Highlights
- See the highlights of Antigua and hike the Pacaya volcano
- Cycle and trek in the hills around Lake Atitlán
- Paddle across Lake Atitlán on a kayak
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua | Antigua |
| Day 2 | Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms & Ruins | Antigua |
| Day 3 | Pacaya Volcano Day Hike | Antigua |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Cycle Around the Lake | Lake Atitlán |
| Day 5 | Kayaking & Hiking at Lake Atitlán | Lake Atitlán |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Guatemala City & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua
Welcome to Guatemala! For outdoor adventurers looking for the perfect place to escape for a few days, you can't do better than this Central American country. Beyond the ancient Indigenous culture and well-preserved Spanish-colonial history, it's filled with natural wonders and diverse ecosystems offering countless activities.
Upon arrival at the airport in Guatemala City, a driver will pick you up and transfer you about an hour west to the colonial city of Antigua. Once the capital of Guatemala, Antigua is known for the Spanish colonial Old Town around its main plaza, Central Park. Three volcanoes surround it, and the contrast between these imposing mountains and the city's colorful architecture is part of the reason Antigua has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
After checking in to your hotel, you can spend the remainder of the day walking Antigua's cobbled streets and treating 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.
Day 2: Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms & Ruins
Today you'll embark on the first major outdoor adventure of the itinerary. During this half-day mountain bike tour, you'll ride around the villages, farms, and ruins of the Almolonga Valley, located just west of Antigua. It begins early in the morning when you meet your guide at the office in Antigua to pick up your bike and receive a quick safety orientation. Then you'll transfer outside Antigua to the base of Volcán de Agua, where you'll start the ride.
For most of the trip, you'll explore the various towns and villages nestled in the valley. You'll also make plenty of stops along the way to tour colonial ruins and snap photos of historic churches. Other unique highlights include stops at a sustainable macadamia nut farm and textile and weaving co-ops in local villages. Afterward, you'll return to Antigua and have the remainder of the day free.
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano Day Hike
Today, you'll trade the mountain bike for hiking boots. This morning's excursion is a guided climb up the 8,370-foot (2,552 m) Volcán Pacaya, whose slopes are home to some of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in Central America. Set in its own national park, Pacaya cuts an imposing figure with a continuous plume of smoke drifting from its summit and the massive lava field at the base of its caldera.
The trip up and back takes about six hours, but horses are an option for those who'd prefer a more relaxed ascent. Upon arrival at the summit, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch amid panoramic views (you can even roast marshmallows over volcanic vents). The hike down traverses more dried lava fields before descending through tropical forests and farmland on your way back to Antigua.
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Cycle Around the Lake
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
At 8 am, you'll hop in a vehicle with your cycling group and make the three-hour drive to Guatemala's most famous lake: Lake Atitlán. Upon arrival at a trailhead in the lake highlands area, you'll unload the bikes and receive safety instructions regarding the day's route as well as the surrounding terrain. Then hit the trail on a steep country road that winds through the highlands above the lake on a mostly downhill ride passing several small villages and towns.
Upon reaching the first vista overlooking Lake Atitlán, your guide will stop and prepare a picnic lunch, which you'll enjoy amid stunning views over the lake. After lunch, continue breezing down the windy road to the lakeside town of Panajachel. From here, you'll catch a boat to the village of Jaibalito and proceed to your hotel for check-in. You can then spend the remainder of the day relaxing in a hammock, going swimming, and watching the sunset over the water.
Day 5: Kayaking & Hiking at Lake Atitlán
Wake up to views of the lake and its towering volcanoes before meeting your guide for today's five-hour expedition. You'll start out 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, and eventually, the route will lead you back to Jaibalito. Feel free to spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing.
Day 6: Transfer to Guatemala City & Depart
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