Welcome to Guatemala! Upon arrival at the airport in Guatemala City, you will be greeted by a local representative and transferred to your hotel in the charming city of Antigua. This journey will take approximately 45 minutes. (This service is on a private basis.)

Antigua

Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.

Walking Tour & Street Food Experience

After breakfast at hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby prior to embarking on this delightful walking tour, which will visit the most impressive monuments and museums. Starting at central plaza the guide will give you a general idea about the colonization, Guatemala’s history, and contemporary issues. You will view the outside of buildings such as the Palacio de Capitanes, City Hall, and El Portal. You will also visit the Cathedral and Cathedral ruins, San Francisco museum, and Las Capuchinas. Enjoy this walking tour filling your pallet with the many street food delicatessens you will find along the way. (This service is on a private basis.)

San Andres Itzapa

Today, you will embark on a hike of a lifetime! Your trek to Lake Atitlan starts in the small town of Andres Itzapa, famous as one of the home of one of the shrines to, the Maya deity "San Simon or Maximon". Every day, the mysterious San Simon is visited by locals and travelers to ask for favors like good health, success in business, and finding love.

After the visit, a short drive will take you to the trailhead where you will begin to "warm up" with a half day trek to Terra camp. You will ascend out of vegetable and fruit plantations into lush Guatemalan cloud forest, topping out at nearly 8,4000 ft. Acatenango Volcano, the highest in the Antigua Valley, looms overhead as you begin to descend through thick forest until you reach a beautiful, grassy saddle between two mountain peaks. Upon arrival at Terra Camp, you will be greeted with a warm fire, delicious dinner, and a cozy bed. Get a good night's rest before tomorrow's hike in the highlands.

Hiking distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation gain/maximum altitude: 8,387 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Moderate/Small farms and fields, grasslands and cloud forest (This service is on a group basis.)

Hike to Fuego Camp

Today, you will embark on a full day of trekking in the beautiful Guatemalan highlands finishing in the shadow of Fuego Volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes that has been erupting regularly since the Spanish conquest. With any luck, it will light up the night sky with plumes of molten lava!

Rising before the sunrise is well worth it as you will be greeted by glowing green mountain peaks and rich Guatemalan coffee served to your tent! After breakfast, the first few hours of trekking takes you up nearly 1000 ft / 300 m as you climb into a protected area before beginning a long descent through forest and agricultural fields into the La Vega River valley, more than 3000 ft / 915 m below. Following lunch, you will cross a hanging footbridge over the river before a challenging yet spectacular afternoon 2000 ft / 600 m climb up through pine forest and local coffee farms to arrive at Fuego Camp by late-afternoon.

Upon arrival, the friendly camp staff will meet you with warm towels to clean up and a welcome drink. Relax around the campfire, and take in the panoramic view that includes a front row seat to the fireworks from Fuego Volcano. A local women’s group will also show you how to make traditional Guatemala blue corn tortillas by hand before a well deserved dinner.

Hiking distance: 8.8 miles
Maximum altitude: 8,671 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Pine forests, small farms and coffee plantations (This service is on a group basis.)

Hike to Agua Camp & Mayan Villages

After breakfast, you will trek to the highest point on your journey, just over 9,040 ft / 2,755 m. You will traverse a pristine ridge line with panoramic views of six volcanoes and cloud forest that reveals unique plants and birds. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to talk with local farmers tending their terraced fields and learn about traditional agricultural practices. A long, gradual descent leads you to the trail lunch location with the opportunity for a short siesta before you finish the day by walking into Agua Camp, named in honor of Lake Atitlán, which can be seen shimmering in the distance below camp.

Once you have relaxed in camp, you will venture into the local Mayan community of Chuinimachica to visit a women’s cooperative that specializes in traditional weaving. Back strap weaving is an ancient art practiced for centuries in Guatemala and still used to weave fabric for clothing and other household textiles. Mayan women learn from generations to generations how to dye threads using natural products.

Hiking distance: 8.46 miles
Maximum altitude: 9,040 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Rocky ridgeline, small farms (This service is on a group basis.)

Hike to San Antonio Palopo on Lake Atitlan

The final day of your trek begins with a 2,500 ft / 760 m descent into the La Madre Vieja River valley which weaves through a patchwork of traditional agricultural fields and small villages. Once in the valley, you will visit a picturesque coffee farm to learn about the planting, harvesting and processing of small-batch specialty coffee and of course sample some. Following your insightful coffee tour, you will cross the river on another hanging footbridge before a short ascent that takes you up to the rim of Lake Atitlán. You will be surrounded by expansive views of the water below and three massive volcanoes. From there, a final descent through terraced fields of flowers and vegetables takes you to the lakeside village of San Antonio Palopó to conclude the trek. After a short rest and your incredible acheivement, you will be transferred to Panajachel's main dock for boat transfer to your hotel.

Hiking distance: 7.17 miles
Maximum altitude: 8,192 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Moderate/small farms, coffee plantations, villages (This service is on a group basis.)

Lake Atitlan

With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlán is for sure the best way to be introduced to the indigenous culture in the highlands of Guatemala. Located 144km west of Guatemala City this lake is characterized by its natural beauty and surrounded by gorgeous views and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.

Village Tour

Along the shores of Lake Atitlan there are twelve indigenous villages, each named after one of the twelve apostles. Today, you will visit two of the villages, each very unique and different. San Juan la Laguna, famous for its naïf-style art galleries, colorful town murals and women’s weaving cooperative which utilize natural dyes in their Mayan textiles. The village is very well cared for and an excellent example of how sustainable community tourism which benefits the community can be successful.

Santiago (St. James), is the largest village on the lake and most famous as the home of Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smoke cigars (Maximon is another name for San Simon, who you visited at the beginning of the trip in San Andrés Itzapa. There many shrines Maximon/San Simon but the most famous are in San Andrés Itzapa, Santiago and Zunil). Maximon is visited every day by locals, healers and tourists asking for favors.

After breakfast, your local guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for boat transfer to San Juan village. You will visit this amazing town and learn about ancient Mayan weaving textiles. After exploring San Juan, you will be transferred to Santiago by boat. Enjoy lunch followed by a tour of the town including visiting Maximon, the simple local church, the market and simply soaking in the atmosphere of this lively lakeside town.

Chichicastenango Market & Guatemala City

Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colorful traditional market in the Americas. Market days are Sundays and Thursdays, and draw not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Chichicastenango. On arrival your guide will take you to the Santo Tomas church which is an important and iconic monument for the indigenous and Mayan history itself. If you’re lucky you will also witness special ceremonies and mix of religions. Lunch is included at a local venue. After lunch, transfer to Guatemala City for hotel accommodations.

Guatemala City

Guatemala City is the most modern and cosmopolitan in Central America. Vibrant and fast pace, Guatemala City (or Guate as the locals called it) it’s a magnificent blend between the old and the new with a Latin charm. Nowadays, the city has around four million inhabitants and its the natural hub of the country, home to the best museums and galleries, transport hubs and other traveler’s services when visiting Guatemala.

Sadly your journey has come to an end. When you are ready, transfer to Guatemala City International airport. Depending on your departing flight, additional tours of Guatemala City’s attractions may be arranged – Ixchel Mayan Textile Museum, the Historic District and Avenda Sexta (6th ave pedestrian street), Popol Vuh Museum and more.