Trip Details & Itinerary

Tuesday – Departure

Depart from Central Wisconsin Airport and arrive at Guatemala City International Airport. Take an airport private transfer to the hotel. Hotel check-in & Orientation Walking Tour followed by a Welcome Dinner.

The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems,nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do in case of an emergency.

Wednesday – Guatemala City/Antigua

You will begin the day with breakfast & day briefing followed by a Pacaya Volcano Visit. The Pacaya Volcano hike is one of Guatemala’s most popular day trips, offering a relatively accessible walk up an active volcano (2,552 meters / 8,372 feet). Located roughly 1.5 hours from Antigua or Guatemala City, it takes hikers through pine forests before opening up into dramatic, desolate volcanic ash fields and dried lava formations.

After lunch, you’ll be greeted by the Tecun Uman Language School Staff and take a transfer to Antigua.

Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities, it is a magical and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped some 300 years ago. It’s famous for its spring-like climate, cobblestone streets and impressive ruins. It’s surrounded by lush tropical mountains and towering volcanoes. Antigua is renowned for its tranquility and friendliness.

Tecun Uman serves as the meeting point and social center for activities. Here you’ll meet the Program Director and be introduced to the host families.

Your middle class host families are relatives, neighbors, or lifelong friends of our homestay directors. Regardless, all families are monitored and continually evaluated. Host families provide all meals – except those included as part of the touring. Everyone speaks Spanish in the home. Students normally share with one other group member of the same general language ability.

Wednesday-Saturday:

• Thursday: Spanish Immersion Class and a City Tour of Antigua
• Friday: Spanish Immersion Class and KEk’ Chua Chocolate Experience
• Saturday: Spanish Immersion Class, Service Learning with Sumate Guatemala, and Cooking Class/Dinner

Sunday – Antigua/Atitlán

Private Transfer to Atitlán (Approx. 5 hrs) - This morning, we will travel to Lake Atitlán, renowned for its stunning beauty and surrounded by picturesque volcanoes and charming villages.

Stop at Chichicastenango Market - On our way to Lake Atitlán, we will stop by the Chichicastenango Market, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Guatemala. Here, we can immerse ourselves in the local culture as we browse through a wide array of colorful textiles, handicrafts, and traditional foods. The market is famous for its bustling atmosphere and unique offerings, providing an excellent opportunity to shop for souvenirs and experience the rich traditions of the indigenous Maya community. This stop will add a memorable touch to our journey before we continue on to Lake Atitlán.

Monday & Tuesday - Atitlán/Guatemala City

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel on Monday, then spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful city of Atitlán.

On Tuesday, after breakfast, you will have a private transfer back to Guatemala City. During your travels you will Stop at Iximche Archaeological Site. Iximche is an ancient Maya archaeological site located near Tecpán, Guatemala, about 1.5 hours from Antigua. Founded in 1470, it served as the capital of the Late Postclassic Kaqchikel Maya kingdom and became the site of the first Spanish capital in Guatemala before being burned during a Maya revolt. Set among peaceful pine forests, the site features pyramid-temples, ceremonial plazas, palaces, and Mayan ballcourts. Unlike many purely historic ruins, Iximche remains an active spiritual site where local Kaqchikel priests frequently conduct traditional Maya ceremonies and rituals today.

Wednesday – Return to the USA

To Register

Complete the registration form online.

• Apply for U.S. Passport NOW; passports can take 6-8 weeks. Passport must be valid for 6 months after return
• Complete the registration form and submit $500 non-refundable deposit (applied to trip fee). Deadline to register is January 29, 2027.
• Make payments:

- January 29, 2027: Trip mid-payment of $1,500 due (+ $500 dep, see above)
- Mid-February 2027: Separate from trip cost {approx. $875 course tuition or approx. $275 community education fee.}
- March 15, 2027: Trip final payment of $1050 for Cultural Travel Scholarship recipients or $2300 for all others PLUS copy of Passport due.

Attend the required orientation meetings for course details.

Price Per Person

STUDENT Trip Fee: Approximately $4300 plus Summer 2027 tuition for the 4-credit Spanish course.

The first eight students to register will receive a $1,250 Cultural Travel Scholarship, reducing the total cost to $3,050.

Tuition approximately $875 – Select Spanish I-IV

NON-STUDENT Trip Fee:

$4300 plus (approx.) $275 community education fee

Trip fee based on double/triple occupancy for both homestay and hotel. Single occupancy: $850 add'l.

$500 non-refundable deposit required the date of registration (applied toward the trip fee).

Summer 2027 Financial Aid may be used. See your Financial Aid advisor right away.

The Nicolet College Foundation offers scholarships for students who plan on enrolling in the Guatemala Study Abroad course. Scholarships range from approximately $300-$800. The Study Abroad Scholarship requires a minimum 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average. The Kari Zambon Memorial Endowed Scholarship honors Kari’s belief in the importance of international youth exchange and the value of intercultural learning. Qualified applicants must have a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average.

Questions:

Karen GriesRoehrich
kgriesroehrich@nicoletcollege.edu
715.365.4681 or 800.544.3039 ext 4681