Guatemala Glamping Trek – Antigua to Lake Atitlan

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Highlights Include:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Itinerary” tab_id=”1449208778879-fcec8e78-e9ba”][vc_column_text]Day 1 – Arrival Antigua
Bienvenidos a Guatemala! You will be met at the airport by your driver and transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua which is nestled in the central highlands. Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. You will visit breath-taking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards.

Spanning a mountainous slice of Central America, Guatemala is loaded with incredible natural, historical and cultural appeal. As the birthplace and heartland of the ancient Maya, the country is in many ways defined by the legacy of this early civilization. Their rainforest cities were abandoned centuries ago, but Maya people continue to thrive in the Guatemalan highlands, where traditions and religious rituals, mingled with Catholic practices, form the richest and most distinctive indigenous identity in the hemisphere.

As today is arrival day, there are no planned activities. Enjoy your afternoon exploring the streets of Antigua. Antigua’s setting is gorgeous at an elevation of 1500m, nestled between three volcanoes: Agua (3766m), Fuego (3763m) and Acatenango (3976m). Its myriad of streetscapes – with sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins and pastel facades under terracotta roofs – offer photo opportunities at every turn.

Overnight: Antigua Hotel
Meals: -/-/-

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 shrines dedicated to the Maya deity “San Simon or Maximon”. Everyday, the mysterious San Simon is visited by locals and travellers to ask for favours like good health, success in business, and finding love.

In brief
•Breakfast at hotel in Antigua
•Morning at leisure in Antigua
•Transfer by vehicle to San Andres Itzapa(30 min)
•San Simon visit
•Trek to Terra camp
•Box lunch on the trail
•Dinner at Terra Camp
•Overnight at Terra Camp

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

After the visit to Andres Itzapa, 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 8,400 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.

Overnight: Terra Camp
Meals: B/L/D

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 has been erupting regularly since the Spanish conquest. With any luck, it will light up the night sky with plumes of molten lava!

In brief
•Breakfast at Terra Camp
•Trek to Fuego Camp
•Box lunch on the trail
•Dinner at Fuego Camp
•Overnight at Fuego Camp

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

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.

Overnight: Fuego Camp
Meals: B/L/D

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 to their fields and visit a women’s weaving cooperative.

In brief
•Breakfast at Fuego Camp
•Trek to Agua Camp
•Box lunch on the trail
•Visit women’s weaving cooperative
•Dinner at Agua Camp
•Overnight at Agua Camp

Hiking distance: 8.46 miles
Maximum altitude: 9,040 ft
Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Rocky ridge-line, small farms

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 honour 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. (B,L,D

Overnight: Agua Camp
Meals: B/L/D

Day 5 – Hike to San Antonio Palopoon 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.

In brief
•Breakfast at Agua Camp
•Trek to Lake Atitlan
•Box lunch on the trail
•Coffee tour
•Road transfer to Panajachel
•Boat transfer from Panajachel to hotel (as needed)
•Overnight at hotel in Lake Atitlan

Hiking distance: 7.17 miles
Maximum altitude: 8,192ft
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, 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.

Overnight: Hotel in Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)
Meals: B/L/-

Day 6 – San Juan & Santiago Village Tour – Lake Atitlan
Along the shores of Lake Atitlan there are twelve indigenous villages, each named after one of the twelve apostles. Today you’ll visit two of the villages, each very unique and different. San Juan la Laguna, famous for its naïf-style art galleries, colourful town murals and woman’s weaving cooperates which utilize natural dyes in their Mayan textiles. The village is very well cared for and an excellent example of how sustainable community tourism which benefits the community can be successful.

Santiago (St. James), is the largest village on the lake and most famous as the home of Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smoke cigars (Maximon is another name for San Simon, who you visited at the beginning of the trip in San Andrés Itzapa. There many shrines Maximon/San Simon but the most famous are in San Andrés Itzapa, Santiago and Zunil).

In brief
•Breakfast at hotel
•Boat transfer to San Juan Village
•San Juan village tour
•Boat transfer to Santiago Village
•Lunch
•Santiago village tour
•Overnight at hotel in Lake Atitlan

After breakfast, your local guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for boat transfer to San Juan village. Visit this amazing town and learn about ancient Mayan weaving textiles. After exploring San Juan, you will be transferred to Santiago by boat. Enjoy lunch followed by a tour of the town including visiting Maximon, the simple local church, the market and simply soaking in the atmosphere of this lively lakeside town. After the tour, transfer back to hotel by boat.

Overnight: Hotel in Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)
Meals: B/L/-

Day 7 – Chichicastenango Market Tour & Transfer to Guatemala City
After breakfast, meet your driver and bid farewell to stunning Lake Atitlan. Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colourful 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 colour, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.

In brief
•Breakfast at hotel
•Transfer to Chichicastenango
•Market visit
•Lunch at local venue
•Transfer to Guatemala city
•Overnight at hotel in Guatemala City

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Chichicastenango. On arrival your guide will take you to the Santo Tomas church which is an important and iconic monument for the indigenous and Mayan history itself. If you’re lucky you will also witness special ceremonies and mix of religions. Lunch is included at a local venue. After lunch, transfer to Guatemala City for hotel accommodations.

Overnight: Hotel in Guatemala City
Meals: B/L/-

Day 8 – Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer to the La Aurora International Airport for your flights. Depending on your departing flight, tours of Guatemala City’s attractions can be arranged –Ixchel Mayan Textile Museum, the Historic District and Avenda Sexta (6thave pedestrian street), Popol Vuh Museum and more.
OR
Extend your trip to – Tikal or the beaches of Belize!

Meals: B/-/-

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Inclusion & Exclusion” tab_id=”1449208780765-5fd2d40a-5e8d”][vc_column_text]Tour Inclusions:

Tour Exclusions:
• International Flights (can be arranged through us nicola@finisterra.ca)
• Mandatory travel medical insurance and optional cancellation insurance (can be arranged through us
nicola@finisterra.ca)
• Meals and beverages not mentioned in itinerary
• Items of personal nature
• Services and entrances not mentioned above
• Passport and visa fees
• Tips/Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, etc.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pricing & Dates” tab_id=”1449223591510-29ce0fb2-4171″][vc_column_text]Date: Available upon request

from $2395 USD per person based on double/twin occupancy (Mid-Range Hotels) or upgrade to higher-end hotels $2875USD (Luxury Hotels)
$TBD USD Single Supplement (Limited Availability)

Final Payment
Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.

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Air Travel
Flights are not included in the tour price. Do not purchase any airline tickets until the trip is confirmed to take place. Pre and post tours can be arranged through available at an additional charge. Please contact Finisterra Travel for further details info@finisterra.ca

Passport Information
Please note that most countries require passports to be valid for 6 months from the date of your return flight. We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation.
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