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 Lake Atitlan. Enjoy your first night of the adventure! (This service is on a private 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¨.

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to relax and explore Lake Atitlan on your own.

Village Tour

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel. Your day will start with a private boat transfer to two of the twelve villages that surround Lake Atitlan. Santiago, a town located on the south end, home to Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smokes cigars. Maximon is visited every day by locals, healers, and tourists asking for favors. Next, visit San Juan, a Tzutujil Maya village that is home to several women's weaving cooperatives. The place is a medicinal and naturopathic plant cooperative, fair-trade, and shade-grown coffee Finca. It is home to many incredible visual artists who paint in the"naïf ar" style. Colorful murals have been painted on the sides of buildings depicting Tzutujil Maya's life, making for a fascinating cultural history lesson while walking through the village. Next, stop at a local art gallery featuring the traditional" naïf ar" or" birds-eye vies" style depicting scenes from daily life, ceremonies, customs, and traditions of the Tz'utujil people of San Juan La Laguna. (This service is on a private basis.)

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to relax and continue to explore Lake Atitlan on your own.

Tzununa Hike

After breakfast, you will take a private boat to Santa Cruz for your hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan Guatemala has no real road access so that you will be hiking along ancient paths used by the Kachekel Maya for centuries. You will see villagers going about their daily life and some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. The hike will take you up several hundred feet above the waters of Atitlan and show you the most breathtaking views of the volcanoes. You will then descend into the Pumpatin Canyon for a nature walk along the banks of the river. Experience two different ecosystems as you walk from the upper lakeshore into the narrow client. (This service is on a private basis.)

Iximche & Mayan Ceremony

This morning, you will meet with your guide for your transfer to Guatemala City on the way you will stop to visit Iximche. Iximche is a Pre-Columbian Mayan site in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, founded by the Kaqchikel Maya in 1470, after a prolonged conflict with the Kiche. Capital of the late Post-classic Kaqchikel kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524 with the Spaniard's arrival. Enjoy a private Mayan Ceremony, which is a practice of religion and spirituality, and a sacred activity. They are carried out with particular goals, whether to launch and celebrate important dates, as an offering of thanks, to ask for health, work, and wisdom. It is also used to saturate positive energy or to cleanse negative energies. Continue to Antigua for the next stop on your Guatemalan journey. (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.

Day with Top Guatemala Photographers

After a hearty breakfast, you will meet with one of the top photographers in Guatemala at your lobby. Enjoy a day with him around Antigua and drive around with your a car and driver to discover the best photo-worthy places. (This service is on a private basis.)

Walking & Coffee Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Antigua. Visit breathtaking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards. Start the journey at the central plaza, your guide will give you a general idea about colonization, Guatemala’s history, & contemporary issues. View the main outside buildings (Palacio de Capitanes, City Hall, and El Portal), visit backstage of the Cathedral & Cathedral ruins & San Francisco church. Next, transfer to Coffee Plantation, Antigua is famous for growing one of the best coffees in Central America. Enjoy the scenery and the unique insight into a real coffee hacienda. This tour will get you up close and personal with the whole coffee-making process. Experience the smells, sights, and the flavor of one of Guatemala’s most famous exports. (Please wear comfy shoes!) (This service is on a private basis.)

Cooking Class at Finca El Pilar

After breakfast, together with your guide, you will transfer to Finca El Pilar. Upon your arrival, get ready for a beautiful hike where you will enjoy amazing views. Your guide will open your eyes to the unique market culture of Guatemala. See, smell, and learn about the traditional ingredients used in the Guatemalan cuisine. Learn how to make delicious Guatemala food after you have learned about the ingredients! (This service is on a private basis.)

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to continue exploring Antigua on your own.

New Year's Eve Celebration at Casa Santo Domingo

At 7pm, you will walk on your own a couple of blocks to Hotel Casa Santo Domingo for their renowned New Year's Eve celebration...including dinner, open bar and live music.

Happy New Year! Take today to relax and celebrate the beginning of 2021 in such a beautiful and complex city.

Pacaya Volcano Trek

Today after breakfast you will be met by your private guide and depart for a hike of the Pacaya Volcano. This volcano is one of the most visited in Guatemala, 8,373 ft above the sea level it’s been active since 1965. It takes around 2.5 hours to hike from the base to the top viewpoint overlooking the flowing lava fields this trail is very gentle with a wide trail. From the summit enjoy beautiful views toward other volcanoes and if the weather is clear you may also see the southern coastline. This active volcano has a Strombolian activity (Strombolian activity produces frequent, moderate eruptions. The lava is basaltic but sufficiently viscous for entrapped gases to build up a pressure which is released in continuous small explosions), but occasional Plinian eruptions may also occur (marked by columns of gas and volcanic ash extending high into the Earth's atmosphere. Key characteristics are ejection of a large amount of pumice and very powerful continuous gas blast eruptions). A few of its eruptions have showered Guatemala City and surroundings with ash. After the hike, enjoy a picnic lunch on top of the volcano, roasting marshmallows on the lava pots. Afternoon transfer back to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

Although your adventure must come to an end today, you will be leaving with new friends, amazing experiences and memories to cherish for the rest of your life. Once you have checked out of your hotel in Antigua, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport in good time to board your international departure flight out of Guatemala City.

We wish you safe and happy travels home. Buen viaje! (This service is on a private basis.)