Treasures of Guatemala

lakes, volcanos and the legacy of the Maya empire

Imagine standing among ancient Mayan temples, tasting handmade tortillas by a crackling fire, or watching the sun rise over misty volcanoes.
This two-week journey through Guatemala is full of unforgettable moments, rich culture, and hidden adventures that’ll stay with you long after you’ve left.

Travel summary showing a 16-day cultural adventure trip for 4-10 people costing £1990, with a physical rating of 4 out of 5.
Close-up of green product packaging with white star icons.

  • Hike volcano Acatenango and see Fuego erupt

  • Experience a sunrise above the clouds

  • Explore secluded waterfalls on the Caribbean coast

  • Swim in the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey

  • Meet an indigenous community in Lake Atitlán

  • Learn how to cook traditional Guatemalan dishes

  • Adventure through the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal

Highlights

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Antigua

Today you arrive in Antigua. You will have to fly into Guatemala City and we will arrange transport for you to get to Antigua. You'll receive more information on the airport transfer in our WhatsApp group the week before the trip starts. As everyone is going to arrive at different times, we will have a Welcome Group Lunch on Day 2.

Included transport: Airport transfer

Day 1

Day 2 – Antigua

After breakfast, we will head out to a coffee farm not far from Antigua. A local coffee farmer will invite us into his home, show us around his coffee plantation and you will hands-on learn how the coffee is roasted, traditionally ground, and brewed. And of course, you can drink as much as you want ;)
On a caffeine high we will then head back to Antigua and have our Welcome Lunch. In the afternoon you can explore the colonial town of Antigua.

Included meals: Breakfast, welcome Lunch and lots of coffee
Included activity: Tour of a local coffee farm

Day 2

Day 3 – Livingston

This is an early one. Our transport will pick us up at 4am and we will drive for about 6 hours until we reach the town of Rio Dulce. From here we’ll take a scenic boat ride to the Guatemalan Caribbean coast and the town of Livingston. Our hotel is right at the waterfront where the Rio Dulce river ends in the Atlantic Ocean. Watch and incredible sunset right by the water.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Bus to Rio Dulce and boat to Livingston

Day 3

Day 4 – Livingston

Have a relaxed morning having breakfast by the water. We’ll then be picked up by our boat driver. We’ll ride along the coast until we reach some spectacular waterfalls. We can spend as much time as we like here and then be picked up by boat again to venture close to the border with Belize. Here we can spend the afternoon sipping on a coconut on a white sandy beach.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activity: Boat tour to the waterfalls and a white sandy beach

Day 4

Day 5 – Tikal

We’ll have an early breakfast and then return by boat from Livingston to Rio Dulce. From here our bus will pick us up and we’ll continue for about 4-5 hours until we reach the entrance of Tikal. We’ll stay the night in the park right next to the ruins, so we don’t have to get up too early for the sunrise tour.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Boat to Rio Dulce, bus to Tikal

Day 5

Day 6 – Tikal

Our morning starts at around 3.30 am, so we are on time to enter the ruins at 4 am for our sunrise tour. Our local tour guide will explain to us the rich history of the Mayan culture while we wander through the darkness to climb one of the many pyramids. It’s best for you to have a headlamp or flashlight with you to guide the way.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Bus to Flores
Included activity: Tikal entrance and sunrise tour

Day 6

Day 7 – Flores

Spend a relaxed day in Flores. You can explore the cute little island, head over to the rope swing, kayak on Lake Peten Itzá, or rave on a sunset boat party.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7

Day 8 – Semuc Champey

Today is going to be a travel day. Right after breakfast, we’ll hop on our bus and with multiple stops (don’t worry) head all the way down to Lanquín. The bus ride will take around 8 hours today. In Lanquín we’ll change to a 4x4 and make our way through the jungle to our hostel deep in the jungle.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Bus Lanquín, 4x4 to the hostel

Day 8

Day 9 – Semuc Champey

Right after breakfast, we’ll head over to Semuc Champey to beat the crowds. In the morning this place is absolutely magical. We can swim in the turquoise waters, hike up to the viewpoint, and just relax. Spend as much time as you like and then we can go back to our hostel in the afternoon to relax by the pool.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activity: Semuc Champey

Day 9

Day 10 – Antigua

Today is another travel day. We’ll catch an early 4x4 after breakfast and head over to Lanquín to get onto our bus to Antigua. The bus ride is about 7 hours and we’ll again make plenty of stops ;)

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: 4x4 to Lanquín, bus to Antigua

Day 10

Day 11 – Acatenango

This is the day we start one of the highlights of this trip. The hike to volcano Acatenango. We’ll get up early and head over to the office of our tour operator. Here we can have some breakfast, get warm jackets, hiking poles, day packs, water, and everything you really need for the hike. Then we’ll drive for about an hour to the start of the hike. The hike itself is about 4 hours up. It is quite steep, but don’t be discouraged. We take plenty of breaks and you do it at your own speed. Once you reach Basecamp and see Fuego erupt, it will all be worth it! Then we watch the sunset, roast some marshmallows by the fire, and watch Fuego erupt before we have some delicious dinner and head to bed.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included activity: Volcano Acatenango hike

Day 11

Day 12 – Acatenango

You have two options this morning: you can either join the summit to the top of the volcano for sunrise or stay in base camp and watch the sunrise from there. Whatever you choose it will be stunning! Then after breakfast, we’ll head back down to the start of the hike and drive back to Antigua. We’ll get the rest of our bags and take a bus to Lake Atitlán, where we will stay for the next couple of days.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Bus to Lake Atitlán, boat to our hostel
Included activity: Volcano Acatenango hike

Day 12

Day 13 – Lake Atitlán

Sleep in today and enjoy your breakfast with the views of the lake in the morning. After a relaxed start to the day, we’ll take a boat to the most stunning cliff area along the lake. Think Mediterranean meets mountain lake with the most incredible volcanos in the back. You can be brave and jump or just take a swim and relax. In the evening we will return to our Airbnb and have a laid back night at the lake.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Boat to and from the cliff
Included activity: Nature reserve & cliff

Day 13

Day 14 – Lake Atitlán

We’ll have an early morning today, but we promise it will pay off! For sunrise, we’ll get onto some stand-up paddles and paddle out onto the lake, where we’ll watch sunrise and enjoy the calm water of the morning. We’ll then head back to the Airbnb, have breakfast and make our way into town, where we will be welcomed into the home of a local family. The women of the family will show us their home, their traditional clothes, how they weave their clothes and we’ll prepare some traditional dishes together. Get ready to make some tortillas by hand - it’s harder than it looks! After devouring our delicious homemade lunch, you have the afternoon for yourself. You can choose to hang out at the lake or explore one of the many other towns around.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Included activity: Sunrise sup, weaving and cooking class at a local women’s cooperative

Day 14

Day 15 – Lake Atitlán

Have a relaxed morning by the lake before we leave in the early afternoon to make our way back to Antigua. Get ready for our Goodbye Dinner in a secret location ;) We’ll dance the night away before we say goodbye the next morning.

Included meals: Breakfast, goodbye dinner
Included transport: Boat to Panajachel and bus to Antigua

Day 15

Day 16 – Antigua

This is goodbye! Today you depart at any time. If you don't leave too early, we can still have breakfast together. We hope you had an incredible two weeks filled with adventures and insights into the Guatemalan culture and people.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included transport: Airport transfer

Day 16
Map of Guatemala showing locations of St. Cruz, Acatengo, Antigua, Semuc Champey, Flores, Lake Peten, Tikal, Livingston, Lake Izabal, and Lake Atitlan, with a route connecting these sites.

  • Accommodation

    11 Nights in a hostel
    3 Nights in Airbnb
    1 Night in cabin (Acatenango)

    Food

    15 breakfasts
    3 lunches
    2 dinners

    Activities

    Welcome Lunch & Goodbye Dinner
    Local Coffee Farm
    Boat trip seeing waterfalls and a beach
    Sunrise Tikal tour (sunrise extra fee included)
    Semuc Champey
    Hike & overnight camp at Volcano Acatenango
    San Marco's Nature reserve in Lake Atitlán
    Sunrise SUP
    Weaving & cooking class in Lake Atitlán

    Transport

    Airport transfers
    All transport between cities and to and from activities.

  • International Flights
    Visa fees (This depends on your nationality)
    Any meals not mentioned in the included section
    Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
    Personal expenses
    Travel Insurance

    • Can I sign up as a solo traveller?

    Of course! You can sign up for our trips whether you are solo or with a group of friends. Our groups are a mix of open-minded people, who usually become friends within a second.

    • Does the tour include flights?

    As people will join our tour from different parts of the world, we decided it is easier to not include the flights in the tour. We are happy to help you find the best flight deal for your trip. Just let us know in the notes section, when booking the tour and we will get in touch with you to help you find your flights. In general, we usually use Skyscanner to find the best deals.

    • If my flight has a layover in the USA or Canada, do I need a visa?

    US: Even when transiting through the US, you still need ESTA. Make sure to apply in advance as it may take up to 72 hours for the application to be processed. Check the official ESTA website for more information: https://esta-center.com/en/transit/index.html

    Canada: For Canada you don’t need to apply for the normal visa, but will need a certain kind of transit visa depending on your country of origin. Check for more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit.html

    • Do I need to purchase travel insurance before the trip?

    Yes, it is obligatory for everyone who joins us to have travel insurance before departing. We can help you find the right travel insurance for you. Just contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

    • Airport transfers: how does it work?

    When you book your flight, let us know your flight number and the time you arrive as soon as possible. That way we can stay on track for any delays of your flight. When you arrive at the destination airport, one of us will be there to welcome you and bring you to the car that will take you to the hostel. At the hostel, there will also be one of us to help you with the check-in.

    • What type of luggage should I bring?

    To make the trip easier for you, a backpack or duffle bag is a must. We are heading to some quite remote locations, where access with rolling suitcases is quite hard. Think of minivans with little space, 4x4s, motos or even boats. Ideally, this bag shouldn't be bigger than 40L, which is also hand luggage size and will save you some money on your flight to the destinations.

    • Is it a tiring trip?

    Let’s be honest – you’re not signing up for a two-week spa holiday here. But Guatemala’s the kind of place that gives more than it takes. This trip does include a fair bit of travel, as we hop between volcanoes, lakes, jungle ruins and colonial towns – and yes, some of those places are pretty remote. We’ll mostly be getting around by shuttle, and while a few days involve longer drives (up to 6–8 hours), they’re broken up with photo stops, snacks, and a good playlist. Expect some early starts and the occasional bumpy road, but trust us – it’s all part of the adventure.

    • How is the accommodation throughout the trip?

    We are going to stay at hostels because of the more social atmosphere. Unless you book private accommodation, you will be in a 4-bed/6-bed dorm with mainly private bathrooms and only with people from our group. (The room capacity may differ depending on the place we're staying at). If you want to know more about the accommodation, just contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

    • Can you provide me with a list of the hostels we will be staying at?

    Sure, just get in touch via Email or WhatsApp and we can send you a list of the hostels. In very rare cases it might happen though that we will stay in another hostel. If you wish, we can also inform you about any changes, if they come up.

    • Is Guatemala a safe country?

    Guatemala is a safe country to travel. As everywhere in the world it is important that you take the usual safety precautions. Especially in bigger cities, as there is always the risk of pickpocketing.

    • Can I drink the tap water?

    In general you should avoid drinking tap water. Drinking water is widely available on almost every street corner or sold by vendors on the streets.

    • What should I pack?

    To make it easier for you to know what to bring, we have put together a packing list for this trip here.
    In case you have further questions don’t hesitate to contact us via Email or WhatsApp.

Next Dates

14 Nov – 29 Nov 2026
6 Spots Available
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13 Feb - 28 Feb 2027
10 Spots Available
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