Colorful Guatemala

Pack your bags and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime through Guatemala! Your journey begins in the charming colonial towns where you will meet the friendly local people, explore the city before embarking on a unique Glamping Trek passing through breathtaking scenery, indigenous markets, churches and volcanoes. Experience Mayan traditions and ceremonies, and explore ancient archeological sites with the insight only a private guide can give. These adventures will showcase the best of Guatemala, and offer a unique, culturally immersive perspective of the beautiful country!

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Antigua Arrival

Antigua Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Welcome to Guatemala & transfer to Antigua
  • Accommodation: Posada del Angel

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.

Day 2: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Walking Tour & Street Food Experience
  • Accommodation: Posada del Angel
  • Meals: B, L

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.)

Day 3: Antigua - Terra Camp

Antigua - Terra Camp
Daily Summary
  • Tour: San Andres Itzapa
  • Accommodation: Mayan Community Trek Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

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.)

Day 4: Terra Camp - Fuego Camp

Terra Camp - Fuego Camp
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Hike to Fuego Camp
  • Accommodation: Mayan Community Trek Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

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.)

Day 5: Fuego Camp - Agua Camp

Fuego Camp - Agua Camp
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Hike to Agua Camp & Mayan Villages
  • Accommodation: Mayan Community Trek Camp
  • Meals: B, L, D

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.)

Day 6: Agua Camp - Lake Atitlan

Agua Camp - Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Hike to San Antonio Palopo on Lake Atitlan
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B, L

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¨.

Day 7: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Village Tour
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B, L

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.

Day 8: Lake Atitlan - Guatemala City

Lake Atitlan - Guatemala City
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Chichicastenango Market & Guatemala City
  • Accommodation: Hyatt Centric Guatemala City
  • Meals: B, L

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.

Day 9: Guatemala City Departure

Guatemala City Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Meals: B

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.

Accommodation

Posada del Angel

Posada del Angel

Located on a cobblestone quiet street, a few blocks from the main plaza, Posada del Angel occupies an original Spanish colonial casona where everything happens behind closed doors, only for guests who stay in its seven rooms around a central patio, a small lap pool, a romantic garden and a dramatic roof terrace overlooking Volcán Agua. Posada del Angel is traditional and elegant: each of the seven rooms is unique and has been designed with a color palette inspired by the famous wall textures all over La Antigua. Beds are covered with Mayan textiles made on backstap looms using the finest cottons and traditional indigenous techniques. Carved wood sculptures, hand hammered copper, ceramic and metal pieces, flowers and candles, are all part of a warm redish atmosphere that gets transformed into the most romantic setting after sun dawn.

Mayan Community Trek Camp

Mayan Community Trek Camp

As you trek through the most iconic places of Guatemala between campsites, a luxurious tent will be awaiting after each day of exploration. A spacious 10x14 ft waterproof canvas tents with queen mattresses and goose down comforters will allow for a good night's rest. You will also enjoy the creature comfort of a "Trek Truck" that features a hot water shower, toilet and sink.

Casa Palopó

Casa Palopó

Since 2000 Casa Palopó has established a tradition of personalized service, fine dining and eco-friendly activities in an incomparable setting. Cascading down a set of terraces overlooking Lake Atitlán, Casa Palopó is a villa-like boutique hotel with colourful, rustic interiors inspired by Guatemalan art and an equally locally flavored restaurant and bar. Outdoors, a heated pool, lounge spaces and yoga platforms make the most of the hotel’s panoramic hillside perch. Stay in a spacious, art-dotted suite or book the hotel’s villa for exclusive use with a chef and butler, plus an infinity pool of your own. Messing about on the lake is encouraged and the hotel can arrange anything from boat trips to visit outlying villages to tortilla-baking workshops with the chef.

Hyatt Centric Guatemala City

Hyatt Centric Guatemala City

A Central American metropolis, Guatemala City is a fast-paced hub with old-world charm. Zona 10 (also called Zona Viva) is home to some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the country. That’s where you’ll find Hyatt Centric Guatemala City. Admire ancient pottery in the Popol Vuh Museum or trek uphill to see the lava rivers of the Pacaya Volcano during your stay. Settle into rooms and suites featuring floor-to-ceiling views of the city or our atrium. Tuck into Guatemalan fare at our on-site restaurants, with menus ranging from tapas and pizza to coffee and cocktails. Stay near local shopping, dining, and museums, as well as La Aurora International Airport, four kilometers away. Take in vistas of Guatemala City from our rooftop, home to a fitness center, swimming pool, and our Zielo Bar. Admire a rotating exhibit of original Mayan artwork throughout the hotel.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 3,698 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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