Guatemala Explorer, Jan 2009
Travel made your way ™
Our guides were absolutely outstanding. Hugo was our guide in Antigua and the highlands. He knew everyone and got us into places I am sure other guides would not have managed. Melvin was our guide for the remainder of the trip and we would recommend him to anyone who goes to Guatemala. He was very knowledgeable, pleasant personality and caring about each member of the group. When we went to Aguatecah, he went way beyond what we expected of a guide. One of our group was an older woman who had difficulty climbing the mountain to the ruins. In some spots Melvin actually lifter her over rough spots. He was always showing where to step and always an arm to help. I have never had such a wonderful guide. As much as we liked Hugo, Melvin was outstanding.
We had excellent food, even where we didn\'t expect it, like at the Petexbatun Lake Lodge. Here we were out in the middle of the jungle and yet had lovely dinners and great food, all prepared in the open air kitchen. The soups were outstanding, as well as the breads that they baked each day. We also got a full breakfast there which was only a continental at other places. But we had no complaints on the food.
I think this was one of the best tours I have ever taken. We definitely would take another tour with your company.
It was more than I expected. I did not expect to actually be involved in the Mayan\'s every day life but we were. I think one of the highlights was visiting a Mayan family, seeing how they lived and how they earned a living. Having Guatemalan food and going to markets and hiking the countryside was truly unforgettable. I came away with a love for the country and a great appreciation of how the people have to struggle from day to day and how lucky I am. The tour was not a Disney type thing, where we only saw the best of life, it was very real and educating.
The tour was better than anything I could have imagined, even when we were soaked through going down the river to our lodge. I would never have experienced most of the things we did if I had gone on my own. I was so thankful for our guides and how they knew everything about the country and were proud to share it.
