The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure Through Guatemala: 11 Nights

Fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA). On arrival, skip the private transfer and book a pre-arranged shuttle to Antigua (around 1.5–2 hrs, ~£8–10 per person) — operators like Atitrans and Antigua Shuttle run frequent services from the airport. Settle into your hostel in the historic centre. Spend the afternoon wandering Antigua's famous cobbled streets, colourful colonial facades and lively street stalls. Grab dinner at one of the cheap comedores around the central park — a hearty plate of black beans, rice and chicken will cost around £3–5.

🚌Pre-booked shared shuttle from GUA airport to Antigua (~£8–10). Alternatively, take a local bus (chicken bus) via Guatemala City for around £2, though luggage can be tricky.

🛏Hostal San Rafael or The Terrace Hostel Antigua (dorm ~£10–14/night, private twin ~£20–28/night)

• →Airport shuttle to Antigua (~£8–10, book via Atitrans or similar shuttle operator)
• →Explore Antigua's cobbled streets and Parque Central
• →Browse street food stalls and local markets

Hire a bike for the day from one of Antigua's many rental shops (~£8–12) and self-guide the Almolonga Valley loop south toward Volcán de Agua and west to Ciudad Vieja. The route is well-marked and popular with independent cyclists. Stop in at the Valhalla Macadamia Farm (entry ~£3) for coffee tasting. Return to Antigua for lunch at Rincon Tipico Antigueño or any local comedor. In the afternoon, hike up to Cerro de la Cruz — a free, well-signposted 30-minute walk from the town centre — for sweeping sunset views over Antigua with the volcanoes looming behind.

🚌Bike rental in Antigua (~£8–12/day). All cycling and hiking is self-guided from town.

🛏Hostal San Rafael or The Terrace Hostel Antigua (same as Day 1)

• →Rent a bike and cycle the Almolonga Valley loop (~£8–12 bike hire)
• →Visit Valhalla Macadamia Farm for coffee tasting (~£3 entry)
• →Lunch at a local comedor in Antigua (~£4–6)
• →Free sunset hike to Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint

The Acatenango overnight hike is one of Guatemala's most iconic experiences and is very easy to book independently. Dozens of operators in Antigua run the guided overnight trek from around £35–50 per person, including guide, camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, dinner and breakfast — making this a case where a locally-run guided trek is both practical and affordable. Book through Old Town Outfitters or Wicho & Charlie's in Antigua. Shuttles to the La Soledad trailhead are included in most packages. Hike 4–5 hours through farmland, cloud forest and high alpine scrub to reach the high camp at ~12,300 ft. Watch Volcán Fuego erupt dramatically after dark from your campfire — an unforgettable spectacle.

🚌Shuttle to La Soledad trailhead included in most Antigua-based trek packages (~1.5 hrs from Antigua).

🛏Wild camp on Acatenango at ~12,300 ft (included in trek package, ~£35–50 all-in)

• →Acatenango overnight guided trek with local operator (~£35–50 incl. gear, tent, meals)
• →Hike through cloud forest and highland farmland
• →Watch Fuego volcano erupt at night from camp
• →Optional birdwatching for the Resplendent Quetzal in the cloud forest

Rise before dawn and hike the final hour to Acatenango's summit (13,044 ft) for 360-degree views across the Guatemalan highlands. Descend back to the trailhead by mid-morning and catch your return shuttle to Antigua. From Antigua, take a tourist shuttle to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán (~£8–12, ~2–3 hrs, runs daily from Antigua). Arriving at Pana, hop on a public lanchas (boat taxi) across to San Pedro La Laguna or San Marcos La Laguna (~£1.50–3) where accommodation is cheaper and the vibe is more chilled. Check into a lakeside guesthouse and rest your legs.

🚌Return shuttle Acatenango–Antigua included in trek. Then tourist shuttle Antigua–Panajachel (~£8–12, e.g. Atitrans). Public lancha across the lake (~£1.50–3).

🛏Hotel Mikaso or Fe y Esperanza Guesthouse, San Pedro La Laguna (budget double ~£15–22/night)

• →Summit hike to Acatenango (13,044 ft) at sunrise
• →Descend back to trailhead and return shuttle to Antigua
• →Tourist shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel (~£8–12)
• →Public lancha boat taxi to San Pedro or San Marcos La Laguna (~£1.50–3)

Rent a kayak from your guesthouse or a local outfitter in San Pedro or San Marcos (~£8–12 for 2–3 hours) and paddle the north shore of Lake Atitlán. The calm morning waters are ideal for paddling west toward San Marcos, passing cliffside villages. Stop for a swim or try cliff jumping at spots locals will point you to. Pull ashore in San Marcos and pick up the well-worn lakeside hiking trail back toward San Pedro or Santa Cruz (~1.5 hrs easy walking). Enjoy the views of the three volcanoes — San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán — reflected in the lake. Afternoon is free: take a cheap lancha to other villages like Santiago Atitlán (~£2) or simply relax in a hammock. Sunsets over the lake are spectacular from any vantage point.

🚌Public lanchas between villages (~£1.50–3 per hop). All hiking is self-guided along the lakeside trail.

🛏Hotel Mikaso or Fe y Esperanza Guesthouse, San Pedro La Laguna (same as Day 4)

• →Kayak rental and paddle along north shore of Lake Atitlán (~£8–12 for 2–3 hrs)
• →Swim and optional cliff jumping at lakeside spots
• →Lakeside hiking trail between villages (~1.5 hrs)
• →Optional: public lancha to Santiago Atitlán (~£2) for local Tzutujil Maya market

An early start for a big travel day north. Take a public lancha back to Panajachel, then a tourist shuttle to Guatemala City (~£8–12). From Guatemala City's La Aurora Airport, book a domestic flight to Flores/Santa Elena Airport with TAG Airlines (~£50–80 one-way, book in advance online). Alternatively, overnight buses run from Guatemala City to Flores (~£15–20, ~10–11 hrs — a valid but tiring option). On arrival in Flores, take a shared shuttle or collectivo north to Tikal National Park (~£5–8, ~1.5 hrs). Check into one of the budget lodges inside or just outside the park boundary. Grab dinner at a local comedor near the park entrance.

🚌Lancha + shuttle to GUA (~£10–14). Domestic flight GUA–Flores with TAG Airlines (~£50–80 one-way, book at tag.com.gt). Shared shuttle Flores–Tikal (~£5–8).

🛏Jaguar Inn or Tikal Inn (budget lodge near Tikal park entrance, twin ~£20–30/night)

• →Public lancha back to Panajachel (~£2)
• →Tourist shuttle Panajachel to Guatemala City (~£8–12)
• →Domestic flight Guatemala City to Flores with TAG Airlines (~£50–80, book ahead)
• →Shared shuttle from Flores to Tikal (~£5–8)

Purchase your Tikal National Park entry ticket at the gate (~£15–20/person). Hire a local guide from the park's official guide association at the entrance (~£20–30 for a 3–4 hour group tour — highly recommended for context and wildlife spotting). Explore the Great Plaza, Temple I and Temple II, the Acropolis and the jungle trails. Your guide will help you spot howler monkeys, toucans, coatis and spider monkeys. In the afternoon, explore the park independently at your own pace — climb Mundo Perdido pyramid for incredible views. Return to the lodge for an early night ahead of the pre-dawn start.

🚌All on foot within the park.

🛏Jaguar Inn or Tikal Inn (same as Day 6)

• →Tikal National Park entry (~£15–20)
• →Official local guide hire at park entrance (~£20–30 per group for 3–4 hrs)
• →Great Plaza, Temple I & II, North Acropolis
• →Mundo Perdido pyramid — self-guided afternoon exploration
• →Wildlife spotting: howler monkeys, toucans, spider monkeys

Set your alarm for 3:30 AM and walk or take a tuk-tuk to Temple IV (~5 mins from park entrance lodges). You'll need to arrange sunrise access directly with the park — your lodge can assist with this. Climb the wooden steps of Temple IV and watch the jungle canopy emerge from darkness as howler monkeys call and toucans wheel overhead. After sunrise, return to the lodge for breakfast. Check out and take a shared shuttle back to Flores (~£5–8). Spend the afternoon wandering the charming colourful streets of Flores island, browsing street food stalls and finding a lakeside spot for a cold beer by Lago Petén Itzá. A great base for relaxing before the next long drive.

🚌Tuk-tuk to Temple IV (~£1–2). Shared shuttle Tikal–Flores (~£5–8).

🛏Hotel Sabana or Los Amigos Hostel, Flores island (dorm ~£8–12, private twin ~£18–25/night)

• →Pre-dawn walk or tuk-tuk to Temple IV for sunrise (~£1–2 tuk-tuk)
• →Sunrise from top of Temple IV over the jungle canopy
• →Howler monkey and toucan spotting on jungle trails
• →Explore Flores island: cobbled streets, street food, lakeside bars

Book a tourist shuttle from Flores south to Lanquín (~£20–28, ~6–7 hrs with a lunch stop near Cobán — operators like Adrenalina Tours and Zephyr Lodge run this route). The journey winds through increasingly remote, jungle-clad hills of the Alta Verapaz region — dramatic and beautiful in itself. Arrive in Lanquín late afternoon and check into your glamping spot or jungle lodge. Just before sunset, stroll to the entrance of the Lanquín Caves (entry ~£2–3) to witness the extraordinary spectacle of thousands of bats streaming out at dusk — one of Guatemala's most magical natural moments. Dinner at your lodge.

🚌Tourist shuttle Flores–Lanquín (~£20–28, ~6–7 hrs). Lanquín Caves is a short walk from town.

🛏Zephyr Lodge or El Retiro Lodge (jungle glamping/lodge near Lanquín, twin ~£18–28/night)

• →Tourist shuttle Flores to Lanquín (~£20–28, book via Adrenalina Tours or Zephyr Lodge)
• →Scenic road journey through Alta Verapaz cloud forest
• →Lunch stop near Cobán (~£4–6)
• →Evening bat emergence at Lanquín Caves (~£2–3 entry)

Join a locally-run full-day tour to Semuc Champey from your lodge (~£15–20/person including 4x4 transport and guide — most Lanquín lodges organise this daily). Stop first at the Kan'bá Caves, where a local guide leads you by candlelight through underground caverns filled with rivers and waterfalls (~included in most packages or ~£5 separately). Continue to Semuc Champey and hike 45 minutes uphill to El Mirador viewpoint for the iconic panorama of terraced turquoise pools over the jungle canopy. Descend to the pools themselves and spend a couple of hours swimming in the cool emerald water, hopping between terraces. Swim across or carefully walk the natural limestone bridge above the rushing river below. Return to your lodge by late afternoon for sundowners and dinner.

🚌4x4 transport included in lodge day-tour package (~1 hr each way from Lanquín).

🛏Zephyr Lodge or El Retiro Lodge (same as Day 9)

• →4x4 day tour to Semuc Champey via local lodge (~£15–20/person incl. transport & guide)
• →Guided candlelit tour of Kan'bá Caves (included or ~£5 separately)
• →Hike to El Mirador viewpoint (45 mins uphill) — panoramic view of terraced pools
• →Swimming and relaxing in Semuc Champey's emerald terraced pools
• →Natural limestone bridge walk above the river

Take a morning dip in the river or lodge pool before breakfast. Book a tourist shuttle from Lanquín back toward Guatemala City (~£18–25) and ask to be dropped at Biotopo del Quetzal, a small dense cloud forest reserve on the highway near Purulhá (~2 hrs from Lanquín, entry ~£3–5). Spend 1–2 hours on the well-maintained forest trails in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, Guatemala's stunning national bird. Continue by shuttle or local bus to Guatemala City (~3–4 hrs further). Check into a comfortable guesthouse in Zona 10 or near the airport. Celebrate the end of an epic 12-day adventure with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant — try a traditional pepián stew.

🚌Tourist shuttle Lanquín–Guatemala City (~£18–25, ~6–7 hrs total with Biotopo del Quetzal stop).

🛏Hotel Ajau or Hostel Los Pasos, Guatemala City (twin ~£20–30/night, convenient for airport)

• →Morning swim at lodge pool or river
• →Stop at Biotopo del Quetzal cloud forest reserve (~£3–5 entry, 1–2 hrs hiking)
• →Birdwatching for the Resplendent Quetzal
• →Farewell dinner in Guatemala City (~£8–15/person)

Enjoy a final Guatemalan breakfast — eggs, black beans, plantains and fresh coffee — before heading to La Aurora International Airport. Take a taxi or Uber from your hotel to the airport (~£5–8, ~15–20 mins from Zona 10). If you're extending your trip, Guatemala City is an easy base for onward travel to Honduras, Belize or Mexico. Departures at any time of day.

🚌Taxi or Uber from hotel to GUA airport (~£5–8).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final Guatemalan breakfast at a local café (~£3–5)
• →Taxi or Uber to La Aurora Airport (~£5–8)