The Tatín River goes into a virgin and wild forest and takes the traveler through mysterious paths, to remote indigenous populations of q'eqchi' origins, and it ends up facing the immensity of the Caribbean.

The politicians of agricultural reformations in the 40's and 50's, along with the armed conflict of the 80's, pushed hundreds of Mayan natives q'eqchi' from the highlands of the center of the Republic into the depths of the rainy forests of the east of Guatemala. Away from the technical and assistance contact with other populated areas. These groups remained hidden and developed their own culture.

Searching the deepest roots of these Mayan people, some expeditionary tourists have chosen this route to know another face of the country. It is an exciting trip that you can enjoy without great inconveniences, there is an entire eco-project supported by the Association Ak'Tenamit.

The journey begins in Río Dulce , a very well communicated place with the most important points in Guatemala, with which you can plan the trip in a couple of days, if you arrive early. In the morning, leave peacefully navigating through Izabal Lake. If you haven't seen it yet, you will find it amazing. The view of the modern access bridge, the coastal constructions, the sailing ships and the varied species of birds of the place make it an idyllic landscape.

As you rest your sight before this natural wonder that changes under the influence of the tropic now warm or a little humid and refreshing, the craft goes into for the Golfete. The Golfete is the natural aquatic passage, required to reach the outlet of the Tatín River. In 45 minutes, you will arrive to a strategic place of the voyage, the new center of Ak'Tenamit. This is an organization directed by Mayan personnel that initiated their work in 1992, with more than 7,000 q'eqchi'es.

The effort has been able to rescue a deforested space, and transform it into a garden where the great building that harbors the store and the restaurant is located, both of which serve as welcome center to the visitor. You will also be able to accompany hundreds of youths that have their study center here, a cheerful and appeased atmosphere is created through the practices of Mayan rituals and the constant background of the marimba apprentices.

From there, a perfectly conditioned and easy natural path begins, it is easy to walk it in 20 minutes, with welcoming places to rest and relax in the clean waters of its fluvial channels. But the true adventure of the echo-tour is in the visit to a Mayan q'eqchi' village inside the forest.

The road, rural and semi-wild but without big slopes, has in its way, amazing natural formations as the cave of the tiger which is 15 meters deep. It is said that it shelters a terrible beast as it waits for its prey.

Passed the village called Plan Grande Tatín and with more than two hours of journey, you will arrive to Plan Grande Quehueche, the final destination of the voyage. Here the whole community has decided to create a visionary eco-tourist project. A great house, with all the comforts to rest and in accordance with the constructions of the area, has the capacity to harbor eight tourists in double rooms, in visit groups on a more or less monthly basis.

Although there are not electric power or purified water, you will participate on how the populations solve these necessities, comfortably. The project is devised so that the tourist gets to know the reality of the q'eqchi people and their practices.

A glass of cold natural cocoa serves as welcome, then you go into a relaxing spring bath. Lunch and dinner are eaten in the houses of the villagers, who distribute the tasks of assisting the tourist. There are menus based on characteristic foods of the area, fresh vegetables, fried fish, beans and rice.

At night, the whole town organizes a party with marimba and dance. Before bedtime, one of the adults remembers some of the principles of the Mayan traditions. The sleep in the cabin under the light of a lamp arrives placidly to recover the necessary strength for the following day.

The way back is in the opposite direction, the guides are experts in the area and it is impossible to get lost although the jungle is somehow inhospitable. Nevertheless, the effort of a one-hour journey is rewarded with the arrival to a deserted beach of the Caribbean. This moment is ideal to take a break and rest under the sun or to visit the famous seven altars or Livingston's garífuna population.

By ship, the perfect end for the expedition is to navigate against the descent of Río Dulce, before the formation of an immense canyon. It is an audacious but perfectly appropriate adventure for all types of tourists. The q'echi'es dance unaware to everything, as the marimba plays popular music.

Because it is an almost intact tropical forest, tourists of the world in search of unusual places have chosen the Tatín River. The Tatín Property is an eco-tourist lodging that allows the stay in a familiar place and in a country way. There is a group of cabins around a great central dining room, good to create a community, welcoming and different atmosphere.

At dusk the tourists group up in the wharf, the last crafts furrow the river, greeting in a friendly way. Slowly, it gets dark and only the fireflies compete with the stars in the black forest. The music sounds from a small radio and the soda pop or beer bottles are available in the refrigerators to refresh the Caribbean heat.

This trip was carried out thanks to the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT).