• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Bucket List
  • Digital Nomad
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Hiking Indian’s Nose in Lake Atitlán with a Geologist

Last Updated: April 6, 2022 · Guatemala

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share
Share
8 Shares

The Indian Nose hike is one of the most popular things to do in Lake Atitlán. It was actually one of the first activities on our bucket lists after crossing from Mexico into Guatemala. You can spot the Indian Nose (La Nariz or La Nariz del Indio in Spanish) easily from the Tz’utujil Maya town of San Pedro La Laguna, located just opposite, as it towers above the other hills surrounding the lake.

It’s here, in the early hours of the morning, where both locals and tourists come to watch the sunrise as it peeks out behind the chain of volcanoes both near and far.

Hiking Indian’s Nose is a must if you want to enjoy a bit of outdoor adventure while learning about the surrounding Maya towns and volcanoes. Particularly, if you appreciate nature and want to learn more about volcanism in Guatemala, you should go with a geologist – which is what we ended up doing on the long version of the Indian Nose hike from San Juan La Laguna.

Indeed, waking up at 4 am to hike Indian Nose at sunrise isn’t the only way to experience this summit and its magnificent views!

You can opt to go after the sun comes up, via a much longer hike (2.5 hours instead of 30-45 minutes) that starts at the bottom of San Juan La Laguna and meanders all the way up to the tippy top of the nose a few kilometers away.

But before you strap up your hiking boots, here’s everything you need to know about the Indian Nose hike in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

The Complete Guide: Indian Nose Hike in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

couple atop indian nose summit in lake atitlan guatemala

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

hiker climbing over rocks on indian nose hike
colorful native plant on indian nose hike
geologist touching mayan signpost on indian nose trail in lake atitlan

Can You Hike Indian’s Nose Without a Guide?

Before our hike up to Indian Nose, we had often heard and read online about safety concerns regarding hiking around the lake – whether Indian’s Nose or the hike between Santa Cruz and San Marcos. Yes, there have been reports before of petty robberies, but it’s rare that should happen. In the case of the Indian Nose hike, it’s most often a misunderstanding.

The land upon which the Indian Nose trail sits is actually partitioned into three sections, each among different landowners. So, of course, in good Guatemalan fashion, it only makes sense that you pay a fee to pass through said land. And since the hike up to Indian Nose crosses several parts where the land is divided (the chin, the nose, the eyes, etc), there are several fees to pay.

girl hiking below the indian nose trail sign
Indian Nose hiking trail from Santa Clara La Laguna (Don Pedro’s land)
hiking with matt the geologist on indian nose hike trail
indian nose trail to santa clara la laguna

Not many tourists know this, and so they think they are getting robbed. Especially, – as our guide said – when the owners and sons are asking for their fair share of the payment with a machete strapped to their hips.

If you don’t know these owners or land, it’s hard for tourists like you and me to know who to pay and who to trust. If you don’t speak Spanish either, it will make the situation even more precarious.

That’s why it’s recommended that you hike Indian’s Nose with a guide. You technically could go on your own, but you shouldn’t. Not only will it be safer, but you’ll likely save money too. If you go on your own, you will definitely be overcharged.

Indian’s Nose Sunrise Hike VS the Long Hike

mayan locals walking along a ridge overlooking san pedro volcano, lake atitlan
painted stairs hiking up to indian nose

You have two options when it comes to hiking Indian’s Nose.

Sunrise Hike (35 – 45 minutes up)

If you want to hike up to Indian Nose for sunrise, then your tour operator will shuttle you from San Pedro La Laguna to Santa Clara La Laguna, where you will then hike the short 35-45 minute trail to watch the sunrise from the summit. You could also do this later in the day, but it’s most popular at sunrise.

Long Hike (2.5 – 3 hours up)

For the long and intense hike, you will depart a bit later in the morning and start your ascent from the bottom of San Juan La Laguna, just next door to San Pedro.

Here, you will pay the park entrance fee ($10 GTQ) and then slowly zig-zag your way up the face of the Indian, who appears to be lying peacefully under the forested mountains (that is if you are looking at him the proper way – chin on the right).

welcome to indian nose signpost atop indian nose summit
welcome to indian nose sign in lake atitlan

We decided we wanted to do the longer hike for the chance to have more vistas and explanations about the lake and surrounding towns. If you enjoy hiking and don’t mind a good sweat, I’d recommend the long hike.

No matter which version of the hike you end up doing, since the Indian Nose summit is situated on the northwest shore of Lago de Atitlan, you will be able to see the:

  • Volcán San Pedro
  • Volcán Toliman (and its little “parasitic cone” of Cerro del Oro), and Volcán Atitlán
  • Towns of San Juan La Laguna, San Pedro La Laguna, and Santa Clara La Laguna, as well as some of the towns on the left shore on a clear day (San Pablo, San Marcos, Santa Cruz, and Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó).
woman looking at san pedro volcano from atop indian nose mountain summit
view of mayan towns around lake atitlan from atop indian nose hike
hiking down from indian nose summit from overlooking lake atitlan
overlooking santa clara la laguna town from atop indian nose summit

Indian Nose Hike Tour Cost

There are a few ways you can book the Indian Nose hike tour.

  • In-person at one of the local tour operators in San Pedro La Laguna (on the main road just off the Pana dock)
  • Online via GetYourGuide
  • Matt the Geologist — the fun and knowledgeable expat and owner of Geo Travel Guatemala, who will excitedly tell you all about volcanism in Guatemala and how Lake Atitlán formed! Check out his website to get in touch with Matt for bookings.

Having done the hike with Matt, I can say that you will get the best price/value with his Indian Nose tour (800-1125 GTQ depending on the group size). He offers sunrise tours as well (which also includes the geology spiel so you don’t miss out on anything) in addition to private transfers to the airport.

Our Experience Hiking Indian’s Nose with a Geologist

matt the geologist explaining about volcanism in guatemala on indian nose hike tour
geologist pointing out volcanoes in lake atitlan guatemala
hiking up stairs on indian nose trail

The summit of Indian Nose sits at over 2200 m (7217 ft), which means it’s a pretty decent climb if you’re coming from the base of the mountain.

Seeing as Lake Atitlan sits at 1562 m (5128 ft) in altitude, that works out to be around a 650-750 m (2300 ft) ascent. Not bad, eh? I am thankful for all the stairs leading up to our Airbnb in San Pedro because without this minimal “training” I would’ve had a difficult time climbing up to Indian’s Nose.

Our morning began by hopping in a bright red tuk-tuk before picking up some sunscreen and meeting Matt at the Pana dock in San Pedro.

Together, along with his adventure pup Spike, we speedily jumped into a lancha boat and skirted across the lake to San Juan La Laguna – the town just over. (Normally, you could go via the road connecting the two towns but it was under construction when we went).

Our hike technically began straight from the dock into San Juan La Laguna, which is quite the climb in itself. From the town, the hike continues up into the park to access mirador La Cruz (viewpoint) overlooking the town. From there, the trail splits off to the left and continues up the mountain until the top.

a red tuktuk and colorful walls in san juan la laguna, lake atitlan

Colorful streets of San Juan La Laguna

paying at the park entrance to hike up indian nose

Paying the park entrance fee to hike Indian Nose (Q10)

walkway to cerro mirador de la cruz above san juan la laguna lake atitlan

Cerro Mirador de la Cruz 

Along the way, we learned about the native flora speckling the hills, the coffee plantations hiding under the forested slopes of the mountain, the corn harvesting season, and about the colorful indigenous communities that populate the lakeside Mayan towns.

The storytelling and fun textbook facts courtesy of Matt made the time go by quickly. We kept a steady pace nonetheless, eager to beat the clouds already covering the volcano peaks in the distance that can normally be seen on a clear, sunny day.

Once at the top we had plenty of time to rest, eat our snacks (and sip on a surprise), before listening to Matt in an all-too-perfect classroom setting – in the bewildering setting of nature herself.

For the next hour, while Matt drew charts and visuals in the dirt with a stick, that Spike loved to steal, we listened attentively and with great curiosity about the geology of not only Lake Atitlan or Guatemala but about volcanism around the world across time. On a clear day, you can see 8 of Guatemala’s 30+ impressive volcanoes from atop Indian’s Nose, including Volcán Fuego and Volcán Acatenango in Antigua, the charming colonial city 2.5 hours away.

matt the geologist pointing out san pedro volcano in lake atitlan
matt the geologist with closeup of shirt 'geo travel guatemala'

The geology talk truly puts what you’re gazing at into perspective on a global scale. Oh, how we are truly small!

After our imperative photo session at the summit, we headed back down the mountain, however this time via the Santa Clara – Indian Nose trail which is a little less steep, before rejoining the path from which we came just a few hours earlier.

If all that sounds like your kinda adventure then book your Indian Nose tour with Matt the Geologist – you won’t regret it. 🙂

What to Wear & Pack for the Indian Nose Hike

The elevation gain hiking up to Indian Nose can make it go from fairly warm to chilly, especially in the mornings when the sun isn’t yet shining.

Here is a quick and easy packing list for you to keep handy before you set out to do the Indian Nose hike.

  • Reusable water bottle (32 oz. per person recommended)
  • Hiking shoes (be wary of loose rocks and soil)
  • Light jacket
  • Capris or shorts (just mind the prickly plants and biting insects)
  • Biodegradable bug repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat or sunglasses
  • Granola bars
  • Action camera
  • Small change (quetzales)
  • Rain-proof day bag to carry it all in

Please make sure to practice Leave No Trace! Whatever trash you pack in, be sure to pack out! Read more eco-friendly travel tips here.

Let’s keep these lands plastic-free, shall we? Also, beware that there are no public restrooms at the top. If you have to go wee outside, dig a small hole away from trails and coffee/cornfields and cover it properly.

If you are looking for a great hike to do around Lake Atitlan while learning about the country’s wild landscapes, then don’t miss out on the Indian Nose hike. Whether you want to do the short or the long hike, you will be rewarded with panoramic views that’ll blow you away.

woman standing atop indian nose mountain overlooking lake atitlan and san pedro volcano in guatemala

If you have any questions about hiking Indian’s Nose or what to do around the lake, be sure to check out my other guides to Guatemala and drop me a comment below!

Pin this Indian Nose hiking guide to Pinterest!

woman atop indian nose hike summit with text overlay
  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
  • Share via Email Share via Email

By: Bri · In: Guatemala · Tagged: Hiking

you’ll also love

hiking trail in lake atitlan guatemala with view on San Pedro volcano9 Incredible Hikes Around Lake Atitlán
woman atop Cerro Don Lauro in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, MexicoHiking to the Sacred Mountain of Cerro Don Lauro in Chiapas
Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National ParkHow to Spend 2 Epic Days in Moab Exploring Canyonlands & Arches National Parks

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

San Cristóbal to Panajachel: Our Mexico-Guatemala Border Crossing

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

people standing atop best mayan ruins in mexico

9 Incredible Mayan Ruins in Mexico You Must Visit

sunhat - what to pack for mexico "hello sunshine"

The Ultimate Packing List for Mexico (+ Free Printable)

a kaqchikel maya women from santa catarina palopó using the backstrap loom

Visiting the Painted Kaqchikel Maya Village of Santa Catarina Palopó

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • WORK WITH ME
  • COURSE

Search

Follow Our Adventures

@bucketlistbri

National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
📍Canyonlands National Park
📍Zion National Park
📍Bryce Canyon National Park
📍Grand Canyon National Park (North & South Rims)
📍Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

+ Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock State Park, & Monument Valley Navajo Park!

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for the full 2-week itinerary plus detailed guides & itineraries to each NP!*

*except for BCotG

.
.
.

#nationalparkweek #utahrocks #zion #bryce #southwestusa #roadtripusa #desertvibes #archesnationalpark #moab #canyonlands #roadtripamerica #grandcanyonnationalpark
"From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜 I saw her gigg "From Santa Catarina Palopó" 💜

I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

As soon as she said yes, I hurriedly clicked a few shots; rushing so as to not waste her time. After showing her portraits to her, she gave me a big nod and said softly, "de Santa Catarina Palopó" with immense pride.

I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

You can read more about the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya and the colorfully painted town of Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala on my blog @bucketlistbri 💜
10 years together 💛😱 It’s not our annive 10 years together 💛😱 

It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

I just wanted to remind the internet that I have a pretty badass partner (& not to mention the best cat dad) who puts up with both my silly madness and my need to live around the world in pursuit of adventure. 

If I have any advice for love and long-term relationships, it's this:

Keep choosing each other;
again, and again, and again,
over everything else, no matter what you go through. 

❤️❤️❤️

Can you guess which one of us first "friend-requested" the other all those years ago? 😉

#internationalcouple #ourlove #travelcouplegoals #10yearstogether #digitalnomadcouple #adventuretogether
On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. I am On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. 

I am the granddaughter of a guiding light, a woman so lovely and gentle and spiritual and strong that she attracted to her all walks of life. 

I was the butterfly enamored by her glow. The ship lost at sea that found safety at her shores. 

On every adventure, I’ll think of you. On every adventure, you’ll be with me. 

🦋 ✨
Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

Read more about this epic spot + other must-see places in Guadeloupe on the blog @bucketlistbri 🌴

.
.
.
#guadeloupeislands #caribbeanisland #pointedeschateaux #wanderlusttravel #caribbeanlife #caribbeanvibes #gwada #hikingtheworld #islandphotography #travelaesthetic
I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY: ✍️ I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY:

✍️ 2022 is going to be the year I become a published author. 

💛  It's the year I celebrate 10 years of love & adventure with my best friend. 

💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

🌎  It's the year I hit my bucket list of "slow living in 10 countries" as a nomad and the year I travel and discover even more destinations. 

And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

📍Hell's Gate / Porte d'Enfer, Guadeloupe (click the link in my bio to read about this hike!)
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Bucket List
  • Digital Nomad
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • My Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2022 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved