Highlights of the Guatemala Tour:

After breakfast, embark on a unique cultural journey through the villages surrounding Antigua, Guatemala. This community-led tour will allow you to delve into the region’s history and culture through ruined buildings, vibrant local traditions, and breathtaking views.

Community-Led Experiences

San Juan El Obispo: Visit this historic site with a local guide who shares insights into its significance as the first bishopric in Guatemala, founded by Francisco Marroquín.

San Pedro Las Huertas: Explore this charming village, which has a beautiful church and a central plaza where community members gather daily for laundry, which is part of its customs and daily life.

Ciudad Vieja: Learn about the history of Guatemala’s former second capital, which was tragically buried by an earthquake-triggered mudslide in 1541. A local guide provides a deeper understanding of this site.

Experimental Organic Macadamia Farm: Engage with local farmers who demonstrate sustainable farming practices and share the benefits of organic cultivation.

Chokojol Juyu Women’s Cooperative: Participate in a community-led workshop where women from the cooperative showcase their daily activities. Begin by demonstrating local textiles, learning how to form threads, use the backstrap loom, and create beautiful textiles.

Lunch with Locals: Savor traditional Guatemalan cuisine, such as “pepian,” which is made with local spices and meats

San Antonio Aguas Calientes: Visit this village with a local guide highlighting its cultural significance and traditional crafts.

Afternoon Cultural Tour in Antigua

In the afternoon, enjoy an effortless walking tour through the colonial city of Antigua. Explore its historic ruins, museums, monasteries, markets, art galleries, and plazas. This community-led tour provides a deeper understanding of the city’s history and culture as the local guide shares personal insights and stories about each site.

Community Engagement

Throughout the day, engage with local communities and artisans, fostering meaningful interactions that enhance your cultural immersion. This tour showcases Antigua’s beauty, supports local initiatives, and preserves cultural heritage.

This cultural tour provides an immersive and authentic experience through community-led activities, enabling you to connect deeply with local cultures and traditions.

Lodging in Antigua, Guatemala

Embark on a day filled with cultural immersion and natural exploration, starting with a visit to a community-driven project focused on small-scale organic coffee production. This sustainable initiative supports local farmers and offers a unique opportunity to engage with the community.

Sustainable Coffee Experience

Community Engagement: Hike up the slopes of Agua Volcano to learn about sustainable coffee practices and participate in harvesting activities. This hands-on experience will help you understand the importance of eco-friendly farming methods.

Ancestral Coffee Production: Return to the community house to learn traditional coffee production methods using ancestral tools. Witness the meticulous process of transforming coffee beans into a delicious brew.

Cultural Immersion: Enjoy lunch with local hosts, savor authentic Guatemalan cuisine, and relish the flavors of freshly brewed coffee made from the beans you helped harvest.

El Pilar Nature Reserve

After your coffee adventure, head to the El Pilar Nature Reserve for a nature walk that immerses you in Guatemala’s vibrant biodiversity. This reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Birdwatching: Explore the trails and discover Guatemala’s diverse bird species, including trogons, motmots, and other tropical birds.

Hummingbird Feeders: Conclude your hike at the hummingbird feeders, where you can observe at least seven species of these iridescent birds up close. This truly magical experience offers a glimpse into Guatemala’s natural beauty.

Return to Antigua

After this enriching day, return to your hotel in Antigua and reflect on your unique cultural and natural experiences. Explore the city’s charming streets in the evening and enjoy local cuisine.

Lodging in Antigua, Guatemala.

After breakfast, embark on a journey to Chichicastenango, a vibrant cultural hub in the Guatemalan highlands. This community-led tour delves into the region’s rich heritage by blending Mayan traditions and Catholic influences.

Chichicastenango Market Experience

Community-Led Tour: Explore the bustling Chichicastenango Market with a local guide who shares insights into its history and cultural significance. This market, known for its kaleidoscope of colors and centuries-old traditions, is a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic glimpse into Guatemala’s soul.

Cultural Fusion: Witness the seamless blend of indigenous Mayan rituals with Catholic practices at the Iglesia de Santo Tomás. This church, built on an ancient Mayan site, is a living testament to the cultural syncretism that defines Chichicastenango.

Interactive Activities: Meet local artisans and vendors, learn about traditional crafts and textiles, and participate in price bargaining, a traditional practice that adds to the market’s vibrant atmosphere

Afternoon Transfer to Panajachel

This market appears every Thursday and Sunday as one of the ancient commercial traditions of the Guatemalan highlands. After immersing yourself in the cultural richness of Chichicastenango, transfer to Panajachel, a picturesque lakeside town offering stunning views of Lake Atitlán and its majestic volcanoes.

Lodging in Panajachel

Embark on a day-long journey to Lake Atitlán, a breathtaking natural wonder surrounded by majestic volcanoes and steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the Tzutujil Mayan people. This community-led tour offers an immersive experience of the local communities’ vibrant markets, traditions, spiritual practices, and unique beliefs.

Scenic Boat Tour and Cultural Exploration

Natural Wonders: Begin with a scenic boat tour across Lake Atitlán, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes and picturesque villages.

Indigenous Leadership: Engage with local Mayan leaders who share insights into their traditions and spiritual practices, highlighting the importance of Indigenous leadership in preserving cultural heritage.

San Juan La Laguna Experience

Community-Based Artisan Workshops: Visit community-led projects in San Juan La Laguna, including weaving associations and art galleries, where you can meet Mayan artists and learn about their crafts.

Culinary Immersion: Participate in a local culinary project to learn about Guatemalan Maya cuisine. Learn about traditional ingredients and their cultural significance, then share the prepared meal with your Mayan host, fostering meaningful connections.

Santiago Atitlán Exploration

Historic Landmarks: Visit the Chatolic church and the Maximon sanctuary in Santiago Atitlán, where you can explore the Maya’s mysticism and learn about their spiritual practices.

Artisan Street: Walk through the artisans’ street, discovering unique handicrafts and interacting with local artisans who showcase their traditional crafts.

Return to Panajachel

After this enriching experience, return to your hotel in Panajachel by boat. This tour deeply understands Mayan culture and supports local communities through sustainable tourism practices.

Lodging in Panajachel

Begin your day with a visit to Iximché, an ancient Maya Cakchiquel city founded in 1463, located in Tecpán. This historically significant site is crucial in Guatemala’s history, particularly during the Spanish conquest.

Archaeological Marvels at Iximché

Historic Landmarks: Visit the ruins of Iximché to learn about its captivating history and significance during the Spanish conquest of Guatemala.

Indigenous Leadership: Understand the significance of Iximché as a former capital of the Cakchiquel Maya kingdom, highlighting the leadership and resilience of Indigenous communities.

Archaeological Insights: Explore the site’s archaeological marvels, including temples and plazas that reflect the advanced civilization of the Maya.

Journey to Flores

After immersing yourself in the rich history of Iximché, head to the Guatemala City airport for your flight to Flores, Petén. This journey takes you to the heart of the Maya world, setting the stage for further exploration of Guatemala’s cultural and natural wonders.

Lodging in Flores

After breakfast, you will travel to Tikal National Park, one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in the Mayan world. This majestic destination is not only a testament to the ancient Mayan civilization but also a vibrant ecosystem teeming with tropical flora and fauna.

Archaeological Marvels of Tikal

Historic Landmarks: Explore the ancient city of Tikal with expert local guides who share insights into its history and significance as a major center of Maya civilization. 

Indigenous Leadership: This course explores the ancient Mayans’ leadership and governance structures, highlighting their advanced knowledge of astronomy, architecture, and governance.

Archaeological Insights: The Mayans’ intricate temples, plazas, and pyramids reflect their sophisticated engineering and artistic skills.

Natural Wonders

Biodiversity Hotspot: Experience Tikal as an open-air laboratory of tropical flora and fauna, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the region’s biodiversity. Witness the lush rainforest surroundings and the diverse wildlife that call Tikal home. 

Conservation Efforts: Understand the conservation efforts to protect this unique ecosystem and support sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities.

Immersive Experience

As you explore Tikal, immerse yourself in the sounds of the jungle and the majesty of the ancient ruins. This experience combines history, culture, and nature, providing a truly unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Maya world.

Lodging in Flores

Begin your day with a scenic journey to Yaxha National Park, situated on the picturesque banks of Yaxha Lake. This ancient Maya site offers a unique blend of archaeological wonders and natural beauty, providing an immersive experience of the Maya civilization’s rich history and culture.

Archaeological Marvels and Natural Wonders

Historic Landmarks: Explore Yaxha’s ancient causeways, majestic temples, and vibrant plazas, guided by expert local guides who share insights into the site’s history and significance.

Natural Beauty: Enjoy stunning views of Yaxha Lake and the surrounding tropical forest, which highlight the park’s role as a biodiversity hotspot.

Community Engagement: Discover local conservation efforts and initiatives led by the community that foster sustainable tourism practices and safeguard the natural environment.

Community-Led Lunch Experience

After your archaeological and nature exploration, enjoy lunch at a locally owned restaurant. Here, you can savor authentic Guatemalan cuisine while supporting local businesses. This community-driven initiative allows you to interact with local families and learn about their daily lives and traditions.

Return to Guatemala City

In the afternoon, head back to the airport for your flight to Guatemala City. After you arrive, enjoy overnight accommodations in the city while reflecting on your journey’s rich cultural and natural experiences.

Lodging in Guatemala City

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, and then you will be transferred to the airport on time for your international flight. This marks the end of your adventure in Guatemala, but the memories of its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality will stay with you forever.