Cahabon River / Lanquin / Semuc
Champey
DAY 1 GUATEMALA CITY / COBAN
Meet with a Maya Expeditions representative at 3:00 PM, for departure
to Cobán. (Transportation from Antigua available) Dinner
and hotel* in Cobán. Meet with guides to listen to what adventures
lie ahead during the next two days. Option: Morning Departure (whole
group). 7:00 am departure by bus to Cobán. In route visit
of natural reserve "Biotopo Mario Dary". Lunch at the
Posada Montaña del Quetzal. (on your own). Upon arrival in
Cobán, there is time to see the Orchid nursery, or do a "coffee
tour". Dinner and hotel* in Cobán. Meet with guides
to listen to what adventures lie ahead during the next two days.
DAY 2 COBAN / LANQUIN / RIO cahabon
Early continental breakfast at 6:00 am., departure to Lanquín
at 6:30 am. Transfer to our put-in, a few kilometers out of town,
on the banks of the Lanquín river. After a safety and orientation
talk, board the rafts and begin descent of the río Lanquín
to its confluence with the río Cahabón . Continue
on the Cahabón, navigating some of the river's largest and
most exciting rapids. The day is full of excitement, a perfect combination
of rapids, tranquil pools, friendly Maya-Keck'chi Indians, and wildlife.
Enjoy the subtropical jungle with large variety of orchids and bromeliads
blooming throughout the year. Marvel at the local bird life like
Montezuma Oropendola, Blue belted& Amazon Kingfishers, Amazon
Parrots or a glimpse of the Keel-billed Toucan. In the afternoon
we arrive at the small village of Tamax, our take-out, where we
transfer to awaiting four-wheel drive vehicle for a ride back to
Lanquín. Dinner (on your own) and overnight at the Hotel
El Recreo. For those who feel energetic, one can visit the caves
of Lanquín where the bluish green river spills forth through
one of the cave's openings. At dusk, one can observe the spectacular
exodus of thousands of bats who fly out on their nightly hunts.
Day 3 SEMUC CHAMPEY / COBAN / GUATEMALA
Early breakfast and departure to view the incredibly beautiful travertine
pools of Semuc Champey, where the Cahabon river runs underneath.
The pools are lying on top of a natural limestone bridge formed
by deposits of minerals carried by creeks descending down the cliffs
of the canyon. Your expert guide will guide you to where the river
disappears beneath the earth. Part of the morning free to swim and
relax in this special natural paradise. At mid-morning, return to
Cobán for Lunch (on your own) and continue back to Guatemala
City or Antigua.
*Hotels in Coban:
Hostal de Dona Victoria: It is a house built in
the early 1800's, remodeled and decorated with very good taste,
good food, very nice environment. Rooms are double or triple, with
private bath and abundant hot water. Address: 3 calle 2-38 zona
3, Coban. Tel 951-4214 / 951-4213
Posada de Coban (This option is $30.00 additional
price) - a quaint Hacienda style hotel with spacious double or triple
rooms each with their own bath and plentiful hot water. The Posada
gives one a nice homey feeling with the beautifully decorated living
room area and inner courtyard filled with native plants and a local
birds.
INCLUDED: Land transportation from Guatemala and
back to Guatemala, hotel accommodations (shared room), continental
breakfasts, lunch on the river, admission to Semuc Champey, all
river and safety equipment and professional U.S. trained river guides.
NOT INCLUDED: Entrance fee to Biotopo Mario Dary
(when starting first day in the morning), meals in restaurants,
sodas, beers or alcoholic beverages, extras in hotels or restaurants,
and tips.
SUGGESTIONS: The Candelaria Caves and Laguna Lachuá,
both located at the northern part of Alta Verapaz, are highly recommended
places to visit if you are a nature lover and you are looking for
a different kind of trip. It is possible to continue to the Petén,
through Sayaxché and the Pasión river. There are several
archaeological sites that are worth visiting, Ceibal, Dos Pilas,
Aguateca, and lesser sites on the Petexbatun lake. From Sayaxché
you may continue to Flores and visit Tikal, or you may continue
by boat through the Usumacinta river to visit Yaxchilán (in
Mexico). We will gladly provide detailed information on tours to
these places.
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