Trekking Guatemala: Volcanoes & the Highlands
This 11-day private Guatemala hiking tour builds deliberately from orientation to endurance to elevation. You begin in Antigua to establish baseline terrain and pacing, warm up on Pacaya Volcano, then move west into the highlands for multi-day village trekking through agricultural and volcanic landscapes rarely visited by standard routes. After recovery time at Lake Atitlán, the journey culminates in an Acatenango overnight hike, turning the sunrise summit into a true physical and narrative culmination of the route.
What's Included
-
Private airport transfers
-
10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
-
5 activities as shown in itinerary
-
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels
-
3 nights in basic/camping accommodation
-
Shared ground transportation between locations
-
Acatenango entry fees
Day 1
Arrival & Orientation in Antigua
- You’ll be met on arrival and transferred by private taxi from Guatemala City airport to Antigua, followed by hotel check-in.
- In the evening, take part in a hands-on cooking class, introducing Guatemalan ingredients and everyday dishes through shared preparation.
- Dinner recommendation at Porque No, a lively local favorite known for its creative menu and distinctive interior—reservations required and arrive early.
Day 2
Terrain Warm-Up: Pacaya Volcano
- Meet at 9:00 am for a three-hour ATV route through the countryside surrounding Antigua, passing coffee plantations, cacao areas, and rural roads, with a stop at a classic viewpoint near Cerro de la Cruz.
- Lunch is available for purchase during the route, then return to Antigua around midday to rest, regroup, and gear up.
- 2:00 pm pickup from your hotel for a guided hike on Pacaya Volcano, serving as a physical and mental warm-up for the days ahead.
- The hike crosses fresh volcanic terrain, with sunset views over the Antigua valley and coastal plain.
Day 3
Recovery & Transition to the Highlands
- A slower morning to recover, with a recommended cold plunge and temescal to prepare your body for multi-day trekking.
- Depart Antigua by shared shuttle at 2:00 pm, heading west into the highlands.
- Arrive in Xela (Quetzaltenango) around 6:00 pm at the trekking office.
- Attend a mandatory evening briefing covering the route, terrain, and logistics for the days ahead.
- Walk to your hotel to check in, then enjoy a casual dinner—Spanish-style tapas are recommended in this university city that sits well outside the usual tourist circuit.
Day 4
Into the Western Highlands
- Walk to and meet at the trekking office by 6:00 am for departure.
- Begin a full-day trek from Xela to Santa Catarina, moving through cultivated fields, pine forest, and highland paths used daily by local communities.
- The trek is operated by Quetzaltrekkers, a long-running social enterprise that reinvests profits directly into community projects and education.
- Arrive in Santa Catarina and spend the night in a local homestay, offering a grounded introduction to highland village life.
Day 5
Highland Communities to the Lake Rim
- Continue trekking from Santa Catarina toward Xiprián, passing through highland ecosystems shaped by agriculture, trade routes, and daily foot travel.
- As the day progresses, the terrain begins to open toward the rim of the Lake Atitlán crater, offering expansive views across the basin.
- Descend towards the lake, with the scale of the volcanic landscape becoming increasingly apparent.
- Overnight in the village area, resting in preparation for the final descent.
Day 6
Descent to Lake Atitlán
- Complete the final stretch of the trek, descending into Lake Atitlán at San Pedro La Laguna, with long views into the massive volcanic crater that defines the region.
- Your main luggage is delivered separately and meets you at the lake.
- Settle into your hotel, where options include massage, hot tub, traditional Mayan sauna, or a refreshing dip in the lake.
Day 7
Recovery Day at the Lake
- A fully open recovery day with no scheduled activities.
- Suggested options include a splurge wellness experience at Kula Maya, lounge at San Marco la Laguna’s nearby nature reserve to cool off tired muscles, or a relaxed kayak on the lake if you’re feeling energized.
- Alternatively, stroll through the artisan town of San Juan La Laguna, known for weaving cooperatives and natural dye traditions.
Day 8
Return to Antigua
- Depart San Pedro La Laguna at 8:30 am by shared shuttle.
- Arrive in Antigua around 12:00 pm, with luggage drop-off at your hotel.
- Recommended low-key activities include Caoba Farms, El Bosque for beer, fire pits, and bocce ball, or Once Once for a relaxed vegan dinner.
Day 9
Acatenango Ascent
- Early morning meet at the hiking office for orientation, gear pickup, and bag drop-off.
- Begin the ascent of Acatenango, Guatemala’s most iconic multi-day volcano climb.
- On arrival at basecamp, you can choose to add an optional 4–5 hour roundtrip hike toward Volcán Fuego, offering close views of its active eruptions, or enjoy the fire and eruptions from basecamp and take in the landscape.
Day 10
Acatenango Overnight Hike: Summit & Descent
- Wake around 4:00 am for the sunrise summit push to the top of Acatenango.
- Watch first light spread across the volcanic chain and coastal plain before beginning the descent.
- Depart the mountain between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm and return to Antigua around 1:00 pm.
- Lunch, hotel check-in, and a free evening to rest and recover.
- Recommended last night stop at Café No Sé, a long-standing Antigua institution with live music and a deep mezcal list.
Day 11
Departure
- Private transport to Guatemala City airport for your onward flight.
At a glance
- 11 days
- Private · Fully managed
- Start: Antigua · End: Antigua
- $2,300
Local team · Fixed pricing · Travel on your dates
Good to know
-
Arrival & transfers: Fly into GUA. Private transfers included in itinerary.
-
Pace: Moderate — walking tours and light hikes, balanced with downtime.
-
What you organize: International flights and travel insurance. Everything else is handled.
-
On-the-ground support: Local teams run the route and are available throughout your trip.
Love a route, but want to mix and match?
Our trips are designed in advance to ensure flow and fixed pricing.
If you’d like to combine elements from different journeys, book a call and come ready with your favorites — we’ll puzzle-piece it together before you commit.
About Due South
You’ll fly into Guatemala City International Airport (GUA). All routes include a private transfer from the airport to Antigua on arrival, and onward transfers as outlined in your itinerary. If your route ends in Antigua or Lake Atitlán, we’ll coordinate your return transfer to Guatemala City for departure.
We recommend arriving in Guatemala City by early afternoon to allow time for airport formalities and the transfer to Antigua. Your welcome activity is scheduled for the evening. If you arrive later, our team will adjust logistics to ensure a smooth arrival.
Departures should be scheduled for late morning or later on your final day. If your route ends at Lake Atitlán, we’ll provide guidance on transfer timing back to Guatemala City to ensure a comfortable departure window.
Yes. All airport transfers included in the itinerary are handled by our local team. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred privately between destinations throughout your trip.
Tips are not included unless otherwise stated. We provide clear guidance before your trip so you can tip appropriately, without guesswork or awkwardness.
Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, UK, and EU do not need a visa to enter Guatemala for short stays. Entry requirements can change, so we recommend checking with your local authority prior to travel.
No special vaccinations are required for Guatemala beyond standard travel recommendations. We advise consulting your healthcare provider for personalized advice, particularly if you plan to spend time at Lake Atitlán or in rural areas.
These routes are designed for travelers with a moderate level of fitness. Activities include walking tours, light hikes, and day-to-day movement through towns and markets. There is no technical trekking, and downtime is built into the itinerary.
The structure and highlights of the route remain consistent. Occasionally, timings or activities may shift due to weather or local conditions. Any adjustments are handled by our team to maintain the overall flow and experience.
Why travelers choose Due South
Book with confidence
Travel on your dates
No fixed departures or group schedules. Travel privately, entirely on your timeline.
One provider, start to finish
Design, bookings, and operations handled by one team. No third-party hand-offs.
On-the-ground support
Local teams run each route and remain available throughout your trip.