After breakfast, embark upon a glorious hike of the Pacaya Volcano. Pacaya is an active volcano that rises to an elevation of 2,552 meters and first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago. As you ascend the volcano, enjoy spectacular views of the valley down below and observe two other volcanoes, Agua, and Fuego (active) in the distance.

The hike is graded moderate and will be at a pace that accommodates the entire group (Nanda guests of all ages have completed the hike). If hiking is not for you, no problem, we will have horses available for you to ride!  

We have a special treat lined up for lunch! Your guide will find the perfect spot for you to enjoy a pizza lunch. This is no ordinary pizza and will be cooked fresh in the heat of the hot lava rocks. Relax, take in the views and sip on a beer or wine and enjoy this unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Enjoy some free time to continue your exploration of Antigua before enjoying a Salsa dancing lesson and a welcome dinner at the Welten Restaurant, a local favorite. 

Overnight: Good Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning the group will depart for one of Niños de Guatemala’s schools. The organization provides education to 600 children who otherwise would not have access. Learn about the power of education and how impactful it is to the local community. 

Niños de Guatemala’s Nuestro Futuro School serves nearly 200 children living below the poverty line. You will tour the school and explore how the school is focused on not only traditional education but also recycling, organic growing, and health/nutrition.

Break time starts at 9:30, so the entire group will have a chance to support the mothers in the kitchen to prepare snacks, drinks and hand deliver them to the kids.

Next meet a mother of four children in one of the NDG schools and learn about the art of making a Guatemalan worry doll. This industry is now the main income generation source for 80% of mothers in the San Lorenzo el Cubo community. Make your own traditional worry doll as a souvenir.

Dinner is on your own this evening. 

Overnight: The Good Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

No visit to Guatemala would be complete without riding on a Chicken Bus, the most common mode of public transport across the country. These former U.S. school buses are repaired, modified, and decorated elaborately by the local bus companies. You’ll visit a local workshop to learn how the buses are transformed and how important this industry is to the local community.

This afternoon you will journey to a local village, San Lorenzo, to visit a local woman owned business to learn all about the significance cacao in Guatemala. 

You will meet Carmen, an independent business owner, who will guide you through the coffee process, from tree to cup. Carmen will take you to her family's traditional Guatemalan coffee plantation. After touring the coffee fields, you will learn how to clean, toast, grind and prepare coffee at Carmen's house. She will also show you how to make traditional Guatemalan chocolate, a popular drink with a rich history.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Your private guide will take you on a walking tour of Antigua, a UNESCO world heritage site. Explore Antigua’s beautiful streets and visit the famous and important places in Antigua, including churches, ruins, monuments, the local market, the central park and more. Important highlights of the walking tour include the famous La Merced Church and the Arco de Santa Catalina.

Dinner is at a local organic farm with a view over the whole of Antigua, its surrounding communities with live local live Latin music, so get your dancing shoes on!

Overnight: The Good Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today journey to Lake Atitlán, once referred to as “the closest thing to Eden on earth” by Lonely Planet. Lake Atitlán, a crater lake formed around two million years ago, is nestled between three majestic volcanoes (Atitlán, Tolimán and San Pedro), mountains, and twelve different Mayan villages.

In route you will explore some of the most revered and historically significant Mayan ruins in Iximche. Iximche is a late Post Classic (1250-1525) capital of the Kaqchikel Maya. Its name means “Place of the Maize/Ramon tree”. It is in the Central Guatemalan Highlands at an elevation of around 7,4723 feet/2,277 meters. In common with other Highland Postclassic sites, it is defensively situated on a modified plateau surrounded by deep ravines.

Together you will experience the transformational wonders of the former and first capital of Guatemala in all its architectural and spiritual significance. The site today is considered a pilgrimage and ceremonial site for many Maya, including shamans and aj q’ijab/daykeepers.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.  

Continue your journey to Lake Atitlan and enjoy a tour of the primary town by the lake Panajachel. 

Panajachel is very popular with back-packers from all over the world who are exploring Central and South America. It is a hub for all the local water taxi’s who take travelers to the surround lake villages, most of which are not accessible by car. 

From here you will take a short boat transfer to your lakeside hotel, Santa Catarina where you will enjoy a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Santa Catarina Villa (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, you will visit San Juan La Laguna which is considered one of the more traditional villages around the lake and often referred to as the “Swiss Village” of the lake. San Juan’s population is primarily Tz’utujil Maya and because tourism isn’t developed as much here as in other villages around the lake, it provides for a more authentic Mayan cultural experience. 

You will first visit a local women weavers’ textile cooperative to learn about and participate in the process of ancestral weaving. See how different natural materials including pepper, achiote, coconut shells, tree bark, and other natural products are used to dye the fabric to create stunning natural colors. This village is renowned for its beautiful textiles which are unique and different from anything else you will see in Guatemala. 

Enjoy a light traditional local lunch and visit an art gallery, where you’ll see the beautiful artworks and learn about the techniques used to create them. As you explore the village you will observe beautiful murals painted on the houses and walls – don’t forget your camera!

This afternoon you will explore the bustling local markets, sample delicious fruits, and enjoy traditional Guatemalan foods. Your foodie tour includes more fabulous local chocolate and a cooking class! The markets are also a wonderful place to purchase some local souvenirs. You will find native huipiles, bracelets, handmade leather products including purses as well as shoes, jewelry, and much more.

Return by boat to your lakeside hotel to reflect on your amazing day immersed in the local Mayan culture.

Overnight: Santa Catarina Villa (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

The morning is yours to explore or simply stay and enjoy the lakeside tranquility of your hotel. Following lunch, you will transfer to the Good Hotel Guatemala City where you will enjoy a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Good Hotel Guatemala City 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

While today is a time for goodbyes, we hope it will only be temporary and that you will one day return to Guatemala to deepen your connections and further your explorations of this deeply traditional and warm country.

Meals: Breakfast

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.

Social need in Guatemala:
✓ 59% of the Guatemalan population live below the national poverty line.
✓ 41% are educated to primary level.
✓ 19% are educated to secondary level.
✓ Only 8% are educated to higher education level.

How you will help:
✓ Your participation covers the direct expenses associated with the yearlong education of one student at a Ninos de Guatemala school.

✓ For each night in a Good Hotel, you directly fund 5 days education for a local student
✓ Each half-day of cultural experiences and activities that you participate in funds a nutritious and wholesome snack for 3 students at a Ninos de Guatemala school for one whole month.
✓ By supporting social cooperatives, you’re directly protecting the cultural heritage of indigenous communities.
✓ You will spend a full day giving back at one of Ninos de Guatemala’s schools.

✓ By sharing your passion and knowledge, you will be supporting teachers, students and families.