Highlights
- Tour Guatemala's lakeside villages and hike volcanoes
- Camp overnight on an active volcano
- Visit ancient Maya ruins at Tikal National Park
- Take nature tours and snorkeling trips in Belize
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Guatemala City, Optional Activities | Guatemala City |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua | Antigua |
| Day 3 | Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight | Acatenango Volcano |
| Day 4 | Sunrise on Acatenango, Transfer to Antigua | Antigua |
| Day 5 | Fly to Tikal National Park | Tikal National Park |
| Day 6 | Yaxhá Ruins Tour, Transfer to San Ignacio (Belize) | San Ignacio |
| Day 7 | Visit Lamanai Ruins, Río Nuevo Boat Tour | San Ignacio |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Caye Caulker, Snorkel Belize's Barrier Reef | Caye Caulker |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Belize City, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Optional Activities
Welcome to Guatemala! You'll soon discover that this relatively small Central American nation boasts some of the most incredible landscapes and deepest of culture in Central America. First, though, you need to get your bearings. Upon arrival at the airport in Guatemala City, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
After checking in, you can then embark on a self-guided tour of the Centro Histórico ("Historic Center"). Head to the Plaza de la Constitución, where you can visit the National Palace. Guatemala's most iconic building was once the headquarters of the president, but today it's a museum. Nearby are famous religious landmarks like the 18th-century Iglesia San Francisco, Iglesia San Augustin, and Iglesia del Cerrito del Carmen.
Day 2: Day Trip to Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua
Wake up early and meet your driver for the three-hour ride west to Lake Atitlán. Here, you'll board a boat for a tour around some of the lakeside villages. In the company of a local guide, you'll stop at towns far off the tourist trail and offer a truly authentic cultural experience. For example, you'll visit a local women's weaving co-op and see how they turn cotton into beautiful textiles by hand. You'll also visit a shrine to Maximón, an infamous Maya saint known for his depraved behavior.
After the tour, you'll drive about two hours back east to the historic city of Antigua. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by three towering volcanoes and is the most well-preserved Spanish colonial city in the country. Once you've checked in to your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day walking Antigua's cobbled streets and enjoying local street food like tostadas and empanadas (called dobladas in Guatemala). Be sure to stop by historic landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch and the ruins of the 16th-century Antigua Guatemala Cathedral and 18th-century Convento Santa Clara.
Day 3: Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight
At 8 am, meet your hiking group at Old Town Outfitters in Antigua. Here, you'll fill up water bottles and stock up on gear. Then take a one-hour drive to the slope of Acatenango volcano and the village of La Soledad, where the trailhead is located. The route up the volcano has four microclimates, each of which will take you about an hour to hike. You'll start by walking up a steep path through farmland, which is the same trail used by villagers to reach their crops. The first hour of hiking is a nice warm-up for your leg muscles in preparation for the rest of the journey.
The second phase of the hike passes through an old-growth, high-alpine cloud forest. This type of cloud forest is found on the higher slopes of many of Guatemala's tallest volcanoes and is home to many exotic birds, including the famous resplendent quetzal. After emerging from the cloud forest around mid-day, you'll be treated to fantastic views of the other highland volcanoes: Atitlán, Tolimán, San Pedro, Santa María, Santo Tomás, and Tajamulco. You'll have plenty of time to admire the scenery as you take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Temperate and tropical forests characterize the third part of your ascent, which leads to the storm-beaten tree line of the volcano. Your campsite is just below this tree line and offers sweeping views of the Antigua Valley and the adjacent Fuego volcano. After setting up camp, take some time to stretch out and relax while your guide prepares dinner at 12,300 feet (3,750 m). Enjoy your meal while marveling at the awe-inspiring display of Fuego volcano's eruptions.
Day 4: Sunrise on Acatenango, Transfer to Antigua
Depending on weather conditions, your group will rise early, enjoy the sunrise over volcano peaks, and embark on a 45-minute/1-hour trek up a gravel trail through a pine forest. This is the steepest trail yet, and it leads to the rocky, windy summit of Acatenango's peak.
At the summit, rest and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Guatemalan highlands stretching all the way to Mexico. After breakfast and breaking camp, you'll begin the three-hour descent back to La Soledad. This route follows a different trail, so you can enjoy even more beautiful scenery as you descend through different microclimates. From La Soledad, you'll transfer back to Antigua and proceed to your hotel.
Day 5: Fly to Tikal National Park
In the morning, your driver will pick you up, and you'll transfer back to Guatemala City and the airport, where you'll catch a one-hour flight north to the Petén region and the lakeside town of Flores. A representative will be waiting at the airport to transfer you by car another hour north to Tikal National Park, home to the famous ancient Maya ruins. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your hotel right in the park.
There's no time to waste because, on arrival, you'll meet a local expert guide for a half-day tour of Tikal. This archaeological site covers 222 square miles (576 sq km) and comprises the ruins of an ancient city that was a powerhouse during the Classic Maya period (250-900 CE) but fell into disrepair after it was abandoned around the 10th century. It was engulfed by the rainforest and remained hidden until it was discovered and excavated in the 20th century. Tikal boasts the tallest pre-Colombian structure in the Americas, Temple IV, which stands 270 feet (70 m).
The ruins aren't the only highlights, either, because the rainforest surrounding it is part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. It's home to exotic animals like monkeys, toucans, parakeets, and other tropical birds, so keep your eyes peeled, and your camera close as you explore the ruins. Throughout the tour, you'll visit major points of interest, including Temples I, II, III, IV, and V, the Lost World, Complex Q, the Great Plaza, the Window Palace, and more.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Yaxhá Ruins Tour, Transfer to San Ignacio (Belize)
After the tour, you'll transfer by vehicle one hour east, crossing the border into Belize and arriving in San Ignacio. This town sits on the Río Macal and is surrounded by jungle, which allows for some great nature tours and visits to archeological sites. Once here, you'll check in to your hotel and will have the rest of the day free.
Day 7: Visit Lamanai Ruins, Río Nuevo Boat Tour
Then it's time to give your legs a break as you depart Lamanai by boat for a leisurely and scenic ride down the Río Nuevo. This waterway snakes from Lamanai through the jungle to the coast and is filled with exotic wildlife. As you travel down the river, you'll be treated to views of the abundant fauna in and around the water that include iguanas, parrots, toucans, and aracari. Also, Morelet's crocodiles are frequently seen in these waters. After the riverboat tour, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 8: Transfer to Caye Caulker, Snorkel Belize's Barrier Reef
If there's time after the tour, you can take a ferry to neighboring Ambergris Caye, which has been inhabited over the centuries by the Maya people, Mexicans fleeing the Caste War of Yucatán, and even European pirates. Here, you can walk the streets of the main San Pedro Town and visit the museum to learn about the island's rich history. This town is also a major hub for the fishing industry in the region, so you're never far from wooden houses and local restaurants serving fresh seafood. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel on Caye Caulker.
Day 9: Transfer to Belize City & Depart
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