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It's basically a full day to get from Flores to Semuc Champey on a shuttle and a full day from there to GC. Frankly, I'd leave that part out and spend the extra time at the lake. There aren't night buses so you lose 2 of your precious days sitting on your backsides in order to have just 1 full day there.

I think 3 nights is fine in Antigua - lots of colonial ruins, the parque central, neighboring villages to explore your 1 full day there. Then I'd spend at least 4 nights on the lake and include Tikal and maybe Yaxhá before you head back to GC and your flight home.


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Given your parameters I think I would head north initially the first full day after your arrival. Antigua is fine but you can stuff your eyes with wonder at its collapsed churches and colonial architecture on arrival day. Get on a shuttle to Semuc Champey & stay at Hostal el Portal (reserve) then after 2 nights there continue on to Flores. Take a night bus or airplane back and do the lake then. If you need more Antigua you can swing by there again on the day before you flight instead of staying in the city.

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As others have said I would go to Flores when you arrive as you are already in Guatemala City. You would even have time to explore GC for a bit (the central park, the cathedral, the national palace, the market, the pedestrian street). Just have lunch somewhere and ask them to store your bags so you can wander around for a bit. Then take a taxi to the bus terminal (we have always gone with Fuente del Norte: Maya de Oro) and take the overnight bus to Santa Elena/Flores. You can take a public minibus from the bus terminal in Santa Elena to Tikal (the overnight bus will arrive early so wait in the terminal till the market at the bus terminal opens and have breakfast first). Explore Tikal. And stay overnight at the park. Whatever you end up doing I recommend staying overnight at the park. The next morning take a sunrise tour and then go to Flores. Flores is quaint but small. Still, you can wander around, shop, swim in the lake... Then the next morning take a shuttle to Lanquin (8 hours). Don't miss the Lanquin caves that evening (explore the caves with a flashlight, then sit in the cave at the entrance at dusk and wait for the thousands of bats to fly out). The next day you can take a tour of Semuc or go on your own. Then it is an 8-10 hour shuttle to Antigua the next day (if you do want to go straight to GC from Lanquin, you would have to take a bus to Coban (2 hours) and then a Monja Blanca bus to GC (5 hours)). Two days for Antigua. I like the ruins of the cathedral, Las Capuchinas, La Merced, La Recoleccion... and the markets. Morning or afternoon tour to Pacaya the second day. Then Lake Atitlan for the next 4 days. Lots to see and do. The nature reserve in Panajachel has hanging bridges, waterfalls and (extreme) ziplining. The market in Solola (Tuesdays and Fridays) is very colourful and only a short bus ride from Pana. You can take a pick-up truck to Santa Catarina Palopo. A boat to Santiago (don't miss Maximon). You can take a boat to Santa Cruz and walk to Jaibalito and on to San Marcos (the last part might be better with a guide). You can visit San Pedro and San Juan. You can climb Indian Nose and/or volcano San Pedro.

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If you land at noon in Guatemala City might as well fly to Flores that afternoon/evening and get it out of the way.

Spend at least 2 nights in the park, amazing place. Fly or take the bus back to GC.

Think I'd drop Semuc for this trip, you really want 3-4 days for that and you don't have it, IMO. It's 2 days of travel alone!

Get to GC from Flores and then to the Lake.

Antigua is worth 2 nights, spend the rest of the time at the lake and at least 2-3 nights in one town, don't try and do/see everything at the lake in 1 week.

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In response to #9

Day 3: There are a couple of things you can do there like take a cooking class, visit the choco museum, stroll down the arch street (no cars there on the weekends)! This site: http://www.roadaffair.com/fun-things-to-do-in-antigua-guatemala/ I think they also have tips on good spots to eat local food there somewhere on the site but not sure.

Day 5: You can catch an early chicken bus at 7am that takes you directly to Panajachel, instead of transferring 3 times. As for villages, I guess it depends what you are interested in! If you want a local experience, I would go to a the small Mayan village called Tzununa! There is a permaculture farm (http://www.atitlanorganics.com/ ) there and if you stay there you can stay in a bamboo hotel. Pretty cool but not much to do there. San Marcos for Mediation, Spiritual and healthy food options, San Pedro a touristy village and more party-like! Just to name a few!

Also is you are staying in Pana, look into do the Mayan Sauna, there is a hotel that offers it! Can't remember the name.

Day 6,7 : I would use have a day to visit ChiChi market to shop for souvenirs not far from Pana

Day 8 : I would go with the night bus to save money on accommodation and wasting a day. Prepare not to sleep much (unless super heavy sleeper) and for freezing cold a.c.

Day 10 : The town itself doesn't have much to offer just Semuc! I would really spend like 2 days there really, one to rest then the other to visit Semuc and head out!

Edited by TravelerJB
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