Guatemala

Mundo Maya Multi-Sport

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Sea Kayaking and Ziplining

(8 Days)

Slide Show

Looking for a quick escape from urban gridlock? The Guatemalan highlands are the perfect playground and they're filled with adventure, nature and culture. This weeklong jaunt combines biking, hiking, sea kayaking and canopy touring through a vast and varied landscape. We travel from the colonial city of Antigua with cobblestone streets and ornate Spanish architecture, to the tranquil Lake Atitlan surrounded by three perfectly cone-shaped volcanoes. We pass through golden highlands, meet Mayans adorned in colourful traditional clothing and overnight in a Mayan home, to experience the true Guatemalan flavor. There’s a thrilling zipline trip planned, gliding through the rainforest canopy on cables and pulleys. The Mayan culture is a living one and we actively experience every aspect of it on this 8-day affair.

Trip Highlights

• Hiking up the active Pacaya Volcano
• Mountain biking through the remote highlands of Alaska
• Optional extension to exploring the Mayan ruins of Tikal

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua

We'll meet at the International Airport in Guatemala City and transfer you to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore or rest for the upcoming adventure. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Antigua.

Day 2: Antigua (Mountain Biking)

After a typical Guatemalan breakfast, we'll have an orientation meeting and safety talk, then get fitted with our bikes. The adventure begins with a warm-up ride exploring the surrounding countryside of Antigua. We'll ride through dusty villages passing friendly Mayans going about their daily lives. We'll carve along trails on the volcano slopes that surround the city. On our return to Antigua, we'll break for lunch, then set out on a walking tour of this colonial city. The remainder of the evening is at leisure to enjoy Antigua's nightlife. (B)

Day 3: Pacaya Volcano (Hiking)

We transfer to Pacaya National Park where we'll scramble as far up this active volcano as we're safely permitted to! Roundtrip, the hike is about 3 hours with an elevation gain of 1650 feet/500 meters. The volcano is alive, and it will be very apparent as we ascend. We'll descend the same path and then return to Antigua. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the interesting streets of Antigua. Overnight at the same hotel. (B,L)

Day 4: Alaska and Totnicapan Homestay (Hiking and Mountain Biking)

This morning we transfer to the remote highland region of Alaska, stopping at the Mayan ruins of Ixmiche en-route. Be prepared to hike and bike amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Guatemala today. We'll carve through the Alaska Mountain range along narrow paths and trails with striking views of cone shaped volcanoes and the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlan. As we near the end of the ride we have a fabulous stretch of high-octane downhill thrills that leads to the highland village of Totonicapan. We'll arrive in time to visit a local artesian workshop before we head to our homestay, where we’ll overnight with a Mayan family. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Zunil Ridge - Lake Atitlan (Hiking and Mountain Biking)

Today we transfer even deeper into the Guatemalan highlands into the picturesque Zunil mountain range. We'll tramp through highland plateaus and up steep mountain passes where we'll have views of ten volcano peaks at once. We'll also visit a local Quecki family in a remote and dusty village for a weaving presentation. Midday we break for lunch and then switch gears, hopping on bikes for the remainder of the afternoon to continue exploring the area on two wheels. Overnight at a comfortable hotel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. (B,L)

Day 6: Lake Atitlan - Cerro de Oro (Sea Kayaking and Hiking)

We refuel with breakfast, in the hotel restaurant overlooking Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes that rim the lake. Once we’re done, we walk to the lakeshore and slip into our kayaks for a morning of flatwater kayaking. The lake and shores are alive with local fishermen pitching nets into the water, indigenous Maya women hand washing their clothes and men working in the fields donned in red and white embroidered Santiago shorts. We'll paddle to Cerro de Oro were we take out and hike to the summit of this sacred hill. If we're lucky, we'll witness an authentic Mayan ritual in process. Once we've had ample time to admire the view of the volcanoes we'll transfer back to our lodge for a typical lunch. Afterwards, we’ll visit the village of Santiago Atitlan to wander through the lively market and visit their Maya God, " Maximon. " The locals revere and perform rituals in front of him to bring good luck. (B)

Day 7: Chichicastanango - Solola (Canopy Touring and Market Day)

We start the morning with a scenic drive along a country backroad to the site of our thrilling canopy tour. Here we meet our zipline guides, who will gear us up in harnesses, helmets and gloves and instruct us how to blast through the jungle on two cables, with almost 3300 feet/1000 meters of traversing. It’s an exciting ride, sure to inject a dose of adrenaline into your bloodstream! Afterwards, we’ll transfer to the town of Chichicastenango with its famous craft market. Once in Chichi we have time to wander through the market and bargain for crafts such as textiles, masks, jewelry and many other beautiful pieces of artesian. After lunch we transfer back to Antigua and check into a comfortable 3 star hotel for the night. (B)

Day 8: Departure

You will be transferred to the international airport to connect with your international flight back home or onward to Tikal. (B)

Want to dig deeper and extend your vacation? Ask about our 2-day Extension to the Mayan Ruins of Tikal.

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