Today we depart Guatemala´s capital and travel by private bus to the western highlands. We will stop on-route to explore the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological site of Iximche.  We then continue our journey northwest to  Huehuetenango, a region known for its picturesque landscapes and most importantly, its world-class Coffee! Of the three non-volcanic regions, Huehuetenango is the highest and driest under cultivation, making it one of the best for coffee production.  Upon arrival, enjoy a private coffee break at  ¨Las Codornices Coffee Farm¨ where we will have an introductory session on Guatemalan Coffee. *Breakfast included at hotel / Lunch & Dinner own expense.  

*Note that it’s Presidents Day on Monday, February 21. 

Lodging in Huehuetenango

Today, we will have insider access and visit a private coffee estate that produces some of the best coffee in the region, ¨Finca Buenos Aires¨.  Enjoy a private hands-on tour led by the owners and learn about coffee, from the plantation to the cup. Start with a walk through the nursery and coffee plantation (tag along and help cut mature coffee beans). Then continue to the wet milling and drying patio where the beans are processed and sorted. Finish the tour in our cupping lab where you will sip some of the best coffee in the world. *Breakfast & Lunch included at the coffee farm / Dinner own expense.

Lodging in Huehuetenango

Today we say farewell to Huehuetenango Coffee and continue our journey south to beautiful Lake Atitlan, located in Guatemala´s highland region. Lake Atitlan is a picturesque lake surrounded by three volcanoes, authentic maya villages, charming people, and yes...coffee plantations! Out of Guatemala´s five volcanic coffee regions, Atitlan´s soil is the richest in organic matter.  Ninety percent of Atitlan coffee is cultivated along the slopes of the volcanoes that dominate the shores of the Lake! Upon arrival at Lake Atitlan, we will enjoy our second private coffee break at  a coffee shop owned by coffee expert Luisa Rodriguez, whom will share her passion of coffee with us over a cup of Java!. You will learn about coffee in Atitlan, and artisanal coffee preparation methods. *Breakfast included at hotel / Lunch & Dinner own expense.

Lodging in Lake Atitlan

Today you will enjoy an awesome combination of coffee and sightseeing! We begin the day by taking a private boat to the town of San Lucas Toliman. Here, we will visit a private coffee estate named ¨Finca Santo Tomas Perdido¨, a family-owned farm that produces coffee, honey, and renewable energy on the mountains of the Atitlan region of Guatemala. We will explore the farm and taste some of the fine Atitlan Coffee they produce!  Upon completing our visit at the coffee plantation, we continue our boat tour to the maya village of Santa Cruz where we will learn more about Lake Atitlan culture, the native people of Guatemala, and their way of life, all while enjoying spectacular views. *Breakfast included at hotel / Lunch included during tour / Dinner own expense.

Lodging in Lake Atitlan

Today we say goodbye to beautiful Lake Atitlan, and continue our journey east to one of the most visited destinations in the country...Antigua! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its colonial past, beautifully restored colonial buildings, and yes, you guessed it, Coffee! Outside the city, Maya communities, coffee plantations and volcanoes offer ample opportunities for exploration.  The Antigua valley is surrounded by three volcanoes. Rich volcanic soil, low humidity, lots of sun, and cool nights characterize the Antigua Coffee region.  Upon arrival, you will partake on a short walking tour, where you will learn about Antigua´s rich history and important landmarks. During the tour, we will stop for a Coffee Break at one of Antigua´s coffee shops, where we will learn more about the coffee in this region.  *Breakfast included at hotel / Lunch & Dinner own expense.

Lodging in Antigua

Today we include a perfect combination of culture & coffee! First, we will walk through Antigua´s market (wandering through the colorful, chaotic Mercado is a great way to see the more authentic side to Antigua. It’s the only market actually aimed at locals, and you can see everything here – from fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish to clothes, shoes and pirated DVDs).  We then hop-on a colorful local bus that will take us to the small town of San Miguel Escobar, located on the outskirts of Antigua and on the side of Agua volcano. Here we will partake on a one-of-a-kind authentic coffee experience.  Led by small-holder coffee farmers, you will experience a day in the life of a farmer. After a short hike up Volcán Agua to see the coffee fields, you will be invited into the farmer's house to learn about and utilize the machinery used to process coffee. The best part comes at the end when you get to roast coffee in the traditional Guatemalan way, over the fire, and share a fresh cup of coffee with the farmer and their family. A Farewell Group Dinner is scheduled for tonight! *Breakfast included at hotel / Lunch included during coffee tour / Dinner included.

Lodging in Antigua

No activities are scheduled for today. Participants have a free day so they can explore on their own. If you scheduled your return flight today (Sunday, February 27) we have included private airport shuttles from Antigua. If you will extend your stay in Guatemala and depart on a later date, you must take into account that only breakfast is included at the hotel today and check-out is scheduled for 11:00 am Sunday. Therefore you must arrange lodging for any additional nights, as well as any other services needed that are not included in the package. 

Trip End - Lodging not Included