General Information

Duration:

5 Days

Location Start:

San Cristobal

Location Finish:

Antiqua

Phone:

01273 322046

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

English

Last updated: 02/19/2009

Itinerary

Day 1

San Cristobal to PanajachelYour bus leaves San Cristobal at 6.45am for a 170 km drive through the highlands to the Guatemalan border where you’ll arrive around 9 am. If you're re-entering Mexico later on in the trip, ask for a (free) Multiple Entry form, then get your 'exit' stamp and hand in the Mexican tourist pass that you received in arrival in Mexico.Together with the other travellers you'll make your way to the Guatemalan border checkpoint, 4km further on. The taxi ride costs around US$5 split among whoever you’re sharing the taxi with. The time difference in Guatemala is one hour (earlier).Once you've crossed the border you'll travel on by shuttle bus to Panajachel another 5 hours drive. The roads and the bus are less comfortable than in Mexico but it’s a beautiful drive and your final destination is worth it.Lake Atitlan is reputedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It's famous for its natural beauty thanks to the many volcanoes around the lake, the fertile fields and the traditional villages rich in Mayan culture. A walk around the lake stimulates all your senses; the scent of flowers and fresh water, the sounds in the local village market, the view of a solitary boat gliding across the lake. It's beautiful wherever you are on the lake.The posada with bungalows is just a few minutes walk from the jetty and close to Panajachel main street where you'll find shops, restaurants and souvenir stalls. Once you've checked in, head to the lake to watch the amazing sunset.

Day 2

Lake AtitlanToday you'll be able to spend 6 hours with your own local guide. He will be Spanish speaking, so lots of using hands and feet.Depending on what you prefer you'll either go hiking through the hills and fields, take a boat out across the lake to the peaceful villages on the other side, go horse-riding, mountain biking or visit the market at Solola (Tuesdays & Fridays, no souvenirs but more a traditional market for locals). You'll be paying for the guide who knows Lake Atitlan well and will be able to tell you a lot about the surrounding area.You will need to pay locally for the various activities (in US$, ferry ride $2, mountain-biking $1 per hour, horse-riding $10 per hour, bus to Sololá $1).When the sun begins to set at around 4 pm the sky above the lake lights up in an array of colours. Make sure you have a front row seat by 5 pm to enjoy the amazing view across the lake.

Day 3

Mayan Market and AntiguaTry to plan your trip so that this day falls on a Thursday or a Sunday. Then you can leave early in the morning to visit the colourful market at Chichicastenango. It's a local and tourist market and the ideal place to buy souvenirs. 'Chichi' has just 1000 inhabitants but on market days over 20.000 Mayans from the surrounding area flock to the village to sell their ware. The church in the village is similar to the one in Chamula and the flower market on the steps is a particularly cheerful scene.In the morning the market is busiest with locals.In the afternoon you'll get a the shuttle bus for a three hour trip to Antigua (Guatemala), the historic capital city and culture centre of the country where you'll be spending two nights in a posada on the edge of the historic centre. Antigua is a popular with students on a Spanish language or salsa course so there are always plenty of cultural activities and dance events going on.Because many people in Antigua are travelling alone the atmosphere is very open and relaxed and you'll find it's easy to meet fellow travellers.

Day 4

AntiguaPlan at least half a day to wander through the cobbled streets of Antigua. Churches, monasteries and museums stand among small, brightly coloured houses and you can take a rest on one of the pretty plazas in the shade of the jacaranda trees.If you want to go cycling, horse-back riding or hiking to some of the highland villages, or climb one of the volcanoes Pacaya, Agua and Fuego, we suggest staying an extra day.Climbing the volcanoes should not be taken lightly and you'll definitely need sturdy hiking shoes. We had three punctures on the way there and on our hike we kept slipping back into the volcanic ash, our eyes watering because of the wind and with trouble breathing in the sulphuric air. At the top of the volcano you'll be walking through a crater landscape where you can see the red hot lava through the cracks beneath your feet. If you want to give it a try, you can book a trip at your posada.

Day 5

Antigua, departure
From Antigua you can continue your trip to Flores, on Lake Peten with the Tikal temple trail. You can also make a stop at Rio Dulce for a boat trip to the Caribbean village of Livingston.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transportation: San Cristobal to Panajachel. Panajachel to Antigua (Thursday & Sunday market days via Chichi). Two nights in Panajachel. Two nights in Antigua, half day Atitlan field walk along the lake with local guide.

Exclusions -

Border fees (approx US$ 4,-), meals, other excursions, admission fees