Discover Guatemala: Expedition to the Lost Mayan Ruins

“Between every two trees
 is a doorway into the new world”

John Muir

Dates: February-March 2027

Duration 12-14 days*

Welcome, visitor!

If you are here, on this page, your have received an invitation to have a look at the upcoming expedition, that I will organize and lead soon. Before you take a tour on the description of the program, and would like to answer some of your general unspoken questions and will refer to some of your possible doubts.

What kind of trip is this?

I offer programs in the style of “Deep Adventure” which are way different from two mainstream types of touristic activities: the organized trips of mass-tourism and an individual hitch-hiking travels.

• Mass tourism regular trips.
  
  The first one offer a conveyor of trips on the standard routes, main mass visited places, big groups and fixed limited schedule. Acceptable for the tourists who are not familiar with the region and want to stay away from the responsibility of organizing own trip, taking away all the risks and dangers that may appear. Good for the people who want to mark the places in a manner of “I’ve been there”, take some pictures and buy some souvenirs. If you go that way, you will see that the travel agency offers you to see, as many thousands of the tourists before you.
  
  
• Hitch-hiking self tourism.
  
  The second type means that you are on your own, being free to go wherever you want, but carrying all the weight of possible difficulties, lack of information, sudden rapid changes in logistics in the middle of your trip, possible issues with the local security etc. Even if you have prepared your route in advance taking information from outer sources, you may find that those sources are lying or had not been updated for actual situation. And even more – you may miss some interesting or critical information just because it has been never published and stays only as local news.

What I offer is very different in all senses:

My approach is neither first or second type of the ones mentioned above:

• I offer you a program that reflect all of your interests (by the way – feel free to write me and share your wishes and I will know how to respect them on the route).
• I thoroughly work through the route day by day, knowing the real situation of each place by my local friends and informants.
• I know how to balance our activities so you will not get bored, tired or over exhausted.
• I include the exclusive places in our route that you won’t find in touristic leaflets and forums, and that are known only by the locals, and they are truly pearls of any good experience.
• Same with the local people that don’t work in tour industry but will welcome us as part of the family, and will share their stories, knowledge and skills only with us.
• Although my programs are well planned and developed, I know how to guarantee margins and provide some freedom to have plan A, plan B and some others in case we would need it.
• And I am accompanying you all time of the trip, sharing my passion, love to travel and to places we visit, my knowledge and my skills.

Organizational information

I work with officially accredited and vetted tour operators and travel service providers in the region.

When you travel with me, you will be provided with a day-by-day itinerary, a route sheet, a list of bookings and services, and other relevant information—available in both on your and the official language of your destination country.

This serves to demonstrate to border control and immigration authorities that you are a legitimate, organized traveler, with the assurance of support from a local host party in the country you are visiting.

Does it worth it? There is only one way to know – join me in our trips!

Thinking of accepting my offer, you may find yourself in one of the following categories:

“I haven’t been to Mexico or Central America and I don’t know what to expect!”

Congratulations – and I must admit, I’m a little envious! By traveling with me, you’ll get to experience the full, vibrant novelty of discovering this colorful region for the very first time.

For my part, I will pour my heart and soul into ensuring that this “first encounter” is absolutely flawless.

“I’ve been to this region before, but not with you.”

I have some news for you: you don’t really know these places – at least, not the way I do.

If what I offer on this website – my style and the way I structure my programs – resonates with you, then I invite you to join me on an adventure. You’ll have the chance to see familiar places in an entirely new light, while also exploring brand-new horizons.

“I already know you!”

If you’ve traveled with me before, or has been on my other events, you’re familiar with my style and how I run my programs. But remember: this region is truly vast – a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to see and understand it all.

There are still plenty of new, unexplored places waiting for us. Plus, I’m constantly evolving, refining my expertize and deepening my knowledge of these routes.

I guarantee that our next journey together will be even better, more polished, and more profound!

A few thoughts for independent travelers:

You might ask yourself, “Why travel with someone else when I can plan the trip on my own?”

Perhaps you’re right – that may well be the best approach for you. But I invite you to consider my perspective: I can show you a side of the country that only I know, thanks to my many years of traveling in this region.

I know places not mentioned in any guidebook, and I know people who live far removed from the typical tourist industry. I know how to weave every part of an itinerary together to create a cohesive, vivid, and unforgettable experience – tailored specifically to your personal interests. Throughout the entire journey, I’ll be by your side, navigating all the local intricacies and nuances.

These are things you simply won’t find in guidebooks or on travel forums.

And a note regarding your travel budget:

You might hold the view that “I could travel for less.”

But remember the old saying: “The miser pays twice.” This is especially true when it comes to deep adventure style – trying to cut costs too aggressively almost always ends up costing you more in the end.

In the region I’m inviting you to explore, there is a specific price threshold – a critical dividing line between a high-quality, safe experience and a total disaster.

The very same destination can either leave you with memories of squalor, poor service, persistent beggars, safety risks, and constant stress – or it can become a profound, harmonious, and powerful adventure, where everything unfolds seamlessly, safely, authentically, and brilliantly. This difference is the result of a great deal of work – both visible and behind the scenes – carried out by me and my trusted team.

Are your peace of mind and a truly vibrant experience worth the investment? That’s for you to decide.

Let’s go on the True Adventure!

I invite you to take part in the travel to Guatemala as I know it – the Land of Magic, Nature and Power.

Our trip will lead you by the path hardly accessible for a regular tourist. We will visit the places that unite the beauty of the nature and culture of this unique region of the World.

This is an adventure in the search of the treasures, such as:

• Unforgettable impressions of the new landcapes
• New information and first hand experience of true explorers
• The joy of the new discoveries and contacts
• The satisfaction of the overcoming the true challenges and gaining new achievements
• The privilege of living the true life in all its extend

What could be the better prize!

The translation of the name “Guatemala” means “the land of the trees”. The name comes from the Nahuatl language from the indigenous troops from Mexico, who accompanied the first Europeans arriving to the region. But they simply translated the meaning from one of the many Mayan languages of local peoples.

To our days Guatemala is famous for its dense tropical forests, in some areas never touched by a man’s axe in a modern era. In those pristine woods the most ancient and spectacular temples of the Mayan civilization are still hidden from the eyes of explorers. To be able to see and touch them we need to make an real expedition, walking the hidden trails for days. Only few people dare to make this demanding trip each year. 

And I invite you to become one of those joining our group.

But in addition of the tropical trails Guatemala offers active volcanoes in its mountains part, as well as the virgin beaches of the Pacific shore.

And we will see it all!

The details of the trip:

The Expedition will be held in the manner of “Deep Adventure”, which require some physical efforts, some days without usual urban comfort.

In the jungle we will make long walks  through trails with the local guide. All the gear, water and food will be carried by the caravan of mules. Extra horses could be provided for the ones who may find long walks to demanding for their condition.

In the other parts of the trip private transportation will be provided.

I will accompany you all the time, providing professional assistance, translation and issue solving 24 hour a day.

First part – Tropical Forest and hidden ancient Mayan cities:

Day 1 – Arrival to Guatemala City

Your group arrives at International airport of Guatemala-City. There you will be met by the trip leader and transferred to the local hotel to have a rest from the long trip.

Day 2 – Flores – the pearl of the tropics

On this day we fill take a local flight to the tropical region of Guatemala, where the beautiful lake Peten-Itza is situated.

We will visit one of many caves located around the lake. The caves for the ancient and modern Maya people are considered to be portals into the Underworld.

In the afternoon we will spend time on the island of Flores, which basically is a Mayan pyramid with the whole colonial city build over it.

We will have some beach time on the shore of the lake.

Day 3 – Start if the jungle trail

On this day we will meet our local guides who will take us to the jungle trail. After the instructions and preparations, all the equipment will be loaded onto mules for the trip and we’re off!

Then we will start our hike trough the dense tropical forest to the first stop of our route – an ancient Mayan city of Tintal. We will have a chance to observe the wildlife of this region, rich with all set of tropical species.

In the place we appreciate the Henequén pyramid, which has a height of 47 meters. At the end of the day we will set up a camp on the central square of the ancient city.

There are not many places in the world, where it is allowed to climb ancient temples without the limits of mass tourism rules, and we will be at one of them. If the weather allows us we will have a chance to see the sunset from the top of it – which hovers above the canopy of the tropical forest.

Day 4 – Arrival to the biggest ancient Mayan city – El Mirador

Today we will take a long trip through the jungle to the most spectacular ruins of the Mayan world. Once it was the biggest urban settlement of humanity of its epoch. Barely excavated, it still lies below the vegetation for most of the area, but offers unique opportunity to see and touch real and authentic history.

Upon arrival at the Mirador we will settle the camp and rest. When the night approaches, we will climb to watch the sunset from La Danta pyramid and make a night exploration of the surroundings, to return to the camp for dinner.

Day 5 – Exploration of the Mayan temples

The previous day we said farewell to the setting sun. After a whole night under the canopy of the pristine jungle forest, surrounded by the mysterious ruins of the biggest settlement of the ancient world, we will be ready to meet the new sun on the top of  “El Tigre” pyramid. We will watch the jungle awakening, listen to the roars of the howler monkeys and songs of birds as the sun appears on the horizon.

Before us stands the majestic pyramid “La Danta”, the base occupies the area of 17 football fields, and a height of 10 meters higher than Temple IV of Tikal.

Unlike other places, El Mirador is truly a lost world! Full of unopened tombs 800 years older than Tikal. We return to the camp where we have breakfast and take a short rest and then enjoy a guided tour of the rest of the site. Lunch at the camp and then we head to the majestic “La Danta” temple where we will again enjoy the sunset over a green sea of jungle.

Day 6 – Return hike

We make the return trip along the same route via Tintal. Another day and night in the tropical jungle will give us a chance to observe the wildlife of this land, untouched by the human being throughout centuries.

Day 7 – Arrival back to the modern world

We proceed to the final point of our trail to be transported back to Flores. The rest of this day will be dedicated to the beach and walk around activities to restore from intensive experience away from any civilization.

Day 8 – Visit of the picturesque Tikal ruins

Today we transfer to Tikal National Park to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. Well explored and developed as a touristic attraction, this site anyway offers picturesque places, iconic temples and some secrets that not many visitors know – and we will explore them thoroughly. 

After lunch, transfer to Flores, then take a flight to Guate City, when arrival transfer to Antigua Guatemala.

Second part – Highlands of Guatemala

Day 9 – Antigua

Today you will take a walking tour of Antigua. The ciy where the time has stopped century ago and was well preserved by the eruption of the nearest Vulcan. The tour takes us to the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church & San Francisco Church.

Afternoon free time to explore for your own. At night, is the conditions would be right, we will make a short hike to the nearest mountain to see the glowing eruption of Acatenango Vulcan.

Day 10 – Atitlan

Lake Atitlán is the largest high-altitude lake in Guatemala. Thousands of years ago, an explosion of unimaginable power occurred here, creating the second-largest volcanic caldera on Earth. Filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded on all sides by majestic volcanoes, this place has become home to the descendants of the ancient Maya, who still live in towns along the lake’s shores today. The Maya revere this site as the “Heart of the World”—one of the most potent “places of power” on the planet.

You will be able to swim in this high-mountain lake, go horseback riding around it, and soak up the energy of this “place of power.”

Living Maya Traditions

Day 11 – The Tradition

It was here, in the vicinity of the lake, that the Popol Vuh – the Book of the History of the Kʼicheʼ People – was recorded during the time of the Spanish Conquest.

On the shores of this lake, held sacred by the local inhabitants, we will meet with a “Keeper of Time” – a spiritual leader of the Maya – and take part in a ceremony whose origins are lost in the mists of time.

We will visit colorful Maya towns scattered along the lakeshore. We will stop at a local church, where the saints are dressed in vibrant garments – woven by local women in a unique, distinctive style – that carry a dual significance: within the Catholic pantheon and according to Maya tradition. Afterward, we will visit the home of a local “saint” – an unusual deity revered by the Maya of today, just as their ancestors revered him over 2,000 years ago.

Days 12 – Back to Guatemala City

This day after saying farewell to the lake Atitlan, the start our trip back to Guatemala-City. That will be a  time to recall all the memories of the past days, to settle down the experience gained, the challenges overcome, the gifts received.

Transfer to the airport. Leaving back to your home.

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*Possible additional days

At the request some extra days may be included in the second part of the trip.

Expedition dates: February-March, duration 12-14 days

What is included:

• Hotels and other types of staying during all days of the program
• Breakfasts where the hotels offer this option
• Full package of meals and drinking water during the jungle trail
• Transportation within the route
• Synchronous translation from Spanish to English and vice versa
• Accompaniment by a travel leader
• Entrance fees to archeological places and natural reserves
• Local guides in some places

What is not included:

• International flight to/from Guatemala
• Meals apart from the ones indicated above
• Entrance fees to Guatemala
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips

Interested?

Write me your message and I will provide you all the further details about the price and conditions of the trip.

*The places in the list are for reference only and may be changed in real route without loosing the essence and integrity of the program.