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2 Day Atitlán XC (Med)

Cross Country Mountain Bike Tours, Cultural

Riding Style

Medium

Difficulty

3/5

fitness

2/5

Technical

78.16km (48.57mi)

Distance

1,793m (5,883ft)

Ascent

-3,399m (-11,152ft)

Descent

2,836m (9,304ft)

Max Alt.

2 Day Lake Atitlán Cross Country Mountain Bike Tour (Medium)

One day at Guatemala’s most beautiful lake is simply not enough! MTB Guatemala has put together this 2 day Lake Atitlán Cross Country trip. This itinerary has some great mountain biking – be prepared to be amazed by the views and local culture as well!

Lake Atitlán is one of the best places to mountain bike in Guatemala – its enormous topography, perfect climate (55-75°F year round) and friendly local culture make it a highlight for many travelers. Around the lake, there are hundreds of singletrack paths where we’ll explore, connecting terraced onion fields, agricultural byways and ancient Mayan trading routes.

Highlights:

Ride some of the best singletrack in Guatemala
See one of the world’s most beautiful lakes from the saddle of your bike.
Visit the towns of Panajachel, San Antonio and Santa Catarina Palopó
Visit local markets with vibrant Mayan culture

BOOKING

This tour can be reserved instantly online a minimum of 48 hours before your date.

DEPARTURE

Departure time: 6am (a stop for breakfast is included en-route)

This tour starts and finish from Antigua, Guatemala

Please let us know your hotel and will be happy to meet you there!

If you are already staying or have plans to stay at Lake Atitlán we can meet you in Panajachel for this tour.

Additionally, you are welcome to stay at our Mountain Cabin the night before in Tecpan.

Arriving internationally? let us know if you would like us to pick you up at the airport

ONWARD TRAVEL

This tour is a great start for an extended stay at Lake Atitán. If you would like to extend the tour with another day of riding or to stay beyond your tour let us know – we would be happy help you coordinate your accommodation at the lake.

INCLUDED

Full Suspension bike rental
Protective Equipment
Helmet, Gloves, Kneepads
Meals (Breakfasts and lunches)
Accommodations
1:4 Staff
Private shuttle and driver
Expert Mountain Bike Guide with international certification
Fruits & Snacks
Filtered water

Park Entrances
Vehicle and 4×4 Support
Mechanical assistance
Access to pro tool kit.
Picnic Lunches
First-aid kit, two way radio Communication, Satellite locator
Pre-departure info package
Daily Bike Cleaning

NOT INCLUDED

Dinner

Gratuities for guides and drivers

Agua Escondida, San Antonio Palopó, Panajachel

Today is all about connecting sights and vising some of the magic villages at Lake Atitlán. This tour begins high above the lake. You will follow a serene paved road along the eastern crater of Atitlán, where amazing vistas abound. We will dip down into farmland following agricultural jeep and singletrack through plantations of avocado, coffee and fruit trees.

Our lunch will be at a cliff-top restaurant in Agua Escondida with a unique view of the lake and its three volcanoes. In the afternoon we will take a steep 4×4 road down to the shore to the town of San Antonio Palopó, 800m below. In San Antonio we will visit a weaving cooperative before continuing on the rolling terrain on the shore of the lake. Next, we’ll pass through the town of Santa Catarina Palopó famous for its textile markets and brightly painted buildings. The last climb to Panajachel will end with a rewarding ride along the beach of Lake Atitlán. Finishing on the docks, we’ll enjoy a cool beverage, finishing on the docks we’ll enjoy a cool beverage, catch the sunset from the market street Calle Sentender – and check into our hotel located just a few blocks away for the night.

Distance	Ascent	Descent	Max Altitude
33km 20.5mi	950m 3,117ft	-1,500m -4,921ft	2,186m 7,172ft

Highland Traverse

Today we will go deep into the indigenous communities above the lake. You will see rural life at its purest as we pedal along beautiful dirt roads and highland jeeptrack through sheep meadows and pine forests.

After a shuttle to the rim of the caldera of Lake Atitlán, we climb 3mi to an alpine plateau at 1800m (9200ft) El Corazón de Las Nubes (the heart of the clouds) – a Mayan ceremonial site. We will follow old logging roads with unmatched views of the lake and its environs. Canyons and volcanoes abound.

Gallery

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Part 1: Panimaché Atiltán Slickrock

Part 2 San Andres Semetebaj – Panajachel

Day Two Totals:

Distance	Ascent	Descent	Max Altitude
2,836 m (9,305 ft)	733 m (2,405 ft)	-1,957 m (-6,421 ft)	2,836 m (9,305 ft)

Night 1: Panajachel

Hotel Utz' Jay

Located 2 blocks from Lake Atitlan in Panajachel, Hotel Utz' Jay offers lush gardens and fruit trees, a hot tub and a Mayan-style sauna filled with relaxing aromatic herbs.

Rooms here feature a balcony with garden views. The hotel is situated in a quiet street, just a short walk from Calle Sentender with its shops and restaurants.

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Why Ride With Us?

With years of experience riding, racing and exploring in Guatemala all our routes are carefully designed and unique.

We are direct. When you book a trip through us there are no middlemen – no “in country partners”. We work directly with all accommodations and keep our costs honest.

Ride like a local. We can connect you with local cycling culture and cycling events like no other travel company.

We are reliable. When timelines and punctuality matter we cut the riff-raff and get you out and riding.

Guatemala Mountain Bike Tours - MTB Guatemala

Tour Gallery

All types of boats moored at the public beach. Lake Atitlán Sololá, Guatemala

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to carry all my stuff with me for the whole trip?

Nearly all of our trips are accompanied by support vehicle and professional driver who will meet with us at checkpoints throughout the day. The support vehicle will carry supplies / spare parts and water. If you would like to leave anything in the vehicle such as extra layers rain gear camera etc. you are more than welcome. All our vehicles maintain GPS location and radio communication with our guides.

Where will my bike be kept overnight?

All of the hotels that we partner have a storage area where we will secure the bikes overnight. If you are especially attached to your rental bike you can bring it into your hotel room at night.

Are food/snacks provided?

On our day tours we supply light snacks such as energy bars and fruit and water. Multi-day tours include breakfast and lunch. Dinners are on your own. If you would like a recommendation for a place to eat or would like to dine as a group we can make that happen!

Will my dietary restrictions be accommodated for?

All of our snacks / picnic lunches include a vegetarian option. If you have any other dietary restrictions please let us know when you are booking your tour.