Ultimate Guatemala
This 14-day private Guatemala tour brings together the country’s highlights in one complete Guatemala itinerary—Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Semuc Champey, Río Dulce, Livingston, and Tikal. Designed as a true best of Guatemala tour, the journey moves from volcano hikes and highland villages to jungle river corridors and Maya archaeological sites, connecting the country’s geography, culture, and daily life in one seamless route.
What's Included
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Private airport arrival transfer
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13 breakfasts, 1 dinner
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12 activities as shown in itinerary
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13 nights in 3-4 star hotels
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Shared ground transportation between locations
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One-way domestic flight from Peten to Guatemala City
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Tikal entry fees
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Semuc Champey entry fees
Day 1
Arrival in Antigua
- You’ll be met on arrival and transferred by private taxi from Guatemala City airport to Antigua, followed by hotel check-in.
- Orient yourself with a private guided walking tour of Antigua, focused on tradition, daily rhythms, and how the city functions today.
Day 2
Coffee, Craft & Cooking
- Visit De La Gente for a community-led coffee experience, learning about smallholder production and cooperative systems.
- Time for independent shopping, with recommendations including Indigo and another respected weaving workshop.
- Evening hands-on cooking class and shared dinner, centered on Guatemalan ingredients and home-style techniques.
Day 3
Pacaya Volcano Hike
- Depart for a guided hike on Pacaya Volcano, walking across lava fields and volcanic terrain.
- Lunch recommendation at Patio de la Primavera or Tartine’s, both with spectacular open views over the rooftops and ruins.
- Spend the afternoon in a chocolate experience, tracing cacao from raw bean to finished bar.
Day 4
Arrival at Lake Atitlán
- Morning free for shopping and sightseeing in Antigua.
- 12:30 pm pickup for transfer to Lake Atitlán.
- Arrive and check into your hotel in Panajachel, with time for lakeside walking and browsing.
Day 5
Lake Atitlán Village Route
- Travel by shared guided lancha to multiple lake villages.
- Visit San Antonio Palopó for hands-on ceramics workshops.
- Continue to Santiago Atitlán to learn about Maximón, local religious traditions, and mask carving.
- End in San Juan La Laguna, with demonstrations of weaving, natural dyeing, and honey production.
Day 6
Lake Day & Highlands Viewpoints
- Morning at Casa del Mundo for swimming, kayaking, or SUP.
- Meet your guide in Panajachel for a 2:30 pm ATV guided tour, visiting scenic viewpoints and Santa Catarina Palopó.
Day 7
To Semuc Champey
- 7:00 am shared shuttle pickup from your hotel for the journey east.
- Travel through highland regions rarely seen by visitors, passing working towns and markets.
- Arrive in the evening to the jungle town of Lanqúin, followed by dinner at your hotel.
Day 8
Semuc Champey
- 9:00 am departure by shared guided transport to Semuc Champey.
- Explore the cave system by candlelight, float sections of river, and visit Semuc Champey National Monument.
- Climb to the viewpoint for panoramic views of the limestone canyon and turquoise pools, or spend time swimming below.
- Optional twilight cave tour available to book locally.
Day 9
Journey to Río Dulce
- 8:00 am shared shuttle toward Río Dulce.
- Arrive after lunch and continue by boat transfer through jungle waterways to your hotel.
- Check in at Casa Tijax and spend the afternoon swimming, resting, and enjoying the Caribbean-influenced environment.
- Evening at leisure, with hammocks and riverside walking paths.
Day 10
Río Dulce to Livingston
- Late morning boat journey through the river corridor, passing limestone gorges and dense jungle.
- Arrive in Livingston for lunch, with tapado recommended.
- Time to swim and rest at the hotel.
Day 11
Jungle, Stone & Water
- Begin the day with a sunrise guided kayaking tour, with opportunities to observe monkeys and birdlife.
- Continue by speed boat through the river ecosystem to Finca Paraíso hot springs for soaking and lunch.
- Visit Castillo de San Felipe, wandering it’s ramparts at golden hour.
Day 12
Arrival in Flores
- Mid-morning shared shuttle to Flores.
- Arrive approximately four hours later and check into your hotel.
- Dinner recommended at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake, and explore its picturesque location.
Day 13
Tikal at Sunrise
- 3:00 am pickup for transfer for a guided sunrise journey into Tikal National Park.
- Walk into the park before dawn as guides point out nocturnal wildlife.
- Climb Temple IV and watch sunrise over the forest canopy as howler monkeys call.
- Sunrise is followed by a guided archaeological walk framed as a living lecture.
- Afternoon free for swimming and rest, with optional directions to a nearby local beach.
Day 14
Departure
- Morning private transfer to the airport for your flight back to Guatemala City.
At a glance
- 14 days
- Private · Fully managed
- Start: Antigua · End: Tikal
- $3,800
Local team · Fixed pricing · Travel on your dates
Good to know
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Arrival & transfers: Fly into GUA. Private transfers included in itinerary.
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Pace: Moderate — walking tours and light hikes, balanced with downtime.
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What you organize: International flights and travel insurance. Everything else is handled.
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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.