Active Tour of Guatemala's Natural & Ancient Wonders - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Explore the Capital at Leisure

Welcome to Guatemala City, Guatemala's vibrant capital and largest city. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. When you're ready, venture out to explore the city on your own. A good place to start is the Centro Histórico (Historic Center), where you'll discover well-preserved and restored colonial buildings. Wander down the narrow, cobblestone streets to get to Plaza Mayor, a bustling square surrounded by some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura and the Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Guatemala.

Continue to Mercado Central to peruse the treasure trove of Guatemalan goods. Stroll the labyrinthine aisles and encounter stalls brimming with colorful textiles, handcrafted leather goods, intricate pottery, and a wide array of souvenirs. You'll also find delicious street food like freshly prepared tamales (steamed corn dough filled with meat, vegetables, cheese, or beans) and pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat). Grab dinner at the market or return to the square to watch it come alive as you enjoy a delicious meal.

Day 2: Transfer to Río Dulce via Finca el Paraíso

After a restful night in the capital, hit the road on a 5-6-hour transfer to your next hotel near Río Dulce, a tranquil river that connects the vast Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea. The area is known for its lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, and dense mangroves, so it's a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Stop for a quick breakfast on the capital's outskirts, then traverse the rolling highlands and lush green valleys, gradually descending toward the tropical lowlands. Cross over Puente Río Dulce, one of Central America's longest bridges, and head to Finca el Paraíso.

This hidden gem on the shores of Lake Izabal is famous for its natural hot springs that cascade down a rocky cliff into a cool river below. Follow the river upstream for 20 minutes until you arrive at the mouth of a submerged cave. Don your headlamp and swim as far into the cave as you're comfortable, looking around at the stalactites and stalagmites illuminated by the soft glow of your light. After exploring the cave, transfer to Hacienda Tijax Hotel, an ecolodge and cultural center nestled along the banks of Río Dulce. Change into dry clothing and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner overlooking the water.

Day 3: Kayak Excursion in the Biotopo Protegido Chocón Machacas

Wake up in your ecolodge, conveniently located in the Biotopo Protegido Chocón Machacas, one of Guatemala's most vital nature reserves known for its lush mangroves, wetlands, and tropical forests. You'll spend the day exploring the reserve by kayak, starting with a 45-minute boat ride downstream through El Golfete, a picturesque lagoon. Leave your belongings on the boat and switch to a kayak to paddle through lush mangroves, crystal-clear creeks, and serene lagoons.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like river otters, turtles, or howler monkeys in the surrounding trees. At midday, stop at a local restaurant overlooking the river to indulge in the region's famous dish, tapado (fresh seafood soup). After refueling, return to your kayak and continue downriver, stopping off at natural hot springs and caves for a swim and rejuvenating mineral soak. Then, follow the small tributary, Río Tatin, back to the hotel's dock and spend the evening enjoying the symphony of jungle sounds that fill the night.

Day 4: Kayak to Ak'Tenamit & Livingston, Transfer to Flores

Spend another day exploring the reserve by kayak, paddling upstream to nearby Ak'Tenamit to discover the community-based ecotourism project showcasing traditional Maya craftsmanship and sustainable living practices. Learn about the locals' way of life through interactive exhibits and workshops, and shop for handmade goods to commemorate your trip. Then, jump back in your kayak and paddle downstream through the steep limestone canyons of the lower Río Dulce to reach Livingston, a charming beach town with a vibrant tapestry of Caribbean and Garifuna culture.

Indulge in some fresh Caribbean seafood at a local restaurant, then spend the rest of the afternoon strolling the colorful streets. As you walk, you'll learn more about the town's Afro-Indigenous culture through traditional music, bustling markets full of locals, and the distinct architecture with its brightly painted houses and colonial-style buildings. Head to the waterfront to see traditional wooden boats bobbing in the water, adding to the area's charm. After exploring the village, meet your driver for a four-hour transfer to your hotel in Flores, a Maya island on Lake Petén Itzá.

Day 5: Sunrise Tour of Tikal National Park, Kayak Excursion to El Chechenal

Get ready for an early wake-up call as you set off at 4:00 am to transfer one hour to the UNESCO-listed Tikal National Park, one of Guatemala's most renowned archaeological sites. Head straight to the 270-foot-high (70 m) summit of Temple IV for the best view of the sunrise over the ancient Maya city. Watch the silhouette of the other temples emerge as the sun climbs higher and the jungle awakens. Then, discover the surrounding ruins of intricate pyramids, grand temples, and sprawling plazas. The park's lush surroundings are also teeming with wildlife, so there's plenty to see here.

Return to Flores in the afternoon for another kayak excursion, this time across the pristine waters of Lake Petén Itzá. Keep an eye out for the numerous bird species that reside here, including herons, egrets, kingfishers, ospreys, and various freshwater fish like tilapia and bass. If you're lucky, you may even spot Morelet's crocodile, which is native to the region. After a morning of kayaking, disembark and walk through Tayasal, a Maya archaeological site, to get to El Chechenal, a pristine beach known for its white sands and turquoise waters, where you can relax and swim.

Day 6: Transfer to Candelaria via Sayaxché, Visit the Crater Azul 

Say goodbye to Flores this morning as you transfer four hours to Candelaria, a quaint village in the Guatemalan highlands. On the way, you'll stop in Sayaxché, where a boat will take you to Crater Azul—not actually a crater, but an aquatic garden lagoon and water source of Río Pasión. Pop your bathing suit under your clothes before cruising along the meandering river for two hours, enjoying views of dense jungle, vibrant flora, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife, like spider monkeys in the trees. When you arrive, marvel at the vivid blue, crystal-clear waters, underwater foliage, and hundreds of small fish. 

Enjoy your afternoon at this pristine natural wonder with a refreshing swim or snorkel from the jetty, then lounge on the shore before drying off and completing the drive to Candelaria. Relax at your hotel or head out to dinner at a local restaurant. Indulge in authentic Guatemalan dishes like pepian (a rich stew made from roasted tomatoes, peppers, and spices) or jacon (chicken stew made with a sauce of cilantro, green onions, and tomatillos). For dessert, try rellenitos de plátano (sweet plantain fritters stuffed with a black bean paste).

Day 7: Visit Candelaria Caves National Park, Transfer to San Agustín Lanquín

Start your day with a visit to Candelaria Caves National Park, renowned for its network of caves showcasing colossal stalactite and stalagmite formations that have been sculpted over millennia. As you explore the caves, your guide will explain how they were formed and the conservation efforts to protect them. Then, switch to an inner tube to float along a one-mile (2 km) stretch of the Candelaria River that flows underground through the cave network. Having a torch with you is a good idea as you'll be surrounded by absolute darkness that's only broken up by two naturally illuminated pools.

You can stop for a swim at these, then, once you've made your way through the caves, change into dry clothes and meet your driver for a 3-4-hour transfer to San Agustín Lanquín, a remote village nestled in the highlands. Head to your hotel to check in, then grab dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Semuc Champey via Kam'ba Caves & the Río Cahabón

After breakfast, hop in a 4WD vehicle and transfer 30 minutes to Semuc Champey, a natural landmark renowned for its series of turquoise limestone pools that cascade down a lush hillside. On the way, stop at Kam'ba Caves, where you'll follow your guide down into the cool, dark cave system illuminated only by candlelight. Along the way, you'll spot underground rivers, waterfalls, bat colonies, and impressive rock formations like stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millennia. Back at the 4WD, enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Río Cahabón to float along the river in an inner tube. 

Drift past tranquil pools, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs before completing the journey to Semuc Champey. Start your visit with a 45-minute uphill hike to El Mirador (The Lookout) for panoramic views of the lush jungle and terraced pools below. Then, head down to the pools for a refreshing swim in the turquoise water surrounded by dense rainforest and towering mountains. Around 4:00 pm, you'll return to your hotel to get ready for dinner. 

Day 9: Transfer to Guatemala City via Grutas del Rey Marcos

Your penultimate day in Guatemala takes you on a six-hour transfer back to the capital for your flight home tomorrow. On the way, stop at Grutas del Rey Marcos, a network of caves celebrated for their impressive rock formations. Explore the underground labyrinth of chambers and tunnels, hike one of the trails, or visit the on-site eco-center to learn about the caves' geology and taste typical dishes of the region. Back in the car, pass through verdant countryside and mountainous terrain, and complete the drive to your hotel in Guatemala City, where you can relax after the long trip.

Day 10: Depart Guatemala City

On your final day in Guatemala, wake up early to explore more of the capital at your own pace. Consider visiting Museo Miraflores to learn more about Guatemala's ancient Maya civilization. Peruse the collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including intricately carved stelae, sculptures, and pottery. If museums aren't your thing, head to the Jardín Botánico de Guatemala for a leisurely stroll among the native and exotic flora. When it's time, meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!