Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s second city and its cultural heart. Affectionately called Xela (Shay-la), over 50% of Quetzaltenango’s population is Mam-Mayan and Quiche, and it has the unofficial title of ‘Guatemala’s Mayan Capital’.

Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s second city and its cultural heart. Affectionately called Xela (Shay-la), over 50% of Quetzaltenango’s population is Mam-Mayan and Quiche, and it has the unofficial title of ‘Guatemala’s Mayan Capital’.

  • Wellness Journey

    WELLNESS JOURNEY IN GUATEMALA

    PROGRAM   

    This itinerary is designed more with yoga beginners and intermediates. Also for those people who is looking for wellness, nature, peace, mindfulness, reconnect your senses and emotional management.

    There are physically demanding days related with hikes but you will be able to compensate it with thermalises and massages to relax your muscles and body.

    The full program is 10 days traveling, 5 days is focused on wellness and the rest it´s to explore the highlights of Guatemala.

    ITINERARY

    DAY 1

    Pick up at the international airport La Aurora.

    Driving to Antigua Guatemala, a colonial city not to be missed during your visit.

    DAY 2

    Walking tour around Antigua Guatemala. After that, we drive to Lake Atitlan to see one of the most beautiful lakes in the world with three amazing volcanoes and picturesque landscapes.

    DAY 3

    Drive to Quetzaltenango, where the wellness experience starts. We have a welcomely at the city of Quetzaltenango where you will see the highlights of the city but you will start noticing and learning about local markets, where we can easily find different type of medical plants among others.

    DAY 4

    Wellness Tour

    This day will be focused on Community tourism experiences combined with yoga, meditation, sensorial experience and connection with nature, walking by a magical forest in Totonicapán.

    We start the experiences at a beautiful point of view where you will have some meditation and silence time. We do a hike (low-medium level)  to stretch the body, to feel textures, smell nature and walking barefoot to get the energy of earth. At a specific point, we start with our yoga session, listening birds and wind. At the end of the session, we come back to town and enjoy healthy and delicious local food.

    DAY 5

    Use of medicinal plants according to the Mayans – Cooking class – Authentic Mayan food.

    Another community tourism experience focused on plants and food. We visit a Mayan town where we will have a sensorial experience while we learn, using our hands, about different local plants used for different types of health conditions. We will be able to see, smell, taste and touch the plants.

    Follow of this experience we are going to awake our sense of smell and taste with our cooking class where we are learning about different ingredients we use for making  “recados” a traditional lunch (vegetarian an and non-vegetarian food).

    DAY 6

    Hiking a volcano – Mayan cosmovisión

    Today, we explore one of the most important areas for the Mayan cosmovision. Chicabal Lagoon and volcano. A low – hike to get the centre of the Mayan ceremonies where the 4 elements manifest (fire, water, air and earth).  During the day we are learning about Mayan life, way of see life, actual culture and their calendar.

    We end our day with a session of yoga at the sore of the lake. Later on. we drive to the thermalism and massage centre. You will be able to use the sauna to relax your muscles and body after two days hiking and you will be awake next day with a massage.

    DAY 7

    This day is focused on experience a different environment, we are going to drive to the south where the weather and vegetation will be completely different. We are going to visit a farm with a privileged view of a volcano that do eruptions every hour, so without hiking a volcano you will be able to see this majestic event of nature. During the day we are going to do a coffee tour, walking in the coffee plantation, yoga, meditation with water sound, and time to swim in a river.

    After this experience, we are driving to Lake Atitlán

     DAY 8

    Tour of towns around Lake Atitlan

    During this boat tour, you will have the opportunity to see the live the lake and its different Mayan communities. We explore 3 towns, San Juan La Laguna, San Antonio Palopó and Santa Catarina Palopó.

    In San Juan you will be able to learn about weaving and natural yarn dyeing, using plants. In San Antonio Palopó, we will have a leson about pottery. And, to end the day, in Santa Catarina Palopó, you will have the time to swim at the lake where a hot spring is located.

    Driving to Antigua Guatemala.

    DAY 9

    Hike to Pacaya Volcano

    This is a hike with a low level of difficulty, so you will be ready to hike an active volcano and Roast marshmallows thanks to the heat and volcanic activity in the area, a perfect way to say goodbye Guatemala.

    Drive to Guatemala City.

     

    DAY 10

    Depending your flight time, we can do a morning tour visiting an archeological site Kaminaljuyu, just if you flight leaves afternoon or night. Otherwise, the drive will take you to the international airport La Aurora to go back home.

    END OF THE WELLNESS JOURNEY IN GUATEMALA

    What’s included?

    1. Private transportation de 10 days journey.
    2. Private tour guides the 10 days journey.
    3. Entrance fee to all the natural reserves, communities or touristic attractions mentioned on the itinerary.
    4. Yoga instructor
    5. On day 4th. For the Wellness tour the lunch is included.
    6. On day 5th. For the cooking class, the lunch on that day is included.
    7. On day 6th. The experience at the thermalism and massage centre, it includes de accommodation that night, dinner, breakfast, sauna and massage. (During the whole itinerary, one night of accommodation is included).
    8. Boat to do the tour around lake Atitlan.
    9. Yoga mat and all the materials for the wellness experience.

     

    What’s NOT included?

    1. Food and drinks
    2. Accommodation (except night of day 6th.)
    3. Souvenirs
    4. Tips
    5. International flight & taxes
    6. Insurance
    $7,000.00 Add to cart
  • Wellness tour

    Wellness tour

    Reconnect your spirit in the magical forest of Totonicapán.

    This one-day trip will take you to find yourself, you will be guided to calm your mind, let go of your stress and dedicate this moment of internal connection just for you, exercising your body in a harmonic way, connecting with your whole being.

    You will become aware of everything that surrounds you, while you will enhance your senses by coming into contact with nature, increasing your presence in your surroundings

     

    $75.00 Add to cart
  • Bike Tour Xela

    Bike Tour Xela

    RUTA I-9:

    It´s a route well designed to explore the most emblematic point of the city with a low level of dificulty. You must bike 6.5 kilometres a long over the tour, doing stops on 9 destinations we have prepare, also, on the way you will have access to 2 places to use the toilet and the sped biking will up to you. During the experience you will see the city in a different way, you will learn interesting facts of many buldings and important characters in our history that will make you to undersand our life now a day.

    Some places you will see:

    • Cementery,
    • Theater,
    • Churches,
    • Schools,
    • Parks among others.
    $35.00 Add to cart
  • Traditional food tour - Quichóm

    Traditional food tour – Quichóm

    This is a unique immersion into the Mayan culture, history and life now a day. Our chef, full of knowledge about the history of our ancestors, about the species, vegetables and fruits, is extremely happy to show and teach you how to prepare a traditional Maya Quiché food called “Quichóm”.

    $45.00 Add to cart
  • The Colonial Church Tour

    The Colonial Church Tour

    This is a great day trip from Xela that takes around 4 hours. The tour takes you to the oldest Catholic church in Central America, La Ermita de Salcajá, and the vibrant, striking and unforgettable San Andres Xecul.

    La Ermita de Salcajá was built in 1524 and is home to the oldest statue of the Virgin Mary in Central America. The statue was transported from Spain and is a great historical example of the colonial power’s desire to convert the indigenous people.

    $55.00 Add to cart
  • The Hot Springs

    The Hot Springs

    The hot springs is a half day out for you to relax and enjoy the full benefits of Quetzaltenango’s best known hot springs. About an hour’s drive from Xela, this is a popular destination for the locals and visitors to the town. The site includes a restaurant and cabins for overnight stays while there are onsite lockers and towels available for visitors. This natural beauty spot is the perfect way for you to take the chill out of those cold highland mornings.

    $35.00 Add to cart
  • Hike Chicabal Volcano

    Hike Chicabal Volcano

    This the sacred heart of the Mam-Mayan Cosmovision. On a clear day, Chicabal’s highest point gives you a magnificent view of Guatemala’s Pacific coast and its other impressive volcanic peaks. It’s a gentle climb that lasts about 2 hours to get up to the top and one more to go down.

    $55.00 Add to cart
  • Hike Santa María Volcano

    Hike Santa María Volcano

    Santa Maria’s peak rewards you with fabulous views of the volcanic chain that has shaped Guatemala’s diverse landscape. Look out across the Pacific south coast and feel the satisfaction as you take in the epic landscape. At 3772 m (12400ft), Santa Maria is a tough and demanding hike that requires preparation and planning. With a tough 4-hour ascent and 3-hour descent, Santa Maria is ideal for experienced hikers who enjoy a challenge. Want a big challenge with big rewards? Then come with THGuatemala on your Santa Maria volcano adventure.

    $55.00 Add to cart