Join us on an incredible 9-day journey through the modern, the colonial, and the Mayan culture from centuries past – Guatemala! Discover some of its most iconic destinations, immerse in its rich culture, and meet the incredible indigenous artisans behind these beautiful and unique handmade products. 

This “behind-the-scenes” & “hands-on experience” - normally inaccessible to the mere traveler - is only made possible through the graceful guile of How To Make A Nation founders Randy, Chima, Diego, and Emeka!.  Randy, Chima, Diego, Emeka, and our seasoned team of professional and gregarious Guatemalan travel gurus will guide you every step of the way.  Our lodging will be amazing, the views spectacular, and the people charming; our adventures extraordinary and the memories will last a lifetime! Check out the general trip details here and secure your spot!

Please refer to our Guatemala Experience - Information Page to view additional information about this trip such as contact details of our tour directors, testimonials & reviews, frequently asked questions (FAQ's), and more...

"This trip is designed to provide a path for your pursuit of new perspective, growth, insight, and sense of self while discovering amazing destinations. See first-hand how these gifted artists create unique & culturally-significant handmade products". Diego Cerezo - Tour Leader

Arrive at Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport. Our tour leaders will meet & greet you and then transfer you to your hotel.  In the evening, join us for a private dinner to celebrate the start of the trip and get to know your fellow travel companions and tour leaders. *Meals: Dinner included.

Lodging in Guatemala City

We kick off the experience today with a half-day guided tour of Guatemala City - a metropolitan area of 4 million people - includes a ̈hop-on ̈ ̈hop off ̈ scenic ride through Guatemala City ́s most popular areas. Upon completing the tour, we will enjoy a traditional lunch at a Guatemalan restaurant. After lunch, we will head to Guatemala City’s airport, where we will take a 1-hour flight to Peten, in northern Guatemala.  This region holds a unique historic value for its archaeological richness, its fauna, and its biosphere reserve. Its numerous archaeological sites make this region the most important one in the Mayan world. Upon arrival in Petén, we will transfer to our hotel on beautiful Flores Island. Flores Island (Isla de Flores), a town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá is characterized by its colorful terraces with great views and is known as a gateway to nearby Mayan ruins. *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel + lunch during the tour. Dinner at own expense. 

Lodging in Flores, Petén  

Experience a fantastic combination of history + culture today. We begin the day with an awe-inspiring tour of Tikal National Park. The tour of Tikal offers the opportunity to explore one of Guatemala's most amazing archeological sites. Learn about the ancient culture that built these steep-sided temples and plazas and discover the beauty of these pre-Columbian Mayan ruins. We then will head to meet some of the amazing artisans from this region - The Spoonmakers of Peten! This group started in 2002 with four families and has now expanded to a cooperative of 11 families. The group makes beautiful spoons using scraps of tropical hardwoods. The spoons are made entirely by hand using tools such as chisels and sandpaper, and no power tools are used during the process. Get a sneak peek of how these artisans produce their beautiful products. We will have ample time to shop, and upon completing the visit, we will head back to our hotel where you will have free time to explore Flores Island on your own.  *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel + lunch during the tour. Dinner at own expense. 

Lodging in Fores, Petén

Today we say goodbye to the Peten region in northern Guatemala and head to Guatemala’s western highlands. This region is predominantly peopled by the indigenous Maya, who have lived here continuously for the past two thousand years. Maya society, languages, and traditions are markedly different from mainstream Latin American culture, and exploring their bewitchingly beautiful highland home is a highlight of any trip to Guatemala. With stunning mountain scenery yielding colorful market towns and whitewashed colonial churches at every turn, you’re spoilt for places to visit. Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlan), surrounded by volcanoes and with its idyllic shores harboring some fascinating villages, is absolutely unmissable. 

In the morning we will take a short flight back to Guatemala City, and then transfer by land to Lake Atitlan. We will stop on route for lunch, and get a sneak peek of the lake at a lookout point.  Lake Atitlan is famous for its truly amazing natural scenery. The clear, deep water of the lake with the three volcanos standing sentinel on one side is an awe-inspiring sight. Upon arrival at Lake Atitlan, relax by the pool in our hotel and enjoy the stunning views! *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel. Lunch + Dinner at your own expense. 

Lodging in Lake Atitlan

Experience a splendid mix of natural wonder & Mayan traditions! Today we will embark on an amazing adventure to discover Lake Atitlan and its surrounding towns. We will transfer by boat from our hotel, and visit different Maya villages along the way. Learn about the daily life, crafts, culture, cuisine, and artistic traditions typical of the Maya people.

First, we will visit the town of San Juan La Laguna for an opportunity for amazing cultural sharing. Learn how this village has embraced its culture and created an artistic Maya hub. See fair trade weaving cooperatives use naturally dyed hand spun cotton, and witness their amazing weaving techniques. Wander the streets and enjoy the rich artistic presence in this fascinating and unique Guatemalan town. The visit is topped off with a traditional meal that we will share with a Mayan family.

We then hop back on our boat and transfer to the town of San Antonio Palopó, a remote hillside village on the shores of Lake Atitlán. This town is famous for its distinctive blue and green handmade ceramics. Meet some of the amazing artisans and learn about the hand-painted pottery tradition of Guatemala’s Kaqchikel people.

We head back to our hotel for time to relax. *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel + Lunch during the tour. Dinner at your own expense.

Lodging in Lake Atitlan

Today we say farewell to Lake Atitlan and the Western Highlands, and drive east to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua Guatemala. Antigua is one of Guatemala’s most visited destinations. A former capital, this small cobbled-stoned town boasts an impressive catalog of colonial relics in a magnificent setting - streetscapes of pastel facades unfold beneath three volcanoes. It’s a vibrant town, with its churches, plazas, and markets throbbing with activity. Outside the city, indigenous communities, coffee plantations, and volcanoes offer ample opportunities for exploration.

In the morning, we will have time to relax at the hotel or do some optional activities. After checkout, we will drive 2.5 hours east to Antigua. Upon arrival, guests will have ample time to explore this unique colonial town on their own. *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel. Lunch + Dinner at your own expense. 

Lodging in Antigua.

Today, we experience another great combination of history & culture! First, we will partake in a guided walking tour of Antigua. Walking the charming streets of Antigua Guatemala while learning about its history and culture is a great way to explore the city. Founded in 1543 and once the third-largest city in all Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, it is today a peaceful, beautiful, and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of colonial churches and monasteries and are surrounded by three majestic volcanoes. We end the tour by hiking up to the lookout point Cerro de la Cruz, which has a magnificent vantage point of Antigua and its surroundings. 

At the lookout point, we will meet our driver and take a quick 20-minute trip to the small town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, famous for its unique textiles. We will witness a presentation on traditional Mayan textiles and traditions; a hands-on experience led by the local women’s artisan cooperative. After the presentation, we will make corn tortillas and coffee the traditional way, and enjoy a traditional Guatemalan dish prepared by the artisans. We will have ample time to shop for souvenirs and then head back to Antigua. *Meals: Includes breakfast at the hotel + Lunch during the tour. Dinner at your own expense.

Lodging in Antigua

First, we will do a guided walk through Antigua’s famous municipal market. Wandering through the colorful and chaotic Mercado is a great way to see the more authentic side of 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. After the market visit, we take a short walk to the bus terminal and hop on a “chicken bus” to travel to the small town of San Miguel Escobar. No trip to Guatemala is complete without experiencing at least a short trip on one of these colorful buses. 

Upon completing the short 10-minute bus trip, we will be greeted by the local coffee artisans and partake in 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 and a traditional meal with the farmer and their family. We then head back to Antigua and end the experience with a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant in Antigua. *Meals: 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, December 11) 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