GUATEMALA CULTURE & NATURE
Vibrant Easter Traditions in Antigua and Birdwatching in National Park

  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding
  • oaxaca-birding

Overview

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Antigua in southern Guatemala has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 for its cultural, political, and architectural importance. And 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, Antigua covers its streets in intricate alfombras, or carpets, during Semana Santa in preparation for the city's processions on Good Friday. Explore the history behind this tradition (and the extensive work that goes into it) by joining us on this unique travel adventure.

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

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Itinerary



DAY 1 - ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY
   
 

Depart from San Miguel or Meet up with the group in
Mexico City Airport or Meet at La Aurora International
Airport in Guatemala. Transportation to Antigua
Guatemala from Guatemala City. Check into our hotel.

 
  Hotel in Antigua
 
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DAY 2 - ANTIGUA  |  Cultural Tour & Processions
   
 

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel we’ll have a guided cultural tour of Antigua visiting the magnificent churches, ruins and museums that combined with the old cobbled streets keep the stories and legends of colonial times. We will be visiting 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.

 
  Hotel in Antigua
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 3 - ANTIGUA  |  Nature, Shopping, and Sawdust Carpets
   
 

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

 
  Hotel in Antigua
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 4 - ANTIGUA  |  Finca El Pilar & Free Afternoon in Antigua
   
 

After enjoying breakfast at or hotel depart for Finca El Pilar located 10 minutes away from Antigua. This private area protects habitat 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, and then return for lunch at a local restaurant in Antigua. Free afternoon for shopping or relaxing.

 
  Hotel in Antigua
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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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.

 
  Hotel in Quetzaltenango
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 6 - ZUNIL  |  Fuentes Georginas & Indigenous Market of Zunil
   
 

Morning birdwatching in the humid sub-tropical forest at Fuentes Georginas. Target birds: Wine-throated and Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Cinnamon-bellied flower piercing, Mexican violetear and Guatemalan Pigmy Owl. Midday visit to Zunil, Almolonga and Quetzaltenango. Afternoon transfer to our hotel in Panajachel.

 
  Hotel in Panajachel
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 7 - PATULUL  |  Los Tarrales or Santa Catarina Palopó
   
 

Early depart for Los Tarrales Natural Preserve in Patulul, breakfast at the reserve, and then hike in the quest of the Azure-rumped tanager, Rufous Sabrewing, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Tody Motmot, Quails and doves among other species of the highlands. 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.

 
  Hotel in Panajachel
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 8 - ATITLAN  |  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 village of San Juan La Laguna 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.

 
  Hotel Atitlan, Panajachel
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 9 - ATITLAN  |  San Buenaventura & Guatemala City
   
 

Morning birding at San Buenaventura, Atitlan.
Afternoon transfer to Guatemala City, check into our hotel, and then depart to visit the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing.

 
  Hotel in Guatemala City
  Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
 
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DAY 10 - DEPART GUATEMALA CITY
   
 

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

 
  Meals: Breakfast
 

 

WHAT TO TAKE

 
     
  Bring an official ID such as your current Passport and/or INAPAM ID if you have one.
  Water bottle or small canteen, which can be filled up with purified water in the hotel.
  Binoculars.
  Camera
  Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
  Rain gear.
  Day pack.
  Light-weight walking/ hiking shoes.
  A fleece garment can be useful in case of chilly mornings.
  Umbrella and rain gear 
  Hiking sticks
  Insect repellent
  Day pack
  Light-weight walking/hiking shoes 
  A fleece garment can be useful in case of chilly mornings.
  We recommend packing your binoculars, toiletries and travel documents in your day pack.
   A supply of resealable plastic storage bags can be very handy for storing food items from the breakfast, to be used as mid-morning snacks.
 

Tour Map

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Click map for bigger image
 
 

Tour Cost

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$

  Price per person, double occupancy.
For a single-room, add:
 

$

     
 
INCLUDES:
  English-Speaking Tour Leader and Local Guides
  Hand-Picked Accommodations
  Full Breakfast Daily and Lunches on Select Days
  Private sightseeing (including all entrance fees) as outlined in the itinerary
  Comfortable private transportation with driver
  Guatemala Airport Meet and Greet with Hotel Transfers
  Guaranteed Departures with Just Four Guests
  Small group experience: 8 travelers
     
 

Physical Demand

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  LEVEL 3
  Includes Level 2 plus: Walking or hiking modest uphill/downhill unimproved / dirt trails for up to four hours at a time. Or walking in urban or rural settings with significant stair climbing.

Click here for a description of all activity levels.
 

 

Further info.line

 
.   Travel Physical Demands
.   Reservations
.   Payment Options
.   Cancellations
.   Trip Insurance