GUATEMALA GRAVITY
Women's Mountain Bike Trip
with Amy Morrison

Mountain biking in Guatemala is raw and unique. Few places in the world offer trails where ancient civilizations, huge stunning landscapes, rich cultural vibrancy and epic mountain biking intersect. 

Active volcanoes. Rugged mountains. Lush cloud forests. High alpine grasslands. Pristine lakes. Verdant agricultural lands. Traditional Mayan villages. Gorgeous colonial architecture. Historic ruins…..Guatemala has it all, and then some!

Many of Guatemala’s trails are ancient Mayan footpaths that are still used by locals today. Technically challenging, ever changing and unpolished, Guatemala’s singletrack and trails have varied terrain, from flowy sections to steep, long ridges, and an abundance of  technical features, like chunky rock gardens, roots, ruts, drops, jumps, tight switchbacks, steep descents, and more. You’ll also encounter lots of friendly locals that use these trails to travel between farms and villages.

And thanks to its towering volcanoes and steep mountainous terrain, Guatemala is a downhill mountain biker’s playground, with massive and seemingly endless descents!

Expect to use – and improve! – all your technical riding skills as we get off the beaten track and explore the Guatemalan backcountry.

The La Carmona Trails bike park outside Antigua is the only system of its kind here in Guatemala.

With 50 km/30 mi of flowing, rolling, purpose built single-track trails, professionally-built progressive jumplines (including small jumps perfect for learning!), a dual slalom course, and a pumptrack, La Carmona Trails it the perfect place to hone our air and fundamental skills before we hit Guatemala’s technical trails.

This Guatemala mountain bike women’s skills camp trip is designed for Intermediate  to Advanced level riders.

All levels will have their skills tested and endless opportunities to level up!

Not sure of your skill level? Asses yourself using our rating scale below.

If you Intermediate rider looking to push yourself outside of your comfort zone for some serious growth, please contact us to chat about whether or not this trip is a good fit for you. 

Intermediate 

• Intermediate riders have been riding at least 2 years and are confident on their bike 
• Own their own bike and ride 2-3 times a week 
• Are beginning to ride longer, steeper trails and more obstacles 
• Feel comfortable on singletrack trails
• Ride at your own pace, do not tackle all obstacles, and do not do jumps or drops

The total mileage and decent will vary, depending on the group and your personal choices. Each day in the itinerary section describes what to expect for that day. On average, you will ride the following:

Per Day Average

• Total Mileage:  23 km / 14 mi
• Total Ascent*:  270 m / 883 ft
• Total Decent:   1,800m / 5,800 ft 

Trip Average

• Total Mileage:  136 km / 83 mi
• Total Ascent*:  1,620 m / 5,300 ft
• Total Decent:   10,800m / 35,000 ft 

*Total ascent for climbing. Does not include shuttle elevation. We shuttle as much of the climbing as possible to maximize downhill!

This is a SHUTTLE-based trip, and we will drive as much of the climbing as possible to maximize our downhill time. 

Some trails will have small climbs to reach the downhill.

The women’s only gravity skills camp is focused on air and technical skills. The exact skills learned will depend on the group and individual needs, and may include the following:

• Fundamentals:  body position, bike/body separation, braking, gearing, cadence, shifting, cornering, wheel lifts, pumping, roll downs, etc.
• Air skills:  table jumps, gap jumps, hips jumps, step downs, doubles, drops, rollers
• Advanced technical skills:  steep descents, off camber terrain, line choice, featuring

Most of the skill building will be at the La Carmona Trails Bike Park, as has great resources to practice fundamentals, cornering, and jumping — including beginner-friendly jumps! Here we will spend some time working on skills, then will hit the bike park trails to just ride and practice what we’ve learned.

For the trail riding days, the focus will be on just riding, with opportunities to session, looks at lines, etc. 

If you have particular skills you want to work on, just let Amy know! 

No worries! This trip is a great opportunity to learn jumping, as the La Carmona Trails Bike Park has a great beginner friendly jump line.

But if jumping is not your thing, the trails at the La Carmoma Bike Park are super fun to just ride and you can skip all the jumps!

Absolutely not!

This trip is for any women MTBer currently riding at the Intermediate to Advanced level that wants to improve their jumping and gravity skills in a fun, supportive and adventurous environment. 

A well-maintained trail or all-mountain/enduro bike with 140mm – 170mm of travel is ideal. 

Downhill bikes are not appropriate for this trip.

Bike rentals are not available for this trip.  Please bring your own bike, as you will be most comfortable on riding your own gear.

Flying with your bike the best way to get your bike to Guatemala.  Most airlines charge a fee, which varies by airline.

Pack your bike in a bike travel bag (check out Evoc, Thule, or Dakine) or a cardboard bicycle box (check with your LBS or order one from Bikeflights).

Our 2Wheel staff will help you build and repack your bike, if needed. 

Our team has spent years developing adventure tours in all regions of Guatemala. Because of our commitment to support the local economies where we develop and operate our tours, we feel confident taking our guests out into the Guatemalan backcountry. Your safety is our priority and we always keep that in mind when choosing destinations, accommodations, and activities. Antigua is a very safe town and with your typical traveler’s common sense you will feel very comfortable.

All the major international airlines have flights to Guatemala, with many direct flights from major USA and some European hubs.

To join this trip, you will fly into La Aurora Guatemala City airport (GUA). Our 2Wheel Epix team will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to Antigua, Guatemala (~1 hour drive) to start the tour.

Most visitors to Guatemala do not need a visa ahead of time, rather you will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival at immigration control. Please be sure to check your personal requirements before traveling to be sure.

Please also ensure that you have six (6) months validity on your passport.

Food is part of the adventure and an insight into the local culture!

Antigua and the other towns we stay in have a great array of restaurants, serving both local and international cuisines. The restaurants we visit are considered safe and clean.

During ride days, we may have picnic lunches, prepared freshly by your guides.

Dietary requirements can be accommodated so long as we know ahead of time.

Drink untreated water from the tap in Guatemala is not recommended, and filtered drinking water will be provided. 

Guatemala has two main seasons throughout the year that are fairly predictable. This trip takes place during the dry season, which is mid-October to late April. You can expect blue skies and clear starry nights.

Temperatures will vary greatly depending on the various regions of Guatemala, and the elevation, but are comfortable year round.

In Antigua, the temperature typically varies from the low 50’s°F to low 80’s°F.

We stay in centrally-located and locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, full of charm, character and tradition. In many establishments, you will meet the owners and their family! 

Rooming is either twinshare (2 beds) or double (1 bed).

Solo travelers will be paired with another solo traveler, if available. If you would like your own guaranteed room, a single supplement is available for $375.

The local currency is the Quetzal (GTQ) [“KETT-SAHL”].

Obtaining local currency ahead of your trip is not necessary, as you can change money when you arrive or withdraw from a local ATM. US dollars are accepted as payment in most restaurants and shops in Antigua but not necessarily outside town.

In Antigua and other large towns, most businesses accept credit or debit cards, though cash is king.

Yes!  Travel insurance that covers medical expenses while abroad and evacuation, including repatriation, is required for this trip and must be provided in advance.

Mountain biking must also be a covered activity. Please check your policy carefully to ensure coverage.

We also strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance for cancellation, interruption, and lost luggage/personal effects to protect your investment and give you peace of mind in case of an unexpected cancellation.

You can choose any travel insurance provider. We suggest Travel Guard (must have the Adventure Sports upgrade to cover MTB) or World Nomads.

You may also want to consider purchasing bike insurance to cover your bike during your travels. Check out Velosurance.

The trip overlaps with the Easter holiday, and you will be in Antigua on the day of Easter. Which will be incredible, as Antigua is renowned for hosting one of the most spectacular Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations in the world!

Imagine cobblestone streets adorned with intricate, colorful alfombras (carpets) made of flowers and sawdust, as processions featuring beautifully adorned floats and passionate locals wind their way through the city. It’s a breathtaking fusion of faith, tradition, and artistry that creates an unforgettable cultural experience. Antigua’s charming colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and delicious cuisine will further enhance the experience, making Easter in Antigua a truly unique and enriching adventure!