Just a precautionary measure, our guides assured us: in more than ten years of treks, nothing had happened. Stay with local families, eat traditional Guatemalan food and arrive at the bustling lakeside town of San Pedro La Laguna. A Perfect Guatemala Itinerary In 10 Days, 2 Weeks Or 3 Weeks This almost felt surreal, and it wasnt even the highlight of the three day trek. We hope to reach this town at noon. -Note 3: Food > we can provide participants with vegetarian food. Minerva Terminal Market is one of the biggest markets in Xela. Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities and the programs and products provided under the Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities brand are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities uses the Marriott marks under license from Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. When visiting the Minerva Market, be careful with your belongings because pickpockets are common there, especially if you are the only foreigner in the entire market! A sacred lake to the local Mayan people, it is not uncommon to see traditional rituals and practices on the weekends. In particular, we provide cultural immersion and special tours. Ill soon be posting a more practical guide to the hike so if youre thinking of taking up the challenge be sure to subscribe to the blog so that you dont miss it! This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). In spite of that, we were still able tomarvel at the amazing landscapes we saw throughout this day, specially around the town of Pacorral 2(yes, it has a two on its name),where we were able to see the volcanos around Lake Atitlnour final destination. 2019 The Arcae Project. 3-Day Trek From Xela to Lake Atitlan Visit Some of The Best Guatemala Markets 5. Quetzaltenango AKA Xela is a city in Guatemala's western highlands. It was still pitch black when we arrived, with the only light being the slight glows from the lakeside villages. Once the sun had peaked out from over the horizon and the colours stopped shifting as much, we sat down for breakfast. Where my fellow travellers were performing awkward moves to change into swimming gear without being seen naked, I could just take off all my clothes within the blink of an eye, just as my female companion who was joining me into the Guatemalan sauna.No sexual attraction anywhere near. Featuring daily classes of various difficulties, visitors are bound to find something they like. It is one of the most famous volcanoes in Guatemala not because of its height, but because of its sacredness to the indigenous people. Spanish Tutoring online for Middle and High School Spanish for Retirees in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Our Guata-mama made us some of the most delicious Guatemala cuisine (as well as hell-inducing spicy salsa). We were also carrying our own sleeping gear, though that one sleeping bag was barely noticeable. Hike Volcan Santiaguiatos Cone in Guatemala. They are located in Casa Argentina. It is 12,375 feet (3,772 m) above sea level. bag. (I ended up crawling back just two months later, but thats another story, for another time.) Delicious home-cooked traditional dinner, 4:30 a.m. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), San Jos del Pacfico, a town in the clouds, A complete guide to Calakmul, the most adventurous mayan site in Mexico. It is messy, people are everywhere (sometimes cars), the whole market is like a maze and you are trapped inside. The Expert Guide To Xela Guatemala: Things To See And Do On your return from Tikal, I highly recommend heading back to Flores and spending another day exploring the area. From here we walk. Leave a comment below! We waited for an hour at the top of Santa Maria and did not see Santiaguito erupt. But for everyone whos really interested in experiencing beautifully demandinghikes and also has the time for it, Xela offers this alternative trek: The 3-day trek from Xela toSan Pedro La Laguna, in Lake Atitln. There is also flat terrain in some parts. We managed to enter the cab even without the apparently optional door handles. And to just enjoy the sunrise in the next two hours. This even caused the Australians to hold their breath (and their mouths). Copyrights 2021 casaxelaju. So we could giggle and gossip and spray eachother with hot water for half an hour, recovering from our first hiking day towards Lake Atitlan. Democracy Market (Mercado La Democracia), 7. You can say it is the Kilimanjaro of Central America. Soon the most difficult part of the trek will come, 30 minutes of a very slippery route to finally arrive at small river. Early morning to hike to the lookout of the mountain The Nose of the Mayan. Surrounded by lush mountains, visitors can relax in their hot natural volcanic springs and admire the beautiful scenery. The whole journey is only about 7 hours of hiking. But what made me decide on Xela instead of Guatemala is the total immersion programs in Xela. You will experience the beautiful Highlands of Guatemala in a completely unique way. So after spending one month in Xela studying Spanish, I decided to write a complete guide on Xela and answer any questions about what to do in Xela (Quetzaltenango). Spending at least 2 to 3 days in Xela will give you a good understanding of how the locals live in this city. The freshness and the prices are some things that even the Minerva Market cant beat. Then either follow the signs to Chicabal or use an app such as maps.me to guide you. Hike from Xela, Quetzaltenango to Lake Atitlan - Casa Xelaj But I encourage traveling groups at night, especially if you are a woman. A pre-hike breakfast of eggs, fruit, and coffee gave us . You will experience the beautiful Highlands of Guatemala in a completely uni. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Located an hour and a half away from Xela in theRetalhuleu Department, the Xocomil Water Park is the biggest and most-visited water amusement part in Guatemala. If you remain in Xela for several days, you can register your contact details so they will contact you when other people show interest as well. Xela might not be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, but it certainly has a charm that makes it worth visiting. Lake Atitln - Wikitravel With the moonlight being blocked by dense trees, we used either headlamps or our phones (depending on how well prepared you were) to hike a relatively easy 25 minutes to our viewpoint. Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experiences start time will not be accepted. To combat the coldness, visit the nearby Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings! : This hike will take you from hikers' haven Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela) to the village of San Pedro on the magnificent Lake Atitlan. We ship your luggage for free to Panajachel *where you can pick it up at our office. Casa Seibel is a beautiful and cozy hostel located in the touristy part of Xela. It is possible to do it yourself but the prices come out to be around the same because you need to take a taxi from Zunil town all the way up to Fuentas Georginas Springs. Like you absolutely have to see it once in your lifetime! Go Hiking in Xela! Considering that 3 of us had climbedTajumulco the day before, its easy to deduce we were pretty much dead. Quetzaltrekkers | Hike Volcanoes. Help Kids. As the biggest outdoor market in Central America, you will find an endless amount of artisan crafts, Mayan souvenirs, traditional textiles, and much more. Another popular day hike from Xela is the trip to Laguna Chicabal. As soon as we startedto walk, we realised how hard it was going to be this trek. From there a narrow path took us into the cloud forest. Anything you want in this market, you will find it in the Minerva Market. Slowly getting used to civilization again. There arent that much slang, the tones are neutral, and the talking speed isnt that fast. The walking and hiking terrain will be Columbus which means rolling hills. But that was only the beginning. The owner and head instructor Kevin will also give you a good high-intensity-interval-training workout if you want! Though it brought me on an idea for a brilliant solution for the second night. San Juan la Laguna: 2023 Guide to Lake Atitlan's Artistic Village If no one buys them in the thrift shops in America for a long time, they get packaged and sent to Guatemala! But hey, for all those discomforts there were of course plenty of rewards. I recommend exercising increased caution when visiting Xela. A great place as well for an improvised lunch with delicious guacamole. Expenses included:-Ground transportation.-Camping and cooking equipment.-Local certified guides.-Two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners.-Water, juice, coffee, tea, and snacks-Park entrance fee. You are forced to speak Spanish every day at the restaurants, at the markets, and everywhere you go. You will see traditional tombs with just a cross contrasted with remarkable mausoleums. 5 from $22.00 Quetzaltenango, Western Highlands Trek to Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon near Quetzaltenango , Guatemala 6 from $60.00 Price varies by group size Xela to Lake Atitlan: 3-Days Private Hike | Marriott Xela to Lake Atitlan Hike and Volcan Zunil Summit. The quality of this water park matches that of the United States, without only a fraction of the entrance fee. I am not entirely sure. We will start this day at 6.00am by picking you up from your hotel or home in Xela. If you cannot find a direct bus to Xela you might try to go there by changing different chicken buses. You wont need tohike Indian Nose in Lake Atitlanif you do this trek! 7:00 a.m. Breakfast at a local restaurant, 11:30 a.m. Visit the Ice Cream town of Tzucubal, 2:30 p.m. Descend to the seven river crossings, 4:10 p.m. Last ascend to the place known as The Corn Field of Death, 5:00 p.m. Situated a few blocks from the market is the Chichicastenango cemetery, a colorful cemetery that is worth making a quick detour for! Chicken bus from Solola to Los Encuentros - Q2.5/person, 20 minutes. Got to experience so much of Guatemala that normally you wouldn't otherwise. The path is quite straightforward. Though we have not personally been to Xocomil Water Park (Because we found out after we left Xela), a couple of my friends did and I will speak from their experiences. When you visit remember to bring warm clothes, your bathing suit, cash, and a combination lock to use their lockers. Please bring your sleeping. Day 2 and 3 are coming soon. Quetzal Tours: another small company offering tours since 2011 Description:An early transfer will take you from your hotel inQuetzaltenangoto Cantel where the adventure starts. Change). Your photos are amazing! Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan: Day 2 - Sitch Travels It is ringed by small towns, many of which are favourites among backpackers. This 3-day trek from Quetzaltenango to Lake Atitlan is one of the most enriching experiences you can have in Guatemala. Its last eruption was in 1902 and now it is being monitored carefully. During the hike, Hikers will take a bath in a temazcal (sauna), eat meals with locals who will be cooking Comida casera (homemade food) with tortillas made on a comal and beans. Swimming in the sacred lake is prohibited. Skip the cramped tourist shuttle: trek through cloud forests, coffee groves, and rural villages; marvel at corn fields growing on steep hillsides; cross rivers and relax by a wood fire; and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside and mountains. Posted by Tej Turner July 3, 2023 Posted in Travelblog Tags: . Total Distance: 42km Maximum Elevation: 3050m Minimum Elevation: 1500m Walk time: Day 1 (9 hours), Day 2 (5 hours), Day 3 (5 hours) Difficulty: Hard Highlights: Indian Nose sunrise, traditional Temescal The Xela to Lake Atitlan hike is definitely one of the lesser-known hikes in Guatemala. There are also safer neighborhoods in Guatemala. And Quetzal Trekkers donates most of the money to a school in Xela. But if you are with a small group yourself, or prefer to join a smaller company, there are other options. Making our way through Santa Clara la Laguna. During the trip, we will be walking through coffee farms, alongside cornfields, a cloud forest with pines where you might spot the Quetzal (Guatemalas national bird), rivers, creeks, ravines, grasslands, isolated houses, and villages. Join us on our incredible 3 day hike from Xela (Quetzaltenango) to Lake Atitln! You can cancel up to 7 days in advance of the experience for a full refund. With such an intimidating title, hiking Tajumulco Volcano might seem like a daunting task at first. Type: One-way; Distance: 42.25km; Time: 2.5 days; Accumulated elevation gain: approx. Volcano Chicabal is a 2,720-meter-high inactive volcano located in the Quetzaltenango Department. Designed and developed by Sergio Camalich. It is a good place to work out, get a nice stretch, or even to make some friends! After six weeks of always sleeping in the relative luxury of villages, this was back-to-basics. Today we will reachAlaska, the highest point of the hike at 3,050 meters above sea level. After seeing the. If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. When youre hiking theres always a point where you see or experience something thatmakes it worth all thatpain and sufferingthis time was reaching the top of the Mayan Face and seeingLake Atitln from the top, with all the city lights surrounding the lake and the view of fireworks from above ground-level for the first time. Very important!! It was here that the group started splitting up, each going to their hostels and hotels. (LogOut/ So around 9pm the symphony of snoring could start. And the Danish woman, around my age, who was also fed up with. The walk/hike is part of the chain of mountains Madre Mountains, a beautiful and isolated part of Guatemalas nature. Clouds were moving along, making the mountains on the other side invisible at times. Tom & Mary Lingenfelter. Arrive at the town centre of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan. Before the hike Id loved travel, but it was over those three epic days that I realised that not only did I enjoy it (because lets be honest who doesnt?) Oftentimes, you can see offerings floating on the surface of the water. To get to Chicabal Volcano and its sacred lake take a chicken bus from the Minerva Market to San Martin Sacatepequez, also known as Chile Verde. The first night we will spend with a local family in Quetzaltenango (Xela) and the second night with a Quiche Mayan family in Santa Clara La Laguna. On the path, you will pass by many different biospheres and its quite an interesting experience. View all that the Western Highlands have to offer on this 3 day, 2 night adventure which ends with a stunning sunrise over Lake Atitlan. I say our because theyre a few viewpoints along the ridge of the nose, we were on the middle viewpoint. Crews, and much more. If you have the patience, you can spend an entire day here going up and down the aisle hunting for treasures. Chichicastenango Market is definitely one of theplaces you cannot miss in Guatemala. Down in the bay we could already see San Pedro La Laguna, our final destination, known for its hippie-like life and dirt-cheap costs of living. Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan: Day 2. Feeling a little tight after doing so much hiking in Guatemala? Here you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Lake Atitlan and many volcanoes, like San Pedro Volcano in San Pedro la Laguna, Atitlan, Toliman, Fuego, Acatenango, Agua, Santa Maria, Cerro Quemado, Tajumulco, Tacana and many more! Our experience in the Tourism Industry guarantees our customers an unforgettable trip on beautiful Lake Atitlan. We descend for 2 1/2, We get up at 5.30am to see the sunrise from the viewpoint of Santa Clara la Laguna, situated just 20 minutes from the house where we stayed overnight. Day 1. You can spend a day relaxing in the numerous pools and get adventurous and jump in the slides. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Quetzal Trekkers: the biggest one. Believe it or not, the Volcano Tajumulco hike is not so difficult. Time for the coolest and toughest guys to show how quick they were on the steepest ascent of the entire trek. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. To crawl into their sleeping bags for some warmth. On the last day, you will arrive in Lake Atitlan and watch the sun rise over the beautiful volcanoes that surround this serene lake. Thankfully, this onewas a pretty easy walk down the mountain and through several corn fields, until we got to town. Required fields are marked *. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. The hike began in the hostel. Therefore, this trip is moderately difficult with some more difficult parts. As the title of this article suggests, Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America. Minerva Terminal Market (Mercado La Terminal Minerva), 6. Visit the Hot Springs Fuentes Georginas, Where To Stay In Xela (Quetzaltenango), Guatemala, Half-Day Tour of Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs. Visiting the Deepest Lake in Central America: Lake Atitln It is the perfect day trip from Xela and the perfect way to escape the cold weather in Xela. Climb Volcan Santa Maria, the most difficult in Guatemala This almost felt surreal, and it wasnt even the highlight of the three day trek. We pick you up from your hotel or host family at 6am, come to the office for The first day after a short drive from Xela we hike up through a forest slope to a grasslands plateau, passing through cornfields, and remove villages accessible only by foot, where we spend the night we a local family (the homestays are very basic, we sleep on the floor with a pad and sleeping bag, which we bring from Xela). One of the best attractions in Xela (Quetzaltenango) is its cemetery! Let me know your favourite style of accommodation in the comment section) It was hard to say goodbye, because in just a short time our group had become a pack, thats just what happens when you do the most amazing things, with the most amazing people. We woke up to the roosters crow. See details Xela - Lago Atitlan Duration: 3 days 950Q per person Book Now See details Volcan Santa Maria Duration: 1 days 300Q per person Book Now See details Why adventure with us The organization 100% of our profits operate a school and safe home in Xela Learn about our mission More about EDELAC The treks Unique and informative experiences in the AboutContactWork With UsPrivacy PolicyArchive. Items to bring:a large backpack, hiking shoes/boots, wool socks, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, small towel, breathable quick-dry clothes for two days, water-resistant jacket with a hood or Pancho, personal items, your medications, a mat, sleeping bag. of Quetzaltenango, situated at the altitude of about 2350 meters above sea-level. Location: Quetzaltenango **Please Whatsapp us for 1 person bookings** +50257296279 An amazing off the beaten path hike from Xela to beautiful Lake Atitlan. Time for Record Hill! Knock at the door and wait until someone opens, then proceed down a small stairs all the way to the back. From there, we will take a ride toSan Pedrowhere we can swim, eat lunch and await our bags at the waterside restaurant before saying goodbye to this unforgettable 3 day trek. After an hour we had sweeping views of the entire valley, back towards Santa Catarina but also towards the Carretera Panamericana (Panamerican Highway). Most of these clothes are leftover clothes from thrift shops in America. November 5, 2019January 1, 2020 Xela, Guatemala eing gay has huge advantages. Xela to Lake Atitlan 3 Day Hike: The Complete Guide - Travel Made Me Do It During this day, hikers will eat meals with locals who will be cooking homemade food with tortillas made on a comal. We had a quick breakfast of oats with fruit, (as well as . Operators have paid Viator more to have their. Just an hour later, as four of us were sipping cold beers while looking out over the shimmering lake, I had an epiphany: The experience of a lifetime may be over, but it had opened a window to so much more. There are so many amazingthings to do in Lake Atitlan. The top of the volcano is also filled with offerings from the local Guatemalans. Designed and developed by website developer. There is no sugarcoating to the representation of Guatemala in this poor city. Quetzaltenango AKA Xela Party Town - Lake Atitlan Tours and Travel Thethird day, although the shortest day of the trek, it was still incredible. On the way, we passed a variety of fields growing bananas, coffee, wheat, and Agave, the last of which started a hilarious discussion about tequila vs mezcal that lasted all the way down into San Juan. Includes private round trip transportation, 6 meals(lunch and dinner first day, 3 meals second day, breakfast third day), water, entrance fees, equipment and guide. The first day consisted of 4 hours of walking uphill, 1 hour on flat -ish ground and 3 hours . 5:35 a.m. The Xela cemetery is a wide area filled with various different types of tombstones. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. But when the rest of the group finally caught up with them on top of the hill, 30 minutes later, they were still not able to speak. Xela to Lake Atitlan 3-Day Trek with Quetzaltrekkers in 2023 More details at:http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/xela/treks/xela-tour/About Quetzaltrekkers GuatemalaWe are the only all non-profit, all volunteer-run trekking and outdoors association in Guatemala.Quetzaltrekkers was founded in 1995 as a means of self-sustainable, grassroots fundraising for the functioning of Associacin Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), with the overall aim of combating the unfortunate reality of children living and working on the streets of Quetzaltenango. It is a sink or swim scenario. An amazing off the beaten path hike from Xela to beautiful Lake Atitlan. Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability! Tour Guide Salvador - We provide cultural and outdoor tours such as Since then, I have trekked through the Andes, tested my lungs at over 5,000 meters above sea level, encountered the worlds deadliest spider in the Amazon Rainforest, explored the worlds most catastrophic nuclear disaster. There were, obviously, hardly any alternative accommodations in a remote area like this one. 1,600-2,000m; Difficulty: Hard; Trailhead: Xecam; The 3 day hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan is an underrated Guatemala trek.
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