Guatemala Markets (7days/6nights)
Tuesday: Morning departure for the Coloinal city of Antigua which was founded by the Spaniards in 1543. The city is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored Colonial buildings, stylish arcades, cobbled streets and a festive market area. Places to be visited include: La Conception (the first convent for women in Antigua); the Palace of the Captains General (built in 1776 as a residence of the governor then called Captain General); the Church of San Francisco built in 1579 and originally used by students to study theology, mathematics, philosophy, canonical law and physics. If time permits you will stop off at the Jade Factory where rough jade is cut, polished and made into fine jewelry. Overnight Casa Santo Domingo Hotel.
Wednesday: Morning departure for Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan and en route you will stop at the archaeological site of Iximche which is the ruins of the last Cakchiquel capital which was less than a century old at the time of the Conquest. Pyramid foundations and ball courts can still be seen and the remains of some murals on the fallen stucco. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan.
Thursday: Morning launch excursion to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitlan, the ancient capital and religious center of the Tzutuhiles. Santiago's market stretches from street to street and it is here where you'll see Maximon, a mysterious religious idol, being closely watched over by an entourage of 'confradias' -- a group of men assigned th
e responsibility of protecting the idol. Look for the exquisite cortes and huipiles worn by the woman of the village. Afternoon transfer to Quetzaltenango for overnight at the Pension Bonifaz.
Friday: Today you will travel to Huehuetenango (pronounced way-way) and en route you will visit the quaint village of Zunil and its enclosed market where thousands of items are spread out over the earthen floor and tended by family members. You will also visit the open-air animal market of San Francisco El Alto and the Chruch of San Andres Xecul while passing through the beautiful Valley of Almolonga. Overnight at Chchumatanes Hotel.
Saturday: An interesting aside of Huehuetenango is its name. It means Town of the Old Men and is supposedly derived from a Quiche epithet poking fun at the way Mam Indians pronounced the names of their Quiches enemies, stammering like old men. Morning travel to Todos Santos Cuchumatan which is a colorful, traditional Indian town and it is here where the men of the area wear colorful costumes of the country. They wear brilliant crimson and white strioed shirts embroidered trousers; red and white embroidered shirts; and atop every head a stiff "boater," a custom borrowed from the Spaniards. Later depart for Cichicastenango for overnight at the Mayan Inn.
Sunday: Today is market day at Chichi when the village streets are transformed into a massive, colorful array of stalls piled high with goods for sale and nowhere else in Guatemala will you find such a wealth of handicrafts, blankets, belts, masks, clay pots, gourds, machetes and locally grown vegetables. Sunday is also church day at the 400 year-old Church of Santo Tomas where, on the steps outside, local Indians -- sometimes under the influence of pom and chicha, will hold rituals to their own divinities -- while inside the very same Indians will worship at a Catholic mass. Late afternoon return to Guatemala City.
Price: $533 per person double occupancy. Includes guided tours, entrance fees to museums and historic buildings; launch excursion; overnight at Casa Santo Domingo, Hotel Atitlan, Pension Bonifaz, Cuchumatanes Hotel, Mayan Inn, taxes and 4 breakfasts.
Toll Free: 1-800-707-5275
©2001 SACA; 44 Pond Street, Nahant, MA 01908 Tel: (781) 581-0844
Fax: (781) 581-3714 webmaster@saca.com
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