Global Visionaries is offering a 9-day tour to Guatemala that combines world class sightseeing with serious study of this compelling country. Combining the well respected tour experience of Rick Steves and GV’s in-depth understanding of Guatemala, this tour is designed to blend the best of both worlds -exciting sightseeing and meaningful learning.

You’ll enjoy the sensational beauty of this tiny, overlooked country that touches the Caribbean and Pacific and is peppered with volcanoes, jungles, and Indian villages and world class Mayan ruins. We also want to get your fingers dirty understanding the realities of life in Guatemala- so we’ll meet with survivors of the 35 year long Civil War, meet with politicians and rabble rousers, visit the school in the dump, tour a coffee plantation and learn firsthand about Global Visionaries efforts to help.

Trip Date: November 20-28, 2010

Trip Cost: $2000-2,200. Because all proceeds from this tour go to Global Visionaries, about half of your tour price is entirely tax deductable. The lower price is for those preferring a homestay in Antigua (simple bed and breakfast accommodations)

Price Includes: All accommodations, admissions and transportation in Guatemala, all breakfasts and three-fourths of your lunches and dinners.

This tour begins: On a Saturday and ends on a Sunday

To register: Please send an email to
Download here the Agreement Form, Forms Checklist, and Medical Info.
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Day 1: Welcome to Guatemala.
You’ll take a short airport shuttle to our hotel in lovely Antigua where you’ll meet your guide and have a brief orientation and welcome meeting. Because flights all arrive later in the evening, we have no important activities planned for this day. Sleep well tonight!

Day 2: All day in Antigua
We’ll devote today to exploring beautiful Antigua, a UNESCO world heritage site of pastel colored buildings where volcanoes loom in the distance.  On our walking tour we’ll explore the town’s cobbled streets and Spanish colonial architecture and visit several Catholic church ruins. We’ll take a short trip out of town for a late lunch with indigenous families from the village of Segundo Cruz, home of one of the Global Visionaries schools. We’ll return to Antigua with time to relax before having dinner together prepared by one of our host families. Bus: 40 min. Walking: moderate.

Day 3:  A Day in the Life of Guatemala
Today we’ll learn first-hand about the daily challenges that Guatemalans face and visit a few projects designed to help meet those challenges. We’ll tour Global Visionaries newest school construction site being designed and built through a partnership with the local community and Architects Without Borders. Next, we’ll transfer to pick-up trucks and journey up the Volcán Agua to lunch with coffee farmers where we will learn about the fascinating process of coffee farming and production so critical to Guatemala’s economy. Dinner will be on your own or at home stays this evening in Antigua. Bus: 40 min. Walking: moderate to rigorous (your choice).

Day 4:  Women’s Crafts Cooperative and Reforestation projects, optional Pacaya Volcano Excursion
You have two great options today. Most will take a short drive outside Antigua and meet with women who run an Arts Cooperative where we’ll learn about traditional textile crafts and how women are empowering one another through sustaining their traditional arts. On our way back to Antigua we’ll stop at a reforestation project and meet with Global Visionaries volunteers. Those wanting to lend a hand and help with tree planting can do so and return later this afternoon to Antigua. Bus: 2 hours. Walking: light.
Hardy hikers can opt to climb to the top of 8400 foot Pacaya Volcano and peer down upon the lagoon and crater. Tempestuous Pacaya is the most active of the three volcanoes that dominate Antigua’s surroundings (in constant eruption for 45 years and the cause of many village evacuations).  You’ll take a demanding 3-4 hour hike to the desolate rim of the volcano. After enjoying a picnic lunch at the top, you’ll return to Antigua at the end of the day.  Bus: 3 hours. Walking: rigorous
We’ll have dinner together this evening with another host family. Our fearless guides will close the day with a tour of Salsa dancing bars— Vamos a bailar! 

Day 5: Overnight Excursion to Lake Atitlán
This morning, our intrepid group will travel by bus and boat to the mile high Mayan town of Santiago de Atitlán. We’ll glide past volcanoes on a ferry ride across the glassy waters of stunningly beautiful Lake Atitlán then sleep in Santiago de Atitlán , capital of the colorful Tzutuhil Indians. We’ll learn about the Tzutuhil lifestyle, challenges, and dazzling arts and crafts before enjoying dinner together this evening. Bus: 2.5 hours. Ferry: 45 min. Walking: moderate.

Day 6: Market Day in Chichicastenango, then back to Antigua
After free time this morning to explore Santiago de Atitlán, we’ll cross Lake Atitlán and aim our sights on Chichicastenango, the world’s largest and oldest outdoor Mayan market-a magnificent cornucopia of sights, smells and ancient traditions. We’ll immerse ourselves in Mayan art, culture and textiles and visit the unusual church of Santo Tomas before returning to Antigua. Since it’s our last night in Antigua, we’ll share a special dinner with all of the representatives of Global Visionaries projects, our host families, and Pastores mayor, Miguel Lopez.  Bus: 4 hours. Ferry: 45 min. Walking: moderate.

Day 7: Guatemala City Dump, then Fly to Tikal-- Mayan Capital in the Jungle.
We’ll leave first thing today and get a reality check by visiting Guatemala City’s infamous garbage dump around which thousands of people live. We’ll meet with representatives of Safe Passage (Camino Seguro), a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities to families living off of the dump.  We’ll then head for the airport and take a 40 minute charter flight to Flores, Petén en route to Tikal, home of the most revered Mayan pyramids and temples in the Americas. Our hotel is isolated in the middle of the forest, a short walk from the ruins. We’ll take a short stroll into the jungle late this afternoon then have dinner together. You’ll sleep well tonight (and awaken early tomorrow). Bus: 2.5 hours. Plane: 40 min. Walking: moderate.

Day 8: Day at Tikal, late afternoon flight to Guatemala City.
Rise and shine! We will take a sunrise tour of the pyramids and temples in Tikal, once the most important city in the two thousand year old Mayan civilization. We’ll take our time to enjoy the complex of pyramids, plazas and other buildings constructed three hundred years before Rome’s Coliseum. You’ll have time to siesta poolside back at our hotel before we take a late afternoon flight to Guatemala City. We’ll celebrate our spectacular trip with a group dinner at one of Guatemala’s finer restaurants. Bus: 1.5 hours. Plane: 40 min. Walking: moderate.

Day 9: Return to the United States.
The Guatemala airport has several flights to the U.S. and easy international connections for additional side trips to one of the coasts or one of the many natural or archeological sites. Whatever your final destination, your guide will help you get on the right track.

College Credit
College Credit available: 10 Language and 3 Leadership college credits through Seattle Central Community College. (Additional cost). For more information on college credit, contact Executive Director, Chris Fontana.