Join us and take a tour around the most important towns that surround Lake Atitlan. Lake Atitlan is often called "One of the most beautiful Lakes in the World”. We will also visit the famous Chichicastenango Handicrafts Market which is only on Thursdays and Sundays. Perfect opportunity to shop for handicraft articles from the local people, and a good way to learn the history of one the most iconic sites in Guatemala.
Day 1. You will be picked up at 8:00 in the morning to make the direct 2 1/2 hour drive to the beauty and charm of Lake Atitlan. I provide an opportunity to experience Atitlan in a unique way utilizing one of our greatest natural resources. On the shores of Lake Atitlan you will find the Nature Reserve of San Buenaventura. This Nature Reserve occupies half the valley of San Buenaventura in Panajachel. The shores of Lake Atitlán has more than 100 hectares of native forest, protecting and conservation of the natural surroundings in the Lake Atitlán Basin. Upon arriving at the lake we will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to visit Santiago Atitlan & San Juan La Laguna, two ancient Mayan villages. Sleep and eat in Santa Cruz la Laguna.
Day 2. Depart in the morning from your hotel to Chichicastenango (approx. 1 and 20 minutes hr drive). Located at 2500 meters above sea level, this town is famous for its market on Thursdays & Sundays, where spats of traditionally dressed villagers in a kaleidoscope of colors, come to sell their very colorful textiles, fruits, vegetables and flowers. This surely the most colorful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas. The market draw not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells. Also worth a visit is the cemetery and the idol Pascual Abaj. Enjoy the lively market, have lunch at Hotel Santo Tomas or one of the little restaurants throughout the town and return to your hotel to Antigua in the early afternoon.