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Only in Guatemala was the world created in 23 different ways; 23 languages and 23 different
words for God. Here, women, using magic threads of every colour of the rainbow, spin,
weave and embroider more than 500 different costumes. Many fertility goddesses bring light and strength
to the flowers, the stars and also to the beautiful creatures in the jungle. In Guatemala, people still
worship the Sun, father of all harvests, who is remembered in some 23 different
rituals. In Guatemala, beauty pursues the traveller at every corner. Quiches, Mams, Tzutujils and Cakchiquels,
men with elated hearts, work with malleable damp clay, powerful jade, or wood from the forests. The
concepts, colours and shapes they produce in their ancient art are astonishing. On simple blackstrap or pedal
looms, the women weave history with their wool and cotton threads, creating huipiles and other
fine textiles.
The markets brim with splendid works of art and crafts in designs and techniques passes on
from generation to generation. Come and learn the art of "bargaining" in the Guatemalan indigenous
markets and buy beautifully crafted objects at unbelievable prices. The many traditions passed
on from generation to generation, the magic, the charm and the friendliness of the
Guatemalan people surely will touch your heart.
After studying the living Maya, it is time to study the pre-columbian Maya. We do this in Peten, the heart of the Maya Forest and of the Maya World. The archaeological sites in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, have the perfect mix between nature and archaeology. Yaxha is made up of several plazas and Maya causeways and is still undergoing excavation and restauration works. After Yaxha, we visit the famous archaeological site of Tikal with its many temples, plaza and complex buildings and go home still wondering about the mystery and magic of the Maya, past and present
The Itinerary
Day 1: (Saturday)
Welcome at Guatemala City airport by our bi-lingual driver and transfer in private car to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. Choose from a variety of hotels.
Day 2:
Antigua is a stunningly beautiful and elegant colonial town with cobblestone streets, tranquil parks, numerous palaces, cathedrals, churches and residences. The city was founded in 1543 by Francisco de la Cueva and was the first planned settlement in the new world, designed by Italian architect Juan Francisco Antonelli. Antigua grew to be the finest city in Central America and was the country’s capital until it was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1773. Now fully reconstructed and renovated, Antigua has wonderful restaurants, patio cafes, shops and galleries in which to relax, numerous ruins to explore and interesting museums and exhibitions to visit.
This morning you have a guided tour of Antigua to learn about the main architectural monuments and history. Tour to include the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral (1680), Capuchinas Convent and Iglesia San Fransisco where Saint Hermano Pedro is buried.
In the afternoon we will leave you to explore and enjoy Antigua.
Choose from a variety of hotels. (B)
Day 3:
Today will be spent with Martha Hettich, our resident Maya textile expert. Martha starts the day by presenting on the history of Maya textiles, the weaving techniques of the back strap loom and the symbolism of the designs. You accompany her to the museum "House of the Old Textile" in Antigua. The museum is run by a cooperative from the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, a village famous forr its strong textile tradition. Although the backstrap weaving from SAAC is primarily done in a single face brocade, the village has incorporated a beautiful double sided tapestry weave into its traditional traje (costume). At the museum you witness the weaving process on both the backstrap and foot looms. There are vignettes of textiles from all over the country. You break for lunch in Antigua and then finish the day by visiting some of the specialist shops and artisan markets to learn how to distinguish new weavings from old and good quality from poor. Martha will also help negotiate fair prices for those who wish to make purchases. Choose from a variety of hotels. (B)
Day 4:
Today you transfer deeper into the highlands to Lake Atitlan. This lake has been called by many, "the most beautiful lake in the world". It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan Volcanoes at 3,535m. The Lake is surrounded by small Maya towns and villages and farmlands where fields of corn and beans are planted on what appear to be impossibly steep slopes. Coffee is also grown at lower altitudes on the rich volcanic soil of the area. The waters are calm and still in the morning but in the afternoon a phenomina known locally as "xocomil" occurs where-by the wind gets up and the lake becomes quite choppy.
After a three hour transfer through the Guatemalan countryside you will be taken to your hotel where you can rest or explore for the rest of the day.
Choose from a variety of hotels. (B)
Day 5:
After breakfast you will take a private boat with guide to explore one of the more traditional villages surrounding the lake to experience the local indigenous customs, traditions, dress and crafts. Santiago is an interesting town where the Maya language of Tz’utujil is spoken and where the local people hold strongly to their beliefs and rituals. Here your guide will show you where the local Mayan community worship an image called Maximon feeding him alcohol and cigarettes in an attempt to make their wishes come true as well as other brotherhood or "Cofradia" houses where other Maya Gods are revered. This village is also famous for its primitive art and beautiful woven "huipiles" – women’s tunics and there is an interesting market to wander through. Choose from a variety of hotels. (B)
Day 6:
We transfer you even deeper into the western highlands to Quetzaltenego (Xelaju). You travel through some spectacular altiplano scenary to visit a number of authentic and traditional Maya villages. You visit as many of the below mentioned villages as possible or required. Any left out will be slotted into day 7 and 8 before returning to Antigua.
While based in Xela you enjoy trips to villages such as Zunil, a very colourful town of whitewashed buildings and pink, purple and white "traje" (Traditional dress) Zunil has their own version of Maximon and a wonderful weaving cooperative. You visit Almolonga, which is an immensely important market as produce from here is sold throughout Central America and there is also an interesting church to visit. The textile tradition is also very strong in this village and you see locals wearing the traditional dress from the area. The village of San Andres Xecul is home to one of the most famous churches in Guatemala. The people of the village constructed their church in the typical colonial style but the ornamentation of the facade is done in strickly folk-art tradition in wonderful bright colours. Just outside of Xela is also the small town of Salcaja. This town is known for producing the tied and dyed threads known as "jaspe" (ikat). The villagers have been weaving the die dyed skirt material used throughout Guatemala since 1861. The church in Salcaja, founded in 1524, is supposedly the oldest in Central America. Also of interst is the town of Cantel. This town has the oldest and largest commercial textile mill in the country. Now it is also home to the Copavic cooperative glass factory where you can take a short tour and see glass blowing taking place.
Overnight in Casa Manen, Xela. (B,L)
Day 7:
Today is the famous San Fransisco el Alto market. This is the largest open-air market in central America Unlike the well-known market of Chichicastenango, this is mainly a genuine Indian market. Here locals sell vegetables and fruits and hand woven fabrics from all over the country and additionally the wonderful wool blankets from the neighbouring village of Momostenango. A spectacular part of the market is the fabulous animal fair. Overnight in Casa Manen, Xela. (B)
Day 8:
On to the market in San Miguel Totonicapan – the capital town of the department of Totonicapan. The beautiful drive to "Toto" passes through pine forests and wheat fields. "Toto" has been an important trade center since before the Spanish conquest. Most of the town is involved in creating pottery, weaving, silversmithing, wooden furniture and toys which are sold throughout the country. Also of note from "Toto" are the excellent masks made for use in the Altiplano area for folkloric dances.
Martha will take you through the market explaining about the Maya way of life in this area and how the market is a hugely important factor of daily life here. You visit the cultural centre to visit the ceremonial dance costume workshop as well as enjoy a traditional lunch and dance display by some of the local people. In the afternoon we will transfer back to Antigua.
Overnight in Antigua
(B,L)
Day 9:
Chichicastenango is famous for its large craft market on Sunday and Thursday when craftsmen and villagers from all over the highlands converge on this small town to sell their wares. Sunday is an interesting day to visit because as well as the hugely colorful market, many village shamans will come from miles around to "Chichi", as the locals call it, to perform Mayan rituals on behalf of people in their community. There are many hillside Mayan altar sites where the rituals are performed and, yet more strangely, many are performed on altar slabs inside the catholic church. Chichi is one of the easiest places for travelers to experience the strange way that Mayan & Catholic faiths have merged in Guatemala. During a trip to Chichi, you can also visit the small mask factory and see a traditional dance display performed by the local children.
After the guided tour around Chichi you transfer on to Antigua.
Overnight in Antigua.(B)
Day 10:
This morning you transfer to Guatemala City airport for a 09:40 scheduled flight on Taca Airlines to the northern airport of Flores where our representative meets and transfers you to uour hotel.
In the northern rainforest area of the Peten there are numerous ancient Mayan temple sites and bountiful tropical wildlife. After a rest at the hotel you transfer deep into the rainforest to visit the beautiful and atmospheric site of Yaxha.
Yaxha (Green Water) & Topoxte (Ramon Tree) – A beautiful Mayan ruin site set at the shore of Lake Yaxha – home of the Moreletti crocodiles. Trekking in Yaxha is wonderful & watching the sunset with the sun falling behind the lagoon and its island is really breathtaking. Howler & spider monkeys & a myriad of birds can often be observed from the temple tops. Before exploring Yaxha itself, a short boat trip on the lake can be taken to visit the small ruin site of Topoxte, one of the oldest cities in the Maya world.
Close to Tikal, situated on the shores of a peaceful lake is the site of the third largest known Classic Mayan site in the country. Yaxha has a twin pyramid complex, nine acropolis and more than 500 structures. Similar to Tikal, Yaxha was at its height of importance between AD 300 - 900. Temple 216 offers a wonderful view of the lake and surrounding rainforest.
Choose from a variety of Hotels & Lodges. (B)
Day 11:
Any early start today in order to see the best of the tropical wildlife and to have the site all to yourselves! Today you transfer into Tikal National Park to visit the world famous site of Tikal.
Tikal (City of Voices) - The world famous Mayan temple ruins at Tikal. Set in the protected rainforest this is an amazing climax to any trip to Guatemala, an incredible sight to behold as huge temples rise out of the rainforest and monkeys and exotic birds complement the scene. Enjoy sunset or sunrise or both from on top of the temples.
Construction of Tikal began around BC 300, although it’s most important epoque was between AD 200 - 900 in what is called the Classic Period of the Mayan civilization when it was considered an important commercial city. The temples at Tikal were built to reach the sky with the Temple of the Serpent reaching 70 meters high and offering a magnificent view of the rainforest canopy and other temples. Due to the immense historical value of the site at Tikal, it has been declared a UNESCO protected monument. The site covers 16 square kilometers and contains over 3,000 structures.
Overnight in the rainforest. (B,L)
Day 12:
You can spend the morning relaxing by the lake, within the rainforest scenery or can enjoy a boat ride on lake Peten-Itza visiting the local zoo and town of Flores. Flores is a pretty, small town perched on a tiny island in Lake Peten-Itza and joined to the mainland by a short causeway. The colourful houses of Flores circle around the central plaza and cathedral which sit up above the rest of town and overlook the red roofs and surrounding lake.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport at Flores for their evening flight back to Guatemala City. Once in Guatemala City they will be met at the airport & transferred to their hotel.
Choose from a variety of hotels. (B.L)
Day 13:
Transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home. (B)
General Information
Rated: Easy
| Price per person | |||||||||
| Superior Hotels | Mid Range Hotels | ||||||||
| Double Room | Single Supp | Double Room | Single Supp | ||||||
| USD | $ 2312 | $ 883 | $ 1955 | $ 499 | |||||
| EUR | € 1919 | € 733 | € 1623 | € 414 | |||||
| GBP | £ 1295 | £ 494 | £ 1095 | £ 279 | |||||
Example Hotel Choices:
Superior: Panza Verde, Posada del Angel, Casa Palopo, Catamaran, Camino Real, Quinta Real
Mid-range: Casa Mayor, Villa Sumaya, Catamaran, La Lancha, Biltmore Express
Included:
* Private bus and boat transfers
* All Accommodation in hotels described or similar (Depending on client choice & availability)
* Continental Breakfast each day and other meals as described in the itinerary
* Private Guided tours of Antigua, Maya Textiles & Folk Art, Santiago Village, Yaxha and Tikal
* Return Internal flight on TACA airlines – Guatemala City to Flores
* Local taxes and hotel service charges where applicable
Not included:
* Porterage charges at airports or in hotels
* Tips & Gratuities
* Personal expenses
* Meals not mentioned in itinerary
* Drinks with included meals
* Airport taxes : International ($33) National 20Q (Approx. $2.50) per person
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