Top Western Highlands Full-day Tours

We will travel in the world of the indigenous Tz'utujile Mayans, we will walk through the streets of the towns of San Juan, San Pedro and Santiago Atitlán where we will learn about their culture, art and lifestyle. We will also carry out short workshops on local products in the following places of interest such as the Mayan bee world, the artisanal chocolate factory, and the women weavers' textile store. We will visit the local Catholic churches of each town, its squares or street markets to learn about its history. Don't miss this authentic experience.

Immerse yourself in the ancient rituals and colorful culture of the Mayans during this 7-hour trip to Chichicastenango and its famous market. Discover the wealth of handicrafts, produce, herbal medicines and more for sale at this traditional indigenous market. Then spend time exploring the town’s museums, cemetery, colorful murals and Mayan heritage, including a chance to observe a Fire Cleansing Ceremony performed by a local shaman. Your trip also covers round-trip hotel transport from Panjachel.

The giant of the lake, with its stunning view of the lake and surrounding areas, offers a great experience for those who want to feel challenged and rewarded at the same time. Summit the peak and see nothing else but volcanic rock and amazing 360 vistas of the region. The perfect place to learn about the birth of Lake Atitlán, a violent history of volcanic eruptions dating back to 11 million years ago. Gaze at the starry night as it blends with the towns’ lights and sparks peace and joy.

Veer from the well-trodden tourist path and discover traditional Mayan culture on a full-day tour from Antigua. Round-trip transportation from your hotel spares you the white-knuckled stress of riding on a public bus. Together with your guide, visit three Mayan villages and learn about the unique way of life from the people who live there. The excursion also includes some of Guatemala’s natural beauty, with a boat ride around Lake Atitlan.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of Quetzaltenango, and then the soothing hot waters of Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs, on this 10-hour day trip. Start with an exploration of the historic architecture and top attractions of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second-largest city. Then soak away your aches and cares in the therapeutic geothermal waters of Fuentes Georginas, where you can relax and rejuvenate in a series of outdoor pools of varying temperatures. Your trip also includes a guide and round-trip hotel transport.

Enjoy a leisurely, laid-back, 3-hour cycling trip amidst the idyllic mountain villages near Panjachel. Spend most of your trip pedaling downhill, soaking up scenic views of Lake Atitlan, quiet rural roads and the tiny indigenous towns of Godinez and San Andres Semetabaj. With more than 98% of your cycling trip on downhill terrain, it’s a chill, easy, way to see a lot of scenery with minimal effort. Your ride includes a guide, bike and transport to the cycling start point.

Embark on an adventurous day hike up the Toliman Volcano, known for its majestic peaks, lush forests, and an imploded crater. Commencing from the Santiago Atitlán market, the trail leads through maize plantations and into the tropical rainforest, providing a comprehensive and challenging experience. Discover the region's ecosystems and their vital contributions to local subsistence. Note: this tour is recommended for those with a strong fitness level.

Board your air-conditioned transportation for the approximately two and a half-hour guided drive to the highlands of Guatemala and Lake Atitlan. Located at over 4,000 feet above sea level, the lake is over 1,000 feet deep and is surrounded by three very impressive volcanoes. The lake itself was formed after the last eruption 85,000 years ago. Once at the lake board a boat to take you to explore the most indigenous village known as San Juan La Laguna. There meet local artisans famous for making hand made textiles. After lunch board your boat again to connect with your land transportation and head back to Port Quetzal.

Hike your way to the top of Atitlan Volcano at your own pace on a private 1-day trek departing from Lake Atitlan. This tour is perfect for active travelers ready to explore the Guatemalan wilderness. With a local guide accompanying you throughout, concerns about wrong turns or language barriers are eliminated. Revel in unparalleled views of surrounding villages, volcanoes, and Lake Atitlan from the summit.

Panajachel is a great place to start a journey to the stunningly beautiful and culturally vibrant Chichicastenango. Located only a short drive away through the breathtaking natural landscapes of the western highlands of Guatemala, Chichicastenango is home to the famous Santo Tomas Church, an iconic colonial structure with bright white walls and stairs at its base where many devotees burn incense, bring flowers, and show their gratitude. Upon arriving in Chichicastenango, you will be amazed by the number of colors, textiles, street traditional food, and all kinds of sales in the market. We will visit the indoor and outdoor market, make stops to buy if you wish, and learn about the great history of this market, its people, its traditions, and its religion. Afterward, we will visit the Santo Tomas Church, and at the end of the day, we will go to the Pascual Abaj Hill, where if we are lucky, we´ll see a traditional Mayan ceremony.

Immerse yourself in traditional Mayan culture during an overnight homestay near Panajachel. The 15-hour experience is a great way to help support local communities in Guatemala. Your hosts, who are part of the Kakchiquel group, are happy to show you around the village and introduce you to their customs. In addition to one night of accommodation, you also enjoy a traditional breakfast and dinner prepared by your host mother.

Traveling by mountain bike is a challenging and adventurous way to visit parts of Lake Atitlan that are all too easily overlooked when visiting by boat or car. Follow your guide down rugged mountain paths en route to an epic sunset spot at the Mario Mendez Montenegro Mirador in Godinez—chances are, you’ll be the only people there.

The locals of the area claim that Lake Atitlan is a location brimming with good energy. Currently, both indigenous and non-indigenous people value this good energy. This will be of great interest to you if you're searching for a different activity to do on the lake. Imagine doing yoga in the middle of a forest with stunning lake views, and you can also participate in a ceremony or workshop that will nourish your mind and spirit. Depending on the day you go, it will be the ceremony or workshop you will participate in. You can take part in a ritual involving cacao, sound, temazcal, or something else. To engage the community in our activities, we will provide you with a delicious vegetarian brunch that will be served by neighborhood residents who work with us. We are confident that you won't want to skip this tour. You can leave this exercise feeling renewed and full of positive energy.

Guatemala is a megadiverse country as well as a multi-ethnic one as we hold more than 22 ethnicities. Guatemala is mostly Mayan, and if you are on the West side of the country, this is not the exception. During your visit to Xela, don´t miss the chance to visit one of the most important spots: Fuentes Georginas, natural hot springs located at the base of Zunil Volcano. Enjoy paradise submerged in hot relaxing water while appreciating the calmness and sweet sounds of nature. Also, visit 2 Mayan towns, learn about their language, traditional clothing, and traditions, and visit their nation-acclaimed vegetables markets. And as icing on the cake, visit an artisanal blown glass factory, where they only use recycled materials, help the community, and work all together as one. Learn about this type of art where they create tableware, as well as house and office ornaments based on glass. Don´t miss this chance to take a diverse, relaxing, and cultural tour, all in one.

The Volcano and Lagoon of Chicabal are a must on your visit to Xela. Go on this easy hike and visit the volcano´s crater full of water, now considered a sacred place for the Mayans. In Guatemala, there are only two volcanoes with a lagoon on their crater, and this is one of them. Many Mayans come to the crater lagoon to practice ceremonies, have direct communication with their ancestors and gods, and be surrounded by nature. Because this is considered a sacred place, it is not permitted to swim in the lagoon, however, you will appreciate up close the Mayan beliefs whether you see a ceremony or not. If you don´t see one, you will not miss the chance to see all the bouquets on the shore, left there by people as offerings or to say thanks for a favor answered. This is an all-included package, so you don´t have to worry about your transportation, entrance tickets, tourist guide, lunch, or, anything else. We will coordinate everything for you, so you just enjoy the experience.

During this tour, we will take you to know 3 different towns. You will explore the largest market in Guatemala, will go to the most colorful church, and end the tour by going to a small but lovely town. Each location holds something special that we want to show you and hope you like it as much as we do or even more. The first place to visit will be San Francisco El Alto and its market which is the largest one in Guatemala. Usually, it takes around 6 hours to go through all of it (that is not the case on this tour, we will be there just a fraction of all that time). Then, we will visit the famous church of San Andrés Xecul, an icon of Guatemala and a representation of religious syncretism. In the end, we will visit Salcajá, a small but very charming town with lots of history and beautiful places to visit. This is a tour you don´t want to miss, so reserve your ticket, and we will take you to one of the greatest traveling experiences of them all.

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Guatemala's natural wonders with our Wellness Tour in Xela. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and indulge in a day of serenity, self-discovery, and well-being. Engage in guided activities amidst lush landscapes, choosing from the enchanting Totonicapán Magical Forest, the warmth of Quetzaltenango's Coffee Farms, or the extraordinary adventure of Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon. Experience the therapeutic benefits of guided meditation, yoga, and stretching amidst the tranquility of nature. Select your ideal escape: Totonicapán Magical Forest or Quetzaltenango's Coffee Farms at the same price, or opt for the extraordinary Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon for a slightly different rate. Customize your Wellness Tour experience at the time of booking. To ensure your experience is seamless and extraordinary, kindly make your reservation at least 72 hours in advance. We look forward to crafting a memorable journey just for you. Thank you!

Visit an archeological site + one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Guatemala and a small town, all in one day with the best company by your side. Our first stop will be the archeological site of Zaculeu, known for its restored ruins. This place belonged to the Mam Mayan kingdom but was conquered by the Spanish and their allies in 1525 after an intense war. Then we will visit El Mirador Juan Dieguez Olaverri. Get amazed by all the beauty surrounding this place. This is one of the highest points in Guatemala and has some of the best views. There is an abandoned country house in the mountain, and it is a great stop for a picture, as well as the views of the entire valley. Lastly, don´t miss the chance to visit a small town in between Zaculeu and El Mirador Juan Dieguez Olaverri, it is a picturesque town that you will definitely like. This is the perfect circuit if you´re looking to do different activities in one day.