Spiritual Travel to Guatemala and Mexico: Entering the Maya Mysteries
January 11-26, 2020
Itinerary
| January 11 | Arrive Guatemala City. Overnight lodging Guatemala City included. |
| January 12 | Late morning we have our opening circle with Carla Woody framing the intent of our journey. We will spend the afternoon at the Popol Vuh Museum, known for its major collection of Maya art, and its sister museum Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena, featuring textiles and traditional clothing, by way of introduction to Maya culture. Overnight Guatemala City. Breakfast and dinner included. |
| January 13 | Today we travel from Guatemala City to Panajachel at the edge of Lake Atitlán. En route we stop at Iximche, the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom between 1470 to 1524. Iximche remains an active ceremonial site. Here Tat Apab’yan Tew, K’iche’ Maya Daykeeper, makes offerings to open the way of our journey, and we lay down our own prayers. Overnight Panajachel. Breakfast included. |
| January 14 | In the morning, we visit La Galeria, an art gallery representing regional Maya artists, owned by the family of bohemian artist Nan Cuz. Here we are invited behind-the-scenes to view an extraordinary private collection of vintage folk art. In the afternoon, free time to roam the streets of Panajachel and have a meal overlooking Lake Atitlán. Overnight Panajachel. Breakfast included. |
| January 15 | We cross by boat to spend the entire day in the Maya village Santiago Atitlán. We are fortunate to be present on this day when the Cofradia, village religious principals, give the ritual blessing of the corn with intent for abundant harvest. Wisdom Keeper Dolores Ratzan Pablo will guide us to all the points of sacred significance in her home village, including the home of Maximón, scampish patron saint of the highlands. We conclude with an audience on medicine ways. Overnight Panajachel. Breakfast included. |
| January 16 | Late morning we travel to Antigua Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, known to the residents as Sij’ja’. Free time to wander this isolated highland village and take in the beauty of the Sierra Madres. Evening audience with Elder Wisdom Keeper Catalina Xum Mas and Tat Apab’yan who share stories of their lives and sacred K’iche’ Maya ways. Overnight Sij’ja’. All meals included. |
| January 17 | Morning audience with our hosts Tina, a master weaver, and daughter Amarilis on K’iche’ Maya women’s arts and traditions. Late afternoon, Tat Apab’yan offers a fire ceremony in a sacred site near the village, where we call upon our ancestors and make prayers to open the way for our individual purposes. Optional individual temazcal, the traditional sweatbath, with the Elder village midwife as your attendant, available throughout the day (not included in tuition). Process circle with Carla as we prepare to depart Guatemala. Overnight Sij’ja’. All meals included. |
| January 18 | Today we leave Sij’ja’ to cross the border into Chiapas, Mexico and travel on to the beautiful colonial city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas where we base for the next few days. Overnight San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Breakfast included. |
| January 19 | Carla takes you on a morning walking orientation of central San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Free time to experience the markets, cathedrals, picturesque streets and local wares. Early afternoon, we gather at Galería MUY (from the root “enjoyment” and also “rising up” in the Tzotzil tongue). We have lunch with Maya and Zoque artists, and learn about their artistic process, how they plumb their cultural roots, relay their relationship with Mother Earth and ways the Otherworld comes through in their artwork. In the evening, we meet Don Sergio Castro, often referred to as a saint, who shows us his textile museum and shares his humanitarian healing work. Overnight San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Breakfast and lunch included. |
| January 20 | This morning we attend the Festival of San Sebastián 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 Totik 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. Overnight San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Breakfast and dinner included. |
| January 21 | Today we experience the traditions of the Maya village of Zinacantán, known for the beautiful textiles worn by all ages, and their celebrations for San Sebastián. In late 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. 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. Overnight San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Breakfast included. |
| January 22 | We travel to the Lacandón Maya village of Nahá and settle into our accommodations, visit the lake at the edge of the village, and make our own offerings. Overnight Nahá. All meals included. |
| January 23 | We meet Don Antonio Martinez, the last Lacandón Maya Elder still practicing his ancient traditions, and participate in the sacred balché ceremony. We pay our respects at the burial sites of Chan K’in Viejo, the late spiritual leader of Nahá, the Bloms, and Robert Bruce, anthropologist and longtime friend to the Lacandones. Dropping in on Kayum Ma’ax Garcia, we discover his latest artwork. He is represented through our Allies Gallery online. Overnight Nahá. All meals included. |
| January 24 | Before leaving Nahá, we visit the godpot burial cave, where godpots were ritually retired and still rest. On our way to Palenque we stop at Lake Metzabok, enchanting waters sacred to the Lacandones, and Tat Apab’yan sends our respects through haunting ceremonial singing. We continue on to Palenque and settle into our rainforest lodging near the ruins. Free time. Optional clearing session with Doña Yolanda, curandera of Palenque (not included in tuition). Overnight Palenque. Breakfast included. |
| January 25 | We spend our day at the magnificent Palenque ruins. Carol Karasik, Maya researcher-author, guides us through storytelling of Maya cosmology and archaeological discoveries. Carla offers connection with the resident energies through meditation. Overnight Palenque. Meals on your own. |
| January 26 | In the morning, we hold our closing circle with Carla, extending teachings and intent for re-entry home. Travel to Villahermosa on your own by bus or taxi for the flight next morning. Overnight and meals on your own. |
| January 27 | Fly home. |
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