Tikal Maya Riding Holiday – Guatemala

• Day 1 – Arrive in Guatemala City and transfer to La Antigua. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you directly in our private bus to your Hotel in Antigua where you will spend your first night. Overnight In Antigua.
  
• Day 2 – Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. Take a private 3 hour guided walking tour of La Antigua, with your expert guide who will share with you the many wonders of this city, once the third most important Spanish colony in the Americas & home to more than 30 monastic orders, stunning monasteries, convents and cathedrals from the Spanish colonial days. In the afternoon transfer to Huehuetenango
• Day 3 – Our first day riding we will cross “plateaux” and hidden valleys characteristic of the “altiplano” which will allow us some trots ant canters between cactus and herds of sheep. Further, we’ll arrive to a small lake with esmerald waters near of which we’ll acamp.
• Day 4 – After various secrets valleys, we climb to the highest place (outside of the volcanoes) in Central America : 3,800m (12,000 feet). The “meseta” becomes rockier and wilder and the trees are twisted like bonsais in the shape of clouds. The air is pure and cold and the view is spectacular of the plains below and the chain of volcanoes . Night camping around a big fire.
• Day 5 – Some trots and a good canter in these magnificently uncouth landscapes. Then, the vegetation becomes suddenly wooded and humid and we’ll ride down with sweeping views until we reach a small Mam speaking hamlet nestled in the green ridge of one of the giant arms of the Sierra; night in camp.
• Day 6 – This day will take us down the mountain in the middle of exuberant vegetation until the coffee region of the Huistas. The population is mainly “jakalteca”and “chuj”. In the wooded hills, the yellow flowers contrast with the dark green of the trees which protect the coffee plantations and the narrow and sometimes difficult trails will lead us down to our camp. At night, the owners of the small farms which welcome us, will receive us at their table for a tasty Guatemalan dinner.
• Day 7 – The morning will end with our leaving the Cuchumatanes and take us to hot, flat and tropical lands. The coffee plants of the morning let place to the surprising “rosa de Jamaica”. The arrival to our camp on a beach of the “Rio Azul” (“Blue River”) is suddenly refreshing and the blue and quick waters of the river invite us, both horses and riders, to a good bath.
• Day 8 – The place is perfect for rest, bath and some beautiful walks that we offer us the free morning. In the afternoon, we have a quiet ride among corn fields and Zebus herds. Our camp today will be illuminated by fireflies and we’ll dinner under majestic trees near a small torrent
• Day 9 – In the morning, visit of some Rupestrian paintings hidden in the arid vegetation of the region. In the afternoon, we’ll cross corn fields and high pastures until our last stage. We will dinner at candle light in what was the old and rustic hacienda house, now transformed in a welcoming rural lodge, surrounded by woods and green pastures, which belongs to a community of 200 ex-refugee families.
• Day 10 – Leaving after breakfast, transfer Huehuetenango to Lake Atitlan.
  Overnight in Panajachel.
  
• Day 11 – Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. our Profesional Guide and Your lanchero (boat driver) picked up from your hotel and take you by boat to three Indian villages along the shore of the lake. visiting Santiago Atitlan, San Juan La Laguna, & San Antonio Palopo. Your guide will share many insights on local customs and traditions with you. Enjoy the spectacular scenery the lake has to offer and learn more about the villagers, whose traditional costumes still vary from one village to the other, as well as their history. Overnight Hotel in Panajachel.
• Day 12 – Breakfast, departure 8:00 a.m. from your Hotel in Panajachel to Chichicastenango, the tour will take you to Central Americas largest market: The Mayan Market of Chichicastenango. This spectacular and brightly colored market is truly a magical experience and a great insight into the Mayan Culture. You can witness various religious and pre Hispanic ceremonies being celebrated in the Cathedral and will be left with a unique memory from this must have Guatemalan experience. Upon the conclusion you will return to Guatemala City for your flight to Flores. Overnight Hotel in Flores
• Day 13 – Breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00 am and take you to explore Tikal, one of the largest and most magnificent Mayan archeological cities in existence, which in its heyday (c. 700 AD,) was the capital of a vast Mayan empire. Your expert guide will share many insights on this Mayan city and provide a feel for the mysteries of this ancient culture. Have lunch in the midst of Mayan ruins and breathtaking flora and fauna; return in the afternoon to airport in Flores, boarded flight back to Guatemala City. Overnight Hotel in Antigua.
• Day 14 – Breakfast, Relax in your hotel or enjoy walking in the city of Antigua. Overnight Hotel in Antigua.
• Day 15 – Departure from Hotel in Antigua to International Airport, Guatemala City

Price Includes: • Accommodation Hotels 4 standard room • Daily American breakfast • English speaking guide each place • Transportation in A/C microbus all trip • All entrances to archaeological sites • Local Flights Flores to Guatemala City (R/T) • Boat transfer Lake Atitlan • Lunch in Tikal •

Ride Included
The prices include all meals (European breakfast, picnic, a small “snack” at arrival and hot dinner) and lodging (room or tent depending on the place, on a double occupancy basis) from the dinner the day before the ride until the breakfast the day after the ride; also included are the horse and tack, the guide and logistic support. Are not included bank transfer fees and alcoholic beverages (available at night). Minimum 4 Pax

Price Excludes: • International Flights • Visas • Laundry services • Personal expenses • All extras in hotels • All meals not mentioned • Tip for driver and guide •