Guatemala: Heartland of the MayaGuatemala: Heartland of the Maya

Today we set off deeper into the highlands to the town of Tecpán, where we'll visit the ancient capital of the Kaqchikel Mayan Kingdom. We'll grab a quick lunch at my favourite roadside cafe, before driving to Panajachel, the gateway town to Lake Atitlán. From here, it's a short boat trip to our boutique lodge - "Guatemala's most magical hotel" - where we'll be staying for the next 3 nights. Dinner will be a family style meal, as the sun sets over the lake

A short boat ride will take us across the lake to San Juan La Laguna. For centuries, this town has been inhabited by the Tz'utujil people, and in recent years it's become well-known for its strong Mayan culture. Here we'll learn about local customs, visit a weaving cooperative and explore the most colorful viewpoint in the country. Following lunch, we'll have plenty of time to explore San Juan's many artists shops, before we head back to our lodge for a relaxing afternoon. After dinner, there will be a wood-fired hot tub, ready for anyone who wants to steep under the stars!

This morning is dedicated to relaxing and enjoying our lakeside lodge. Go for a dip, head out on a kayak or have a long lie in. For lunch we'll head to a nearby terraced restaurant before boating across to another Mayan town, known for its rather cheeky "resident" saint. We'll have one last family-style dinner before our last night on the lake.

In the late morning, we’ll head back to Panajachel, where we’ll hop into our private transport and make our way to Chichicastenango (aka “Chichi”). With its cobbled streets, pre-Christian beliefs and Mayan traditions, Chichi is as magical as it is mysterious. After checking into the beautiful Santo Tomás hotel, we'll have some downtime before our dinner and a musical surprise!

Market days in Chichicastenango are a mix-mash of vibrant colors, smells, fabrics, and traditions. For the early risers, we'll be up exploring at the crack of dawn. At breakfast, we'll re-group before we have an introduction to the town’s market history and traditions. For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, we'll have plenty time to people watch, explore and pick up a few souvenirs. After lunch, we'll make our way back to Antigua, for a relaxing afternoon and a dinner at the city's greenest restaurant.

Guatemala has some of the highest rated coffees in the world. A trip here wouldn't be complete without the whole coffee experience. From its history and cultural significance to production and tasting, today we'll be learning about coffee, with a backdrop of Acatenango volcano. We'll have the afternoon to explore or relax in Antigua. Dinner you can grab at your own leisure.

There are over 30 volcanoes dotting Guatemala, some more active than others! Today we visit Pacaya Volcano, and hike through its other-worldly lava field. As the day goes on, we’ll learn about the topography and history of this volcano, whilst taking in some stunning volcanic scenery. The hike only takes a few hours; however, we'll be out the whole day and eating a picnic lunch. After a few volcano-roasted marshmallows (and maybe even a Guate S’more!), it's back to Antigua for our final group dinner.

Today, catch flights home or onto your next adventure. I'll be on hand to help arrange transport to the airport or offer suggestions for things to do for the day.