Sample Itinerary
Please note: Though this is based off an itinerary from an actual Service Team, all schedules are planned and customized to fit the individual needs of each team.
Day 1: Team Lands in Guatemala City, makes their way through customs and immigration and is welcomed by the ImagininGuatemala staff upon exiting the airport. After a quick meal, the team is driven to Antigua to start their adventure. Dinner and an orientation time takes place at the ImagininGuatemala offices nearby after dropping off luggage and greeting the host families. This will be the time to bring your passports, extra money, and anything else that you may want to store for safe-keeping. The service team then returns to their homestays to unpack and settle in for a good night's rest.
Day 2: After a delicious breakfast at the homestay, the team meets at the office for a tour walking the cobblestone streets and stepp back into time to the 18th century when Antigua, then the capital of the Captaincy General, was a magnificent imperial city rivaling Mexico City and Lima, filled with grand palaces and towering cathedrals. Experience the dramatic history of 1773, when the devastating Santa Marta earthquakes shattered this grandeur, leading the Spanish Crown to officially abandon the entire metropolis. However, the fierce resilience of locals who refused to leave created a truly unique UNESCO World Heritage site where stunning colonial ruins stand permanently frozen in time. The tour will end at the top of Cerro de La Cruz to enjoy the beautiful view overlooking the city with Volcano Agua dormantly looming in the background. Following lunch at a favorite local restaurant, you will tour the Jade factory to see how this precious stone has shaped the history of the area, and continues to be carved and molded to make jewelry and decor in the Mayan tradition. You will have an opportunity to purchase your own treasure to take back with you and display for yourselves or give as a souvenir to that special someone. You will then be escorted back to the homestays for dinner and an early night in.
Day 3: Following breakfast in your homestay, you will make your way to the office where you will prepare your lunch, and depart for your first build day. Upon your return after a successful day one, you will return to your homestay for a shower and dinner, before meeting at the central meeting point to walk to a nearby restaurant for some delicious crepes.
Day 4: Following breakfast in your homestay, you will make your way to the office where you will prepare your lunch, and depart for your second build day. Upon your return after a successful build day two, you will return to your homestay for a shower and dinner, before preparing for a day away.
Day 5: You will be up early with a to-go bag breakfast waiting for you. You will board the bus to head to the Pacific Coast and the resort in Monterrico. While at the resort, you will have all-day access to the dramatic jet-black volcanic sand beaches, a striking visual contrast created by the erosion of basalt rock from Guatemala's abundant volcanoes, as well as the resort's large freshwater swimming pool across the street. You will also enjoy lunch provided by the resort's culinary team, and the bar will be open to provide your favorite beverages (little umbrellas are optional, though recommended!). In the late afternoon, you will board the bus to head back to Antigua and enjoy dinner in the homestays and time to prepare for the last two build days.
Day 6: Following breakfast in your homestay, you will make your way to the office where you will prepare your lunch, and depart for your third build day. Upon your return after a successful build day three, you will return to your homestay for a shower and dinner. After dinner, you will make your way to the office to watch a movie, play a game, or just hang out with your friends.
Day 7: Following breakfast in your homestay, you will make your way to the office where you will prepare your lunch, and depart for your last build day. At the end of the day, you all will hand over the keys to the family and celebrate their life in their new home in a touching ceremony. Following, you will return to your homestay for a shower, before meeting at the central meeting point to walk to a nearby restaurant a delicious dinner. Following dinner, you will walk a short distance to a meeting point where you will meet a trained clergy member who will perform a Mayan ceremony with your group to bless the team, the Earth, and all that has been provided.
Day 8: Your homestay family will have prepared a quick to go breakfast for you, as you board the bus early to take the several-hour jaunt to the lago. Lago (or Lake) Atitlán is widely considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, renowned for its dramatic setting as the deepest lake in Central America, cradled within an enormous volcanic caldera and overlooked by three majestic volcanoes. It is the cultural heart of the Mayan Highlands, surrounded by traditional indigenous villages; each speaking a distinct language and maintaining unique customs. You will check into the hotel, and begin exploring the villages for that special souvenir. Following your shopping adventure, your team will board a fleet of Tuk Tuks (small three-wheeled taxis) who will take you on a tour of small businesses that represent some of the traditional industries in the area including chocolate-making, coffee production, honey, and traditional medicinal plants. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Day 9: You will eat breakfast at the hotel and board the buses for your return to Antigua. When you arrive in Antigua, you will head to base of the mountain. From their you will load the pickup trucks to begin the trek through the private coffeee farm to the village of Mano de Leon. Once at the top,y you will begin to prepare and serve the lunch to the villagers, and do pinatas with the kids (maybe some soccer, too!). From there, you will pack up and head down the mountain back to the bus. Once at bus, you will head to the orphanage. While there you will visit with the staff, and play with the kids, from the tiniest babies to tweens and teens. Finally, you will help with snacktime. You will then depart back to the homestays to begin to pack and prepare for the closing ceremony. You will then meet at the central meeting point to walk to the spot for a delicious dinner and a meaningful and emotional look back at your time in Guatemala.
Day 10: You will board the buses for your trip to Guatemala City, check-in to your airlines, make your way through departure customs and head out for your return to the United States.