SUMMARY

Day 1: Welcome to Guatemala & transfer to Antigua

Day 2: Morning at leisure & transfer to San Andres Itzapa, hike to Terra camp

Day 3: Hike to Fuego camp

Day 4: Hike to Agua camp and visit women's weaving cooperative

Day 5: Hike to San Antonio Palopo, Lake Atitlan, & coffee tour

Day 6: San Juan & Santiago village tour

Day 7: Chichicastenango market tour & transfer to Guatemala City

Day 8. Departure day

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1

Welcome to Guatemala & transfer to Antigua

The former capital of colonial Spain, Antigua is one of best preserved 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! 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.

After passing through customs and collection your baggage, we will meet you at the airport for your transfer to Antigua. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this beautiful and charming town.

Day 2

Morning at leisure & transfer to San Andres Itzapa

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 we reach a beautiful, grassy saddle between two mountain peaks. Awaiting us there is Terra Camp with a warm fire, delicious dinner and a cozy bed.

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

Day 3

Hike to Fuego Camp

Another day of trekking in the beautiful Guatemalan highlands finishing in the shadow of Fuego Volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes that’s 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 today is well worth it as you will be greeted by glowing green mountain peaks and rich Guatemalan coffee served at 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 foot bridge 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 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 show you how to make traditional Guatemala blue corn tortillas by hand before dinner.

Hiking distance: 8.8 miles
Maximum altitude: 8,671 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Pine forests, small farms and coffee plantations

DAY 4

Hike to Agua Camp & Mayan villages

Today you’ll reach the highest point on the trek with stunning views of Guatemala’s volcanoes. You’ll also meet local farmers tending their fields and visit a women’s weaving cooperative.

After breakfast, trek to the highest point on our journey, just over 9,040 ft / 2,755 m. You will follow 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 (and 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

After relaxing in camp for a while, we venture into the local Mayan community of Chuinimachica to visit a women’s cooperative that specializes in traditional weaving. Backstrap 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

Day 5

Hike to San Antonio Palopo on Lake Atitlan

This is the final day of the trek where you reach Lake Atitlan, the “most beautiful lake in the world.” You’ll also enjoy a coffee tour prior to descending the hills down to the lake.

Hiking distance: 7.17 miles
Maximum altitude: 8,192 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Moderate/small farms, coffee plantations, villages

The final day of the trek begins with a 2,500 ft / 760 m descent into the La Madre Vieja River valley that 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 as well).

Following the coffee tour, you will cross the river on another hanging footbridge before a short ascent that takes us up to the rim of Lake Atitlán and expansive views of the water below and three massive volcanoes that surround it. 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, you will be transferred to Panajachel's main dock for boat transfer to your hotel.

TREK DETAILS: Elevation gain/loss and mileage

AcCommodations

Included: 

• Hotel accommodations as described
• Hotel tax
• All guided tours as detailed
• Local guides
• Entrance fee:
  • Trek
  • Village tour
  • Chichicastenango market
• Meals 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