Itinerary
- Day 1
Pacaya Volcano Trek
You'll start in the afternoon and head up Pacaya Volcano for a two hour trek through volcanic terrain. The landscape shifts to dry lava fields that really do look like the moon's surface. If conditions are right, you might catch an eruption from the active volcano. The whole trek runs about 8 hours total, so you'll be making your way back down those slippery slopes by evening.
Included Activities
- Pacaya Volcano Trek - hike up volcano slope and trek across dry lava fields
Optional Activities
- Horseback ride rental for trek up and back
- Walking stick rental from local kids
Landmarks/POIs Pacaya Volcano - Day 2
Antigua to Panajachel
A shuttle picks you up from your accommodation or meeting point in Antigua and takes you to Panajachel. The drive takes 3 hours, and you'll be dropped at your next accommodation when you arrive.
- Day 3
Maya Homestay Experience in San Jorge La Laguna
After arriving in Panajachel, you catch a public bus heading to San Jorge La Laguna. Once there, you settle into your homestay with a Kakchiquel Indigenous family. Living with them gives you genuine access to their everyday life, their culture, and how they actually live their customs rather than just seeing them from the outside.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Maya Homestay Experience - overnight stay with Kakchiquel Indigenous family in San Jorge La Laguna
Landmarks/POIs San Jorge La Laguna - Day 4
Lake Atitlan Boat Tour with Indigenous Villages
You head back from the homestay to the meeting point and board a boat for a lake tour. First stop is San Pedro La Laguna where you'll see traditional dress and subsistence farming. Then Santiago Atitlán to check out the marketplace and learn about the sacred Maxim\u00f3n statue. After that comes San Antonio Palopo where traditional woven textiles and adobe villages are on display. You'll return to Panajachel by the end of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Lake Atitlan
- Visit to San Pedro La Laguna indigenous village
- Visit to Santiago Atitlán indigenous village
- Visit to San Antonio Palopo indigenous village
Landmarks/POIs Lake Atitlan San Pedro La Laguna Santiago Atitlán San Antonio Palopo - Day 5
Panajachel to Lanquin
A shuttle picks you up from Panajachel and drives you to Lanquin. The 6 hour journey gets you to your next accommodation by afternoon or early evening depending on your pickup time.
- Day 6
Semuc Champey & Kanba Caves Tour
Your day begins with the Kanba Caves where you'll find extraordinary limestone formations and chambers. Ancient Maya once used these caves for sacred rituals. After exploring the caves, you head to Semuc Champey to swim and tube in crystalline natural pools fed by mountain spring water. There's also a 300 meter limestone bridge to cross and 40 foot waterfalls to see. Between the native jungle flora and fauna all around you, the whole tour runs about 10 hours.
Included Activities
- Hike through Kanba Caves with limestone formations and ancient Maya altar
- Swimming in Semuc Champey natural pools
- River tubing in Semuc Champey crystalline waters
- Visit to Semuc Champey waterfalls over 40 feet in height
Landmarks/POIs Kanba Caves Semuc Champey Cahábón River - Day 7
Lanquin to Rio Dulce
You get picked up in Lanquin for a private shuttle ride to Rio Dulce. The 6 hour transfer gets you settled at your next accommodation.
- Day 8
Rio Dulce to Flores
A shuttle transfer takes you from Rio Dulce to Flores. The 4.5 hour journey gets you to your accommodation in this colonial town by afternoon.
- Day 9
Tikal Early Morning Day Tour
You'll leave very early in the morning for Tikal archaeological site. Walking among pyramids towering over 200 feet, you experience the jungle waking at dawn with exotic birds, monkeys, and small mammals all around. The humid jungle air gives you a sense of what Maya inhabitants felt 2,000 years ago. This is the largest excavated archaeological site on the American continents and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there's wildlife like howler monkeys, jaguars, toucans, and quetzals to spot throughout the day.
Included Activities
- Early morning tour of Tikal archaeological site with pyramids and jungle exploration
Optional Activities
- Purchase entrance tickets at Banrural bank in Flores the day before to avoid waiting in line
Landmarks/POIs Tikal National Park - Day 10
Flores to San Ignacio
You make your own way to the meeting point and catch a shuttle from Flores to San Ignacio. The 2.5 hour transfer brings you to your next destination.
- Day 11
San Ignacio to Belize City
Getting yourself to the meeting point in San Ignacio, you board a shuttle heading to Belize City. The 2.5 hour journey takes you to your next stop.
- Day 12
Belize City to Caye Caulker
You head to the ferry terminal in Belize City and board an overwater transfer to Caye Caulker. The 1.5 hour ferry ride crosses to the island where you'll be staying.
Landmarks/POIs Caye Caulker - Day 13
Snorkel with Sharks & Rays
Your morning brings a half day snorkeling adventure in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. You'll navigate through pristine coral reef at three different snorkeling stops, moving through schools of tropical fish. There's a chance to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays in complete serenity, making it a quieter water experience than many other spots.
Included Activities
- Half-day snorkeling tour in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
- Snorkel along the reef with tropical fish
- Swim with nurse sharks and stingrays
- Three different snorkeling stops
Landmarks/POIs Caye Caulker Marine Reserve - Day 14
Caye Caulker to Chetumal via San Pedro
You head to the ferry terminal and board a ferry from Caye Caulker to Chetumal, passing through San Pedro along the way. Plan to arrive early for your spot. The 3 hour journey takes you across to Mexico.
- Day 15
Chetumal to Bacalar
After getting to the bus station in Chetumal, you catch a public bus to Bacalar. Multiple departures run throughout the day, and the 1 hour ride brings you to this quiet lagoon town.
- Day 16
Bacalar to Tulum
You make your way to the bus station in Bacalar and board a public bus heading to Tulum. Buses depart regularly throughout the day, and the 2.5 hour ride gets you to the coastal ruins town.
- Day 17
Local Community & Cenotes by Bike
Your day is spent biking between three exclusive cenotes in the local community of Chemuyil. You'll visit a cave type cenote, an open cenote that works like a natural pool, and another cenote that's perfect for underwater photos. Each spot is only about 5 minutes apart by bike, so it's an exciting and manageable way to see these unique natural formations.
Included Activities
- Bicycle tour visiting three exclusive local community cenotes
- Cave-type cenote visit
- Open cenote natural pool visit
- Cenote suitable for underwater photography
Landmarks/POIs Chemuyil - Day 18
Tulum to Playa del Carmen
After heading to the bus station in Tulum, you catch a public bus to Playa del Carmen. Departures happen regularly throughout the day, and the 1 hour journey brings you to the beach resort town.
- Day 19
Playa del Carmen
This day is yours to structure however you'd like in Playa del Carmen. Some people relax on the beach, others explore local shops and restaurants, and many discover attractions on their own. It's a good opportunity to catch your breath and see what appeals to you.
- Day 20
Playa del Carmen to Cancun
You head to the bus station in Playa del Carmen for a public bus to Cancun. Buses leave every 30 minutes throughout the day, and the 1.5 hour ride gets you to your final main destination.
- Day 21
Chichen Itza Day Trip (roundtrip from Cancun)
Rise early for a roundtrip day tour from Cancun to Chichen Itza with a specialized guide. You'll explore this powerful Maya city and learn its history from 600 AD to 1200. Walking through the lush jungle terrain, you work to understand the mystery of this lost city that's protected by UNESCO and listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The cool morning air before the crowds arrive makes the experience feel less overwhelming.
Included Activities
- Chichen Itza archaeological site early morning tour with specialized guide
- Roundtrip transfer from Cancun to Chichen Itza
Landmarks/POIs Chichen Itza
