Three new tourist routes are in the works for Guatemala, all of which highlight the country’s Mayan population. The three new routes, the Mayan Universe Trail, the Mayan Calendar Trail, and the Mayan Dualism Trail, will be run by the Mayan community.

As the largest indigenous people in Guatemala, the Mayans are prepared to take on the spotlight. Local Mayan businesses, cultural associations, tour operators, artists and other craftsmen will all get involved, fueling income into the poorer predominantly Mayan regions.

Guatemala is jumping on a wonderful opportunity here; designing routes that run through popular tourist locations such as main archaeological sites and sacred places and take visitors on the inside of Mayan communities really caters to the increased demand for ethnic, cultural tourism in Guatemala.

The routes will highlight past and present features in Mayan culture, and introduce travelers to Mayan food, crafts, clothes, traditions and ceremonies.

The Mayan Universe Trail, the Mayan Calendar Trail and the Mayan Dualism Trail will run through the main Mayan regions in Guatemala: Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango, Totonicapan, Quiche, Huehuetenango, Solola, Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Retalhuleu, and Quetzaltenango.

The routes are still being developed, with more information due to be available later this year. A web-site is to be rolled out, and a central reservation office established which will manage the booking for trips to all three trails.

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