NATURE AND ADVENTURE …

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY …

CULTURE

Dear guest,

Welcome to Chaculá ! Throughout history, this fascinating region has been the home of early hunter-gatherers, important Mayan populations in the classic period, a German owner during the era of liberal governments a century ago, and now, the current community of Chaculá, with its very own history.

Here you will find a selection of very little-known excursions, so authentic they will touch your soul. These natural and social environments are extremely fragile. We must protect them ! Most of the excursions are located on private lands and, therefore, require entrance fees. The “local guides” are generally from the communities that own the land and will be happy to show you the way. The “guides from Chaculá” have been trained in community tourism by INGUAT and will do everything they can to give you the best information and accompaniment possible. Please don’t look at these reasonable fees as superfluous expenses but as a way to get to know the region better while contributing to the sustainability of these places and to the development of the communities that support tourism.

We hope we have the pleasure of meeting you soon and from now, we hope you have a journey full of discoveries and rewarding encounters.

The team of Finca Chaculá Rural Lodge

NATURE AND ADVENTURE

The natural environment of this region, located between the Cuchumatanes Mountain Range and the lowlands bordering Mexico, is as surprising as it is variable. Within a few kilometers, the pine and oak forests of Chaculá give way

to sub-tropical rainforests or spiny chaparral while the karst topography, with its numerous bodies of water, contributes to the creation of very unique landscapes.

HOYO CIMARRON (wilderness chasm)

Hoyo Cimarrón is a natural wonder. In the middle of the region’s karst topography, you will find a huge cylindrical chasm, approximately 170 meters in diameter and 150 meters deep, probably formed when the roof of a huge cave collapsed. On the ground level, a forest thrives, sheltering birds and many legends. A few well equipped and trained climbing teams have lowered themselves into Hoyo Cimarrón.

Time : half day Access : the hike begins about 20 minutes by car from the Chaculá Lodge, in arid and rocky surroundings. Due to the heat, it is recommendable to go during the cooler times of the morning or late afternoon. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes one way on a rocky but fairly level trail.Personal items: sunscreen, sun hat, good walking shoes, water.Cost :

Entrance fees : not defined yet Guide from Chaculá (optional) :

80 Q half day - 150 Q full day Transportation : contact us !

Picture : Waseem Syed www.wsyed.com

LAKE YOLNAJAB (also known as Laguna Brava)

Yolnajab is a very large and beautiful lake approximately 7 km long, situated in the middle of farm land and sub-tropical rainforest. The climate is warm and humid and the turquoise water is also warm and inviting. This area is still quite remote and undiscovered as a tourist destination.

Time : full dayAccess : requires a quite adventurous spirit. The trip begins by 12 km on a bad dirty road. Then, if you continue down on foot, it takes about 2 ½ -3 hours to get to the lake (from 1 600 meters to 1 150 meters) and the return climb takes 3 – 3 ½ hours, depending on how fast you walk. If you don’t want to hike, it is possible to rent horses. If there haven’t been recent landslides, a very good driver may also descend in a 4 wheel drive, through a jeep track, leaving a 45 minute hike to the lake.Personal items: Comfortable clothes, hiking boots meant for muddy roads (rubber boots in winter; high-top shoes or boots in summer), raincoat, bug repellant, water and food (there is no food for sale at the lake), bathing suit.Cost :

Entrance fee : 15 Q/person (the lake belongs to different communities)

Local guide (mandatory) : 50 Q for the group.

Guide from Chaculá (suggested especially if the group is big) : 150 Q

Horse rental : 50 Q/horse (1 person/horse and not heavier tan 175 lbs

Please ask for current prices if you need transportation !

picture : Jimena Augustin

LAGUNA BRAVA CENOTES (natural wells)

The Cenotes of Laguna Brava provide ample reasons for an unforgettable excursion. There are three “cenotes” of different sizes, all sparkling with the same intense blue color. The north end of the lake is also accessible from this side. The access is difficult for the mud, the lack of trail, the sharp stones and the sinkholes. It is recommendable to go in the summer because the access can be flooded in the winter. This trip is for those who have absolutely no difficulties with hiking.

Time : full day Access : 1 ½ hours by 4 wheel drive vehicle and 2 hour walk each wayDifficulty : medium difficulty due to length of time and gradient; but difficult due to rough ground.Personal items: comfortable clothing, rubber boots or water shoes (required), rain gear, bug repellant, water and food, bathing suit.Cost (indicatives):

Entrance fee : 20 Q/person Local guide : 50 Q Chaculá guide (optionnal) : 150 Q (1 to 8 persons) Transportation : contact us

THE SOURCE OF THE LAGARTERO RIVER

The turquoise waters of the mighty Lagartero River spill forth among mexican cipress and, downstream, cross back and forth over the border with Mexico. The source of the river is a refreshing attraction and a wonderful place to take a break.

Time :½ day(you can also combine this with a trip to the cenotes and/or the cave paintings)Access : paved road the first 35 mn and then, 15 kms of bad dirty road (4X4 drive)Difficulty : easyPersonal items : comfortable, cool clothing, bathing suit, sunscreen, hat, waterCost:

Chaculá guide (optional) : 60 Q the 1/2 day or 120 Q/full day (group of 1-8) (guide’s transportation not included)

Please ask for current price if you need transportation

LOS CENOTES DE CANDELARIA (natural wells)

Totally hidden within the spiny chaparral, lie two intensely blue “cenotes” : the first is completely transparent and the second is marine blue. This is an unforgettable experience of this region’s original natural environment.

Time : 4 hours minimum to take full advantage but may be combined with the source of Lagartero River and painting caves.Access : 35 minutes on paved road and then 18 km on a rough dirt road (four wheel drive). You can see both cenotes easily; access to the water is possible and near but somewhat difficult.Personal items : insect repellant, bathing suit, water and foodCost :

Entrance fee : 50 Q/car Chaculá guide (optional): 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (group of 1-8)

o (Guide’s transportation not included)

Please ask for current price if you need transportation.

HIKE – ARCHAELOGICAL RUINS AND PROTECTED AREA (Chaculá farm)

On a gentle, guided hike through the Chaculá farm, you will be able to enjoy the archeological ruins, currently studied by a archaeological team, and forest in the protected area.

Time : 3 hours on foot from the lodge Personal items : comfortable, waterproof clothing, good walking

shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, insect repellent Cost : 80 Q the Chaculá guide (mandatory) for a group of 1-8).

HIKE TO THE WATERFALL (Chaculá farm)

Another guided hike inside the farm, on a more or less difficult path, leads you to a 25 meter high waterfall. Although the pool isn’t very deep, it is possible to refresh yourself in the water.

Time : 1 to 1 ½ hour to the waterfall on foot depending on you hike the entire way from the lodge or go part way by car.Personal items: comfortable clothing, good walking shoes, swimming suit, sunscreen, hat, water, insect repellentCost : 80 Q the guide of Chaculá (optional) the half-day the group of 1-8 persons d d

LAGOS DE MONTEBELLO (MEXICO)

A lovely excursion, accessible to all, takes you to the beautiful lakes of Montebello in Chiapas, Mexico.

Picture : Marcelo Gutierrez

Time : Almost an entire day. You can also take advantage of the route and visit HoyoCimarrón on the way or on the return.Access :

- From Chaculá to the border with Mexico (Gracias a Dios-Carmen Xhan) = 30 mn- From the border to the entrance of the Montebello Park = 45 mn

Cost :- Park entrance fee: 27 Mexican pesos (as of April, 2012)- Entrance fee for all the lakes: 15 pesos/person (as of July 2011)- Chaculá guide (optional) : 280 Q

Please note:- International visitors who don’t need to have a Mexican visa cross with their

passports.- Guatemalans with a Huehuetenango ID card can cross with a free local pass

(takes about ½ hour at the border)- Guatemalans from other departments can cross only if they have a Mexican visa

in their passports while the Mexican government works on the implementation of a local pass for all Guatemalans.

- Vehicles cross with a 72 hour pass.- For more information, call the Guatemalan Immigration Office in Gracias a Dios

at 77.23.07.90.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

Four or five thousand years ago, hunter-gatherer groups settled in this area. It is very possible that the Qanjobal region, from which the Chuj people separated around 100 B.C, was the point of origin for the Mayan culture and the cradle of corn mentioned in the Popol Wuj. There are 192 registered archaeological sites in all of Huehuetenango, the majority of which are still undiscovered and hidden. During the classic period, sites began to appear that were characterized by pyramids and large structures of quarried stone, including ball courts. Chaculá, San Francisco, and Quen Santo date from this period, among other sites. Chaculá was the main center of the lowland Chuj, although it also maintained close relationships with Mexico and the lowland area of Chinkultik.

CAVE PAINTINGS

In the middle of the ecosystem known as spiny chaparral, common in the eastern Guatemala but unique in Huehuetenango, one can find cave paintings in a high rocky shelter. These are the signs left by the first humans that populated the region thousands of years ago.

Time : half-dayAccess : 30-40 mn by car from the lodge to arrive at the trailhead. The following 2 kms can be traveled by car (4x4 drive), by renting horses, or walking. After that, you will have to walk about 15 minutes to get to the cave paintings.Personal items : comfortable, cool clothing, pants, good walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, waterCost :

Entrance Fee : 20 Q/person (the paintings are located on private property) Local guide (required) : 30 Q. Additionally, we recommend hiring a Chaculá

guide (80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day). Guide’s transportation not included.

Transportation : please ask for current price.CUEVA QUEN SANTO Y PIEDRA REDONDA (QUEN SANTO CAVE AND ROUND ROCK))The cave, whose name in Chuj means “sacred rock”, appears beneath your feet under the place where the ancient Mayan city, Quen Santo, was located. It continues to be a frequently visited sacred area. You arrive at the place reserved for offerings after going through a short but dark as night tunnel, making you feel close to the underworld. About 30 minutes from the cave you will find a mysterious rock, with a carving of the “Jaguar God of the underworld”.

Time : approximately 5-6 hours (combines well with the next excursion to the Archaeological Ruins “S”)Access : 40 minutes in car and 1 ½ hours on foot (plus return)Personal items : comfortable, cool clothing, pants, good walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, water and food and a good flashlight !Cost :

Entrance fee : 75 Q the necessary local guide (the cave is in a private property)

Chaculá guide (highly recommended): 80 Q/half-day or 150 Q/full day (group of 1-8). Guide’s transportation not included

Transportation : please ask for current price

ARCHAELOGICAL RUINS “S”

Please forgive us for not naming this place that is, along with many others, totally unprotected from looters or other careless visitors. Here you will find archeological ruins, never researched, hidden among the rocks. There is a ball game court hidden inside the vegetation, rock walls in good condition, and small pyramids, including an acropolis, possibly from the mid to late classic period.

Time : half-dayAccess : the point of departure is 1 hour by car from the Chaculá Lodge. From there, it is 3 kilometers either by car with a high clearance (during the dry season) or by foot. This is followed by 10-15 minutes on foot.Personal items : cool, comfortable clothing, long pants, good walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, waterCost :

Entrance fee : 15 Q /person Local guide (required): 50 Q/group Chaculá guide (optional) : 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (groups of 1-8);

guide’s transportation not included Transportation : please ask for prices if you need transportation.

SAN FRANCISCO RUINS

The San Francisco site has still impressive archaeological ruins, including a pyramid that possibly dates from the post-classic period just like other ruins strategically located on the mountain that dominates

the spectacular Laguna Yolnajab.San Francisco was also the tragic site of a

massacre committed by the Guatemalan Army in July 1982 in which 350 villagers were murdered. This event marked the beginning of the massive exodus to Mexico of thousands of Guatemalan citizens.

Time: Approximately 2-3 hours

Access: 15 minutes by car from the Chaculá Lodge (4x4 drive)Entrance fee:

Guatemalan nationals : 15 Q International visitor : 25 Q

Chaculá guide (recommended) : 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (group of 1-8); guide’s transportation not includedTransportation : please ask for current price.

CHACULA ARCHAELOGICAL SITE

This visit is recommended for archaeologists, students in archaeology and other interested persons. The tour includes the main ruins that are located on the Chaculá site : the eastern temple, the remains of a ball court, the western temple, a central plaza, water supply, various mounds and possible tombs, and the small archaeology museum established by the community. A recent archaeology research project initiated by a Guatemalan – German team is opening up many expectations about the richness and importance of this site. Time : 4 or 5 hours from the lodge (could be shorter if desired)Cost :

Entrance fee : free for guests; 10 Q/person for others Chaculá guide (necessary) : 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/day (group of 1-8)-

IN THE FUTURE :CONFERENCE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY :

“From exile to sustainable tourism”

CULTURE

POPTÍ MUSICAL GROUP “RAYOS DEL SOL”

Musicians from Chaculá interpret songs and music from the region in Spanish and Poptí with different stringed instruments. Their repertoire also includes songs of Mexican origin (ballads, rancheras, norteñas). You can also purchase their CD for a souvenir.

Cost : 300 Q the first hour – 550 Q the two hours