Hike Sacred Lake Chicabal, then Tour a Mayan Village - Full Day

Name: Hike Sacred Lake Chicabal, then Tour a Mayan Village - Full Day
Brand: Viator
Price: 220 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

5.0(1)8 hr 30 minEnglish, SpanishBook 1 day aheadQuetzaltenango, Guatemala

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$220

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Experience the mystery and majesty of Lake Chicabál and life in a Mayan Village. Formed within the inactive Chicabal Volcano, this crater lake is considered sacred by the Mam-Mayan people of the region and is surrounded by cloud forests, making it a site of cultural and spiritual significance. It is the most popular visitor destination in the Quetzaltenango area. Descend 600 steps into the caldera and explore the lake's perimeter, learning about the 20 Mayan 'naguals' along the way.

After the hike, engage with local culture during a village tour, visit a Mayan home, and learn from a weaving demonstration. This immersive experience is perfect for families and individuals looking to connect with nature and culture in the heart of the western Guatemalan Highlands.

80% of your activity fee supports the programs and clinics of Local Hope/Xela AID that empower local families and communities to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.

Included

Box lunch after the hike on top of the Lake Chicabal crater
Breakfast is served at the 8am at our Welcome Center at Xela AID Complex
Bottled water
A sweet treat is offered upon return to the Welcome Center.
Entrance fee to Lake Chicabal

Not included

Tour guide gratuity

Choose your option

2 options

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What you'll do

WELCOME: 8:00am at our Welcome Center at Xela AID Complex to meet your expert guide and breakfast
• RIDE: 9:00am - A transport vehicle will whisk you up scenic trails to the dry lakebed below Chicabál Lake crater. • HIKE: 9:30am - Reach the rim of the caldera and learn the crater lake's history before descending - 600 steps down. • NAGUAL TOUR: Hike the scenic perimeter and learn about the 20 Mayan "naguals" - the "energies and lessons of days.” • NATURE: In the surrounding forest, be prepared to see butterflies, birds, and perhaps the phenomena of "clouds gathering water" that local people count on to bring the rains to nourish their crops. • HIKE OUT, LUNCH: Hike back up to the rim's edge for a box lunch before returning to our complex for cultural activities. • VILLAGE TOUR: 1:30pm - Explore the local village on a narrated walk along streets lined with fields of corn, potatoes, and other crops, for a behind-the-scenes look at daily life of the Mam-Maya people. • VISIT A MAYAN HOME: 2:30pm - visit a family in their home • REFRESHMENTS, WEAVING DEMONSTRATION: 3:30pm - return to Welcome Center for a snack and traditional Mayan backstrap weaving demonstration

Meeting and pickup

1 location

Pickup details

From Quetzaltenango (about an hour from the village), you can choose the option of having us pickup/drop off from Central Park for an extra fee. Pickup at 7am. We will return you to Quetzaltenango at the end of the day. Please choose the "With Pickup in Quetzaltenango" option at checkout. The van holds up to 5 passengers. Please contact us with any questions.