One of the most fascinating treks in
Guatemala: From Xela to the most beautiful
lake in the world.
This is a moderate trek. The most difficult
part of the hike are two moderate hills
that each take 3 hours to climb.
However, the experience is extreme, with
splendid views of the volcanoes Santa
María, Tajumulco and Cerro Quemado, which
surround the vast valley of Pa Lajuj Noj,
where Quetzaltenango City, the towns of
Cantel, Almolonga, Zunil and Salcaja are
located.
Afterwards we have a panoramic view of
the mountain cliffs which are close to
indigenous villages. Here we have a football
game with the children of the schools
if they have a break.
At the end of the trip we have the chance
to see the volcanoes: Atitlán, San Pedro,
Tolimán and of course, the crystal clear
waters of the lake.
Itinerary.
Day 1:
7:00 AM. Meet at Ícaro tours office to
have breakfast.
8:00 AM Leave for Xecam in a comfortable
private bus.
8:50 AM Start the hike of approximately
3 hours, then we continue through a vast
valley to the summit of a mountain.
13:00 Have lunch in a viewpoint inside
the cloud forest of Santa Catarina Ixtaguacan.
2:00 PM Descend until we arrive to the
community Xe’Tinamit (which means “below”
in Kiche) Here we always have two options:
Camping in the country or spending the
night with some local families. In both
cases, we have dinner and breakfast with
the families.
The food can be a delicious traditional
dish of ram, prepared specially with a
delicious Guatemalan sauce and a lot of
chili pepper from Cobán (Cobán is famous
to produce the hottest chili in the country).
For breakfast, we have eggs and beans.
7:00 PM Conference given by a legendary
radio personality about community anecdotes.
Day 2:
7:00 AM Breakfast.
8:00 AM Hike through several small crystal
rivers, where we can refresh ourselves
and then rest in the town “Santa Catarina
Ixtaguacan”. Afterwards we descend from
the village until we reach the river Nahualate.
From there we hike about 2 hours in order
to get to the town of Suk’ubal to have
lunch nearby.
By 2:00 PM, we will start a hike that
crosses a small river 14 times. Even though
most of it is flat, we will encounter
some little hills. The last part is steep
and takes about an hour and a half.
Finally we hike to the road where we catch
a public bus which takes us to our shelter,
15 minutes away. At this time it is almost
6:00 PM.
7:00 PM Dinner.
Day 3:
7:00 AM Breakfast.
8:00 AM leave for San Pedro. This is the
last part of the hike, we descend for
about 2 hours, hiking on a trail called
“La nariz del Maya” (“The nose of the
Maya”). 2 hours later we get the “Cristalinas”
(crystal waters), one of the most beautiful
places at the lake. It is almost obligatory
to swim in this place.
Finally we catch a public bus to San Pedro
La Laguna where we celebrate one of the
greatest experiences of communion with
nature and local people.
Note: There are many indigenous owned
saunas during the hike. This is not included
in the price.
Language lesson: Although
the guides speak Kiché, Spanish, and a
bit English, it is very convenient to
have some Spanish vocabulary and some
Kiché Phrases, for this reason Ícaro Tours
in coordination with one of the best Spanish
schools in Guatemala “Celas Maya”, offers
a free lesson of two hours one day before
the trek.
| Trek
Lake Atitlán 3 days. |
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Customer |
Price |
Credit
card |
Dollars |
Private Transportation |
Private Transportation US$ |
| Customer |
1 |
Q2100 |
819 |
$103 |
Q1580 |
$208 |
| Customer |
2 |
Q1500 |
556 |
$70 |
Q930 |
$122 |
| Customer |
3 |
Q1000 |
464 |
$58 |
Q709 |
$93 |
| Customer |
4 |
Q610 |
415 |
$52 |
Q595 |
$78 |
| Customer |
5 or more |
Q600 |
389 |
$49 |
Q531 |
$70 |
What is included in the price?
Camping equipment: tent, mattress and sleeping
bag.
Three meals for the first and second day
and one for the third.
Transportation and
Guides.
Tips and costs from accidents or sicknesses
are not included.
Besides: For those who
stay in San Pedro la Laguna and need luggage
transportation the cost is US$8 and US$10
for those who go back to Xela.
The payment is in advance and we don’t refund
it 3 days before the trek.
What do you need?
Flashlight, chocolate bars, sun cream, boots
and a hat.
