Guatemala Glamping Trek – In The Shadow of Volcanoes

You will be met you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Antigua. El Convento

Morning is at leisure for relaxation at the hotel. Trek Day 1 -Trek to San Andres ltzapa

Your trek to Lake Atitlan starts in the small town of Andres ltzapa, famous because it’s one of the homes of “San Simon or Maximon”, a pagan saint. Every day, the mysterious San Simon is visited by locals and travelers to ask for favors like good health, success in business and finding love.

After the visit, 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 8,4000 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.

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 Includes BLD

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’s been erupting regularly since the Spanish conquest. With any luck, it will light up the night sky with plumes of molten lava!  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 take you up nearly 1000 ft/ 300 mas 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

Hiking distance: 8.8 miles Maximum altitude: 8,671 ft

Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Pine forests, small farms and coffee plantations  BLD

Today you’ll reach the highest point on the trek with stunning views of Guatemala’s volcanoes. You’ll also meet local farmers tending their fields and visit a women’s weaving cooperative.

After breakfast, trek to the highest point on our journey, just over 9,040 ft/ 2,755 m. You will follow a pristine ridgeline 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 honor of Lake Atitlan, 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.

Hiking distance: 8.46 miles Maximum altitude: 9,040 ft

Difficulty/Type of terrain: Challenging/Rocky ridgeline, small farms  BLD

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. 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, you will 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 Atitlan 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 Palop6 to conclude the trek. After a short rest, you will be transferred to Panajachel’s main dock for boat transfer to your hotel

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

Difficulty/Type of terrain: Moderate/small farms, coffee plantations, villages BL

San Juan la Laguna offers a quiet, less-traveled atmosphere, renowned for its vibrant textile cooperatives and art galleries. You’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the local weaving co-ops, where you can learn about the fascinating process of natural dyeing and the intricate backstrap weaving technique. During your visit, enjoy a demonstration that showcases the steps of backstrap weaving and discover the deep meaning behind the designs and colors used in the garments.

Then continue by private boat transfer (approximately 25-minutes) to Santiago Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan is home to Maxim6n, a venerated pagan saint known for his love of smoking tobacco and drinking moonshine. His residence moves annually, with a different house chosen each year-an honor bestowed upon a member of the Brotherhood of Santiago. During your visit, the guide will explain why Maxim6n is so revered by the locals and take you to his altar, where you can learn about the significance of the rituals. (This service is on a private basis.)

• Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan – standard double garden view
• Meals: B, L

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, lxil, Kaqchikel and others.

On arrival, you will meet your guide. He/she will show you the church which is 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. (This service is on a private basis.)

Transfer to Guatemala City. (This service is on a private basis.)

• Accommodation: lnmaculada – Cafe Arabica – Suite
• Meals: B, L