Marken and Volendam

https://www.amsterdamtips.com/transport-tickets

https://www.amsterdamtips.com/waterland-amsterdam

Both links explain how to get to and from Amsterdam Centraale to Edam, Volendam, Marken and Monnickendam by bus with a one day pass for E12.50.
All the towns are very small, not sure you need a guide.

I did this day trip in 2017 on the bus with the Waterland day pass.
It’s very easy.
You just get off at each town, then back on for the next one when you’re ready.
I remember going from Volendam to Marken by ferry instead of the bus between those two, then got the bus back to Amsterdam later from Marken.
Very interesting, lots of places to eat, and so pretty.
Let me know if you want to know more.

Great advice! Thank you

Definitely do this yourself. We did a tour of these plus Zaanes Schans with a tour company and did not enjoy it at all. We are not tour people, but circumstances were such that this was the only way for us to do it at the time. Both my daughter and I said it was a waste. The places on our own time would have been much better.

Thank you! We will do on our own.