My partner and I have just returned to the UK from the most incredible 14-day adventure in Guatemala, flawlessly planned and executed by Mayan Gateway. Their team suggested the ‘Guatemala for First Timers’ package, and it exceeded every expectation (which was high to begin with!). From start to finish, the team was responsive to questions and kept in touch during the tour via a WhatsApp group, which was hugely reassuring in case anything came up (though everything ran perfectly!).Our itinerary was packed with incredible experiences: the Easter processions in Antigua, hiking the Pacaya volcano, exploring the villages of Lake Atitlán by boat, visiting the Chichicastenango market, swimming in the gorgeous Crater Azul and Semuc Champey, visiting the ancient Mayan temples at Yaxhá and Tikal, taking a river tour along the Río Dulce, experiencing Garifuna culture in Livingston, and exploring the ancient monuments and ruins at Quiriguá.Our guides were truly extraordinary; they were energetic, friendly, respectful, and deeply passionate about their country, and their knowledge spanned archaeology, ancient and contemporary Mayan culture, geology, flora and fauna, cuisine, astronomy, geopolitics, agriculture, literature…you name it. They were licensed professional guides through INGUAT (Guatemala’s tourism board) which requires years of study and exams, and their expertise added real depth to the entire journey. It felt like travelling with a fun but very responsible friend who is also a professor/walking encyclopaedia!Beyond the main itinerary, our guides added spontaneous activities tailored to our interests that made the experience even more special. We visited some off-the-beaten-path villages, the ruins of Iximché, a colourful cemetery near Chichicastenango, and even hiked up to Pascual Abaj, a sacred Mayan shrine site. We participated in workshops and demonstrations: natural dyeing, spinning cotton on a drop spindle, backstrap weaving, chocolate-making, Mayan beekeeping [these were at various cooperatives around Lake Atitlan], and a beautiful cultural encounter with Doña Magdalena, an elderly Tzʼutujil woman who explained the significance of her handwoven headdress. We sampled fresh organic coffee, learned about jade and obsidian (even stopping roadside to chisel pieces from a cliff!), spotted native birds, trees and agricultural crops, and received fantastic (and safe) food recommendations throughout from our guides. They even helped us track down authentic Guatemalan ingredients and foods to take home like Cobanero chilli power, chicle (natural chewing gum from trees), allspice tea, organic coffee, ethically-produced chocolate, honey and handpainted local pottery.We can’t thank the organising team at Mayan Gateway enough for choosing such a lovely variety of accommodations. We loved our volcano-view rooms in Antigua and Lake Atitlán, our jungle stay in Tikal, the historic hotel with amazing rooftop bar in Flores, and a riverside cabin in Río Dulce. All the lodgings were clean, safe, and comfortable and all included fabulous Guatemalan breakfasts, and it was amazing to wake up each morning to the singing of tropical birds. Considering we booked during the busy Easter season on fairly short notice, we really appreciated the effort that went into securing such lovely places for us to stay. Transport was fantastic as well - driving in Guatemala takes some courage! We were met at the airport and safely and confidently driven around in comfortable, modern vans with by our amazing guides, Eli and Selvyn. Booking with Mayan Gateway was hands-down the best decision. The itinerary was so thoughtfully planned that we covered a lot of ground and made a lot of memories in 2 weeks without it feeling rushed at all. We felt safe, relaxed, and cared for at all times. The handover between guides was also seamless.If you’ve been dreaming about visiting Guatemala…GO! The people are so warm, friendly and polite (not to mention incredibly hardworking and creative!!), the food is amazing, the landscapes are spectacular, and the blend of living and ancient culture is really special. We wholeheartedly recommend Mayan Gateway to anyone considering this trip, and we’re already thinking about booking another destination with them in the future. They took all the stress out of planning and travel so we could just soak it all in and enjoy. Muchas Gracias to the entire Mayan Gateway team!
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A destination managment company DMC and tour operator for Guatemala and Central America.