The Giant Kites of Sumpango/Festival of Los Barriletes Gigantes tour with Bright Future Global Tours was truly one of the most creative events I have ever experienced...and besides that, it was FUN! I'm so glad I found Louise Wisechild's tour because it is unlike any other. Louise coordinates the itinerary with local Guatemaltecos and tour members get a unique behind-the-scenes connection to all aspects of the festival. . . . No need to look any further if you want to celebrate the Day of the Dead at the Sumpango giant kite festival. This tour is the best way to gain the richest experience!   Judy Aston, Guatemala

  Los Barriletes Gigantes,
The Giant Kites of Sumpango
Special 3 Day Cultural Immersion Tour
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2  2016
With Master Barriletero Julio Asturius and Louise Wisechild
$400 all inclusive

 

"The Day of the Dead-tour with Louise was the highlight of our stay in Guatemala. The fact that the tour visits  Sumpango for 3 days makes it possible to totally experience this tradition. Not just being a spectator, but being a part of it. Understanding the tradition, knowing the amount of logistics and work involved in constructing a giant kite, seeing the villagers walking up towards the festival. It was a splendid tour that we strongly recommend to you to experience too."
Judit & Chris, Holland

  Join us for an uncommon opportunity to explore the Giant Kites and to learn about the unique 
            Kaqchikel Maya traditions for dia de los muertos, the Day of the Dead, in Sumpango, Sacatepequez.

          
Over 600 residents of Sumpango come together every night and every weekend for over four months to create remarkable kites -- some as large as a six story building.  Even up close it is hard to imagine that they are not paintings but rather are made entirely from the most fragile of papers. Tradition in Sumpango says that the kites both keep away evil spirits and carry messages to the ancestors.   Thousands of people from around the world come to Sumpango's Giant Kite Festival on November 1st where the kites are displayed for the first and often the only time.  With master barriletero Julio Asturias and experienced guide Louise Wisechild, The Giant Kites Cultural Tour  takes you behind the scenes of both the Giant Kites and the other traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead in Sumpango.
On Oct. 31, we head to Sumpango , for three amazing days of experiencing this Maya Kachikel Maya pueblo's tradition of Giant Kites to honor the Day of the Dead.  The group stays two nights with a friendly family in Sumpango gaining a unique insight into life in the pueblo as well a chance to attend Day of the Dead festivities that other tourists don't see.  This includes visiting the special Day of the Dead market, watching the kitemakers put the finishing touches on their giant kites, being welcomed as participants in the shamanic ceremony of blessing the kites, arriving at the festival early, before the crowds, with premium seating, able to enjoy the whole day without hours of traffic.  On the third day, each participant  makes their own 8 sided Guatemalan kite to fly in the traditional way, in the cemetery, with Julio and his family.  

Master kitemaker, Julio Asturius

TOUR INCLUDES
Two nights comfortable homestay accommodation (shared bathroom)
All meals except lunch at the Festival (food available on site)
Private transport to and from Antigua  or San Pedro la Laguna
Native English & Spanish speaking Guide
Festival seating
Kite making instruction and materials

---

"The Day of the Dead Tour includes a Mayan Ceremony in the cemetery in the evening on October 31.   As a small group we were included in the ceremony.  Having a young local woman take my arm to invite me into the ceremonial circle was just a part of the warmth of the evening.  The cemetery was not a frightening place but a place to respect the dead, ask for healing and honor the future.  The shamans exuded love for the ceremony reflected in the light of the candles and fire used to light the darkness as they chanted and blessed the young women chosen to be future leaders. . . ." more
Leeann Jorgensen, Minnesota, USA

 "Actually, the time spent in Sumpango was nothing less than a steady stream of 'WOW's,  including being able to witness the finishing touches by a team of boys piecing together the segments of a GIANT kite that filled the entire floor of a gymnasium, and the next day watching them hoist it up to the height of 6 stories.  The artistry and skill and messages demonstrated in these kites can take your breath away. To me it ranked as one of the selected Wonders of the World. . . .

On the last day, we joined  Julio's extended family for a meal at the cemetery, where the whole community spends the day in dedication to the ancestors, tending, honoring, gravesites, decorating with massive displays of flowers.  The cemetery itself was a work of art."
Dvorah Kost, Seattle, USA

"The Giant Kites of Sumpango/Festival of Los Barriletes Gigantes tour with Bright Future Global Tours was truly one of the most creative events I have ever experienced...and besides that, it was FUN! I'm so glad I found Louise Wisechild's tour because it is unlike any other. Louise coordinates the itinerary with local Guatemaltecos and tour members get a unique behind-the-scenes connection to all aspects of the festival. . . . No need to look any further if you want to celebrate the Day of the Dead at the Sumpango giant kite festival. This tour is the best way to gain the richest experience!"

Jody Aston, Rio Dulce, Guatemala

---

Click to Check out past tours on our blog! 
Read Luisa's interview with kitemaker Julio Asturias  http://www.grupoquepasa.com/interview-with-barriletero-julio-roberto-asturias-chiquito/ 
in Que Pasa magazine.  
Luisa's article in the  Revue magazine about the history and making of the giant kites.  http://issuu.com/revue/docs/revue201210/87

REGISTRATION:  $125 DEPOSIT TO SAVE YOUR SPACE/balance due Oct.31
Bright Future Global Tours is the only tour company that spends 75% of its proceeds to benefit the kitemakers and residents of Sumpango, in this unique, community-based exploration.
Maximum: 8 participants