Guatemala mountain biking holiday
| country: | Guatemala |
| trip type: | Moderate / adventurous mountain biking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 22 Dec 2009: 16 Feb, 16 Mar |
| price: | From £1125 - £1200 (12 days) excluding flights, depending on season. Bike hire £150. Includes twin accommodation, full tour service, most meals, entrance fees as per itinerary. We can help arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This unique itinerary provides a great variety of biking and cultural experiences.
We combine Guatemala’s most spectacular scenery with the colourful living Maya culture in remote villages, markets and farmlands, time to relax in the colonial city of Antigua, and an optional visit to the world famous Maya Temple site at Tikal.
With a variety of alternative routes available on both dirt road and more challenging single-track, riders can experience the best of Guatemala at their own pace.
Around Antigua we warm up on a valley descent that winds through local Maya Indian villages, coffee fincas and patchwork farmlands with stunning volcano views. From the historic ruins of Iximche, a dirt road descent takes us to Lake Atitlan where Maya traditions are still upheld and people continue to wear colourful hand-woven textiles. Additional activities of kayaking, hiking or horse trekking are available here.
Endless singletrack takes us across the remote Alaska Altiplano region with high altitude volcano views to a night relaxing in hot springs before riding dirt roads deeper into the wild Cuchumatanes mountain range and onto the traditional Ixil triangle region.
Our route then drops through impressive limestone mountain formations to lush cloud forest and the pools of Semuc Champey with challenging optional singletrack available. Further descents take us to the tropical coastal plains around Lake Izabal and Rio Dulce and after an invigorating dip in hot spring waterfalls we transfer deep into the northern rainforest to end the tour by relaxing at the world famous site of Tikal.
Accommodation is in small, comfortable hotels with meals in hotels or local restaurants. As you explore the magic of Guatemala’s Maya world, our professional and knowledgeable guides look after all the logistics and ensure that you have the trip of a lifetime!
Tikal extension: From £325 (3 days) including flights (Guatemala City-Flores return). We can also arrange shorter excursions and/or extra time in Antigua. Please contact us for details.
We combine Guatemala’s most spectacular scenery with the colourful living Maya culture in remote villages, markets and farmlands, time to relax in the colonial city of Antigua, and an optional visit to the world famous Maya Temple site at Tikal.
With a variety of alternative routes available on both dirt road and more challenging single-track, riders can experience the best of Guatemala at their own pace.
Around Antigua we warm up on a valley descent that winds through local Maya Indian villages, coffee fincas and patchwork farmlands with stunning volcano views. From the historic ruins of Iximche, a dirt road descent takes us to Lake Atitlan where Maya traditions are still upheld and people continue to wear colourful hand-woven textiles. Additional activities of kayaking, hiking or horse trekking are available here.
Endless singletrack takes us across the remote Alaska Altiplano region with high altitude volcano views to a night relaxing in hot springs before riding dirt roads deeper into the wild Cuchumatanes mountain range and onto the traditional Ixil triangle region.
Our route then drops through impressive limestone mountain formations to lush cloud forest and the pools of Semuc Champey with challenging optional singletrack available. Further descents take us to the tropical coastal plains around Lake Izabal and Rio Dulce and after an invigorating dip in hot spring waterfalls we transfer deep into the northern rainforest to end the tour by relaxing at the world famous site of Tikal.
Accommodation is in small, comfortable hotels with meals in hotels or local restaurants. As you explore the magic of Guatemala’s Maya world, our professional and knowledgeable guides look after all the logistics and ensure that you have the trip of a lifetime!
Tikal extension: From £325 (3 days) including flights (Guatemala City-Flores return). We can also arrange shorter excursions and/or extra time in Antigua. Please contact us for details.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Antigua (Saturday). You will be met at the airport by our representative or local guide and transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua (3 nights). |
| Day 2: | Antigua valley. Orientation talk, bike hire (if needed) and “warm-up” ride through Mayan villages, coffee plantations and past colonial ruins on the slopes of Antigua’s towering volcanoes. Lunch in Antigua and free afternoon. Riding distance approx. 15kms. |
| Day 3: | Antigua backcountry. Short transfer to the start of our fantastic ride. Following an initial climb from San Bortolome we take the back roads and trails including some singletrack through farmlands, fields and forests. Riding through La Cumbre de San Bartolome, we enjoy spectacular views over countryside dotted with volcanoes. Riding distance approx. 15kms. |
| Day 4: | Cuchumatanes. 3-4hrs transfer to this unspoiled mountain region afternoon bike ride. From Mirador de Cuchumatanes (3500m) we descend to our countryside lodge in Chancol (3 nights). Riding distance approx. 10kms. |
| Day 5: | Magdalena Lagoon. Riding from Chancol, our first stop is the small village of San Cristobal for market day, a wonderful 'un-touristy' experience. From here its trails and dirt roads, and a thrilling descent to Magdalena Lagoon for a well deserved dip. Transfer back to Chancol (1.5hrs). Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 6: | Todos Santos. Today we enjoy a spectacular ride through the wild and unspoilt mountain scenery to the highly traditional Maya village of Todos Santos. The day concludes in style as we descend from 3500 to 2500 (over 6kms) on the most spectacular singletrack imaginable!! Time to wander round the village, then transfer back to Chancol (1 hour) and free time. Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 7: | Totonicapan. Optional horse riding (fine for novices), then bike ride to the lookout point of Mirador de Cuchumatanes, where on a clear day you can see more than ten volcanoes. This is followed by a spectacular downhill (which includes a visit to the Zacaleu Mayan site) and transferring to homestays in Totonicapan. We'll have time to see and play the Guatemalan National instrument the Marimba, and see local dances and artisans. Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 8: | Down to Atitlan. Transfer and bike all the way to Lake Atitlan through Maya mountain villages, remote highland countryside and cloud forests, on some of the most exhilarating single-track in Guatemala! In the last portion of the ride you will be able to enjoy magnificent views towards Lake Atitlan and the three surrounding volcanoes. At the lakeside waiting is our small boat which takes us across the lake where we cycle the few hundred metres to our hotel. Riding distance approx. 30kms. |
| Day 9: | Chichi Market and Cerro de Oro. Transfer to the famous market town of Chichicastenango, where we can enjoy some 'retail therapy' and see the church in the central plaza where Mayan rituals are often witnessed. Lunch, transfer and ride around the shores of Lake Atitlan with impressive views of this picturesque lake and the three surrounding volcano peaks of Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan. Overnight Atitlan. Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 10: | Atitlan backcountry. Transfer across the lake for rewarding rides on trails and roads high above the lake. We bike along glorious backroads through remote indigenous settlements and beautiful highland scenery with views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes. A spectacular 700m descent takes us to the shores, afternoon free. Overnight Atitlan. Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 11: | Return to Antigua. Transfer and ride on trails and backroads all the way back to the picturesque city of Antigua with fantastic views. Riding distance approx. 25kms. |
| Day 12: | Departure day. Free morning & afternoon transfer to airport. |
this tourism business was Highly Commended
In our 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine. The idea behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
 We start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Whether abroad, or just as importantly at home, the start point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting their environment and their culture. Our biking trip in Guatemala lets us experience the wealth and culture and history this beautiful country has to offer. Our local guide, Juan Carlos Martinez, has many years guiding experience and will share his passion for his county to help you understand their way of life. Visiting this country by bike allows us to explore natural and remote parts of Guatemala without damaging the local environment. Our trip takes us to seldom visited Maya mountain villages where we stay in locally run accommodation including 3 nights in a self-sufficient mountain lodge (former hacienda) producing its own food. One of the highlights for many people is staying the night with local families in Totonicapan with a evening of local dance and artisans and experiencing their way of living first hand. This is a project set up by a local school teacher and all the money from these homestays goes back into the village helping to fund schooling for children who cannot afford to go to school. Our group sizes are kept deliberately small to minimise impact to the environment and to encourage interaction with the local communities. During the trip we take the time to visit local markets, such as Chichicastenango, to buy locally made crafts and produce. For all our trips we off-set emissions for staff and guide flights, office energy and vehicle usage and recycle our office waste. We offer all our customers with the opportunity to off-set their emission for flights. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |