0 kms

Leaving Quetzaltenango early in the morning for Huehuetenango , where we have breakfast in MI TIERRA CAFÉ

Things to do and to visit  ( Saints day 16th July, 1901 mts above sea level )
(a)     Archeological site ZACULEU, with excellent small museum, the architecture is similar to that of the Pre-Columbian sites in Mexico.  Ceremonial platforms set in the middle of plazas, steep pyramids and flat-roofed temples are among the restored structures
(b)     Paleontological site EL MAMUT ( better known as chibacabe)
(c)     The center of town (down town)  , with central park and surrounding buildings , relief map

Huehuetenango is a city and a municipality in the highlands of western Guatemala. It is also the capital of the department of Huehuetenango. The municipality's population was over 81,000 people in 2002. The city is located 269 km from Guatemala City, and is the last departmental capital on the Pan-American Highway before reaching the Mexican border at La Mesilla.

85 kms

08 am 09 am

85 kms

Breakfast (NOT included)
Note: if you are leaving from Huehuetenango, we strongly recommend Hotel Cascata for overnight; friendly ownership (speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and French.

09 am

From Huehuetenango to  ( Saints day 02th February, 1980 above  sea level)
Things to do and to visit ( if you have MORE time)
(a)     La virgen de candelaria , better known as the virgin of silver,   in the church
(b)     Ask for the handicrafts from leather to bronze
(c)     Archeological site Chiantla Viejo, about 5 kms from town (just follow the), relatively few tourist have seen this!
(d)     Archeological site Quisil, far away in the North of this town, 3 hours extra in 4wheel drive!
(e)     A magical place called AGUA ESCONDIDA, hidden water, nearby the community of Mixlaj and Palo Grande... You need a lot of time but worth going, because this is the place to see the National bird THE QUETZAL (return to Unicornio Azul). This is an extra day of travelling and a good physical condition, as well as a good car! (see extra map)

Please ask for more information about these amazing places! The tiny village of Chiantla attracts pilgrims from all over the country who come to see the spectacular Virgin del Rosario contained in the church.  Enclosed in a glass case, the virgin is dressed in priceless silver and adornments. During Colonial times, Chiantla was one of the richest silver-mining centers in Guatemala

07 kms

09.20 am

92 kms

Chiantla - La Capellanilla (and nearby Chiabal)
Things to do and to visit (if you have more time)
(a)     Community tourism (rural tourism) , see also http://adrenalinatours.com/comunitarytourism/chiabal.html 
(b)     Piedra Cuache

In Chiabal, a rare eco-tourism project has been initiated by community leaders with the support of FUNDAP (Fundacion para el Desarrollo Integral de Programas Socioeconomicos). Their ecological project is working to protect their natural reserve, support their reforestation efforts, and offer foreigners magnificent views of an incomparable landscape. The community of Chiabal is a small, sparsely populated pueblo on the high plateau road that leads to the valley of the main village of, and it is usually passed over by tourists on the sleepy early morning bus ride from Huehuetenango to Todos Santos. Their new eco-tourism excursion, El Mirador - La Piedra Cuache, offers good exercise and incredible sights for those who enjoy the outdoors and a unique educational lesson about the land and culture of the high plateau.

It is very important that you ask the local cooperative at the entrance of the area for permission to enter, especially if you plan on camping out. This area has gone through many territory disputes, and the last thing they need is a gringo looking like he's going to buy the place.  

41 kms

10.00 am

131 kms

La capellanilla – Paquix
Things to do and to visit
(a)     Unicornio azul, www.unicornioazul.com , horseback riding in the Cuchumatanes mountains (overnight possible) , Paulina (French) and Fernando will welcome you to stay with them !

8 kms

10.15 am

139 kms

Paquix – Captzin (enormous stones)
From the Paquix Junction, the spectacularly scenic road heads north to several mountain towns in the heart of the Cuchumatanes. Along the road are some exquisite pastures, which have been grazed since colonial times. Large, gray boulders are also strewn about and the frigid mountain scenery is at once beautiful and inhospitable. At the edge of the plateau, the road begins its steep descent shortly after passing a local limestone outcropping in the shape of two pointy teeth known as the. The stones are sacred to the local Q’anjob’al.

Note: To go to Todos Santos, from Paquix Junction is about 1 hour, market on Saturday... if you have time... Give it a try.

Todos Santos Cuchumatan is situated in the Sierra de lost an elevation of 2,500 m (about 8,000 ft). The municipality covers an area of approximately 269 km2 and is formed by the town of Todos Santos Cuchumatan, villages, and smaller rural communities, called caserios, parajes, and cantones. The population of Todos Santos is predominantly indigenous, of Mayan descent, most of whom still speak the Mayan language of Mam. The town is one of few places in Guatemala where indigenous men still wear their traditional clothing, along with the women.

21 kms

10.45 am

160 kms

Captzin – San Juan Ixcoy 

Things to do and to visit:
(a)     Waterfalls of Papahau (in the small town of Magdalena, in fact also )
(b)     Several small archeological sites such as Quisil I, Pie de la cuesta, Jalomhuitz and Osorio Papahau (for the real specialists!)
(c)     Mayan altar Bacau , built above a hidden mayan temple

San Juan Ixcoy is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. The municipality covers an area of 224 km² and is formed by the town of San Juan Ixcoy, 11 villages and 33 caserios (rural communities). Its population of 19,367 (in 2002) is predominantly of Maya Q'anjob'al descent.

12 kms

11.00 am

172 kms

San Juan Ixcoy – San Pedro Soloma 

Things to do and to visit:
(a)     Typical clothing , very colorful , church & central park (kiosk)
(b)     Waterfalls of Pepajau, about 15 minutes North from Central Park, best to ask one of the locals!  

San Pedro Soloma or Soloma is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. It is situated in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes at 2,300 m above sea level. The municipality covers a total area of 264 km2 with elevations ranging from 1,900 m to 3,500 m. Its population of 37,500 people is spread over the town of Soloma, 19 villages and 50 smaller rural communities (caserios). The annual celebrations in honor of the town's patron Saint Peter take place from June 24 to 30. Its Mayan name is Tzu'luma.  

13 kms

11.15 am

185 kms

San Pedro Soloma – Santa Eulalia (Saints day , 12th February, 2580 mts above sea level , market Rough road ¡!! ( 45 minutes for 14 kms)

 Things to do and to visit:
(a) Colonial church with ceremonial place in front of the church ( in honor of Jolomconob, Mayan God)
(b)  Several marimba factories  (for ejemple Christo rey , Mr. Juan Mateo)  

14 kms

12.00 pm

199 kms

Santa Eulalia – San Mateo ixtatan
Rough road ¡!! ( 1.30 hours for 32 kms)

Things to do and to visit:
Colonial church in the center, from the XVI century
Interesting and easy accessible ceremonial & archeological site El Calvario , 5 minutes from central Park
Magnificent and spectacular typical clothing of the women Traditions are well saved, and on market days... there is always something to experience ( Thursdays and Sundays) Several less know archeological sites , such as Katepan I , Xequel and others ( ask us for more information on the tour) Salt mines! (ask the locals, easy to find)

 San Mateo Ixtatan is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. It is situated at 2540m above sea level in the Cuchumatanes mountain range and covers 560 km² of terrain. It has a cold climate and is located in a cloud forest. The temperature fluctuates between 0.5°C and 20°C. The coldest months are from November to January and the warmest months are April and May. The town has a population of about 10,000, and is the municipal center for an additional 20,000 people living in the surrounding mountain villages. It has a weekly market on Thursday and Sunday. The annual town festival takes place from September 19 to September 21 honoring their patron Saint Matthew. The residents of San Mateo speak the Mayan language Chuj, not to be confused with Chuj baths, or wood fired steam rooms that are common throughout the central and western highlands.  

32 kms

13.30 pm

227 kms

 San Mateo Ixtatan – Barrillas 
Rough road !!! ( 1.30 hours for 28 kms)

Things do do and to visit
 (never investigated ! maybe late classic period) , Nuca
The library of town , where you can find fossils of , what could be , a mamut ( mastodonte Americano)
The river Cambalam , about 400 meters from Central Park .
The Lagoon Maxbal , difficult to reach .. you need an extra day .. but from an amazing beauty ! (completely unknown) , overnight possible in the small town with the same name

Santa Cruz Barillas is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. It is situated at 1450m above sea level. It covers a terrain of 1,112km². The annual festival is April 29-May 4.

28 kms

15.00 pm

227 kms in total

Overnight in Barillas
Hotel El quetzal (BASIC) , Hotel Virginia (BETTER)  or other
In Santa Cruz Barillas there are banks, ATM machines, restaurants, bars etc…  
PREPARE YOURSELF to wake up for another adventurous trip tomorrow !