HUEHUETENANGO 17ºC - SANTA CRUZ DEL QUICHE 13ºC - GUMARCAAJ - CHICHICASTENANGO - PANAJACHEL 19ºC
Fantastic section through the Mayan highlands. We cross seldom visited regions with magnificent landscapes. SANTA CRUZ DEL QUICHE, the very lively regional capital; the altarpiece in its cathedral is extremely beautiful. We visit the archaeological site of GUMARCAAJ, the ancient capital of the Maya Kiche kingdom. We will visit its pyramids, learn about their ball game and explore the site where Mayan ceremonies are still held. We continue to CHICHICASTENANGO, one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala, with its colourful market and its church. Here, the Mayan customs survive. There’s time to have lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Mask Museum and with a shaman we will undertake a Mayan fire ceremony. Onward journey to the beautiful Lake ATITLAN. PANAJACHEL, dinner included and accommodation.
PANAJACHEL 19ºC - ATITLAN LAKE - GUATEMALA CITY 19ºC
Today we take a boat trip through one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, which is surrounded by volcanoes and inhabited by small indigenous community settlements. By boat, we travel to SAN PEDRO DE LA LAGUNA. We will walk through its cobbled streets and ascend to the church’s lookout point. From San Pedro we will include a trip in a tuc-tuc local taxi to SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA, where we will see a weaving workshop and cooperative. They will explain to us how the fabrics are woven and dyed in a natural way. Again by boat, we will travel to SANTIAGO ATITLAN. in this beautiful place we will visit the brotherhood where the Tz´utujiles venerate MAXIMON deity of Mayan roots. We will have time to walk and have lunch. We return by boat to Panajachel and continue to GUATEMALA CITY, arriving at the end of the afternoon.
GUATEMALA CITY 19ºC
Travelling through beautiful landscapes, we will set off for the most active volcano in Guatemala. We will break the journey en route and include entry tickets to the UNITED NATIONS NATIONAL PARK, from where we will have an impressive view over the green lake and the volcanoes that surround us. On arrival at the PACAYA VOLCANO, we will include the entry tickets to the National Park, and together with a guide, we will climb up towards the crater. Those who wish may rent a horse for a more comfortable ascent. We will have a chance to feel the heat coming off the lava. Later we continue to ANTIGUA, a wonderful Unesco World Heritage colonial city founded in 1543, many of whose buildings are in ruins because of the Santa Marta earthquake suffered in this former capital city of the country in 1773. There’s time to have lunch and walk around. In the mid-afternoon we return to Guatemala City. Before going to the hotel, we make a brief panoramic tour through the historic center of the city, the Constitution Square where we can appreciate the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace of Culture that was once the Govermment Palace.