This half-day adventure tour from Santa Cruz La Laguna includes a kayak along the rugged and remote north shore of Lake Atitlan, followed by a hike back through the Mayan villages of San Marcos, Tzununa, and El Jaibalito. At the meeting point, a qualified kayak instructor will supply dry sacks for your backpacks and gear for the 2nd part of the tour. All the guides are experienced kayak teachers, and can show you basic paddling techniques. You will paddle for about 2 hours along the shores of Santa Cruz La Laguna, heading past the Mayan settlements of El Jaibalito and Tzununa en route to San Marcos. Encounter Mayan men fishing from hand-hewn boats known as “cayukas,” just as they have done for centuries. Gaze at the rugged rocks that provide home to exotic plant and bird life. You will even have the opportunity to jump into the crystal clear waters from the cliff tops. Pull into the Bay of San Marcos to gear up for the 2nd part of your adventure. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no road access, so you will be hiking paths that have been used by the Mayans for centuries. See villagers tending their maize and coffee crops en route. This section of Lake Atitlan has barely been touched by the outside world, and from your privileged position several hundred feet above the ever changing waters of Atitlan, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes.

The day begins in Santa Cruz, where you depart for the rugged north shore and the remote village of Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you’ll be hiking along ancient paths that have been used by the Kachekel Maya for centuries. See villagers going about their daily life, encounter farmers tending their corn and coffee fields, and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. This rugged and remote section of Lake Atitlan has barely been touched by the outside world. This hike takes you several hundred feet above the ever-changing waters of Atitlan for breathtaking views of the famous volcanoes. Then descend into the Pumpatin Canyon for a nature walk along the banks of the river. You experience 2 different ecosystems as you walk from the upper lake shore into the narrow canyon. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river, and take a swim if you desire.

Day 1: Kayak and Hike on Beautiful Lake Atitlan Depart Antigua at 08:00 for a 2-hour drive to Lake Atitlan. The shuttle delivers you to Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan. The road ends in Pana as you prepare for a boat transfer to Santa Cruz la Laguna and the Adventure Center.  The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no road access, so all travel is by boat. Your first day of paddling departs from the beachfront staging area. Start the day with a special blend of coffee and a light breakfast and begin your first leg of the excursion. This section of the lake’s shoreline has dramatic scenery, passing the villages of El Jaibalito and Tzununa. You paddle along rugged cliff faces filled with exotic plant and bird life. You will have many up close encounters with Mayan men who fish from hand hewn cayukas as they have for centuries.  You will feel privileged to share the lake with these proud fishermen who make Lake Atitlan so unique. Take the opportunity to climb a cliff and jump into the crystal clear waters, or just enjoy a swim and sun. Pull into the bay and village of San Marcos and enjoy this unique paradise. You have free time to explore before gearing up for the next leg of the adventure.   The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you will be hiking along ancient paths that have been used by the Maya for centuries. You will view villagers going about their daily life, encounter farmers tending their maiz and coffee fields, and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. This rugged and remote section of Lake Atitlan has barely been touched by the outside world. The hike takes you several hundred feet above the ever-changing waters of Atitlan for breathtaking views of the famous volcanoes.  End the hike in Santa Cruz la Laguna where you can put your feet up with a cocktail at the lake's shore, watching the sun go down.  La Iguana Perdida Hostel is a short 10-minute walk from our Adventure Center, and provides the accommodations.   Day 2: Kayak and Hike on Beautiful Lake Atitlan  Your second day includes even more choices and levels of activity. Start the day with a kayak paddle to explore another section of shore line. Hike up the secluded Pumpatin Canyon and see a much different tropical eco-system. The trail follows the Pumpatin River along cascading waterfalls, coffee fields, and very exotic plant and bird life. This canyon is rarely seen by outsiders, and we consider it to be our secret garden paradise. Return to our Adventure Center approximately 3 hours later, have lunch, and prepare for departure. Depart Antigua at 16:00 for the 2-hour drive back to Antigua.

This overnight trip to Lake Atitlán gives you a great mix of activities without wearing you out on any one of them. Through the diversity of biking, kayaking and hiking, you get to experience the majestic lake in a variety of speeds, angles and perspectives. Whether you are cruising on the crest of the caldera ridge, paddling the azure-blue waters of Lake Atitlan, or hiking lakeside through the local towns – you’ll surely enjoy the fantastic views. At night you will rest easy in one of the most beautiful hotels in all of Central America. Day 1: Country Road Ride The group leaves from Antigua at 08:00, where you can fill up your water bottles and purchase any additional gear you might need. After meeting your guide and checking your gear, load up the vehicle and set out for a 2.5-hour road trip up into the highlands towards Lake Atitlan. Stop on the road for a coffee and bathroom break at a quaint rest-stop outside the mountain town of Tecpán (breakfast not included). Upon arrival to the lake highlands area, you'll receive instructions on bicycle operation, safety tips, and a brief orientation of the surrounding terrain. Everyone has a chance to ask any questions they may have, apply sunscreen, and adjust clothing layers. Start out down a steep country road traversing the high tableland above Lake Atitlan. This mostly downhill ride takes you through several small villages and towns before rounding a final ridgeline and joining the road up from the Pacific coast bound for Panajachel. At the first vista overlooking Lake Atitlán, your guide will stop and prepare a picnic lunch (included) and orientate you to the lakeside towns and geographic features of Lake Atitlan. After lunch, continue breezing down the quick and windy road to the lakeside town of Panajachel. From here, you will catch a boat taxi to Jaibalito, and the beautiful hotel Casa del Mundo. Casa del Mundo Hotel – built into the cliff-side - affords lake-front access alongside wonderful vantage points to appreciate the lake’s volcanic backdrop. You’ll check-in mid-afternoon and be free to rest and relax in a hammock, enjoy the beautiful sunset, or go for a cool dip in the lake! A delicious family-style dinner (included) is served at the hotel restaurant around 18:30. Day 2: Kayak and Lake Hike Breakfast and coffee (included) are served at 08:00, after which you will gather what you need for the paddle and lakeside hike. Paddlers don their swimsuits, apply sunscreen and meet down at the dock to load into their kayaks. Leave your hiking daypacks with your private boat taxi and board your kayaks for the north-shore paddle. Paddle westward 1½-2 hours past small towns and villages perched high on the steep sides of sheer ridges that rise right out of waters of Lake Atitlan. After passing the villages of Jaibalito and Tzununá, cruise into the bay of San Marcos la Laguna and trade your kayaks for your daypacks and hiking gear. Climbing out of town on the lake trail which connects village to village, you'll be treated to spectacular vistas of volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán. After 1.5hrs of hiking, roll back into Casa Del Mundo. From there, head back to Panajachel in a boat taxi, hop back on your private transport, and arrive back to Antigua just before sunset.

Day 1 > Arrival in Guatemala & world-Famous Antigua. An exquisite Spanish Colonial town with elegant 16th & 17th Century architecture, cobblestone streets, a tranquil central square, stylish hotels, luxurious shops and superb international cuisine. The town enjoys a unique and impressive setting nestled beneath three towering volcanoes and surrounded by lush evergreen forests. Day 2 > Antigua. Walking Tour of Antigua. The tour will focus on Antigua’s architecture, history, restoration and cultural trends. Your tour can include a visit to the Jade Museum and also the museums at Paseo de los Museos at Casa Santo Domingo, the Chocolate Museum, the central plaza, Arch of Santa Catarina, and more. Day 3 > Amazing Chichicastenango. You will have time to enjoy the spectacular outdoor market of Chichicastenango –one of the world’s most famous outdoor markets! People watch in thisvery Mayanvillage, and also‘shop until you drop’or until 1pm when the market closes.  Walk through the cemetery and sacred Shaman Hill, Pascal Abaj where you are likely to see Mayan fire cleansing ceremonies. Located at 2500 meters above sea level, this town is famous amongst tourists for its market on Thursdays and Sundays, where spats of traditionally dressed villagers in a kaleidoscope of colors, come to sell their very colorful textiles, fruits, vegetables and flowers. Although seemingly very commercial, there is much mysticism in the air. You will be amazed by the religious blend that exists, where colonial Spanish Catholicism, modern evangelism and ancient Mayan tradition, blend in a uniquely harmonious fashion. There is something deeply moving about watching a Mayan Indian or shaman, engulfed by incense and surrounded by flowers, praying to a catholic God and at the same time practicing ancient Mayan rituals, all in an old Spanish colonial Cathedral. Day 4 > Lake Atitlan– 3 village boat tour of San Marcos, San Juan, and Santiago. This spectacular full day trip will take you from one end of the lake to the other. You will visit the villages of San Marcos, San Juan and Santiago, with time to explore each village. Your first stop is San Marcos, where you stop for a swim and optional cliff jumping. Then you will depart the north shore for San Juan, the “Swiss village” of Lake Atitlan. You will enjoy a guided walking tour and visit art galleries, woman's weaving cooperatives, a medicinal and curative plant garden, see a children's dance performance, and learn about the Mayan calendar. Your third stop is Santiago. The bay of Santiago is a photographer’s dream. We take a tour along the shore of the bay before we start our walking tour. Your first stop is a visitor center that offers insight into the life of the Tzutujile Maya. There are interpretive displays on the history of the traje (traditional clothing), spiritual beliefs and Maximon. Easy walking is involved. Day 5 > Lake Atitlan– Hike (or Drive) the Upper Mayan Trail, Solola and mountain villages. This day affords you some truly amazing lake views! At the hikes’s conclusion you will spend some time at the colorful market of Solola. Your hike takes you along ancient paths that have been used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries. You will view villagers going about their daily life, encounter farmers tending their maiz and coffee fields, and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. This rugged and remote area has barely been touched by the outside world. The hike takes you 2,500 feet above the waters of Atitlán for breath taking views and pristine scenery. Day 6 > Lake Atitlan– Kayak and Hike Mulit-Sport. This full day includes a kayak tour along the rugged north shore, and a hike back thru San Marcos, Tzununa,  El Jaibalito and Santa Cruz la Laguna. We paddle for 1 ½ hours along the shores of Santa Cruz la Laguna, El Jaibalito, and Tzununa, ending in San Marcos.  You will have many up close encounters with Mayan men who fish from hand hewn cayukas as they have for centuries.  You will feel privileged to share the lake with these proud fishermen who make Lake Atitlan so unique. You paddle along rugged cliff faces filled with exotic plant and bird life.  You have the opportunity to cliff- jump into the crystal clear waters, or just enjoy a swim and sun. We pull into the Bay of San Marcos and gear up for the next part of our adventure. The  north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you will be hiking along ancient paths that have been used by the Maya for centuries.  You will view villagers going about their daily life, encounter farmers tending their maiz and coffee fields, and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world.  This rugged and remote section of Lake Atitlan has barely been touched by the outside world.  Our hike takes us over one thousand feet above the ever changing waters of Atitlan for breath taking views of the famous volcanos.   Day 7  > Departure Day - This days activities will depend on your departure time. We will insure you have the most time to enjoy the day, plus get you to the airport in time for your departure.  We may travel to Antigua for a second night, or to Guatemala City to visit musuems and other sights.  It is all up to you. Come enjoy the most popular sights of Guatemala in 7 days.