Pipestone Travel

Multi-Activity Tour 9 days/8 nights

This Highland multi-activity experience will take you from the colonial splendor of the city of La Antigua to the most beautiful lake in the world, Lake Atitlan, with its crystal blue waters and three surrounding volcanoes. You will pass through highlands with volcano views, greet traditional Mayan people as they go about their daily life in their colourful dress and witness the strange rituals that surround “Maximon”. At the village of Totonicapan you will experience elements of Mayan culture such as the traditional dances, music and crafts as well as staying overnight with a local Mayan family. Deep in the highland Altiplano you will hike in some world class volcanic scenery and camp within a local village community. This trip will truly involve you in the real Mayan culture and provide you with a once in a lifetime adventure that few people experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Guatemala City. You will be met at the airport in Guatemala City and transferred to the colonial city of Antigua.

Antigua is a beautiful Spanish colonial town with elegant 16th & 17th century architecture, cobblestone streets, central squares, stylish hotels, luxurious shops and superb international cuisine. Antigua enjoys a unique and impressive setting, nestling beneath three of Central America’s most impressive volcanoes and surrounded by lush evergreen forests. A visit here can also include a trip to nearby coffee farms, macadamia nut farms, or villages where traditional hand woven crafts are produced. With a vast array of unique shops, art galleries, traditional crafts markets, museums and nightlife, Antigua has something for everyone. There simply is no other city in the Americas that can match the charm, beauty, and appeal of Antigua. Overnight hotel in Antigua

Day 2. Iximche to Lake Atitlan. Biking and hiking from the Mayan site at Iximche through spectacular highland scenery to the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Iximch was the capital of the Kakchiquel Maya group. It is located in a pine forest, characteristic of the Guatemalan highlands. The remains of the temple and a ball court are part of the ceremonial center of the ancient city, which in 1524 fell to the Spanish conquerors, as narrated in the Solol Memorial. That same year, Pedro de Alvarado, the Conquistador, founded the first capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala nearby. Lake Atitlan has been called by many “the most beautiful lake in the world.” It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of Toliman, San Pedro, and Atitlan volcanoes. This is a fabulous place for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, or just taking a leisurely boat trip to some of the many interesting villages around the lake. Local people in villages surrounding the lake still proudly wear their unique traditional dress that distinguishes each town from its neighbors. An interesting Mayan ritual you can see in one of the villages is that of the people’s devotion to “Maximon,” a figure to whom locals pay homage by offering alcohol and cigarettes within an incensed filled shrine. Overnight hotel Lake Atitlan.

Day 3. Explore Lake Atitlan. Horseback riding on San Pedro volcano and then the afternoon free to explore the village of Santiago De Atitlan. San Pedro Volcano is on the south side of Lake Atitlan, reaching about 10,000 feet. The climb starts in coffee plantations outside San Pedro La Laguna and continues through pine and wide leaf forests. Due to the vegetation, the splendid view of Lake Atitlan and the neighboring volcanoes is only visible from the top. Santiago De Atitlan is the largest of the lakeside pueblos and is nestled between the San Pedro and Toliman volcanoes. Although it has a busy commercial feel, Santiago remains a traditional place. The beautiful village costume is still very much in use, with the woman’s xocopes being the most striking aspect. Overnight in the village of Santiago.

Day 4. Bike To Totonicapan. Bike transfer to the remote highland town of Totonicapan. Totonicapn and the surrounding area is an important colonial and artisan centre in the Guatemalan highlands. Take time to visit the majestic examples of colonial architecture, sculpture and painting preserved in Totonicapan. Outstanding is the Church of San Andres Xecul because of its baroque facade which recreates the colors and designs of the local huipiles. San Cristobal Totonicapan has a charming convent and altar pieces dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Recently discovered frescoes make the town of San Francisco El Alto unique. Tonight enjoy a display of traditional dances. Overnight home-stay with local family.

Day 5. Cultural Program. Today you will spend the day within the Mayan community of Totonicapan discovering the arts, traditions and everyday life of the people. Regional products include glazed and painted ceramics, textiles woven on the foot loom, as well as toys, masks and wooden boxes. To advertise the manufacture of this handicraft, the House of Culture of Totonicapn organizes interesting tours of the workshops in the city. Due to the low temperatures in the region, work in wool is very popular, particularly in Momostenango, which has become famous for its blankets.

Day 6. Highland Trek. Trek into the remote, spectacular highland scenery. Camp overnight near a remote Mayan village.

Day 7. Highland Trek. Hike down through cloud forest to the hot springs at Fuentes Georginas.

Day 8. Pacific Lowlands. Bike down to the traditional town of Zunil and over ancient lava fields to the Pacific lowlands. Transfer back to Antigua. Overnight hotel Antigua.

Day 9. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Level of Difficulty -Moderate to hard.

Activities include biking, hiking, horse riding and camping.

Accommodation and Meals – Basic hotels in the rural areas and more up-scale hotels in the towns. Meals included – daily breakfast, 6 lunches and 3 dinners.

Optional excursions -

Day Trip to Mayan Temple site of Tikal.

Day Trip to Sunday/Thursday Craft Market at Chichicastenango.

Excursion to Copan Ruins in Honduras. This can also include Rio Dulce area in Guatemala.

Contact Us to for more information on this tour or to receive information on our many other Central American Adventures.