The Ultimate Guatemala Experience: Volcanoes, Lake Atitlán & Mayan Culture!

DAY 4 The Floor is Lava! Literally! You're about to experience one of the top bucket list things to do and something that can only be done in a few places in the entire world! It's time to hike an active volcano and have a sleep over at the top! (L, D) Slow Morning & Free Time We'll have a slow morning and some free time to enjoy a last breakfast in Antigua, check out of our hotel and prepare our bags for our overnight hike to sleep on the volcano. There are a ton of cute cafes here to choose from and I'll be happy share my reccommendations! Hiking an Active Volcano Your mind is about to be blown as you embark on what is sure to be one of the most epic adventures of your life! Around midday we'll head out of Antigua to start our journey to the top of one of Guatemala's most icon destinations and one of the main highlights of this trip! We'll be hopping in some 4x4 trucks that will take us close to the top where we'll then hike the rest of the way before arriving at base camp. Here you'll have a chance to sit and watch the eruptions of the active volcano Fuego in the distance while sitting by the camp fire or if you're up for the adventure, we'll begin our several hour hike to the top of Fuego where we'll hike the rim of an active volcano and get to watch the lava erupt right in front of us! A truly magical moment and experience of a lifetime! Camping on a volcano After our evening hike, we'll enjoy dinner by the fire and watch the red hot lava and hear/feel the powerful eruptions from the comfort of our camp. This is such a surreal moment and something you'll never forget! Next Morning Sumitting a Volcano Ever summit a volcano before? Now is your moment! (B) Summit For those who want the challenge, we'll start our day with a super early wake up call while the stars are still out and begin our ascent for the summit of Acatenango just in time to witness the most magical sunrise over the volcanoes where if you're lucky on a clear day, can see the ocean and other volcanoes in the distance that make up the unique skyline of Guatemala. After this incredible moment, we'll hike back down to enjoy breakfast before heading back down the mountain.

DAY 5 Finish Volcano Summit Hike then descend Lake Bound After we make it down, our transportation will be waiting to transfer us to the most beautiful lake in the world! We've got a few hour drive perfect to rest our bodies and catch up on some sleep, stopping to grab some lunch along the way. Relaxing Evening Once we arrive to the lake, a boat or lancha will take us across to the village of San Marcos where we'll be staying. We'll check into our lake front hotel and have a relaxing evening and grab dinner somewhere in town. DAY 6 Lake Day Today we'll enjoy a chill day of lake magic after our volcano summiting adventure. We'll swim in the sacred lake, do some water activities like kayaking or paddle boarding and finish with sunset yoga in one of the most iconic locations in the world. Nature Reserve Feel free to sleep in or grab breakfast from a cute cafe in town. We'll then head over to the Nature Reserve, a beautiful oasis on the lake shore where many swim and jump into the water. We'll also have the opportunity to kayak or SUP with volcano views as our epic backdrop. Our beach front hotel is also an option for anyone who wants to swim and relax there. Cacao Tasting Don't be fooled! While many people offer "cacao ceremonies" as traditional Mayan ceremonies, this is actually BS and not a real Mayan tradition and has been white washed recently in the spiritual community. Cacao however is a sacred heart opening medicine and was part of Mayan indigenous culture but "cacao ceremonies" as they are currently marketed, is just that, marketing. In traditional Mayan ceremonies, cacao was used but along with many other elements, not just a stand alone thing. That being said, cacao: kakaw in ancient Mayan, wasn’t just food; it was a spiritual and ritual substance tied to creation, fertility, life, and death and is sacred. Cacao in Mayan culture is a bridge between worlds — heart, earth, and cosmos and so we'll have a change to try some delicious ceremonial grade cacao cultivated in the Guatemalan highlands paying tribute to this sacred Mayan plant. . Yoga with a view! After grabbing some lunch and enjoying some free time to wander around "Hippy Highway," the famous street in San Marcos selling everything from crystals, incense, mushrooms and chakra balancing healing therapies, we'll head to one of the most famous and iconic yoga shalas perhaps in the world for a special class with incredible views of the lake and volcanoes during sunset. This place is a whole damn vibe and a great spot to read a book and chill, eat healthy and delicious food from their cafe, relax and enjoy the views of this magical place from up high. After sunset yoga, we'll grab some food either here or back in town. If people are up for it, we can always find some live music at a local bar after to hang out. DAY 7 Villages of the Lake There are 12 main villages around Lake Atitlan and today we'll have a chance to explore 2 of the more popular ones where we'll take a special Mayan cooking class and local tour to learn more about chocolate, textiles and art as well as have free time to explore. (L) Cooking Class A lancha will take us across the lake to the village of San Pedro. Here we'll be learning from one of the best and getting to experience and participate in one of the most famous cooking classes in Guatemala. Anita from Mayan Kitchen will bring us to the local mercados to shop for ingredients before teaching us how to to make traditional dishes and sharing more about her local indigenous culture with us. Colors, coffee & art After our delicious feast and checking out the village of San Pedro, we'll hop in a lancha again to head to the colorful village of San Juan la Laguna, famous for its cooperatives and artistry. We'll enjoy a locally guided walking tour to explore textile workshops, coffee cooperatives, art galleries, and have some free time to go shopping, explore the colorful streets full of beautiful murals or if you're up for it, you can hike up to the Mirador for breathtaking lake views. We'll then return to San Marcos by lancha for a relaxing evening. DAY 8 Spirit of the Maya Today we connect deeply with the roots of this sacred land and dive more into the indigenous Mayan culture that makes GUATEMAYA so special. Mayan Ceremony Experience an authentic Mayan Fire Ceremony led by a local spiritual guide, honoring the elements, ancestors, and your personal journey. Traditional Temazcal As night falls, sweat out the day’s energy in a traditional Temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge) ceremony — an ancient purification ritual guided by local healers — followed by a delicious group dinner somewhere in town. Free time to Explore In between ceremonies, we'll have free time to swim and enjoy the lake, explore more of the cute and quirky bohemian village of San Marcos and if there is time and you'd like to adventure to another village you're welcome to do so.

DAY 9 Black Sand Beaches Say goodbye to the most magical lake in the world and hello to the volcanic black sand. beaches! Today we’ll journey to El Paredón, Guatemala’s hidden surf paradise. Beach Bound After waking up to catch the magical sunrise over the most beautiful lake in the world, we'll grab some breakfast before hopping on a lancha that will bring us to our shuttle bus to head to El Paredon, a charming little beach town on the Pacific with dirt roads, black sand beaches, friendly locals and epic sunsets and waves. We'll check into our hotel, maybe have a swim in the pool and grab some food. Sunset & Cervezas & Fiesta That evening we'll head to the beach to watch an epic sunset together, grab some cervezas and even play some beach volley ball for those up for it. After grabbing dinner somewhere, we can then head out to one of the local parties in town and dance the night away. You'll also have the chance to meet some of my local friends from when I lived here. This place is so special to me, I have the coordinates forever etched into my skin! DAY 10 Waves and Mangroves Today we'll discover the magic of El Paredon and what it's most known for with surf lessons and exploring the magical mangroves! Surf Lessons This morning we'll head out to catch some waves and have surf lessons with one of the top surfers in Guatemala! This is a great opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new. (Timing will depend on the waves that day and subject to change based on conditions) Beach & Free time Before or after our activities, depending on when the conditions are best for our lessons, we'll have time to chill by the pool, hang out on the beach and watch the sunset, go out for evening drinks and dancing and if you'd like to schedule a massage, I know the best person in town! Her hands are magic and I HIGHLY recommend booking a session with her! There are also fitness and yoga classes available for anyone interested. Magical Mangroves In the afternoon we'll meet up with my good friend Mafer, a pro Guatemalan Paddle Board Surf Champion. She'll take us for a beautiful tour of the mystical mangroves, one of my favorite places, either by kayak or stand up paddle board. This is a great opportunity to see wild life, lots of birds, local fisherman and get to experience the special tranquility and nature that not many people visit while in El Paredon. Magical Turtles & Farewell Dining Experience We'll begin and end our day with magic! Starting with an epic opportunity to release baby sea turtles before leaving the beach and heading to Guatemala City for our fancy and unforgettable farewell dinner! Just wait! (D) DAY 11 Baby Sea Turtle Release Get ready for a magical morning experience like no other! We'll be waking up for sunrise to witness of natures most incredible spectacles as we get to release hundreds of endangered tiny baby sea turtles into the ocean. This is such a special experience and something that can only be witnessed during this time of year. (Please note there is no guarantee as it's Mother Nature, however this is the egg hatching season so hopefully we will get to see them!!)