Guatemalan Culture and Adventure

You will check in at your hotel in Guatemala City. This city is the largest and most developed in Central America, with high buildings in its hotel and executive zone, where you will be staying. We will rest this day at the hotel, as the next day we will move to Atitlán where we'll begin the programmed activities.

We will begin our tour by heading to Panajachel, Atitlán. Here we will find Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It reaches a total of 130 square kilometres of water body, and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, as well as several Mayan (indigenous) villages, each with its unique personality and different ways of living. Being surrounded by 12 different villages is one of the reasons why you can find a lot of culture here, as well as a wide variety of different ecological activities.

Upon arrival, we will have our welcome lunch and in the afternoon we will move on to San Marcos, a beautiful little town known for its yoga and vegan practices. After a short walk we will arrive at Tzankujil Park, where if you wish, you can jump from a 7-meter-high wooden platform into the clear waters of the lake. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit!

We will start the day off with a relaxing and stimulating activity: paddle-boarding at Lake Atitlán. During the afternoon we will take our Lake Tour in which we will visit 4 iconic villages surrounding the beautiful lake, each with its own distinct personality and culture.

We will visit San Juan, San Pedro, Santiago and Panajachel. To get there we will use a boat that will take us all across the lake, enjoying the beautiful views of the volcanoes and nature. We will learn about the life and traditions of each town, full of narrow streets, street vendors and the traditional and colourful tuc-tucs, used by the locals for transportation.

We will get up very early in the morning and do one of the favourite activities among visitors in the area: zip-lining in Atitlán. In the afternoon we will move from Panajachel to Cerro Las Minas, a beautiful mountain located in one of the villages surrounding Sololá.

In this place you will find a social project, which helps children and women from all over the region. One of the volunteers will take us through a wooded path, showing us different points of the mountain that the locals use as altars for Mayan ceremonies.

The hike will be completed when we reach the highest point, where you will be able to appreciate a gorgeous view of the lake and the highest volcano in this region: Atitlán Volcano. On the way back we will have a surprise activity in which we will refresh ourselves in the lake of Atitlán.

We will say goodbye to Atitlán and continue our journey towards the beautiful colonial city of Antigua Guatemala. In the afternoon we will have a walk around the city, where we will learn about the ruins, temples, culture and traditions, as well as enjoy a delicious lunch where you can taste the local cuisine. Commonly known as one of the most beautiful colonial cities, Antigua Guatemala has been the main attraction for travellers of all ages. The city is full of cobblestone streets, colourful facades and beautiful buildings, where you can find the influence of various architectural trends such as Renaissance and Baroque, among others.

Antigua is also surrounded by 3 volcanoes, which provide its visitors with amazing landscapes. Here you can also find a lot of culture, commerce and a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife experiences. UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a cultural heritage site in 1979.

On this day you will participate in an intermediate-level mountain-bike tour. Along the way you will appreciate beautiful landscapes and views of the 4 most emblematic volcanoes in the area. It is a perfect route to get to know the wildlife that surrounds the area of Antigua Guatemala. The afternoon will be free for you to enjoy Antigua on your own and explore the nightlife.

This day we will rest a bit in the morning to recover from the previous day, then we will go to the Pacaya Volcano. This volcano is one of the most visited by locals and tourists due to its easy access and ascent. It is an active volcano with an altitude of 2552 meters.

At the volcano you can appreciate the heat of the lava from up close and even roast your own marshmallows. It is also known for being the location where Ixcanul was filmed, a Guatemalan film that won 17 international awards. Here we will camp and if we are lucky we will be able to appreciate the bright red colour of the lava emanating from the volcano itself.

We will wake up at the Pacaya Volcano and enjoy wonderful views of the active volcano and the Guatemalan territory. After having breakfast and loading up the campsite, we will head back to Antigua Guatemala so you can relax and keep exploring the city on your own.

This afternoon you can choose to rest or get to know a little more of Antigua at your own pace. Walk around the Central Park or the Santa Catalina Arch street, visit the local trading posts, or enjoy the colonial terraces with a delicious regional coffee and a sweet dessert. We will always be available to help and assist you on this day in whatever way you may need.

This day we will leave very early in the morning towards Lanquín. On our way there we will visit Biotopo del Quetzal, and if we are lucky we will have the opportunity to see the national bird of Guatemala: the quetzal. The Biotopo del Quetzal, located in the municipality of Purulhá in Baja Verapaz Department, has a territorial extension of 1,044 acres. It was officially declared a protected natural area in June 1976, with the main objective of protecting the quetzal bird and its habitat.

Then we will continue our journey until we reach Lanquín, where we will stay in our hostel.

On this day we will go to the natural paradise of Semuc Champey, one of the favourite places among tourists due to its beautiful natural landscapes. Its name means “where the river hides under the stones”, and the main attraction is a natural bridge which makes path to the Cahabón River flow.

Across the river path we also find beautiful natural pools whose colours changes from turquoise to jade green depending on the time of the year. Here you will be able to refresh yourself and get in touch with nature.

In the afternoon we will enter the caves of Kan Bá, a mystical cave-circuit consisting mainly of water though which you must go accompanied only by a candle that will be given to you by your guides. A unique experience in its kind.

From Lanquín we will move early in the morning to a strategic point to start our rafting tour in the Cahabón River. Your guides will provide you with all the necessary instructions and precautions to make this activity a safe and fun experience.

Then we will return to our hostel to pick up our luggage and start a long journey towards the island of Flores in Petén Department. This transfer takes approximately 7 hours, so we recommend sleeping and recovering during the journey.

We will wake up on the mystical island of Flores, where we will have time to relax. Then we will head to the third largest Mayan city in the region, Yaxhá, located approximately one hour away from the island.

Here you will have a guided tour where you will learn about the history of this ancient Mayan city, as well as visit its astronomical temples. Its incredible complexes, composed of triads, provide a panoramic view that takes you back to the Mayan Classic period, where this city had its greatest splendour. We will finish the tour contemplating the sunset over Temple 216 and its magnificent view of Lake Yaxhá.

On this day of your trip, you will wake up very early in the morning to arrive in Tikal just in time to see the sunrise. This is one of the most incredible experiences you can have in Guatemala according to the opinion of tourists.

Tikal is the most emblematic Mayan city in the region and its National Park has 576 square kilometres of dense rainforests. It was also declared a National Monument and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. After appreciating the magical sunrise and the awakening of the wildlife from atop Temple IV, the highest point of the city, we will begin our guided tour during which you will learn more about the secrets of the Mayan Civilization.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Flores Airport to board your plane to Guatemala City. In the city you will stay again at the hotel where we started our trip.

Here ends your Adventure & Culture Experience in Guatemala.