Prepare for a week immersing in Guatemala’s rich culture, incredible landscapes, and endless adventure.
This trip is curated to showcase the highlights of the country: Antigua and Lake Atitlan while connecting you to the culture authentically.
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Price Excludes
Get ready for 8 days of adventure, cuisine, and culture as we explore Guatemala’s highlights.
Welcome to Guatemala! We ask that you arrive by 2pm as we’ll be taking a private shuttle together to Lake Atitlan (4-hour drive). For those who arrive early, we’ll head to a lunch spot in the city and explore while the rest of the group arrives. Get ready for a scenic drive through the Guatemalan countryside as we head to the lake.
Today is dedicated to experiencing life at the lake. To begin, we’ll embark on a quick boat ride to visit a vibrant local town known for its artisan crafts. We’ll explore the town, admiring its colorful murals and old churches, followed by a visit to a social cooperative to learn about manual weaving processes and natural dyeing techniques. Afterward, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local favorite restaurant. Once we’ve savored our meal and taken a moment to relax, we’ll continue the day by boarding a boat to another town on the lake. Here, we’ll wander the streets for a while before heading to a natural reserve featuring an amazing cliff-jumping spot. We’ll have some time to refine our jumping skills or simply bask in the beauty of the lake and the sun. Afterwards, we’ll return to the villa, where we’ll have ample time to enjoy the sauna, paddleboard, kayak, or simply relax in the beautiful garden..
Get ready for an early morning to witness the impressive sunrise over the lake! Following a brief boat ride, we’ll embark on a 45-minute hike to reach a viewpoint offering a breathtaking panorama of the lake. As the sun slowly ascends over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the lake and surrounding volcanoes, we’ll provide coffee and hot cacao to enhance this awe-inspiring moment. After taking in the breathtaking view, we’ll descend back to the lake, where we’ll be picked up and brought back to the villa for a full day of relaxation. You’ll have the option to book a massage treatment inside the villa or simply spend the day enjoying the amenities.
Enjoy your last morning in Guatemala by savoring a breakfast overlooking the lake. You’ll have a few hours to soak in the beautiful views before we take our water taxi back to the mainland to explore Panajchachel, the largest town on the lake. Here, we’ll have time to explore the numerous artisan workshops and stores and perhaps try some of the street food. After lunch, we’ll hop on a shuttle that will take us to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our boutique hostel before heading out to a nearby viewpoint. From there, you’ll have a splendid view over the entire city, with the massive Volcan Agua rising in the sky behind it. On our way back, we’ll dine at one of our favorite spots in the city before returning to our hostel.
We’ll kick off the day with a delicious breakfast served on the terraces of our hostel, offering stunning views of Volcan Agua. Following breakfast, we’ll meet our knowledgeable local guide who will lead us on a tour of Antigua. We’ll explore its local markets, parks, cobblestone streets, and ancient ruins, learning about why it holds UNESCO World Heritage status and how that has influenced the city’s development.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the active volcano Pacaya. There, we’ll hike to a viewpoint on the old lava field. Along the way, we’ll learn about why Guatemala has 37 volcanoes and the factors influencing volcanic activity. Once we reach the viewpoint, we’ll enjoy pizza cooked on a natural hearth within the volcanic rocks, while witnessing the day’s end as it paints the sky in vibrant red hues.
Today, we’re heading to the coffee fields! We’ll be visiting a micro farmer who is part of a coffee cooperative that embraces fair and direct trade. He will guide us through the entire coffee growing process, from seed to cup, showcasing his fields and home. We’ll have the opportunity to grind and roast beans using traditional techniques, sharing a cup of coffee with him and his family. And to top it off, you’ll be able to take home a bag of coffee beans!
Later in the day, we’ll return to Antigua for a unique culinary experience. We’ll craft our own tortillas and delve into the world of Guatemalan cuisine, indulging in several courses. The evening is yours to enjoy however you please – whether it’s visiting a rooftop bar, leisurely strolling through the city, or unwinding at our accommodation.
And just like that, we find ourselves on the last day of the trip. We’ll have breakfast together and arrange your airport transfers back to Guatemala City. We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the trip and all its activities. If you wish to extend your stay, we’ll gladly assist you in coordinating hotels, transportation, and additional activities.
We embrace a co-living model where we share villas, boutique hotels, or luxury hostels. During this trip, we’ll share villas with up to two people per room. Friends or partners will be placed in rooms together. Single occupancy may be available, please message us to inquire.
Yes, we require a 10% deposit of the trip total to reserve your spot. The remaining balance can be paid with a flexible payment plan that suits your needs.
All activities on this trip are designed to be accessible and not very physically demanding. Participants with a regular fitness level will find them enjoyable and easily manageable, ensuring everyone can fully engage and have a great time.
Short answer is: you need to book a trip with On the Way! I had such a memorable and easy experience my first trip and I am about to embark on my second! Long answer: Truth is, I joined without knowing anybody. I had never traveled without family or friends, and as an introvert, joining a group trip without a known companion was truly out of my comfort zone. Travel safety as a woman has always been a big concern for me, but I felt so at ease and safe with On the Way. My first trip with On the Way was to Guatemala in October of 2022. My experience was excellent! Not only was I warmly welcomed by the host and the other travelers, I left with such fond memories and connected with the group so easily! For me, it was absolutely a life-changing experience – core memories formed for sure! The trip itself was focused on learning about Guatemalan culture, connecting with artisans, and learning about their trade and sustainability practices. Everything was so thoughtfully planned; I didn’t have to worry about a thing! On the Way takes care of everything, and all I had to do was show up with a positive attitude and mindset to learn and go on an adventure. I can’t wait for all the other trips On the Way is planning. Will be back to leave my review of Thailand ‘23, and hope to be able to book another trip soon!
I traveled with this company three times and each time I had amazing experiences. The planners and guides curate the trip so that you get the most out of your time and money. It shows how much work they put into planning the experience and test things out themselves.
The food is great, transportation is set up, the destinations are great, lodging is always top notch, and the people you meet are phenomenal.
I met one person on my first trip that also came on the second trip and it just felt like I was able to have a little travel family. It’s amazing to be able to meet and travel with like-minded people even if you sign up solo.
It’s the best way to travel in my opinion. There are so many things I would’ve missed out on if I had planned it myself and I’ve traveled a lot on my own. This just takes time wasting, money wasting, and bad experiences out of travel.
I hiked Volcano Acatenango and it’s still the best and most rewarding experience I’ve had. I can’t wait to travel with On the way again! Thanks Hannah and Flow for the amazing experiences.