www.MilagrosParaTi.com

Guatemala Textile Tour, January 21st - 31st, 2006.


This special tour is a textile lover’s adventure!

We will learn about the history and tradition of Guatemala and the Mayans through the stories told in the rich weaving patterns in several distinct villages. Our Guatemala tour will start at the impressive ruins of Tikal, one of the most spectacular extant examples of Mayan architecture. From there we will travel to Lake Atitlan and Antigua to visit indigenous villages whose weaving and ornate embroidery techniques will astound you.

Guatemala is rich in other kinds of high quality crafts that will become evident as we explore local markets, visit museums, hear presentations and meet the weavers.

Tour Leaders

Vilunya Diskin,
an expert in textiles, will be our guide during the tour. Vilunya has lived in and traveled widely throughout Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala. She specializes in folk textiles from around the world.

Dr. Debbie Mounts,
has lived in Mexico for the past 16 years. She is founder and director of VISTAS Intercultural Institute (tours and Spanish language) and owns Milagros Para Ti, a Fair Trade Federation arts and crafts shop in Oaxaca.

Walter Ochoa,
from Don Quixote Travel in Antigua, will be our local guide.

Itinerary
(All breakfasts are included and either lunch (L) or dinner (D), as indicated)

Sat Jan 21
Day 1: (D) Airport pickup in Flores transportation to hotel in Tikal. This evening we will all meet at our hotel in Tikal (direct flights from Houston on Continental to Flores arrive at 12:45pm) to get to know each other, talk about the upcoming trip and have dinner

Sun Jan 22
Day 2: We will spend today exploring the fantastic ruins of Tikal whose pyramids rise above the jungle to reach the sun and where we will hear the cries of the howler monkeys as they swing through the canopy of trees. Tikal is a stand out among all the other Mayan ruins because it is nestled into the jungle. As you walk through the ruins you pass under the rain forest canopy with its accompanying animal noises, wet earth smells and peacefulness, giving you an unforgettable experience. The Mayans settled here around 700BC and within 200 years the Mayans had begun to construct stone ceremonial buildings. Today Tikal is the mighty legacy left behind by this great culture.

Mon Jan 23
Day 3: (D) Today we fly to Guatemala City in the afternoon where we will spend the day and visit a couple of the most important museums. We will spend the night here.

Tues Jan 24
Day 4: (L) We will leave early for our bus ride to Lake Atitlan. This is a lovely 3 hour journey through the green volcanic mountains of central Guatemala. During lunch we will have an orientation to our next few days. Weather and time permitting we may be able to visit one of the lake side villages. If not, then the afternoon is free for you to explore the village of Panajachel where we will be staying.

Wed Jan 25
Day 5: (L) Today we go by boat to the villages of San Lucas Tolíman and San Antonio Palopo on the east side of the lake. San Lucas’s costume is distinctive for its huipiles (traditional women’s blouse) that come in bright blue, green or red foreground decorated with rows of tiny birds, animals and geometric forms. San Antonio, a traditional village has a thriving weaving cooperative.

Thurs Jan 26
Day 6 Today we cross the lake to explore the village of Santiago Atitlán. This village lies between the towering volcanoes of Tolíman and San Pedro giving breathtaking panoramas. Although this is a popular tourist destination, the Tz’utuhil Mayans, nevertheless, cling to their traditional lifestyle. The costumes worn by the villagers are characterized by the brilliantly colored bunches of birds and flowers embroidered onto the hand woven garments.

Fri Jan 27
Day 7 Today we head to the great, colorful market in Sololá. This town lies along the trade routes between the tierra caliente (hot lands of the Pacific coast) and the tierra fría (the chilly highlands). This is a local market, not a tourist one, and here we will see the colorful costumes of people from a dozen surrounding villages. In the late afternoon we will head by van to Antigua where we will settle into our lovely hotel there.

Sat, Sun, Mon, Jan 28,29,30
Day 8,9,10 We will take three days to explore one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas: Antigua. As described in a popular travel guide:” Its majestic setting, cobblestone streets, crumbling ruins and sprays of bougainvillea bursting from terra cotta roofs make Antigua a stunning town that even the most worldly traveler can appreciate.”

There is not much more to add to that!!

Tues Jan 31
Day 11 Leave for home (Guatemala City)

Come Join Us! The program includes:
* 2 meals daily
* Ground transportation
* Room (double occupancy in 4 or 5 star hotels when possible)
* Tour guides, entrance fees, and boat rides
* Airfare from Tikal to Guatemala City
* Airport pick-up and return

Cost: for 10 people or fewer $2650, For 10 – 20 people $2150
Airfare not included between US and Guatemala, travel insurance recommended.

Apply Now using our Online Enrollment Form

or Contact Us for more details.

 

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