NATURE AND ADVENTURE

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

CULTURE


Dear guest,

Welcome to Chacul ! Throughout history, this fascinating region has been
the home of early hunter-gatherers, important Mayan populations in the
classic period, a German owner during the era of liberal governments a
century ago, and now, the current community of Chacul, with its very own
history.

Here you will find a selection of very little-known excursions, so authentic
they will touch your soul. These natural and social environments are
extremely fragile. We must protect them ! Most of the excursions are
located on private lands and, therefore, require entrance fees. The local
guides are generally from the communities that own the land and will be
happy to show you the way. The guides from Chacul have been trained
in community tourism by INGUAT and will do everything they can to give
you the best information and accompaniment possible. Please dont look at
these reasonable fees as superfluous expenses but as a way to get to
know the region better while contributing to the sustainability of these
places and to the development of the communities that support tourism.

We hope we have the pleasure of meeting you soon and from now, we hope
you have a journey full of discoveries and rewarding encounters.

The team of Finca Chacul Rural Lodge


NATURE AND ADVENTURE

The natural environment of this region, located between the Cuchumatanes Mountain
Range and the lowlands bordering Mexico, is as surprising as it is variable. Within a
few kilometers, the pine and oak forests of Chacul give way to sub-tropical
rainforests or spiny chaparral while the karst topography, with its numerous bodies of
water, contributes to the creation of very unique landscapes.


HOYO CIMARRON (wilderness chasm)

Hoyo Cimarrn is a natural wonder. In the middle of the regions karst topography, you
will find a huge cylindrical chasm, approximately 170 meters in diameter and 150
meters deep, probably formed when the roof of a huge cave collapsed. On the ground
level, a forest thrives, sheltering birds and many legends. A few well equipped and
trained climbing teams have lowered themselves into Hoyo Cimarrn.

Time : half day
Access : the hike begins about 20
minutes by car from the Chacul Lodge,
in arid and rocky surroundings. Due to
the heat, it is recommendable to go
during the cooler times of the morning
or late afternoon. The hike takes
approximately 45 minutes one way on a
rocky but fairly level trail.
Personal items: sunscreen, sun hat,
good walking shoes, water.
Cost :
Entrance fees : not defined yet
Guide from Chacul (optional) : 80
Q half day - 150 Q full day
Transportation : contact us !





Picture : Waseem Syed www.wsyed.com

LAKE YOLNAJAB (also known as Laguna Brava)

Yolnajab is a very large and beautiful lake approximately 7 km long, situated in the
middle of farm land and sub-tropical rainforest. The climate is warm and humid and
the turquoise water is also warm and inviting. This area is still quite remote and
undiscovered as a tourist destination.

Time : full day
Access : requires a quite adventurous
spirit. The trip begins by 12 km on a bad
dirty road. Then, if you continue down
on foot, it takes about 2 -3 hours to
get to the lake (from 1 600 meters to 1
150 meters) and the return climb takes
3 3 hours, depending on how fast
you walk. If you dont want to hike, it is
possible to rent horses. If there
havent been recent landslides, a very
good driver may also descend in a 4
wheel drive, through a jeep track,
leaving a 45 minute hike to the lake.
Personal items: Comfortable clothes,
hiking boots meant for muddy roads
(rubber boots in winter; high-top shoes
or boots in summer), raincoat, bug
repellant, water and food (there is no
food for sale at the lake), bathing suit.
Cost :
Entrance fee : 15 Q/person (the
lake belongs to different
communities)
Local guide (mandatory) : 50 Q
for the group.
Guide from Chacul (suggested
especially if the group is big) :
150 Q
Horse rental : 50 Q/horse (1
person/horse and not heavier tan
175 lbs
Please ask for current prices if
you need transportation !

picture : Jimena Augustin






LAGUNA BRAVA CENOTES (natural wells)


The Cenotes of Laguna Brava provide ample reasons for an unforgettable excursion. There
are three cenotes of different sizes, all sparkling with the same intense blue color. The
north end of the lake is also accessible from this side. The access is difficult for the mud,
the lack of trail, the sharp stones and the sinkholes. It is recommendable to go in the
summer because the access can be flooded in the winter. This trip is for those who have
absolutely no difficulties with hiking.




Time : full day
Access : 1 hours by 4 wheel drive vehicle and 2 hour walk each way
Difficulty : medium difficulty due to length of time and gradient; but difficult due to rough
ground.
Personal items: comfortable clothing, rubber boots or water shoes (required), rain gear, bug
repellant, water and food, bathing suit.
Cost (indicatives):
Entrance fee : 20 Q/person
Local guide : 50 Q
Chacul guide (optionnal) : 150 Q (1 to 8 persons)
Transportation : contact us





THE SOURCE OF THE LAGARTERO RIVER

The turquoise waters of the mighty Lagartero River spill forth among mexican cipress and,
downstream, cross back and forth over the border with Mexico. The source of the river is a
refreshing attraction and a wonderful place to take a break.
Time : day(you can also combine this with a trip to the cenotes and/or the cave paintings)
Access : paved road the first 35 mn and then, 15 kms of bad dirty road (4X4 drive)
Difficulty : easy
Personal items : comfortable, cool clothing, bathing suit, sunscreen, hat, water
Cost:
Chacul guide (optional) : 60 Q the 1/2 day or 120 Q/full day (group of 1-8)
(guides transportation not included)
Please ask for current price if you need transportation





LOS CENOTES DE CANDELARIA (natural wells)

Totally hidden within the spiny chaparral, lie two intensely blue cenotes : the first is
completely transparent and the second is marine blue. This is an unforgettable experience of
this regions original natural environment.



Time : 4 hours minimum to take full advantage but may be combined with the source of
Lagartero River and painting caves.
Access : 35 minutes on paved road and then 18 km on a rough dirt road (four wheel drive).
You can see both cenotes easily; access to the water is possible and near but somewhat
difficult.
Personal items : insect repellant, bathing suit, water and food
Cost :
Entrance fee : 50 Q/car
Chacul guide (optional): 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (group of 1-8)
o (Guides transportation not included)
Please ask for current price if you need transportation.




























HIKE ARCHAELOGICAL RUINS AND PROTECTED AREA (Chacul farm)





On a gentle, guided hike through the
Chacul farm, you will be able to enjoy
the archeological ruins, currently
studied by a archaeological team, and
forest in the protected area.

Time : 3 hours on foot from the lodge
Personal items : comfortable,
waterproof clothing, good walking
shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, insect
repellent
Cost : 80 Q the Chacul guide
(mandatory) for a group of 1-8).

HIKE TO THE WATERFALL (Chacul farm)

Another guided hike inside the farm, on a more or less
difficult path, leads you to a 25 meter high waterfall.
Although the pool isnt very deep, it is possible to
refresh yourself in the water.

Time : 1 to 1 hour to the waterfall on foot depending
on you hike the entire way from the lodge or go part
way by car.
Personal items: comfortable clothing, good walking
shoes, swimming suit, sunscreen, hat, water, insect
repellent
Cost : 80 Q the guide of Chacul (optional) the half-day
the group of 1-8 persons d
d







LAGOS DE MONTEBELLO (MEXICO)

A lovely excursion, accessible to all, takes you to the beautiful lakes of Montebello in
Chiapas, Mexico.


Picture : Marcelo Gutierrez

Time : Almost an entire day. You can also take advantage of the route and visit
HoyoCimarrn on the way or on the return.
Access :
- From Chacul to the border with Mexico (Gracias a Dios-Carmen Xhan) = 30 mn
- From the border to the entrance of the Montebello Park = 45 mn
Cost :
- Park entrance fee: 27 Mexican pesos (as of April, 2012)
- Entrance fee for all the lakes: 15 pesos/person (as of July 2011)
- Chacul guide (optional) : 280 Q
Please note:
- International visitors who dont need to have a Mexican visa cross with their
passports.
- Guatemalans with a Huehuetenango ID card can cross with a free local pass
(takes about hour at the border)
- Guatemalans from other departments can cross only if they have a Mexican visa
in their passports while the Mexican government works on the implementation
of a local pass for all Guatemalans.
- Vehicles cross with a 72 hour pass.
- For more information, call the Guatemalan Immigration Office in Gracias a Dios
at 77.23.07.90.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

Four or five thousand years ago, hunter-gatherer groups settled in this area. It is
very possible that the Qanjobal region, from which the Chuj people separated around
100 B.C, was the point of origin for the Mayan culture and the cradle of corn
mentioned in the Popol Wuj. There are 192 registered archaeological sites in all of
Huehuetenango, the majority of which are still undiscovered and hidden. During the
classic period, sites began to appear that were characterized by pyramids and large
structures of quarried stone, including ball courts. Chacul, San Francisco, and Quen
Santo date from this period, among other sites. Chacul was the main center of the
lowland Chuj, although it also maintained close relationships with Mexico and the
lowland area of Chinkultik.


CAVE PAINTINGS

In the middle of the ecosystem known as spiny chaparral, common in the eastern
Guatemala but unique in Huehuetenango, one can find cave paintings in a high rocky
shelter. These are the signs left by the first humans that populated the region
thousands of years ago.



Time : half-day
Access : 30-40 mn by car from the lodge to arrive at the trailhead. The following 2
kms can be traveled by car (4x4 drive), by renting horses, or walking. After that, you
will have to walk about 15 minutes to get to the cave paintings.
Personal items : comfortable, cool clothing, pants, good walking shoes, sunscreen, hat,
water
Cost :
Entrance Fee : 20 Q/person (the paintings are located on private property)
Local guide (required) : 30 Q. Additionally, we recommend hiring a Chacul guide
(80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day). Guides transportation not included.
Transportation : please ask for current price.
CUEVA QUEN SANTO Y PIEDRA REDONDA (QUEN SANTO CAVE
AND ROUND ROCK)
)
The cave, whose name in Chuj means sacred rock, appears beneath your feet under
the place where the ancient Mayan city, Quen Santo, was located. It continues to be a
frequently visited sacred area. You arrive at the place reserved for offerings after
going through a short but dark as night tunnel, making you feel close to the underworld.
About 30 minutes from the cave you will find a mysterious rock, with a carving of the
Jaguar God of the underworld.



Time : approximately 5-6 hours (combines well with the
next excursion to the Archaeological Ruins S)
Access : 40 minutes in car and 1 hours on foot (plus
return)
Personal items : comfortable, cool clothing, pants, good
walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, water and food and a
good flashlight !
Cost :
Entrance fee : 75 Q the necessary local guide
(the cave is in a private property)
Chacul guide (highly recommended): 80 Q/half-
day or 150 Q/full day (group of 1-8). Guides
transportation not included
Transportation : please ask for current price





ARCHAELOGICAL RUINS S

Please forgive us for not naming this place that is, along with many others, totally
unprotected from looters or other careless visitors. Here you will find archeological
ruins, never researched, hidden among the rocks. There is a ball game court hidden
inside the vegetation, rock walls in good condition, and small pyramids, including an
acropolis, possibly from the mid to late classic period.
Time : half-day
Access : the point of departure is 1 hour by car from the Chacul Lodge. From there,
it is 3 kilometers either by car with a high clearance (during the dry season) or by
foot. This is followed by 10-15 minutes on foot.
Personal items : cool, comfortable clothing, long pants, good walking shoes, sunscreen,
hat, water
Cost :
Entrance fee : 15 Q /person
Local guide (required): 50 Q/group
Chacul guide (optional) : 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (groups of 1-8);
guides transportation not included
Transportation : please ask for prices if you need transportation.


SAN FRANCISCO RUINS

The San Francisco site has still impressive
archaeological ruins, including a pyramid that possibly
dates from the post-classic period just like other ruins
strategically located on the mountain that dominates
the spectacular Laguna Yolnajab.
San Francisco was also the tragic site of a massacre
committed by the Guatemalan Army in July 1982 in
which 350 villagers were murdered. This event marked
the beginning of the massive exodus to Mexico of
thousands of Guatemalan citizens.




Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Access: 15 minutes by car from the
Chacul Lodge (4x4 drive)
Entrance fee:
Guatemalan nationals : 15 Q
International visitor : 25 Q
Chacul guide (recommended) : 80
Q/half day or 150 Q/full day (group of
1-8); guides transportation not included
Transportation : please ask for current
price.


CHACULA ARCHAELOGICAL SITE

This visit is recommended for archaeologists, students in archaeology and other
interested persons. The tour includes the main ruins that are located on the Chacul
site : the eastern temple, the remains of a ball court, the western temple, a central
plaza, water supply, various mounds and possible tombs, and the small archaeology
museum established by the community. A recent archaeology research project
initiated by a Guatemalan German team is opening up many expectations about the
richness and importance of this site.

Time : 4 or 5 hours from the lodge (could be shorter if desired)
Cost :
Entrance fee : free for guests; 10 Q/person for others
Chacul guide (necessary) : 80 Q/half day or 150 Q/day (group of 1-8)
-




IN THE FUTURE :
CONFERENCE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY :
From exile to sustainable tourism
CULTURE


POPT MUSICAL GROUP RAYOS DEL SOL

Musicians from Chacul interpret songs and music from the region in Spanish and Popt
with different stringed instruments. Their repertoire also includes songs of Mexican
origin (ballads, rancheras, norteas). You can also purchase their CD for a souvenir.

Cost : 300 Q the first hour 550 Q the two hours