Guatemala holiday and honeymoons; An expert guide to the Northern HighlandsThis is the real Guatemala! Despite centuries of Spanish rule, a 70% majority of the population is Mayan in origin, retaining many of their traditions and lifestyle. This is your chance to get off the beaten track and experience their culture amid spectacular mountain scenery. The traditional clothing is an explosion of colour with unique designs that identify each village. The villagers still speak Mayan and follow the superiorly accurate 260-day Tzolkin lunar Calendar, traditionally used for sacred divination and agricultural planning. Despite much upheaval in a turbulent recent history, each town has managed to retain its own atmosphere and character. THINGS TO SEE AND DO: From Chichicastenango up to the border with Mexico there are numerous villages and towns to visit and superb scenery: Mayan villages. The Ixil Triangle is made up of the highland communities of Nebaj, Chajul and Cotzal where the mountains offer great walking and the weaving and textile design is of the highest quality. Mayan customs. The volcanic highlands reach their highest in the West where there are dozens of small market towns each with its own unique attractions such as – the noisy animal market of San Francisco, the blanket-weaving and medicine-man centre of Momostenango, the dancing spectacle of Totonicapan, the famous horse racing festival of Todos Santos Cuchumatan.Walking and horseriding. The Cuchumatanes Mountains offer many walking and horse riding possibilities.Accommodation standards can be simple in the more remote towns reflecting the rural and little-visited character of the area. You can spend anything from two nights in the area depending on your interest.
| 
