Trekking in Guatemala

First we will define two words that might bring some confusion: "trekking" and "hiking". To do so, we refer to www.dictionary.com which gives us some light on these two words.

The definition of "trekking" is: To make a slow or arduous journey. To journey on foot, especially to hike through mountainous areas. A journey or leg of a journey, especially when slow or difficult. [Afrikaans, to travel by ox wagon, from Dutch trekken, to travel, from Middle Dutch trecken, to pull.]

And the one for "hiking" is: To go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise. To rise, especially to rise upward out of place: My coat had hiked up in the back.

Due the words have a slight difference we are incline to use on our presentation "trekking."

Then resuming, trekking is traditionally applied to overland journeys made on foot, usually involving the support of a trek crew to carry personal belongings, along with any tents, food and cooking equipment that may be required when it's extend to a second day or more.

Trekking in Guatemala is becoming very popular — Mountain ranges in Central America make for great availability for trekking of all skill levels — from experienced hikers and climbers to day packers — and it remains the most intimate and popular way to experience the physical and social environment.

Trekking trips vary considerably in distance, duration and difficulty depending on the itinerary. If the day's trek is long it will begin early. If it's a shorter hike you will have time to sleep in, relax or explore your surroundings before hitting the trail. Our naturalist guides ensure safety as well as illustrating points of interest, finding wildlife and answering questions. Most treks are suitable for people of all ages and abilities while the latter requires that you have some previous trekking experience and are capable to hold on for an average of six hours each day.

Rio Dulce

During your stay to the Livingston area; you have the opportunity to experience a real Mayan-Keqchi village in the heart of the rain forest.

Trekking from Livingston, Seven Altars or the Ak Tenamit project, jungle trails will lead you to the Plan Grande Quehueche village and a cool drink. Afterwards, you can choose from among several different cultural and outdoor activities, sharing the experience with the villager, who has been trained as tour guides.

The activities include:

• excursions to crystalline lagoons waterfalls
• visits to cave with internal waterfalls
• making unique traditional handicraft
• Mayan stories by the fireside
• centuries-old traditional dance and music
• mystic Mayan ceremonies

As all fees go directly to the villagers, your visit to this ecotourism site helps to sustain the development of the community and to conserve the Guatemalan rainforest biodiversity by reducing detrimental agricultural activity. The maximum number of tourists is 8 per visit, and 30 per month, to avoid a negative impact on these wonderful natural resources and a culture that has survived for thousand years.

Ixil Triangle

The program Trekking Ixil identified, between the innumerable mountain roads of the region, 3 itineraries of 2, 3 and 4 days of long walk (routes I, II and III) that will allow you to discover the hallucinating landscapes, the social reality and the cultural wealth of the local communities. Also this trekking is done in concert with the community we will visit, which permit to develop on small scale the sustainable tourism.

You will walk daily of 2 to 5 hours, according to the routes, but you must be prepared to rise pending long forts and, in variable conditions: you will pass through warm valleys and cold plateaus, of 1,400 to 3,300 meters of elevation.

An important advice: we recommend to begin the walk early to avoid the heat of noon and rains in the afternoons, abundant but avoidable during the long tropical winter (May to November).

Itinerary I (2 days): Nebaj - Cocop - Rio Azul

The community of Cocop is located in high part from a small valley to the east of Nebaj, 2,180 meters of elevation. You will raise a relatively smooth slope during most of the way and you will arrive there in less than 2 hours. You will enjoy a precious view of the valley of Nebaj, arriving in the highest part of the long walk; you will be able to see as far as the town of Chajul.

In Cocop only 35 families and this community was struck during the war of the Eighties. You will be able to visit Mayan altars, to see the distillery of kusha, a local alcohol, or to plan other activities with Don Gaspar and its neighbors. To have a taste of hospitality we will spend the night at the communitarian hostel.

Itinerary II (3 days): Nebaj - Xeo - Cotzol

With the second route that we propose, you will visit the villages of Xeo and Cotzol. It consists of a route of 3 days of moderate difficulty with 2 nights stay to the communities' hostel. Both communities are Ixiles and live almost exclusively from agricultural activities. The cultivable land availability is strongly affected by the population growth. The people in charge of these communities will explain you some remedies they apply to solve this crisis: handling collectively the production, use new techniques for ground conservation, etc., but also the temporary migration in plantations of the coast. You will know the fight the Ixiles farmers to be able to live on this land.

Itinerary III (4 days): Nebaj - Xexocom - Chortiz - Parramos Grande

From the 3 tours that we propose you in this area, this longest path will take you to the villages of Xexocom, Chortiz and Great Parramos: it consists of a route of 4 days with 3 nights in the villages. In the first 2 communities that you will visit, settlers are from the ethnic group Kiche; they live from sheep and the production of crafts. In Great Parramos you will find Ixiles agriculturists and you will discover a way of life very different, dedicated mainly to the culture of corn. These 3 communities may vary in many aspects of life, nevertheless, a same crisis. There is not enough land and many try now to find a way to migrate to the United States.