15 Day Remote Guatemala

Today we will head out on a bike ride through the Riders can bike through Almolonga Valley to the Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala’s former second capital, buried by an earthquake-triggered mudslide in 1541. Along the way, we can stop off at an interesting experimental macadamia farm in the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Along other trails, such as the Las Tierra Altas route, we can pass through the coffee growing regions for a different experience. In the afternoon, we will see the women’s textile cooperative for hand weaving and the textiles' natural dye processing. We will be able to enjoy an interactive experience with traditional dance and local music with the women and enjoy a nice local dish called “pepian” made of local spices with pork, beef or chicken.

After breakfast, we will visit the ruins, churches and museums of the city. The stories and legends of colonial times are still part of everyday culture and we will visit: La Merced Church, Convent Las Capuchinas, Saint Joseph Cathedral, Central Park, the local craft market and the Chocolate Museum. In the afternoon, we will head out to The Pacaya volcano,  standing at 2,552 metres elevation. The hike is a relatively easy ascent and offers spectacular views of the whole volcanic chain. We will head along a trail through a pine forest to the volcanic ash and finally reach the cone of the volcano. From the top, you can enjoy excellent views of a variety of volcanos in the area and we will arrive just in time for the spectacular sunset.

Today, we will visit the historical site of Iximche in Tecpán, a Mayan city founded in 1463. The city was important before the Spanish arrived, yet almost a century later, it played a decisive role in the Spanish conquest of this region of Guatemala. The city's remains can still be found in the surrounding pine forests, with its ceremonial plazas, temples and ball courts still on display. We will enjoy a traditional lunch in Tecpán before heading off to Panjachel on Lake Atitlan banks for the evening.

Today, we will visit San Juan La Laguna, where we can see the women’s textile cooperative for hand weaving and natural dye processing of the textiles. We will also visit the homes of the famous naïf painters before we continue to Santiago Village. We will then head to see the famous Maya deity, Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. Each year a different family houses the saint of the town, taking care of their cigarette smoking God. We will then head back to Panajachel for the evening.

Today we will head to the market town of Chichicastenango, where the Mayan and Catholic traditions come together in glorious and colourful fashion! The scent of incense and the people's mysticism offers a unique atmosphere found only in Guatemala. The combinations of tastes, smells and colours combine uniquely here and we will head for a traditional lunch with a local Mayan family for the full, cultural experience. We will spend the rest of the day in Chichicastenango to take in the Guatemalan mountain traditions to the full.

After breakfast, we will take the 3 hour drive through glorious patchwork countryside which is a combination of agricultural areas and natural phenomenon, to the town of Nebaj. On arrival, our guide will take on a walking tour around the area.

Today, we will visit another side of the Ixil Triangle, heading to the quaint town of Chajul. The town’s church of San Gaspar Los Reyes is one of Guatemala’s most beautiful, with finely carved wooden doors. Inside, there is an impressive gold-leaf altar. We will then continue on to San Juan Cotzal, a town famous for its impressive traditional weaving.  We will visit The Iglesia San Juan and its picturesque plaza, where the statue of Jesus is holding an Israeli flag. We will head out on a short hike in the afternoon, crossing the cornfields to the spectacular Santa Abelina waterfalls. You can have a dip in the refreshing spray of the falls before we return to Nebaj.

Today is a travel day as we take the car trip to Lanquin on the Cahabon River. We will arrive and settle into the lodge in preparation for the next days’ activities.

Today we will head out on a 4 x 4 adventure to Semuc Champey, a limestone bridge on top of different sized natural pools filled with fresh crystal clear mountain spring water. Beneath the bridge flows the Cahabon River, and at the end of the bridge, the water from the pools falls naturally into the river, forming a waterfall. We can hike to the 2 lookout points for impressive views or just relax in the beautiful blue water of these incredible pools. We will then head back to Lanquin for the evening.

After breakfast, we will head towards Rio Dulce, visiting Las Conchas along the way. Las Conchas is a nature park of natural pools and cascades, surrounded by spectacular flora and fauna. The site is so named as we will be able to see fossils of shells and snails in the base of the pools. It is also home to a 15-metre natural waterfall, which is an impressive sight! We will then head to Rio Dulce for the evening.

Today we will set out through glorious gorges of the River Dulce with its impressive flora and fauna on the way to the Caribbean coast and the Garifuna town of Livingston. The Garifuna originate from the slaves brought over by the Spanish conquistadores and maintain their traditions to this day.  More reminiscent of a Jamaican city than Guatemalan, this town shows the diversity of Guatemalan culture.  Livingston is only accessible by boat from Puerto Barrios or Rio Dulce, giving it an island feel. We can enjoy a delicious tasting at Coco Loco as we watch the traditional dance of the Garifuna for a totally Caribbean feel.

Today we will visit one of the most spectacular Mayan archaeological sites in existence of Tikal. Set amid the lush green rainforest, the temples appear from nowhere as we walk along the jungle trails appreciating the spectacular flora and fauna. This site was an important part of the Mayan empire and is known locally as the “City of Voices”. The ruins temple and the natural beauty of the area all come together for the perfect adventure.

After breakfast, we will visit the Yaxhá National Park, located on the banks of the Yaxha Lake. We will walk along the causeways beneath a lush tropical forest, where howler monkeys fill the air with their calls, hoping to impress a female or to defend their territory. We can climb Mayan temples that offer spectacular views over the rainforest. We will finish our tour at the highest temple in the park, the temple 216. We will then head to the airport for our connecting flight to Guatemala City, where we will spend our final evening of the tour.

Today is our final day in Guatemala. Our driver will take you to the international airport in time for your flight back home or onto your next exciting destination!