Maya Textiles Tour (6n/7d)

many locally produced textiles are shipped overseas, and many also end up at the Chi Chi Castenango Markets

Day 1, Arrival – Antigua (Unguided)
Guests are met & transferred to Antigua. (1hr) Antigua 3N • Upgrade with informal lecture / discussion on background to Guatemala & its History

Day 2, Textile Day Trip Antigua & Villages (BL) (Guide FD)
Guests will be met by our Textile Expert for a full day tour of Antigua & surrounding villages to learn about the famous Guatemalan Textiles – weaving techniques, natural dyes, symbolism – and to see the back strap loom method of weaving ongoing in Maya homes. Lunch will be in one of the local restaurants in Antigua.

Day 3, Ixchel Museum and Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Museums (BL) (Guide FD)
Guests will be picked up from their hotel for the transfer to Ixchel Textile Museum in Guatemala City. Guests will learn about the history of textiles and the ongoing work of the museum to preserve this ancient craft. Lunch will be in a restaurant in Guatemala City. After lunch guests will be transferred back to the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums covering traditional music, costume & traditions.

Day 4, Transfer to Lake Atitlan and visit Textile Cooperation (B) (Guide FD)
Today guests will be met at their hotel and will be transferred to Lake Atitlan. On the way guests will stop in Solola to visit a women’s textile cooperation. Here guests will be showed the different weaving techniques etc. of the area. After the visit guests will transfer on to their hotel at Lake Atitlan. The afternoon will be free to relax. Lake Atitlan, 2N.

Day 5, Chichi Market (B,L) (Guide FD)
Today guests transfer approx. 1hr to the famous market at Chichi. Time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church. Guests will enjoy lunch in Chichicastenango before they will transferred back to their hotel.

Day 6, Lake Tour (San Juan, Santiago) (B,L) (Guide FD)
This morning guests will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan (30min) to the village of San Juan La Laguna where they will visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process. Guests will have lunch in a local restaurant. Guests can visit the studios / homes of the celebrated naïf painters. From here guests continue to the village of Santiago where they will visit another textile cooperation. After the tour guests will be transferred back to Antigua. Antigua, 1N

Day 7, Transfer Out (B) (Unguided)
This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport (approx 1hour) in plenty of time to catch their flight.