Guatemala Holidays: Colourful Guatemala tour of Guatemala

Maya men from Solola in traditional dress - Guatemala

The multitude of colours, dramatic landscapes and deeply entrenched Maya culture of the Western Highlands of Guatemala, creates a vivid and overwhelming sensation for visitors. Majestically towering evergreen and violet volcanoes and turquoise blue waters sparkle brilliantly with the coloured threads of woven traje (dress) and echo throughout the many different villages surrounding Lake Atitlan, that are as varied in attire, culture and tradition as the local terrain. Regional customs and sources of economic existence in agriculture, fishing and weaving have not changed much since the 1500's. The Highlands is one of the areas where visitors can experience the Maya as it was thousands of years ago. Each individual populace weaves unique, colourful, identifying woven dresses, an age old art of intricate weaving and embroidery.

We visit Quetzaltenango, a thriving colonial town settled by the Conquistadors and surrounded by mist covered mountains bordered by a patchwork quilt of a thousand different shades of green. Via the weaving town of Zunil and the orchard town of Almolonga, we reach Panajachel, along the shores of Lake Atitlan, a town where old meets new. In the village of Santiago Atitlan, you can visualise its original location "Chuitimamit". The pre-Columbian temples no longer stand, however the ceremonial garb of the Tz'utujil royalty have been unearthed along with many Maya artefacts. Next is Chichicastenango, the holy city, settled by Indian nobility fleeing the Spanish. Though unable to avoid the conquest, for years they continued worshipping their Maya deities along with those of the Catholic religion. In the market, colourful groups of women line the steps buried under brightly striped weavings and bunches of flowers. Finally we reach Antigua with its Mayan culture and colonial architecture, framed by splendid museums and unequalled landscapes.

Day 1:
Welcome in La Aurora, Guatemala International Airport, where our representative will kindly assist and transfer you to accommodation at Quinta Real Hotel (05 *****) or similar.

Day 2:
In the morning travel to the South Coast viewing volcanoes while you descend to the coastal plain irrigated by many rivers and visit the archeological site of La Democracia. In the museum you will admire sculptures of human heads carved in stone by artists from Monte Alto; their culture flourished from 1800-250 BBC. During the afternoon transfer to Quetzaltenango. This road trip goes through different ecosystems, from the pacific coast to the Guatemalan high plateau. Quetzaltenango is a beautiful colonial city situated in the Guatemalan high plateau in a big valley surrounded by volcanoes and hills. Accommodation at Bonifaz Hotel (03 ***) or similar.

Day 3:
Transfer from hotel to visit Zunil and Almolonga, two attractive Quiche towns situated close one to the other, just separated by the Salama River. Zunil is famous for its colorful weavings, particularly because of the Ikad technique they use, which are worn by the Mayan women of Guatemala. Almolonga is famous as the largest orchard of the country. In the afternoon transfer to Panajachel one of the towns situated at the shores of Atitlan Lake. This lake has a volcanic origin, a surface of 125 km2, three volcanoes as backdrop and a temperate climate, which all together makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world. Accommodation at Atitlan Hotel or similar (05 *****).

Day 4:
Transfer from hotel to enjoy a boat ride across the beautiful Atitlan Lake, visit the picturesque town of Santiago, learn about the customs and typical suits of their inhabitants that maintain alive their cultures and manifestations. Back to Panajachel to be transferred to Chichicastenango, colorful and quiet town where in market days, at the foot of Santo Tomas Church is transformed in a center of commercial activity very important to its inhabitants in their colorful open-air market. Accommodation at Santo Tomas Hotel (04 ****) or similar.

Day 5:
Wake up with the sounds of the most colorful indigenous open-air market of the country, visit this great market and be witness of religious rites in Santo Tomas church, which has a splendid colonial architecture built in 1540 on top of archaeological remains of a prehispanic temple. Its 18-step staircase is important to the practice of indigenous rituals. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Antigua Guatemala City, declared mankind’s inheritance by UNESCO for its immense historic and cultural value. Accommodation at Casa Santo Domingo Hotel (05 *****) or similar.

Day 6:
Weaving - Guatemala

Complete day dedicated to visit this monumental city situated in the foothills of the Water Volcano. To go through the streets of Antigua Guatemala City is an encounter with traditional Mayan culture and colonial architecture, framed by its splendid museums and unequaled landscapes. Some of the places you will visit: Great Plaza, Capuchinas, Metropolitan Cathedral, Palace of the Captains Generals, Merced Church, Jade Factory, Arms Museum, Antique University, Coffee Benefice. During the afternoon transfer to Guatemala City. Accommodation at Quinta Real Hotel (05 *****) or similar.

Day 7:
At the appropriate time transfer from hotel to airport to take flight out or continuation of your journey.

Why not combine this journey with Tikal and Uaxactun and Aguateca, Dos Pilas and Ceibal, some of the most important archaeological Maya sites and learn something about the past of the present day Maya.

Rated: Easy

Price per person
	Single Room		Double Room		Triple Room
	2/3	4/9	2/3	4/9	2/3	4/9
USD	$ 1300	$ 1172	$ 1070	$ 943	$ 1019	$ 892
EUR	€ 1079	€ 973	€ 888	€ 783	€ 846	€ 740
GBP	£ 728	£ 656	£ 599	£ 528	£ 571	£ 499

(*) Price last updated on 08 April 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .
Minimum 2 passengers

Included:
Specialised guide, air conditioned vehicle, park and museum admissions, American breakfast and dinners, launch in Panajachel, luggage handling, taxes and accommodation.

Not included:
Lunches, tips, personal expenses, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc.