Active in Antigua

We arrived in Guatemala with not really a plan except to visit the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes. Luckily we still had Marion with us who knew where to go.


The first night we stayed in Flores, a small town on an island. Thanks to a tipp from a local I searched google for Guatemala's so called 'primary roads' because this are the main (good) roads. Everything else but these roads is basically a dirt road according to our friend. After a long day of driving we reached Antigua which is filled with really cool hostels, shops, architecture, activities and restaurants.

Exploring beautiful Antigua
1st of November we headed to Sumpango for the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes. The locals traditionally decorate and visit the graves of there deceased family members similar to our tradition on All-Saints Day at home. Additional, they have the Mayan influenced custom of the Barriletes. The big kites are believed to scar away bad ghost from the graves. Early in the morning the teams arrive at the football field of the village where the festival takes place. The teams make the kites right on spot by simply using paper, wood, glue and wire. The finished kites are either brought up to there final standing position or are lifted up in the air. Both actions are pretty hard to accomplish due to the very strong wind on the field. Also as visitor you have to be careful because the men holding the kites lose control and they fall down to the ground hitting people. At the end of the day the whole field is filled with huge beautiful kites. Sadly, the phone of Niklas got stolen while we watched the kites. After organizing everything connected to the theft we booked a tour for the next day.

Beware of falling kites!

Lifting up the huge Barriletes

The next day we started with a huge breakfast and a backpack filled with a lot water, warm clothes and snacks. We hiked up a volcano for over four hours and most of the hike was really steep but I promised myself not to complain and (I am very proud here:) I made it. Truly it was worth every step.  From the basecamp of our Tour we had an amazing view to the very active volcano El Fuego.
Due to the hight of the camp at 3200 meter it was pretty cold but we had a big campfire, hot chocolate
and marshmallows. After our dinner, pasta and red wine, our group sat at the fire and we talked for a while but a lot of clouds appeared and el fuego was covered so we all went to sleep in our tents. I never thought that camping at more than -1°C is comfortable but with the right gear it was quite warm. Not that Niklas and me slept a lot. At two o'clock in the morning we woke up to the loud thunder-like sound of the erupting volcano. I have never heard a sound like this before and the view was beyond amazing. We stayed up all night to watch the natural show. At four in the morning we got up to hike to the summit of our volcano. Here we watched the sunrise over Antigua. The hike down was as though as the way up and as soon as we reached the hostel all we did was shower, eat and
sleep for two days straight.

El Fuego

Pasta and Red Wine

We booked our tour with Wicho & Charlie's. Everything we needed was included and they avoid plastic which is a big plus! https://www.wichoandcharlies.com/
I fell in love with Guatemala and I will for sure come back here. 





The owl symbolizes death and rebirth 

where: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

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