Guatemala: Mundo Maya

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
Rural Areas

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 27- August 7/ June 28- July 27

Description: The last written record from pre-colonial Maya civilization is dated at 911 AD, but if you think that the Maya are an ancient people from a culture that has long since disappeared, you've never been to Guatemala. This language intensive trip is designed for people who are able to integrate a deep love for natural beauty with sensitivity to disparate cultural values and ways of life.

The expansive Peten rainforest of northern Guatemala is home to majestic Tikal, the famous ruins of the ancient Maya civilization. We climb pyramids built over 1,000 years ago, learn about ancient systems of time, and watch monkeys cavorting in the trees. Near the city of Coban in central Guatemala, we frolic in the glorious aquamarine pools of Semuc Champey and venture through mysterious caves by candlelight.

A 3-day trek leads us deep into the cloud forest of the Biotopo del Quetzal where we stay with families in a remote Queqchi community. A member of our host family guides us through the dense, green wilderness in search of the elusive quetzal, Guatemalas national bird. We learn to grind corn by hand and make tortillas on a hot comal. High in the western highlands, the town of Nebaj exposes us to another Mayan culture, the Ixil, and provides an intimate perspective on the recent civil war.

Trekking for 6-days, we adventure through the magnificent Cuchumatanes Mountains, savoring the opportunity to enjoy this remote and rarely-traveled route to the town of Todos Santos. Along the way, we stay in local villages and meet people from distinct cultural groups whose clothing and language vary from valley to valley. Todos Santos, the location of our 2-week homestay and language study, is noted for its success in maintaining its traditional indigenous culture, as it is one of the few remaining places in Guatemala where men, not just women, still wear traditional dress. This mystical mountain town, hidden in the clouds, will challenge all of our definitions of traditional and modern. We visit shamen and healers, learn traditional cooking, volunteer in the local schools, and receive instruction in weaving and marimba. In the afternoons we have one-on-one Spanish lessons with local instructors who teach us about the language and customs of their lives. In the evenings we learn to salsa, join village elders in discussions on tradition and change, or simply relax in the cherished heat of chujs-- traditional saunas.

A weekend hike takes us to a village only accessible by foot where few travelers have ventured. On the beautiful Lago de Atitlan, we stay in the traditional Tzutujil town of Santiago Atitlan and work with a local school that services children with disabilities. In Chichicastenango, we wander the colorful stalls of its vibrant artisan market. Not far to the west, we climb the towering Volcan Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet, the highest peak in all of Central America. On the tiny island of Tilapita, just off the Pacific Coast near the border with Mexico, we splash through waves, eat fresh seafood, play soccer with local children, and navigate a thick mangrove swamp. We conclude our adventure in the colonial capital of Antigua with its cobblestone streets and cultural museums. Before departing for Guatemala City, we hike to the top of an active volcano for one last look at the magical and complex country spread out below us.

Highlights: Rugged Travel: 4 stars
Chicken bus, truck, and boat travel. Hikes to remote villages.

Home Stay: 5 stars
Home-stays in 2 to 3 different communities, including 2 weeks during language school

Trekking/Wilderness: 4 stars
6-day high-altitude trek through Cuchumatanes Mountains. 3-day trek through Biotopo del Quetzal cloud forest. Volcano ascents.

Language Study: 5 stars
2-3 weeks of one-on-one interactive instruction, four to five hours a day.

Internships/ISPs: 4 stars
ISPs facilitated throughout. Multiple opportunities for internships

Service: 3 stars
Service work in variety of rural schools

Survey of Development Issues: 4 stars
Exploration of modernization and globalization, impact of education and tourism on indigenous culture, politics of development, exploration of minority empowerment issues

Philosophy and Comparative Religion: 2 stars
The integration of Catholicism with Mayan spirituality, politics of religious imperialism

Focus of Inquiry: 4 stars
Spanish language, traditional arts, effects of diversity on national identity, economics of a post-war country

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17-22

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Guatemala in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of max 12

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Through expertly guided and honest introductions to the cultural and physical landscapes of developing Asia and Latin America, and through Experiential Education that stresses the empowerment of the student, Dragons strives to cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity, opportunities for personal growth through physical and emotional challenges, and a commitment to the communities through which we travel, providing young adults with a richer understanding of themselves, and of the social and physical worlds around them.

Year Founded: 1992