We've praised time and again the budget-minded (and extensive) journeys to Guatemala offered by Rutahsa Adventures -- the labor of love operated by one Dr. Richard Finch, retired professor of geology. Now that the good doctor has announced his 2003 schedule of trips, we thought it time to highlight three that particularly intrigued us here at Frommers.com: a New Year's journey to Guatemala, two weeks in Bolivia centering around Carnival in March and a late spring exodus to Peru to partake in a rarely observed-by-outsiders Quechua bridge-building ceremony.
The wintertime trip to Guatemala is bit different than the usual forays Finch leads his small groups on. He's promising something a little more relaxing and a little more luxurious this time around. Instead of the usual mix of camping and some hotels, this time around it's more upscale digs you'll rest your head in, plus there's a special New Year's meal. It's a 15-day trip from December 29, 2002, through January 12, 2003 for $1,395. This includes all of your ground transportation, hotels, taxes and some meals. It doesn't include airfare, but Dr. Finch and his wife, Janie, can help you make affordable arrangements to get to and from Guatemala City. The single supplement is $325. For complete details -- and we do mean "complete" since the itineraries are as fascinating as the trips themselves -- go to www.rutahsa.com/guatedec.html.
The second tour takes you farther south into Bolivia for the Carnival de Oruro with stops in La Paz, Potosi and the stunning Salar de Uyuni, an evaporated lake that functions as the world's largest mirror when its salt flats get hit with a little rain. This trip runs February 27 to March 12 for $1,945 per person based on double occupancy; single supplement is $215. That includes ground transportation (4WD all terrain vehicles), lodgings and some meals. As with all trips, airfare is not included but can be arranged. For a detailed itinerary and some absolutely gorgeous pictures, check out www.rutahsa.com/boli-03.html.
Finally, we'd like you to take note of a trek to a remote part of the Andes to witness the construction and raising of a straw suspension bridge between two Quechua villages, a ceremony that has been performed annually since Incan times. This adventure to Peru also takes in Lake Titicaca, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the mysterious Nasca Lines. The latest theory on these is that they were used as navigation devices to locate underground water tables in a land where water is a valuable commodity. Who knows, maybe you'll solve the mystery while you're there. From May 28-June 18, 2003 from $2,160 to $2,595 depending on the number of travelers who sign up. Single supplement is $480. For an itinerary, picture, a suggested reading list and more, go to www.rutahsa.com/peru-03.html.
All of these trips accommodate up to 16 people and must have at least 10 to make it happen. Each one will have some fairly active components such as hiking and climbing, so be prepared. To learn more about Dr. Finch and his Rutahsa Adventures go to www.rutahsa.com, call 931/526-1390 before 10pm CST or e-mail rfinch@tntech.edu.
If you've taken any adventure tour with Dr. Finch before, please let us hear about it in our Message Boards by clicking here.