Trek from Lake Atitlan to Xela

Description: This three day hike will bring you from San Pedro la Laguna on the lake Atitlan to Xela . It is a great experience that
provides beautiful views in natural surroundings. We walk through the mountains, passing small indigenous
communities on the way. We ship your luggage for free from our office in Panajachel to our office in Xela where
you can them up.

Day 1:

•  We leave from San Pedro La Laguna (or Santa Clara La Laguna) at 09.00 in the morning. The ascent from San Pedro to Santa Clara la Laguna is only difficult, and it starts at the altitude of 1560m. The route we take is inside the  Mountain – El Rostro Maya or La Nariz Del Indio.    This route takes about 3 hours. After that we will arrive at Santa Clara La Laguna, a place where we will have lunch. Just after the lunch we start a light descent followed by an ascent to the highest point of the trek this day on the altitude of 2200m. This takes about 2.5 hours. From there we start a long descent to a place where we will stay overnight at the altitude of 1550m. The descent takes about 1.5 hour.

Day 2:

• On the second day we departure at 7.00, from the altitude of 1550m. We continue descending for about 30 minutes until we arrive at the Nahualate River, situated at the altitude of 1400m. The second day is considered to be the most difficult one. The ascent starts at the altitude of 1400m and reaches 3100m at the place called Cumbre de Alaska. Between 12.00hrs. and 13.00hrs.  About half the way to the top, we will have a lunch. After the deserved break we continue ascending for about 3 to 4 hours. The next part continues to be difficult, taking about 3 more hours of trekking until the place called cumbre  de  Alaska is reached, a place where we will spend the night. (As usual in case of trekking the duration of the trip can vary depending on the physical condition of the participants. The amount of time taken by each part of the trek can be longer but never  shorter

Day 3:

• After the breakfast, we start the 3rd day, which offers the best landscapes of the whole trek. The trip today takes about 6 to 8 hours of hiking but it is considerable less difficult than the day before. From the altitude of 3100m we leave and we have to get the peak of the Zunil  Volcano, (3542m). ( we can go to the top or pass around the volcano,) From that point it is possible to see 14 volcanoes. With a single turn of the head one can see an amazing panorama of volcanoes from Volcano Tacaná at the Mexican border to the Volcano Agua in Antigua Guatemala as well as the Quetzaltenango Valley, Xela, the Atitlan Lake and the activity of the active Volcano Santiaguito.. For some time we will be descending at a rocky terrain. After that we will take a trail to a place where a car is waiting to bring us to the city of Quetzaltenango. END of the trip.

Very important!! We all cooperate in carrying the luggage and food for the three days; this is why you need a big bag. 50 lbs + 10 is sufficient. Note: If you have any medical needs, please report this before the hike starts, please notify us before the start of the hike because we bring a minimal first-aid kit Difficulty:  DIFFICULT (the hike is moderate with some difficult parts but with equipment it becomes difficult)