The Western Highlands, Guatemala

Iximché, located in Tecpán, Chimaltenango, where the Mayans founded their last capital before their demise.  The pre-conquest capital of the Kaqchikel, is 5km south of the Interamericana on a beautiful exposed site, isolated on three sides by plunging ravines and surrounded by pine forests. Iximché remains an important ceremonial site for indigenous pilgrims, who visit the area to perform magic rituals to ward off illness or bring good fortune. The majority of the buildings in Iximche, were originally built of adobe, have disappeared but the site – which housed a population of about ten thousand – is very atmospheric. 

 Dubbed Guatemala’s “Mecca del Turismo”, Chichi is a compact and traditional town of cobbled streets, where twice a week the town’s highland calm is shattered by the Sunday and Thursday markets. The markets attract many tourists, traders and Mayan weavers from throughout the central highlands. Locals adhere to the ways of traditional weaving, the women wearing superb huipiles with flower motifs. The men’s costume of short trousers and jackets of black wool embroidered with silk is highly distinguished although, today men generally opt for Western dress.