Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bishop of Quiché witnessed widespread human rights abuses here. Soon after he released
a report about these atrocities, Gerardi himself was assassinated. Several hundred crosses
around the monument memorialize the Nebaj inhabitants who were murdered during a
massacre in the early 1980s.
Centro Cultural Kumool
MUSEUM
(5a Av 1-32; admission Q10; 9am-noon & 1-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm Sat)
Housed in the Radio Ixil build-
ing, this recently opened museum displays a collection of mostly ceramic objects excav-
ated in the Ixil region, all arranged by historical period. Among the more interesting
pieces are a ceremonial ax with a skull handle and a giant funerary urn with a jaguar face,
plus some well-preserved polychrome vases.
Activities
Hiking
www.nebaj.com
; 3a Calle, Zona 1)
offers a range of hikes, courses, projects and other activities.
The hiking component of the organization,
Guías Ixiles
( 5847-4747;
www.nebaj.com
; 3a Calle, El
Descanso Bldg, Zona 1; 8am-12:30pm & 2-5pm)
, offers half-day walks to Las Cataratas (Q55 for
one person plus Q25 for each extra person), a series of water- falls north of town, or town
walks with visits to the sacred sites of the
costumbristas
(people who practice non-Christi-
an Maya rites). Another hike leads 4km east along the peaceful Nebaj River valley to Co-
cop, a mountain-top village that was particularly hard hit during the civil war. Guías Ixiles
also lead three-day treks over the Cuchumatanes to Todos Santos Cuchumatán.
If you prefer to hike on your own, take a copy of the
Guía de Senderismo Región Ixil
(Q50), with detailed descriptions and maps (in Spanish) for 20 treks in the Ixil region, and
organize lodging and food on arrival in villages at
posadas comunitarias
(which are
community-run lodges with wooden-board beds, drinking water and toilets). There
humble accommodations operate at Xexocom, Chortiz and Parramos Grande, west of Ne-
baj, on a possible four-day hike route. The guidebook is sold at the tourist office in the
Mercado de Artesanías.
Courses
