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HIGHLIGHTS

A quick look about this trip!

DURATION

8 DAYS

COMFORT

STYLE

LANGUAGE

RATING

Cultural immersion into Mayan life on Lake Atitlán,
Learning about day-to-day agricultural and artisan trades
Colonial Antigua

ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP

Primary:	Walking Tour
Other:	Hiking, Local Culture & Cuisine, Local Markets, weaving

$499USD

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TRIP MAP

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Guatemala Local Living

Stunning Lake Atitlán—ringed by volcanoes and home to a large Mayan community—just begs to be appreciated.

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TRIP OVERVIEW
TRIP ITINERARY
NUTS & BOLTS

Stunning Lake Atitlán—ringed by volcanoes and home to a large Mayan community—just begs to be appreciated. And there is no better way to really experience a place than by having a local show you around. Quickly becoming a fan-favourite, this Local Living adventure offers the chance to live, work and play like the locals in this off the beaten path community. A helpful CEO is there to help you smooth out any wrinkles, but this ain’t a hotel’s staged cultural show—get ready for real life, Mayan style. Live it.

Day 1: Antigua

Arrive Antigua at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy this charming city. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.

Guatemala is a small country, yet offers a wide variety of geography, climates and people. Its mountains and volcanoes are a magnet for climbers and hikers; the northern Petén region's dense jungle and glorious Mayan past draw archaeology and wildlife enthusiasts alike; and the colourful highland towns and villages with their smiling residents are sure to leave their mark on the memories of your travels.

Antigua, Guatemala is a short 45 km from Guatemala City on a lovely winding road. The trip takes you through many small towns and villages, past red, tile-roofed huts inhabited by modern Maya in colourful traditional clothing. The natural scenery is some of the most beautiful anywhere, with high mountain peaks surrounding deep valleys and every inch of land covered with lush growth.

Day 2-6: San Juan la Laguna Homestay / Lake AtitlÃ¡n (4B,5D)

Travel through the hills and fertile fields to the shores of Lake Atitlán. Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue-grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture.

We will overnight in the small town of San Juan la Laguna, home to 3000 inhabitants, mostly Mayas. The group will be spread out among a number of homes, and you will sleep in a local home, where breakfast and dinner will be provided throughout your stay. This once in a lifetime experience will really help you to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of the locals in this region. G Adventures' partner organization in this town is working hard with the Tz'Utujil Maya to provide positive interaction with travellers through local tourism. The organization also works with the local schools to ensure needed materials are available to teachers and students.

Get to know more about the day-to-day life here through a number of included excursions. Tour San Juan to learn more about this community, its economy, its people and the Tz'Utujil Maya beliefs. Hop in a boat and tour some of the neighbouring communities that ring the lake to get a feel for each town's personality. Back in San Juan, enjoy a coffee tour along with a weaving demonstration and class. Help out in the kitchen of your homestay to learn more about the Maya way of cooking on Lake Atitlan. Try your hand at making tortillas; after a week in the homestay, you might be giving your hosts some competition for the best tortillas!

There are many nearby optional activities to participate in, from local hikes to fishing the local way to hiking to attend a Mayan tree-planting ceremony. If you're up to it, head to the fields with a member of your host family and see just what the day-to-day of Mayan living is all about.

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours

Approximate Distance: 100 km

Day 7: Antigua (B)

Transfer back to Antigua with enough time to explore its cobblestone lanes. Duck into a cafe to sample the region's delicious java, check out a jade demo at a workshop, or simply get lost admiring the brightly painted buildings and intricately designed churches that dot the town. If you care to sample some Guatemalan nightlife, this is a great place to do so.

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours

Approximate Distance: 100 km

Day 8: Antigua

Depart at any time.

TRIP INCLUDES

Boat tour to visit other villages on the lake, coffee tour, weaving demonstration and class, tour of San Juan la Laguna
5 breakfasts, 5 dinners. (Allow USD100-150 for meals not included.)
Simple hotel (2 nts), local homestay (5 nts).
Public bus, boat, walking
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 8

TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE

Guatemala airport exit tax: 20Q ($3USD)
Tipping
Fees for Optional Activities

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Did you know that you can customize this trip?

Customizing a trip is a great way to:

Change anything about the itinerary you don't like.
Change the size of the group or make this a private tour.
Change the duration or departure date of the trip.
Because we use the local operator, this customization usually won't cost you extra!

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<center>
        <h1 style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px; color: #604c3d;">Guatemala Local Living</h1>
    </center>
    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; color: #928164;">Stunning Lake Atitlán—ringed by volcanoes and home to a large Mayan community—just begs to be appreciated.</div>

<div style="margin-top: 10px;border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">DURATION</div>
                                    <div style="font-family: 'alice'; font-size: 18px; color: #7a9ebf; padding-top: 10px;">8 <span style="font-size: 10px;">DAYS</span></div>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">STYLE</div>
                                    <div style="padding-top: 5px;">
                                        <span style="display: inline-block;" class="sprite_icons icn_style_budget btnStyleClass" data-hover="<b>Budget</b> – Looking for a vacation that won’t break the bank? These trips are accessible on a
                                      budget while giving you the extraordinary vacation you desire. From the jungles of the Amazon to
                                      the temples of Angkor Wat, compare daily prices or total package price to determine what fits your budget."></span>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">LANGUAGE</div>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">RATING</div>
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                                        <span class="sprite_icons icn_star_selected" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span class="sprite_icons icn_star_selected" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span class="sprite_icons icn_star_selected" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span class="sprite_icons icn_star_selected" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span class="sprite_icons icn_star_selected" style="display: inline-block;"></span>
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                        <div style="font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; margin-top: 20px;" id="Div1">
                            <ul><li>Cultural immersion into Mayan life on Lake Atitlán, <li>Learning about day-to-day agricultural and artisan trades<li>Colonial Antigua</li></li></li></ul>
                        </div>
                    </div>
                    <div style="margin-top: 10px; padding: 10px;border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-image: linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -o-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -ms-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);

background-image: -webkit-gradient(
		linear,
		left bottom,
		left top,
		color-stop(0.2, #F3F3F3),
		color-stop(0.81, #FEFEFE)
	);
	background-color: #FEFEFE;">
                        <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; color: #604c3d; text-align: center;">ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP</div>
                        <table cellpadding="5" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
                            <tr>
                                <td><span style="color: #544741;">Primary:</span></td>
                                <td><a href="/search/for/Walking%20Tour/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Walking Tour</a></td>
                            </tr>
                            
                            <tr>
                                <td><span style="color: #544741;">Other:</span></td>
                                <td><a href="/search/for/Hiking/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Hiking</a>, <a href="/search/for/Local%20Culture%20%20Cuisine/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Local Culture & Cuisine</a>, <a href="/search/for/Local%20Markets/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Local Markets</a>, <a href="/search/for/weaving/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">weaving</a></td>
                            </tr>
                            
                        </table>
                    </div>

<div style="border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-image: linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -o-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -ms-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);

background-image: -webkit-gradient(
		linear,
		left bottom,
		left top,
		color-stop(0.2, #F3F3F3),
		color-stop(0.81, #FEFEFE)
	);
	background-color: #FEFEFE;">
                        
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
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	padding: 10px;
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	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 1: Antigua
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        Arrive Antigua at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy this charming city. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.<div><br></div><div>Guatemala is a small country, yet offers a wide variety of geography, climates and people. Its mountains and volcanoes are a magnet for climbers and hikers; the northern Petén region's dense jungle and glorious Mayan past draw archaeology and wildlife enthusiasts alike; and the colourful highland towns and villages with their smiling residents are sure to leave their mark on the memories of your travels.</div><div><br></div><div>Antigua, Guatemala is a short 45 km from Guatemala City on a lovely winding road. The trip takes you through many small towns and villages, past red, tile-roofed huts inhabited by modern Maya in colourful traditional clothing. The natural scenery is some of the most beautiful anywhere, with high mountain peaks surrounding deep valleys and every inch of land covered with lush growth.</div>
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 2-6: San Juan la Laguna Homestay / Lake AtitlÃ¡n (4B,5D)
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        Travel through the hills and fertile fields to the shores of Lake Atitlán. Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue-grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture.<div><br></div><div>We will overnight in the small town of San Juan la Laguna, home to 3000 inhabitants, mostly Mayas. The group will be spread out among a number of homes, and you will sleep in a local home, where breakfast and dinner will be provided throughout your stay. This once in a lifetime experience will really help you to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of the locals in this region. G Adventures' partner organization in this town is working hard with the Tz'Utujil Maya to provide positive interaction with travellers through local tourism. The organization also works with the local schools to ensure needed materials are available to teachers and students.</div><div><br></div><div>Get to know more about the day-to-day life here through a number of included excursions. Tour San Juan to learn more about this community, its economy, its people and the Tz'Utujil Maya beliefs.  Hop in a boat and tour some of the neighbouring communities that ring the lake to get a feel for each town's personality.  Back in San Juan, enjoy a coffee tour along with a weaving demonstration and class. Help out in the kitchen of your homestay to learn more about the Maya way of cooking on Lake Atitlan. Try your hand at making tortillas; after a week in the homestay, you might be giving your hosts some competition for the best tortillas!</div><div><br></div><div>There are many nearby optional activities to participate in, from local hikes to fishing the local way to hiking to attend a Mayan tree-planting ceremony. If you're up to it, head to the fields with a member of your host family and see just what the day-to-day of Mayan living is all about.</div><div><br></div><div>Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours</div><div>Approximate Distance: 100 km</div>
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
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	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 7: Antigua (B)
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        Transfer back to Antigua with enough time to explore its cobblestone lanes. Duck into a cafe to sample the region's delicious java, check out a jade demo at a workshop, or simply get lost admiring the brightly painted buildings and intricately designed churches that dot the town. If you care to sample some Guatemalan nightlife, this is a great place to do so.<div><br></div><div>Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours</div><div>Approximate Distance: 100 km</div>
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
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	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
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	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 8: Antigua
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        Depart at any time.
                                    </div>
                                    
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Customize your message:	Checkout this awesome trip: Guatemala Local Living. Stunning Lake Atitlán—ringed by volcanoes and home to a large Mayan community—just begs to be appreciated. Check it out here: http://www.adventurelink.com/trip/127149/guatemala-local-living