The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure Through Guatemala: 11 Nights

Land at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) and make your own way to Antigua, Guatemala's beautiful colonial capital. The easiest option is a shared shuttle from the airport, bookable at the arrivals hall for around £8–10 per person (~1.5hrs). Alternatively, take a local bus to the Cenma terminal and a connecting chicken bus to Antigua for about £1.50 — if you're confident with basic Spanish. Check into a hostel near Parque Central, then spend the afternoon wandering the famous cobbled streets, browsing the colourful markets and soaking up the volcano views.

🚌Shared airport shuttle to Antigua (~£9) or chicken bus (~£1.50). Book shuttles at the arrivals hall or with your hostel.

🛏Hostel in Antigua — try The Terrace Hostel, Funky Chiapas or Tropicana Hostel. Dorm from ~£10/night, private twin from ~£20/night.

• →Shared shuttle or chicken bus from Guatemala City airport to Antigua
• →Explore Antigua's Parque Central and colonial architecture on foot
• →Browse the artisan market at Compañía de Jesús

Hire a bike from one of Antigua's many rental shops (around £6–8/day) and spend the morning exploring the Almolonga Valley independently. Pedal south toward the base of Volcán de Agua, stop in at the Valhalla macadamia farm (small entrance fee), and loop back through Ciudad Vieja. Return to Antigua for lunch at a local comedor like Rincon Típico Antigüeño — a filling Guatemalan meal costs around £3–4. In the late afternoon, head to Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint (free, 20-minute walk from the centre) for panoramic views of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango glowing at sunset.

🚌Self-guided by bike. Bike hire available on 5a Avenida Norte, Antigua (~£7/day).

🛏Same hostel as night 1 in Antigua.

• →Hire a bike and cycle the Almolonga Valley (~11km, 300m elevation)
• →Visit Valhalla macadamia farm and sample local coffee
• →Lunch at a traditional Guatemalan comedor in Antigua
• →Sunset hike to Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint (free)

This is the trip's most demanding day and one of Central America's most spectacular experiences. Book an Acatenango overnight tour directly with a local operator in Antigua — several reputable companies (OX Expeditions, Wicho & Charlie's) offer guided overnight climbs including transport, camp, tent, sleeping bag hire and dinner for around £40–55 per person. Most depart at 7–8am from Antigua. The climb takes 4–5 hours through farmland, cloud forest and scree to reach a private camp at ~3,750m. As night falls, watch Volcán Fuego erupt just 4km away — a jaw-dropping natural light show around the campfire.

🚌Transfer included with overnight Acatenango tour from Antigua (~30km).

🛏Overnight camp on Acatenango (tent and sleeping bag provided with tour).

• →Guided overnight Acatenango climb (book directly in Antigua or via GetYourGuide ~£45–55pp)
• →Trek through cloud forest and Quetzal habitat
• →Campfire dinner with views of erupting Volcán Fuego
• →Overnight camping at 3,750m altitude

Wake before dawn for the optional 1-hour push to the summit at 3,976m — the 360-degree views across the Guatemalan highlands to Mexico are unforgettable. Descend back to the trailhead by midday and take the return transfer to Antigua included with your overnight tour. From Antigua, book a tourist shuttle to Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlán (~£10, 2hrs). From Panajachel, hop on a public lancha (boat taxi) across the lake to San Pedro La Laguna or Santa Cruz for cheaper, more atmospheric lakeside accommodation. Arrive early evening, rest up.

🚌Tourist shuttle Antigua → Panajachel (~£10, book at your hostel). Public lancha Panajachel → San Pedro or Santa Cruz (~£1.50).

🛏Hostel or guesthouse on Lake Atitlán — try Zoola (Santa Cruz), Fe Hostel (San Pedro), or Hotel Sak'cari (Panajachel). Dorm ~£8–12/night.

• →Optional pre-dawn summit hike to Acatenango peak (3,976m)
• →360-degree sunrise views over the Guatemalan highlands
• →Descend and return transfer to Antigua (included with tour)
• →Tourist shuttle Antigua to Panajachel (~£10)
• →Public lancha boat taxi across Lake Atitlán (~£1.50)

Rent a single kayak from your accommodation or a local outfitter (~£6–8 for 2 hours) and paddle westward along the north shore toward San Marcos La Laguna. Stop for a swim or cliff jump into the lake en route. Dock at San Marcos and pick up the lakeside walking trail that meanders between villages — it's well-marked and free. About 1.5 hours of easy hiking returns you to your accommodation. Spend the afternoon as you please: take a public lancha to neighbouring villages (Santiago Atitlán, San Juan La Laguna), lounge in a hammock or enjoy a lakeside sunset drink. Dinner at a local restaurant around the lake runs £4–7.

🚌Public lanchas between villages (~£1.50 per ride). Self-powered kayak on the lake.

🛏Same lakeside hostel/guesthouse as night 4.

• →Kayak hire and paddle along the north shore of Lake Atitlán (~2hrs, ~£7)
• →Swim and cliff jump into the lake
• →Free lakeside hiking trail between villages (~1.5hrs)
• →Optional public lancha to Santiago Atitlán or San Juan La Laguna (~£1.50 each way)
• →Sunset drinks by the lake

Today is a long travel day but very doable independently. Take an early public lancha back to Panajachel (~£1.50), then a tourist shuttle or chicken bus toward Guatemala City (~£8–10, 3–4hrs). Budget airlines TAG Airlines and Avianca operate daily flights from Guatemala City (GUA) to Flores (FRS) — book in advance for around £50–70 one way. Flights are ~1 hour. On arrival in Flores airport, take a shared minibus or taxi the 20km to Flores town (~£5–8). Flores is a charming island town on Lago Petén Itzá — grab dinner and an early night ahead of Tikal explorations.

🚌Lancha Panajachel (~£1.50) + shuttle to GUA (~£10) + internal flight GUA→FRS (~£60) + taxi/shuttle to Flores (~£6).

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Flores — try Hotel Mirador del Lago or Hostal Doña Goya. Dorm ~£8–12, private twin ~£18–25.

• →Public lancha back to Panajachel
• →Tourist shuttle or chicken bus to Guatemala City (~3–4hrs)
• →Internal flight Guatemala City (GUA) to Flores (FRS) — book via TAG Airlines or Avianca (~£55–70)
• →Transfer to Flores island town
• →Evening stroll around Flores island

Arrange a shared minibus from Flores to Tikal (~£5–7 return, 1.5hrs) or stay at one of the three lodges inside the park itself for closer sunrise access tomorrow. Buy your Tikal park entry ticket on arrival (~£15–18). You can explore the ruins independently with a park map, or hire a local guide at the entrance gate for around £15–20 for a 2–3 hour tour — highly recommended to contextualise the incredible Maya history. Climb the great pyramids, spot toucans and howler monkeys, and spend the afternoon exploring lesser-visited temples at your own pace. Return to Flores or stay inside the park.

🚌Shared minibus Flores ↔ Tikal (~£6 return). Book at your hostel or at the Flores waterfront.

🛏Hostel in Flores or budget lodge inside Tikal National Park (e.g. Tikal Inn or Jaguar Inn, from ~£25–35/twin). Staying in the park gives you easier sunrise access.

• →Shared minibus Flores → Tikal (~£6 return)
• →Tikal National Park entrance fee (~£16)
• →Optional hire of local guide at gate (~£18 for 2–3hrs)
• →Self-guided exploration of Tikal's temples and plazas
• →Wildlife spotting: toucans, howler monkeys, coatis

Rise at 03:30 and arrange a pre-booked sunrise tour into Tikal (book via GetYourGuide or directly at the park gate the day before, ~£20–25 including guide). Trek through the dark rainforest trails to Temple IV as the jungle wakes up around you — howler monkeys roar, parrots screech and the mist rolls in. Watch the sun rise over the canopy from the top of the ancient pyramid. After sunrise, return to your accommodation for breakfast before heading back to Flores. Spend the afternoon wandering Flores' colourful cobbled streets, grazing street food stalls (tostadas, pupusas, chuchitos ~£1–2 each) and finding a lakeside table for a cold drink as the sun sets.

🚌Pre-booked sunrise tour minibus from Flores (~included in tour price). Return to Flores by mid-morning.

🛏Same hostel/guesthouse in Flores as night 6/7.

• →Pre-dawn guided sunrise tour to Tikal Temple IV (~£22 via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Wildlife trek through Tikal jungle at night
• →Sunrise views from Temple IV over the forest canopy
• →Explore Flores island: street food, lakefront and colourful streets
• →Sunset drink by Lago Petén Itzá

Today is a big travel day across northern Guatemala into the lush Alta Verapaz highlands. The most practical option is to book a direct tourist shuttle from Flores to Lanquín via Cobán (~£15–20, 6–7hrs, departs early morning — book via your hostel the night before). Break the journey with lunch in Cobán (~£4). As you approach Lanquín, the roads become beautifully remote and jungle-clad. Check into one of the popular glamping/guesthouse spots around Lanquín — El Muro or Zephyr Lodge are excellent budget-friendly options with hammocks, river access and included breakfast. As sunset approaches, walk 10 minutes to the Lanquín Caves entrance (free from the outside path) to watch thousands of bats stream out of the cave mouth — one of Guatemala's most magical natural spectacles.

🚌Direct tourist shuttle Flores → Lanquín (~£18). Book the night before at your Flores hostel.

🛏Glamping or eco-guesthouse near Lanquín — Zephyr Lodge or El Muro. From ~£10–15pp in dorm/twin tent, or ~£20–30 private glamping.

• →Tourist shuttle Flores → Lanquín via Cobán (~£18, 6–7hrs)
• →Lunch stop in Cobán city (~£4)
• →Check into glamping/guesthouse near Lanquín
• →Evening bat emergence at Lanquín Caves (~free to watch from outside, entrance fee ~£3 if entering)

The highlight of the entire trip. Most glamping spots around Lanquín (Zephyr Lodge, El Muro) run daily organised trips to Semuc Champey including 4x4 transport, cave tour, and a guide to the pools — typically £10–15 all in. Alternatively, arrange your own 4x4 taxi locally (~£5–8 return, ~1hr). Stop at Kam'bá Caves on the way — a guided candlelit cave tour through underground rivers and waterfalls costs around £5. At Semuc Champey, pay the park entrance fee (~£6), hike 45 minutes up to El Mirador viewpoint for the iconic overhead view of the terraced emerald pools, then descend to swim, float and relax in the pools themselves. A truly otherworldly experience. Return to your glamping spot in late afternoon for dinner, sundowners and a hammock.

🚌4x4 via guesthouse day trip or local taxi (~£8 return). Most Lanquín guesthouses run daily Semuc Champey trips.

🛏Same glamping/guesthouse near Lanquín as night 9.

• →4x4 transport to Semuc Champey via your guesthouse or local taxi (~£6–10 return)
• →Guided candlelit tour of Kam'bá Caves (~£5)
• →Semuc Champey park entrance fee (~£6)
• →Hike to El Mirador viewpoint (45 mins)
• →Swimming and relaxing in the terraced emerald pools

Take an early morning swim in your guesthouse's river pool before packing up and boarding a tourist shuttle back toward Guatemala City (~£15–18, 6–7hrs via Cobán). Ask your driver to stop at Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera (Biotopo del Quetzal) en route — a small, dense cloudforest reserve home to Guatemala's iconic national bird. Entry costs around £4, and the short 4.5km trail loop takes about 2 hours. The quetzal is notoriously elusive, but the forest itself is stunning. Continue to Guatemala City and check into a budget hotel in Zona 10 or near the airport for your final night. Celebrate the trip with a farewell dinner in Zona Viva.

🚌Tourist shuttle Lanquín → Guatemala City (~£16). Most shuttles pass Biotopo del Quetzal — request a stop when booking.

🛏Budget hotel near Guatemala City airport or Zona 10 — try Hotel Aeropuerto or Hostel Casa Blanca. Private twin ~£20–30.

• →Morning swim at guesthouse before departing
• →Tourist shuttle Lanquín → Guatemala City (~£16, 6–7hrs)
• →Stop at Biotopo del Quetzal (~£4 entrance, 4.5km trail)
• →Wildlife spotting: resplendent Quetzal, toucans, cloud forest birds
• →Farewell dinner in Zona Viva, Guatemala City (~£10–15)

Enjoy a final breakfast near your hotel before heading to La Aurora International Airport (GUA). Take a taxi or Uber (~£5–8) from your hotel — ride-sharing apps work well in Guatemala City. If you're extending your trip, tourist shuttles back to Antigua depart regularly (~£8, 1.5hrs) and can be booked the night before. Safe travels!

🚌Uber or taxi to GUA airport (~£6). Book the night before or use the Uber app.

🛏Departure day — no accommodation needed.

• →Final breakfast at a local café
• →Taxi or Uber to La Aurora International Airport (~£6)
• →Optional: tourist shuttle back to Antigua for those extending their trip (~£8)