Mayan Markets, Myths and Mystery in Guatemala.

Join us on our 8-day Guatemala Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure to delve deep into Central America’s most diverse and mysterious country. We will start our photo journey in Antigua, the former capital and a city that holds an impressive array of colonial relics in a magnificent setting. Wandering through colonial Antigua, there will be ample opportunity for streetscapes of pastel facades that unfold beneath volcano backdrops. Thanks to the dozens of Spanish-language schools that operate here, Antigua is fast becoming a global hotspot with many old ecclesiastical and civic structures, now beautifully renovated. However, Antigua still has its Guatemalan tumbledown charm, with ancient ruins and building fragments strewn about parklike grounds. 

Our adventure will continue beyond the city center, where we will visit indigenous communities, coffee plantations, and towns perched on the slopes of volcanoes. A famous viewpoint that must not be missed is Cerro de la Cruz. Here, the vista unfolds before our lens, with its large white cross that dominates the foreground, the sprawling city of Antigua in the valley below, framed by the silhouettes of mighty volcanoes in the distance. 

The next destination on our Guatemala photo tour will be Chichicastenango, a town effervescing with color and Mayan culture. We will spend much of our time weaving in and out of its vast open-air markets. The vegetable market, in particular, is a feast for the eyes and the lens, as stalls overflow with bountiful piles of vibrant produce ripe for photographic exploration. We will also come across stands selling ceremonial masks as part of Masqueria, a blended celebration of Mayan customs and European colonial influence where each mask tells a specific religious story of ancient Mayan mythology and/or biblical narratives. 

Equally colorful will be our visit to the Chichicastenango Cemetery, the most vibrant burial place you will have ever seen. A hodgepodge of tombstones in an array of colors, each shade symbolizing the family status of the departed, and are adorned with flowers, textiles, and decorations as a celebration of life even after death. To connect us further to the town’s sacred spirit, we will observe a religious ceremony where a Xamán (Mayan priest) performs a ritual to honor the forces of nature, observing how the Mayan worldview and Catholic beliefs converge.

No trip to the Guatemalan highlands would be complete without a boat ride around Lake Atitlán, where we will snap breathtaking landscapes of the glassy lake cradled by three majestic volcanoes. We will stop off at its lakeside villages, each with its own charming characteristics. San Juan La Laguna is like one big open-air gallery, where every wall is a canvas for brightly painted Mayan-style murals. We will flit around art studios, craft workshops, and micro textile factories, capturing artisans practicing their chosen crafts. For a slice of spirituality, we will head to Santiago Atitlán, a site perfect for environmental portraits that convey the traditional beliefs and practices of the area. For instance, we will encounter a Maximón, a mysterious and mischievous Mayan deity in the form of an effigy, clothed in a suit jacket with colorful rags, a hat, and puffing on a cigar. Whether it’s a shaman carrying out a ritual, a devotee at the local church, or an artisan creating spiritual artifacts, our photography will offer an intimate view into the connection between daily life and spiritual beliefs. 

This 8-day Guatemala photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it is an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you will refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You will also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. 

Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. The landscapes, local legends, and authentic experiences in Guatemala have captivated travelers for centuries and will leave you equally enchanted. Your visual odyssey starts here! 

Our adventure will continue beyond the city center, where we will visit indigenous communities, coffee plantations, and towns perched on the slopes of volcanoes. A famous viewpoint that must not be missed is Cerro de la Cruz. Here, the vista unfolds before our lens, with its large white cross that dominates the foreground, the sprawling city of Antigua in the valley below, framed by the silhouettes of mighty volcanoes in the distance. 

The next destination on our Guatemala photo tour will be Chichicastenango, a town effervescing with color and Mayan culture. We will spend much of our time weaving in and out of its vast open-air markets. The vegetable market, in particular, is a feast for the eyes and the lens, as stalls overflow with bountiful piles of vibrant produce ripe for photographic exploration. We will also come across stands selling ceremonial masks as part of Masqueria, a blended celebration of Mayan customs and European colonial influence where each mask tells a specific religious story of ancient Mayan mythology and/or biblical narratives. 

Equally colorful will be our visit to the Chichicastenango Cemetery, the most vibrant burial place you will have ever seen. A hodgepodge of tombstones in an array of colors, each shade symbolizing the family status of the departed, and are adorned with flowers, textiles, and decorations as a celebration of life even after death. To connect us further to the town’s sacred spirit, we will observe a religious ceremony where a Xamán (Mayan priest) performs a ritual to honor the forces of nature, observing how the Mayan worldview and Catholic beliefs converge.

No trip to the Guatemalan highlands would be complete without a boat ride around Lake Atitlán, where we will snap breathtaking landscapes of the glassy lake cradled by three majestic volcanoes. We will stop off at its lakeside villages, each with its own charming characteristics. San Juan La Laguna is like one big open-air gallery, where every wall is a canvas for brightly painted Mayan-style murals. We will flit around art studios, craft workshops, and micro textile factories, capturing artisans practicing their chosen crafts. For a slice of spirituality, we will head to Santiago Atitlán, a site perfect for environmental portraits that convey the traditional beliefs and practices of the area. For instance, we will encounter a Maximón, a mysterious and mischievous Mayan deity in the form of an effigy, clothed in a suit jacket with colorful rags, a hat, and puffing on a cigar. Whether it’s a shaman carrying out a ritual, a devotee at the local church, or an artisan creating spiritual artifacts, our photography will offer an intimate view into the connection between daily life and spiritual beliefs. 

This 8-day Guatemala photography tour is more than just a quest to capture exceptional images; it is an invitation to elevate your craft and see the world through a new lens. Our expert photographer guides will not only lead you to the most photogenic locations under the best light but also help you master the art of visual storytelling. Along the way, you will refine your camera techniques and discover how to navigate the challenges of photographing in a foreign land. You will also learn to anticipate a scene before capturing the decisive moment, elevating ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. 

Join us for spirited discussions, enriching camaraderie, and moments of unforgettable inspiration. The landscapes, local legends, and authentic experiences in Guatemala have captivated travelers for centuries and will leave you equally enchanted. Your visual odyssey starts here! 

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.

GUATEMALA 8 DAYS

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion