Guatemala Multi-Sport Tour

An off the beaten track highlight tour of ’s volcanoes and adventure sports!

OVERVIEW

Explore the raw beauty of Guatemala by mountain bike, kayak, and foot. Climb two volcanoes, explore magnificent Lake Atitlan, pedal through colorful villages, and stroll on the cobblestone streets of colonial Antigua. Escape for a perfect week away to reclaim your adventurous side and explore a country steeped in culture and beauty.

AT A GLANCE

 Hike 2 volcanos (1 active)  Bike tour around the Panchoy Valley  Bike and Kayak at the beautiful Lake Atitlan  Experience stunning sunrises from above the clouds  Enjoy relaxing on stunning Lake Atitlan  Spend time in the beautiful cobblestone city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Welcome to Guatemala – Airport Pickup

A shuttle will meet you at the airport with your name on a card. You will meet the driver outside of customs as you exit the building. You will be transferred to your hotel in Antigua, about 45 minutes away. LODGING: Hotel El Carmen, Antigua MEALS: N/A

DAY 2: Bike Tour of Surrounding Villages, Farms, and Ruins

We’ll meet at Old Town at 9 am walk over to where the bikes are stored for sizing and quick gear explanations. Riding to the south we’ll head out of Antigua and onto the base of Agua Volcano. The focus of the ride will be to explore and experience the various towns and villages of the Almolonga Valley. Your guide will make plenty of stops along the way to show off the magnificent churches and Spanish colonial ruins. We’ll also make a visit to an experimental macadamia farm, and through local textile markets. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Beginner level ride, mostly paved route LODGING: Hotel El Carmen, Antigua MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 3: Volcano Day Hike

In the morning we’ll drive out of the Panchoy Valley and through the lowlands of Guatemala’s Pacific slope. An hour’s drive will take us to the base of Pacaya Volcano, where we will begin our warm up hike for the rest of the volcanoes to follow. Pacaya has been one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes since its recorded history begin. It has erupted over 20 times since the Spanish arrived, and has a constantly smoking crater. Arriving below the crater, we will be able to explore the vast dried lava fields and lunar-like landscape. We’ll even toast marshmallows in active heat vents! Returning back to Antigua you will have the evening free to stroll through the streets and enjoy the many markets, cafes, restaurants and bars that make Antigua such a great fun city. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Beginner to moderate hike, 1.5-2 hour climb, ~400 mtr elevation gain LODGING: Hotel El Carmen, Antigua MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic)

DAY 4: Lake Atitlan Multisport Day 1

The Pedal and Paddle tour is one of the best adventure tours in ! In day one of our signature tour, we’ll jump back on bikes and drop about 2000ft while taking in one of a kind views of Lake Atitlan and its surrounding volcanoes. After a picnic lunch at a lookout point, we’ll roll into the lakeside town of Panajachel where we’ll have some time to explore the markets before taking a boat to our lakefront hotel. Our boutique hotel is perched in the cliff-side and only accessible by boats and footpaths. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Both single-track and paved routes are available for the ride LODGING: Hotel La Casa del Mundo MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), Dinner

DAY 5: Lake Atitlan Multisport Day 2

After waking up to gorgeous views of the lake and its towering volcanoes, we’ll begin our morning with the adventure of open-water kayaking on Lake Atitlan’s deep blue-green volcanic waters. Our paddle will take us along the northern shore and beneath the towering hills. After a couple hours on the water, we’ll switch our paddles for our hiking shoes and walk along the cliff- side trails high above the lake. The hike will take us through local towns and complete the spectacular trilogy of viewpoints by bike, kayak, and foot. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Beginner to moderate kayak/hike ~1.5 hr each way LODGING: Hotel El Carmen, Antigua MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: Volcano Overnight Day 1

Our morning begins with a scenic transport up Acatenango’s slopes, and into the small, sleepy mountain village of La Soledad (2390m). Our five-hour hike takes us through a myriad of changing microclimates and provides many scenic views of the surrounding countryside. We will spend the night in our private campsite, bench cut into the side of Acatenango, and overlooking the nearby Fuego Volcano, just 4km away. Fuego is the most constantly erupting volcano in recorded history, and during our night in camp, we will have plenty of time to appreciate the incredible sights and sounds of its eruptions. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Moderate level hike, 4-6 hr climb, ~1200 mtr elevation gain LODGING: Acatenango campsite MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Acatenango Volcano Overnight Day 2

After an early rise to enjoy the sunrise over the Antigua Valley, we will start our last push to Acatenango’s summit (3,975m). We ascend on sand and gravel scree-trail dotted with dwarf pines, taking in incredible views the whole way up. Atop the impressively large summit, we enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views of the entirety of the Guatemalan Highlands, including the peaks that make up the volcanic spine of Guatemala, stretching all the way to Mexico. After our 3.5hr descent, we make our 3.5hr drive to Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala’s second largest city. Arriving to Xela by late afternoon there will time to explore the city and beautiful parquet central before we head off to dinner. ACTIVITY DETAILS: Moderate level hike, 1 hr climb, ~400 mtr gain & ~1600 mtr descent LODGING: Hotel El Carmen, Antigua MEALS: Breakfast,

DAY 8: Departure - Airport Transfer

A shuttle will meet you at your hotel at __am/pm for your transfer back to the airport. LODGING: Your own comfy bed MEALS: N/A

GENERAL INFO:

PORTERS Old Town Outfitters supplies porter(s) to carry the group's kitchen gear and food. Participants will be expected to carry their portion of gear*, personal effects and water on the treks. If clients are interested in porter services we can contract on their behalf a porter(s) to carry their load. Porters can carry up to 40 lbs. or 18 kgs. and cost $25 per way. *Your portion of the tent and bedroll. We will split tents evenly between tent-mates so everyone carries a little bit.