Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Guatemala Villages & Volcanoes Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Guatemala City & Fly to the Peten Rainforest
1-hour flight, 20-minute private van transfer
Arrive in Guatemala City by early afternoon and meet in the airport to travel together on the flight to Flores, and the Peten rainforest. A vast tropical jungle where ancient Maya civilization flourished, this region is part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, established in 1991 to protect the largest remaining American tropical forest north of the Amazon. Transfer to your deluxe boutique hotel nearby. In the early evening, gather with the group for a briefing on the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel
(D)
Day 2 Kayak Lake Peten Itza & Journey to Tikal
20-minute boat ride, 2-hour private van transfer
1.5 hours kayaking, 2 hours easy hiking
Paddle across the deep blue waters of Lake Peten Itza, gliding along emerald shores of tropical forest dotted with small towns with your guide—an easy introduction to the rhythm and beauty of this special place. Leaving your kayak behind, take a path less traveled, hiking into pristine rainforest and over rolling hills with spectacular views of the lake. Be on the lookout for toucans, macaws, and iguanas. The forest opens onto a hidden cove where you can relax on sandy shores or take a dip in the lake to cool off. Transfer back to Flores Island by motorized boat, then continue to UNESCO-listed Tikal National Park where you'll stay at the best lodging within its boundaries.
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Climb a Tikal Temple at Sunrise & Explore the Ruins
6 hours walking on uneven terrain at Tikal
Rise before dawn and walk to the archeological site for a magical experience. Climb to the top of the tallest temple to gaze out over the canopy as the shapes of smaller temples emerge from the morning mist. At first light the jungle awakens with the roars of howler monkeys and calls of tropical birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and meet up with your guide mid-morning for a more thorough exploration of Tikal's captivating ruins. As you wander amid the ancient Maya acropolis and ceremonial sites, your guide will unravel the complexities of the Maya civilizations and the architecture of Tikal. After lunch in a rainforest restaurant, your afternoon is free to explore more of the ruins on your own, relax, or take a dip in the pool.
Accommodation: Jungle Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Hike Pacaya Active Volcano & Travel to Antigua
1-hour flight, 4-hour private van transfer, with stops
1.5-2 hours/2 miles hiking with 1,500' elevation gain & 1,500' elevation loss
Take a morning flight to Guatemala City, then travel into the highlands, stopping at Finca El Barretal, a historic coffee estate perched on fertile volcanic slopes. Stretch your legs on a short walk to a hidden waterfall, then savor a farm-fresh BBQ lunch. This afternoon, hike up Pacaya Volcano, one of the country's most active. Ascend through farmland and pine forest to an exposed ridge for a panoramic vista of its blackened smoking cone, stark lava fields, and the distant volcanoes of Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Before descending, enjoy a well-earned reward as the sun sets—artisan pizza cooked over hot lava! Arrive in Antigua in the early evening. Note: In compliance with Pacaya National Park safety regulations, the closest guests can get to the volcano's active crater is a little over half a mile, with excellent vantage points from a distance.
Accommodation: Pensativo House Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Explore Antigua & Cook a Classic Guatemalan Dish
2-hour walking tour with minimal elevation gain/loss, 45 minutes hiking
Step into the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Antigua on a walking tour through one of Latin America's most captivating colonial cities. Wander past pastel facades, grand plazas, and historic landmarks including the Cathedral of San Jose and La Merced Church, as your guide brings Antigua's rich history to life. A short hike leads to Cerro de la Cruz, where sweeping views of the city below are framed by majestic Volcan de Agua. Then, learn to cook pepian (pumpkin seed stew) using time-honored Maya techniques. Grind spices, stir rich sauces, and uncover the cultural roots behind this beloved dish, then enjoy your creation for lunch. Your afternoon is free to explore more of Antigua on your own.
Accommodation: Pensativo House Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Hike Deep into the Lake Atitlan Highlands
2-hour private van transfer
3 hours/4 miles hiking with 500' elevation gain & 3,150' elevation loss
Begin the first stage of a two-day adventure into Guatemala's enchanting volcanic landscape. After a scenic drive to the trailhead, climb steadily along cloud forest ridgelines alive with chattering birds and tropical plants. Reaching the highlands, the landscape opens to farmers tending terraced fields as they have for generations. After a picnic lunch, descend toward your glamping camp with Lake Atitlan shimmering in the distance. In the afternoon, visit the Kaqchikel Maya communities of Panimaquin and Chuaquenum. Meet artisans at a women's weaving cooperative and learn how intricate textiles are created using natural dyes and backstrap looms, an ancestral craft that remains central to cultural identity. Return to camp and enjoy a dinner prepared by your community hosts.
Accommodation: Maya Community Glamping
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Descend to Breathtaking Lake Atitlan
45-minute private van transfer, 30-minute private boat ride
4 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain & 1,990' elevation loss
Begin your descent through a mosaic of farmland and highland villages, offering a closer look at rural life and the beautiful countryside. On reaching a local coffee farm, discover the art of small-batch production—from planting and harvesting to roasting—and enjoy a tasting of the regional roast. Cross a hanging bridge and climb to a series of spectacular viewpoints overlooking Lake Atitlan and its three volcanoes. Then, transfer down through colorful fields to the village of San Antonio Palopo and board a private boat to cross idyllic Lake Atitlan, arriving at your hotel with time to relax and soak in the beauty of this iconic setting.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Watch the Sun Rise Over Lake Atitlan
1.5-hour private van transfer, 40-minute boat ride
3.5 hours/1 mile hiking with 2,100' elevation gain & 2,100' elevation loss
Get ready for another magnificent sunrise experience! Expect picture-postcard views of dark volcano silhouettes rising from glimmering Lake Atitlan as sherbert skies are reflected on its surface. Make an early-morning climb to the summit of Rostro Maya (also known as Indian Nose) to catch this iconic view, learning about the mountain's significance to the Maya people along the way. Descend to San Juan La Laguna, concluding your hike at this Tz'utujil Maya town known for its thriving arts, from murals and galleries to traditional craft workshops. Visit a local textile cooperative to experience traditional weaving firsthand, from spinning cotton to dyeing with natural pigments—you'll even have a chance to give it a go yourself! At the end of the visit, return to your hotel by boat across Lake Atitlan.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Paddle Lake Atitlan & Experience a Maya Ceremony
2.5-hour private van transfer
1-hour kayaking, 1.5 hours moderate walking
A morning kayak on Lake Atitlan is a spectacular farewell. Depart for Antigua, breaking your journey with a visit to Iximche, an off-the-radar archaeological site. Explore the plazas and palaces of this former Maya capital, and learn about its powerful history, from clan lords to Spanish conquest and the reclaiming of this sacred place for the Maya. Here, take part in a Maya spiritual ceremony led by an aj q'ijab' (daykeeper), connecting the body to the natural elements, offering a meaningful close to your journey through Guatemala's volcanic landscapes and wild beauty. Continue to Antigua for a festive farewell dinner and celebration of your adventures.
Accommodation: Pensativo House Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Return to Guatemala City & Depart
1.5-hour private van transfer
After breakfast, there will be a group transfer to La Aura International Airport in Guatemala City for your outbound flight.
Accommodation: Pensativo House Hotel
(B)
