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Mayan
Art & Weaving
This
seven-day tour includes visits to tourist sites at Antigua, Tecpan/Iximche,
and Lake Atitlan
along with a three-day "hands-on" workshop at Lake Atitlan.
Two workshop options are offered, both of which tap the talents of
accomplished native painters and weavers in San Juan La Laguna at Lake Atitlan and allow participants to
learn the techniques of these artists and artisans as well as undertake
projects under their tutelage. Mayan oil painting is a relatively new
genre of art that has been lauded by UNESCO as an important contemporary
expression of Highlands Mayan culture. Mayan weaving is a much older
expression of this culture, steeped in centuries of practice unchanged by
time.
The Environment
Lake Atitlan has
been judged by notables over time to be among the most beautiful lakes in
the world. Physically and culturally, it is a "world unto its
own." It lies at 4,800 ft. above sea level, providing for
comfortable air and water temperatures year-round. Total surface area
is 81 square miles, with depths up to 1,100 feet. The Lake is surrounded by 3 volcanoes ranging to 11,600
feet in elevation.
Twelve pueblos
(towns) lie on the Lake's shoreline
and are inhabited by two distinct Mayan peoples who proudly maintain their
cultural heritage.
What is
Included
The basic
package price includes al in-country transportation (including airport pick-up),
lodging & guided tours, entry tickets, and most meals. Lodging at
Lake Atitlan is at Los Encuentros Posada
y Centro Cultural and eco-hotel Uxlabil - modern inns with tourist
amenities. The packet cost is $850 double occupancy ($1,100 single
occupancy). Two travel supplements are offered which allow
participants to experience other premier tourist destinations in Guatemala.
These are overnight visits to either Antigua, the historic Spanish colonial
capitol of Central America, or Tikal,
the most important of the Mayan ruins of Meso-America. These are
scheduled at the end of the basic tour/workshop. Another option is a
week of immersion language study in Panajachel prior to the start of the
basic tour. These options are priced separately.
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