Ixil Trip (1): Across the Cuchumatanes

Today, Martin, Claudia, Rolf and I departed from Antigua to the Ixil Region.

Our first destination is Acul, a small village about 30 minutes from Nebaj, in the northern half of Quiché.

The Swiss and I were amazed by the views on the road, as we crossed the hills and valleys through Chichicastenango (where Anna and I were together in 2019 - see our trip "Chapinizando"), Santa Cruz del Quiché (Quiché's provincial capital) and Sacapulas. Meanwhile, Martin was telling us some of the stories he experienced during his first trips to the Ixil Region, and explaining how much Quiché has changed in the last 30 years - for the good, in my opinion.

In Sacapulas, we stop at a local dinning hall for a very tasty lunch: Caldo de Gallina Criolla - basically a chicken soup with vegetables, maize and avocado.

After Sacapulas it's time to ride across the Cuchumatanes, a huge mountain range that crosses Guatemala from East to West and belongs to the larger chain of Sierra Madre.

After the quite arid road to Sacapulas, the landscape around the Cuchumatanes starts getting greener and greener. This was one of my favorite parts of the road, as the view down the valley of Sacapulas was stunning.

We reached about 2500 meters above sea level, where we could see Nebaj from above.

Tonight we're sleeping in a farm/pension in Acul, at around 1900 m. The Hacienda San Antonio is famous for its "queso chancol", which I am still to try.Read more