10 days in Guatemala — 5 travel itineraries

From its ancient Mayan sites and volcanoes, to charming cities like UNESCO-designated Antigua, Guatemala is a country of dazzling diversity. Not sure how to focus your trip? Keep reading — each 10 day itinerary in Guatemala shared below will help you make the most of your time in this unique country.

Is 10 days enough for Guatemala?

The answer to that question very much depends on what you want to see and do. While 10 days isn’t long enough to explore every area in depth, with careful planning, it's certainly enough time to enjoy a diverse range of experiences.

To make planning easier, read on to discover five 10-day itineraries in Guatemala. They cover everything from exploring ancient Mayan ruins, to volcano hiking and wildlife-watching (and so much more).

Not keen on planning?  Check out our customizable Guatemala itineraries and our Guatemala travel tips.

Itinerary #1: unparalleled Guatemala

Uncovering a diversity of cultures, cuisine and archaeology, this 10 day itinerary in Guatemala takes you on an immersive journey of discovery.

On arrival in Antigua on day one of your trip, spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the architectural wonders of this UNESCO-designated colonial city. 

Day two will see you enjoy the Kukul Foodie Tour — the first food-themed tour in the country to offer a complete panorama of Guatemalan cuisine, from local Antiguan specialties, to Mayan dishes.

More local flavors will be enjoyed on day three, when you visit one of the country’s oldest coffee plantations to discover the bean-to-brew process, meet the makers, and enjoy some exquisite tastings. 

Come the afternoon, you’ll get to enjoy relaxing treatments at an esteemed local spa.

On day four, you’ll rise early to transfer to Lake Atitlán and board a boat to San Juan La Laguna. Famous for its exquisite traditional textiles and art, here you’ll uncover local culture in a magical setting before staying overnight in Panajachel.

Chichicastenango in the Mayan Highlands is your day five destination. Famed for its handicrafts and textiles, it boasts one of the most vibrant outdoor markets in Central America, and hosts several significant rites of Mayan origin.

After taking a tour of the market and town, you’ll spend the night in Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel, Flores.

Day six will see you travel to Qenxil lagoon, which boasts two islands that serve as spider monkey sanctuaries.

The day winds up in soul-stirring style at Yaxhá National Park. The third biggest archaeological site in Guatemala, this is part of the wider Maya Biosphere Reserve, and boats 500+ structures. 

Your tour will be timed so you get to soak up an extraordinary sunset before leaving.

After relaxing on day seven, day eight begins with an early transfer to Tikal, where you’ll spend the remainder of your trip before returning to Antigua or Guatemala City. 

One of the largest and most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Famed for its towering pyramids, temples, palaces and plazas, the dense jungle setting is out-of-this-world — consider timing your visit to see the sun set.

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Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 10 day Guatemala itinerary.

Day one

• Arrive and overnight in Antigua.

Day two

• Take a food tour; overnight in Antigua.

Day three

• Visit a coffee plantation; spend the afternoon at a spa; overnight in Antigua.

Day four

• Transfer to Lake Atitlán; boat trip to San Juan La Laguna; overnight in Panajachel.

Day five

• Tour Chichicastenango; overnight in Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel, Flores.

Day six

• Visit Qenxil lagoon and Yaxhá National Park.

Day seven

• Leisure day in Flores.

Day eight

• Transfer to Tikal.

Day nine

• Explore Tikal.

Day ten

• Departure day.

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Itinerary #2: true Mayan expedition

One for culture vultures, this — an immersive trip that takes you across Guatemala, and includes a hop over the border to visit Mayan ruins in Honduras.

On arrival in Antigua on day one, take time to settle in and explore the city before day two takes you to Pacaya Volcano –  the most active volcano in Guatemala. 

Easily accessible, at 2500 meters above sea level, it offers jaw-dropping views of a lagoon of calderas and three sister volcanos.

Day three will see you venture beyond Antigua to one of the country’s oldest coffee plantations. Here you’ll discover the bean-to-brew process, meet the makers and get to taste lots of world-class coffee. Come the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing spa session. 

A mix of ancient wonders and culture will be enjoyed on day four when you tour Iximché. Located in the western highlands of Guatemala near Tecpán, this was the ancient capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom.

From here you’ll head to Chichicastenango market before transferring to Panajachel at Lake Atitlán.

Going to Guatemala? Start preparing by familiarising yourself with things to know before you go.

On day five, you’ll take a boat trip on the lake and spend time in a Tzutuhil village. Here you’ll visit a weaving workshop run by a women’s cooperative to learn about traditional culture.

Honduras beckons on day six when you’ll rise early and cross the border to explore Copán’s Mayan ruins. Nestled in the foothills of western Honduras, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its artistry, including well-preserved paintings and intricate sculptures. 

Back in Guatemala on day seven, you’ll travel to the archaeological site of Quirigua. Tucked in Guatemala's Motagua River valley, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts some of the most magnificent — and well-preserved — examples of Mayan carving. 

After exploring the site, you’ll transfer to Rio Dulce ready to take a boat trip to Livingston on day eight. Running from Lake Izabel to the Caribbean, the river is alive with wildlife. 

Along the way, you’ll visit the Isle of Birds and Ak-Tenamit Project to learn about local culture before transferring to Flores, near Tikal.

Talking of which, you’ll spend day nine taking a tour of Tikal, with the wonders of Yaxha lying in wait on day ten. 

Located in lush jungles, this ancient city is more serene and intimate than Tikal, and especially famed for its astrological observatories and sacred twin pyramids complex.

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Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 10 day Guatemala itinerary.

Day one

• Arrive and overnight in Antigua.

Day two

• Visit Pacaya Volcano; overnight in Antigua.

Day three

• Visit a coffee plantation; spend the afternoon at a spa; overnight in Antigua.

Day four

• Explore Iximché, visit Chichicastenango; transfer to Panajachel at Lake Atitlán.

Day five

• Boat trip on Lake Atitlán, visit a Tzutuhil village and weaving workshop.

Day six

• Visit Mayan ruins in Copán, Honduras.

Day seven

• Visit the archaeological site of Quirigua; transfer to Rio Dulce.

Day eight

• Boat trip from Rio Dulce to Livingston; transfer to Flores, near Tikal.

Day nine

• Tour Tikal.

Day ten

• Tour Yaxha.

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Itinerary #3: Guatemala's cultural and natural wonders

If you’re not sure whether to focus your trip on nature or culture, enjoy the best of both worlds on this 10 day itinerary in Guatemala that delivers both in equal measure.

Spend the start of your trip in Antigua. After settling in on day one, soak up the vibe of this impossibly pretty town at your own leisure.

Devote day two to enjoying an immersive cookery class in Antigua, or unleashing your inner Willy Wonka at a chocolate-making workshop.

Iximché awaits on day three. Alongside exploring the ancient Maya ruins, you could participate in a traditional kite-making workshop.

Next up, head to Lake Atitlán. On arriving on day four, take a boat trip to some of the volcanic villages around its shoreline. Try to factor in time to take a pottery class at a local cooperative. 

On day five, either take a trip to more villages, or kayak the lake. 

Next up, spend day six exploring Chichicastenango. Alongside picking up local handicraft products at the famous market, get hands on at a Mayan weaving workshop.

Day seven and day eight herald adventures in nature when you visit the natural limestone of Semuc Champey, go tubing in the Cahabón River, and explore Lanquín Caves.

For the final leg of this trip, transfer to Flores and explore the island on day nine before taking a full-day guided tour of Tikal on day ten. Depending on your interests, this could be focused on history and culture, or wildlife and birdwatching.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 10 day Guatemala itinerary.

Day one

• Arrive in Antigua; explore the city at your leisure.

Day two

• Antigua: take a cookery class, visit the Choco Museum and join a chocolate-making workshop.

Day three

• Visit the ancient Maya ruins of Iximché, join a traditional kite-making workshop.

Day four

• Lake Atitlán: take a boat tour to villages, take a pottery class at a local cooperative.

Day five

• Lake Atitlán: go kayaking.

Day six

• Chichicastenango: explore the market and join a Mayan weaving workshop.

Day seven

• Semuc Champey: visit the natural limestone bridges.

Day eight

• Go tubing in the Cahabón River and explore Lanquín Caves.

Day nine

• Transfer to Flores/Tikal: explore Flores 

Day ten

• Take a full-day guided tour of Tikal.

Not sure if you have time to take a 10-day trip? No problem — read our 5-day and 7-day Guatemala itineraries.

Itinerary #4: Guatemala's hidden treasures

Packing in adventure and culture of both the ancient and contemporary variety, this 10 day itinerary in Guatemala enables you to experience a variety of the country in exhilarating style.

Day one will see you take a thrilling helicopter tour to El Mirodar. Located in the dense jungles of Guatemala’s Petén region, this site boasts some of the largest pyramids of the Maya world. 

Thanks to its remote location, El Mirador is also an incredible spot for star-gazing, so camp overnight to so exactly that. Then spend day two day further exploring the area. For example, you could hike the Mirador Basin, which is especially renowned for its diverse birdlife. 

Alta Verapaz awaits on day three and day four of your adventure. Located in the central highlands of Guatemala, the colossal caves of Candelaria are a highlight around these parts. Of sacred significance to Maya culture, explore them on foot or by boat.

Love wildlife? You’ll want to visit Biotopo del Quetzal — a nature reserve that’s dedicated to conserving the cloud forest habitat of Guatemala's national bird. Namely, the resplendent quetzal.

Come day five, head to Cobán. The city itself boasts historic buildings and a vibrant market, while the outlying area is a top place to tour coffee plantations. We also suggest visiting Vivero Verapaz — a remarkable orchid sanctuary that hold 600+ varieties of the flower.

Adventure is in store on day six. Head to Lanquín Caves — a network of vast chambers and subterranean rivers that hold spiritual significance for local Maya communities — to explore the caves and go river-tubing. 

More experienced adventurers could spelunk the cave, or abseil and zipline in the surrounding area.

On day seven and eight, soak up sublime scenery while soaking in natural bathing pools at Semuc Champey.

The last segment of this itinerary will see you head to Flores on day nine. Located in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá, this charming island town offers opportunities to kayak the lake alongside sampling local food and picking up traditional handcrafts.

Come day ten, you could round off your trip with taking a boat trip to lesser-visited San Miguel. Hike up to one of several viewpoints for epic views over the lake — best done at sunrise or sunset.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 10 day Guatemala itinerary.

Day one

• Helicopter tour to El Mirodar; camp overnight.

Day two

• Explore El Mirodar.

Day three

• Alta Verapaz: tour the caves of Candelaria.

Day four

• Alta Verapaz: watch wildlife in the Biotopo del Quetzal.

Day five

• Cobán: take a coffee-tasting tour and see orchids in Vivero Verapaz.

Day six

• Adventure activities in Lanquín Caves.

Day seven

• Relax and bathe in Semuc Champey.

Day eight

• Uaxactún: explore the ancient site, go wildlife-watching and enjoy a community stay.

Day nine

• Flores: go kayaking on Lake Petén Itzá; explore the town.

Day ten

• Flores: boat trip to San Miguel.

Not sure when to visit? Read up on when to go to Guatemala.

Itinerary #5: Guatemala's ultimate hiking adventure

Buckle up for a hiking adventure of a lifetime by preparing for your trip in Antigua on day one. 

Spend day two hiking up Acatenango volcano. At almost 4000 meters above sea level, this Guatemala’s third highest peak. After camping at a designated spot, day three will see you descend.

On day four, hike Pacaya volcano — one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes — via the lesser-travelled Cerro Chino route. Regarded as a moderate-to-challenging hike, it typically takes 4-6 hours, with the summit serving spectacular views of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango volcanoes.

Rest up in Antigua on day five before transferring to Quetzaltenango (AKA Xela) on day six. This is the starting point of your next adventure — a three-day trek to Lake Atitlán.

One of Guatemala's most spectacular multi-day hikes begins with a day seven trek from Quetzaltenango through the Xela valley to Xecam. After hiking for around 6-8 hours, overnight in a community guesthouse or homestay.

On day eight, hike from Xecam to Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán before descending to Lake Atitlán from the highlands on day nine.

Finally, transfer to Guatemala City for your departure on day ten. If you have more time, there are plenty of reasons to stay a while in Guatemala City.

Itinerary overview

Read on for an overview of this 10 day Guatemala itinerary.

Day one

• Arrive in Antigua and prepare for your hikes. 

Day two

• Hike Acatenango volcano and camp overnight.

Day three

• Descend Acatenango volcano. 

Day four

• Hike Pacaya volcano via the Cerro Chino route.

Day five

• Rest day in Antigua.

Day six

• Transfer to Quetzaltenango/Xela.

Day seven

• Trek to Lake Atitlán: Quetzaltenango to Xecam.

Day eight

• Trek to Lake Atitlán: Xecam to Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán.

Day nine

• Trek to Lake Atitlán: Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán to Lake Atitlán

Day ten

• Transfer to Guatemala City for your departure.

Inspired to visit Guatemala? Read up on some of the best things to do in Guatemala, and browse our customisable Guatemala itineraries.

With a local expert on hand to take care of all the details, using this trusted platfrom takes the hassle out of planning, leaving you to focus on counting down to your trip of a lifetime.

Want to ensure a carefree vacation? Also, check out our important safety tips for Guatemala.