Hike Guatemala: From Antigua to the Maya Highlands - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Antigua, Explore

Welcome to Guatemala! Your driver will be waiting to take you to your Antigua hotel, which is around 45 minutes away. After settling in, head out to discover the country's former capital. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a colorful old town surrounded by several smoldering volcanoes. 

Enjoy the rest of your day walking around the cobbled streets, stopping to admire the main plaza, Central Park. Along the way, treat yourself to local street food like dobladas (empanadas). Be sure to stop by historic landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch, the 16th-century Antigua Guatemala Cathedral ruins, and the 18th-century Convento Santa Clara.

Day 2: Pacaya Volcano Overnight Trek

This morning you'll embark upon an overnight guided hike to the 8,370-foot (2,551 m) peak of Pacaya Volcano, whose slopes are home to some of Central America's most impressive volcanic landscapes. Set in its own national park, Pacaya cuts an imposing figure with a continuous plume of smoke that drifts from its summit and a lava field at the base of its caldera.

The trip up takes about two hours, but horses are an option for those who'd prefer a more relaxed ascent. Your guide will pick a scenic spot to make camp for the night and prepare dinner while you watch the sunset and fiery orange glow of Pacaya's lava flow in the distance. Stay warm with hot drinks before retiring to your tent for the night as darkness falls.

Day 3: Descend Pacaya, Transfer to Antigua

Rise early for coffee, accompanied by sweeping views of the surrounding highland volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. There will be plenty of time for pictures while your team breaks camp and prepares for the descent. Hike back down across dramatic dry lava fields before winding through Pacaya's thick forests and farmland. Afterward, soak your muscles at a nearby spa, immersing your body in healing thermal pools, before returning to Antigua.

Day 4: Hike Acatenango Volcano, Camp Overnight

Today's hiking adventure starts with a drive to the Acatenango trailhead at La Soledad. The trek from here takes you through four microclimates, each of which takes around an hour to hike. Pass through lush farmland before heading into an old-growth, high-alpine forest. This type of cloud forest is found on the higher slopes of Guatemala's tallest volcanoes and is home to native birds, including the resplendent quetzal. 

After emerging from the cloud forest around midday, you'll enjoy fantastic views of nearby highland volcanoes: Atitlán, Tolimán, San Pedro, Santa María, Santo Tomás, and Tajamulco. You'll have time to admire the scenery as you take a break for a picnic lunch. Temperate and tropical forests characterize the third part of your ascent, leading to the volcano's storm-beaten tree line. 

Your campsite lies just below this tree line and offers never-ending views of the Antigua Valley and adjacent Fuego volcano. After setting up camp, take some time to stretch out while your guide prepares dinner at 12,300 feet (3,750 m). Savor your meal while marveling at the awe-inspiring display of Fuego's eruptions.

Day 5: Hike from Acatenango to Fuego Volcano

In the morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast as the sunrise illuminates your next destination: Fuego volcano. From here, you can take in southerly views toward the Pacific coast and east across the Antigua Valley. Start your one-hour descent to the saddle between Acatenango and Fuego. There's time for a short rest before making the final push to the vertigo-inducing ridge of Fuego. 

Nestled between the highland valleys and the Pacific slope, you'll rest and have lunch while waiting to witness an eruption at close range. Spend the afternoon hiking back to the campsite on Acatenango, where there's time to rest and recharge. After another tasty dinner your guide prepares, fall asleep to the soundtrack of Guatemala's wild mountains.

Day 6: Sunrise on Acatenango, Transfer to Antigua

Rise early today to tackle the final ascent up Acatenango. Follow a steep gravel trail through the alpine forest for around an hour, emerging at the rocky, windy summit. From here, watch the sunrise over nearby volcanic peaks. Rest and absorb breathtaking 360-degree views of the Guatemalan highlands stretching 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 trek through different microclimates. When you reach the trail's end, a driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Antigua for a well-earned rest.

Day 7: Free Day in Antigua 

Spend a free day in Antigua exploring as you like. Visit the city's markets, ruins, and architectural sites at your own pace, or relax in a café. If you're keen to stay active, take your pick of optional tours, which include a guided Antigua walking tour, a cycling tour to a coffee plantation, or a food tour of the city. In the evening, wander the atmospheric cobblestone streets, snacking on a range of street food, from empanadas to rellenos (stuffed chili pepper) and arepas (cornmeal cakes).

Day 8: Antigua to Lake Atitlán Hike, Day 1 

Set off this morning toward Lake Atitlán, Guatemala's most famous attraction. The lake sits in a volcanic crater in the southwestern highlands and is surrounded by jagged peaks. You'll stop in the village of San Andrés Itzapa to visit a shrine to the Maya saint, Maximon.

Next, it's time to begin your three-day hike to Lake Atitlán from Panajachel. The trek will take you through the pristine Guatemalan countryside, offering panoramic views of a valley below. You'll descend nearly 3,300 feet (1,000 m) during about 4 miles (6 km) of trekking, ending at the village of San Antonio Nejapá with a picnic. 

Day 9: Antigua to Lake Atitlán Hike, Day 2

The second day of your trek begins with a long descent through forest and agricultural fields into La Vega River Valley. You'll descend over 1,900 feet (580 m) to a suspension bridge across a river, which makes for a breathtaking photo stop. From here, the trail continues upward, with a challenging 2,400-foot (730 m) climb through coffee plantations. 

Break for lunch in a peaceful spot near a traditional Maya village. Afterward, you'll make the final uphill trek to camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Your team will have set up camp, so you're free to gather around the campfire and share a cup of coffee and hot wine before dinner. Have an early night ahead of tomorrow's hike.

Day 10: Antigua to Lake Atitlán Hike, Day 3

The final day of your trek begins with a 2,700-foot (820 m) descent into La Madre Vieja River Valley. Here, the river carves through a patchwork landscape of fields dotted with villages. Take a break in the valley to visit a finca (coffee farm) to learn about the production process, from picking to harvesting and grinding the beans. You'll also get to sample a cup of the delicious brew. 

Next, continue your trek, crossing another hanging footbridge over the river. A short upward climb will take you to the rim of Lake Atitlán, where you can enjoy views of the topaz lake shadowed by hulking volcanoes. From there, make your final descent through terraced fields of flowers and vegetables to the lakeside village of San Antonio Palopó, where your trek ends.

Day 11: Free Day in Lake Atitlán

Today is yours to appreciate the beauty of Lake Atitlán at your leisure. Start with a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, soaking up the scenery. Then head out to explore the area, including some picturesque villages specializing in traditional Maya crafts and regional cuisine. You can join private tours, take a taxi, or hike to the different towns. 

If you want to get out on the water, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or go for a swim off one of the lake's many coves and piers. Public boats will take you across the lake to visit different villages or you can take a themed tour. In the afternoon, your guide will help you move your luggage to Hotel Casa del Mundo on the shores of the lake, where you'll spend your final evening in Guatemala.  

Day 12: Transfer to Guatemala City, Depart

Today your Guatemala adventure comes to an end. Your driver will take you back to Guatemala City in time for your onward flight. Safe travels! 

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