Tropical Medicine 101

Sessions :: Itinerary :: Accreditation :: Faculty

Travel and International Medicine offers a wealth of educational, cultural and adventurous opportunities both in the classroom and out. whether you choose to lounge by the pool in your free time or head off on one of our exciting guided activites, you're guaranteed to have the experience of a lifetime.

Optional Activites :: Evening Programs :: Class Schedule

Optional Activities

(Price includes round-trip transportation.)

#1 Wine and Cheese Boat Tour

When you travel by boat to visit several indigenous villages around the lake, you'll clearly see how each one's main livelihood, colorful mode of dress and language sets it apart. The trip includes a visit to a Pottery Cooperative. $50

#2 A Visit to Cojol Ya'

Come spend a half day on the far side of the lake at Cojol Ya', the strikingly unique home featured in August 2002's Architectural Digest - and the only traditional Tz'tujil-style homestead in the entire Western Highlands area. After you tour the grounds, Cojol Ya's creator, Candis, invites you to stay and savor a glass or two of her estate-grown Pitaya Wine (made from the bloom of the night-blooming cereus), and then join her for an elegantly appointed four-course luncheon featuring traditional Tz'tujil Mayan dishes accompanied by imported wines. Your meal will be topped off with delectable desserts complemented by homegrown coffee and herbal tea. Space is limited to 12 people. $50

#3 Chuitinamit Mayan History Hike

Atitlán's preeminent expert of these sacred ruins, Lonnie Luz, will lead you on a early morning boat ride and rigorous hike as you explore the ancient world of the Maya. Chuitinamet is the ancient capital of the proud and wealthy Tz'tujil Maya empire that ruled the entire area long before the Conquest. Space is limited to 12 trekkers. $40

#4 Explore the Atitlán' Natural Reserve

Meander through the wildly exquisite realm of the Atitlán' Natural Reserve with two people who can help you expand you knowledge of the myriad floral and fauna species that abound there. As you walk the beautifully designed trails that loop through a small river canyon and over suspension bridges, you'll come upon one of the most breathtaking vistas you've ever seen. $10

#5 A Day Across the Lake

An hour boat ride across the volcano-ringed lake brings you to the town of Santiago Atitlán', our hemisphere's largest collection of indigenous people of one origin. Here among the 35,000 Tz'tujil Mayans, many of which are living as they have for centuries, you'll find the the richest Mayan history in all of Central America. 'Dr. Gil' leads a walking tour of this "must-see" pueblo that will include their Mayan god of vice, the Catholic Church with it's stirring history during the recent conflict and a geological analysis of the recent mudflow areas. Lunch ('Dutch') will be at the Posada de Santiago leaving you with a couple hours to spare for shopping and just observing this phenomenal culture. $25

#6 Cloud Forest Hike

An early morning van ride is worth the splendid views and enchanting discovery of a cloud forest. It is an incredible, but taxing, hike only for those in the best of shape. Meander along the trails and learn from our naturalist, Scott and Jenella, as they point out unique life-forms seen nowhere else on the planet. $50

#7 Market Day in Chichicastenango

The Thursday Market in "Chichi" is unique because 'indegenos' come from far and wide to buy, sell and trade what they've got. An early-morning van will pick you up at the hotel and take you over to this picturesque mountain village for this not-to-be-missed event. $35

#8 "Mayan Medical Remedies Tour"

A slow and very scenic water-taxi ride along the shoreline will take you to the lake's "natural healing" center, the tiny village of San Marcos, where local practitioner Cindy Waterman, FN-P, teams up with the indigenous Mayans to teach about centuries-old and time-tested herbal medicine remedies and midwifery. $35

#9 Beads and Weaves Shopping Tour

For those of you that want a more in-depth learning experience about the prolific beading and weaving for which Santiago Atitlán' is known, this afternoon excursion across the lake is for you. You'll duck behind the scenes of this bustling pueblo into well-hidden shops to meet some of the area's most talented beaded jewelery artist and fabric designers. $30

#10 Bird Watching

Our naturalist, Jenella Loye, PhD, has scoped out some of the best bird-watching in the entire area and ready to dazzle you with the phenomenal diversity. Bring binoculars! $15

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