Guatemala

Depending on the arrival times of all travelers, we will organize private vehicles at various times for the 3.5-hour drive to Lake Atitlán, with a few stops along the way to stretch. Lake Atitlán is one of Guatemala’s most striking places, a deep blue lake surrounded by steep hills and three volcanoes lining the horizon. Upon arrival we’ll check into our peaceful lakeside hotel, set in gardens with wide views of the water and plenty of calm spots to sit with a drink and settle in. You’ll have time to unpack, freshen up, and take a short wander around the property before the evening. Then we’ll come together for our welcome dinner at the hotel, a relaxed first meal as a group before turning in for the night.

This morning we’ll head out by boat across Lake Atitlán, gliding over deep blue water with the volcanoes lining the horizon as we make our way to a peaceful wellness retreat for the day. Once we arrive we’ll begin with a traditional cacao ceremony, where cacao is prepared into a warm drink and shared together, followed by a short guided meditation and quiet time to sip and reflect. We’ll then move into an intention setting circle, a gentle guided moment to think about what you want to get from the trip and, if you’d like, share a few words with the group. We’ll enjoy lunch on-site before easing into an all-levels yoga class in our open-air studio, with fresh air, birdsong, and wide views all around. Afterwards we’ll settle in for a sound bath, where you’ll rest comfortably while soothing tones from instruments fill the space and help your body fully unwind. In the evening we’ll return to our hotel and enjoy a family-style dinner.

Today will be all about hands-on crafts and the people keeping these traditions alive. We’ll take a boat ride across to San Juan La Laguna, a quaint lakeside town known for its cooperatives, painted murals, and working artists. We’ll begin with a Mayan weaving workshop and natural dye demonstration at a women’s cooperative, where you’ll see how color is pulled from plants, turned into dyes, and worked into threads before patterns take shape on the loom. You’ll also get to try parts of the process yourself! Afterwards we’ll take an easy walk through town, stopping at the church, passing murals, and popping into a few galleries. We’ll enjoy lunch in town, then spend the afternoon in a Tz’utujil painting class with a local artist. This style is known for its vivid colors and detailed scenes that often reflect daily life, nature, and cultural beliefs. You’ll be able to create your own piece to take home while learning what the symbols and choices behind it mean. In the evening we’ll head back for another great dinner at our hotel.

This morning we’ll take a boat over to San Marcos La Laguna for a traditional Maya fire ceremony at Nimalaj Abaj, known locally as “The Great Stone.” After a 15-minute walk to reach the site, we’ll gather around as the guide builds a ceremonial fire and places offerings into the flames, using incense, candles, and natural elements while explaining what each part represents. You’ll hear the crackle of the fire, smell the copal smoke, and watch the colors shift as the ceremony moves through prayers and intentions for health, protection, and gratitude, a powerful way to connect with the lake and the culture around it. After the ceremony, we’ll have some free time in San Marcos for lunch and a relaxed wander before taking the boat back. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to relax and enjoy our lakeside hotel. You can wander the garden paths, settle into a quiet bench with volcano views, or sit with a drink and just watch the water. If you’d rather head out, Panajachel is an easy place for a lakefront stroll, and time to browse small shops and cafés. In the evening we’ll meet up again and head into town for dinner together.

We’ll say goodbye to Lake Atitlán today and head into the highlands on a 1.5-hour drive to Chichicastenango, home to Guatemala’s largest market and one of the most unforgettable stops of the trip. We’ll weave through the stalls as they spill into the streets, stacked with woven textiles, flowers, piles of fruit and spices, and the ceremonial items locals still use for blessings and rituals. It’s a busy, lively place, and as we walk you’ll start to pick up what’s what, the different patterns and techniques in the weaving, the ingredients that show up in Guatemalan cooking, and the way tradition and daily life sit side-by-side here. After lunch nearby, we’ll continue with a 2.5-hour drive to Antigua, a beautifully preserved colonial city set beneath volcanoes, known for its cobbled streets, low pastel buildings, and old churches and courtyards. We’ll check into our hotel with time to freshen up and rest before dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast we’ll head to nearby San Miguel Escobar, a small town just outside Antigua that sits in prime coffee country. This is the perfect place to see Guatemala’s coffee culture up close, right where it starts. We’ll visit a cooperative for a hands-on coffee tour, following the full story from plant to cup and getting involved along the way. You’ll see how the beans are harvested and processed, learn what gives Guatemalan coffee its reputation, then finish with a guided tasting that helps you notice the differences in aroma and flavour. After lunch, you’ll have some free time to browse and enjoy the area before we return to Antigua. Later in the afternoon we’ll head up to Cerro de la Cruz for sweeping views over the city, with Antigua’s rooftops below and the volcanoes rising in the distance. In the evening we’ll go out for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the city.

For our final morning in Guatemala, we’ll explore Antigua on a guided walking tour through its historic center, a UNESCO listed colonial city with cobblestone streets, pastel facades, and mountain scenery all around. We’ll pass under the Arco de Santa Catalina, one of the city’s best known landmarks, then continue on to a historic convent and its striking ruins, where stone corridors, courtyards, and quiet corners bring Antigua’s story to life. After the tour, the afternoon will be yours to enjoy the city your way. Options include treating yourself to a spa treatment, browsing local craft shops and textile boutiques, popping into galleries, doing a chocolate tasting, visiting a jade museum, or settling into a long lunch in one of Antigua’s leafy courtyards. Our team will be close by to help you plan your perfect afternoon. In the evening we’ll come back together for a celebration farewell dinner at a great restaurant, a final night to share stories and toast the trip.

Our day will begin with a 1.5-hour drive back to Guatemala City's airport in order to catch your departing flight. Departing flights should be booked for 1:00 PM or later in order to allow enough time to reach the airport. If you plan to extend your stay in Guatemala City, we can also arrange a transfer to the city center so you can continue exploring at your own pace.