Guatemala Family Adventure

Depart the UK on a daytime flight to Guatemala City where, on arrival, you will be met and transferred to the pretty colonial town of Antigua. Settle into the Casa Santo Domingo for the next 3 nights, a historic, charming hotel in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

With your local guide, enjoy a walking tour through Antigua, unravelling its colonial wonders and historical significance as the former Spanish hub. Explore iconic landmarks like Palacio de Capitanes, City Hall, and the Cathedral ruins while delving into Guatemala’s past and contemporary narratives. Following the tour, transfer to San Miguel Escobar, where local peanut farmers will explain the art of crafting peanut butter from raw ingredients and sample the product with a freshly made tortilla.

Pacaya Volcano, at 2,552m, is among three active peaks close to Guatemala City and has shown sporadic activity since 1965. A scenic hour's drive from Antigua leads to Pacaya National Park, with the trailhead in San Francisco de Sales. The 2-mile trail winds through farmland and pine forests to an exposed ridge, offering panoramic views of the smoking cone, ancient lava flows, and surrounding volcanoes. As a family, roast marshmallows over volcanic hotspots and enjoy a picnic with crater views.

Enjoy a personalised cocoa workshop where you'll explore cocoa seeds hands-on. From kernel to chocolate, learn to brew, toast, and grind, crafting your own delectable treats. Within an hour, savour the result of your work as a self-made Master-Chocolatier, indulging in your freshly created chocolates. Transfer to Hotel Atitlan and spend 2 nights at this lakeside retreat.

After breakfast, meet you guide for the transfer to the kayak launch point to enjoy a 45-minute paddle along picturesque peninsulas, admiring the lush shoreline gardens. After the kayak trip, embark on a hike to Tzununa, traversing ancient paths used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries. Witness daily village life and breathtaking scenery along Lake Atitlan's inaccessible north shore. In the afternoon, transfer by boat to San Juan village, renowned for its naïf art galleries, town murals, and traditional textile cooperatives, exemplifying highland organisation and tourism.

Transfer to the Atitlan Reserve, where thrilling zip lines traverse the San Buenaventura Valley, offering breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan and its surrounding volcanoes. Each zip line presents a unique experience, soaring as high as 60m (196ft) with panoramic vistas of forests, waterfalls, and the lake. Conclude each circuit with an optional ropes course, adding an extra layer of adventure to your journey. Suitable for ages 4 years and older. After your morning adventure, transfer to Guatemala City airport for the short flight to Flores for 2 nights at the Las Lagunas Luxury Lodge which overlooks tranquil Quexil lagoon.

With your knowledgeable guide travel to the expansive Tikal National Park for a morning of exploration. Meander through the jungle to visit the temples, delve into Mayan history and architecture, and ponder theories surrounding their disappearance. With luck, encounter monkeys, parrots, macaws, and toucans amidst the ruins. Conclude the tour with a jungle lunch at a nearby restaurant, surrounded by nature.

Transfer to Flores airport for the return flight for onward travel or continue over the border into Belize for more family adventures or relaxation on beautiful Caribbean beaches.