Bienvenidos! Welcome to Guatemala! Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. As the seat of the Spanish colonial government, Antigua was once the most important city in Central America. In 1773, the city was destroyed by an earthquake but many of the colonial buildings have been carefully restored ...

We’ve got an early start today as we travel by private minibus to the famous – and colourful – Chichicastenango market (approximately 2-3 hours). Every Thursday and Sunday, locals travel to town from the surrounding villages to sell their wares, and the streets are lined with stalls offering multi-coloured textiles and fresh produce. After visiting Chichi, head towards Panajachel (approximately 1.5 hours). Located on Lake Atitlan, with distant volcanoes looming in the background, Panajachel has a thriving market, great eateries and a stack of water-based activities to enjoy. The surrounding area is dotted with villages, which can be reached on foot or by boat.

Lake Atitlan is one of the most picture-perfect lakes on earth, with its near-constant blue skies and backdrop of distant volcanos. It’s also a great spot for a kayak, which is what we’ll do today. Paddle across the still waters of the lake, soaking up the scenery. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Afterwards, explore some of the local villages surrounding the lake, perhaps picking up some handmade souvenirs or practicing your Spanish on the locals.

After breakfast, return to Antigua and visit the buzzing Central Market. Venture deep into the market to get a glimpse of the real Antigua: traditionally dressed women making fresh corn tortillas, mangos, pineapples and bananas stacked in boxes and baskets, and tables covered in freshly caught fish. Sample some of the local produce, and perhaps have lunch at one of the many market restaurants. The afternoon is free to explore this fascinating city.

Tuck into an early breakfast before making the long drive via private minibus to Rio Dulce (approximately 8 hours), then transfer by boat to our riverside hotel. Perhaps spend the afternoon relaxing on the waterfront deck, or stretch your legs with a short walk into town.

Wake up to the sound of birdcall in the jungle. Today we’ll take a boat trip down the river to Livingston, an old port town. Set at the mouth of the Rio Dulce on Amatique Bay, the town is easily navigable. You might like to spend some time wandering the quiet streets, checking out the handicraft shops, slurping down a bowl of tapado (seafood soup) or indulging in a couple of potent Coco Locos (coconut water and rum).

Settle in for the drive to Flores (approximately 4 hours). Officially founded by the Spanish in 1700, the tiny island of Flores had existed in various forms for years beforehand. Many of the locals still get about in the traditional way, paddling around by dugout canoe. Enjoy some free time this afternoon, perhaps strolling through the quaint cobblestone streets, browsing local handicraft stores or taking a refreshing dip in Lake Peten Itza.

Set the alarm for this morning’s early start. Leave Flores at 5am and travel to the remote Carmelita community – the starting point for our trek to El Mirador – where we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before our first day of hiking. While some choose to travel to El Mirador by helicopter, we’ll be getting in and out of the site – through dense rainforest – on foot, with the help of some horses, who will carry luggage, camping equipment and food. After stopping for lunch at El Guacute, continue on to El Tintal, an important archaeological site dating back to the Middle Preclassic era (1000-400 BC). Spend some time exploring the ancient architecture before settling in for the night at our campsite.

After an early breakfast, trek through magnificent jungle to the La Muerta archaeological site, stopping along the way for a quick snack at El Zompopera. La Muerta features several Early to Late Classic monuments and structure, including the creatively named Structure 2, an unusual building featuring a two-level underground labyrinth. After a tour of the site, have lunch and continue on to El Mirador, where we’ll camp for the evening. If weather permits, watch the sunset over the jungle before dinner under the stars at our campsite.

It’s hard to believe the forgotten city of El Mirador was once home to around 250,000 people. The region flourished from the sixth century BC, as workers moved to the area to build the massive constructions, however the site was seemingly abandoned at the end of the first century AD. Building started again generations later, yet work was halted for good at the end of the ninth century. The site lay abandoned until it was rediscovered in 1926. Today we’ll spend the day exploring the ruins, including some of the biggest man-made structures on earth: the La Danta and El Tigre pyramids. Learn about the important archaeological work being done at the site before returning to our campsite for dinner and another spectacular jungle sunset.

Trek through the jungle to Nakbe, one of the largest and oldest early Maya sites. It’s believed Nakbe was abandoned at around the same time as El Mirador. We’ll walk for around four hours, before enjoying lunch at the site and spending the afternoon exploring the ruins, tombs and causeways. Spend the night at our Nakbe campsite.

After breakfast, set off through the Maya Biosphere Reserve towards our camp at Yucatan. Keep your eyes peeled for scarlet macaws and howler monkeys along the way. We’ll be trekking through the steamy jungle for most of the day, so be sure to take it easy and have plenty of snacks on hand. Arrive at our camp in the afternoon. Spend a couple of hours exploring the jungle – or relaxing at your tent – before indulging in an evening of delicious food and drink.

Pack up the camp, give the mules a goodbye hug and transfer to Uaxactun by 4x4, stopping for lunch along the way. Uaxactun was one of the longest occupied Maya sites, populated from 500 BC until 900 AD, and is also home to the oldest completed – and accurate – astronomical complex. The town itself was re-established around 100 years ago, with villagers making a living collecting allspice and chicle, a natural gum, from the surrounding jungle. After exploring the site and isolated town, enjoy a traditional meal with a local family before spending the night at our camping spot.

Transfer to Tikal National Park for a tour of this incredible ancient city. Covering around 16 square kilometres, the central part of the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to around 3,000 temples, monuments and plazas, including the tomb of Lord Chocolate, one of Tikal’s most powerful rulers (perhaps he melted in the heat). After lunch at the ruins, return to Flores for a much-needed shower and some free time. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Antigua, via Guatemala, then check into our hotel for the night (in a bed!).

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day and you're able to depart the accommodation at any time.