The tour begins with a departure from Antigua, followed by an approximately three-hour scenic drive through the mountains. Upon arrival in Panajachel, you will enjoy a relaxing break and the opportunity to savour a delicious traditional breakfast at a typical local restaurant located at the end of Santander Street, Panajachel’s main handicraft market area, offering beautiful panoramic views of the lake and its shores.

After the break, the guide will meet you at the same point to provide instructions before boarding a boat. The boat tour will take you across the lake to visit the villages of San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán, according to the day’s itinerary.

In San Juan La Laguna, you will enjoy a guided tour of traditional workshops that preserve ancestral techniques. Local artisans use natural materials such as plants, tree bark, and coconut shells to extract dyes and create vibrant colours for the traditional clothing and handwoven textiles of the Mayan villagers.

In Santiago Atitlán, you will experience the authentic culture of the Mayan Tz’utujil people, also known as Tz’ikin Ja’, meaning “House of the Bird.” During the guided tour, you will learn about traditional women’s dress, including the ceremonial headbelt. You will also visit the Catholic church, where historical accounts of the civil war are written on its walls. Finally, you will have the opportunity to experience the spiritual tradition of Maximón, a revered Mayan deity, at a special ceremonial house.

After an unforgettable boat trip and village visits, you will return to the same meeting point in Panajachel to board the minivan for the return journey to Antigua, with another approximately 3-hour drive