Semana Santa Photographer's Odyssey

Day 1: Guatemala City (Sat, 3/31)

Upon your international flight's arrive in Guatemala City, you will be transfered to a lovely local hotel for the night. Enjoy an optional visit to the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to view the most complete collection of archaeological pieces of Guatemala Maya culture. The collection of jade and of indigenous textiles are impressive. In the evening, Wayde Carroll, your photo guide and mentor for the trip, will give a photo presentation to kick-off this image filled tour.

Day 2: Lake Atitlan (Sun, 4/1)

This morning you'll meet in the lobby of the hotel and then driven through the highlands to Lake Atitlan, often cited as the most beautiful lake in Central America and perhaps one of the most breathtaking in the world. Have lunch in the town of Panajachal and then visit the Reserva Natural Atitlan and its waterfalls, coati, butterflies, and more for some fantastic photo opportunities. Transfer to your hotel late afternoon near Santa Cruz by boat, then enjoy your lakeside hotel nestled in a nature reserve during your two-night stay. Meals: None

Day 3: San Juan/Santiago/San Antonio (Mon, 4/2)

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a full-day lake exploration, as you traverse Lake Atitlan in a comfortable motor boat to visit the villages of San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, and San Antonio, each varying in size and textile traditions. San Juan La Laguna is quaint, quiet, immaculate, and distinguished by its white-washed walls adorned by murals painted in the local naif style. Visit artists' studios and women's textile cooperatives. After a full day of absorbing the rhythms of life on the lake, enjoy the sunset and choose a restaurant for a lovely dinner. Enjoy your evening at your hotel on Lake Atitlan. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Day 4: Solola Market (Tue, 4/3)

Following breakfast at your hotel, check out and head out on a half-day adventure to the traditional town of Solola, high above Lake Atitlan, where market day offers the best possible overview of Mayan highland culture as well as wonderful photo opportunities. Dressed in the colorful traje (traditional woven clothing), distinctive for each village, and speaking an array of Mayan languages and dialects, traders come from great distances to buy and sell their goods and wares for the week ahead. While the market at Chichi offers a wealth of handicrafts and may be described as the most important market for tourists, the market at Solola is for the locals. It is our privilege and treat to observe respectfully and learn. In the afternoon, check into another lovely hotel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. As always, Wayde will be with you to offer assistance, make suggestions, and search for amazing photo opportunities on the grounds of Hotel Atitlan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Iximche Tour/Antigua (Wed, 4/4)

Leave the Lake Atitlan area after breakfast, heading first to visit the ruins at Iximche, the old capital of the Kaqchiquel people, exploring both the archaeological site and its small museum. Afterward, drive to your lovely hotel in Antigua, and settle in for a four-day stay in the heart of the colonial town, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Witness the city coming to life as thousands arrive to participate in the largest celebration of Holy Week in the Western Hemisphere, the second largest in the world after Spain. Your guide will recommend a restaurant for dinner and then in the evening you can roam the colonial streets that are decorated with intricately detailed alfombras, which are carpets made of flower petals and dyed saw dust. There are two type of carpets made during Semana Santa. In the churches, carpets made by the brotherhoods are placed in front of religious sculptures and surrounded by fruits, vegetables, and candles brought as offerings on the preceding day. Outside, people who live along the procession route invite friends and relatives to join them in covering the streets in front of their homes with carpets that express both religious as well as contemporary themes. Preparations for the carpets begin weeks, or even months, ahead. Sand or sawdust is generally used to level the cobblestone roadway. Sawdust is then collected and dyed purple, green, blue, red, yellow, and black. Pine needles and flowers such as bougainvillea, chrysanthemums, carnations, and roses are readied to be incorporated into the designs. Carpets are laid the day before the procession and the construction is timed so that the carpets are finished just before the arrival of the first floats. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Day 6: San Pedro, Macademia Farm (Thu, 4/5)

After breakfast, head out with Wayde and your group on a day trip to the lovely village of San Pedro, with its colorful citizens and entertainment. Wander among the stalls around the plaza, seeking out vivid colors and patterns to photograph and perhaps make a purchase or two. You'll also visit Valhalla Experimental Station, at the foot of Agua Volcano, a fascinating macademia nut farm that cultivates some 300 species of this tasty treat. Learn about the farm's founding in 1985, the founders' ongoing efforts in environmental protection and sustainable agriculture, and see and sample the many products -- not just nuts, but oils, other nut-based foods, and even cosmetics. Afterward, return to your hotel in Antigua and consider an evening stroll to observe preparations for Good Friday's processions. Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Antigua: Good Friday Processions (4/6)

An early morning start with Wayde and your guide will allow you to observe the final touches being made to the alfombras in advance of the solemn processions which leave from each church and follow a route through Antigua lasting several hours. There are thousands of carriers for the processional floats. All-male or all-female contingents as large as 80 members, in all-purple or all-white or all-black robes, carry floats weighing up to 7,000 pounds, bearing the churches' most important religious statues. Because of the enormous weight of the floats, carriers are matched in height and carry for only about a block before a new contingent takes over. The choreography involved in transferring the weight from one group to another is impressive. The largest procession from La Merced Church carries statues of Jesús Nazareno and Santísima Virgen de Dolores. You are encouraged to dress modestly to show respect for these religious ceremonies and for the emotions they engender in their devotees. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Pacaya Volcano (Sat, 4/7)

After breakfast at your Antigua hotel, head out on an hour-long drive to the foothills of the active Pacaya Volcano, where you'll take a moderately-strenuous hike through a wonderful pine forests up to the more tricky volcanic ash section and finally to the sulfur smoking cone. On occasions you can even see small eruptions and lava flow depending on the activity of the volcano. From the summit you can enjoy great views of the northern volcanoes, the pacific lowlands and all the way to El Salvador. Half way down, stop to enjoy a picnic lunch with the impressive volcano in close sight. Horse support on the hike is provided for those who require it -- please ask JOURNEYS about this before leaving if you're interested. Back at the base of the volcano, your support vehicle awaits to transfer you back to your Antigua hotel for your final night of this wonderful photo adventure. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Day 9: Depart or Extend (Sun, 4/8)

This morning you will transfer to the airport for your international flight home or for a domestic flight to Flores in the north of Guatemala in order to tour the famous Mayan site at Tikal.