Day 1: Your adventure begins with your flight to Guatemala City. You'll be met and warmly received by your driver at the airport and then a 45 minute drive brings you to Antigua, Latin America’s premier colonial city. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a strikingly beautiful city rich in history with spectacular views of the volcanoes that surround it. Visitors and locals alike casually congregate in the central plaza, sitting and strolling, watching the world go by. This is one of the best and most atmospheric plazas in all of Central America. Overnight at the centrally located Posada de Don Rodrigo Hotel in Antigua.
Day 2 (must be a Thursday or Sunday): This morning we visit Chichicastenango, an important ritual center for the contemporary Maya and the most colorful native market in all the Americas. You’ll witness modern shamans who continue the spiritual practices of their ancestors at shrines on the steps of the church of Santo Tomás. Although the rites are Mayan and not Catholic, the Catholic Church has allowed the Maya to practice religion in their own manner since the 17th century. Then you'll have time to stroll the market, where indigenous K’iche Maya gather biweekly to barter, buy and sell their wares. A wonderful mix of richly colored textiles, meticulously carved wooden masks, the scent of copal incense and candles, the sounds of prayers and songs -- a truly unique experience. Then to spectacular Lake Atitlán. At an altitude of 1562 meters (4,265 feet) the shores of the lake are home to a multitude of Maya communities. Formed by water built up in a volcanic crater, its deep, crystal blue waters are contrasted by a verdant ridge line punctuated by three spectacular volcanoes. Overnight Posada de don Rodrigo Panajachel.
Day 3: This morning we embark on a boat ride across the lake to Santiago de Atitlán. Take in expansive views of the San Pedro volcano and watch the Atitlán volcano peek out from behind its shorter neighbor, Tolimán. Santiago Atitlán is the capital of the Tzutujil Maya nation, who consider it to be the navel of the Universe. It has the largest population of indigenous people of any town in Central America. Renowned weavers, the women in Santiago wear traditional headdresses made from long lengths of cloth wound repeatedly around the head, after the manner of some of the figures in Classic Maya art. Late afternoon free time to relax and enjoy the scenic views of Lake Atitlan. Overnight Posada de don Rodrigo Panajachel.
Day 4: Today we return to Antigua and take a walking tour along the cobblestone streets, among monasteries, restored churches and haciendas for an informative inside look at the former capital of Guatemala. Formerly Santiago de Guatemala, Antigua was once the third most important Spanish city in the Americas. For 200 years it served as the political and economic center for all lands between Chiapas and Costa Rica. In the market one can find everything from brightly colored and intricately embroidered textiles to exquisitely carved jade from nearby mines. Overnight Posada de don Rodrigo Antigua.
Day 5: Transfer to the Guatemala City airport for your flight home.
