Guatemala: The Living Maya 2012: February 3-13 (Trip full, wait list available)
Guatemala is a true paradise for photographers. Set in a backdrop of indescribable grandeur – volcanoes looming above with beautiful lakes, lush jungles, and pine forests. And everywhere are the local people – many of whom are descendents of the great Maya civilization that once flourished in the area, still living much the same way as they did before the Europeans first arrived. And the Spaniards did their part too, constructing the colonial gem of a city in Antigua, as well as many picturesque churches throughout the country.
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.
| Day 1 | Arrive from your flight to Guatemala City. You will be transported from the airport to our hotel in Antigua. We will have an orientation meeting this evening and dinner together as a group. We'll spend the night in Antigua. |
| Day 2: | 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. |
| Day 3: | We'll have some free time in the morning for more photography or relaxing and shopping. In the afternoon We'll drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan. 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. We'll spend the night in Panajachel. |
| Day 4: | After a delicious breakfast in the lakeview restaurant, we'll travel by boat to the traditional village of San Antonio Palopo and Santa Catarina Palopo, where we'll visit local homes and photograph families 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 5: | We'll spend the whole day around Lake Atitlan with our local indigenous guide. We'll travel by boat to visit the colorful local village of 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. |
| Day 6: | We'll wake up early to photograph the first light on the lake and the surrounding volcanoes. Late in the morning we'll drive to the famous market town of Chichicastenango, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon we'll have free time to photograph many of the people getting ready for the next day's market. We'll spend the night in Chichicastenango. |
| Day 7: | 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. |
| Day 8: | 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. 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 the traditional village of San Andres Xecul, which is home to one of the most colorful churches in Guatemala. We'll spend the night in Xela. |
| Day 9: | In the morning we'll visit Zunil, an agricultural village where the women weave and dress in especially beautiful clothing. We'll visit our friend Maximon once again as well. We'll drive on to Antigua, making photo stops along the way. We'll spend the night in Antigua. |
| Day 10 | We'll have a free day in Antigua for photographing this colonial gem, its colorful inhabitants, and some last-minute shopping. We will have an image sharing party that evening after our celebration dinner. We will spend the night in Antigua. |
| Day 11 | Depart for your flight home. |
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Jim Cline
An award-winning photographer based in San Diego, California, Jim especially enjoys exploring and photographing less-traveled areas, avoiding the typical tourist destinations. He takes particular interest in the indigenous peoples and traditional and tribal cultures of developing nations, and in documenting these disappearing cultures.
Through his photographs he strives to portray the dignity and timeless beauty of these people living in harmony with nature. Jim’s wanderlust and search for compelling images has brought him to 30 countries around the globe, but his area of special interest is in the countries of Latin America. He is known for his willingness to shoot all around the edges of light, creating images with tremendous impact that capture the essence of a place or culture.
As well as winning numerous awards, Jim’s work has been displayed in galleries and in the San Diego Natural History Museum and published in numerous publications including books, magazines, annual reports, brochures, and CD covers. To see some samples of his published work
Dates: 2012: February 3-13
Costs $3,975, single supplement $495.
The price is based on double occupancy. A single supplement of $495 applies.
The trip will be limited to 9 participants.
Cost Include includes airport transfers, all ground transport, all 10 nights hotel accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, entrance-fees at tourist sites, boat trips on Lake Atitlan, local guides.
Cost does not include: international flights, passport & visas fees, travel insurance, vaccinations and medical cover/treatment, accommodation on the night prior to starting, and personal expenses such as beverages/snacks, internet access fees, laundry fees etc.
*All prices subject to change without notice, owing to the variable nature of international currency exchange rates and sudden changes in local costs
To see a gallery of Jim’s Guatemala images click here and more here
To follow
Deposit and Final Payment
A deposit of $600 per person is required at time of booking. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation
- On cancellations more than 120 days prior to departure, all monies are refunded less a $275 administrative fee.
- Less than 120 but at least 90 days prior, total deposit amount is forfeited.
- Less than 90 but at least 75 days prior, 50% of trip price is forfeited.
- Less than 75 days prior to departure, 100% is forfeited.
Notification by phone or email is acceptable, but please follow with written notice. In the unlikely event we have to cancel a tour, a full refund will be given.
Responsibility
Jim Cline Photography, and their agents act only in the capacity as agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, and are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury to person or property resulting from a defect in any vehicle, or the actions of any persons who provide services for this tour or for the action or inaction of any third party. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, to decline any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time. All prices are based on current rates of exchange and, while every effort will be made to hold them firm, they are subject to change.
Health
It is the responsibility of each tour member to inform the tour operator of any possible health problems or handicaps upon registration. By forwarding a signed reservation form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.
Trip Insurance
To allow for any unexpected contingencies, all participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Itinerary
While Jim Cline Photography endeavors to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate schedule of activities rather than a rigid schedule of events. Trip itineraries are subject to revision due to weather, ocean or trail conditions, government restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. The tour leader has the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever in his sole judgment conditions warrant, or if he deems it necessary for the comfort or safety of the tour.
Health Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Money: Currency exchange rates
ATMs, Credit Cards, Travelers Checks:
Internet Access
Electricity in Guatemala: Converters & Adapters Required
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR with lenses offering a focal length from wide (24mm or wider) to telephoto (100mm or longer), laptop or netbook computer running image viewing software such as Breeze Browser, bridge or Photo Mechanic and an image editing program such as Adobe Photoshop, or a combintation softward program similar to Lightroom. Additionally we strongly recommend a back-up device such as external hard drive.
An award-winning photographer based in San Diego, California, Jim especially enjoys exploring and photographing less-traveled areas, avoiding the typical tourist destinations. He takes particular interest in the indigenous peoples and traditional and tribal cultures of developing nations, and in documenting these disappearingcultures.
Karl is a humanitarian photojournalist specializing in the photographic documentation of relief efforts and development work of NGOs worldwide. Over the last ten years, Karl has worked in over 50 countries, covering stories from the Indian Ocean Tsunami, to HIV/AIDS, malaria and Micro-Finance.