Mixco Viejo / WHITEWATER RAFTING Motagua River

Archaeology and whitewater rafting:
Trip Ruins 'n Rafting CODE: MOTAR
Temples and Waves Trip
Season: mid June thru October
1 DAY
CLASS II-III
Minimum Age - 8 years
TEMPLES AND WAVES

Guatemala / Mixco Viejo / Motagua River Rafting / Guatemala

DAY 1 GUA / MIXCO VIEJO / RIO MOTAGUA / GUA
Meet at Maya Expedition's office at 7:00 am for 7:30 am departure (absentees will not be refunded). Arrangements can be made for hotel pick-up. . Breakfast on your own.. We take a short (2-1/2 Hr) drive from Guatemala City to the highland desert region of Chimaltenango, where the sun shines hot 90% of the time, even while the capital is overcast and rainy. With an archaeologists as our guide, we visit the archaeological site of Mixco Viejo, whose name is derived from Mixconco, "Place in the clouds."

After orientation and a quick run-down on the fundamentals of paddle rafting and oar-boat safety, we board rafts for an exciting ride through time. We will observe the beautiful array of vegetation and birdlife, experience class II+ white water rafting, beautiful cliff walls, old Spanish bridges, and even crossing the turbulent waters the way that the ancient Maya did and that the Maya of today still do, by cable bridge. As the river plunges downward each rapid provides more challenges to the beginner, eventually culminating in the hardest set of rapids on this section of the river, right before take-out at bridge Concuá. We will get you to your hotel by late afternoon to enjoy the conveniences of "modern" man: Showers and dreams about the adventure that is over all too soon (12kms. - 3hrs).

Note: If leaving from Antigua one must leave an hour earlier. Pick-up is at your hotel.