This morning we leave Antigua and drive 2.5-hours through the scenic Central Highlands to beautiful Lake Atitlán.
Along the way we stop at the market town of Chichicastenango ('Chichi'). Here you will see local Maya people in their traditional dress, going about their daily lives - working in the fields, collecting firewood, travelling between markets and selling their wares. Your guide will take you to explore this large world-renowned market. Visit the fruit and vegetable sections, where locals buy produce and household goods and spend time in the artisan craft area, where countless stalls overflow with a variety of handmade textiles, carved wood and ceramic crafts.
You can also visit the famous SantoTomas Church, where both Maya and Catholic rituals are performed in the same sanctuary, reflecting the intertwining of these two diverse faiths in this region. If you wish, you can hike up the hill to the Pascual Abaj, a pre-Colombian Maya idol which survived the Spanish conquest and is still venerated by the local community, where you may see local shamans performing their rituals. Or you can visit the cemetery on the outskirts of town, where the mausoleums are painted in vivid colours.
Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, before continuing to spectacular Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by rugged hills, a trio of towering volcanoes and a handful of small villages, this lake was formed more than 80,000 years ago during a violent volcanic eruption. Tz'utujil and Kaqchiquel Mayas have plied its shores for centuries and continue to do so today, wearing vibrant traditional clothing and practising age-old Maya customs. The area is also popular for kayaking, biking and zip-lining.
Panajachel is the lake's main hub. From here, boats depart regularly for destinations like San Juan La Laguna, which is known for its hand-woven, naturally dyed textiles and San Pedro, where intrepid visitors can summit a 9,908 ft (3,020 m) volcano.
Note: Chichi market is held every Thursday and Sunday.