Backpacking Guatemala

Bienvenidos a Guatemala !

Upon arrival at Guatemala City international airport, our friendly driver is waiting for you at the airport with a welcome sign. After a quick briefing, he takes you to your hotel in the lovely town of La Antigua Guatemala (1:30).

Feliz noche !

This morning, you will wake up in the most beautiful town of Central America. One of our english speaking staff member will meet your at the reception of your hotel to have a short talk about your trip.

In the afternoon, be ready for a unforgettable adventure ! You will hike up Pacaya Volcano (level moderate), an active one which often spew ash, smoke, and lava. Your local guide will take you its foothills, through pine forests, and to an area of lava rock and ash where hot steam escapes from the ground. On a clear day, you will enjoy beautiful views on nearby volcanoes and the Pacific lowlands.

Other tours options 

Acatenango volcano 2 days hike

Cooking class

Bike tour

Today, you will be transferred at 07am by collective shuttle to Chichicastenango (03:00) to discover one of the most colorful & lively market of Guatemala.

In the afternoon, you will take the 02pm shuttle for Panajachel on the shores of lake Atitlan (01:30), a huge crater lake surrounded by mountains and three volcanoes, are dominated by traditional Mayan families. the lake is also the home of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Little Prince:  as the author took away much inspiration and symbolism from the lake.

Once in Panajachel, you will take a public boat (45mn) for San Juan la Laguna or San Pedro (choice is yours)

Early wake up today to live one of our favorite travel experience in Guatemala !  A short hike to one of the most epic sunrise viewpoints in Guatemala, the Indian Nose. At the summit, you will have views over San Pedro, San Clara, San Pablo villages, San Pedro Volcano.

You will be back in San Juan la Laguna around 9am & will have a full day by your own (with our recommendations) to enjoy lake Atitlan.

Other tours option

San Juan la Laguna Cultural Tour

Kayak, Hike & Cultural Tour

Today be ready for a long, bumpy but beautiful ride with gorgeous landscapes (10:00) to lush green Las Verapaces, a land of nature & adventure.

Once in Lanquin, you will take a pick-up (45mn) to reach your hotel.

Good rest 😉

Today, you will have a full day to enjoy by your own Semuc Champey & as you will sleep at the closest hotel from the entrance, you won’t be bothered by tourists 😉

The pools of Semuc Champey form a staircase of turquoise pools that extend over a natural limestone bridge. The water is the runoff from the Río Cahabón, which tunnels underground before reemerging downstream of the pools. This picturesque place is one of Guatemala’s best spots for swimming and sunning.

Do not forget to climb to the lookout (short but steep 30mn hike up),where  you can fully admire how stunning Semuc Champey is !

Today, another long transportation day (08:00) but well worth as you will reach the Peten region a remote wild area which holds some of the greatest archeological wonders in the world. Your shuttle will drop you off in Flores where our driver will be waiting for your to drive you to El Remate village located on the northern shores of lake Peten Itza.

Free morning to enjoy the natural setting of El Remate village. Rest in your Hammock, go for a swim in the crytal waters of lake Peten Itza, take a wildlife hike at Cerro Cahui Reserve ! Many other activities can be done : horseback riding, kayaking, biking….

In the early afternoon, you will travel by collective transportation to Yaxha National Park (01h30) to explore this atmospheric lakeside arqueological site ending with wonderful views over the tropical forest canopy from the top the main temple. Yaxha is also a great destination to discover the fauna of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.  Over 40 species of mammals have been documented, including Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Jaguars, Pumas, Ocelots, Tapirs, Agoutis, White-tailed Deer & many birds species such as Keel-billed Toucan, Gartered, Black-headed, and Slaty-tailed Trogon

After sunset, you will be transferred to your hotel in El Remate.  Adds on : Night in Yaxha or in Tikal

Today, be ready for a unforgettable day !

This morning your collective shuttle will pick-you up at the entrance of your hotel & will drive to you to Tikal.

The magnificent Tikal is the largest Maya archeological site found in Central America. You will be signing up for some great hiking in the lus tropical forest. The tour includes 4 of the largest temples with wooden stairs that offer spectacular views of the dense tropical jungles and wildlife in the Petén region.

There is amazing fauna diversity here including howler & spider monkeys, coatimundis, occelated turkeys, spiders, agoutis, and various birds. tinamous, parrots, motmots, aracaris, jacamars, puffbirds, leaftossers, antthrushes, and the odd Northern Royal Flycatcher.

In the afternoon, you will head back to Flores by collective shuttle to wander around the streets of Flores.

Adds-on tours

Tikal sunrise tour

Boat tour on lake Peten Itza

Canopy tour

Sky way jungle bridges

This morning, you will take a comfortable pullman bus (a great way to meet local people) from the bus terminal to Rio Dulce on the caribbean coast of Guatemala (3:45).

In the afternoon, you will take a collective boat to Livingston. On the way, prepare to be amazed as the ride is scenic :  Castillo de San Felipe Fort, the island of birds, Mangrove forests and an impressive canyon that separates the mountains where high walls of limestone rock with lush vegetation.

Rio Dulce river is also known to be a refuge for various native and migratory birds & keep your eyes opened as manatees also live around too.

At the end of the afternoon, your boatman will drop you off at the dock of your hotel in Livingston, a small village where live harmoniously different ethnic groups: Garifunas, Mayan Q’eqchi’, Hindús, Chinese & Ladinos

Today, you will take a public boat to Puerto Barrios where you will board a comfortable pullman bus to Guatemala City.

Our driver will be waiting for you at Guatemala City bus terminal & will take you to your hotel in Guatemala City or Antigua (the choice is yours) to spend your last night in Guatemala.

Short transfer to La Aurora international airport for your international flight back to your country . We were glad to have you as guests & make you discover Guatemala !  Hasta luego !