An Offering of Art
Semana Santa at Lake Atitlan
March 23 - April 1st 2024
10 days -- $2075 Inclusive
Semana Santa, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, is one of Guatemala's most spectacular celebrations. Alfombras, carpets made of flowers, pine needles, fruits and veggies or colored sawdust cover the streets created by groups of neighbors and friends. These temporary works of art are holy offerings which are then destroyed as the processions passes over them.
Antigua, Guatemala boasts the largest Semana Santa celebration in Latin America, with thousands of celebrants crowding the streets and local Catholics walk in synchronized processions carrying huge processional floats, some weighing over two tons. But while magnificent, it is is also very, very crowded.
Lake Atitlan offers gorgeous alfombras, processions and a unique opportunity to experience the celebration of Semana Santa among the indigenous Maya inhabitants of these pueblos without the crowds and with added feature of being located next to one of the world's most beautiful lakes.
Our tour begins in Antigua a few days before the crowds, where participants can explore this colonial UNESCO World Heritage city where we will catch sight of their renowned processional floats. Participants will also make their own chocolate, learn about Guatemalan jade, and explore the Guatemalan handwork which makes Guatemala art so unique.
From Antigua, the tour heads to Lake Atitlan where festivities take us into the diverse and beautiful celebration of Semana Santa in the Tzutujil Maya pueblos on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan. San Pedro La Laguna and San Juan both create streets covered with alfombras, in the distinct styles of each pueblo. Participants will have the opportunity to join in the experience of making an alfombra as well as witnessing the processions. Neighboring Santiago, considered the most traditional pueblo of the lake, celebrates the relocation of the Maya saint, Maximón in a unique fiesta during this time as well.
In addition, participants will take a traditional Guatemalan cooking class, explore Lake Atitlan by private boat, visit enchanting miradors, explore markets, visit the murals of San Juan and San Pedro and much more! As well as time to rent a kayak, go swimming or lounge in hammock admiring the vistas of the lake. All three of these pueblos are centers of traditional and contemporary Maya art. What better time to visit than during a festival which offers art for worship!
Read more in our blog
Antigua, Guatemala boasts the largest Semana Santa celebration in Latin America, with thousands of celebrants crowding the streets and local Catholics walk in synchronized processions carrying huge processional floats, some weighing over two tons. But while magnificent, it is is also very, very crowded.
Lake Atitlan offers gorgeous alfombras, processions and a unique opportunity to experience the celebration of Semana Santa among the indigenous Maya inhabitants of these pueblos without the crowds and with added feature of being located next to one of the world's most beautiful lakes.
Our tour begins in Antigua a few days before the crowds, where participants can explore this colonial UNESCO World Heritage city where we will catch sight of their renowned processional floats. Participants will also make their own chocolate, learn about Guatemalan jade, and explore the Guatemalan handwork which makes Guatemala art so unique.
From Antigua, the tour heads to Lake Atitlan where festivities take us into the diverse and beautiful celebration of Semana Santa in the Tzutujil Maya pueblos on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan. San Pedro La Laguna and San Juan both create streets covered with alfombras, in the distinct styles of each pueblo. Participants will have the opportunity to join in the experience of making an alfombra as well as witnessing the processions. Neighboring Santiago, considered the most traditional pueblo of the lake, celebrates the relocation of the Maya saint, Maximón in a unique fiesta during this time as well.
In addition, participants will take a traditional Guatemalan cooking class, explore Lake Atitlan by private boat, visit enchanting miradors, explore markets, visit the murals of San Juan and San Pedro and much more! As well as time to rent a kayak, go swimming or lounge in hammock admiring the vistas of the lake. All three of these pueblos are centers of traditional and contemporary Maya art. What better time to visit than during a festival which offers art for worship!
Read more in our blog
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