It is difficult to imagine how in only a week (7 days riding – 8 nights) of this one-way ride, we can cross from the highest summits of the Sierra of the Cuchumatanes (12 000 feet) to the low and tropical lands (2 500 feet) of the department of Huehuetenango, to finish just in front of the mexican border. The ride also leads us through different ethnic and linguistic regions (mam, jakalteco and chuj) and we will glance over chapters of both the ancient and recent history of Guatemala (rupestrian paintings aged of 3 000 years, mayan settlements during the classic period, repatriation of the guatemalan refugees from Mexico).
In the mountain range, we will find large open spaces dotted with rocks, cactus, pine trees and small villages. The air is pure, sometimes the silence is suddenly interrupted by a herd going home or a gallopping rider. We ride through the maze of paths bordered by stone and cactus walls or along trails that skirt the mountains where we meet only mules on their way home with bundles on their backs or we canter through the green carpet of the plains. The views stretch sometimes for miles towards the lower ground of the highlands or the range of volcanoes. In the Huistas region, can be found hot and dry lands as well as exuberant vegetation or wooded hills, coffee plantations, crossed by rivers and torrents. We’ll overnight the first night in the riding centre, we’ll camp other six nights and the last one in the old house of a farm.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 : For this first day, we'll cross high "plateaux" and hidden valleys caracteristic of the "alitplano", with cactus and herds of sheeps, which will let us some trots and canters. Later, we'll find a small lake with esmeral waters near of which, we'll acamp.
Day 2: After various open plains and some trotting and cantering, we climb to the highest place (outside of the volcanoes) in Central America: 12 000 ft ! The “meseta” becomes rockier and wilder and the trees are twisted like bonzais in the shape of clouds. The air is pure and cold and the view is spectacular of the plains below, the chain of volcanoes and the Todos Santos valley. Night camping around a big fire.
Day 3: Some trots and 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 4: This day will take us down the mountains in the middle of exuberant vegetation until the coffee region of the Huistas. The population is mainly "jakalteca". 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 farm which welcome us, will receive us at their table for a tasty Guatemalan dinner.
Day 5: The morning will end with our leaving the Cuchumatanes and take us to hot, flat and tropical lands. The population is mainly “chuj” and 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 rider, to a good bath.
Day 6: The place is so propitious for rest, bath and some beautiful walk that we offer us the free morning. In the afternoon, quite 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 7: 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. The farewall dinner will be at candle light in what was the old and rustic hacienda house (now abandoned) surrounded by hills and green pastures.
Notes:
cost / client :
on a 4 riders basis : 1009 US $/person
on a 3 riders basis : 1188 US $/person
on a 2 riders basis : 1354 US $/person
Price Includes:
- all meals (european breakfast, picnic and hot dinner)
- lodging (room, tent or shelter 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
- included are the horse and tack
- guide and logistic support.
Price does not include:
- bank transfer fees
- alcoholic beverages (available at night)
- transportation to arrive to Chancol and to leave from the last place
Also see tour packages in:
Hiking and walking outfitters
Central America and Caribbean
Guatemala
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