10 Day Guatemalan Off The Beaten Track Adventure

The Pacaya volcano is one of three active volcanos in Guatemala, standing at 2,552 metres elevation. The hike is a relatively easy ascent and offers spectacular views of the whole volcanic chain. If you prefer, you may hire a horse at the entrance to the park for the ascent. We will head along a trail through a pine forest to the volcanic ash and finally reach the cone of the volcano. From the top, you can enjoy excellent views of the volcanoes. After enjoying our volcano adventure tour, we will descend to the foothills and hand back to the hotel.

Today we will enjoy the city of Antigua, visiting the ruins, churches and museums of the city. The stories and myths of colonial times are still part of everyday culture and we will visit: La Merced Church, Convent Las Capuchinas, Saint Joseph Cathedral, Central Park, the local craft market & Chocolate Museum. In the afternoon, we will head to Lake Atitlan and Panajachel village where we will spend the night.

Today, we will take a boat ride across Lake Atitlan towards San Juan La Laguna, where we will see the women’s textile cooperative for hand weaving and natural dye processing of the textiles. We will also visit the homes of the famous naïf painters before we continue to Santiago Village, where we will take part in an immersion activity with the local people. We will then return to Panajachel for the evening.

After breakfast, we will visit San Buenaventura natural reserve on Lake Atitlan dedicated to the preservation of flora and fauna. We can enjoy the zipline activity to appreciate the lake and the jungle canopy from above. We will then head to Guatemala City airport for your flight to the Flores area. 

We will wake up early once more to spot the birds and wildlife around the station. After breakfast, you will take the boat to start a jungle hike to discover the natural world around these spectacular wetlands of central America. After lunch, we will head out on a boat ride around the San Pedro river and Sacluc stream on the quest for more wildlife, including the colourful Agami Heron. We will spend the evening at this impressive natural reserve.

Today we will wake up to the unique sound of the rainforest and after breakfast, we will head out on a hike to the El Peru Archaeological site, to explore the ruins and spot the scarlet macaw.  After lunch, we will take the boat on the  Rio San Pedro towards Paso Caballos. From here, we will take the minibus to Yaxha National Park, where we will stay at El Sombrero Eco Lodge. 

Today we can watch the sunrise at the Shore of Yaxha Lake. After breakfast, we will head to the archaeological site. We will walk along the causeways beneath a lush tropical forest, where howler monkeys fill the air with their calls, hoping to impress a female or defend their territory. We will climb Mayan temples that offer spectacular views over the rainforest. We will finish our tour at the highest temple in the park, the temple 216. After this spectacular off the beaten track site, we will head to the more famous, but just as amazing, Tikal National Park, where we will spend the evening. 

After breakfast, we will head out on the national park's fantastic trails and, under the shade of the tropical jungle, into the heart of a Mayan world that is home to abundant and spectacular wildlife. The Mayan forest and awe-inspiring temples are the silent witnesses of the birth and magnificence of this civilization, as well as its collapse at the hands of the Spanish Conquistadors. In the afternoon, we will be taken to the airport for our flight to Guatemala City for the final evening of the tour. 

Today is our final day in Guatemala. Our driver will take you to the international airport in time for your flight back home or onto your next exciting destination!