Guatemala Family Adventure
with Katie Cavuto
December 27, 2019-January 4, 2020
Join Integrative Dietitian, Yoga Teacher and Reiki Practitioner, Katie Cavuto MS, RD, RYT, as you explore the dynamic landscape and is history of Guatemala. This family adventure begins in Antigua, surrounded by active volcanoes, artisan workshops and beautiful architecture. We will make our way to Lake Atitlan where we are rewarded at the tranquil shore of the lake with pristine volcanic views. We have the opportunity to shop with local artisans, relax lakeside and bask in the beauty of this culturally rich country.
Also enjoy…
+ Antigua walking tour with our expert guide
+ Chocolate making workshop
+ Cooking class
+ Pacaya Volcano hike
+ Zipline
SUMMARY
Day 1: Fri, Dec 27 ::: Welcome to Guatemala & transfer to Antigua
Day 2: SAT, Dec 28 ::: Antigua walking and chocolate making workshop
Day 3: Sun, Dec 29 ::: Pacaya Volcano Hike
Day 4: MON, Dec 30 ::: Cooking class & transfer to Lake Atitlan
Day 5: Tue, Dec 31 ::: Lake Atitlan Villages & New Year’s Eve Special Dinner
Day 6: WED, Jan 01 ::: Happy New Year - Free Day
Day 7: Thu, Jan 02 ::: Pintando Santa Catarina Palopo
Day 8: Fri, Jan 03 ::: Zipline & transfer to Guatemala City
Day 9: SaT, Jan 04 ::: Departure day
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Walking the vibrant colonial streets of Antigua.
Transfer: 1-1.5 hours
Hotel: Porta Antigua (Premium room)
Meals: D
Welcome to Guatemala, transfer to Antigua
After passing through customs and collecting your baggage, walk outside to meet your driver for your transfer to Antigua. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this beautiful and charming town before we meet for our group dinner and orientation.
Antigua Guatemala
The former capital of colonial Spain, Antigua is one of the best preserved colonial cities in the Americas; a magical and captivating small town that makes you feel as though time stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings, you will experience the splendors of ancient times while strolling through the town’s cobblestone streets. In addition to colonial era churches, convents and monasteries, you will find many art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, world-class restaurants, cozy bars and much more.
Day 2
Taste the the best of Guatemala!
Hotel: Porta Antigua (Premium room)
Meals: B | L | D
Antigua walking and chocolate making workshop
After breakfast, discover Antigua’s history while walking through the city. This walking tour will take in the main highlights of this ancient city, from the hustle and bustle of the atmospheric Central Park to the secret passageways of the many crumbling colonial convents and churches. After lunch, you will learn about the history and experience making chocolate from scratch. After a brief introduction of the cacao tree, we learn the process of turning a cacao bean into tasty chocolate. We’ll enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and we each have the chance to prepare our own chocolate with toppings of choice. After a group dinner, we return to our hotel for a pleasant night’s stay.
Day 3
Enjoy a mellow hike with 360 degree views!
Hotel: Porta Antigua (Premium room)
Meals: B | L
Pacaya Volcano Hike
After breakfast, transfer to Pacaya volcano, located on the outskirts of Guatemala City. We will hike at our own pace to reach views of the flowing lava field and the volcanoes around Antigua and Lake Atitlan. En route, we learn the history of the country and the many volcanoes in the region. We will even have a chance to roast marshmallows over the fresh lava flows. This gentle hike along a wide, safe trail takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. We enjoy at box lunch along the trail or at the viewpoint before heading back to Antigua for a free afternoon and evening.
DAY 4
In a 300 year old colonial home, we learn the traditional Guatemalan cooking techniques.
Transfer: 3 hours
Hotel: Hotel Atitlan (Standard room)
Meals: B | L
Cooking class & transfer to Lake Atitlan
After breakfast your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Lake Atitlan, stopping along the way for our cooking class. We learn to cook traditional Guatemalan dishes in an 300 year old colonial kitchen. After our Guatemalan lunch, we make our way to Lake Atitlan with the option to stop as needed. Upon arrival in Lake Atitlan, we check into our hotel on the lakeshore and enjoy a free evening.
Day 5
Experience the cultural traditions on this tour of Lake Atitlan.
Hotel: Hotel Atitlan (Standard room)
Meals: B | L | D
Lake Atitlan Villages & New Year’s Eve Special Dinner
After breakfast, we will explore our surroundings at a leisurely pace. The shores of Lake Atitlan are surrounded by many villages, each of of which is named after the twelve apostles. Santiago (St.James), is a village located on the south end. It is home to Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smoke cigars. Maximon is visited every day by locals, healers and tourists asking for favors. San Juan la Laguna, famous for its naïf art galleries, town murals and natural dyes textiles. This town is an amazing example of community organization in the highlands area. Its beauty and cooperatives have set the perfect village. We enjoy a special New Year’s Eve dinner at Hotel Atitlan as a group.
DAY 6
Expansive views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes.
Hotel: Hotel Atitlan (Standard room)
Meals: B
Happy New Year
Enjoy a free day at Hotel Atitlan.
Day 7
The town on Santiago on the shores of Lake Atitlan.
Hotel: Hotel Atitlan (Standard room)
Meals: B
Pintando Santa Catarina Palopo
After breakfast, we transfer to the lakeshore town of Santa Catarina. Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó is a Project that seeks to join the efforts of different sectors (local and international), to achieve impressive visual work with social impact at a monumental scale in the community. Prepare your paintbrush and contribute to the project and the village by painting a house! Return to you hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Day 8
The views abound at our ziplining location.
Hotel: Intercontinental (Standard room)
Meals: B
Zipline & transfer to Guatemala City
Enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast before packing up for our final destination. En route to Guatemala City, we have the chance to experience an exhilarating zipline adventure at the Nature Reserve.
In the afternoon, we transfer to Guatemala City for our final night.
Day 9
All the colors of Guatemala.
Meals: B
Departure Day
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Guatemala City International airport.
Depending on your departing flight, tours of Guatemala City’s attractions can be arranged – Ixchel Mayan Textile Museum, the Historic District and Avenda Sexta (6th ave pedestrian street), Popol Vuh Museum and more.
PRICE: $2995 PER PERSON
BASED ON DOUBLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Kids 12 and under sharing a room with adult (up to 2 kids per room): $895 per person
Deposit: 30% due today
Final Balance: Remaining Balance due 90 days prior to departure
AcCommodations
With its lush, beautiful gardens, charming colonial architecture and gracious hospitality, Porta Hotel Antigua is one of the most authentic, unique and unforgettable hotels in Antigua. With a vibrant location just a five-minute walk from the main plaza and a warm, friendly family of staff members the hotel has been an intrinsic part of Antigua’s culture, heritage and daily life for more than 60 years.
Discover a seamless blend of historic 16th century ambiance and decor, contemporary service and amenities as well as unmatched personalized attention. Feel completely at home in warm, luxurious rooms and suites featuring historical touches such as wood floors, antique period furnishings, wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick and stone walls and bathrooms with beautiful handmade tiles.
Relax by the swimming pool framed by tranquil gardens and comfortable chaise lounges. Indulge and pamper yourself with a replenishing massage or body treatment or at Ceiba Spa, which includes a relaxation area, dry and wet saunas, four private treatment rooms and an indigenous sauna, where guests may enjoy a unique “temazcal session.”
Surrounded by Botanical Gardens, Hotel Atitlán Hotel & Gardens is one of the finest and most charming boutique hotels in Guatemala, situated ten minutes from the main town of Panajachel on what once was the estate of a family-owned coffee plantation.
Designed to be a relaxing home away from home for discriminating travellers in search of a truly unique travel experience, it is wonderfully decorated with hand-carved wood furnishings combined with ornate ceramic tiles to reflect the elegant Spanish colonial style of an 18th century Guatemalan plantation.
Outside, amidst meticulously cultivated botanical gardens, abundant roses, orchids, bougainvillea and azaleas bloom, the infinity pool gazes upon Lake Atitlán and the majestic Atitlán, Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes in the distance. .
Located in the dynamic Zona Viva at the heart of Guatemala City’s entertainment and business district and it’s just 4 miles away from La Aurora International Airport making the InterContinental a perfect location for a quick overnight. All rooms and public areas have been recently renovated.
The hotel features a gastronomic center with four unique concept restaurants, a vibrant bar, a fitness center and a Spa. The rooms are equipped to deliver the best rest featuring soundproof windows, blackout curtains, streaming speed Internet access and more.
Included:
Private boat transfers as described
Overnight at described
3 nights in Antigua
4 nights in Lake Atitlan
1 night in Guatemala City
Hotel taxes
Guided tours
Antigua walking (private guide)
Pacaya volcano (private guide)
Cooking class (private guide)
Lake Atitlan Villages (private guide)
Chocolate workshop (shared guide with other travelers)
Zip line experience (shared guide with other travelers)
Entrance fees
Meals per person as described
Not Include:
International flights
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Gratuities for porters and housekeeping
Personal travel insurance
Personal expenses
Activities not mentioned in itinerary
Meals not mentioned in itinerary
Alcoholic beverages