All ages Guatemala: The Land of the Mayan People
August 20-30/2026
Leaders: Julio Cochoy, Doris Kizinna, Christina Atkinson
Cost: $1800 USD includes tax.
(Based on 10 registered participants) Includes all in-country costs, donations, all meals and accommodation, transport with small bus and driver, translation, excursions and all trips. Does not include your flight to Guatemala.
Open to families, children (with their guardians), elders, solo travelers, couples etc. All ages are welcome to be a part of this our third all ages tour to Guatemala. You’ll be immersed in the experience of Guatemala learning about the culture, the history, walking through villages, markets and some of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. You’ll visit schools and interact with students a preschool and an elementary school. You’ll go to a volcanic hot spring, hike through a sub-tropical jungle, visit the remains of an ancient Mayan city, visit artisans and weavers to understand their work, learn about the civil war in Guatemala and it’s effects on Guatemala today, and share time with elders and visit a family in need to help make their lives a little easier with some donations and more! You will build community when travelling with a group of all ages travelers sharing this experience together and have your hearts opened to the world as it really is, learning and understanding our place and opportunity in the world.
Itinerary: August 20-30/2026
Thursday, Aug. 20: ANTIGUA:
Arrival in Guatemala City, and shuttle to Antigua, settle in, dinner together and orientation for the group. Overnight: Antigua at Hotel Aurora http://www.hotelauroraantigua.com/en/
Suggested Flight: United Airlines 7 am Vancouver arrival in Guatemala 6:49 pm.
Friday, Aug. 21: ANTIGUA: Breakfast at our Hotel. Orientation gathering followed by Scavenger Hunt in smaller groups in Antigua visiting colonial ruins, Hermano Pedro Church, café, jade, chocolate, markets, a chance to get familiar with the city. Lunch at Coaba Farm https://www.caobafarms.com/. Optional visit to the Market/rest/freetime. Dinner together. Overnight: in Antigua at Hotel Aurora.
Saturday, Aug. 22: ANTIGUA – IXIMCHE – PANAJACHEL: Breakfast at the Hotel. 9:30 am departure for Lake Atitlan and Panajachel. Stop in Iximche for a tour of the remains of an ancient Mayan City. Lunch on the way, arrive in Panajachel and settle into Julio and Doris’ property, Casa Los Nidos. Freetime and optional walk to the beach. Dinner at home.
Sunday, Aug. 23: PANAJACHEL: Breakfast at home and morning visit the FundaMaya Project and the Elder’s lunch and day care centre. Deliver a bed to a senior and serve lunch to the elders. https://www.fundamaya.org/ Lunch at Jasmine Deli. Afternoon hike at Reserva Natura Atitlan www.atitlanreserva.com Dinner and Overnight at Casa Los Nidos.
Monday, Aug. 24: SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA – PANAJACHEL: Breakfast at the Hotel and early morning boat over the lake to San Juan La Laguna on of the villages around the lake. Visit the coffee project, and the artisans of San Juan, visual artists and their incredible paintings, visit the Natural Dye Weaving Centre and Chocolate Café. Lunch at Alma de Colores, a labour and social inclusion project for people with disabilities. www.almadecolores.org. Take a hike up to the incredible lookout over the lake. Later afternoon we will visit with Nan Maria, Mayan Spiritual Leader, for a Mayan Ceremony, giving thanks for the journey we are on. Boat back and dinner and overnight at Casa Los Nidos.
Tuesday, Aug. 25: CHICHICASTENANGO – XELA: Pack an overnight bag and early breakfast at 7:30 am and an 8:30 am departure to visit to the Market in Chichicastenango. Visit to the cemetery and Catholic Church on the main square and enjoy shopping in the market. Lunch at Café San Juan and drive to Xela. Dinner out and preparation for visit to the school the next day. Overnight: Xela https://hotel-pension-bonifaz.negocio.site/
Wednesday, Aug. 26: CHWITZIRIBAL – XELA: Breakfast at hotel, and morning visit to the elementary school in Chwitiziribal, sharing some joy with the Children, snacks, crafts, pinatas, treats. 11:30 am departure for Fuentes Georginas, hot springs and enjoy lunch and the afternoon there, then drive back to Panajachel in the afternoon. Dinner and freetime at Casa Los Nidos in Panajachel. http://www.fuentesgeorginas.com/
Thursday, Aug. 27: SANTA LUCIA – PANAJACHEL: Breakfast at home and daytrip to Santa Lucia Utatlan (Julio’s community), visit Julio’s house where he grew up and learn about the Civil War in Guatemala and impact on him and his family. Lunch at Julio’s. Visit the Marimba Utatlan Music school enjoy a small concert with the local youth music group. Enjoy a hike up to the viewpoint looking over the lake and drive back to Casa Los Nidos in Panajachel. Dinner and overnight.
Friday, Aug. 28: PANAJACHEL: A day with some options, freetime to shop, visit San Marcos and enjoy swimming at the Nature Reserve. Optional walk along the lake to Santa Catarina with incredible lake views and take a tuktuk back. Overnight and Dinner and Casa Los Nidos in Panajachel.
Saturday, Aug. 29: ANTIGUA: Breakfast at home. Time to pack and drive to Antigua or Guatemala City. Lunch enroute and afternoon freetime to enjoy Antigua or the pool at the hotel in Guatemala City. We will choose the location once we have the flight times for the group. Final celebration dinner and reflection on the journey and get ready to leave. Overnight: Hotel Aurora in Antigua or Hotel Barcelo in Guatemala City.
Sunday, Aug. 30: Breakfast at Hotel andShuttle to airport and flight to Vancouver or other destinations. Flight from Guatemala on United Airlines 12:38 pm arrival in Vancouver 11:02 pm.
