Our Destinations
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
GUATEMALA : MAYA'S EXPEDIENTION...
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Guatemala is one of the most contrasted countries of Central America... Unexplored by classic tourism, this region is, for us, one of the most beautiful of Guatemala! |
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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.
Day 6
Above 6 hours riding.
During this day, 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
Above 5 hours riding.
After a pass in a forest, using to be in the middle of the clouds, we get down in a welcome and comfortable finca, where we will spend the night at 1600 mts. A last canter will lead us to a small Mayan pyramid… from the finca, we enjoy the breathtaking view on the huge and wonderful Yolnajab lake, in front of Mexico… “Despedida” dinner in the front of the chimney.
Night in bedroom
Day 11
Above 5 hours riding.
Breakfast and transfer to Antigua. Lunch during the transfer. Dinner at leisure. Night in hotel.
Day 12
Breakfast and transfer to the International airport of Guatemala City. Meals at leisure.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
At the end of your horse riding trail, we suggest to you a flight for Flores, in the North of the country. As this, you could visit the Mayan sight and seaside stay in the Yucatan peninsula.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any other plan
EXTEND YOUR TRIP IN FLORES
Day 12: Guatemala City - Flores
Breakfast and transfer early in the morning to the International Airport of Guatemala City. Flight to Flores. Welcome at the Flores airport and transfer to Tikal. Visit of Tikal. Located in the hearth of jungle, with a luxuriant vegetation, Tikal is one of the main sightseeing of the Maya’s civilization, where they lived from VI century before BC to the X century after AD. The ceremonial center include a lot of wonderful temples and palaces, public places… In the countryside, we can discover some remains of houses. Lunch and return to Flores. Dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.
Day 13: Flores - Ixpanpajul – Flores
Departure from Flores to the Ixpanpajul Park. This natural park located in the middle of the jungle, welcome a lot of kind of animals and flowers. It is the cradle of the Maya’s civilization. Due to his beauty, activities and his proximity from Flores, this park is really a special place and have to be visited.
Return to Flores for the night.
Day 14: Flores - Aguateca - Ceibal - Flores
Transfer to Sayaxhe, where you can enjoy a stroll in lancha on the Rio Passion, visit of the Mayan sight of Ceibal. Ceibal came from the Ceiba tree (giant tree) very numerous in the area. This stroll in the tropical forest make this visit unforgettable. Aguateca is a impressive sights, at the border of the Petexbatun lake, where we access in small boat, on the Rio Passion. Change of scenery guaranteed.
Return to Flores for the night.
Day 15: Flores – Guatemala City
After the breakfast, transfer to the airport. Flight to Guatemala City.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP IN BELIZE – Ambergris Cay
Day 12: Guatemala City - Flores
Breakfast and transfer early in the morning to the International Airport of Guatemala City. Flight to Belize. Arrival at San Pedro and transfer at the 3* hotel. Lunch and afternoon at leisure in order to discover the region and the charm of these paradisiacal islands. Ambergris Cay is the biggest island of Belize (near 40km long) and main of the inhabitants live at san Pédro, the only one true town of the island.
Old Caribbean junction, the island was famous for his maritime activities, coconut production and fishing.
Dinner at leisure and night at the hotel.
Days 13 to 15
Breakfasts at the hotel.
Days and meals at leisure.
Enjoy your stay to discover the second biggest reef of coral in the world, the national parks, or stroll in San Pedro…
Meals at leisure and nights at the hotel.
Day 16
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer at the airport for the return flight to Belize City.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
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.
During this trail, we ask to our riders to look after their horse: dress, saddle…
Tack
We use comfortable horse riding tack, as Forestier tack. Most of the horses are in hackamore.
Required 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. The distance you'll run can vary depending to the program, but you need to have a good stamina as we run on uneven road, and 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.
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
2 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
5 nights in camp, 1 in self-catering cottage and 1 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.
DATES AND RATES
| Maya Expedition 2010 | ||
| February 08 to 19 | 1190 € |
Fully booked |
| February 25 to March 08 | 1190 € |
available |
| November 22 to December 03 | 1190 € |
available |
| December 16 to 27 | 1190 € |
available |
- Small group supplement / person: 480 € if there is 2 riders, 230 € for a 3 riders group. When 4 riders booked, the small group supplement is cancel.
- Single room supplement / person: 110 €
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 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.
| Extend your traip at Flores & Tikal 2010 | |
| Base double room, in half-board (4 days / 3 nights) Transfers, visits et flights Guatemala City - Flores and return include |
760 € |
You have to pay the single room supplement if you are alone on the booking.
| Extend your trip in Belize - 2010 | |
| Base double room, in half-board (5 days / 4 nights) Transfers, flights Guatemala City - Belize and Belize - Ambergris include |
850 € |
You have to pay the single room supplement if you are alone on the booking.
Caution: the flight rates can change during the year. As this, we can be force to change the extension rates.
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 at Antigua and lunch of day 2 and 10,
- spirit,
- tips,
- personal expenses,
- any other service,
- insurance : multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation) : More information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Charlène for any enquiry !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
LENGTH
11 days / 10 nights (1 during the flight) / 7 days riding
LANGUAGE
French / Spanish / English
GROUP SIZE
From 2 to 8 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
