At an altitude of 2712 meters, a lake sacred to the Maya hides in the crater of a volcano.
And this lake – Laguna de Chicabal – is at the center of the Mam Maya cosmos; a place sacred to the Maya of Guatemala’s highlands.
It’s forbidden to wash, swim or fish in Laguna Chicabal – the sacred lake of the Mam Maya
Legend has it that once some men fished there and were sucked under the waters to disappear forever. (Sounds like a Stephen King horror.)
When Mayan people go into the water to make shrines (picture below) they go only when tied / roped to someone else on the lakeshore… for safety.
The altar is a gateway to the Maya underworld—a place of spirits lurking beneath the lake
Many altars—different places for blessings like better health, fertility or to forgive sins—circle the lake.
At these places, the Maya perform ceremonies, lighting fires and burning copal (pine gum incense) and offer alcohol, candies and cookies to the spirits.
Chicabal Lake is 575 meters wide and 331 deep; a place of secrets, hidden by rainforest and mist
Laguna Chicabal hike takes 2 hours
Th easiest way to hike up Laguna Chicabal starts with getting there by a backpacker-focused van trip, usually a small group of 5-6 with a local Maya guide from Xela (Quetzaltenango).
You’ll depart around 8AM.
The hike up to the sacred lake takes about 2 hours from the village drop-point.
It’s relatively easy, following a trail.
Take water and maybe a snack, if you skipped breakfast.
The hike travels thru dense cloud-forest.
Mist usually blankets the lake and volcano by mid-morning – so, set off early if you want decent views!
A lucky clear morning view reveals 3 other volcanoes – including Santa Maria & the small, but active and regularly-erupting Santiaguito Volcano.
Travels in Guatemala – 2009