Our Destinations
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GUATEMALA : MAYAN EXPEDITION ON HORSEBACK
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Guatemala is one of the most contrasted countries of Central America... |
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ITINERARY
It is difficult to imagine who this horse riding trail, lead us on a one way trail, in one week from the highest summits of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes to the low-lying and tropical department of Huehuetenango, and finish nearly the border of Mexico!
Day 1
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel for the night. Dinner at leisure.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by vehicle to the village of Chancol (5h30). Lunch during the transfer. Arrival at the horse riding center in the end of afternoon.
Meeting with the guide and the horses, for a briefing about the horse riding trail. Dinner and night in the welcome and comfortable horse riding center.
Day 3
Above 6h30 hours riding.
After several highs plateau, longed by cactus and crossed by sheep’s herbs, we enjoy trots and canters, we climbed to the highest region – except volcanoes – of Central America : 3800 mts! The meseta became wild, rocky and the trees distorted as a bonsai. We enjoy the pure and cold air, the spectacular view on the volcanoes chain and Todos Santos Valley.
Night in camp.
Day 4
Above 5 hours riding.
After several trots and canters we climbed in the highest region –except volcanoes – of Central America: 3800 mts! The meseta became wild and rocky. The trees, as bonsai, distorted when they are in the clouds. In the vivifying and pure air, we enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, the volcanoes chain and the Todos Santos Valley.
Night in camp.
Day 5
Above 5 hours riding.
Several trots and canters in wonderful landscapes end we join the shores of the highs plateau. Here, the vegetation is suddenly humid and wooded. The take the old path with breathtaking views and arrive in the little village of “Mam”, located on a crest of the giant branch of the Cordillera.
Night in camp at 2500 mts.
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Day 6
Above 6 hours riding.
During this last day on horseback, we ride down in a exuberant vegetation near the coffee’s region of « los Huistas ». People are mainly from « Jakalteca » ethnic group. We will leave the path to come on the wooded mountain: yellow flower contrasting with the dark green of the coffee tree ; morrow path, sometimes difficult, before reach down our camp, near a village (1250 mts). The braves could taste the tonic bath in the torrent nearby… During the evening, we join the owners of the little farm who are welcoming us for a typical Guatemalan dinner.
Day 7
Above 5 hours riding.
After one morning of horse riding, we leave the Cordillera and reach the hot, flat and tropical lands of the village of Nenton. Here, people are mainly from “Chuj” and amazing “rosa de Jamaïca” replace the coffee’s trees from the morning. Arriving at the camp (700 mts), we can envoy the “Rio Azul” beach, with blue refreshing water…
Day 8
Above 2h30 hours riding.
The place invite to have a rest, enjoying swimming and wonderful stroll… that we leave the horses for this morning. In the beginning of afternoon, short transfer by vehicle for a clam riding in the middle of corn field, and zebu’s herds. The today’s camp will be illuminate by firefly and the dinner will take places under fantastic trees, nearby the torrent (100 mts).
Day 9
Above 5h30 hours riding.
This morning, before the departure, our pleasant local guide will lead us to the discovery of rupestiran paints, hide by the vegetation. On the afternoon, we continue, between fields and pastures with long herbs to our new stage : the old sight of Maya people (some remains)! 200 families went, most of them from Mexico, in the old hacienda. Dinner with candles in an old and rustic hacienda (1400 mts)…
Day 10
Breakfast, then transfer by car to Finca Chacula towards the lake Atitlán where we shall arrive in the afternoon (lunch on the way). Atitlán lake is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes to the world. It is lined by three volcanoes: San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán who peaks in 3537m, and of numerous mountains. Free afternoon and dinner too. Overnight in a hotel with the view on the lake.
Day 11
Breakfast and transfer to Antigua (approximately 2:30 am of road). Settlment in your hotel and free afternoon (lunch during trnasfer). Antigua is located in Panchoy Valley, surrounded by the volcanoes. It's the ancient capital of Central America. The wity was destroyed by violent earthquakes and it lost its status of capital in 1773 but the city perfectly kept its colonial style which you will discover by strolling along its paved streets. The legend claims that it is here that Saint Exupery wrote "Le petit prince". Dinner at leisure. Night in hotel.
Day 12
Breakfast and transfer to the International airport of Guatemala City. Meals at leisure.
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EXTEND YOUR TRIP
After your ride, we propose two extensions : Flores / Tikal or Belize at Ambergris Bay, c on the seaside. If you want you can plan two extensions following.
Contact us for any enquiry to do something else: Honduras, Mexico...
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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Horses
In Guatemala, we have above ten horses, from different origins. Most of them are Criollos with Quarter Horse and half Appaloosa origins. A medium-sized, rustic and strong they are generous and very adapted to the Guatemalan lands. Tack We use comfortable horse riding tack, as Forestier tack. Most of the horses are in hackamore. |
Recommended riding level
To join this trail, you have to be comfortable at walk, trot and canter. You will ride 5 to 6 hours a day.
During this trail, we ask to our riders to look after their horse: dress, saddle…
Useful information :
We have sometimes to walk next to the horse. Furthermore, you will ride in high altitude, so you don’t have to be sensible to the mountain sickness.
Children are alowed on this trail from 15 years if they ride with a parent.
Maximum weight : 90kg
YOUR GUIDES
On this trail, Pauline will be our guide. She is French, but lived in Guatemala for 17 years! Eugenio, her assistant, could be on the trail, with a extra horse.
Fernando manages the stewardship. This 45 years old Guatemalan is logistician, cook, farrier…among other things! Two assistants help Fernando.
ACCOMMODATION
Accomodation
3 nights in hotel (3* hotel in Guatemala City, day 1 and at Antigua, day 12)
1 night at the horse riding center the day 2
6 nights in camp and the last night in guest house in “finca”.
The single room is only available on first and last nights. If you're travelling alone the single supplement have to be paid. If you are travelling alone and are agree to share your room, thank you to indicate it at the booking. If we find another rider to share one double room with you, the single supplement will be refund.
For the other nights, the single accommodation will be not guaranteed. It will depend of the tent available.
Meals are picnic for the lunch time and hot meals on dinner.
Food
Picnic lunches during the trail bring in saddle bags and hot meals for dinners.
DATES AND RATES
| Maya Expedition 2012 | ||
| February 12 to 23 | 1330 € |
available |
| November 13 to 25 | 1330 € |
available |
| December 05 to 16 | 1330 € |
available |
- Small group supplement / person: 250 € for a 3 riders group. When 4 riders booked, the small group supplement is cancel.
- Single room supplement / person: 170 €
It is only available on first and last nights. If you're travelling alone the single supplement have to be paid. If you are travelling alone and agree to share your room, thank you to indicate it at the booking. If we find another rider to share one double room with you, the single supplement will be refund.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride and a guide's services,
- full board from day 2 dinner to day 10 breakfast,
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to Guatemala City, please contact us to check the best available rate from your departure country,
- meals not mentionned (lunch day 2 and meals from day 10)
- spirit,
- tips,
- personal expenses,
- any other service,
- insurance : multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation) : More information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Laurie for any enquiry !
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
LENGTH
12 days / 11 nights / 7 days riding
LANGUAGE
French / Spanish / English
GROUP SIZE
From 3 to 7 riders.
ACCESS
CLIMATE
The humid period is from May to October. During these month it rain a lot, so we cannot do horse riding trail.
The dry period is from November to May. March and April are the driest and hottest month.
This horse riding trail takes place from November to February in order to avoid these very important heats.
In our region (two first stages) these month are using to be cold sunny and dry; nights are cold (temperature under 0°C on the second stage).
In the “Huistas” region, we cross a nice climate area, and hotter during the day. Usually, these area are dry. Nearby, the area have nice temperature by with rain.
Formalities
Please check with your local embassy.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommend to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.
REFERENCE :
CH37-Guatemala_en
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