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Guatemala Description: There are dozens of indigenous Mayan groups in this, the most Indian of the Central American republics; about half the nation's population leads a traditional lifestyle that has barely changed for centuries. Each tribe has its own traditions, crafts, rituals -- even language. Their weaving is so distinctive an experienced guide can tell what village someone hails from just from the pattern of her blouse or his pants. One of Wildland Adventures' guides here is Alfonso Muralles, whom the company says can offer particularly open and close communication with the Mayas since he worked for 3 years as the personal assistant to Rigoberta Menchú, the Maya-K'iche Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Tour itineraries may include stops at Tikal, Bonampak, Palenque, and other ancient Mayan cities, as well as visits to extant Mayan centers of culture such as Huehuetenango and Chichicastenango. Other points of interest: Guatemala's other attractions include rain and cloud forests, with their abundant bird and other wildlife, colonial towns such as Antigua, once the capital of Central America, Pacific Ocean beaches, and the mountains of central Guatemala, many of which are still-active volcanoes. Cost: Tours start at around $1,500 (ground only) for an eight-day tour. For more information: wildland.com |