Faculty-led travel courses · Latin America
Guatemala Faculty-Led Travel Course
This program explores Guatemala through volcano hikes, Lake Atitlan, the Kaqchikel sites of Iximche and San Juan Comalapa, and a stay with a native family in San Jorge. Students gain direct contact with Maya communities and the landscapes of the Guatemalan highlands.
Good to know
- Language
- Spanish and Maya languages such as Kaqchikel
- Currency
- Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
- Best season
- November–April (dry season)
- Typical length
- 10–14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- Pacaya VolcanoAn active volcano south of Guatemala City that visitors can hike, with views of lava fields and nearby volcanoes.
- Lake AtitlanA highland lake ringed by volcanoes and small Maya villages, often described as one of the most scenic in Central America.
- IximcheA Kaqchikel Maya archaeological site in the highlands that served as a capital in the late Postclassic period.
- San Juan ComalapaA Kaqchikel town known for its colorful folk painting tradition and its textiles.
- San Jorge HomestayTime with a native family offers firsthand insight into daily life, language and traditions in a highland community.
- Antigua GuatemalaThe former colonial capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Spanish Baroque ruins and cobbled streets.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit Guatemala
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Education & Teacher PreparationA course could study bilingual and intercultural education in Maya communities.
Psychology, Sociology & Social WorkA course could examine Indigenous identity, community development and the legacy of conflict.
Nursing, Medicine & Public HealthA course could explore community health, nutrition and access to care in rural highland areas.
Geography & Environmental StudiesA course could study volcanic landscapes, natural hazards and lake ecosystems.
Map
Where you will go
Academic and professional visits
- A local university faculty of education
- A rural community health clinic
- A Maya weaving or artisan cooperative
- A community-run school
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary
A starting point only — every trip is adjusted to your course, dates and budget.
Customizable. This sample shows the kinds of visits and places available. Days, pace and academic visits are built around your course.
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Day 1
Departure for Guatemala
Fly to Guatemala City.
- Depart for Guatemala City
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Day 2
Arrival in Antigua
Begin in the former colonial capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ringed by volcanoes.
- Airport transfer to Antigua
- Walking tour with a certified guide
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Day 3
Pacaya Volcano
Hike one of Guatemala's active volcanoes and visit nearby Indigenous communities.
- Hike Pacaya Volcano
- Visit surrounding Indigenous villages
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Day 4
Antigua to Lake Atitlán
Travel to the highlands, stopping at a Maya site and a traditional Kaqchikel town before reaching the lake.
- Iximché archaeological site
- San Juan Comalapa
- Overnight homestay with a local Indigenous family in San Jorge La Laguna
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Day 5
Lake Atitlán by Boat
Tour the lake's Maya villages to see traditional textiles, local economies and community life.
- Private boat tour of the lake with a local guide
- Visits to lakeside villages
- Second night with a local family
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Day 6
Quetzaltenango
Continue west to Guatemala's second city, known as Xela and centered on highland Maya culture.
- Transfer to Quetzaltenango
- Academic visit matched to your course (university, school, NGO or company)
- Street food tour
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Day 7
Chicabal and Hot Springs
Hike to a sacred crater lake and relax in natural thermal pools.
- Hike Chicabal Volcano and its crater lake
- Fuentes Georginas hot springs
- Transfer to Guatemala City
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Day 8
Departure Day
Transfer to the airport and fly home.
- Transfer to Guatemala City airport
What is included
ARAMFO arranges everything
You choose the dates and the airport your group flies from. We handle the logistics and the academic visits so you can focus on teaching.
3–6 credit hours, offered through your own department · 8+ students and the professor's travel cost is covered by ARAMFO · Your dates and your departure airport
- Airfare from your preferred airport
- Hotels or student housing
- Meals as set out in the itinerary
- Transportation in the host country
- Tour guides and entrance fees
- University, company and professional visits
- A native guide with the group for the whole trip
- Customized dates and itinerary
Get started
Plan a course in Guatemala
Tell us about your course and we will reply with a draft itinerary and cost.
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