Responsible Traveler: Amy Cohen-Philadelphia School Country to visit: Guatemala Tour Dates: May 30th 2020-June 7th 2020 Tour Length: 9 days
GUATEMALA ADVENTURE
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
ABOUT THIS TRIP…
This 9 day journey is a great opportunity for cultural immersion, insight on social challenges and close-up to efforts being made that contribute to the sustainable development of Guatemalan youth and communities. Interact with local artisans, weavers, families, farmers and community leaders. Visit Antigua Guatemala and surroundings, hike Pacaya Volcano, learn Maya traditions and heritage, improve your Spanish and create impact at Sueños.
COMFORT Standard DIFFICULTY Low ACCOMODATION 8 nights of standard accommodation:
8 nights in Antigua Guatemala
*HOTELS MENTIONED IN THIS ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MAY VARY.
TRANSPORTATION Private ground transfers, tuk tuks and pick-up trucks. FOOD All meals included. Try all the guatemalan local delights in the venues we visit. Veggie, Vegan and Gluten-free options are available prior notification.
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
ITINERARY
DAY 1- Arrival in Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua (-/-/D)
Upon arrival at Guatemala City Airport (GUA) we will transfer to our hotel in Antigua Guatemala (1.5 hours approx.) from the city.
After checking in at the hotel, your tour leader will meet you with all tips and recommendations to make the most of your time in Guatemala and answer any questions you may have. Followed by an orientation walk around Antigua and a free evening to relax after your flight and explore the town before heading out to your first dinner together as a group.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venues: Los Tres Tiempos or La Casa de las Sopas
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
DAY 2- Exploring Antigua Guatemala
Today you will be exploring Antigua Guatemala and learning how to move around town. You will enjoy a guided walk in the colorful cobblestone streets of while learning the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will also visit markets, the ruins of San Jose Catedral, La Merced and major highlights of the city.
You will enjoy lunch at “El Rincon Tipico”, a well-known local establishment where you will be able to try the most significant traditional dishes of Guatemala. After lunch, you will walk to Antigua’s most recognized lookout point known as “El Cerro de la Cruz” to enjoy the view from the top of Antigua and surrounding volcanoes.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venues: Tarritos or Rainbow Café
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 3- Spanish 101 & Coffee experience at San Miguel Escobar (B/L/D)
We will begin our day with an introduction at La Unión Spanish School, where we will be spending the next few days taking lessons with local instructors. After our first class, you will take a short transfer (aprox. 15 mins) to the town of San Miguel Escobar in the outskirts of Antigua, you will go to work with coffee farmers, where you will learn all about the coffee production from bean to cup and will enjoy lunch with a local family.
After enjoying lunch in town we will prepare for our first afternoon at Sueños, a non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of marginalized children and providing a safe space of empowerment, learning and coexistence out of the streets of Antigua. The group will divide in half and will have 2 work schedules at the organization. When your group isn’t at work you will have time off to practice your Spanish.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venues: Ta’cool or Cactus
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 4-Worry Doll making in San Antonio Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)
Begin the day with your Spanish lesson, today you will be able to practice your vocabulary with Guatemalan weavers and artisans from the town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. You will take the bus to these colorful village, famous for the intricately complex textiles and handcrafts.
You will visit the local market with a Women’s Artisan Association and they will teach to fabricate your own "Worry Dolls" for you to take back home. You will enjoy a short textile demonstration with the women and a rustic Guatemalan lunch together before heading back to Antigua for your afternoon at Sueños.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venues: 7a Norte or Angie Angie CafeArte
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 5-Eco-cultural Trekk in San Cristobal el Alto (B/L/D)
Enjoy your early morning Spanish lesson before moving to San Cristobal El Alto, known for having the best views of volcanos and villages, this village is also the first garden-town in Guatemala and has many artisan workshops and heritage to be shared.
You will be taking the bus (aprox. 20 mins) before going on a guided eco-cultural trek that will allow you to explore off the beaten path trails until you reach a natural water spring in the middle of the forest, you will also enjoy lunch in the village before heading back to Antigua for an afternoon of work at Sueños.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venue: Las Cheritas Pupusas
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 6-Chicken buses in Ciudad Vieja and San Miguel Dueñas (B/L/D)
After wrapping up your Spanish lesson you will head to the village of Ciudad Vieja to visit a Chicken Bus refurbishing workshop, you will learn all about the transformation and embellishment of the most colorful and used form of transportation in Guatemala.
You will also visit the village of San Miguel Dueñas, where you will enjoy lunch before heading back to Antigua for an afternoon at Sueños. You will have dinner at Las Palmas, where you will be able to enjoy live music and if you’re up for it a salsa lesson with locals.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venue: Las Palmas
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 7-Cooking class in Jocotenango (B/L/D)
Today will be the perfect opportunity to practice your Spanish skills at the local Antigua market. Culinary heritage in Guatemala comes from two streams: Maya and Hispano- Arabe. Antigua is one of the main historical capitals where this fusion of ingredients, techniques and culinary customs that originated our current traditional food took place. You will be buying all the ingredients and local produce for an immersive cooking class and lunch with locals in the village of Jocotenango in the outskirts.
In the afternoon you will head back to Antigua to enjoy your last day of work at Sueños.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venues: Pappy’s BBQ
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 8- Pacaya Volcano Hike (B/L/D)
Enjoy an early típico breakfast and prepare for a hike in one of our most active volcanoes, Pacaya. Located just 1.5 hours away from Antigua, Pacaya Volcano National Park will allow you to come up close to petrified lava, volcanic rocks and impressive views if skies are clear. You will enjoy a pic-nic lunch, visit the Lava Store and will roast marshmellows in the lava.
After the hike, you will head back to back to Antigua to enjoy your afternoon, before your last dinner together as a group.
Accomodation: Posada San Vicente
Suggested Dinner Venue: Saberico
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel
Day 9-Departure day (B/-/-)
Time has come to say goodbye to Guatemala for now and head home. 3 hours ahead of your flight you will transfer from your hotel to GUA airport for your departure flight.
END OF SERVICES
Etnica Travel 5ta Calle 16-25 Altos de La Montaña Zona 16,
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 01016. +502-2508-2808 / [email protected] / www.etnicasc.com / FB & Instagram: @EtnicascTravel