TedX Guatemala Adventure
Join TedX Denver as we explore the dynamic culture, landscape, and history of Guatemala. This adventure begins in the colonial town of Antigua, surrounded by active volcanoes, artisan workshops and beautiful architecture. We will make our way to Lake Atitlan where we are rewarded with the tranquil lake shore and 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
+ Woodwork and worry doll workshop
+ Community school visit
+ Chichicastenango market visit
+ Mask-making workshop
+ Painting a home in Santa Catarina Palopó
SUMMARY
Day 1: Welcome to Guatemala & transfer to Antigua
Day 2: Antigua tour + Woodwork and Worry doll workshop + community School Visit
Day 3: Coffee + Peanut butter workshop at De La Gente
Day 4: Chichicastenango Market + Mask Workshop & Transfer to Lake Atitlan
Day 5: Lake Atitlan Villages
Day 6: Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó + Transfer to Guatemala City
Day 7: Departure day
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Walking the vibrant colonial streets of Antigua.
Transfer: 1-1.5 hours
Hotel: Good Hotel
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.
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
Dive in deep on this day of community involvement.
Hotel: Good Hotel
Meals: B | L
Antigua walking tour, Woodwork, Worry doll workshop + Community School Visit
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover Antigua’s history while walking through the city. Our guide will take you via chicken bus to San Lorenzo El Cubo, visit El Porvenir school and learn more about this NGO helping the community through school programs and how the effort contributes to the community breaking the poverty cycle. Learn about worry dolls and the importance of this industry in San Lorenzo while making your own. About 80% of the mothers of the community makes these dolls to contribute to their household income. After lunch, our guide will take us to a furniture workshop, one of the main industries of San Lorenzo. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 3
De La Gente is a cooperative working with smallholder coffee farmers and cooperatives to create opportunity for Guatemalan communities.
Hotel: Good Hotel
Meals: B | L
Coffee + Peanut butter workshop at De La Gente
Breakfast at the hotel. De la Gente is an organization that helps the people of the community of San Miguel Escobar create sustainable and profitable businesses through tourism. With the increased income, the people of the community are able to invest in education, healthcare, housing and nutrition. In this tour, you'll interact with local Guatemalans while creating your own souvenir alongside the farmers and artisans. You'll experience a day in the life of a farmer.
After a short hike up Volcán Agua to view the coffee fields, we will be invited into the farmer's house to learn about and utilize the machinery used to process coffee. You will roast coffee in the traditional way over a fire and share a cup of coffee with the farmer and his family. Lunch will be held at the family's home. After lunch, learn how to make peanut butter fresh from scratch at the home of a peanut farmer on the slope of Agua volcano. We'll learn the basics of peanut farming and how to make it at home. Your fresh peanut butter will be free of added sugars, salt, oil and preservatives!
DAY 4
Explore the myriad of textiles rich in tradition and color.
Transfer: 3 hours
Hotel: Posada Santiago
Meals: B | L
Chichicastenango Market + Mask Workshop & Transfer to Lake Atitlan
Breakfast included. Private transfer to Chichicastenango for a guided tour of the market, church and cemetery. We will also visit a family owned mask shop, learn the importance of the mask for dances and paint your own! Lunch included. Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colorful native market in the Americas. Market days are held every Sunday and Thursday, 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 hawks his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.
Day 5
Experience the cultural traditions on this tour of Lake Atitlan.
Hotel: Posada Santiago
Meals: B | L
Lake Atitlan Villages
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 smokes 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. Local women will show you different weaving techniques and you will try them yourself!
DAY 6
Expansive views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes.
Hotel: Fontabella Plaza
Meals: B
Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó + Transfer to Guatemala City
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! Private transfer to Guatemala City for overnight.
Day 7
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.
2019 PRICE: $1895 PER PERSON
BASED ON DOUBLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Deposit: 30% due today
Final Balance: Remaining Balance due 90 days prior to departure
AcCommodations
Good Hotel lives up to its name: a former private mansion, minimalistic design infused with local touches, personalized service and a social business model in the heart of UNESCO-protected Antigua, Guatemala.
Good Hotel connects you with the destination, offers a premium hotel experience, and the opportunity to give something back to the local community whilst travelling.
With re-designed traditional washing sinks, private patios, open air showers and lofty mezzanines, the rooms blend rich and natural textures with stories and culture.
No golden taps or mahogany desks but a bed you want to take home, locally-sourced food, great coffee and the most genuine service you can imagine, located in a quiet cobblestone street in the heart of Antigua, Guatemala. Just a 5 minutes' walk from the Parque Central (Main Square).
The Posada Santiago is nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Atitlan in the historic town of Santiago. Offering both excellent service, comfortable stone cottages, and top-notch restaurant.
Swimming, canoeing, hiking, diving, horseshoes and bicycling are available right from the property, ensuring you can make the most of your time on the lake. or simply grab a cup of coffee sourced from the property, visit the hotel library, and relax in your personal hammock in front of each room.
Fontabella Hotel offers a balance between style and privacy of an exclusive hotel within a square with shops, cinemas, restaurants. Suites and Lofts with modern and functional harmonic designs for hosting long and short stays providing quality services for our guests. The decoration of our suites was inspired by the rich craftsmanship of Guatemala with textiles, crafts and an exclusive collection of Guatemalan paintings.
Included:
Private transfers
Private boat transfers
Hotel accommodations as described
3 nights in Antigua
2 nights in Lake Atitlan
1 night in Guatemala City
Hotel tax
Guided tours and experiences
Antigua walking tour
Niños de Guatemala
Worry doll workshop
Woodwork visit
School visit
Coffee tour
Peanut butter workshop
Not Include:
International flights
Gratuities
Personal travel insurance
Personal expenses
Activities not mentioned in itinerary
Meals not mentioned in itinerary
Alcoholic beverages