Encounters in the Highlands
Among volcanoes and thousand-year-old traditions, an authentic immersion among the Mayan peoples of Guatemala's Highlands
Duration
15 days
From
€1,485/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Solo, Couple, With friends
The spirit of travel
This itinerary takes you to the Highlands of Guatemala. We invite you to meet remote Maya communities and discover a country steeped in tradition. A circuit designed for travelers seeking immersion with local populations and wishing to discover traditions, the daily life of different families, their history, far from conventional tourist routes.
You will be hosted with local families and in very simple hotels. This circuit requires a certain open-mindedness, curiosity and a desire to step out of your comfort zone. Meeting and sharing are at the heart of this immersion journey.
During this adventure, you will discover preserved territories where ancestral customs still govern the lives of residents. You will participate in privileged moments with host families, sharing their daily life, their meals and their know-how. Craft workshops, cultural exchanges and local experiences will enrich your understanding of Maya culture. Each stage will be an invitation to slow down, observe and create genuine connections with the communities you meet. An authentic journey that prioritizes human connection, discovery and emotion.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Guatemala
Airport pickup at Aurora airport, in Ciudad de Guatemala and transfer to your hotel.
Lake Atitlan – Villages of the Palopos and Meeting with the Tzutujil Maya of San Juan la Laguna
From Guatemala City
Route to Santa Catarina
Driving
From Santa Catarina to San Antonio Palopo, on the shores of Lake Atitlan, magnificent colorful frescoes have been painted on the houses of this first village.
The second one, for its part, almost has a Mediterranean feel. We discover a ceramic painting workshop, a specialty of the village.
To Panajachel
We return to Panajachel.
Panajachel → San Juan La Laguna
We embark for the village of San Juan la Laguna.
The afternoon will be dedicated to meeting Tzutujil Maya men and women and their daily activities: coffee farmers, medicinal plant growers, weavers… This village, which has chosen to organize itself into cooperatives to preserve its ancestral traditions, allows you to discover the richness of Maya culture.
Lake Atitlan - villages and sharing at Santiago Atitlan
Day of encounters in different villages around Lake Atitlan: fishermen, coffee producers, artisans, weavers... We take you to discover the Tzutujil and Kaqchikel Maya peoples of the lake's shores, and more particularly the village of Santiago Atitlan: an immersion in the daily life of the inhabitants. Travel is by private boat.
Lake Atitlan – Santa Cruz la Laguna
San Juan La Laguna → Santa Cruz la Laguna
Continuing our encounters around the lake, we head out on foot or by boat depending on your preferences, to discover the village of Santa Cruz, perched on a cliff face. The panoramic views of the lake and volcanoes are magnificent and we offer you various activities to enjoy with the village inhabitants: hiking, weaving classes, kayaking... Possibility to relax in a Mayan sauna (temascal) at the end of the day if you wish.
Chichicastenango and the Ixil Region
Santa Cruz la Laguna → Panajachel
In the morning, we head to the village of Panajachel then we take the road to Nebaj, capital of the Ixil region
Along the way, we stop at the village of Chichicastenango, where we meet Sebastiana, a shaman medicine woman, who treats her community with medicinal plants. Sebastiana received her training from her mother and humbly perpetuates the traditions of her ancestors. She is regularly invited to international events on traditional medicine.
We then continue our journey to the Ixil region. The Ixil region is isolated and has thus been able to preserve its traditions. It is also one of the regions that experienced the strongest repression during the civil war that affected the country from 1960 to 1996. Mountainous, isolated and rich in traditions, it is opening very slowly to tourism. Very few hotels and tourist activities. Off-the-beaten-path adventure guaranteed!
Ixil Triangle: Nebaj and Acul
This day will be dedicated to meeting the Ixil Maya people of Nebaj and its surroundings, as well as to the rural life of the Acul valley. A former military base camp during the civil war, Acul is today a peaceful village nestled between the surrounding green mountains, where time seems to have stood still. Accessible only by dirt road. Depending on road conditions, the Nebaj-Acul journey is made in a local pick-up or private vehicle.
Night in Nebaj (in a hotel) or Acul (with a local family), depending on availability.
1 hour on dirt road Nebaj – Acul.
Ixil Triangle: San Juan Cotzal
Nebaj → San Juan Cotzal
We head to San juan Cotzal where we are welcomed by Pedro.
Pedro runs a cooperative aimed at developing local economic activity based on weaving, for women who became widows as a result of the armed conflict that affected the country. He takes us to different Ixil Maya families where we can appreciate local life traditions: preparation of corn tortillas, candle making, coffee harvesting, weaving on backstrap looms, preparation of traditional dishes, etc.
Nights in simple hotel or with local families depending on availability, in Cotzal.
Cuchumatanes: Todos Santos
San Juan Cotzal → Todos Santos
Early morning departure on Sunday, as the road to reach the Cuchumatanes region is quite long (but very beautiful and in good condition).
Along the way, stop at the Huehuetenango Viewpoint.
Todos Santos is mainly visited on November 1st for its famous horse race. Outside of this date, the village is very quiet and you can discover the daily life of its inhabitants. Todos Santos is one of the rare villages in the country that preserves traditional clothing for men. The beauty of its costumes, the painted houses and the views of the lush surroundings make Todos Santos an original and striking village.
Encounters in Totonicapán
Departure for Totonicapán. We are welcomed by a local family. Afternoon of meetings with inhabitants of "Toto". Between traditions and economic development, Totonicapán is a small dynamic town rarely visited by tourists and which seeks to preserve its traditions.
Momostenango
From Totonicapán
We are going to Momostenango to visit a traditional workshop for making rugs and blankets.
To Totonicapán
Our host and his family welcome us to their home and introduce us to their work, a tradition they have passed down from generation to generation.
Return to our hosts' home in the afternoon.
San Andres Xecul and Antigua
Totonicapán → San Andrés Xecul
We take to the road for the village of San Andrés Xecul, which sometimes offers travelers who are in the right place at the right time the chance to observe processions marked by uncommon religious syncretism. We visit the impressive church of the village, whose highly colorful facade leaves historians perplexed.
Route to Antigua.
Antigua
A colonial city with colorful streets, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is overlooked by 3 majestic volcanoes. The ruins of numerous colonial and religious buildings give undeniable charm to what was once the country's former capital. It is very pleasant to stroll through Antigua, discover its little cafés and venture into its artisanal markets.
Departure
Antigua → Guatemala City
Transfer to Ciudad de Guatemala International Airport for your return flight.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Meals not mentioned
- Optional activities: kayak, temascal (sauna)
- Beverages and personal purchases
- Tips
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
Included
- 14 nights in the aforementioned accommodations (2-3* hotels and homestays), subject to availability
- Breakfasts with locals on Days 3, 4, 8, 9, 12 and 13
- Lunch at a local's home on days 7, 8 and 12
- Dinners at local homes on days 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, and 12
- Land transfers in private vehicle
- Private boat transfers on Lake Atitlan
- Accompaniment by an English-speaking tour guide from Day 2 to Day 15 inclusive
- The visits of the cooperatives and workshops mentioned
- Entrances to the monasteries and convents of Antigua
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below applies to travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Guatemala for tourism purposes. As entry requirements may change, we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Guatemala, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date into the country and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 90 days upon entry into the territory. Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua: the 90-day duration applies to the entire zone as a whole, not to each country separately. An extension may be requested from the Guatemalan General Immigration Office (Dirección General de Migración).
The authorities may also request:
a return ticket or onward travel itinerary (return flight or continuation),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Entry form
Before your arrival, it may be necessary to complete an entry form established by the Guatemalan authorities. This document allows the transmission of certain information to immigration services necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details
address of your first accommodation in Guatemala
We recommend verifying with the competent authorities or your carrier whether a digital or paper form is required before your departure or upon arrival.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Guatemala from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. However, several vaccinations are recommended as a preventive measure:
typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B,
yellow fever: recommended for travelers heading to tropical low-altitude regions (particularly the forested areas of Petén and the Pacific coast).
Guatemala is a country where malaria is present in certain rural low-altitude areas. It is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure to assess the need for prophylactic treatment. Dengue is also present in the territory.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the country may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence. Furthermore, Guatemalan authorities may request additional documentation when a child travels with only one parent or a third party.
Other nationalities
Entry requirements may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Guatemala in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended that you have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To enter Guatemala, you must hold a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. Under a regional agreement, certain nationalities may stay without a visa. Residency conditions vary depending on your nationality. Before booking your trip, verify the entry requirements applicable to your nationality with the Guatemalan consular authorities or the Guatemala consulate in your country of residence.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 140 and 230 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1,300 euros round trip) are additional. Guatemala is an affordable destination, often combined with Belize or Honduras.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You'll exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You'll receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You'll refine every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Western Highlands
Trail Blazer of Maya Paths, based in Guatemala City
I love seeking out paths that aren't yet in standard itineraries. That's often where Guatemala reveals its most beautiful surprises.
— Jean-François
