8 Days Specials Festivals Semana Santa In Antigua
Specials Festivals Semana Santa In Antigua
8 Days / 7 Nights
TOUR INCLUDES:
- Private ground transportation with tour guide.
- Daily breakfast (7), Lunch (1)- no beverages
- PVT boat ride in Lake Atitlán
- Entrance fees in Antigua; Iximché; Tikal (no museum)
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Personal expenses
- Tour guide services on the last day
- Tips for bellboy, maid, guide and driver
- Beverages and meals not mentioned
- Flight GUA/FRS/GUA (see supplements)
Specials Festivals Semana Santa In Antigua
8 Days / 7 Nights
ITINERARY:
Wednesday, April 16 – Welcome to Guatemala: Arrival to Guatemala. Meet at the airport and transfer to Antigua. (Hotel Villa Colonial x 3 nights)
Thursday, April 17 – Antigua Tour + Semana Santa Celebrations (B)
Antigua Guatemala is like stepping back in time… cobbled stone streets, sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins, pastel façades under terracotta roofs, parks with fountains & a dramatic setting surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego & Acatenango. These are one of the reasons why Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas & declared by UNESCO as “Cultural Heritage of Humankind”. During Semana Santa, Antigua Guatemala hosts the most beautiful religious celebration in
the Americas, when huge processions wind their way through the town’s streets. You will witness the amazing sawdust carpets tradition and as a special activity you will have the opportunity to participate in the elaboration of one of these. The following processions can be seen today: Procesión San Cristóbal El Bajo; Procesión San Francisco
Friday, April 18 – Semana Santa Celebrations (B): Continue exploring the streets of Antigua during Semana Santa festivities. On Good Friday the streets of Antigua are covered with natural, aromatic carpets (alfombras) of flowers, pines, clover and fruits, which the residents put together and place in front of their homes. There are all kinds and shapes. Some are very long, even up to a kilometer, with colonial, Mayan, Roman or other original designs. At 3:00 A.M., preparations begin for the mock trial and sentencing of Christ. Participants dress as Roman soldiers, Pontius Pilate and other participants in the drama. At 5:00 A.M., the sculpture of Christ carrying his crucifix is moved through the carpeted main streets of Antigua on the shoulders of his worshipers until early afternoon, when the image is replaced by another of Christ being laid to rest. Antigua becomes adorned as thousands of people, burning incense and dressed in black, crowd the plazas and streets. A spectacular procession is led by the man bearing the crucifix, with hundreds of followers (cucuruchos) carrying black banners and standards engraved with the final words of Christ and the pronouncements of God. Life-like images representing the archangels, the Stations of the Cross, the Cavalry, the apostles and many others are part of the silent procession through the streets, where multitudes pray quietly. During the day there are a lot of activities, some are: Crucifixion Ceremony in Escuela de Cristo and Cathedral; La Merced Procession (Jesún Nazareno); La Catedral, Escuela de Cristo and San Felipe Processions (Santo Entierro).
Saturday, April 19 – Antigua/Iximché Archaeological site/Atitlán (B): In the morning we head to the highlands. On the way to Lake Atitlán we will visit the archaeological site of Iximché, located on the town of Tecpán. Iximché was the former capital of the Maya-Cakchiquel and the place where, in 1524, was founded Guatemala’s first capital by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado. In the afternoon continue to Lake Atitlán. (Hotel Villa Santa Catarina x 2 nights).
Sunday, April 20 – Chichicastenango (B): Departure to Chichicastenango, where you will see the most colorful and picturesque outdoor market in Guatemala, where locals from the region gather to buy and sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts. Relevant is the visit to the Santo Tomas Church, where the Maya-Quiche pray to their gods according to the old Maya traditions. Here you will admire some local traditions of Holy Week. In the afternoon return to Lake Atitlan to visit the towns of Panajachel and San Antonio Palopó, known for their ceramic artisan products.
Monday, April 21 – Boat to Santiago + San Juan/ Drive to GUA. Flight to Flores (B): Lake Atitlán was formed by a caldera (collapsed volcanic cone) and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán) and 12 picturesque Maya-Cakchiquel and Maya-Tzutuhil villages. Morning boat trip to the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlán, famous for Maximón, a folk saint venerated in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala. Continue by boat to visit the colorful indigenous village of San Juan La Laguna. Return by boat to Panajachel and drive back to Guatemala City to board the flight to Flores. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. (Hotel Villa Maya)
Tuesday, April 22 – Tikal National Park. Flight to GUA (B,L): Hidden in the middle of the jungle, Tikal’s monumental ruins are a part of the Marvels of the Americas. UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List on 1979 and declared it as “Cultural & Natural Heritage”. Known originally as ” City of the Voices “, it was discovered on 1848 and it was until 1940 when the restoration works started. A visit from 3 to 5 hours in the jungle, allows the visitors to discover the history of this mystical of this Maya Metropoli, exploring the most important plazas, complexes, temples, ball courts, palaces and stelae. Also enjoy the tropical rainforest, nesting place of hundreds of exotic birds and the habitat of a wide variety of wildlife. Afternoon return to Flores to board the flight back to Guatemala City.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. (Hotel Barcelo)
Wednesday, April 23 – End of Services (B): At the specified time, transfer to the airport in Guatemala City