Top Western Highlands Day Trips & Excursions

Discover the rich culture of the indigenous towns surrounding Lake Atitlan on a full-day trip from Antigua. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, take a tranquil boat ride to three distinctive villages located on the shores of Guatemala’s largest lake. Gaze at the mighty stature of the San Pedro volcano from the town of San Pedro la Laguna; observe the traditional craft of mat weaving in San Juan la Laguna; and absorb the lively atmosphere of Lake Atitlan’s largest town, Santiago Atitlan, during a guided tour. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Antigua hotel.

Immerse yourself in the scenic splendor of Lake Atitlán, and the charming villages that surround it, on a full-day trip from Guatemala City. Travel to Guatemala’s western highlands to observe virtually unchanged Mayan traditions, and then sail on the glittering surface of Lake Atitlán. Absorb the vibrant colors of lakeside settlements, Panajachel and Santiago, and delve into the region’s rich history with your guide. Round-trip transport from your Guatemala City hotel is included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Immerse yourself in the ancient rituals and colorful culture of the Mayans during this 7-hour trip to Chichicastenango and its famous market. Discover the wealth of handicrafts, produce, herbal medicines and more for sale at this traditional indigenous market. Then spend time exploring the town’s museums, cemetery, colorful murals and Mayan heritage, including a chance to observe a Fire Cleansing Ceremony performed by a local shaman. Your trip also covers round-trip hotel transport from Panjachel.

Immerse yourself in the colonial history of Antigua, plus the idyllic landscape of small villages and farms just outside of town, on this 8-hour excursion. Explore the centuries-old traditions of the tiny hamlets like San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Ciudad Vieja and San Juan del Obispo just outside of Antigua, where you’ll also stop to visit a macadamia nut plantation. Then tread the cobblestone streets of Antigua on foot, visiting city landmarks including the Arch of Santa Catalina, Cathedral of San Jose and much more. This Antigua small villages and walking tour also covers a guide, and round-trip hotel transport.

Get off the tourist trail in Lake Atitlan as you enjoy fun, family-friendly activities and visits to local villages on this 10-hour trip from Antigua. Pick from among a range of high-energy activities like swimming, kayaking, hiking, cliff jumping or rock climbing. Or if you’re more content to watch, simply sit back and relax. You’ll also have time explore the small villages near the lake, including Santa Cruz, San Juan and San Pedro, many of which feel largely untouched by the modern world. This highly customizable trip includes all activities plus round-trip hotel transport.

Take a walk back in time as you explore the idyllic Mayan villages, ancient rituals and gorgeous scenery of Lake Atitlan on this strenuous day-long hike on the Upper Mayan Trail. Interact with the local Cakchiquel and Tzutujil Mayan tribes, visiting the town of Santa Cruz la Laguna and tracing a path along a steep path used by the tribes for centuries. You’ll also have the chance to observe the rituals of local shamans and visit the second largest market in the country. Your hike also includes round-trip hotel transport from Antigua.

Travel deep into the mountains above mystical Lake Atitlan as you spend the day exploring the indigenous traditions and daily life in the region’s small villages. Get a true local’s experience as you wander the range of goods for sale at Solola indigenous market, an authentic site few tourists ever see. In the afternoon enjoy fresh mountain air as you visit a local farming community, largely untouched by the modern world, and explore the gorgeous city of Panjachel. Your day trip also includes round-trip hotel transport.

Delight in the scenic splendor of Lake Atitlán, and the charming villages that surround it, on a full-day trip from Antigua. Travel to Guatemala’s western highlands to observe virtually unchanged Mayan traditions, and then sail on the glittering surface of Lake Atitlán. Absorb the vibrant colors of lakeside settlements, Panajachel and Santiago, and delve into the region’s rich history with your guide. Lunch and round-trip transport from your Guatemala City hotel are included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of Quetzaltenango, and then the soothing hot waters of Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs, on this 10-hour day trip. Start with an exploration of the historic architecture and top attractions of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second-largest city. Then soak away your aches and cares in the therapeutic geothermal waters of Fuentes Georginas, where you can relax and rejuvenate in a series of outdoor pools of varying temperatures. Your trip also includes a guide and round-trip hotel transport.

The gem of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a crater lake surrounded by volcanoes and a living hub of Mayan cultures. Visiting on a day trip from Guatemala City simplifies transportation to this highland destination and lets you see the best of the lake in just a day—a difficult feat to accomplish on your own. This tour includes stops at top Lake Atitlan sites including the Maximon shrine and the busy town of Panajachel.

Immerse yourself in the colonial history of Antigua and the idyllic landscape of the small villages and farms just outside of town on this 10-hour excursion from Guatemala City. Explore the centuries-old traditions of tiny hamlets like San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Ciudad Vieja and San Juan del Obispo just outside of Antigua, where you’ll also stop to visit a macadamia nut plantation. Then tread the cobblestone streets of Antigua on foot, visiting city landmarks including the Arch of Santa Catalina, Cathedral of San Jose and much more. This Antigua small villages and walking tour also covers lunch (optional), a guide, and round-trip hotel transport.

Take your trip in Guatemala to new heights during this 9-hour ascent of San Pedro Volcano. Walk among the unique cloud forest environment, spotting exotic birds as you climb, eventually reaching the summit of this 9,900-foot (3,000-meter) summit. From this dramatic vantage point you’ll experience dramatic views of beautiful Lake Atitlan (on clear days, maybe even the Pacific Ocean) and a newfound sense of euphoria from the completion of this dramatic climb. Your climb also an admission fee and round-trip hotel transport.

Take a sunrise hike up the Indian Nose, one of the most-visited mountains near Lake Atitlan, on this 7-hour day trip. This 9,300-foot (2,863-meter) mountain, also known as 'The Mayan Face,' offers a challenging climb as well as superb views of Lake Atitlan and the villages of San Juan and San Pedro la Laguna. Best of all, you get to take in this sublime sight at sunrise, just as the first rays of the morning light touch the landscape with rosy shades of orange and pink. This Indian Nose hike also includes entrance fees, a guide, bottled water and round-trip hotel transport.

Spend a fun-filled day enjoying the many outdoor activities of Lake Atitlan during this full-day trip that’s perfect for families and kids. Swim and kayak amidst the idyllic scenery of this beautiful lake. Or get your heart pumping with some cliff jumping or a rock climbing adventure with harnesses and ropes. If relaxation is your aim, sit back and chill out at the tour activity center under a shaded cabana as your kids enjoy the game center. Your family-friendly day trip also offers an optional lunch and includes all activities and round-trip hotel transport.

Our country has Mayan cities that had their apogee at different times, those of the Classic Mayan period (200 to 900 AD) predominate in the north a bit away from the current city of Guatemala, and those of the Post Classic period (900 to 1,524 AD) in the West one of the emblematic sites is Iximcheé, capital of the Kacqchiquel manor, today the visitor can see the remains that were left after the destruction by the Spanish in the year of 1,526, we must mention that adjoining this site is founded the "Villa de Santiago de Guatemala" in the year of 1,524, the first capital of Guatemala.

Ascend to the fiery summit of the Santa Maria volcano on a full-day trip from Quetzaltenango. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll trek to the top of Guatemala’s fourth highest volcano to enjoy spectacular views of the lush country. After a challenging hike, you’ll be rewarded with unrivalled views of the neighboring Santiaguito volcano’s crater — one of the world’s most active volcanoes — and the Guatemalan highlands. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 10 people.

Enjoy and discover the colorful market day of Chichicastenango! This is an unique experience that you will see how is the local people live and doing their activities in the market days. The real Mayan culture is still live. Also since their typical dress till the Mayan language that they speak.

Casa Botran has made the manufacture of rum in a delicious art, producing aged rums through the combination of raw materials with unique characteristics, giving life to the exquisite rum that positions the land of the quetzal as a producer of one of the finest rums of the world with a personality different from the rest of European and Caribbean style rums.