Antigua to Lake Atitlan 3 Day Trek

What to Expect

Day 1: Rio Xaya Trek

On our way to the trailhead, we'll make a stop at the shrine of Maximon or San Simon, dedicated to a local Mayan deity. At the trailhead, just beyond a quaint Mayan village, we'll grab our daypacks, lace up our boots, and prepare for our hike. Today's journey will lead us through small villages as we descend through coffee plantations to the floor of the Rio Xaya canyon and then ascend the opposite side. Keep an eye out for red-tailed hawks soaring above as we traverse the canyon.

The climb from the canyon bottom back to our destination for the day is challenging but split into two manageable sections. Our guides will provide a packed lunch along the way, making the ascent more enjoyable. Arriving at camp in the afternoon, our support team will have set up and welcomed us with great hospitality. Tonight, we'll camp in a small, remote community literally at the "end of the road," where curious children and warm, smiling adults greet us. The campsite offers stunning vistas of the Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes dominating the horizon.

While we've been trekking today, our support crew has been busy at camp preparing a delicious and nutritious local meal.

Distance: ~16 kms

Elevation Gain/Loss: ~ +1,390 mtrs / -1,439 mtrs

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Highline Ridge Trek

After a hearty breakfast with plenty of coffee and tea, we'll pack our day bags and embark on our morning ascent to the ridge that defines today's terrain. The "highline" ridge closely follows the mountainside, offering breathtaking views to the south towards the Pacific Coast. As we hike up, the eastern panorama unfolds, revealing the volcanoes of the Antigua valley and, on clear days, extending all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The ridge gently undulates for several kilometers before gradually descending towards a series of communities below. Here, we emerge from the forest and leave the ridge to join a recently paved road for a short stretch. It's a perfect opportunity to hop into a local "flete," a pickup truck used for transporting both passengers and agricultural goods to markets. Of course, you can also choose to walk this section.

Tonight, we camp with expansive views overlooking Lake Atitlan in the distance. Upon arrival, we can join a pickup soccer game with locals, adding to the adventure of the day. Our camp hosts will prepare a delicious local dinner, including the chance for us to try our hand at making tortillas. Before dinner, we'll have a fascinating demonstration of backstrap loom weaving from a cooperative of talented women. They craft textiles destined for markets in Atitlan and Antigua, showcasing their traditional skills and craftsmanship.

Distance: ~14 kms

Elevation Gain/Loss: ~ +746 mtrs / -636 mtrs

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Madre Vieja Trek

Today sadly marks our final day of trekking. Leaving camp, we begin our descent towards the Madre Vieja river canyon below. As we navigate through small villages scattered across the landscape, Lake Atitlan fades from view. Our trek leads us through local corn, bean, tomato fields, and a sprawling avocado farm destined for export.

We'll pause for a much-needed break at a small-scale coffee "finca" or farm, where a brief tour allows us to witness coffee production firsthand. Depending on timing, you might observe everything from processing freshly hand-picked beans to their drying on patios.

Continuing onward, we cross the swinging bridge over the Rio Madre Vieja, officially marking the transition from the Antigua region to that of Lake Atitlan. Our ascent on the opposite side of the canyon leads us to our lunch spot atop the climb. Here, we enjoy a locally prepared meal in a "tienda," soaking in views of our previous night's campsite—a testament to how far we've journeyed.

After lunch, cresting the ridge rewards us with sweeping panoramas of Lake Atitlan. This signals our final descent to the lakeshore. The trail, seemingly carved into the hillside high above the lake, winds through terraced onion fields of San Antonio Palopo.

Here, our trek concludes. We're here to assist with any onward travel logistics in the region, or we'll return to Antigua together.

Distance: ~12.5 kms

Elevation Gain/Loss: ~ +609 mtrs / -1,543 mtrs

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

** Want to continue further and longer? **

Ask about our 3 day Trek from Lake Atitlan to Xela. Our Western Highlands Mayan Trail trek is a 3 day trek that traverses the high country west of Lake Atitlan to the fertile valleys of the Almolonga valley just outside of Xela. This glorious trek finishes in the restorative thermal waters of Fuentes Georginas.