Nebaj to Todos Santos: 3-Day Trekking Adventure & Homestays

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (2 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/9

Duration3d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Three days trekking Guatemala’s wild Cuchumatanes with homestays

You’ll trek ancient Maya routes from Nebaj to Todos Santos over three days, sharing homestay dinners and even a traditional Mayan sauna along the way. Expect early mornings, pine forests, and sunrise views from La Torre’s summit—plus plenty of stories with your guide and hosts that stick long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — First day trekking to village

Start trekking at 7:00 am
Take breaks during hike
Lunch with box lunch at 1:00 pm
Arrive at village at 4:00 pm
Dinner with Mayan family at 6:30 pm

Day 2 — Long trekking and village arrival

Breakfast with Mayan family at 7:00 am
Start trekking at 8:00 am
Ride local truck to village
Arrive at village at 5:00 pm
Take Mayan sauna (temazcal) at 6:30 pm
Dinner with Mayan family at 7:30 pm

Day 3 — Summit hike and tour end

Start hiking at 4:00 am
Watch sunrise at summit
Descend to village by 8:00 am
Breakfast at 8:30 am
Short trip to Todos Santos town
End tour in Todos Santos

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the cool air in Nebaj, right before sunrise—my boots still damp from the night before. We started walking as the town was just waking up, passing a few sleepy dogs and women in bright huipiles already grinding corn. Our guide, Manuel, kept a steady pace but stopped to point out wild herbs growing along the path (he called one “hierba buena,” said it helps with headaches). The hills were green but somehow also a little smoky smelling—wood fires everywhere. By lunchtime I was starving and that box lunch tasted way better than it should’ve. We made it to the first village by late afternoon; my legs were jelly but the welcome from our host family was so warm it didn’t matter. Dinner was thick tortillas and beans around their kitchen fire. I tried to thank them in Ixil—I think they understood me?

The second day was honestly tough—long stretches through pine forests where the ground felt spongy underfoot and then suddenly wide open plateaus with wind that stung my cheeks. At some point we hopped onto this battered old truck for the last bit into the next village (I nearly lost my hat out the back). That night we got to try a Mayan sauna—the temazcal—which is basically pitch dark except for steam and Manuel’s jokes echoing off stone walls. It felt like every muscle finally unclenched. There’s something about sharing dinner after a day like that—everyone quieter, tired but happy.

We woke up at 4am for the last push up La Torre—the highest point of the Cuchumatanes mountains—and I’ll admit I grumbled at first. But standing up there as the sun cracked over those endless valleys…well, I still think about that view when I can’t sleep. The descent felt dreamlike; mist curling between pines, sheep bells somewhere below us. Breakfast back in the village never tasted so good—just eggs and coffee but I could’ve eaten three times as much. After a short drive we rolled into Todos Santos, which looked almost painted with all those red trousers and blue jackets hanging from lines everywhere. It’s not really a place you just pass through—you sort of feel it stays with you.

What’s included

Your journey includes public transport between trail segments, two nights staying with Mayan families (homestay), one night in a hotel if needed, three breakfasts, two lunches—including one packed for hiking—and two home-cooked dinners along with full guiding service throughout your trek across Guatemala’s Cuchumatanes mountains.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tours / Activities SA ((T&ASA))