Eco-tourism

Agree with your guide the evening before what time you will leave to hike through the cloud forest.

Ask your family about the biological station, Mirador and cave if you are interested in seeing them. Ask people in San Lucas or Caquipec about the waterfall.

Remember that we are working to preserve the cloud forest. Therefore, please do not take anything from the forest, such as plants, animals or geological pieces.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMODATIONS LIKE?

In this eco-tourism program you will travel to see and experience the cloud forest and learn about the life and culture of the Q'eqchi' people living near the forest. You will stay in a typical Q'eqchi' home. Their houses are very rustic, with wooden walls and a dirt floor, and an open fire inside the home over which your food will be cooked. Toilets are pit latrines a short distance from the house.

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WHAT WILL I EAT AND DRINK?

The typical food includes beans, corn tortillas and eggs. With the corn and the beans the women also make other typical foods including tayuyos, tamales and atoll. We have taught the women how to make several types or food for tourists such as rice and pasta with tomato sauce. Let your guide know if you would prefer to eat only typical food.

Water is obtained from streams flowing from the forest. To ensure your health, the host families have been instructed to boil drinking water for 10 minutes. If you would like water to drink, ask your family for "agua hervida" (boiled water).

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WHERE WILL I SLEEP?

Your sleeping arrangements include a bed with a foam mattress located in an area of the house slightly separate from the family. You will need to bring a sleeping bag or a blanket because it gets cold at an altitude of 2400 meters in the cloud forest. If you don't have a sleeping bag we have blankets which can be hired.

The number of tourists per family is limited to two because you will be staying in the family's home, and because this limit ensures an equal opportunity for income to all of the host families.

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WHAT SHOULD I AVOID DOING TO RESPECT THE Q'EQCHI' CULTURE?

The Q'eqchi' families are shy about nudity; therefore, please do not show yourself naked in front of the family.

The families are quite protective of their daughters, therefore, male tourists should not be alone with the female daughters.

The families eat nutritional herbs and occasionally use medicinal herbs from the forest. On your tour please do not use drugs.

During celebrations the Q'eqchi' people will drink a special alcohol made from sugar cane. However, please do not take alcohol on your tour.

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

1. Sleeping bag or blanket
2. Warm clothing (layers are best)
3. Boots & shoes to wear inside the house
4. Rain jacket or buy a "nylon"
5. Toilet paper
6. Flash light
7. Hat (recommended)
8. Sunscreen (recommended)
9. Money in small bills:
You will need to bring Q12 (~US$1.50) with you to cover the cost of your round trip transportation (your guide's transportation costs are covered). You may wish to bring extra money for lunch on the first day of your trip and snacks on the way back. Some of the families have handicrafts that you might want to purchase.

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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?

The climate in the mountain is generally much cooler than in Cobán and can get very cold at night. It typically rains at some point during the day, but mornings are often sunny and warm.

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HOW FIT DO I HAVE TO BE TO ENJOY THIS TOUR?

Although a moderate level of fitness is an advantage on the hike up to Chicacnab, absolutely anyone can take part. Paths are in some places a little difficult, but there is plenty of time to take things slowly - which you will be doing anyway in order to enjoy the views! You can also hire a porter to carry your bag to make things easier. If you find the going difficult, ask your guide to cut you a walking stick - they are a great help!

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ARE THERE MOSQUITOES?

There are few to no mosquitos because of the could climate. Malaria is not found here.

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CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?

Yes, but please ask for permission to take a photo of the people in the community. If you want to photograph the family, you can send a copy of your photos back to the PEQ office. The families really enjoy receiving copies of your photos!

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DO FAMILY MEMBERS SPEAK SPANISH?

The adult men in the family speak basic Spanish though their first language is Q'eqchi'. The women and children in the family only speak Q'eqchi', but the women in the family may be able to figure out your hand gestures.

A list of basic phrases will be given to you with your information pack, and your guide will be happy to teach you a few words of Q'eqchi'.

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HOW DO I TAKE A BATH?

If you want to wash, ask your family for a bucket of water and ask them where to go to bathe yourself. The family will provide a private area where you can discretely wash yourself.

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WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE PROBLEMS?

If you have any problems, the staff at PEQ can be contacted by phone or radio at all times. In case of emergencies, your guide will go to the representative of his family group who holds a radio for direct contact with staff during office hours and at the weekend. At night, your guide can contact staff at home by telephone from Chicacnab (there is only 1 telephone in the area).

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HOW DO I GET THERE?

Your guide will meet you at 10:30 am at the Proyecto Eco-Quetzal office on the day of your trip. With your guide you will first take a bus from Cobán to Carchá. Upon arrival in Carchá, you will have a chance to find some lunch before continuing your journey, but arrive at the bus or truck early as they tend to fill up quickly.

From Carchá your guide will normally take you by truck all the way to San Lucas, but the truck is uncomfortable and it is often not possible to sit down or to see out of it, so be aware that there are also two buses available if you prefer. These go to Secochoy or Caquipec, and you must then walk the extra distance to San Lucas along a dirt road.

The road to San Lucas takes you through a scenic mountain range covered with pine trees and farm land. Look out for the spectacular waterfall below the abandoned copper mine.

If you are staying in Chicacnab it is then a strenuous, but beautiful, 2 to 2 ˝ hour hike uphill from San Lucas.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
The path to Chicacnab is often VERY WET AND MUDDY. Therefore:

Wear adequate footwear. Strong hiking or Wellington/gum boots are recommended, trainers/sneakers are not.

Bring along a change of clothes - the ones you hike in will probably get very wet and muddy.

The last 30 minutes of your hike could be at dusk, so please be sure to have a flashlight with you.

To return to Cobán you can either leave San Lucas (truck) or Caquipec (bus) early in the morning to arrive in Cobán by 9 - 10 am. Alternatively, you can leave San Lucas after lunch for a leisurely stroll to Caquipec for the afternoon bus - bring a hat and sunscreen for the walk in case it's hot.

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