Lake Atitlan
Sample Private Day Tour to Lake Atitlán
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*All times are approximate and flexible to changes depending on what you enjoy and personal preferences on the day.
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5.15am Leave Antigua.
Stop for breakfast in the beautiful region of Tecpan.
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8am Optional stop - Arrive and tour the Mayan archaeological site of Iximche. If you prefer more time at the lake you can opt out of this tour.
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9.30 Leave Iximche for the lake.
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11am Arrive in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan.
Take a lancha (small speed boat), crossing the lake to Santiago. Enjoy the 25 minute boat ride, take in the views of the lake, its shoreline villages and 3 surrounding volcanoes.
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12pm Arrive in Santiago, meet with Miguel Pablo Sicay (a local Mayan Certified tourist guide, recently mentioned by Lonely Planet). If you are interested in learning about the Mayan culture in Santiago Miguel Pablo provides a wonderful cultural tour of Santiago (2-3 hours) that includes a visit to Maximon (highly important figure in Mayan Culture). Lhess will accompany you on the whole tour to offer translation and additional explanation of the culture.
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Other options on the day;
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Miguel Pablo provides a 1.5. hour tour on a traditional kayak on the lake. If you do not wish to visit Iximche you could combine this tour with a cultural tour as one option.
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Trekking tours are available for 3-5 hours, such as Cerro de Oro (situated on the lake shore, important to the local Mayan community, with stunning views out over the lake).
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Meet with a local Mayan Healer and tour their garden.
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Meet with local Mayan weavers and learn about the process that has been passed from generation to generation .
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Paragliding over the lake.
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Depending on activities that you wish to do, other popular stops on the lake for artesanal products include San Juan de Laguna, San Pedro and San Antonio de Polopo (famous for its pottery). The lake is a popular place for buying souvenirs, particularly local hand crafted and woven goods, coffee, and cacoa.
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4.30pm Return by lancha to Panajachel where we will make the return journey to Antigua.
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8.30pm Arrive in Antigua.
*On both journeys to and from the lake there will be opportunities to stop to enjoy a meal. There are a number of very good quality of restaurants to choose from on the route.
The tour lasts approximately 15 hours.
