Highlights
- Savor Antigua's street foods on a city tour
- See amazing views from Pacaya Volcano
- Relax on El Paredón Beach
- Enjoy a Maya cooking class near Lake Atitlán
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua, Explore & Street Food Tour | Antigua |
| Day 2 | Hike Pacaya Volcano, Transfer to El Paredón | El Paredón |
| Day 3 | Free Day in El Paredón | El Paredón |
| Day 4 | Free Morning in El Paredón, Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Maya Culinary Master Class | Lake Atitlán |
| Day 5 | Kayaking & Hiking at Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua | Antigua |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Guatemala City, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua, Explore & Street Food Tour
Welcome to Guatemala! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the colonial city of Antigua. You'll have free time to explore on a self-guided walking tour today. Once the capital of Guatemala, UNESCO-listed Antigua is known for its Spanish colonial old town and its main plaza, Central Park. Walk along the cobbled streets, and treat yourself to 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.
Later, meet a local expert guide for a street food tour. As you wander along Antigua's cobbled streets, taste culinary creations with influences dating back thousands of years. Stop at eight traditional restaurants and vendors, each serving up a variety of savory and sweet local treats (some food restrictions can be accommodated). Besides the delicious food, you'll learn about Antigua's history, visit 16th-century ruins, and enjoy views of the nearby volcanoes. At the end of it, you'll receive a list of some of the best restaurants and bars to visit during your trip.Day 2: Hike Pacaya Volcano, Transfer to El Paredón
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
At 8,370 feet (2,551 m) high, Pacaya Volcano's unique landscapes are some of the most impressive in Central America. Today, meet your guide at a local shop in Antigua and fill up your water bottle before heading off to climb the volcano. You'll travel to the park office and trailhead via private transfer, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. As your group hikes along the mountain's winding trails, impressive views of the Guatemalan countryside will open up before you. When you reach the volcanic caldera's base, follow your guide across rugged dried lava fields as you begin your ascent to the top.
Stop for a freshly-prepared picnic, which you can enjoy as you take in views of three nearby volcanoes (Fuego, Agua, and Acatenango). You'll have plenty of opportunities to explore geothermal hot spots on the cooled lava formations—and even use them to roast marshmallows! Later, hike back down across the dried lava fields through peaceful, lush forests and farmland. After your descent to the trailhead, return to Antigua and transfer to El Paredón, your next destination.
Day 3: Free Day in El Paredón
Day 4: Free Morning in El Paredón, Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Maya Culinary Class
You'll have the morning free to relax by the ocean, have breakfast, and take in the sights of El Paredón. Then take a private transfer to Lake Atitlán, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours. Start your journey with a ferry ride through the mangrove-lined rivers of Sipacate before hitting the highway to the lake. Once you arrive in Panajachel, transfer overland or take a local boat to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a cooking class in a 17th-century mansion or an outdoor kitchen in the middle of the forest. You'll prepare dinner with a renowned chef specializing in Maya culinary fusion.
During the class, the cooking expert will reveal Guatemala's ancient Maya roots, sharing ancestral knowledge about the ingredients' benefits for the mind, body, and soul. For the Maya, food was a source of nourishment and a way to prevent illnesses and treat psychological problems. Menus vary according to the season, but they will always include pepián (a traditional spiced stew made with meat, vegetables, and fruit), jocón de pollo (chicken cooked in a tomatillo and cilantro sauce), and a vegetarian dish.
Day 5: Kayaking & Hiking at Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua
Meet your guide in the morning for today's five-hour expedition. You'll start in a kayak, paddling westward along the north shore of Lake Atitlán for roughly two hours. Pass by villages perched on lakeside cliffs, hop in the water for a swim, or even go cliff jumping. Your destination is a spot between the villages of Tzununá and San Marcos La Laguna, where you'll leave your kayak behind and lace up your hiking boots. Follow the lake trail between the villages, taking in views of the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes.
Hike along the shoreline and through small villages for about 1.5 hours. Eventually, the route will take you to the town of Jaibalito. From there, return to your accommodation to pack your things, then transfer back to Antigua via Panajachel.
Day 6: Transfer to Guatemala City, Depart
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