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Are departures guaranteed?
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Each departure date requires a minimum of two travelers to confirm. Please do not make any travel arrangements until you receive confirmation from Old Town Outfitters.
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Are private departures available?
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Yes, we have private departures available on this trip! Private departures offer more flexibility to travel when it suits your group. A private departure can be reserved with two or more people. Additional costs may apply and dates are subject to availability. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and check on availability.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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Fly into Guatemala City (GUA), where a tour representative will meet you for your transfer to Antigua. Upon exiting the airport, look for the driver holding a sign with your name on it.
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What are the accommodations like?
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You'll spend seven nights in the following three-star hotel accommodations:
Hotel San Jorge - a long-standing hotel with beautiful patios and lush gardens, conveniently located only a few blocks from Central Park in Antigua.
Casa del Mundo - a boutique hotel built into the cliff-side overlooking Lake Atitlán and its towering volcanoes.
The Regis Hotel & Spa - a quaint boutique hotel and a relaxing oasis in the center of Panajachel, ideal for easily getting around, yet offering a private ambience.
Earth Lodge - an eco-friendly lodge, restaurant, avocado farm, and yoga destination, located four miles outside of Antigua and 6,000 feet into the mountains.
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Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there a single supplement fee?
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Prices are based on double occupancy, though you can request your own room for a single supplement fee of $360, payable directly to Old Town Outfitters.
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How large is each travel group?
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Group sizes may vary depending on interest and season. On average, there are 8 riders per group, with a maximum of 12.
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How difficult are the trails?
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This ride is for you if you are a technically strong, experienced mountain biker who rides advanced level trails regularly. You should be able to handle climbs up to 3,000 feet (900 m) in a day, with solid singletrack skills and the ability to handle rooty, rocky, and narrow trails.
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Are meals included? What is the food like?
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Breakfast is included at your hotel accommodations on days 2 - 8, trail lunches are included on days 2 - 6, and a farewell dinner is provided on day 7.
Antigua has lots of exciting and varied restaurants, where you can sample the delights of Guatemalan cuisine. Western-style food is also usually available. Outside of Antigua, the emphasis will be on tasty and local fresh produce.
Old Town Outfitters is used to catering to lots of different diets and dietary restrictions. Some of the common ones that they are able to accommodate include: vegetarian, vegan, nut-free (if you are hyper-anaphylactic then please check with Old Town to be sure), and gluten-free (celiac sufferers: please ask to see if the tour dining establishments can feasibly offer a contamination-free environment). For other diet issues, please check in with the tour operator regarding ability to accommodate requests.
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Is it safe to drink the water in Guatemala?
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It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the tap. Water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered, or provided in large jerry cans or five-liter bottles. Additionally, you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. Old Town Outfitters does not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles.
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How much extra money should people budget?
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Plan to bring an extra $100 for meals that aren't included. Also plan to bring money for souvenirs and tips for guides.
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Are bikes included in the tour price?
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Good quality rental bikes are available locally for this trip or you can bring your own bike on the trip. Old Town hires out Kona Cinder Cone hard tail and Kona Precept full suspension bikes, each equipped with disc brakes and Shimano components. These bikes have 27.5 inch wheels. If you wish to rent a bike, please contact Old Town Outfitters and they can reserve one on your behalf. If you rent a bike, Old Town recommends that you take your own shoes, pedals and possibly even your saddle, which will go a long way towards making it feel like your own bike. You'll also need to take your own helmet, which must be worn at all times when riding.
Below are the prices for bike rentals. Please note, if you rent a bike you'll be liable in case of it being lost or damaged.
Kona Cinder Cone - US $189
Kona Precept - US $249 (July 2019 - subject to change)
Gear replacement costs: Front wheel $60, rear wheel $75, chain $15, drop-out $20, chain rings $25.
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What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
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Below is a comprehensive list for you to use as a guide. In order to pack appropriately, you should take into account the local climate during the season you visit.
Bike gear/items:
- Jersey tops (mix of short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, and long sleeve)
- Quick-dry cycling shorts with a quality chamois (padding)
- Full-finger bike gloves (2 pairs recommended)
- Cycling socks (synthetic or lightweight wool; Merino recommended)
- Arm and leg warmers
- Helmet
- Rugged yet versatile riding shoes (for your choice of clipless pedals or flats)
- Knee and elbow pads
- If you ride clipless and you are renting a bike, please bring your pedals and shoes (rental bikes are equipped with flat pedals)
Clothing (on and off the bike):
- Rain jacket (Goretex with pit-zips)
- Windbreaker (lightweight and form-fitting)
- Sweater (fleece and form-fitting mid layer)
- Quick-dry weatherproof pants with zippered pockets
- Top and bottom base layers (synthetic or lightweight wool)
- Sunglasses (clear lens and polarized lens)
- Ear warmer (toque or headband)
- Swimwear
- Flip flops
- Comfortable, casual clothes for relaxing in (such as jeans, t-shirt, hooded sweater)
- Down-filled coat
- Trail shoes or hiking boots
Personal and First Aid:
- Toiletries (i.e. toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
- Sunscreen (oil-free for sports)
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Anti-bacterial gel
- Chamois creme
- First-aid kit (ibuprofen, band-aids, Polysporin, tweezers)
Other items:
- Backpack with hydration system (2-3L water capacity)
- Small camp towel (to use for swimming, etc.)
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Cycling water bottle (with squirt lid)
- Camera (phone, GoPro, point and shoot)
- Electrical and/or duct tape
- International travel power adapter and converter
- Zip-lock bags
- Zip ties
- Mesh laundry bag
- Eye mask and ear plugs (if you're a light sleeper)
- Alarm clock
Tools to bring: Old Town Outfitters recommends bringing the following tools with you. Rest assured your guides will have a full tool kit, but it's a good idea to have the following items with you in case of trailside breakdowns.
- Multitool (preferably with chain breaker)
- Tire levers
- Small bottle of chain lube
- Small tire pump (not a floor pump)
Spare parts: Although there may be some parts available locally, Old Town recommends you bring the following parts with you to avoid availability problems in case of broken parts. If you are renting a bike, the below is not necessary (with the exception of a few spare tubes).
- Rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
- Front and rear brake pads (1 set of each is sufficient)
- Extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old
- 2-4 spare tubes (your guides are not able to carry enough 26", 27.5", and 29" tubes for the entire group)
- 2 extra spokes
- Any rare parts that might be hard to find locally (Shimano and SRAM are generally available in all locations, but Magura levers, for instance, might not be available everywhere)
Bike rental:
Good quality rental bikes are available locally for this trip. Old Town hires out Kona Cinder Cone hard tail and Kona Precept full suspension bikes, each equipped with disc brakes and Shimano components. These bikes have 27.5 inch wheels. If you wish to rent a bike, please contact Old Town Outfitters and they can reserve one on your behalf. If you rent a bike, Old Town recommends that you take your own shoes, pedals and possibly even your saddle, which will go a long way towards making it feel like your own bike. You'll also need to take your own helmet, which must be worn at all times when riding.
Below are the prices for bike rentals. Please note, if you rent a bike you'll be liable in case of it being lost or damaged.
Kona Cinder Cone - US $189
Kona Precept - US $249 (July 2019 - subject to change)
Gear replacement costs: Front wheel $60, rear wheel $75, chain $15, drop-out $20, chain rings $25.
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Do you require or recommend travel insurance?
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We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2022 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date, or
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.
Up to 30 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 or 2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.
Less than 30 days prior to departure
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip within 30 days prior to departure.
If this is available at the time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.