Night 1-3
Hotel in Antigua
Enjoy your stay at a comfortable and welcoming hotel in the Old Capital where you can peruse the cobblestone streets and soak up vibes in this city’s colourful markets.
Discover the best of Guatemala in one week on this multisport adventure
With so much to see and do in Guatemala, an adventure-filled weeklong multisport tour is the best way to experience it all! The 8-Day Guided Best of Guatemala in One Week invites you to explore the valleys, villages and volcanos outside of Antigua before hopping on a plane to visit Tikal National Park.
This unique multisport tour in Guatemala kicks off in Antigua where you’ll set out on bike to explore the sprawling Almolonga Valley, dotted with colorful villages and rural farms. Next, you’ll lace up your boots to hike the Pacaya Volcano where you’ll traverse rugged dried lava fields and lunar-like landscapes. The adventure continues with a boat tour on Lake Atitlan, before your whisked off by plane to explore the Mayan ruins of Tikal National Park.
From bikes to kayaks and boats to planes –this adventure has it all. Don’t miss a thing on your trip to Guatemala. Book the Best of Guatemala in One Week and experience every last drop of this magical country in Central America!
Arriving in Guatemala City, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and transfer you approx. 1 hour to your accommodations in the old capital of Antigua.
You'll then have some time to get settled and rest at Hotel San Jorge, a quaint, Colonial-style hotel that's only a 3-minute walk from Parque Central. For those arriving early, we encourage you to explore this historical city, with cobblestone streets and citizens dressed in colorful Mayan clothing.
This morning you’ll meet your guide at Old Town at 9 am to head to your bike fitting and briefing. Today you’ll explore the sprawling Almolonga Valley (mostly on paved roads) including its traditional villages, Spanish colonial ruins and magnificent churches. You’ll enjoy views of the Agua Volcano as you pedal your way from one stunning location to the next, with a stop at an experimental macadamia farm and a textile market along the way.
Following an adventure-filled day on bike, you’ll head back to Antigua for another overnight in the Old Capital, arriving around mid-day.
Views of Guatemala City often include the city's dramatic backdrop of the 2,552m (8,370 ft) mountain, Volcán Pacaya. It may not be Guatemala’s highest peak, but its slopes are home to some of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in Central America! Set in its own national park, Pacaya is a fascinating volcano with its continuous plume of smoke drifting from the summit, plus a massive, dried lava field at the base of its caldera and today, its yours to discover!
The drive to the trailhead is approximately 1.5 hours in private transport from Antigua to the park office. As you move up the myriad of trails on the mountain, Guatemala’s impressive vistas open up before your eyes. As you reach the base of the caldera, your guide will direct the group through the rugged dried lava fields, recently reformed by a massive eruption in 2010.
Later, stop for a freshly prepared picnic to enjoy along with views of nearby volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. There will be plenty of opportunity to explore geothermal hot-spots on the cooled lava formations – which are always available to help roast marshmallows! The hike down brings you across the remaining dried lava fields before beginning your descent through Pacaya’s lush and lesser known forests and farmland.
You’ll return to Antigua by private transport to arrive in town around 4-5 PM with plenty of time to enjoy an evening at your leisure to explore the city streets and a delicious local dinner!
This morning following breakfast you’ll set out on a private transfer to Lake Atitlán, approximately two and an half hours drive. Part of the morning will be spent on the Pan American Highway known as the part of a network of roads stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina.
As you get closer to Atitlán, keep an eye out for views from above the lake. Once you arrive to the main town on Lake Atitlán —Panajachel—you will start a village tour by boat with a local guide. Many smaller Mayan villages are located along the lake and your private boat tour will visit a few of them to give you a closer look into the local arts, traditions, and stories found here.
Your guide will give you time during the tour to stop for lunch or you may prefer to wait and eat at the hotel in the afternoon. After wrapping up the tour, you’ll head to the beautiful lakeside hotel of Casa del Mundo. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax, enjoy a swim in the lake, and take in the views!
After waking up to gorgeous views of the lake and its towering volcanoes, enjoy breakfast and then meet your guide for today's adventure. In the first part of the tour, you’ll paddle westward along the north shore of Atitlan for 1.5-2 hours, passing by tiny villages perched on the sides of the sheer ridges that rise up from the azure waters of the lake. Depending on weather – and speed of the kayak group - there are opportunities to stop for a dip and/or cliff-jump.
Later, you’ll arrive at the next destination between the villages of Tzununá and San Marcos La Laguna where you will trade your kayaks for daypacks and hiking shoes. Climbing out of town on the lake trail which connects village to village, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán. You’ll pass through small villages as you follow the shoreline for approx 1.5 hours, eventually returning back to Jaibalito and Casa del Mundo.
After a hearty and well-earned lunch at the hotel, you´ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax.
Today you’ll return to Guatemala City to catch your domestic flight to Flores in the north of Guatemala. A private transfer will take you to your hotel inside the Tikal National Park so you'll be ready to enjoy the tour of these famous ruins tomorrow morning.
Today you will visit the famous Tikal National Park to see the amazing Mayan ruins. Tikal is known world-wide for its impressive pyramids and sprawling ruins. The UNESCO World Heritage hosts a former capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya, and boasts the tallest pre- Colombian structure in the Americas – the Temple IV standing at 70 meters.
You will spend the day with your professional guide exploring this vast complex of temples and pyramids until late in the afternoon. During your visit you will have the opportunity to see all the major sites of interest including Temples I, II, II, IV, and V, Lost World, Complex Q, The Great Plaza, The Window Palace, and more.
Keep an eye out for lots of wildlife along the tour and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle. You will have time enjoy lunch in the park and have time to explore on your own. In the afternoon you will return to Flores and fly back to Guatemala City. You will stay in Guatemala City tonight, in preparations for tomorrow's departure.
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel this morning in Guatemala City. Afterwards, you'll take the hotel shuttle to the Guatemala City airport for your flight home. We recommend arriving to the airport three hours prior to your departure.
This guided trip to Guatemala is always run as a private tour for your group only, therefore the prices depend on the size of your group.
The prices below are per person:
*Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group.
This tour is based in hotel accommodations. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Enjoy your stay at a comfortable and welcoming hotel in the Old Capital where you can peruse the cobblestone streets and soak up vibes in this city’s colourful markets.
Soak up the views at this quaint cliffside hotel featuring modern amenities like a superb restaurant and a hot tub.
Enjoy your stay at a comfortable and welcoming hotel in the Old Capital where you can peruse the cobblestone streets and soak up vibes in this city’s colourful markets.
Find yourself surrounded by nature at this comfortable hotel in Tikal National Park –the perfect base for exploring the UNESCO Mayan ruins found here.
This laid-back hotel is conveniently located in Guatemala City, making for an easy departure on day 8 from the airport.
7 breakfasts and 2 are included on this tour.
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Antigua and after the tour in Guatemala City are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport. The domestic flights noted in the itinerary are also included on Day 6 and Day 7.
How hard is the Best of Guatemala in One Week?
We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. You should be comfortable with moderately rated physical activities including hiking, biking and kayaking.
Do I need a visa to travel to Guatemala?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Best of Guatemala in One Week tour?
7 breakfasts and 2 lunches are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover activities mentioned in this itinerary. Get your travel insurance.
How do I get to Guatemala City to start this tour?
Fly into La Aurora (Guatemala City) International Airport (GUA) where a private transfer will pick you up and take you to your accommodations in Antigua.
Is the Best of Guatemala in One Week in English?
Yes, the tour guide is English and Spanish speaking (bilingual).
Where does the Best of Guatemala in One Week tour end?
This tour ends in Guatemala City. A shuttle will bring you to the airport to depart from La Aurora (Guatemala City) International Airport (GUA).
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Guatemala?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Guatemala?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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We rate this tour as a 3 out of 5 in terms of difficulty. You should be comfortable with moderately rated physical activities including hiking, biking and kayaking.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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