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Chicken bus tour

Chicken bus, carpentry and local school excursion

This morning you will be met at your hotel by a local NGO representative and driven by local 'Chicken' bus to Ciudad Vieja. All over Central America people use old North American school buses as local transport but in Guatemala they are first transformed into famous multi-coloured, chrome, Guatemalan-style buses called 'Chicken' buses that you will see throughout the country!

Niños de Guatemala (Children of Guatemala) is a Guatemalan/Dutch charitable organisation founded in 2006 whose goal is to defeat poverty through education, support and development of the community in order to promote sustainable growth. During this tour you will experience life in a typical Guatemalan community, gain a unique insight into the famous Guatemalan 'Chicken' buses, learn about the local culture and also see what the community has accomplished working with an organisation such as Niños de Guatemala using education as a cornerstone in combating development issues of the region.

Upon arrival into Ciudad Vieja you will first visit the 'Chicken' bus workshop. You will then visit other parts of the community including those poorer areas close to the agricultural fields, a local carpentry making coffins that are sold to different funeral homes and the school 'Nuestro Futuro' (Our Future) which was opened in 2009 by Niños de Guatemala. The purpose of the school is to offer a diverse education to those who otherwise would not have access to this. The school, as well as regular education, offers the children classes including art, music, cooking and carpentry. After your time in the community and light refreshments you will return to Antigua.

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These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

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Experience it for yourself

You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.