The Ultimate Adventure Through Guatemala - 2027 Edition

Tap water in Guatemala is not safe to drink, so you'll need to stick to bottled or filtered water. Each hotel you'll stay in will have filtered water where you can fill up your bottles before each hike. Your host is passionate about reducing single-use plastic waste in Guatemala, so they won't provide plastic bottles of drinking water at any stage.

Getting Around This trip takes you on an epic 1,000 km+ journey through some of Guatemala's most breathtaking landscapes — from colonial cobblestone streets to mist-covered volcanoes, vast lake shores and deep jungle. Getting there is all part of the adventure. Groups of up to 14 travel in an air-conditioned bus (typically 19–24 seats), while smaller groups of up to 6 will travel by minivan (similar to a Toyota Hiace).

On the Road The first half of the trip features shorter transfers of two to four hours as you explore Antigua and Lake Atitlán — plenty of time to soak up the scenery without spending too long in the vehicle.

Day 6 is the big travel day, and it's worth it. You'll transfer from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala City before jumping on a domestic flight to Flores and continuing on to the legendary Tikal National Park — one of the greatest ancient Maya sites on earth. Guatemala City traffic can be unpredictable, so factor in some extra time, but once you arrive at Tikal you'll have two full nights to explore the park at your own pace, wander jungle trails, spot wildlife and truly soak up the atmosphere of this extraordinary place.

From Tikal, the adventure pushes further into Guatemala's wild north. Roads become bumpier and more remote — but that's part of the charm. The transfer to Lanquín is around 6–7 hours (370 km), rewarded with a rainforest glamping experience and the magical terraced pools of Semuc Champey. The final journey back to Guatemala City (approximately 6–7 hours / 280 km) rounds off an unforgettable trip with one last look at the Guatemalan countryside rolling by.

Please Note All journey times are estimated driving times and may be longer in practice due to lunch stops, en-route activities, traffic, road conditions, and seasonal tourism levels.

If any of the volcano summits are closed for safety reasons by the local authorities then your host team will decide on what alternative trek(s) to do. They will choose an alternative trek that complements the difficulty grading of the trip and takes into account best practices for safe altitude acclimatisation.

No, your local host has a private basecamp on Acatenango so you don't have to hump up the camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat plus cooking gear). On this hike you only need to carry your water for the hike up, clothes, and any other extras you want. Filtered drinking water is available at the camping spot so you can refill your bottles at the end of the hikes, and before descending the following day. You won’t need a big backpack, you will be fine with a day backpack of approx 30-35 litres.

If you prefer to hike with an even lighter load, local porters to the overnight camp section are available to hire locally at an extra cost: $25USD each way. Your host in Guatemala has worked alongside local communities around the volcanoes to help set up a guide association to ensure fair pay for porters and guides, and high safety standards for all visitors to the volcanoes. If you'd like to request this service, please speak to your host or your guide before the trip or during the first briefing.

This isn’t a race. Our trips are group adventures, and everyone will move at a different pace. Adventure travel also comes with a level of unpredictability — weather can change, plans may shift, and accommodation can sometimes be more rustic than you’re used to. That’s all part of the experience.

Your guide is there to keep things safe and running smoothly, but a great trip also relies on the group. If you find yourself moving faster on a climb, take a moment to check in with others — a bit of encouragement can go a long way. These trips bring together people from different countries, backgrounds and walks of life, and that shared experience is what makes them special.

The summit of Acatenango Volcano sits at 3976 m, so it’s important to allow time to acclimatise to the altitude. Take things at a steady pace, support one another, and make the most of the experience — you might even leave with a new friend or two.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Guatemalan food has a really rich background shaped by Indigenous Maya traditions, Spanish colonial influence, and local geography. The food is characterised by a heavy reliance on corn, black beans, and rice, typically served in hearty, nutrient-dense, and often stew-based meals.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Vegetarian travellers generally find options based on rice, beans and vegetables, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, where veggie-friendly, vegan, and organic restaurants are common.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While traditional, rural food is meat-heavy, major towns offer many dedicated vegan restaurants, plant-based options, and fresh local produce, including staples like black beans, avocado, and tortillas.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. The Host is unable to guarantee a separate, certified cooking/preparation area or the use of certified kosher products. They can, however, provide meals that exclude non-Kosher ingredients (such as pork and shellfish) and avoid mixing meat and dairy.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by location and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets including Coeliac can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Finding gluten-free food in Guatemala is manageable, especially in tourist areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, which offer dedicated cafes and restaurants with GF labeled options. Authentic Guatemalan food is largely corn-based (tortillas, tamales), but cross-contamination can be a risk, and restaurants often use wheat-based additives

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as grilled meats, rice and vegetable dishes though eggs are common.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Your local host will provide a suitable helmet that conforms to recognised safety standards. If you have sizing concerns, contact your local host in advance so they can advise on fit and availability.

If you wish to bring your own helmet it must be suitable for the activity and conform to recognised safety standards. Please see our Cycling safety guidance for further information.

You'll ride a 'hardtail' - a front suspension mountain bike which is perfectly suited to the mix of roads and light gravel terrain you'll be rolling along on this day of the trip. Your host uses Kona bikes with a variety of models available, the suspension can be locked for a speedier ride when on the flatter road sections. You will be matched with a suitable size of bike depending on your height - please ensure this is filled out on your passenger information form after booking the trip.

Tandem (2-seater) sit-on-top kayaks are used by the local host, while there are also single versions to use depending on group size. For comfort, they come equipped with backrests and padded seats. The weight limit is approximately 120kg per person.

You don't return back to Antigua on this trip, so if you are following the set 11 day itinerary and flying out from Guatemala City on Day 11 then it is not feasible to store any additional luggage at the start of the trip. If you are staying on longer in Guatemala after the trip and intending to return to Antigua then you can leave your excess luggage at the hotel in Antigua if you need to.

Yes, the domestic flight has a weight limit of 23KG / 50lbs. There is a charge by the airline for anything above this - approximately $3 per additional pound of weight. Your host is able to store any excess luggage at their offices after you've headed to the airport for the domestic flight, to be collected when you return to Guatemala City on day 10, if you prefer this option.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

When it comes to the weather, there’s not a bad time to visit Guatemala. The country has one of the most accommodating climates in the world, with the tourist board even calling it the 'land of eternal spring' because of the warm days and mild evenings throughout the year. Dry season runs from November to March (but be prepared for also delayed travel times due to high colume in tourists over this period of time), during which time the Guatemalan highlands have a great climate for hiking with lows of 10°C and highs of 27°C generally. The rainy season lasts from roughly May to October, with the heaviest rains occurring in September and October. However, since the downpours are typically confined to late afternoons, they are unlikely to disrupt adventures.

Be aware that the night camping on Acatenango will be cold as you are sleeping at around 4000m above sea level. Make sure to pack enough warm layers for this part. Thermals, fleeces or light down jackets will be fine.