Overview

Antigua, in southern Guatemala, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 for its cultural, political, and architectural importance. While the Baroque colonial buildings in Guatemala's former capital are stunning in their own right, one annual Easter tradition enhances the city's beauty sevenfold.

Each year, during Semana Santa, Antigua covers its streets in intricate alfombras, or carpets, in preparation for the city's processions on Good Friday. Join us on this unique travel adventure to explore the history behind this tradition (and the extensive work that goes into it).

During this tour, we'll visit Antigua, Tecpan, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Lake Atitlan, Los Tarrales, Rey Tepepul National Park, San Buenaventura, and Guatemala City!

 

Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY

Depart from San Miguel or Meet the group at Mexico City Airport or La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala. The group will be transferred from the airport to Antigua, Guatemala, where they will check into a hotel.

Included Meals: None.
Overnight in Antigua.

 

DAY 2 - ANTIGUA CULTURAL TOUR & PROCESSIONS

After breakfast at our hotel, we'll have a guided cultural tour of Antigua. We'll visit the magnificent churches, ruins, and museums that, combined with the old cobbled streets, preserve the stories and legends of colonial times. We will visit important areas of Antigua like La Merced Church, Central Park, and the Arch of the 5th Avenue.

Spend the afternoon enjoying the beauty of the sawdust carpets and witnessing Holy Thursday's processions.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Antigua.

 

DAY 3 - ANTIGUA NATURE, SHOPPING AND SAWDUST CARPETS

Early transfer to San Cristobal El Alto, birding around and breakfast with the fantastic views of the volcanoes, then return to Antigua and continue with a guided cultural tour of a different city area and shopping. Spend the afternoon enjoying the beauty of the sawdust carpets and witnessing Holy Friday's processions.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Antigua.

 

DAY 4 - FINCA EL PILAR AND FREE AFTERNOON IN ANTIGUA

After breakfast at our hotel, depart for Finca El Pilar, which is located 10 minutes away from Antigua. This private area protects habitats ranging from 5000 to 8000 ft elevation, including dry forest in the lower altitudes and oak-pine and cloud forest at higher elevations. Enjoy hiking and birding at this site, then return for lunch at a local restaurant in Antigua. Free afternoon for shopping or relaxing.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Antigua.

 

DAY 5 - TECPAN • CHICHICASTENANGO • QUETZALTENANGO

6:00 am. Departure from Antigua Guatemala towards Tecpan area, Breakfast and Birding in Tecpan Reserve (Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot, and Rufous-browed Wren, Slate-throated Redstart, Crescent-chested, Olive Warbler, Hutton's Vireo.) 10:00 am. Transfer to Chichicastenango to enjoy the open market. Afternoon transfer to Quetzaltenango.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Quetzaltenango.

 

DAY 6 - FUENTES GEORGINAS & INDIGENOUS MARKET OF ZUNIL

Morning birding in the humid sub-tropical forest at Fuentes Georginas. Target birds: Wine-throated and Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Mexican Violetear, and Northern Pygmy-Owl (Guatemalan). Midday visit to Zunil, Almolonga and Quetzaltenango. Afternoon transfer to our hotel in Panajachel.

Included Meals: American Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Panajachel.

 

DAY 7 - PATULUL • LOS TARRALES OR SANTA CATARINA PALOPO

Early departure for Los Tarrales Natural Preserve in Patulul. After breakfast at the reserve, hike in search of the Azure-rumped Tanager, Rufous Sabrewing, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Tody Motmot, Quails, and Doves, among other highlands species. Have lunch at the reserve before returning to our hotel in Panajachel. For those not interested in birding, an alternative culture-and-shopping tour is available to visit San Antonio and Santa Catarina Palopó, interesting indigenous villages located at the shore of Atitlán Lake.

Included Meals: American Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Panajachel.

 

DAY 8 - TOUR OF LAKE ATITLAN BY BOAT

(Optional: Morning boat transfer to Santiago Atitlan and birding at Rey Tepepul Park.) Today, you will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan (30 min.) to the San Juan La Laguna village, where you can visit the women's textile cooperative to see hand weaving and the natural dye process. Visit the studios of the celebrated naïf painters and then continue to the village of Santiago, where you will learn about the textiles, spiritualism, and beliefs of the T'zutujil Maya.

Included Meals: American Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Panajachel.

 

DAY 9 - SAN BUENAVENTURA AND GUATEMALA CITY

Birding at San Buenaventura, Atitlán. Afternoon transfer to Guatemala City. Check into our hotel and then depart to visit the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing.

Included Meals: American Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Guatemala City.

 

DAY 10 - DEPART GUATEMALA CITY

After breakfast at our hotel, we'll depart for Guatemala International Airport. We'll check in and then fly back home.

Included Meals: Buffet Breakfast.

* This itinerary is subject to changes without prior notification.
* Meals marked with an asterisk are not included in the tour's fee.

Our updated list of Recommended Items to Bring is available here.