Discover Guatemala

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10 Days Excluding Flights From

0 Days from

£ 1999

Culture

Activity Level

Moderate

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AGU

Go deep into the wonders of Guatemala, meeting the Maya and exploring landscapes like nowhere else

Discover the real Guatemala, immersing yourself in Maya culture and exploring tropical landscapes. Guided by an expert tour leader, you’ll explore the colonial streets of Antigua, summit the active Pacaya volcano, cruise Lake Atitlán and enjoy an unforgettable sunrise trip to the Maya ruins of Tikal. But it’s the countless interactions – meeting hand-weaving artisans, bartering for textiles in Chichicastenango market and witnessing rural life in Almolonga and Zunil – that will truly reveal authentic Guatemala.

Highlights

Explore the well-preserved Spanish colonial streets of Antigua
Cruise Lake Atitlán to visit the hand-weaving artisans of San Juan la Laguna
Tour the Maya ruins of Tikal, climbing a temple to watch sunrise from the top
Take a rewarding hike on the active Pacaya Volcano
Interact with makers and sellers at the iconic textiles market of Chichicastenango
Experience the traditional rural life of Guatemala in Almolonga and Zunil

Key Information

Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by private minibus and one internal flight
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

What's Included

All breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

AGU - Discover Guatemala

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Antigua Isla de Flores

Begin your adventure in Antigua, where pastel colonial buildings are watched over by three volcanoes: Agua, Acatenango and Fuego.

Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Guatemalan welcome by arranging a group dinner.

Want more time in Antigua? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Hotel Meson de Maria (or similar)

Meals included: Dinner

Join your tour leader this morning for a walking tour of Antigua, navigating cobblestone streets to beautiful churches, ruins and museums. Our half-day adventure takes us to the most important city landmarks, including La Merced Church, Central Park, the Santa Catalina Martir and much more, while you’ll also sample exotic native fruits.

This rest of the day is free to explore solo – though your expert tour leader will happily point out the favourite spots of the Antigueños.

Accommodation: Hotel Meson de Maria (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a spectacular hike to the top of Pacaya, one of three active volcanoes in Guatemala. It’s the easiest to summit of the trio and we get spectacular views of a volcano chain.

Start with a one-hour transfer to the foothills of the volcano, before embarking on our 3hr 30min round-trip hike (4mi/6km with 1,770ft/540m elevation gain). Our path takes us through pine forest and volcanic ash before we reach the top of the cone. From there, we gaze over volcanoes to the north, the lowlands of the Pacific coast and El Salvador. You’ll also receive your box lunch to enjoy on the volcano.

If you’d prefer to skip the hike, your tour leader can suggest alternative activities, including a visit to the museum complex inside Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, where you can explore the cultural heritage and archaeological finds of Guatemala.

After, we return to the foothills and head back to Antigua, with the afternoon free to explore.

Accommodation: Hotel Meson de Maria (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Experience a Guatemalan institution: Chichicastenango market. A 2hr 30min transfer brings us to this wildly popular hub of trade, where seemingly endless rows of vendors sell their goods to both local people and tourists. It’s best known for textiles, the perfect opportunity to pick up an authentic Guatemalan gift or something for your home.

It’s also a great chance to mingle with people from the neighbouring regions and experience a mix of cultures – a fusion of what came from Spain with the conquest and the roots of the Maya people. We also visit Las Morerias, the workshops where outfits and masks are created for folkloric dancers.

After, we transfer (one hour) to Quetzaltenango. Also named Xela or Xelajú, it’s the second-largest city in Guatemala, a vibrant cultural hub in the western highlands. At 7,654ft (2,333m) above sea level, it offers breathtaking mountain views, a cool climate, and a rich history that combines Indigenous traditions and Spanish colonial heritage.

The region is also home to the Quiché and Mam ethnic groups, whose customs, languages and crafts continue to thrive. Upon arrival, your guide takes you on an orientation tour.

Accommodation: Pensión Bonifaz (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Experience a different side to Guatemala today, visiting the traditional rural villages of Almolonga and Zunil in the lush valleys of Quetzaltenango. With fertile volcanic soil, an ideal altitude and temperate climate, this region produces some of the finest vegetables in Guatemala, earning Almolonga the nickname ‘the Vegetable Garden of the Americas.’

Join our tour leader to walk through the bustling markets of Almolonga, where we see a dazzling array of vegetables, brought to the market in wooden carts – a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle here.

Riverside Zunil is wrapped by green hills and thermal springs, while also being known for its traditional weaving and deep-rooted Indigenous traditions. It is also home to the revered folk saint San Simón (Maximón), who attracts devotees from across the country seeking blessings, protection and good fortune.

After, we visit the natural hot spring retreat of Fuentes Georginas, where steaming thermal waterfalls and mineral-rich pools offer pure relaxation. We take a dip in the waters, which are heated by Zunil volcano and believed to have healing properties (making it a popular destination for those seeking stress relief and rejuvenation).

We return to our hotel in the afternoon with time to relax.

Accommodation: Pensión Bonifaz (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Head into the historic downtown area of Quetzaltenango this morning to explore the highlights of the city. Our adventure takes us to beautifully preserved 16th-century and neoclassical architecture, particularly around Parque Centro América. Highlights include the elegant Pasaje Enríquez, the grand Municipal Palace, the historic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the stately Banco de Occidente, and the iconic Teatro Municipal, one of Guatemala’s finest cultural venues.

Then, after hotel checkout, we transfer (two hours) to Lake Atitlán. En route, stop at San Andrés Xecul, best known for its baroque-style church – a masterpiece painted in vivid yellow, red and blue and adorned with intricate carvings of saints, angels and Maya symbols (representing the blend of Catholic and Maya spiritual traditions in the town).

Accommodation: Hotel Dos Mundos (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Board a boat this morning and cruise over Lake Atitlán to the village of San Juan la Laguna. In recent years, it has become well-known for its co-operatives of hand-weavers, who create their pieces using a natural dyeing process – forming an important source of income for local women’s associations.

Visit the local artisans to learn from the experts how they extract the dyes and use them to create the most beautiful weaves using the waist and standing looms technique.

Then, board a tuk tuk to transfer to the Ancestral Delight Project for a unique culinary journey into the heart of Maya gastronomy. Exploring the flavours that define the region, this immersive cooking class is more than just a lesson in preparing traditional dishes. From the corn that forms the basis of the Maya diet to the herbs and spices that season their dishes, every element tells a story of resilience, community and connection to the land.

In the afternoon, we tour Santiago Atitlán, one of the few places where Maya people still worship Maximón. This village is the largest and most important of the lakeside villages, being the base of the Tz’utujil-speaking Maya.

Accommodation: Hotel Dos Mundos (or similar)

This morning, we transfer (2hr 30min) to the airport. En route, we stop at Iximche in Tecpán, a Maya Cakchiquel city founded in 1463, less than a century before the Spanish arrived. Here, in pine forests, we see the traces of the city: four ceremonial plazas with their temples and ball court.

Finishing our transfer, we fly to Mundo Maya airport and complete our transfer to Isla de Flores, a picturesque human-made island on Lake Petén.

Accommodation: Hotel Isla de Flores (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Rise very early for our 3am transfer (one hour) to Tikal National Park, a World Heritage site home to one of the most important sites in the Maya world.

The early wake up will be worth it, as we hike to Temple IV to enjoy sunrise from the top – an unforgettable experience.

After, we take a guided tour through the city, enjoying a unique site where Maya history, nature and archaeology meet. As we walk through the forest, look out for the abundant wildlife – spider and howler monkeys, white-nosed coati, keel-billed toucans and much more.

Return to Isla de Flores in the afternoon with time to refresh before our farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Isla de Flores (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our trip comes to an end today and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay on Isla de Flores.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

Itinerary: Encompassing the best of Guatemala, this is a busy trip with some early starts. However, you can opt out of some activities if you’d prefer.

Pacaya volcano: The hike up and down Pacaya takes around 3hr 30min in total (4mi/6km with 1,770ft/540m elevation gain) with steep sections and rocks underfoot. Sturdy hiking boots and walking poles are recommended. You can opt out if you wish. In general, most of this trip would be rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate); however, the more challenging hike up Pacaya volcano means it has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). You can opt out if you wish.

Climate: It can be hot and humid in Guatemala and there are mosquitoes (particularly during the rainy season).

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Meson de Maria, 3a Calle Poniente #8, Antigua Guatemala 03001
Phone: +502 7832 6068
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing at the start hotel around 6pm.
Airport: La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 50-minute drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Mundo Maya International Airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Antigua
Location end: Isla de Flores

Vaccinations and Health

Guatemala

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐date information.

Visa

Guatemala

Holders of British, Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian and most EU passports do not require visas for Guatemala for up to 90 days.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our US visa page for further information.

TRIP

AGU - Discover Guatemala

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

A selection of hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

TRIP

AGU - Discover Guatemala

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

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Discover Guatemala

10 Days Excluding Flights From

0 Days from

£ 1999

Discover Guatemala

Go deep into the wonders of Guatemala, meeting the Maya and exploring landscapes like nowhere else

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Antigua Isla de Flores

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Guatemala

Visa

Guatemala

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

A selection of hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Your Group, Your Adventure

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Discover Guatemala

Discover Guatemala

Go deep into the wonders of Guatemala, meeting the Maya and exploring landscapes like nowhere else

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Antigua Isla de Flores

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Guatemala

Visa

Guatemala

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

A selection of hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

Your Group, Your Adventure

You may also like

Belize Reef & Ruins

A Taste of Cuba

Mexico's Yucatán Adventure

The Adventure Begins Here

Discover Guatemala