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Cultivating Utopia and Equality
Travel with Aurelio Marino – explorer, reporter, and tireless adventurer – someone who’s always on the hunt for authenticity around the world.
This time, he’s not offering you just a destination, but a transformative experience.
A journey made of real encounters, powerful nature, and stories that leave a mark.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Authentic and Transformative Adventure
From the ruins of Tikal to the craters of Acatenango, dive deep into Guatemala’s wild nature with challenging hikes, starry nights, and breathtaking landscapes. - Encounters That Leave a Mark
Connect with indigenous communities, curanderas, and witnesses of history to explore ancestral knowledge in a journey that is political, spiritual, and profoundly human.
TRIP PURPOSE
Rediscovering the bond between humanity, the earth, and spiritualityThis journey is a deep immersion into the living heart of Guatemala.A path to reconnect with the land and with spirit, through direct encounters with Indigenous communities, Maya rituals, and landscapes that still speak an ancient language.It is an act of listening and respect.An opportunity to learn ancestral knowledge, to understand the strength of those who guard collective memory, and to experience a spirituality deeply rooted in nature.This is not just tourism: it is both a political and inner experience—an invitation to slow down, observe, and truly see.
This journey was designed based on the following principles:
Supporting the local economy
Every stop is designed to uplift local artisans, farmers, guides, and cooperatives. We sleep and eat in community-run places, ensuring that the value we generate stays within the territory.
Connecting with the local human fabric
We don’t just visit places — we meet people. At the heart of the journey are the stories, hands, and living memories of those who welcome us.
Participatory approach and minimal impact
We travel in a small group, with respect for the pace of nature and local communities. We use local transport, reduce waste, and aim to leave the smallest possible footprint — making every step mindful and light.
Accomodations
Sleeping means connecting: accommodations that tell stories
In Guatemala, even rest is a meeting point. Every place we stay during this journey is more than just a place to sleep — it’s an open door into local culture, daily life, and genuine hospitality.
Aurelio has handpicked authentic and welcoming spots, far from mass tourism routes, where every detail reflects care, identity, and deep respect for the land.
La Casita de Angie – Antigua
In the heart of the colonial city, this cozy, colorful little house welcomes you with the warm simplicity of real things. Just six rooms, a blooming garden, and an intimate atmosphere — the perfect haven to start your journey, with walls that seem to hug you and the scent of fresh coffee in the air.
Hospedaje El Viajero – Panajachel
Overlooking Lake Atitlán, this small hospedaje invites you to slow down. Its simple but thoughtfully curated rooms make you feel at home from the very first moment. From the terrace, your gaze drifts between water and volcanoes — and each sunset becomes a memory to hold onto.
El Portal de Champey – Semuc Champey
In the heart of the jungle, just steps away from the country’s most spectacular natural pools, this eco-hostel is fully immersed in nature. Here, you fall asleep to the sounds of the forest, live with simplicity, and wake up to adventure waiting right outside your door.
These are just some of the places you’ll stay during your journey through Guatemala.
Real places. Lived-in, full of life. Come discover them with us.
What's included
- Food: Daily breakfast.
- Accomodation: 11 nights in 2–3 star hotels/hostels in double or shared rooms.
- Transportation: All transportation during the trip: private land transfers, boat rides on Lake Atitlán, and a domestic flight from Flores back to Guatemala City.
- Tour & Activities: Guided tours with professional local guides at every stop, with entrance fees to all cultural, natural, and archaeological sites included.An unforgettable trek up Acatenango volcano and an immersive visit to the Nuevo Horizonte Cooperative to connect directly with the stories and practices of local communities.
- Insurance: Medical and baggage insurance.
What's not included
- Food: Meals not listed in the "What’s Included" section.
- Accomodation: Any local tourist taxes.
- Transporation: International flight to and from Guatemala City.
- Other: Trip cancellation insurance.
- Anything not specified under "What's included".
Payment Terms
At the time of booking, a fixed deposit of €675,00 is required (equal to 30% of the total package price).
The remaining amount will be split into equal monthly installments, up to a maximum of 4 total payments, including the deposit.
The final installment must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
So:
• If you book by August 31st, you’ll pay the deposit immediately, two intermediate installments — one on September 27th and one on October 27th — and the final installment on November 27th
• If you book by September 30th, you’ll pay the deposit immediately, one intermediate installment on October 27th, and the final installment on November 27th
• If you book by October 31st, you’ll pay the deposit immediately and the balance on November 27th
• If you book from November 1st onwards, you’ll be required to pay the full amount upfront
Bank transfers or credit cards can be used to make payments.
ITINERARY
The itinerary may be subject to slight changes due to logistical needs or weather conditions.
Day 1 – Arrival in Guatemala and transfer to Antigua
We land in Guatemala City, where we’ll make a quick transfer to Antigua. This colonial city—one of the most charming in Latin America—will be our first stop. We’ll stay in a cozy guesthouse, perfect for settling in and starting the trip on the right foot.
Day 2 – Antigua: stone, history, and tradition
We’ll spend the day exploring Antigua with a guided walking tour through churches, monasteries, and ochre-colored ruins. Once a colonial capital, now the cultural heart of the country, Antigua is rich with convents and a strong local identity. The afternoon is free: you can wander through craft markets, sip coffee with a volcano view, or simply soak in the atmosphere.
Day 3 – Trekking Acatenango Volcano: challenge and wonder
Adventure day! We begin the ascent of Acatenango, reaching nearly 4,000 meters. After a challenging climb, we’ll arrive at base camp with a spectacular view of the often-active Volcán de Fuego. Dinner by the fire and a night under the stars—immersed in nature and powerful silences—ready to wake up at night to get an even closer look at the volcano.
Day 4 – Return to Antigua and a special New Year’s Eve
Ever seen a volcano erupt at dawn? Get ready for an unforgettable experience.We’ll head back to Antigua, with a free afternoon to rest and recharge. In the evening, we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve together: a joyful moment of sharing, toasting, music, and new beginnings.
Day 5 – Lake Atitlán and the community of Santiago
We travel to Lake Atitlán, one of the most stunning lakes in the world. We’ll explore the village of Santiago, known for its traditional textiles, syncretic spirituality, and local legends. At sunset, we’ll head out on a boat with local fishermen for a dinner prepared with the day’s catch—complete with songs, bonfires, and timeless vibes. Yes, we’ll actually catch our own dinner.
Day 6 – San Marcos and San Juan: spirituality and ancestral knowledge
Today we explore the more spiritual side of the lake. In San Marcos, we’ll join a session on the Mayan cosmovision, blending nature and introspection. In the afternoon, in San Juan, we’ll visit a center for natural medicine led by comadronas and curanderas, true guardians of sacred plants and ancient wisdom.
Day 7 – Journey to the jungle: arrival in Río Dulce
We cross the country to reach Río Dulce, the gateway to the Petén region. We’ll stay in an eco-lodge surrounded by nature—river, forest, and sky—where time seems to slow down.
Day 8 – Río Dulce canyon and arrival in Flores
We explore the stunning Río Dulce canyon by boat and enjoy a dip in its hidden hot springs. In the afternoon, we move to Flores, a charming little town on an island—perfect for relaxing and preparing for the next adventure.
Day 9 – Tikal: majestic ruins and living jungleA full day at Guatemala’s most iconic archaeological site: Tikal. We’ll walk among towering temples and ancient trees, guided by howler monkeys and a local expert. Return to Flores in the late afternoon and free evening.
Day 10 – In the Jungle of Life: experience in Nuevo Horizonte
We’ll live a unique experience in the "Selva de la Vida" (Jungle of Life) with a local cooperative. We’ll sleep in hammocks in a former guerrilla camp, listening to true stories of resistance and learning survival skills and medicinal plant identification. A night full of meaning and memory.
Day 11 – Return to the capital
After breakfast surrounded by nature, we begin the journey back to Guatemala City. A moment to reflect, share stories, and get ready for the return.
Day 12 – Flight back to Italy
Transfer to the airport and return flight. The trip ends, but the experiences will continue to echo for a long time.
Aurelio Marino is an indefatigable traveler and a deep explorer, renowned for his passion in seeking out authentic realities far from conventional tourist circuits. His travel philosophy leads him to connect with small communities and experience daily local life, immersing himself completely in the traditions and stories of the places he visits. For Aurelio, each journey becomes an opportunity to uncover the soul of a region, revealing the hidden beauty in cultural practices, cuisine, and customs that are rarely shown to tourists.
Traveling by public transportation—and often by hitchhiking—Aurelio has traversed thousands of kilometers, exploring fascinating countries like Iraq, the Balkans, Peru, Central America, and many more. In each destination, he approaches local communities with deep respect, documenting his experiences and the stories of the people he meets, which he shares through detailed reports on his YouTube channel. His unique approach has made him a distinctive voice in the world of sustainable travel and dark tourism, a form of travel that delves into places charged with complex, often forgotten histories.
Aurelio is also an expert in dark tourism, which drives him to investigate without filters and with a reporter’s eye, exploring the most hidden and sometimes challenging realities to tell the stories of humanity that would otherwise remain in the shadows. Each of his experiences is a journey into stories that are rarely captured in traditional travel accounts, offering his audience an authentic and profound perspective on the world around us.
Booking Info
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We set out with the curiosity of explorers and return as traveling companions united by those who have found common passions and true friendships.
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