Itinerary Highlights:
Saturday, January 7: Arrive in Guatemala City where you will be met at the airport and driven to Antigua, an hour away. Group welcome and walking tour of this enchanting colonial capital of Central America. Group discussion about Guatemala’s history, current community development challenges, and BPD focus. Overnight in Antigua.
Sunday, January 8: Attend church services in one of Antigua’s colonial churches, if you wish. Drive to the home of the Xicay family in San Antonio Aguas Calientes for a weaving display and lunch. We will visit other historical stops to and from. San Antonio Calientes is a community famous for its exquisite and distinctive back-strap weavings. Overnight in Antigua.
Monday, January 9: Visit the Behrhorst Fundacion Clinic in Chimaltenango, where Dr. Carroll Behrhorst established a modest clinic nearly 50 years ago. From there we travel to rural Choabajito Alto to meet with villagers who will tell us about their BPD-sponsored projects of running water, chlorinator, improved latrines, gray-water filters, vented stoves, Strong Family Center, and new primary school. We will have lunch in the village; return to Antigua for overnight there.
Tuesday, January 10: Early morning departure for Santiago Atitlan. Enroute, we will visit a BPD village in the Patzun province and have lunch there, followed by a stop at Iximche, the archaeological site of the former capital of Kaqchikel Maya. We will arrive late afternoon in paradise at the Hotel Posada, Santiago Atitlan, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Overnight in Santiago Atitlan.
Wednesday, January 11: Walking tour of Santiago Atitlan with Don Diego Chavez, including visits with MayaWorks artisans, lunch at the Posada, then walk to historic Peace Park, see Panajab’s recovery since Hurricane Stan. We may even include a search for the highland deity, Maximon. Late afternoon: free time for pool, spa, shopping, relaxing. Overnight in Santiago Atitlan.
Thursday, January 12: After breakfast, we’ll travel by boat across the lake to Panajachel for morning shopping and lunch. Well visit the Galleria Nan Cuz and Museo Lacustre Atitlan and then return to Antigua. Dinner with the BPD board. Overnight in Antigua.
Friday, January 13: Join the BPD board and staff for a second field day visit another rural village in which BPD is working. (Village TBD.) Special dinner finale in Antigua. Overnight in Antigua.
Saturday, January 14: Shuttles to Guatemala City airport for departures to the U.S. or additional optional travel on your own, e.g. a day or overnight trip to Tikal or Copan or Rio Dulce, a day trip to Chichicastenango, hiking Volcano Picaya, going to the beach, ocean fishing, language school, etc. Contact us for travel agency referral.
Climate/Clothing: Weather in the Guatemalan Highlands is normally very pleasant year-round with daytime temperatures reaching into the 80's and evening temps down into the 50's. January is a bit cooler with temperatures in the low 50’s to low 70’s. We advise using sunscreen in the Highlands because of the altitude and having some light raingear. Dress is informal throughout the trip, but women are advised to wear long pants or skirts in the Highlands. Shorts are not recommended.
Identification/Vaccinations: A current U.S. passport is required. No vaccinations are required, but it is always advisable to have your tetanus up to date.
Flights: Participants are responsible for making their flight arrangements. Most major airlines fly into Guatemala and the new La Aurora Airport was completed in 2010.
Costs: $1,100 not including airfare. Included in this affordable price are all meals, double occupancy rooms, chauffeured van, airport pick-up and return, bilingual guide, and pre-tour packet. Personal expenses and airfare are not covered. This investment in unique cross-cultural connections will yield unexpected richness!
Payments: A non-refundable $150 deposit to "Behrhorst Partners for Development" secures your place on the tour with balance due by October 15, 2011. Space is limited; sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please send the following info along with your $150 deposit to:
Behrhorst Partners for Development, 2411 S. Superior Street, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Credit card payment is accepted also. Please contact Susan Slater, US Coordinator, ph 414-483-0728.
Name(s) ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________ State ________ Zip _________________________
Phone Number: _______________________ Email __________________________________________
We promise a flow of information before the tour to enhance your experience! BPD is very proud of our presence in Guatemala, and your participation in this tour adds another dimension of our people-to-people connection.
Questions? Barbara Yost byost@cox.net, Yvonne Gatz ygatz@bellsouth.net, Susan Slater
BehrhorstUS@behrhorst.org
