Multi-Sport Adventure in Guatemala - 8 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala, Transfer to Antigua

Welcome to Guatemala! Your driver will meet you outside the airport in Guatemala City and whisk you off to your hotel in Antigua, about 45 minutes away. This lovely Spanish colonial city is bursting with color and character, from its church ruins and the pastel facades of its old buildings to its volcano views and incredible street food. Spend the rest of the day exploring and relaxing as you gear up for the high-octane activities ahead!

Day 2: Mountain Bike Tour of Almolonga Valley

This morning you'll explore the culture and history of the Guatemalan highlands by bicycle. Riding south, head out of Antigua to the base of the Agua volcano, whose peak looms high over Antigua. Continue on to the little towns and villages around the fertile Almolonga Valley. This area is known for its agriculture, thermal springs, and many Spanish colonial churches. Along the way, you'll visit the ruins of such colonial buildings in and around Ciudad Vieja, which was founded in 1527 as the first capital of Guatemala. You'll also stop by an experimental macadamia farm and browse the local textile markets.

Day 3: Hike Pacaya Volcano

Wake up early and fill your water bottles before setting out on a volcano hike. Today, you'll climb Pacaya, an 8,300-foot (2,530 m) active volcano. It takes about two hours to reach the summit and involves traversing several steep passes. At the top of the cone, you'll have the opportunity to look into the crater (safety permitting) followed by a picnic lunch with sweeping views of the valley below. Then make your way back down the mountain and return to Antigua by late afternoon. Spend the rest of the day exploring, or kick back in your hotel and give your legs a rest.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Mountain Biking

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the 2.5-hour ride west from Antigua to Lake Atitlán. Not only is this volcanic crater lake the most enchanting in the country, but it's also the deepest in Central America. You'll transfer to a highland area above Atitlán, where you'll leave the car and get back on the bike for a thrilling ride down to the shore. As you zip down the hillside, enjoy the incredible views of the lake's sparkling azure waters surrounded by imposing volcanoes. As an added treat, you'll stop along the way for a picnic lunch at a lookout point.

At the bottom, pedal over to the town of Panajachel, on the northeast side of Atitlán, where you'll have time to explore the food and handicrafts stalls. Then take a quick boat trip to your lakefront hotel, which is perched high on the cliffside. Settle in and relax as you watch the gorgeous sunset over the lake.

Day 5: Kayaking & Hiking at Lake Atitlán

Wake up to stunning lake views and start your morning with an open-water kayaking adventure. Paddle along the north shore beneath the towering volcanoes for a few hours. Then don your hiking shoes for an invigorating hike along the cliffside trails. Walk up to the neighboring towns for spectacular panoramic views and enjoy the local culture.

Day 6: Climb Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight

Get ready to tackle the most challenging hike of the trip! This morning you'll head to Acatenango, which, at 13,041 feet (3,976 m), is the third tallest volcano in the country. This excursion is not for the faint of heart, as you'll climb some 6,000 feet (1,830 m) through several different climate zones to the summit. Along the way, you'll come across exotic birds, like warblers and trogons, and other wildlife as you hike through farmland, montane cloud forests, and up to the tree line at the volcanic zone.

Set up camp for the night on the south ridge of Acatenango, overlooking its twin peak, Fuego. While Acatenango has been dormant for decades, Fuego is one of Central America's most active volcanoes, as evidenced by its small daily eruptions. Gather around the campfire under the starry night sky while you watch the mesmerizing Fuego spout smoke and lava into the air.

Day 7: Hike to La Soledad, Transfer to Antigua

This morning you'll begin the three-hour descent on the south side of the volcano to the community of La Soledad. From there, return to Antigua, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or squeeze in some last-minute souvenir shopping. In the evening, head out to dinner at one of the wonderful local restaurants for your last night of the trip.

Day 8: Depart Guatemala

Alas, it's time to say goodbye to beautiful Guatemala. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or at a local café before transferring back to the airport in Guatemala City for your flight home.

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