Tour Code: 28GUA
Tour Manager: Patrick Cross
Tour Leader: Patrick Cross
Group Size: 8 - 12
Activity level: Moderate

Jungles. Mayan temples and ruins. Colorful colonial streets. Volcano views. A stunning lake. Guatemala has it all! 

We’ll visit the old colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, the artistic town of San Juan La Laguna, the island of Flores, and learn about the Maya culture in Quetzaltenango. Experience a coffee farm from seed to shelf and learn about the production of chocolate. Admire active volcanos (from a safe distance!), explore ancient Mayan ruins and temples, walk along brightly colored streets covered with cobblestones, shop for fabrics and souvenirs in artisan markets, and pose for pictures on a giant rock hand overlooking a volcano.

Sunday, March 5
Meet at the Guatemala City airport and take a shuttle to the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala. After checking into our hotel, we will go for an orientation walk and see the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint for an amazing view of Volcán de Agua.  Welcome group dinner. Stay 4 nights in Antigua Guatemala.

Monday, March 6
Who’s ready for some super-fresh coffee? After breakfast, we’ll visit a coffee farm and learn about the process of coffee production and sample some fresh coffee, bring some home.  Visit the LAVOSI Deaf School in nearby Jocotenango.

Tuesday, March 7
Start your day high above the clouds with a morning visit to Hobbitenango, where we can strike a pose at The Hand, a dramatic giant stone sculpture that stretches out toward the sky with a volcano in the background, and wander through a hobbit-themed park.  After, we’ll take a tuktuk to Caoba Farms to savor a delicious organic, farm-to-table lunch and explore the farm grounds and gardens.

Wednesday, March 8
Hike 1.5 hours up Volcán de Pacaya (with the option of riding a horse part of the way up) and feel the hardened lava flows under your feet, take in a breathtaking view, and hopefully enjoy a pizza lunch cooked directly on hot lava rocks. Free time in the afternoon to rest, shop or explore the city.

Thursday, March 9
Transfer to San Juan La Laguna (4 hours) with a visit to the famous artisan market in Chichicastenango along the way.  After check-in at our hotel, enjoy a nice dinner and evening walk around San Juan. Sleep 2 nights in San Juan La Laguna.

Friday, March 10
Visit a textile factory, view a demonstration of textile production, and have an opportunity to purchase various fabrics to bring home.  We’ll have lunch at Café Alma de Colores, a restaurant that employs people with disabilities, and shop at a Deaf-run crafts store next to the restaurant.  Free time the rest of the afternoon to explore the many colorful shops and cafés along the main street leading to the waterfront docks.

Saturday, March 11
For the physically fit, there is an option to go on a sunrise hike up Mirador Kaqasiiwaan to enjoy an absolutely incredible view as the sun comes up.  After breakfast to regain our energy, we'll wrap up our time in San Juan with a coffee tasting workshop. Transfer to Quetzaltenango, locally known as Xela. (2 hours). Upon arrival, go on a short walking tour as we learn about the Maya (K'iche') history and culture of Xela. Spend 2 nights in Xela.

Sunday, March 12
We'll have an interesting day in Xela with a combined LENSEGUA Spanish lesson and cooking class - not only will we work together to create a typical Guatemalan meal, but we'll also learn about making chocolate and sampling hot chocolate and chocolate tea! Wrap up with a visit to the relaxing thermal baths of Fuentes Georginas high in the mountains.

Monday, March 13
After breakfast and a relaxing morning in Xela, transfer to Guatemala City airport (about 4 hours) and take an early-evening 45-minute flight to Flores in the northern region of Guatemala, an area deeply rooted in Mayan history and culture.  Stay 4 nights in Flores.

Tuesday, March 14
After an easy morning to get our bodies settled in after the previous day’s heavy travelling, we’ll visit Yaxhá, a Mesoamerican archaeological site, for an afternoon tour and experience the magical sunset. During sunset at Yaxhá, there is a tradition that everyone goes completely silent for 15-30 minutes to truly get the full authentic atmosphere as the sun disappears behind the Mayan temples.

Wednesday, March 15
Free day to explore the island of Flores.  Smile in front of the “Yo Amo Peten” sign, explore the colorful streets, relax in a waterfront café. Optional short excursions to Ak’tun Kan Caves or to San Miguel for a canopy hike with a view or go for a swim in the lake.

Thursday, March 16
Spend most of the day at the ruins of Tikal, a breathtaking remnant of one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. 

Friday, March 17
Take a short flight back to Guatemala City.  Visit the historical district around the colonial-era Plaza de la Constitución in Zona 1. Wrap up our trip with a final group dinner. Overnight in Guatemala City.

Saturday, March 18
Transfer to Guatemala City’s La Aurora Airport for your flight back home.

Updated as of 02/26/2026

Patrick has been an Academic Upgrading professor at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario for over 25 years. He also teaches a General Education elective, “The Holocaust: Perspectives of the Deaf and the Disabled,” in ASL with interpreters for an all-hearing audience. A strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Patrick is passionate about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to achieve their goals.

An experienced traveler who has visited 55 countries, Patrick has led faculty trips to Ecuador, Colombia, and Guatemala, as well as student and Hands On Travel groups, including a Holocaust-themed tour to Poland, Czechia, and Germany.

At home, Patrick and his wife Barbara enjoy planning future adventures while supporting their four children as they navigate young adulthood. Their busy household also includes two cats, Mara and Kiro, and two dogs, Leia and Bean.

• 13 nights in 3 or 4-star accommodations.

• 16 meals: Breakfast (13), Dinner (2), Lunch (1)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

  Approximately $200+ for domestic flights (roundtrip: Guatemala City > Flores > Guatemala City).

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins and ends in Guatemala City.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants.

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits/payments may be required.

• Significant walking expected during the tour.  Moderate physical fitness is required. All participants will be expected to be able to carry their own luggage.

• Please note that this trip is not accessible for wheelchair users in many locations because of uneven terrain, cobblestone streets, and steep uphill climbs. 

• Hands on Travel recommends that you purchase a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: patrick@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.