Guatemala Tour: Antigua & Lake Atitlan

[vc_row][vc_column][trx_section][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Highlights” tab_id=”1449208778331-f30d2fa3-c18c”][vc_column_text]

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: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: -/-/-

Day 2 – Antigua Walking Tour & Cooking Class
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby to start your walking tour. A former capital, the city boasts an impressive showcase of colonial relics in a spectacular setting. Streetscapes of pastel facades unfold beneath three volcanoes. Many old ecclesiastical and civic buildings are beautifully renovated, while others retain tumbledown charm.

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. A few other things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.

After the walking tour, you will be transferred to San Miguel Escobar Town. On arrival, you will go into the home of the “chef” (also known as a Guatemalan wife and mother) who doesn’t use a recipe because after years of experience she knows how to make this dish by heart. Learn how to prepare a traditional Guatemalan dish at a real Guatemalan home. Your chef will be a real housewife and one of a kind authentic experience. After cooking class experience transfer back to Antigua.

Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/L/-

Day 3 – Pacaya Volcano & Zip-Line
After an early breakfast at the hotel and checking out, you´ll be transferred to Pacaya volcano on the outskirts of Guatemala City. The hike to the viewpoint overlooking the flowing lava fields takes around 1.5-2 hours and is a very gentle with a wide trail. From the viewpoint, you’ll experience beautiful views of the volcanoes around Antigua and Lake Atitlan, looking back over our journey in the highlands. Enjoy a picnic lunch on top of the volcano.

After hike transfer to Cerro de Santo Domingo for your zip line adventure. Their “short route” has 8 zip lines, 2 suspension bridges & 1 tower. While the “long route” has 11 zip lines, 2 suspension bridges, 2 towers, 1 vertical ladder, walking path and most important, the superman type zip line.

After the Zip-Line experience you will check in into your Airstream for overnight accommodations.

Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo Airstream
Meals: B/L/-

Day 4 – Chichicastenango Market & Lake Atitlan
Early this morning travel to Chichicastenango, the largest indigenous market in Central American (open on Thursdays and Sundays only). Surrounded by valleys with mountains punctuating the horizons, Chichicastenango can seem isolated in time and space from the rest of Guatemala. When its narrow cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs are enveloped in mist, it’s downright magical. The sounds, smells, and brilliant colours of the market are incredible to experience. On arrival, your guide will show you the church which is a very important and iconic monument in Mayan history. If you’re lucky you may also witness special ceremonies and mix of religions.

After tour and free time to shop and take photos, you will transfer to Lake Atitlan. With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlan is spectacular. Although volcanic activity has been going on for millions of years, today’s landscape has its origins in the massive eruption of 85 000 years ago, which blew ash as far away as Florida and Panama.

Fertile hills dot the landscape, and over everything loom the volcanoes, permeating the entire area with a mysterious beauty. With the sun, mist, rain, and clouds…it never looks the same twice. It is very easy to realize why so many people fall in love with this area. It is characterized by its natural beauty surrounded by gorgeous views of the volcanoes and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.

Overnight accommodations at hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-

Day 5 – Kayak, Hike and Village Tour Around Lake Atitlan
After breakfast, you’ll transfer by boat to the village of Santa Cruz for kayak gear pick up. Paddle for approximate 45 minutes along delightful peninsulas admiring the shore’s beautiful gardens. The views are spectacular with three stunning volcanoes, Atitlan, San Pedro, and Toliman.
After kayaking you will start the hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you will hike along ancient paths that have been used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries.

After the hike, transfer by boat to San Juan, famous for its naïf art galleries, town murals and natural dyed textiles. Its beauty and artisan cooperatives have created the perfect village.

Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-

Day 6 – Day at Leisure – Lake Atitlan
Enjoy your day at leisure around beautiful Lake Atitlan. You may choose to visit some of the other villages around the lake such as San Pedro, San Marcos or Santiago.

Overnight: Hotel Atitlan or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-

Day 7 – Avocado Tour – Antigua
After breakfast, bid farewell to stunning Lake Atitlan and meet with your driver for your transfer back to Antigua. Upon arrival meet your guide for your transfer to an Avocado Farm. You will learn the history, cultivation and distribution of hass avocado at the farm starting with a walk through the nursery of the avocado plantation and ending with an avocado tasting while learning learn how to prepare Guatemalan-style guacamole.

Overnight: Casa Santo Domingo or Similar (Standard Room)
Meals: B/-/-

Day 8 – Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer to the La Aurora International Airport for your flights.
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 $1995 USD per person based on double/twin occupancy
$550 USD Single Supplement (Limited Availability)

Final Payment
Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Important” tab_id=”1449289426670-de1f94c1-4595″][vc_column_text]
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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Hotels” tab_id=”1449208780765-5fd2d40a-5e9d”][vc_column_text]

Sample Hotels*:

*Please note that hotels are just samples and are subject to change and availability.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]