Hike in pristine Forest, a view from above Atitlan
Overview
Walk the Face of the Earth on the Sacred Path of the Sun: Author & lecturer Vincent Stanzione has opened his mountain home in an exclusive arrangement to offer an amazing experience. This experience will enable you to enter the Maya world in truly authentic ways. It allows visitors to learn about the Maya Civilization by entering the Maya World of the Present Day. Let us take you to places nobody but the Maya ever go while learning all you can from a researcher and writer who is hungry to share the world he has made his home. Guiding enables those of us who have attained a great deal of knowledge to share it with others in a direct way. So take a walk with Vincent along the flowery paths during this fascinating day in the highlands, high above Lake Atitlan. Learn about the Maya and the Mesoamerican traditions, their cosmo-magical thinking, their calendar, the way of living in the world, their myths and their deep sense of being the descendants of divine ancestors.
Inclusions
- Knowledgeable guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Solola, Solola, Solola Department, Western Highlands
Our guide will take you to the indigenous market, terraced fields of agriculture, and on a walk through pristine mountain forests.
Duration: 3 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Solola, Solola, Solola Department, Western Highlands
Our guide will take you to the indigenous market, terraced fields of agriculture, and on a walk through pristine mountain forests.
Duration: 3 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
921katiel
July 2023
First, Los Elementos is quick to respond to inquiries which gives it the edge for my business. There are a lot of lakeside tour companies but Lee and Los Elementos are well established. I discovered this trek looking for activities outside of the regular lake-side villages. It didn't disappoint...
First, Los Elementos is quick to respond to inquiries which gives it the edge for my business. There are a lot of lakeside tour companies but Lee and Los Elementos are well established. I discovered this trek looking for activities outside of the regular lake-side villages. It didn't disappoint. We booked another tour with them and had several other tours recommended. Plus we also rented kayaks for a morning and kayaked around Santa Cruz and Jaibolito. They are terrific. For this hike: Lee and Mario picked us up at our BnB in Santa Catarina and we drove close to an hour north of Solola where we hiked a short distance down into a labyrinth area. Within a short period of time we met the labyrinth developer, Vincent Stanzione, who has lived in Atitlan area for a long long time, tho not of mayan descent. He's an author and researcher and for the project of the labryrinth, he had local friends help him as a covid project to make mounds and other shapes (like snakes). Vincent spent hours with us answering questions and offering his opinions on life around the lake. I had read one of his books in prep for our time together. He's a humble thinker who cares so much about sharing what he's been given. I highly encourage this walk/hike 1) If you like and can withstand far distance hikes. It was the rainy season and it did start raining on our walk back. You probably wouldn't enjoy this excursion if you aren't inquisitive about Mayan history or life and if you don't like walking. 2) Come with your own questions about what you've read or understood about Lake Atitlan and/or Mayan culture. 3) Dress in layers - the forest can be colder but the hot sun will be too much for a jacket. 4) Bring a snack or sack lunch and for sure a water bottle. We were glad a delicoius light lunch was provided by Lee! 5) Block off about 6-7 hours or be very specific about what time you need to return. Vincent will never run out of things to talk about and your goal on the hike is to get to the over-look point way above the clouds overlooking the lake. This can take a few hours. The hike itself is mostly flat with some ups and downs but you're going to want good hiking shoes. Both my partner and I really enjoyed all the time with Lee and Vincent and got to see parts of the Mayan world we would have never seen otherwise. My partner called it Forest Bathing. Including the drive, you will go up around 2,000 feet from where you start!