A wonderful family adventure with a healthy dose of culture and adventure

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

What's included

  • Privately guided tours tailored specifically to you
  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Private transfers
  • Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
  • Bike ride through Antigua valley
  • Kayaking on Lake Atitlan
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

Your journey starts in the colonial city of Antigua, filled with baroque churches and pretty plazas. Ringed by three volcanoes, it enjoys a naturally beautiful setting and you’ll start by exploring the surrounding valley, cycling along back roads and trails through local villages, farms and coffee plantations.

Central America has a rich history when it comes to chocolate and everyone’s sweet tooth will be satisfied during a chocolate making workshop. Next is a hike up to the smouldering peak of Pacaya Volcano, from where you will enjoy views of the northern volcanoes, Pacific lowlands and out towards El Salvador

At El Paredón you’ll visit a turtle sanctuary and learn about local marine conservation before enjoying the surf on a typical black beach. Discover Maya history at the wonderful archaeological site of Iximche before heading to the beautiful Lake Atitlan for three nights, kayaking on its still waters and experiencing the vibrant markets and art studios.

It’s then back to nature with a hike through the tropical rainforest, keeping your eyes peeled for exotic birds and animals, and an exhilarating zip ride through the lush green canopy.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-5

Antigua

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from Guatemala airport to your hotel in Antigua

Accommodation in Antigua

Four nights in Antigua Four nights in Antigua

Less than an hour south west of the capital, the UNESCO-awarded city of Antigua is easily one of the most enchanting in all of Latin America. The setting in a central highland valley ringed by three volcanoes, the city was once one of the largest seats of the Spanish colonial empire and has a perfectly preserved blend of that era’s history and its captivating baroque architecture. Furthermore with Antigua’s modern and very well ordered cosmopolitan charm, it’s no wonder it has and continues to win over so many.

Antigua valley bike tour Antigua valley bike tour

Leaving from the doorstep of your hotel, you’ll enjoy a half day exploring the scenic Antigua valley. Riding on back roads and trails, you’ll pass through local villages, farms and fields getting a glimpse into life in Guatemala. You'll also get to visit tranquil churches and coffee plantations.

Chocolate
Chocolate making workshop Chocolate making workshop

Today learn about the indulgent art of chocolate making. Begin by learning a bit about the history, from the Mayan discovery of the cacao bean to the mass production of chocolate throughout the world. You will also talk about the industry today, the different types of cacao and its health benefits before taking on the challenge of making your own chocolate.

Starting with the bean, work this into Cacao tea, Mayan hot Chocolate and European hot chocolate. Next, try your hand at traditional chocolate bars, to which you can use your creativity by adding some fun ingredients, including almonds, coffee beans, ginger, sea salt and much more.

Full-day Pacaya Volcano hiking tour Full-day Pacaya Volcano hiking tour

This private tour begins with an hour's morning transfer taking you to the foothills of the active Pacaya volcano. Here you will hike through fragrant pine forest to the tough volcanic ash section and then to the sulfur smoking cone. During the hike, which is fairly strenuous, you may even see little eruptions and lava flow and when at the summit take in the amazing views of the northern volcanoes, pacific lowlands and El Salvador. On your return down you will stop for a picnic lunch with grand volcanic views.

Turtle sanctuary and beach activities at El Paredón Turtle sanctuary and beach activities at El Paredón

El Paredón is located on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala and is where your day of adventure starts. On arrival you will enjoy breakfast by the beach, followed by a visit to La Posa del Nance turtle sanctuary. The mangroves surrounding the sanctuary are home to crustaceans, shellfish, jellyfish and other sea life and you’ll learn about marine conservation as well as the local sea turtles, whose breeding season is from June to November. You will then enjoy lunch on a black sand beach and have the opportunity to swim, surf, boogie board and more.

Comalapa market and the Iximche ruins Comalapa market and the Iximche ruins

On arrival in Comalapa, you’ll see the famous mural painted by school children depicting events in Guatemala’s history un to the signing of the peace accords in 1996. You’ll visit some local painters who teach the tradition of naïve painting for which the town is famous. Stop by the authentic Comalapa market to see local people going about their daily life, buying and selling goods.

After lunch you will explore the small but wonderful Maya archaeology site of Iximche with its four ceremonial plazas, flanked by temples.

Days 5-8

Lake Atitlan

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel at Lake Atitlan

Accommodation in Lake Atitlan

Three nights at Lake Atitlan Three nights at Lake Atitlan

Spend your time at Lake Atitlan taking in the incredible scenery and exploring this outstanding area of natural beauty. The tranquil atmosphere of this location means that it's the perfect place to relax for a few days.

Kayaking on Lake Atitlan and visit to San Juan and Santiago Kayaking on Lake Atitlan and visit to San Juan and Santiago

You will be met by your guide for a boat transfer to Santa Cruz to kayak on the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Paddling towards the San Pedro volcano, past local fishermen tossing their nets, you will dock at the tranquil village of San Juan la Laguna. Your first stop is a textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and to see how they still dye with natural dyes. You can also visit the home and workshop of local naïf painters.

You will then cross the lake by boat to the village of Santiago for lunch before visiting the colourful Maya god, Maximón. You may also see local shaman performing rituals. After visiting Maximón you'll visit the local 16th-century church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art from this area.

Tour of Chichicastenango Market Tour of Chichicastenango Market

Today you'll be brought on a tour of the vibrant Chichicastenango Market. Explore the stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, flowers and pottery to livestock such as pigs and chickens. Textiles are a favourite at the market and make for great souvenirs. Next to the market, you'll see the 400 year old Church of Santo Tomas. This ancient church has been built on an even older site and its steps originally lead to a Mayan Temple, with each of the 18 steps standing for one month of the Maya calendar year. You'll then be transferred on to Antigua.

Hike and canopy zip line at Reserva Atitlan Hike and canopy zip line at Reserva Atitlan

Head to the Reserva Atitlan and enjoy a moderate hike in the tropical rainforest, filled with lush greenery and waterfalls. The reserve is home to a diverse range of plants and animals including monkeys, the raccoon-like coati and exotic birds such as Guatemala’s national bird, the quetzal. You’ll also visit the butterfly breeding lab, with approximately 200 species of butterfly. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can end your day with a canopy ride, featuring a 200m cable, which offers spectacular views across Lake Atitlan.

Days 8-9

Guatemala City

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private Transfer to Guatemala City

Accommodation in Guatemala City

Overnight in Guatemala City Overnight in Guatemala City
Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from hotel in Guatemala City to Guatemala Airport

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A Family Exploration of Guatemala

9-Day Example Trip
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We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.

Every trip helps support Conservation.

From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.

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