The Mayan Explorer
Overview
Experience the essence of Guatemala on this enriching 7‑day, 6‑night journey, thoughtfully designed to blend culture, scenery, and meaningful connections. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a world of colourful traditions and warm hospitality. Travel through vibrant highlands and serene landscapes, where local life unfolds against dramatic natural backdrops. Along the way, enjoy a balance of guided discoveries and relaxed moments, allowing you to appreciate each destination at a comfortable pace. This journey offers an authentic and well‑rounded introduction to Guatemala, leaving you with lasting memories and a true sense of place.
Format
Trip Highlights
Destinations that include planned activities and/or overnight stays.
- Guatemala
- Guatemala City
- Chichicastenango
- Sololá
- Panajachel
- San Juan La Laguna
- Antigua Guatemala
- Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Inclusions
- Round-trip flight to Guatemala (if the Flight & Hotel option is chosen)
- Shared transfers for all the services within your itinerary
- Round-trip boat transfer between Panajachel and San Juan La Laguna
- 6 nights accommodation in select category (3 nights in Guatemala City, 1 night in Chichicastenango, 1 night in Panajaechel, 1 night in La Antigua Guatemala)
- Daily breakfast
- More Moments activities included:
- Half-day Chichicastenango city tour
- Full‑day Guatemala Highlands tour
- San Juan La Laguna tour
- Half-day La Antigua Guatemala city tour
- Hotel taxes and porter gratuities
- Fees and service charges
- Service of an English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees to the monuments as mentioned in the itinerary
- Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Guatemala City
Daytime flight to La Aurora International Airport.
Upon arrival, you will need to clear customs and immigration. Afterwards, you'll collect your luggage and proceed to the exit, where a local representative will be waiting for you, holding an Air Canada Vacations sign with your name. They will assist you with your transfer to your hotel to check in.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 2
Guatemala City - Chichicastenango
After an early breakfast and check-out, your local tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin your journey into the Guatemalan Highlands. You will enjoy a scenic drive of approximately 3.5 hours toward the vibrant town of Chichicastenango, surrounded by mountains, valleys, and traditional rural landscapes.
Upon arrival, you will take part in a guided half-day tour, before being transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Half-day city tour
Begin this afternoon’s adventure with a visit to the vibrant Chichicastenango Market, followed by the Church of Santo Tomás, where you may witness captivating traditional religious ceremonies. As you explore the town’s cultural highlights, including its bustling market and key historical sites, you will gain a fascinating insight into local Maya traditions and daily life, offering an authentic and immersive experience in the heart of the Guatemalan Highlands.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 3
Chichicastenango – Sololá – Lake Atitlán – Panajachel
After breakfast and check‑out, your local tour guide will escort you on a full‑day Guatemala Highlands tour. Later, you will continue to Panajachel, where you will check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Full-day Guatemala Highlands tour
Begin your journey with a scenic 1 hour drive into the highlands of Guatemala, heading toward the charming town of Sololá. Here, you will visit its renowned local market, an authentic cultural hub where indigenous men and women proudly wear their traditional attire. Stroll through colorful stalls filled with local produce, textiles, and handcrafted goods, offering a genuine glimpse into daily life and ancestral traditions. After this immersive cultural experience, your journey continues toward the breathtaking shores of Lake Atitlán, set against a backdrop of dramatic volcanic landscapes.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 4
Panajachel – San Juan La Laguna – La Antigua Guatemala
After breakfast and check‑out, your local tour guide will take you on a scenic drive toward one of Guatemala’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, La Antigua Guatemala. En route, enjoy a stop in San Juan La Laguna, known for its rich indigenous heritage and lakeside charm.
After the visit, you will be taken back to Panajachel, to continue onward to La Antigua Guatemala, where you will check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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San Juan La Laguna tour
You'll begin today’s adventure with a scenic boat ride departing from Panajachel, gliding across the tranquil waters of Lake Atitlán. As you cruise along the lake, you'll take in breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes and charming lakeside villages. Upon arrival in the picturesque village of San Juan La Laguna, you'll discover its rich indigenous culture through visits to local art cooperatives, traditional weaving workshops, and colourful streets adorned with murals. Enjoy time to explore and interact with local artisans.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 5
La Antigua Guatemala – Guatemala City
After breakfast and check‑out, your local tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin today’s highlight, a captivating half‑day city tour of La Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historical charm and landmarks.
Following the tour, you will continue your journey toward Guatemala City. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
More Moments Activities Included
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Half-day city tour
Your adventure begins with a visit to the Central Plaza, the heart of the city and a testament to Guatemala’s rich heritage. Surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, and the impressive Palace of the Captains General, this area showcases centuries of architectural grandeur. As you continue exploring, discover historic churches and monasteries, observe artisans working on traditional foot‑looms to weave vibrant textiles, and visit a jade factory where this ancestral stone is transformed into beautiful, handcrafted jewelry.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 6
Guatemala City
Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure, offering the perfect balance of comfort and flexibility. Take this time to unwind, recharge and make the most of your surroundings at your own rhythm. For those looking to further connect with local traditions and culture, an optional activity is available, which can be booked and paid for locally through your representative.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 7
Guatemala City - Canada
After breakfast and check out, your local representative will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel and take you to La Aurora International Airport to catch your flight back to Canada.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king, 2 double or 2 queen-size beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 guests (any combination)
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king, 2 double or 2 queen-size beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 guests (any combination)
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king, 2 double or 2 queen-size beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 guests (any combination)
Room details
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Bed size(s): 1 king, 2 double or 2 queen-size beds. Rollaway beds available upon request (locally)
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 guests (any combination)
Ideal for
Guided tours
Let us show you around. Tour packages include (varies by tour):
- Round-trip flight with Air Canada
- Private airport transfers
- Hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Train transportation
- Motorcoach transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel luggage service
- Experienced guide throughout
- Aeroplan® points
Earn more with Aeroplan
In addition to accumulating points on the flight portion of your trip, you’ll earn up to 4,000 extra Aeroplan points on select tour packages.
- Members ages 2 to 12 will receive extra points equivalent to 50% of the points granted to members ages 13 and up.
- Travel completion by December 31, 2026.
Important Information
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- Dates of operation: October 26, 2026 - December 9, 2026 (Travel must be completed by December 15, 2026)
- Frequency: Tour operates on Mondays and Thursdays on a weekly basis
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Not included
- Gratuities
- Airport taxes (where applicable)
- Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals
- Additional hotel services (laundry, minibar, room service, etc.)
- Transfers for optional activities, or any additional transfers outside those listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to landmarks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities and excursions
- Visa fees (where applicable)
- Wi-Fi access at hotels and restaurants
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- Car: For all airport-hotel-airport, sightseeing and intercity transfer services
- Boat from Panajachel to San Juan La Laguna
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- Some drives on this itinerary may involve winding roads. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, we recommend planning accordingly.
- Driving times indicated in your itinerary are approximate and may vary due to traffic and road conditions.
- Inter-City flights weight restriction for checked bags is 15KG, 1 bag per person
- If your itinerary includes domestic and/or regional flight tickets, as well as entry tickets to landmarks that require passport details, you must call Air Canada Vacations immediately upon receiving your booking confirmation. Failure to provide Air Canada Vacations with your passport details may result in the unavailability of domestic and/or regional flight tickets and entry passes for certain landmarks included in your tour package. It is mandatory to call Air Canada Vacations at the number provided in your electronic confirmation as soon as your booking is confirmed to submit your passport details.
- Shorts and bathing suits are not permitted inside Santo Tomás Church in Chichicastenango. Please also note that photography is not allowed within the church.
- The sequence of the itinerary may be altered for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, such as accommodation availability, weather, national events, strikes, etc.