Yoga Retreat & Exciting Volcano Hiking in Guatemala 2024
This is more than just a yoga retreat, it is an active adventure with volcano hiking and ancient Mayan culture.
Overview:
With all the stresses of daily life adding up, it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking to stay at a yoga retreat on their travels. Yoga retreats are not just about improving fitness and strength, but about calming your mind and connecting you to your spiritual self.
Guatemala is known as the Land of Eternal Spring, for its active volcanoes, rainforests, ancient Mayan sites, Spanish colonial towns, and the iconic Lake Atitlan which is surrounded by gorgeous nature spots. With all this nature, you’ll be nestled in a landscape that exhales calmness and tranquility.
Imagine a deep, cobalt lake surrounded by dozens of tiny villages and looming volcanoes. That is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Its shores have been attracting hippies and hedonistic travelers for decades.
It is no secret that Guatemala grows some of the best coffee in the world. If you know a little about coffee, then you know that the best coffee grows at higher elevations.
Antigua Guatemala is known as the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America. Stroll the cobblestone streets, lounge with the locals in Central Park on sunny afternoons, or hike up one of the volcanoes overlooking the city for amazing views. Antigua used to be the capital of Guatemala until a damaging earthquake caused a switch to Guatemala City. As harrowing as the earthquake must have been at that time, some of the remains of Antigua’s stunning colonial buildings still stand today.
You can read my blog post about the 2023 Guatemala retreat by clicking here.
Program:
23. November - Arriving in Guatemala City. Book your flight to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) and your first night at the hotel, hostel, or apartment nearby. The first night in Guatemala City is not included in the retreat price but everybody must be in Guatemala City before Day 1. I am happy to advise you where to stay or if you want to extend your trip, where and how to go. Remember to apply for a visa if you have a transfer to the USA (Esta).
24. November - Day 1: Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua City. First night in Antigua.
25. November - Day 2: Acatenango Volcano overnight hike
We depart Antigua early in the morning for a comfortable one-hour drive to the Mayan village of Soledad and the Acatenango trailhead. The drive from Antigua to the start of the Acatenango trek takes around 1 hour depending on traffic, police checkpoints, animals on the road, etc.
The 1525 m ascent winds its way up through four distinct ecosystems, starting with a tapestry of fertile agricultural fields where local farmers harvest corn, flowers, and snow peas. From there, the trail rises into an old-growth tropical cloud forest that harbors a diversity of flora and fauna and also provides hikers shade and comfort as they push up the steep slope. Emerging from the cloud forest, we enter a sparse high-alpine forest that reveals views of six other volcanoes, making it a great spot for a scenic trail lunch.
After lunch, we make the final push of the day and climb above the tree line into the fourth microclimate wind-swept and mystical volcanic terrain.
The campsite is already set up at 3600 m.a.s.l., so we do not need to carry any of the camping gear. The tents are for 2-3 people. Each tent has a pillow, a – 6°C sleeping bag, an extra blanket, and a 5″ or 12cm comfortable mattress, under the tent is a waterproof carpet to isolate the cold from the bottom, and there is an extra tarp to isolate the cold from the top. They also provide a clean inner sleeping bag and the campsite has its outhouse.
Now we can relax, stretch, and take in the sweeping views of the Antigua Valley and Volcan Fuego before being served a hot dinner followed by coffee, tea, and marshmallows over the campfire. The campsite looks directly over Volcan Fuego, and your evening is spent splitting time between gasping at volcanic eruptions and staring into a mesmerizing sky full of stars above. Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and has erupted more than 60 times in the last 500 years.
26. November - Day 3: Wake up call at 04.00 am. We begin a 90-minute ascent to Acatenango’s summit (3976 m) to watch the sunrise. It is a steep but rewarding climb through dwarf pine trees and gravel scree that leads to the top of the world. From the summit, we will find 360-degree views of Volcan Fuego, the Antigua Valley, and the distant Guatemalan highlands that stretch to the border of Mexico.
Breakfast is at 8.00 at the base camp.
We are back in Antigua early afternoon (~1:00 pm) with plenty of time for a celebratory beer, cappuccino, or a siesta! Overnight in Antigua.
27. November - Day 4: Shuttle to San Marcos La Laguna, to our yoga retreat location near Lake Atitlan, where we have lunch, an evening yoga class, and dinner.
Lake Atitlán sits at an altitude of just over 1550 meters above sea level. The surrounding Lake Atitlan is world-renowned for its Cacao and Coffee plantations.
28. November - Day 5: Morning yoga class, breakfast, relaxing by the lake, paddleboarding or kayaking, lunch, evening yoga class, and Sacred Mayan Cacao Ceremony.
It was believed that the gods gifted cacao to the people directly. The scientific genus name for cacao is theobroma, which translates to “Food of the Gods,” and the Maya believed that cacao was a key ingredient in restoring balance and connection to the divine.
29. November - Day 6: Morning yoga class, breakfast, hike to Tzununa permaculture farm, Love Probiotics, and a short hike to a local waterfall. Evening yoga and dinner at the retreat center.
Love Probiotics produce healthy, live, locally sourced, fermented probiotic foods and beverages (various types of raw sauerkrauts, raw vinegar, organic black, green, and white tea kombuchas, ginger beer, sparkling water kefirs, jun tea, organic kefir yogurt, Lacto-fermented hot sauce, super-food bliss balls, sourdough bread and more!). They also offer a variety of hands-on fermentation workshops.
30. November - Day 7: Morning yoga class, breakfast, option to visit Panajachel, evening yoga, and dinner at the retreat center. If you prefer a peaceful day with your favorite book, stay at the Eagle's Nest yoga resort or Lake Atitlan.
Panajachel, known as Pana, has several restaurants featuring local and international cuisine, coffee shops, street food vendors, and more. The town's main street, Calle Santander, is where visitors can shop for textiles and artisanal pieces handmade by indigenous people from around the lake. Panajachel offers a spectacular view of the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes. If paragliding is on your bucket list, you can fulfill your dream here with experienced instructors.
01. December - Day 8: Indian Nose Sunrise hike with a local guide, brunch, dinner, relaxing, and evening yoga at the retreat center.
The Indian Nose is the mountain on the northwest shore of Lake Atitlan. Also called Mayan Nose or Face, this 2550-meter-tall mountain presents one of the most rewarding climbs of Lake Atitlan. In addition to viewing the sunrise over a chain of volcanoes and then onto the pristine waters, this climb provides excellent views over the San Juan and San Pedro la Laguna villages. The climb takes about 30-45 minutes. The peak is at just over 2200 meters elevation.
02. December - Day 9: Morning yoga, breakfast, and transfer 4 hrs to the La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City and say goodbye.
Accommodation:
In Antigua, we will stay at the hotel where you can choose between a single or a double room.
Our yoga retreat center in San Marcos La Laguna, Eagles Nest, is an awe-inspiring ecological resort and world-class event venue for the transformational growth of adventure travelers, artists, and digital nomads. We will have 3 delicious vegetarian meals a day. Every day you can choose between many yoga classes and different workshops. You can choose between a single, double or shared room. The rooms are simple, cozy, and rustic. The property has outdoor showers, a garden, and a sauna shared with other guests.
Food:
What is traditional Guatemalan food?
Guatemalan cuisine is a fusion of flavors and cultures, reflecting a nation's rich history and diverse geography. Whether you're savoring the simplicity of freshly made tortillas, indulging in the complex flavors of pepián, or exploring the spice-infused world of chiles, every bite in Guatemala tells a story. So, when you visit this beautiful country, don't just travel; embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight and your heart brimming with the warmth of Guatemalan hospitality.
Traditional Guatemalan food is generally based on Mayan cuisine with Spanish influences. Dishes prominently include beans, chilies, and corn, which are abundantly cultivated along with a wide variety of agricultural products due to the country’s tropical setting, fertile volcanic soil, high rainfall, and warm temperatures. This ideal setting has helped make the country the birthplace of chocolate and home to the popular Hass avocado.
Regarding meats, beef, chicken, pork, and to a lesser extent turkey are frequently used as ingredients and often accompanied by rice and beans. They’re stewed, grilled, or fried, with some dishes having creamy sauces that work well with vegetables. As a result, Guatemala arguably has the most delicious cuisine among its neighbors in Central America.
Read more about Guatemalan cuisine in my blog post here.
Your investment:
Shared room 1990 USD
Shared room for 2 persons 3400 USD (1890 per person)
Private room 2450 USD
Booking and refund options:
We ask for a deposit of 350 USD per participant to reserve your spot in this yoga retreat.
50% of the remaining balance should be paid 60 days before the retreat starts.
The remaining balance should be paid 30 days before the retreat starts.
Cancellation less than 60 days before the start of the retreat: 100% cancellation fee (no refund)
Fees are completely non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payment methods:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Bank transfer
- Wise
Card & Paypal payments have a +4% fee.
To avoid this fee, please contact us for payment by bank transfer.
What is included:
- 8 nights accommodation
- 1 or 2 yoga or meditation classes per day
- Yoga mats
- Breakfasts
- 3 vegetarian meals a day during our stay at the Yoga Retreat Center
- Acatenango Vulcano Sunrise hiking tour (overnight at the base camp) with a local guide
- Indian Nose sunrise hiking with a local guide
- Tzununa permaculture farm tour and Waterfall hiking trip
- Visit Love Probiotics
- Sacred Mayan Cacao Ceremony
- Entrance fees
- National park fees
What is not included:
- Airfare
- Travel insurance (medical and trip cancellation) is mandatory to protect you in case of any unforeseen emergencies
- Visa fees
- Gratuities (recommended 10 %)
- Lunches, and dinners in Antigua
- First night in Guatemala City
- Boat tickets to Tzununa, Panajachel, or other towns (3 $)
Additional Information:
The quetzal is the currency of Guatemala, named after the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendent quetzal. In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird's tail feathers were used as currency. It is divided into 100 centavos or len in Guatemalan slang. The plural is quetzals. There are ATMs in Antigua, San Marcos, and Panajachel. In many places you can pay with a card but they add 7-10 % to the price when paying by card.
A YouTube video about Guatemala Yoga and Hiking Retreat packing advice is here.
