• Antigua, Atitlan & Acatenango Volcano

    Background Notes - Antigua

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  • Antigua, Atitlan & Acatenango Volcano

    Background Notes - Antigua

    Book Now

Adventure Week

Guatemala is a geographically diverse country. As well as spanning the centre of central America with a foot in both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, a string of 35 majestic volcanos runs through the middle of the country including 3 active volcanos. Next door lies El Salvador and her most important national park, ‘El Imposible’ bursting with coffee plantations, indigenous crops and natural wildlife.

We would like to take you on an adventure to discover these areas; to enjoy the bio diversity and natural wonders of central America including the Mayan legacy.

Our road trip to Antigua takes place during the 4th week each month.

Antigua & Atitlan & Acatenango Volcano

Monday: Early morning departure for Antigua, arriving mid morning. Walking tour around Antigua including Mercado Artesanal, ruins of the old city, and up to nearby viewing point ‘Mirador’ with spectacular views across the city and magnificent volcanoes.

There there are many internet and banking facilities in Antigua as well as great restaurants and bars; the ‘tourism’ capital of Guatemala and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Antigua.

Tuesday: Early morning we take a combination of road transport and boats to explore Mayan villages (Panajachel, Santa Cruz & San Marcos) along the shores of Lago Atitlan – the heart of Mayan culture. Here we are close to the essence of the Highlands and what the Guatemalan soul is!

Lake Atitlan is a place of natural beauty that is hard to encounter anywhere. It is surrounded with three big volcanoes, capturing the imagination of many generations of visitors. Overnight Atitlan.

Wednesday: Continue our exploration of Lago Atitlan with option for yoga or kayaking, visit San Pedro for lunch and return to Antigua late afternoon. Pre-trip briefing for our next adventure – an overnight hiking expedition to Acatenango volcano – including what to pack and what to expect, as well as answer any last-minute questions you might have. Overnight Antigua.

Thursday: At 07:30 we depart Antigua for a comfortable one-hour drive to San Jose de las Calderas where we have breakfast, pack our lunch, organise extra warm clothes and have our final briefing. We then continue by road for about 15 minutes to the Acatenango trailhead, at the Mayan village of Soledad. Climbing Antigua’s remarkable Acatenango volcano, which towers above the landscape at nearly 4,000 meters, is undoubtedly at the top of the bucket list for most adventure travelers in Guatemala.

Aside from providing panoramic views of the entire region, Acatenango gives hikers a birds-eye-view of nearby (and very active!) Fuego volcano which has been erupting on a near constant basis since colonial times.

We hike through four micro climates stopping for lunch en route, and arrive at a campsite looking directly over Fuego volcano where we overnight spending time gasping at volcanic activity and staring into a mesmerizing sky full of stars.

Friday: Waking up very early at 04:00 we begin a 45-minute ascent up to Acatenango’s summit, a steep but rewarding climb through dwarf pine trees and gravel scree that leads to the top of the world. Once on the summit, guests will find 360-degree views of Fuego volcano, the Antigua Valley and the distant Guatemalan highlands that stretch all the way to the border of Mexico.

We then begin a three-hour descent back down the volcano, arriving to La Soledad and our waiting transportation mid-day. We return to Antigua by early afternoon for a refreshing shower with plenty of time for a celebratory beer, cappuccino or siesta… well done! Overnight Antigua.

Saturday: Breakfast and local markets for last minute souvenir shopping before taking Chicken Bus back to Monterrico.

Program Price

Cost of 2 week program USD 845 / EURO 750

Cost of 4 week program USD 1,580 / EURO 1,420

Weekly price includes accommodation (private at homestay Antigua, shared ‘single sex’ rest of the time), meals (3 meals daily at homestay Antigua, breakfast & lunch rest of the time), Spanish lessons, guided excursions and activities, volunteer activities, inland transfers and other activities described above.

Private airport transfer from Guatemala to Antigua USD 40 / EURO 35

Cost of extra night – accommodation & breakfast USD 30 / EURO 25

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Start Dates

Two Week Program Start Dates 2019: 01-Sep, 15-Sep, 06-Oct, 20-Oct, 03-Nov, 17-Nov, 01-Dec, 15-Dec Start Dates 2020: 19-Jan, 02-Feb, 16-Feb, 01-Mar, 15-Mar, 07-Jun, 21-Jun, 05-Jul, 19-Jul, 02-Aug, 16-Aug, 06-Sep, 20- Sep, 04-Oct, 18-Oct, 01-Nov, 15-Nov, 06-Dec

Four Week Program  Start Dates 2019: 20-Oct, 17-Nov Start Dates 2020: 19-Jan, 16-Feb, 19-Jul, 20-Sep, 18-Oct

NOTE : though program start date is Sunday you are welcome to arrive early and prepay for extra nights. We are open 365 days a year! Arrival and departure day is Sunday but you are welcome to arrive Saturday or earlier and pay for extra nights as required. The program starts in Antigua and finishes in Antigua (2 week program starting 3rd Sunday of the month) OR starts in Monterrico and finishes in El Tunco (2 week program starting 1st Sunday of the month) OR starts in Antigua and finishes in El Tunco (4 week program).

Getting Here

Guatemala City’s ‘Aeropuerto La Aurora’ (GUA) is the country’s major international airport. There are direct flights from the USA and Europe with a variety of airlines, as well many connections to other Central and South American countries.

To get to Antigua, you can either book a prepaid private taxi transfer with us OR you can take a shuttle bus service for Q80 (around $12 – look for the kiosk just before you leave the terminal building). You may have to wait a while for the shuttle bus to fill up before departure but they will generally take you to your nominated address in Antigua. Transfer time about 1+ hour.

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To book now or simply let us know that you are interested in learning more about this program, please send us a message today. We will usually get back to you within 24 hours.

We have fixed start dates but you are welcome to arrive a day or so early, or extend after program ends, if this helps to optimise your travel plans. We look forward to hearing from you!

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