Guatemala on Foot: Volcanic Treks and Hidden Trails

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Guatemala City

  

  Arrival at the airport in Guatemala City. You are received by a hotel representative, who will transport you to the hotel.

• day 2

  Visiting Isla de Flores

  

  From the hotel in Guatemala City, you travel back to the airport in Guatemala City at 10:30 to take the 12:10 domestic flight to Santa Elena (Mundo Maya Airport). You are picked up and transferred to your hotel in Flores, the colorful peninsula.

• day 3

  El Zotz Hike - Day 1

  

  This day starts early, at 5:00 a.m. You will be picked up from your hotel in Flores and taken to Cruce Dos Aguadas. There, you’ll meet your guide and begin the trek to the archaeological site of El Zotz. The journey lasts 3 days and ends in Tikal. Along the way, we’ll pass an archaeological site that is still largely covered by nature. Horses will be available to carry our luggage. Today, we’ll walk approximately 20 km in about 6–7 hours. Upon arrival at El Zotz, we will set up camp. We’ll watch the sunset from a viewpoint overlooking the jungle, and after dark, we’ll see a large number of bats emerging from their caves.

• day 4

  El Zotz hike - Day 2

  

  In the morning, we visit the archaeological site of "El Zotz," located about 2.5 km from the camp. In total, we’ll walk approximately 6 km that morning. In the afternoon, we’ll hike 10 km (2–3 hours) to El Yesal, where we will set up camp.

• day 5

  El Zotz hike last day - Day 3

  

  The final stage to Tikal: you will leave El Yesal and walk toward Tikal National Park, which is about 15 km (5 hours). You will enjoy lunch in Tikal National Park. After lunch, you’ll take a short tour of the highlights of Tikal Park with the guide. Then, the bus will be waiting to take you to Santa Elena Airport, with a quick stop at Hotel Peten to pick up luggage, for the 5:30 pm flight back to Guatemala City. There, the driver will be waiting for you and will take you to your hotel in Antigua.

• day 6

  Acatenango Hike

  

  Time for some adrenaline; you will hike the Acatenango volcano! This is the volcano located right next to the active Fuego volcano, outside Antigua. The hike to Acatenango is difficult because it is an overnight hike. You will need to carry camping gear and food in your backpack. We organized this trek with a local tour company that is committed to involving the local population in tourism. Departure is at 7:00 am from Antigua. After a car ride, you will first arrive at the guide's house, where you will have a typical breakfast at his mother's home. Then the hike begins. You arrive at the base camp in the afternoon, where a nice campfire is lit for the cold. From here, you can watch the eruptions of the Fuego volcano! At 4:00 pm, there is an extra hike (3 hours) where you can get closer to Fuego. This is included but optional if you don't want to go. Very early the next morning, you hike to the top of Acatenango, from where you can see the sunrise with a 360-degree view! Then you pack up again and arrive back in Antigua around 2:00 pm, where the afternoon is free.

• day 7

  Back from Acatenango

  

  Very early the next morning, you’ll hike to the summit of Acatenango to watch the sunrise with an incredible 360-degree view. Afterwards, you’ll pack up your things and return to Antigua around 1:00pm, where the afternoon is free.

• day 7

  Meal at local homestay

  

  You’ll have the incredible opportunity to experience authentic Guatemalan culture with a traditional home-cooked meal hosted by one of our local homestay families. You’ll join them at their home for lunch at 12:30 PM or dinner at 7:00 PM, where they will warmly welcome you to their table and serve delicious, homemade Guatemalan dishes. This is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural exchange. The family loves sharing stories about their country, traditions, and everyday life. While they don’t speak English, this adds to the charm of the experience. It’s a fun and enriching chance to practice your Spanish—or simply connect through smiles, gestures, and good food. It’s sure to be a heartwarming highlight of your journey.

• day 8

  Quetzaltenango, most known as Xela

  

  Today, you travel from Antigua to Quetzaltenango, which is located in the heart of the highlands and has a very rich Maya culture. You’ll spend the coming night with local host families. These are middle-class families living in comfortable homes, and you’ll stay in double rooms with shared bathrooms. The families live in the city center and have Wi-Fi at home. Meals are included—a great experience and cultural exchange! This journey offers a glimpse into the diverse landscapes of Guatemala, from lush valleys and terraced farmlands to misty mountains and small indigenous towns along the way. As you ascend into the western highlands, you’ll notice a shift in climate and culture. Xela is Guatemala’s second-largest city and an important cultural and educational center, known for its vibrant indigenous heritage, striking neoclassical architecture, and breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes.

• day 8

  Fuentes Georginas tour

  

  After lunch, at 2:00 pm, it's time to relax at the Fuentes Georginas hot springs. These springs are located 16 km from Quetzaltenango, in a cloud forest. The area has a lot of volcanic activity, and the hot springs are natural sulfur baths heated by this geothermal energy. The surroundings are stunning, and the drive up through the mountains and past local farmlands is equally beautiful. You'll be back in Xela around 5:30 pm. *Private half-day tour including transportation, bilingual guide, and entrance ticket to the hot springs. Accommodation in homestay with shared bathroom and meals included*

• day 9

  Lake Atitlán Trek - Day 1

  

  Today we begin a 3-day hike to Lake Atitlán. Three days through villages, forests, past farms, and eventually the best view of the most beautiful lake in the world, Lago de Atitlán. At 6:00am, you will be picked up and taken to the starting point. The hike begins in Xecam near Cantel (elevation approx. 2,450m), just 30 minutes from Quetzaltenango. We start off with a challenging section, climbing to 3,050m. Then we descend through a mostly forested area with pine trees and coffee plantations. The final part of the descent is the most difficult—about 30 minutes on very slippery slopes. After that, we have a 45-minute climb to reach the village of K’omonoj at 1,600m. Tonight, we’ll stay in this charming little village. Basic accommodation. Shower and electricity are available.

• day 10

  Lake Atitlan Trek - Day 2

  

  Today we arrive at the edge of Lake Atitlán. After about 6 hours of hiking, we reach the village of Santa Clara La Laguna (2,100m), where we’ll have lunch in a typical Guatemalan *comedor*. After lunch, there’s time to rest and explore the village. Basic accommodation. Shower and electricity are available.

• day 11

  Lake Atitlan trek - Day 3

  

  Today, we wake up early at 4:00 AM and hike for 45 minutes to reach the peak called “El Rostro Maya” (an ascent of 100 meters), which means “The Mayan Face.” This peak is a famous viewpoint overlooking Lake Atitlán. The lake, formed around 85,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption, is a natural wonder. On one side, it is bordered by three volcanoes (Atitlán, Tolimán, and San Pedro) and surrounded by lush green hills. After watching the sunrise and enjoying breakfast on site, we continue to the village of San Juan La Laguna (1,560 meters), where you’ll arrive around 10:00 AM. You’ll stay for 1 night in a lovely eco-hotel on the edge of the lake, in double rooms with a private bathroom. Breakfast is included. Kayaks are also available for free use.

• day 12

  Back to Guatemala City

  

  Today, you’ll travel to Guatemala City. First, you’ll cross Lake Atitlán by boat to reach Panajachel, where a private shuttle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the capital. On the way, you can visit Iximché, a small archaeological site in the highlands of Guatemala. It was once the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom. The site features several pyramids and temples, palaces, and ball courts. There is also a small museum. Guatemala City is the country’s largest and most modern urban center, offering a mix of colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and contemporary culture. After the journey, you’ll have time to rest and enjoy your evening in the city. You stay at an ecohotel in the vibrant center of Guatemala City, in 4 double rooms with breakfast included.

• day 13

  See you soon, Guatemala!

  

  The hotel will take care of your transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Hasta pronto Guatemala!