Travel Photography with Purpose

travel photography with purpose

Guatemala

Travel Photography with Purpose: Guatemala
Nine Days – $3,500
Solo Travelers Encouraged

Step into a journey that’s more than just a trip—this is your chance to capture vibrant stories, dive into local culture, and explore Guatemala through a lens of connection, curiosity, and purpose.

Whether you're joining us for All Saints’ Day or Good Friday, we’ll shape our experience around the occasion. Every moment counts.

Day 1: Arrival in Antigua
Arrive at Guatemala City Airport before 1 p.m. We’ll be there to welcome you. If your flight doesn’t align, come a day early—we’ll help with hotel arrangements.
Check into your hotel and settle in.
We’ll meet up in the lobby, then head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an evening photo stroll through Antigua’s vibrant main plaza.

Day 2: Antigua in Focus
Start with breakfast at the hotel.
Receive your secret photo challenge—then we explore Antigua’s cobblestone streets together.
We’ll visit the stunning Casa Santo Domingo Monastery and a scenic overlook with views of an active volcano.
Lunch will be a homemade feast in the home of a local Guatemalan family.
Take the afternoon to relax or roam.
We’ll reconvene for our first photo share session at the hotel.

Day 3: Local Culture, Local Life
Wake up before the sun for photo magic at La Merced Arch.
After breakfast, hop on a colorful chicken bus to a nearby village.
Explore and photograph the vibrant market scene.
Wander, connect, and enjoy the afternoon your way.
We’ll gather again for a group dinner and a short editing and photo share session.

Day 4: Journey to Lake Atitlán
Enjoy breakfast before we embark on a stunning 3-hour drive to Lake Atitlán—one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
We’ll make meaningful stops to visit sacred Mayan sites along the way.
Arrive, settle in, and take in the views.

Day 5: Meet Your Hosts
Meet the Mayan families hosting us. Learn a word or two in their language.
Spend the day photographing life around the lake and getting familiar with our Mayan-run hotels.

Day 6: Santa Catarina and Lakeside Life
Visit the village of Santa Catarina, home to stunning blue and purple Mayan garments.
Take a boat across the lake to San Pedro and San Juan. Photo ops everywhere.
We’ll dine at a lakeside café known for its famous coconut soup.
Relax, canoe, explore, or shop during your free time.
Later, we’ll meet again to share our favorite images at a lakeside roundtable.

Day 7: Artisan Village Immersion
This day is packed.
Start with an early breakfast before boating to San Juan de Laguna.
Visit a local Mayan coffee farm and sip organic Guatemalan coffee.
Experience backstrap loom weaving up close.
We’ll enjoy lunch together in the village.
In the evening, take part in a private Mayan ritual led by a local priest or priestess.
Dinner is at one of the village’s top outdoor restaurants.

Day 8: Choose Your Adventure
For the early risers, take on a 4 a.m. volcano hike with breathtaking rewards. This cost is optional. Prefer a slower morning? Enjoy canoeing or exploring the town with your camera.
Spend the afternoon your way before our boat trip to Panajachel to meet our driver back in Antigua.
Enjoy our final group dinner and capture your last evening shots in the city’s glowing streets.

Day 9: Farewell
Share one last breakfast.
We’ll get you to the airport and help with private transfers if your flight is outside our standard schedule.

Trip Details

Cost: $3,500 for 9 days in Guatemala
Includes all on-ground transportation and accommodations (double occupancy).
Single occupancy is available at a slightly higher rate.

Group Size: 5 to 10 participants
Activity Level: Moderate
Expect cobblestone walks, some altitude, and extended time on your feet.

What’s Included

Canoe rental on the lake
Eight breakfasts
One arrival dinner and one departure lunch
All on-ground and boat transportation
Double occupancy hotel accommodations (we can match you with another traveler). It’s $250. for your private room, yes, for the whole trip!
A professional photographer guiding and mentoring the group

What’s Not Included
Airfare (we can help you find great flights)

Meals are inexpensive compared to the US and much easier when each person can make independent choices.
Lunches and dinners
Any transport or activities outside the group plan (like private volcano hikes or tuk-tuks)

Join Laughing Planet Journeys for a photography experience that connects you with the land, the people, and your creative eye. This is more than travel. This is the purpose, the story, and an unforgettable connection in Guatemala.

VISAS and PICKUP

Discover Guatemala A 9-Day Travel Photography Expedition with Purpose We will guide you through Passport and Visa requirements. We will meet you at the airport or a nearby hotel. Immerse yourself in Guatemala's culture and create genuine connections with its warm-hearted locals and fellow travelers.

Group Photo Review: Enhance your skills through collective learning. Join our nightly gatherings to review and discuss your photos, gaining valuable insights from fellow travelers and leader’s experience

Photography with Purpose: Go beyond photography – participate in sustainable tourism and support the communities you visit. Contribute to local well-being with purposeful photography.

Create Deep Friendships: This adventure offers not just incredible photos but also heartwarming stories, enduring friendships, and a deep connection to Guatemala. Secure your spot today and prepare for the purposeful journey of a lifetime! Join us in 2025 to make photographs, build bonds, and explore Guatemala