ALDEA MAYA PLAN GRANDE QUEHUECHE
1. Location and access: The Big Plan Quehueche village is located in the department of Izabal, in the northeastern part of the country along the Caribbean Sea, specifically in the town of Livingston, 8 km from the head of it, with a walking-only access very simple level trail through the jungle. To get to Livingston from Guatemala, it is necessary to make a trip of 5 hours by road in good condition and coach with excellent bus service to reach the city of Puerto Barrios. From here, a journey in 30 minutes by boat from the Caribbean Sea will lead to Livingston.
2. Ecosystem: The community is located in the Reserve Special Protection Sarstún River, consisting of tropical wet forest, rich in animal and plant biodiversity, such as bromeliads, orchids, mahogany or cedar, and jaguars, tapirs and crocodiles. The height of the community above the sea barely 10 meters, and its nearby is the beach Quehueche in a sea of Caribbean waters and white sand. Because of its location and type of forest in the village is located, the rains are common throughout the year, but the dry season runs from February to May is the best time to visit.
3. Tourist attractions:
one of its main attractions is the location of the village in the rainforest and the nearby jungle redoubts of well-preserved and rich in biodiversity and natural areas of beauty such as waterfalls, caves and lagoons, especially the spot Seven Altars, a natural paradise in the greenery of the forest, formed by a river which falls seven and seven pools of crystalline water, which leads to a white sand beach beside the Caribbean. Cultural exchange is also one of the most important aspects in this center, and living in a Mayan village gives the experience a unique and unforgettable, especially the degree of conservation of traditional Mayan-Q'eqchi 'is has in the community.
4. Actividades turísticas: Quehueche ofrece caminatas por la selva, visitas a cuevas, ríos y lagunas, a Siete Altares ya la Playa de Quehueche, historias mayas a la luz del fuego, bailes y música tradicionales, elaboración de artesanías y ceremonias mayas religiosas, todo dentro of an authentic indigenous community.
5. Travel Services Quehueche we present and from the point of origin, safety, accommodation in comfortable guest house with double rooms, built with typical materials and techniques, hygienic toilets, showers rustic local food in homes, by making crafts Mayan women, guide to various attractions in the forest, dancing and live music, local stories told by the Mayan priests, religious and ceremonial rituals.
6. Package offered: Quehueche in the price per person per day is Q300 (U.S. $ 40). This includes a guide to and from the place of origin, which can be Tatin Livingston or project of the Association Ak 'Tenamit, and all of the above who wish to do, plus guest house accommodation and three meals. 2 days is advised to stay to enjoy all the activities, but one day for people in good shape and not much time is enough. The journey through the jungle to the village, although lengthy, is straightforward by the orography of the terrain. It is necessary to rent a boat from Puerto Barrios to Livingston or Borders to start the journey through the jungle, where the prices of transport Q25 to Q70 per person (U.S. $ 3.50 to 9.50).
7. Equipment to bring: comfortable clothes are required for walking and fresh (including a change), hat and sun glasses, footwear, mountain, water, sunscreen, insect repellent and flashlight with batteries, although the latter can be rented in the community . The community provides towels, soap, bedding and rubber boots, and if required, a flashlight, but have to buy batteries.
8. Presentation of the organization: the Committee of the Village Ecotourism Plan Maya Quehueche Grande was formed in 2001 with the aim of developing tourism in a responsible manner in the community, so the arrival of visitors allowed a reassessment and strengthening their traditions, while also supporting sustainable development of the local population and to preserve the protected area that is located. The committee is supported by the Asociación Ak 'Tenamit, but is completely independent of it, and thanks to her work, Maya Village Plan Grande Quehueche has received important awards and recognition nationally and internationally for its tourism