SAMPLE ITINERARIES

MONTERRICO

Monterrico, a two-road town located directly on a black sand beach and mangrove forest, enjoys a laid-back attitude and unique beach setting. Participants will have the opportunity to visit a loofah farm, learn how to make hammocks from local artisans, relax on the beach, and stay the night at a sea turtle conservatory to help locate and assist baby sea turtles.

ANTIGUA

Surrounded by three striking volcanoes, Antigua is a grid of cobblestone streets lined with pastel facades that hide chic cafes, hotels, language schools, restaurants, and local craft stores. Exploring the streets of Antigua, one will find an abundance of visitors and merchants but will also see women wearing traditional garb, as well as quaint courtyards and crumbling old cathedrals. In addition to exploring the city in a grand scavenger hunt, groups can study Spanish, take dance classes, or climb the Pacaya Volcano, getting close enough to lava to roast a marshmallow.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND HOMESTAY

Santa Clara La Laguna is a small town about 30 minutes up a steep mountain road from Lake Atitlán. Perched high and with sweeping views of Atitlán, Santa Clara has few visitors and is uniquely Guatemalan. The Peace Corps is active in Santa Clara, and because of our unique relationship with this reputable institution, Walking Tree will lend a hand with a variety of projects already begun by local volunteers. Travelers will live with local families and enjoy the day-to-day life of rural Guatemala while improving their Spanish.

LAKE ATITLAN

A contender for one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Lake Atitlán is a longtime highlight of travel in Central America. Visitors are immediately struck by the sheer power of the lake’s ultra-blue water and towering volcanoes that form its shore, but further exploration brings out another type of beauty. Small communities dot the lake offering endless opportunity for exploration; hiking and kayaking are amazing activities in this setting, and while a thriving art scene has brought about an abundance of yoga studios, massage schools, and boutique retreats the traditional Mayan culture remains pervasive. The lake and it’s surrounding communities is certainly a must for any Guatemala visitor.

QUETZALTENANGO

Commonly known as Xela, Quetzaltenango strikes a careful harmony elusive to most Latin American towns: provincial capital of the Western Highlands and authentically Guatemalan, yet not too big, safe and subtly beautiful. Cobblestone streets host great eateries, hotels and plazas, but in far less concentration. Travelers here will never forget they are in Guatemala. Xela is an excellent place to study Spanish because of the great schools and Spanish dominated streets. It is an even better place to explore local volcanoes, natural hot springs, and even a three-day trek to the shores of Atitlán.

LANQUIN AND SEMUC CHAMPEY

The small outpost of Lanquín is located in the lush hills as the Guatemalan highlands fall towards the steamy jungle. A perfect setting for eco-tourism, Lanquín provides access to caves where travelers can take guided spelunking tours. There are opportunities for hiking, crawling, and swimming through caverns filled with unique rock formations, sleeping bats, and subterranean pools and waterfalls. Semuc Champey is a series of cascading turquoise pools filled by the slowed Río Cahabón that begs for a heavenly day of swimming and relaxation.

TIKAL

As the trees clear and Tikal’s principal temple emerges from the jungle at a towering 180 ft, the grandiosity of this mega-city build around 700 AD becomes obvious. Slowly it become easy to imagine Mayan priests honoring one of their gods or women going about their daily chores in one of the many market squares. Tikal perseveres as the most impressive of Mayan archaeology sites and bears witness to the greatness of this ancient empire. Groups can spend one to three days exploring Tikal and the surrounding jungle for an unforgettable experience. There is also the option of visiting a wild animal refuge.