Travel Interest: Textiles & Culture

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

ITINERARY: Antigua, Guatemala City, Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlan, Quetzaltenango, Zunil, Antigua

Description

Day 1

After your arrival to Guatemala City you will be transferred to the colonial town of Antigua.This afternoon you will walk around town and visit several textile shops together with your textile specialist who will introduce   you to the different types of textiles of the Guatemalan culture.

Day 2

Today visit a local textile museum in Antigua and travel to the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes famous for its textiles. In   San Miguel Escobar you will meet local artisans and be able to learn more about their work. The afternoon will be at leisure to visit the many handicraft markets of Antigua, shop around or visit one of the beautiful churches and convents.

Day 3

This morning you will be transferred to Guatemala City for an exciting visit of the Ixchel Museum of Textiles and the Popul Vuh  Museum of Mayan artifacts.After lunch head back to Antigua and stop at the

Day 4

Today you will participate in a textile workshop and learn more about backstrap weaving and natural dyes. You will definitely enjoy this day!

Day 5

This morning you will head deeper into the Highlands to the town of Chichicastenango, home to the K’iche’ Maya. Visit the  colorful market of Chichicastenango. Wander through the stands of this typical market and have a look at the handicrafts, pottery, woodcarvings, candles, traditional incenses and textiles. The 400–year old church of Santo Tomás is located next to the  market, atop a Pre-Columbian temple platform, and is worth a visit. It is still used by the Mayan priests for their traditional rituals. You will then pass by the colorful cemetery of town and hike up to the mountain of the Cofradía of Pascual Abaj, an ancient   carved altar where Mayan priests perform religious ceremonies and rituals.Then you will head to the charming Lake Atitlan and take a boat ride to your hotel on the shores of the lake.

Day 6

This will be an exciting day around this beautiful volcanic lake, surrounded by mountains and three volcanoes on its southern   flanks. It is ringed by several small indigenous and fairly quite villages. Take a boat ride to the village of San Juan la Laguna, visit the art galleries and talk to some artists about their work, learn more   about the customs and handicrafts of the Mayan Tzutujil culture and visit a Women Textile Cooperative.Then head to Santiago Atitlan for lunch in a nice lake shore restaurant.

Day 7

This morning you will adventure the beautiful scenery of Lake Atitlan on a hiking tour. You will fell in love with the amazing and mystic atmosphere of this charming lake.In the afternoon visit the village of Santiago Atitlan and the Textile Association Cojolya.

Day 8

Today you will be transferred deeper into the Highlands to the beautiful town of Quetzaltenango, better known as “Xela”. Located at an elevation of more than 2,000 meters, Quetzaltenango is ringed by mountains and volcanoes. Laced with   cobblestone streets, the University town of Xela has a nice Central Plaza and several good preserved colonial buildings. Visit the Cathedral of the Sacred Spirit, the Municipal Theater, the Passage of Enriquez and the Hill of Trunk which provides some   magnificent views of the city and its beautiful surroundings.Then you will visit an Indigenous Women’s Weaving Cooperative dedicated to supporting the livelihood and economic viability   of traditional weaving methods.This afternoon learn more about the sacred drink of the Mayans and relax with a delicious handmade hot chocolate.

Day 9

The beautiful agricultural Highland town of Zunil sits in a small valley between mountains, a volcano and a river. Visit the   colorful vegetable market as well as the gorgeous Catholic Church. Then head to a textile cooperative where hundreds of   women market their beautiful weavings. You will learn more about the local design of the textiles of this region of Guatemala.

Day 10 – Day 11

Today you will head back to Antigua Guatemala.The afternoon is at leisure for exploring the cobble stone streets and buying some unique textiles and handicrafts at one of the   amazing textile shops and handicraft markets.Before heading back to your home country you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner in an old colonial building with beautiful views over the colonial town of Antigua.

Highlights

• Textile Museum in Antigua
• San Antonio Aguas Calientes
• Local artisans in San Miguel Escobar
• Ixchel Museum
• Textile Workshop in Antigua
• Chichicastenango Market
• Textile Cooperative in San Juan Laguna
• Textile Association Cojolya in Santiago Atitlan
• Indigenous Women’s Weaving Cooperative in Xela
• Textile Cooperative in Zunil

The itinerary can be tailored to suit your individual interests and needs.