Your adventure begins in Guatemala City, the country’s economic powerhouse and largest city in Central America, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you to the charming colonial town of Antigua. Checking in at your central hotel, take a moment to drink in the impressive baroque decor as you head to a rooftop bar to share a first beer with your group. As the sun sets behind a shimmering panorama of jagged volcanic peaks, your Pack Leader will fill you in on all the excitement to come. Round off your evening with a feast of Guatemalan dishes at a nearby restaurant, raising a toast to eight more days of adventure.

Wake up to a typical Guatemalan breakfast (think eggs, tortillas, beans, fried plantains and, of course, excellent coffee) and prepare for your first activity. This morning, you’ll be scaling the still-active Pacaya Volcano, over 2,500 metres above sea level. The moderate one-hour ascent offers incredible views (as far as the coast on a clear day) and you might even catch a little smoke puffing from Pacaya’s crater. At the summit, you’ll have time to rest your legs with a scenic picnic overlooking the valley, before toasting your own marshmallows over a steaming lava vent. Back in Antigua, foodies can explore the region’s moreish cuisine, from Mayan dishes packed with roasted veggies, to hot and spicy chicken stews.

First up today, you’ll take a tour of Antigua’s Unesco-listed old town. Gracefully ruined after an 18th-century earthquake, the cobbled streets are lined with collumned courtyards, toppled church arches, pastel-coloured houses and fountains galore. You’ll finish at the local market to sample local streetfood (think crispy filled tacos and delicious salsa-dipped tortillas), before heading to a gorgeous generations-old coffee finca in the nearby highlands. Thanks to the lofty elevation, mild temperatures and mineral-rich volcanic soil, this area is home to some of the best coffee in the world. Join the family to see how organic coffee is produced, before sitting down to share a rustic, home-cooked dinner. 

Today, you’ll be travelling three hours from the bustling heart of Antigua to Lake Atitlán – a deep blue oasis nestled in an expansive volcanic crater. As you travel, keep your eyes peeled for locals going about their daily lives: working in the fields, collecting firewood and traveling between markets. You’ll stop en route at the small archeological site of Iximche, an important ceremonial site for indigenous pilgrims. Here, your group will receive a blessing from a local shaman as part of authentic Mayan ritual – a fascinating and insightful experience. Then, continue west to your Atitlán hotel, where beautiful views across the serene shoreline await, framed by brooding volcanic peaks.  

Dotted around the lake are a dozen indigenous villages, where both men and women still wear traditional clothes, each with their own distinctive weave. From the hotel’s boat dock, you’ll glide across the water to San Juan la Laguna, a vibrant little town with an artsy vibe. Drink in the colourful flags and kaleidoscopic murals that decorate the streets as you make your way to a traditional weaving workshop. Guided by a local artisan, you’ll learn how to use a backstrap loom and get hands-on creating your own bracelet to take home. Later, you might opt to explore Panajachel, Atitlán’s bustling hub, with restaurants and bars aplenty. 

This morning, you’ll visit one of Central America’s most famous indigenous markets: Chichicastenango. The narrow cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs are often enveloped in highland mist and make a magical setting for the crowds of Mayan vendors who come from miles around to sell their vibrant handicrafts, textiles and ceremonial items. You’ll climb the flower-laden steps of the 16th-century Santo Tomás church, where a curious mix of Catholic prayers and Maya rituals take place, and visit the local cemetery to see the vividly painted mausoleums. Later, you’ll continue to Guatemala City and hitch a short flight to Flores Airport, where a transfer will whisk you to your pretty island hotel, reminiscent of Venice. 

Flashpackers, there’s something really special in store today. Leaving behind your island retreat, you’ll travel to Uaxactún, one of the longest-occupied Mayan cities, dating back over 2,000 years. Here you’ll be welcomed into the local community and learn how they make a living from harvesting allspice, xate (an ornamental plant) and chicle (natural chewing gum). Late afternoon, you’ll climb to the top of a private temple for sundowners with your group, as the sun sets over the forest canopy. Follow this up with a magical candlelit dinner – exclusive for Flash Pack – dotted amongst the Mayan ruins. Tonight, you’ll sleep in an off-grid camp on the edge of the community, falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.

Experience a wake-up call like no other, amid a symphony of chirping insects, tropical bird calls and the distant roar of howler monkeys. After breakfast, you’ll head deep into Tikal National Park, home to the capital of the ancient Mayan Empire. The ruins are spread over 575 square kilometres of jungle, and feature a gargantuan pyramid, ruins of millennia-old Mayan architecture and the open plain of the Great Plaza. Towering temples isn’t all there is to see at Tikal, however, as the rainforest is teeming with wildlife from monkeys, parrots and toucans, to blue-headed ‘oscillated’ turkeys and if you’re lucky, a rare jaguar spot. Mind blown, you’ll return to Guatemala City tonight for a farewell dinner with your group.

All too soon, your journey has come to an end and it’s time to say despedida to Guatemala. After breakfast, you’ll make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. If you’re keen to explore more of Central America, why not combine your trip with our Belize, Mexico or Costa Rica adventures? Wherever you’re headed, you’re sure to be pumped from your nine-day adventure. You’ve conquered volcanoes, been blessed by a shaman and slept in a remote jungle camp underneath the stars – all while toasting your adventure with a brand new group of friends.