Guatemala Simply Adventure

Day 1:  Tuesday - Arrive Guatemala City airport where our Guatemala partners meet and transfer you to the Casa de la Familia Hotel for overnight accommodation - You will pay USD 30 directly to the hotel for this day's airport pickup and accommodation service.
Day 2: Wednesday: Early morning departure heading south of Guatemala City to the archaeological site of El Baul and La Democracia. At El Baul you will see an assortment of pre-Columbian statues; a begging jaguar and his humanoid partner; a squatting Olmecoid figure. Stop off the beaten path to see a huge head of a grinning idol. Proceed to the town of La Democracia where you will see gigantic sombre stone heads lining the central park and although little is know of these colossal sculptures, each one is chiseled from a single boulder. Afternoon transfer to Chichicastenango for overnight at the Mayan Inn.

Day 3:Thursday: Today is market day at Chichicastenango (Chichi�) and the village streets are transformed into a massive, colorful array of stalls piled high with goods for sale. Nowhere else in Guatemala will you find such a wealth of handicrafts, blankets, belts, masks, clay pots, gourds, machetes and locally grown vegetables. After market shopping, usually late afternoon, transfer to Quetzaltenango which is Guatemala's second largest city  also known as Xela by the local population. Overnight at the Pension Bonifaz.

Day 4: Friday: Morning departure for Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, the world's most beautiful lake�. En route you will visit the quaint village of Zunil and its enclosed market where thousands of items are spread out over the earthen floor and tended by family members. You will also visit the open-air animal market of San Francisco El Alto and the Church of San Andres Xecul while passing through the beautiful Valley of Almolonga. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan.

Day 5: Saturday: Morning launch excursion to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitlan, the ancient capital and religious center of the Tzutuhiles. Santiago's market stretches from street to street and it is here where you'll see Maximon, a mysterious religious idol, being closely watched over by an entourage of confradias -  a group of men assigned the responsibility of protecting the idol. Look for the exquisite cortes and huipiles worn by the woman of the village. Afternoon transfer to the Colonial city of Antigua for overnight at the Casa Santo Domongo Hotel.

Day 6: Sunday: Morning tour of Antigua which was founded by the Spaniards in 1543. The city is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored Colonial buildings, stylish arcades, cobbled streets and a festive market area. Places to be visited include: La Conception (the first convent for women in Antigua); the Palace of the Captains General (built in 1776 as a residence of the governor then called Captain General); the Church of San Francisco built in 1579 and originally used by students to study theology, philosophy, canonical law, mathematics and physics. If time permits, before re turning to Guatemala City, you will stop off at the Jade factory where jade is cut, polished and made into fine jewelry.

Tour Ends: Tour company drops you at the Casa de la Familia hotel or any hotel of your choice in Guatemala city. You will cater for your overnight accommodation and meals at the hotel on this night plus transfer to the bus station or airport the next day.

Day 7: Monday: Those taking one week end the stay on this day. Those taking two weeks board a public bus with the help of our Guatemala City contact and transfer to Quezaltenango. Afternoon reception by Guatemala staff and placement with host family.
Day 8: Tuesday: Introduction to reforestation project and start of project.
Day  9 - 12: Continue to volunteer with reforestation project. Weekends are free.
Day 13: Evaluation of the reforestation volunteer work in the morning, afternoon is free.
Day 14: Program Ends at 10 AM. Farewell to host family and country coordinator. Those staying for more than two weeks proceed to extended volunteering , study abroad, or internship placement in Guatemala.