Environmental Solutions in Action
April 16-22, 2023 : 7 days/6 nights
$1999 ($450 deposit) : Visiting Antigua, Ciudad Vieja, San Juan Comalapa, Santa Cruz la Laguna, Tzununa, Santiago Atitlan
Deadline for Registration: March 16, 2023
About This Trip
When arriving at Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, your Naturally Smart Host will be waiting to greet you as you exit the airport doors. Our first stop, after a quick departure from the City, is the colonial town of Antigua, just a 1-hour drive away (without traffic).
We'll enjoy a quick siesta and take a tour of the town before our Bienvenidos Dinner at one of the most celebrated restaurants in town.
After a delicious breakfast the following morning, we’ll visit a factory using natural tech to create access to potable water for nearly one million homes in the country and beyond.
Continuing through the Highlands to Lake Atitlan, we’ll learn about natural building, smoke-free cooking stoves, gaining access to solar, microfinance, and more ways initiatives are raising the quality of life and natural resources throughout Guatemala.
Finally, our trip will conclude by visiting Antigua for a bit of culture and reflection before celebrating our adventure during our Feliz Viaje dinner.
What is Included
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Coordination & Fees
From the moment of arrival to departure, we coordinate and facilitate exceptional experiences, so your only priority is living your best impact life abroad.
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Bi-lingual Guide & Host
Spanish being the official national language, your local tour guide will accompany you every step of the way, while your host ensures a smooth experience behind the scenes.
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Private Transportation
We coordinate transportation throughout your journey with carefully vetted and trusted drivers on land and captains by water.
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Meals and Dining
From welcome dinner to our “Feliz Viaje!” celebration, we’ll enjoy authentic Guatemalan fare, as well as cross-cultural staples.
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Accommodations
Rest assured, we partner with leading hotels to book ideal accommodations that will leave you ready for the adventure ahead.
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Connection
Direct connections to lending partners and small business owners to learn first-hand operations, needs, and growth opportunities.
Added Bonuses
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Grants and Scholarships
A percentage of proceeds from each booking supports the growth of our Guatemalan team and counterparts.
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Carbon Offset
We calculate carbon emissions for each guest and support a certified carbon offset organization focused on reforestation and access to smoke-free stoves.
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Introduction to Facilitators
Should an organization speak to you, we introduce facilitators of investment and donation for trusted financial exchange.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Each day of our journey is carefully curated to ensure an easy blend of cultural experiences, meeting communities, travel, and downtime. We believe travel should be comfortable, stimulating yet never overly active, and also allow for mindfulness and rest as needed.
During free mornings or afternoon rest (siesta), guests will also have an optional activity. If a grander excursion is calling you, just let your host or guide know and we’ll coordinate to bring the most out of your time with us.
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After nestling into our hotel in Antigua, guests will have downtime to relax and run any local errands needed.
Those who look to withdraw cash or other special asks, simply let your guide know and they'll offer assistance.
If you arrive in the morning, please know that we can help with planning to ensure a most fulfilling welcome!
After a quick siesta, we will enjoy a welcome happy hour before indulging in the delicious menu of a local favorite with scenic views of the town.
Meanwhile, you will meet your guide and host, as well as mingle with fellow travelers. Your host will also share more about the week ahead and review itinerary details.
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We’ll begin our adventure by visiting an organization ensuring communities have affordable access to potable water. For lunch, we’ll visit a nearby microbrewery to dine with an unclose view of Volcanoes Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango.
Returning to Antigua, we’ll visit Central Park and the famous Arch Street to learn more about the history and secrets of this UNESCO world heritage site.
For dinner, we’ll dine at an outdoor garden with eclectic fare and uniquely inventive cocktails for a night under the stars.
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After breakfast, we’ll head to Comalapa, a mountain town in the Guatemalan highlands with a history rich in artistic expression and, more recently, natural building. We’ll explore a school preparing students for growth with natural building and analytical thinking skills and enjoy a walking tour of the town.
After lunch, we’ll continue on to Lake Atitlan, where we’ll settle into Santa Cruz la Laguna. Guests are welcome to relax for the afternoon before a family-style dinner at our hotel.
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Breakfast at our hotel will be followed by a quick boat ride to Tzununa. A quiet town, we’ll take a workshop at a local apothecary before a short trek to a permaculture farm. We’ll not only enjoy a farm-to-table lunch, but learn about the impacts of agricultural principles in Guatemala.
We’ll return to our hotel, where guests may enjoy a free afternoon or take an optional tour of a vocational school. They’re impacting the lives of several local communities by teaching employable skills and supporting education.
That night, our group will dine family-style and take (or participate!) in Open Mic Night!
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Guests will enjoy a free morning to hike, stand up paddle board, or simply relax by the lakeshore.
After lunch, guests are welcome to continue their waterside siesta or join our visit to Santiago de Atitlan. This magical town holds significant history from historic Mayan cosmology to a modern-day martyr. We’ll also visit a cookstove initiative that reduces the amount of wood consumption by 70%.
Returning to Santa Cruz la Laguna, later that night we'll enjoy candlelight dinner along the water.
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After breakfast, we will pack up and begin our drive back to Antigua. Along the way, we’ll visit Iximche, Mayan ruins with incredible significance.
Continuing on, guests are welcome to enjoy the afternoon on their own or join a tour of a former monastery-turned-museum and resort before learning our unique nawals (Mayan spirit animals).
That evening, we'll head to an outdoor Biergarten to celebrate our trip for our Feliz Viaje dinner There, we'll enjoy live music while we share our favorite experiences from our trip!
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All good things must come to an end, but it doesn't mean you can't take a part of Guatemala with you. We'll be sharing a (bonus) folder of candid pictures from throughout our trip along with a special thank you message.
Please confirm your departure date and time with us so we can coordinate your transportation to Aurora International Airport for a safe return home.
Payment Options
Payment options below are offered to accommodate guests’ needs whether with a payment plan, paying in full, or preferring to pay via a bank transfer or check. We strongly encourage guests to read through Naturally Smart Travel’s terms and conditions before processing payment.
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Make a Deposit
Of the $1999 total, guests must make a $450 non-refundable deposit to confirm their booking. Once processed, an email confirmation will be sent with future payment dates and communications schedule to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
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Make a Full Payment
Guests who pay in full ($1999) contribute $450 of the payment received to a non-refundable deposit. Once processed, an email confirmation will be sent with a communications schedule to prepare you for the Land of Eternal Spring (Guatemala).
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Electronic Transfer or Check
If an electronic transfer or check is your preferred method of payment, please email us for relevant bank information and mailing instructions by clicking the button below.
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About
Naturally Smart Travel coordinates sustainable group and private impact tours to create culturally immersive experiences throughout Guatemala. With our unique recipe for blending culture, low or high impact excursions, and community empowerment into every trip, we inspire opportunities for both conscious guests and social or environmental initiatives to thrive.