Tecpán to Río Motagua Day Tour

From the cloud forest to the fault line

Start high in the pine and cloud forests above Tecpán and ride all the way down to the Río Motagua, the largest river in Guatemala. The river follows the great Motagua fault and marks the border between Chimaltenango and Quiché — the line between Kaqchikel and K'iche' Maya country.

In a single ride you drop through three climate zones: cool pine forest, coffee and banana plantations, and finally the warm, tropical valley floor. Our route links backroads, old Mayan paths and agricultural singletrack through remote farming communities that few travelers ever reach.

At the bottom, cool off in the pool of a beautiful eco park alongside the river. Then relax: there is no climb back out. Our vehicle drives you back up to Tecpán.

Highlights

• Over 2,300 m of descent in about 31 km
• Three climate zones in a single ride
• Remote Kaqchikel communities and ancient Mayan paths
• Waterfalls, suspension bridges and the Motagua canyon
• Picnic lunch on the trail
• A swim at a riverside eco park with pool
• Down by bike, back by car: no climb back out

Why the Motagua matters

For the people who live along it, the Río Motagua is far more than a river. Born in the highlands of Quiché and Totonicapán, it runs nearly 500 km east to the Caribbean, the longest river in Guatemala. For centuries its valley was a highway linking the Maya highlands to the coast.

A border between peoples. Here the river separates Chimaltenango from Quiché, and the Kaqchikel Maya from the K'iche'. The two were once a single kingdom; in the 15th century the Kaqchikel broke away and founded their own capital at Iximché, and the river remained a natural frontier between their lands.

Maya jade. The middle Motagua valley is the only known source of the jadeite the ancient Maya prized above gold. Jade from this valley was traded across Mesoamerica and carved into masks, beads and offerings for kings.

A living fault line. The river follows the Motagua Fault, where the North American and Caribbean plates meet. In 1976 this fault caused the great Guatemala earthquake, a memory every highland family still carries, and it is what carved the deep canyons and cliffs you ride through.

Life on the valley floor. Down at the river the climate is hot, and the riverside communities grow fruit and other warm-weather crops that cannot survive in the cold highlands above. Suspension bridges link the villages on both banks, and the river is where families come to swim and cool off, just as we do at the end of the ride.

The ride

Down by bike, back by car

We meet at our base in Tecpán (pickup from Antigua available). After the descent and lunch, our 4×4 support vehicle brings you and your bike back up to Tecpán, with drop-off in Antigua on request. The vehicle follows the route all day, so you can take a break or skip a section at any time.

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FULL SHUTTLE SUPPORT

All of our multi-day trip include full shuttle support with 4x4 vehicles that follow us along the route.

Our custom vehicles are outfitted with radios, GPS, USB power outlets, and refrigerator for drinks.

The Shuttle vehicles provide a mobile base for the tour and give the opportunity to cut out sections or take breaks if needed!

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Included Bike rentals

This tour package includes one of our following high end mountain bike rentals

COMMENCAL META AM29

29" Wheels
Shimano Drivetrain
4 piston Hydraulic disc brakes
OneUp Dropper Post
170mm/160mm Travel
Fox Suspension
Flat Pedals

COMMENCAL META TR29

29" Wheels
1x12 Shimano Drivetrain
4 piston Hydraulic disc brakes
Dropper Post
160mm/150mm Travel
Fox Suspension
Flat Pedals