Lake Atitlan: Questions about Indian Nose hike

Hello,

I'm interested in climbing the Indian Nose. I have limited time in Lake Atitlan, so I'd like to do it as efficiently as possible. Without further ado, here are my questions:

1. What's the best time of day to do the hike? I've seen some posters suggest that it's best done at dawn. Do you agree? Is it safe at that hour?

2. Do you recommend using a guide for the hike? If so, where does one retain the guide?

3. Where do I begin the ascent for the hike? I've seen posters suggesting San Juan or Santa Clara. Is one preferable to the other?

4. How long does the hike take in total?

5. I've heard that visitors have been approached by people at the top who've asked them to pay for access to the top of the hill. If that happens, should I pay? How much do they generally charge? I want to make sure I have exact change.

6. As I mentioned, unfortunately I have limited time in Lake Atitlan (a little less than 2 days total). I am also interested in doing the Santa Cruz-Jaiblito trek, but I've been told that the Indian Nose hike and the SC-Jaiblito trek may be somewhat duplicative. With limited time, should I pick one or the other? If so, do you have a preference.

I greatly appreciate any input you can provide!

I'll give your questions a go - same response as I gave you on the Trip Advisor forum...

1. The dawn hikes are probably safe with a responsible guide but they'll be the Santa Clara route which I don't prefer. You miss the best hiking and views if you come and go that way. Some tours might go up 1 that way and down to San Juan - not sure on that.

2. Yes - any agency including the little kiosk at the main dock in San Pedro.

3. See #1.

4. Depends on the route and how fast you hike. I spent more than half a day starting with a pickup ride from San Pedro, hiking up from San Juan and down to Santa Clara, spending time in the market there (1 of my favorites, 2sdays and Saturdays), then taking a colectivo to San Pablo and a tuktuk back to San Pedro. Here's my blog post:
   http://hopefulistinlatinamerica.blogspot.com/2012/07/hike-to-nariz-de-indio.html

5. This happened to us - don't remember the amount - and our guide just told them we weren't going to pay - they weren't threatening but it was weird.

6. The lake is about so much more than the beautiful views. I would pick 1 or the other, which fits most easily into your plans. You could also add a loop in the Panajachel Reserve - beautiful waterfalls and skybridges and usually a few monkeys. ¡Buena suerte!

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