Guatemala, The Living Maya

Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2009 (with optional Tikal extension) with Jim Cline

Cost: $2975.00 includes airport transfers, all ground transport, all 9 nights hotel accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, entrance-fees at tourist sites, boat trips on Lake Atitlan, local guides.  
The price is based on double occupancy.  A single supplement of $375 applies. 
The trip will be limited to 9 participants. (See Optional 3 - Day Tikal Extension below)

Long before the Europeans showed up in America the Maya had established a complex civilization in Guatemala and the surrounding areas. They built enormous pyramids and temples, and made advancements in science, math, astronomy, and the arts. Many reminders of this world still remain - in the ancient ruins at such sites as Tikal and Copan and in the local people and their traditions. We will stay as near as possible to these archeological sites in order to photograph them in the best light in the morning and late afternoon. And we'll visit the various towns on their special market days, providing many photo opportunities of the modern day Maya and their traditions.

Antigua is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Situated beneath three volcanoes, its cobblestone streets, crumbling ruins, and colonial architecture make it an ideal photo subject. Indigenous vendors sell their colorful fabrics in the main plaza and the streets. Our hotel is just one block from the central plaza and the cathedral.

Lake Atitlan was described by author Aldous Huxley as the most beautiful lake in

the world. When you first see its deep blue water ringed by dramatic volcanoes

it's hard to argue with his assessment. We'll be able to view the lake from a variety

of locations, and visit some of the towns located on its shores. Our hotel is

conveniently situated very near the shore in the town of Panajachel.

The market in Chichicastenango is world-famous. People come from all the

surrounding villages to buy and sell, as they have since pre-hispanic times. It's truly

an explosion of color. We'll be sure to arrive early in the morning, before the

majority of tourists arrive. We'll also visit some lesser-known towns on market days

in the area around Quetzaltenango.

Tikal is widely considered the premier Mayan ruins site. Spread over several acres,

the majestic pyramids poke up through the jungle canopy, while howler monkeys

roar, and spider monkeys and tropical birds frolic in the trees. To experience the

sunrise while sitting atop Templo IV is truly an experience of a lifetime.

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To see a terrific website that 2008 tour participant Steven Philips set up for group member images go to www.Chickenbus.org !

More Guatemala images
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Day one:  Arrive from your flight to Guatemala City. You will be transported from the airport to our hotel in Antigua.

Those who arrive early enough can join us for an informal dinner. We'll spend the night in Antigua.

Day Two:  We'll spend the entire day in and around the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, the former capital of

Central America. In the morning a local guide will show us around the main plaza, and some of the finest colonial

churches and monasteries in the beautiful colonial town. In the afternoon we'll we can photograph the city with its

cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, while smoking volcanoes rise above. We'll spend the night in Antigua.

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Day Three: We'll have some free time in the morning for more photography or relaxing and shopping. In the

afternoon we'll ride in our van to visit some of the local towns and photograph the people in their homes and working

in the fields with volcanoes rising above. We'll have dinner in a restaurant in a colonial courtyard while listening to

a marimba band. We'll spend the night in Antigua.

Day Four: We'll wake up early and drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, stopping for breakfast in the village of

Tecpan. On the way to the lake we'll stop to photograph the many vistas of the magnificent lake and the surrounding

volcanoes. Upon arrival we'll check into our lake-view hotel in the town of Panajachel, and explore the local crafts

market. After lunch we'll drive to the traditional village of Santa Catarina Palopo, where we'll visit a local home and

photograph a family in their colorful traditional dress, or traje, as they weave clothing and carry on their daily lives.

We'll spend the night in Panajachel.

Day Five:  We'll spend the whole day around Lake Atitlan with a local indigenous guide. We'll travel by boat

visiting the colorful local villages such as Santiago Atitlan. In Santiago we'll pay a visit to the local Mayan saint of

vices, Maximon. Local people come from far and wide to give him offerings of rum and cigarettes to grant their

wishes. At the end of the day, we'll end up back in Panajachel to photograph the sunset over the lake. We'll spend

the night in Panajachel.

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Day Six: We'll wake up early to photograph the first light on the lake and the surrounding volcanoes. In the

afternoon we'll drive to Chichicastenango, first stopping at the Mayan ruins of Utatlan. While we're there we can visit

a sacred cave where Mayan religious ceremonies are carried on to this day. We'll arrive in Chichicastengango in the

afternoon in time to photograph in the last light. In the evening we'll walk around and watch as the people are

already setting up for the next day's market. We'll spend the night in Chichicastenango.

Day Seven: We'll wake up early to experience the famous market at Chichicastenango. We'll photograph the

colorful flower vendors on the steps of the chruch , the bustling vegetable market, and the many indigenous people

who come to barter for goods from the numerous surrounding villages. There a local English-speaking guide will take

us to observe Mayan rituals at an ancient Mayan worshipping site on a nearby hill. In the afternoon we'll drive to

Quetzaltenango (also known by the Mayan name of Xela), stopping to photograph the fields of maize with the ever-

presernt volcanoes in the background. We'll spend the night in Xela.

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Day Eight: We'll drive early in the morning to the fascinating animal market in the village of San Francisco el Alto.

This is also the largest textile market in Gautemala, and therefore one of the best places to buy some of the beautiful

clothing and fabrics. From the roof of the church we'll be able to photograph the valley below with volcanoes

looming in the distance. Later in the day we'll visit traditional villages such as Zunil and San Andres Xecul, which is

home to one of the most colorful churches in Guatemala. We'll spend the night in Xela.

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Day Nine: In the morning we'll visit the town of Totonicapan, where it is market day. This is a very traditional, less-

visited market, and the people here are very friendly. After lunch we'll drive on to Antigua, making photo stops along

the way. We'll spend the night in Antigua.

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Day Ten: Depart for your flight home (Feb 3 ), or.........

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3-DAY OPTIONAL EXTENSION: THE MAYAN RUINS AT TIKAL

Feb 8 - 11, Cost $775 (includes roundtrip airfare Guatemala City - Tikal approx $220 )

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Day Ten: In the morning we'll catch our flight to the incredible Mayan ruins site of Tikal. On the way from the

airport at Flores to Tikal, we'll visit beautiful Lake Peten, and the island town of Flores. In the afternoon we'll visit the

ruins. Those who want to, can watch the sunset from atop Temple 4 as we listen to howler monkeys and many

tropical bird species in the canopy below. We'll spend the night at our hotel adjacent to the ruins in Tikal.

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Day Eleven: We'll have the whole day to spend in the archeological site at Tikal. Those who want to, can enter

the park to catch the first light hitting the pyramids as the jungle below comes to life. In the morning we'll have a
guided tour of the site, and in the afternoon free time to wander on our own, Not only will we photograph the
pyramids and other ruins, but the numerous animal species that make Tikal their home - birds such as toucans

and parrots, wild ocellated turkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and the friendly coatis. W e'll spend the night

in Tikal.

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Day Twelve: We'll have one last chance to photograph the archeological site at sunrise, this time from Temple 2.

In the afternoon we'll catch a flight back to Guatemala City, and drive to Antigua to have a chance for some last-
minute shopping or to take more photographs. We'll spend the night in Antigua.

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Day Thirteen: Depart for your flight home (Feb 11 ).

What past participants of Jim’s tours had to say:

“Thanks for putting together such a great trip! I am happy that I got to experience some new places and become
reacquainted with places I'd seen before.  Your willingness to help with photography tips, knowledge of the area and
language made the trip really special.  Thanks again for a terrific trip.”        Wille Oelbaum, San Diego

“Hi Jim, thanks for the group photo trip.  It was a great trip and you are an excellent guide.  You really know your way
around Mexico.  You steered us safely around the roads and the restaurants, too!  May your business prosper!”    
Nancy Petitti, San Diego

"Jim, I wanted to tell you thanks for a truly amazing trip last month. Your trip gave me an opportunity to relax, enjoy

the adventure and concentrate on my photography. It was obvious you had spent a lot of time traveling in Mexico.

You made this trip an awesome adventure. Thank you! I will certainly be joining you again on another trip to Baja in

the very near future!" Dan Megna, Ramona, CA

To see some of Jim's Guatemala images click here . . To see images from the 2007 trip click here

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