Guatemala small group voluntourism trip (sorry the pretty pictures can make it slow to load)

Your Guatemalan Adventure That Counts

8 days / 7 nights (8th March & 1st November, 2014) Price per person US$2,550*Â

Overview Despite the invasion of the modern world and the conquest of the conquistadors, the ancient Mayan culture continues to permeate everyday life in this ruggedly beautiful nation. This shines through in the form of colorful traditional costumes and permeates every aspect of culture and belief.

Sadly the vibrant colors and pride mask a litany of social issues and poverty. You will have the opportunity to visit a poverty stricken community surprisingly close to the affluence of Antigua, and help provide a deserving family with a decent place to live.

This home will help to provide a stable base for the children, better health as a result of being protected from the elements, and give them a start in improving their lot in life.

Your immersion into rural life will give you a heightened appreciation of the local culture and places you visit in Guatemala. The vibrant Chichicastenango market, the life blood of the region, the colonial town of Antigua and the stunning scenery of Lago Atitlan will all be more meaningful to you. info@handsupholidays.com

Day 1:

(-,-,D)

GUATEMALA CITY - ANTIGUA You are met at Guatemala City Airport and then transferred to Antigua. The scenic drive that winds through the mountainous region takes approximately 45 minutes.

Both Guatemala City and Antigua are located at 5,000 feet above sea level, and at some points the road reaches 7,000 feet above sea level. So, you may notice some shortness of breath if you decide to exert yourself. Sit back, enjoy the wonderful scenery and drink plenty of water.

Your welcome dinner at a charming Guatemalan restaurant is a great opportunity to get to know the other members of your group.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Day 2:

(B,L,D)

ANTIGUA After breakfast it is time to explore the wonders of Antigua on your city tour. This UNESCO World Heritage City has managed to preserve the ambiance of the Spanish colonial empire of the 17th century and blended it with modern Guatemala.

This former capital was badly damaged in the 1773 earthquake, and the Spanish Crown ordered the Capital moved to a new city, which is now called Guatemala City. As a result, in 1776, Antigua (at that time called Santiago de Los Caballeros de Guatemala) was ordered abandoned. Not everyone left, but overnight it was transformed from a bustling capital to a provincial town, filled with monuments to its former glory. It became known as "Antigua Guatemala", meaning "Old Guatemala".

info@handsupholidays.com

Your tour covers the city´s beautiful plazas, convents, churches and other historic highlights.

In the afternoon, a 40 mile trip takes you to the famous Pacaya Volcano National Park. Pacaya is an active volcano 9,000 feet above sea level. The climb to the summit starts at around 6,800 feet and takes approximately 2.5 hours. If you have never hiked on an active volcano, this will be an interesting experience. Take your time as the hike is quite steep, but the magnificent views make the effort well worth it.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua.

Day 3-7:

(B,BL,D)

ANTIGUA Your local immersion begins, as you spend your time improving the lives of an underprivileged family in a community less than 30 minutes’ drive from Antigua.

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

In the poorest areas of highland Guatemala, substandard building materials, insufficient resources, and unsustainable building practices abound. Heavy seasonal rains and frequent tremors can see homes turn to rubble in the blink of an eye.

and affordable to maintain. These homes become the foundation for building a better community.

Many families live in makeshift homes that are constructed of nothing more than cornstalks with cardboard walls with dirt floors. Decrepit housing quashes hope, fuels health problems, and destroys family unity.

You will have plenty of opportunity to interact with the families that will benefit from your contribution and feel great about the difference you are able to make in their lives.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua

Day 8: In contrast, by improving living conditions you can be a catalyst for flourishing homes and thriving communities. You have the opportunity to help the poorest of Guatemalan families by building them a home that is strong, safe, culturally appropriate,

info@handsupholidays.com

(B,-,-)

ANTIGUA - GUATEMALA CITY Say goodbye to the beautiful Antigua and enjoy the mountain scenery one last time as your journey takes you back to Guatemala City airport.

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Optional Extension Trip:

Day 8:

(B,L,D)

ANTIGUA – LAKE ATITLAN Leave Antigua behind and enjoy a scenic 2.5 hour journey to Lake Atitlan in the Western Highlands.

The picturesque town of Panajachel, situated overlooking this breathtakingly beautiful lake is inhabited by many Mayan people, who to this day maintain their strong cultural identity. The drive from Antigua to Atitlan involves a 10,000 foot climb with stunning views of several volcanoes.

The roadside villages grow a variety of crops which contribute splashes of color to the lush green scenery.

This afternoon, after lunch, we take a boat trip on the lake to visit a few smaller Mayan villages, Santiago Atitlán, Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo. Each village around the lake maintains its own traditional dress, and you will no doubt spot other characteristics unique to each village.

Overnight stay in Panajachel town at Porta Atitlan. info@handsupholidays.com

Day 9:

(B,BL,D)

CHICHICASTENANGO – LAKE ATITLAN This morning we head out early to the colorful market town of Chichicastenango, situated about an hour north of Lake Atitlán. Hundreds of locals and visitors flock for a bargain buy and there is everything here from souvenirs and clothes to food and household goods.

You have the afternoon to relax back at the lake, enjoying the effect of changing light and wind on the water.

Overnight stay in Panajachel town at Porta Atitlan.

Day 10:

(B,-,-)

LAKE ATITLAN – GUATEMALA CITY Say goodbye to the beautiful Lake Atitlan and enjoy the mountain scenery one last time as your journey takes you back to Guatemala City airport.

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Email bookings@handsupholidays.com with these details: 1.

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Trip Destination: Trip date: Number of people booking: Participant name(s) and email address: Phone number:

You can reserve your trip with payment of 20% deposit, with the balance paid at least 60 days prior to the start of your trip. You can pay your deposit by bank transfer (in US$ or GBP) or by credit card (in GBP only, and a 2% handling fee applies). Please indicate which option you prefer.

All bookings are subject to our usual Terms and Conditions except that any payments you make are fully refundable should we fail to reach the minimum number of participants for your trip within 60 days of your trip start date.

Included

A. CONFIRMATIONS: ✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

B. IMPORTANT NOTES:  Travel insurance is compulsory (we recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

Key B = Breakfast L = Lunch BL = Boxed Lunch D = Dinner * Price is excludes flights and is based on sharing a room with one other person

✓ Accommodation 09 nights as specified

✓ Meals as indicated in itinerary (B =Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) ✓ Ground and boat (Lake Atitlan) transfers ✓ Tours as specified with professional bilingual guide ✓ All admissions ✓ A $500 per person donation to volunteer organization

Not Included ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Personal expenses (telephone, laundry, etc.)

Tips for guides, driver, hotel staff, etc.

All flight tickets Beverages International flights Visas

info@handsupholidays.com

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)