 |
Mayan Art & Artesania
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 $775 double occupancy ($975 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. |
