Guatemala Yoga & Wellness

Itinerary

• Guatemala

  Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala City. It has fascinating and extensive Mayan ruins. It's importance stretches back to 800BC with recently discovered pre-Colombian ruins that were unexpectedly large. El Mirador was by far the most populated city in pre-Columbian America. Both the El Tigre and Monos pyramids encompass a volume greater than 250,000 cubic meters. Mirador was the first politically organized state in America, with 26 cities all connected by Sacbeob (highways). These roads were several kilometers long, up to 40 meters wide, and two to four meters above the ground paved with stucco - clearly visible from the air. The height of the Maya civilization is represented by countless sites throughout Guatemala, although the largest concentration is in Petén. This period is characterized by heavy city-building, and the development of independent city-states. This lasted until around 900 AD, when the Classic Maya civilization collapsed.

• Antigua

  Antigua is situated southwest of Guatemala City, and was considered to be one of the most splendid cities in Central America before its partial destruction in the earthquake of 1773. The town is now a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Despite the damage of countless earthquakes, floods and fires, Antigua is a beautiful place of multi-colored, single-story buildings, tropical gardens, plazas, fountains and cobbled streets. A popular tourist center, it has several good hotels, restaurants and bookshops with a fairly lively nightlife.

• Lake Atitlan

  The beautiful, volcanic Lake Atitlán is surrounded by purple highlands, olive-green mountains and three distinctive volcanoes – Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro. Water-skiing, swimming and boating are all available on the lake, which is 19km (12 miles) in length and between 6.5km (4 miles) and 12km (7.5 miles) wide. Around the lake are several villages, each of whose inhabitants wear differently colored, densely embroidered clothes.

• • Antigua
  • Meson Panza Verde, Antigua Guatemala

  Day 1: Guatemala City - Antigua

  Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locate your vehicle.

  Transfer to Antigua by private vehicle and professional English-speaking driver.

  Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

  Accommodation: Meson Panza Verde

  Meson Panza Verde is a gorgeous hotel in Antigua Guatemala, a five minute walk from the plaza. It has successfully captured romance and enchantment in its facade and decor. Though only built in the 1980s, the 12 rooms have a faded and tasteful appearance upheld by the modern necessities of home and excellent service. The hotel's French chef ensures the finest of European standards is met in the kitchen and on each dining table. To add to the joy of this culinary experience, live music is often played and candles lit to set the atmosphere. Spend time in the courtyard, or get to know Antigua for its own ancient appeal. It is paramount that guests learn about the architecture and church ruins here in order to understand this city's inner workings.

• • Yoga Session

  Day 2: Antigua

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  You will be met at your hotel reception by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrances are included to the Iglesia San Francisco (church), the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church.

  Accommodation: Meson Panza Verde

• Day 3: Antigua

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

  Accommodation: Meson Panza Verde
• • Lake Atitlan
  • Casa Palopo, Lake Atitlan

  Day 4: Antigua - Lake Atitlan

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  Transfer 1hr from Antigua to the famous Maya archaeology site of Iximche for a tour of this fascinating site. Towards the back of the site is a lesser known (to visitors) yet extremely important Maya spiritual, ceremony site. Here our guests will meet a local Shaman who will perform an authentic Maya ceremony for them in a local Maya language and include them in the ceremony as they wish. After the ceremony guests can enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to Lake Atitlan and their hotel (1.5hr).

  Accommodation: Casa Palopo

  Situated outside of Guatemala City, at the edge of Lake Atitlan in a hilly countryside getaway circling Catarina Palopo village, Casa Palopo is surrounded by a wealth of forest and volcanoes. The 8 rooms are adorned with the finest of linen and toiletries, and further equipped with to-die-for views. Sleeping in these impressive rooms is an experience like no other. Look forward to the height of hospitality, as the staff provides sincere and consistent service. Cuisine is enjoyable, though many opt for trying the restaurants in the nearby towns. Relax in the heated pool, and absorb the surrounding views. Or, plan a boating trip and get to know the lake which some consider the most beautiful in the world.

• • Yoga
  • Chichicastenango Market

  Day 5: Lake Atitlan

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  You will be met at the hotel by a private driver & guide for the 1hr transfer out to the highland town of Chichicastenango. Along the way you will pass through the central highland region and see the local Maya people in their traditional dress going about their daily lives - working in the fields, collecting firewood, travelling between markets, selling their wares. Upon arrival at Chichicastenango your guide will take you to explore this famous market both the local areas of the fruit & vegetables & everyday items as well as the craft area where you can find endless variety of beautiful textile, wooden & ceramic crafts. Guests can also visit the famous St Tomas Church where local Maya people come to perform Maya rituals within the Catholic church - demonstrating the interesting way the two faiths have combined in recent times. **Optional- hike up the hill to the Pascaul Abaj ritual site to see if any local shaman are performing rituals and/or to the cemetery on the outskirts of town.** Lunch is provided in the Hotel St Tomas.

  Accommodation: Casa Palopo
• • Naif Painting

  Day 6: Lake Atitlan

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  You will be picked up from the hotel & transfer to San Juan La Laguna Village where you visit a local textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and to see how they still dye with natural dyes. You will also visit the home and workshop of local naïf painters before boarding the boat onto Santiago Village for lunch. After lunch walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege of taking care of their God so his location changes. Once with Maximon you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman for you to have a personal ceremony performed. After visiting Maximon guests can visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from this area. When guests are ready they will be transferred back to their hotel.

  Accommodation: Casa Palopo

• Day 7: Lake Atitlan

  A custom designed Yoga Session built around your own needs and wants.

  Duration: 1 Hour

  Includes: Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Mat & Bottled Water

  Pick up from your hotel in Lake Atitlan and a private transfer to Guatemala City (2.5 to 3 hours).

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• • Meson Panza Verde, Antigua Guatemala
  • Meson Panza Verde, Antigua Guatemala

  Meson Panza Verde

  Meson Panza Verde is a gorgeous hotel in Antigua Guatemala, a five minute walk from the plaza. It has successfully captured romance and enchantment in its facade and decor. Though only built in the 1980s, the 12 rooms have a faded and tasteful appearance upheld by the modern necessities of home and excellent service. The hotel's French chef ensures the finest of European standards is met in the kitchen and on each dining table. To add to the joy of this culinary experience, live music is often played and candles lit to set the atmosphere. Spend time in the courtyard, or get to know Antigua for its own ancient appeal. It is paramount that guests learn about the architecture and church ruins here in order to understand this city's inner workings.

  • More information
• • Casa Palopo, Lake Atitlan

  Casa Palopo

  Situated outside of Guatemala City, at the edge of Lake Atitlan in a hilly countryside getaway circling Catarina Palopo village, Casa Palopo is surrounded by a wealth of forest and volcanoes. The 8 rooms are adorned with the finest of linen and toiletries, and further equipped with to-die-for views. Sleeping in these impressive rooms is an experience like no other. Look forward to the height of hospitality, as the staff provides sincere and consistent service. Cuisine is enjoyable, though many opt for trying the restaurants in the nearby towns. Relax in the heated pool, and absorb the surrounding views. Or, plan a boating trip and get to know the lake which some consider the most beautiful in the world.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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