| | Day 1: | Fly to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Transfer to San Cristóbal de Las Casas via taxi on your own and settle into our accommodation. Free time. |
| | Day 2: | This morning we have our opening circle with Carla Woody framing the intent of our journey. In the afternoon, we visit Na Bolom. Once the home of Frans and Trudi Blom, it's now a museum and safe-house for the Lacandón Maya, and source of area conservation efforts. Expert Chip Morris shares his extensive knowledge of Maya textiles and how the ancient past is connected today. We end the evening with dinner in the famed dining room at Na Bolom, where many celebrated historical figures took meals and Trudi held court. Breakfast and dinner included. |
| | Day 3: | Explore the markets, shops, churches and picturesque streets of San Cristóbal. Late afternoon we meet Don Sergio Castro, often referred to as a saint, who shows us his textile museum and shares his humanitarian healing
work. Breakfast included.
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| | Day 4: | This morning we attend the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Maya village of San Juan Chamula, witness the processional of saints and spend time in the Maya church where curanderos conduct healing sessions — and many have deep spiritual experiences. In the afternoon we are invited into the home of Don Xun Calixto. Here he holds an audience telling his personal story of shamanic initiation and curing methods. After a special ceremony of prayers and offerings we share a meal in the family compound. Breakfast and dinner included.
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| | Day 5: | We travel to the Lacandón Maya village of Najá and settle into our accommodations, visit the lake at the edge of the village, and make our own offerings. Breakfast and dinner included. |
| | Day 6: | We meet Don Antonio Martinez, the last Lacandón Maya elder still practicing his ancient traditions, and participate in the sacred balché ceremony. We are then honored to spend time with the family of Chan K'in Viejo, late spiritual leader of Najá. All meals included. |
| | Day 7: | Before leaving Najá, we visit the godpot burial cave, a site sacred to the Lacandones. We continue on to Palenque settling into our rainforest lodging near the ruins. Free time. Breakfast included.
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| | Day 8: | Carla Woody holds a morning process circle with experiential teachings to further engage the intent of the journey. Then learn about the esoteric practices of the Living Maya from Maya researcher, Carol Karasik. Late afternoon we undertake individual clearing rituals with Doña Panchita, curandera of Palenque. |
| | Day 9: | We spend our day at the magnificent Palenque ruins with Carol Karasik guiding, with storytelling of Maya cosmology and archaeological discoveries. Carla Woody offers connection with the resident energies through meditation.
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| | Day 10: | Free time to return to the ruins and museum, or explore the town of Palenque. Mid-afternoon, we meet Tat Apab'yan Tew, K'iche' Maya spiritual guide. He holds a circle and prepares us, by fire ceremony, to cross to his native Guatemala. We call on our ancestors and make prayers to open the way for our travels in El Petén.
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| | Day 11: | Today we cross into Guatemala and travel through El Petén to our lodging. Free time for rest. (Lodging in Tikal or Flores as TBD.) |
| | Day 12: | We enter the ancient Maya jungle city known as Tikal where we spend the day. Tat Apab'yan connects us to the teachings and music of his people while Carol Karasik offers us historical references of this mystical place. |
| | Day 13: | We arise quite early this Winter Solstice and enter the remote, hidden site of Uaxactún to witness the sunrise solar alignment over the observatory, one of the first astronomical complexes in the Maya world, aligned with the equinoxes and the solstices. Tat Apab'yan undertakes a ritual to mark our presence here. Closing dinner and group circle with Carla Woody extending teachings for re-entry home.
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| | Day 14: | Transfer to the Flores airport via taxi on your own for your flight home. |
