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Ethnological Tour: "Faces of Guatemala"
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| You are a group or individuals , you are looking for a trip mixing relaxation and comfort with ethnological discovery : here is a tour for you !
Tortillas préparation |
Guatemala, its population a virtual mosaic of ethnic groups , , remains the country where the Mayan culture is the best preserved.
The Mayan People have been withstood centuries, preserving traditions and beliefs inherited from their pre-Columbian ancestors. Today, the Mayan People continue fighting for respect and recognition of their cultural identity. |
Our tour "Faces of Guatemala" , allows you to meet with the men and the women of Guatemala in the course of their daily life. It will introduce you to the heart of the people of this amazing country, and will allow you to discover the authenticity of their daily life , it will introduce you into the heart of the people of this fabulous country, and will allow you to discover the traditional rituals, the rites, the savoir-faire and the history of Guatemalan people. |
Tour 14 days/13 nights
From the highlands , populated by Indian villages, where colored markets and richly embroidered clothing mix, to the jungle of Petén and the ancient ceremonial center of Tikal is located, and passing by the quiet and friendly Caribbean region , without forgetting the old majestic colonial capital of Antigua , we offer you an original and complete tour .
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Huipil of Almolonga |
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Day 1
Saturday |
Arrival
Reception at the airport. Travel to Antigua (45 minutes) Spend the night in Antigua. |
Day 2
Sunday |
Antigua
A visit to this splendid colonial jewel, former capital of Guatemala during the Spanish era. In this once-flourishing capital, although victim of devastating earthquakes, one can feel the ambiance of its colonial architecture. Side-streets are enlivened by the interaction of Indians, "Ladinos" and tourists. |
Day 3
Monday |
Antigua - Lake Atitlán
Conclusion of the visit to Antigua: In addition to the principal monuments, today explore the interior of a 17th Century home. Travel to Lake Atitlán (2 hours). Spend the night in Panajachel. |
Day 4
Tuesday |
Market of Sololá
Visit of the market of Sololá. Because of the geographical position of this village, located between the highlands and the coastal plain, one witnesses, on market days, a remarkable convergence of different populations—the market becomes a physical intersection of disparate cultures. In the afternoon, we visit the Maya Cakchiquel village of San Antonio Palopó. There, we will explore its weaving workshops and its inhabitants. Spend the night in Panajachel. |
Day 5
Wednesday |
Lake Atitlán
We travel by boat to Santiago Atitlán, a Maya Tzutujil village. There we will meet Maximon, a contemporary Maya god. Spend the night in Panajachel. |
Day 6
Thursday |
Chichicastenango
Market day of Chichicastenango. The village is known for the colors of its market, and also for the religious syncretism which one can observe there. In addition to the market, we will visit a workshop/exposition of masks. Then we will walk in the vibrantly colored village cemetery. For the people of Chichicastenango, the cemetery is a favorite place to communicate with the supernatural. Travel to Quetzaltenango, Indian capital of the highlands. Spend the night in this city. |
Day 7
Friday |
San Francisco El Alto
Visit of the market of San Francisco El Alto, the largest Indian market of Central America. The area of Quetzaltenango, surrounded by volcanoes, is one of the most important centers of production of Mayan textiles of the country. In the village of Salcajá, we will visit traditional workshops of dyeing and weaving where the intricate procedure of jaspe (or ikat) is used. Near the market of San Francisco El Alto, we will attend Mayan ceremonies in their spectacular natural setting. In the afternoon, we will travel to Antigua (3˝ hours) and spend the night in that city. |
Day 8
Saturday |
Rio Dulce
Departure in the early morning to Río Dulce where we will visit to the castle of Castillo San Felipe. By boat on the Río Dulce, we will enjoy tropical fauna and flora until reaching Lívingston, a Caribbean village. Garifunas, Lívingston’s native ethnic inhabitants, come from the fusion of African slaves, Caribe Indians and Arawak Indians. Spend the night in Lívingston. |
Day 9
Sunday |
Lívingston
Relax in Lívingston (optional excursions to the beach of Playa Blanca and on the Cocoli river). Spend the night in Lívingston. |
Day 10
Monday |
Quirigua
Boat to Puerto Barrios. Travel by bus to Antigua. In route, visit the archeological site of Quirigua, whose steles are the tallest of the Mayan world. Spend the night in Antigua. |
Day 11
Tuesday |
Volcano Pacaya or Antigua
In the morning, excursion to the National Park of the Volcano Pacaya (optional excursion). In the afternoon, visit to the museum of indigenous music and the museum of coffee. Spend night in Antigua. |
Day 12
Wednesday |
Tikal
Early in the morning, travel to the Guatemala City airport. Flight to Flores (1 hour) and travel by bus to the archeological site of Tikal. Visit this incredible ceremonial center located in the heart of the tropical forest. Of all the Mayan sites, Tikal is certainly the one that most impresses its visitors: the verticality of its structures, the peaks of which emerge through the crown of the jungle. The magic of the sounds emanating from the forest, allow us to understand why Tikal continues to be the principal sacred place of the Mayan priests. Spend the night in a lodge, on the site of Tikal.
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Day 13
Thursday |
Tikal - Guatemala City
End of the visits to Tikal. In the afternoon, travel to the Flores airport. Flight to Guatemala City. Spend night in the city. |
Day 14
Friday |
Flight back
Return to the international airport of Guatemala City. (Depending on the departure time of the flight, we may have the opportunity to visit Guatemala City, and in particular see its Central Park, a 3-D map of the country, the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, etc.). Flight back. |
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This program can be modified at your request.
For your convenience, this tour can be adapted in accordance with current traditional festivals
Prices (2008) in US $, per person, double room accommodation, for groups of :
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2 people
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3 people
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4 people
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5 people
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6 people
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7 people
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2,385
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2,645
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1,865
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2,125
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1,600
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1,860
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1,600
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1,860
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1,330
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1,590
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1,330
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1,590
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N.B. : prices are based on adults. Reductions for children under 12.
Prices include:
- guide services for the duration of the trip;
- 13 nights in 2 / 3 star hotels (A option) or 3 / 4 star hotels (B option), accommodations in double room with "American breakfast";
- all transportation;
- flights from Guatemala City to Flores and from Flores to Guatemala City;
- boat transfers : on Lake Atitlán, in the Caribbean.
Prices do not include:
- international flights;
- airport taxes;
- drinks and personal expenses;
- other meals;
- sites entrance fees;
- insurance.
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Traditional loom
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Additional costs, in US $, (prices per person):
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Half board supplement (dinners)
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Single room supplement
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Triple room reduction
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