rooms are stylish and modern featuring comfortable beds, Agraria toiletries and all luxuries one would expect from this world-renowned hotel chain.

Pricing

From $965 per person, for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season, sharing a room.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journeys’s representatives while in Guatemala
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers 

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.).