Two Day Kayak and Hike Adventure at Lake Atitlan

Itinerary Day 1: Pick up at your hotel at 5:30 a.m. and prepare for our two hour drive to Lake Atitlán.  Stop at a breath taking overlook of the caldera lake and take in the spectacular beauty of its surrounding 10,000 foot mountains. Arrive at Panajachel, on the east shore of Lake Atitlán.  This quant village has retained its local charm and offers an alternative to the busy streets of Antigua.

Start your paddle in Panajachel soon after you arrive, or transfer by boat to Santa Cruz to start the paddle.  We have several options that make this trip very customized to each individual guest. Gear up and change into swimsuits or similar clothing, and prepare for our paddle across the lake.  Our private boat will bring along backpacks and other gear for the second part of the day, so all you need is your camera, drinking water, and some sunscreen and hat.  If you desire less time in the kayak, you can ride in our support boat for as long as you like.

We paddle one hour west past Panajachel and along the shores of Santa Cruz la Laguna. Here we arrive for our lunch break at a beautiful lake-front restaurant where you will recharge your energy with a delicious meal. Cooked from scratch with the best local ingredients. Prepare for the second leg of the kayak excursion and hike.  The next section of the lake’s shoreline has the most dramatic scenery, passing the village of El Jaibalito and ending in Tzununa or San Marcos. You paddle along rugged cliff faces filled with exotic plant and bird life.

Take the opportunity to climb a cliff and jump into the crystal clear waters, or just enjoy a swim and sun. You will have many up close encounters with Kaqchikel men who fish from hand-hewn cayukas as they have for centuries. You will feel privileged to share the lake with these proud fishermen who make Lake Atitlán so unique. We pull into the Bay of Tzununa approximately 1 hour later, and gear up for the next part of our adventure. The north shore of Lake Atitlan has no true road access, so you will be hiking(hike adventure) along ancient paths that have been used by the Maya for centuries.  You will view villagers going about their daily life, encounter farmers tending their maize and coffee fields, and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world.  This rugged and remote section of Lake Atitlán has barely been touched by the outside world.  Our hike takes us several hundred feet above the ever-changing waters of Atitlán for breath taking views of the famous volcanoes.

We end our hike in Santa Cruz la Laguna where you can put your feet up with a luxurious cocktail on our lake front deck, watching the sun go down. Now you will have the chance to relax in this gorgeous environmentally friendly resort. That evening, we will present you a gorgeous three course home made meal, illuminated by candlelight and our cozy fireplace. The next morning you can either get up to experience the sunrise from a kayak, or from between the covers of your comfy bed in your Lake view hillside cabin. The restaurant will serve you coffee and a delicious full breakfast.

Day 2: Your second day includes even more choices and levels of activity. Paddle a different section of Lake Atitlan’s north shore in the morning. Then hike up the secluded Pumpatin Canyon and see a much different tropical eco-system. The trail follows the Pumpatin River along cascading waterfalls, coffee fields, and very exotic plant and bird life. This canyon is rarely seen by outsiders, and we consider it to be our secret garden paradise. Visit our rock climbing base camp with a climbing route for any ability. Lessons are available for beginners. Return to the Adventure Center approximately two hours later, have lunch and prepare for our departure.

For the last leg of our adventure, we board our private boat for a 10 minute ride back to Panajachel and prepare for the shuttle ride back to Antigua, your reward for a spectacular two days of adventure.  You will have time to explore the streets of Panajachel before our transport then returns you to Antigua by mid-afternoon.

Starting at $185.00 per person, minimum 4 persons; or $225.00, minimum 2 persons; or $285 single person.  $35 per person to add a second night and meals.  Additional $25 per person fee for rock climbing.

Included in trip price:

• R/T transportation from Antigua
• Unlimited kayak rental, PFD, and paddle.
• Personal guide thru all activities.
• Meals provided include: 2 lunches, 1 dinner, and second days breakfast
• One night accommodation in shared room, (private cabin upgrade, private bath for $10 p.p., dbl. occupancy).

Not included and important items for you to bring:

• Hiking or appropriate walking shoes
• Water shoes or sandals
• Daypack
• Swimsuit or clothes for kayaking
• Extra change of clothes for hiking
• Towel
• Toiletries
• Camera
• Hat & sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Drinking water
• Flashlight