Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/03/22 | 10/03/22 | 9 days | £3,295 ex. flights | £0 | Olga Riche | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Guatemala is a land of colour and its colourful textiles are what stitches together its vibrant and fascinating history. Unearth Mayan ruins, learn about textile techniques and immerse yourself in the wondrous culture of this Central America gem.
Begin in the UNESCO colonial treasure of Antigua with a focus on textiles, the ancient art of back strap weaving and the importance of traditional dress. Continue to scenic Lake Atitlan, which is ringed by volcanoes, home to white-washed villages and the revered deity Maximon. Move onto the Ixil Triangle, a remote mountain region where traditional practices remain, before returning to Guatemala City, with a behind the scenes tours of the incredible Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Dress.
Accompanied by Olga Riche, who has over 30 years’ experience in textiles and natural dyes and has been guiding for nearly two decades. She will bring to life and educate you on a number of different textile techniques found in the regions explored.
Olga was born in Guatemala and is of Keqchí (one of Guatemala ‘ Indigenous groups) and German descendant.
She is a self-taught textiles expert, with over 30 years experience of textiles and natural dye techniques.
She has been working with Indigenous weavers within different regions of Guatemala for over 34 years. She has been introducing them to new weaving techniques and to natural dyes to enable them to access to new market opportunities.
Discover centuries-old techniques and the history behind Guatemala’s vibrant textiles
Explore the cultural, architectural and social timelines of Guatemala
Participate in workshops including textiles, cooking and shaman ceremonies
Visit Maximón, an idol to whom locals offer gifts of cigarettes, alcohol, and colorful candles. His effigy is housed by a different member of the local cofradía (religious brotherhood) each year.
For the traveller who is inspired by the indigenous culture of a country, then a Guatemala holiday is hard to beat. Journey through ancient villages, Mayan ruins and highland communities where there is the chance to take in local markets, cooperatives, cooking classes and craft workshops.
Day 1
Guatemala City to Antigua
Day 2
Antigua
Day 3
Antigua
Day 4
Iximche
Day 5
Lake Atitlan
Day 6
Lake Atitlan to Nebaj
Day 7
Almolonga, Zunil & Totonicapan
Day 8
Colotenango and Chiantla
Day 9
Guatemala City
Day 1
Guatemala City to Antigua
On arrival into Guatemala City, you will be met and transferred to the Antigua, a journey time of around one hour.
Day 2
Antigua
Today, venture into the less-visited villages surrounding colonial Antigua for a fascinating immersion into the century’s old techniques and history behind vibrant Guatemalan textiles.
Day 3
Antigua
Meet with your guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua.
Day 4
Iximche
Explore the well-preserved temples, ball courts, and remnants of ancient palaces of the compact but important Maya site. Witness a traditional Mayan Shaman ceremony.
Day 5
Lake Atitlan
Travel by boat to the village of San Juan La Laguna, a petite but picturesque Tz’utujil Maya town with panoramic lake views. Visit a women’s cooperative to watch some textile technique demonstrations.
Day 6
Lake Atitlan to Nebaj
Travel into the Cuchumatanes mountains, to explore Nebaj and the Ixil Triangle, where locals still adhere to traditional ways of life.
Day 7
Almolonga, Zunil & Totonicapan
Visit the bustling local markets to check out the vegetables and the local ropa típica (traditional dress), which is about as vibrantly coloured as the produce on display.
Day 8
Colotenango and Chiantla
Visit the small and picturesque villages of Colotenango and Chiantla, located on the outskirts of Huehuetenango. Continue onto Guatemala City.
Day 9
Guatemala City
Visit the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Dress, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum. The museum’s collection includes some 8,000 pieces from 181 indigenous communities in Guatemala. Afterwards, enjoy a short city tour before transferring to the airport.
Antigua is undoubtedly one of the most visited towns in Central America and it is easy to see why. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the colonial city of Antigua was once one of the regional capitals of the Spanish Empire. Peaceful and well-organised, the city is awash with elegant colonial architecture enlivened with pastel facades and clumps of colourful bougainvillea.
Author Aldous Huxley once called it ‘the most beautiful lake in the world’ and on first sight it would be difficult not to agree. Not only is it the scenery stunning but some of the most traditional villages in Guatemala are located here. Dotted around the shoreline, these villages are home to different indigenous groups with distinct languages, cultures, costumes and textiles.
High up in the Cuchumatanes mountains are three small villages Nebaj, Chajul and Cotzal which make up the Ixil Triangle. These villages are fiercely traditional, as are most towns in the area. Local dialects are spoken, some do not even speak Spanish. Traditional dress is still worn by both men and women with patterns woven into their cloth which determine which community they are from.
Extend your stay in Guatemala with a visit to Tikal. Declared a UNESCO site in 1979, Tikal is one of the largest archaeologist sites of the Pre-Colombian Maya civilisation. Located in Peten, in the north of Guatemala, Tikal emerges from the tangled jungle commemorating a powerful Mayan Empire. Exotic animals and birds of all shapes, sizes and colour inhabit the forests that were once home to an astutely developed group of people, irrevocably linked to their environment.
Speak to one of our experts for more information.
Why should I travel with Steppes Travel to Guatemala?
Group tours can be a fun and fulfilling way to travel in the company of like-minded people, especially in a country like Guatemala.
What is the best time to visit Guatemala?
Generally, temperature varies little throughout the year but the rainy season is from May to October which does not affect all areas and often means sunny morning is followed by rainy afternoons from around 4pm.
What is the typical food and drink in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s staples are black beans, guacamole and rice with tacos. A typical breakfast consists of frijoles negros (stewed black beans), banana, eggs, guacamole, rice and tortillas – a Central American fry up.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
This tour does not charge a single supplement, so is perfect for solo travellers or those wanting their own space.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this tour?
You do not need to be particularly fit and there are no long distance walks involved. However, walking can be on uneven ground so do let us know if you feel you are not particularly steady on your feet.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/03/22 | 10/03/22 | 9 days | £3,295 ex. flights | £0 | Olga Riche | 15 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
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