ANTIGUA GUATEMALA & LAKE ATITLÁN
THE HUIPIL’S JOURNEY
Over the course of a week, we will travel between Antigua, Guatemala and Lake Atitlán, immersing ourselves in the heart of one of the country’s most profound traditions: the huipil a symbol of identity, resilience, and ancestral beauty.
December 5 to 13, 2026
Over the course of a week, we will travel between Antigua, Guatemala and Lake Atitlán, immersing ourselves in the heart of one of the country’s most profound traditions: the huipil a symbol of identity, resilience, and ancestral beauty.
Guided by Mayan master weavers, we will learn about natural yarn dyeing, backstrap loom weaving, and the ceremonial embroidery that brings each garment to life. Through colors and symbols, we will discover how the huipil tells stories of nature, lineage, cycles, and the spirituality of the communities who create it.
Guatemala is a land where textile art is also a sacred language. This experience honors its cultural and spiritual value, weaving a bridge between those who safeguard this wisdom and those who arrive ready to listen with an open heart.
Itinerary
Day 1: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA
- Hotel meeting at 10:00 a.m.
- Welcome lunch
- Walk through the historic center
- Free dinner
Day 2: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA
- Breakfast at 7:00 a.m.
- Visit to Olga Raichel’s workshop
- Indigo and natural dye workshop
- Late lunch
- Return to the hotel
- Free time
- Free dinner
Day 3: PANAJACHEL Y SANTA CATALINA
- Departure to Lake Atitlán at 6:00 a.m.
- Breakfast at 9:00 a.m.
- Departure to Santa Catarina Palopó
- Walk through the colorful streets
- Visit to the Huipil Museum
- Lunch
- Return to the hotel
- Free time
- Free dinner
Day 4: PANAJACHEL
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Departure to the workshop location at 9:00 a.m. (20-minute walk)
- Presentation by the women’s association
- Workshop and design & color exercise
- Warping workshop
- Traditional lunch
- Backstrap loom setup
- Return to the hotel
- Free time
- Free dinner
Day 5: PANAJACHEL
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Departure to the workshop location at 9:00 a.m. (20-minute walk)
- Introduction to traditional weaving
- Traditional lunch
- Exploration of embroidery on the backstrap loom
- Return to the hotel
- Free time
- Free dinner
Day 6: CHICHICASTENANGO
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Departure to visit the Chichicastenango market
- Traditional lunch
- Mayan ceremony
- Return to Antigua Guatemal
- Free dinner
Day 7: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Start of the Huipil Neck Embroidery Workshop
- Traditional lunch
- Continuation of the workshop
- Special dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Day 8: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Randa Lace Joining Embroidery Workshop
- Lunch
- Visit to artist’s studios
- Free time
- Free dinner
Day 9: CONTRYSIDE DAY
- Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
- Departure to the countryside at 8:30 a.m. (1.5-hour drive)
- Time to enjoy the garden, lakes, and natural pool (3 hours)
- Farewell lunch
- Social time
- Return to Antigua at 5:00 p.m. (1.5-hour drive)
- Closing of the journey
GUATEMALA TRIPS DETAILS
COST INCLUDES
- 8 nights accommodation
- Meals (8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 1 dinner)
- Land transfers for activities
- Visit to Antigua, Guatemala
- Visit to Lake Atitlán
- Visit to Chichicastenango
- Visit to Santa Catarina Palopó
- Indigo and natural dye workshop
- Intensive backstrap loom weaving workshop
- Huipil neck embroidery workshop
- Randa lace embroidery workshop
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
- Airfare
- Transfers to and from the hotel and airport
- Optional additional activities not mentioned in the program
- Alcoholic beverages
CARBON EMISSIONS OFFSET
We’ve partnered with Saving the Amazon to plant 8 trees on your behalf to offset the carbon emissions from your trip to Guatemala.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
No prior experience is required to join this trip. No knowledge of language is necessary, as our team of hosts will provide translation to english and spanish as needed. We will provide support for all guests.
GROUP
This trip is limited to 12 guests and will be accompanied by 2 Puntos de Conexión trip facilitators.
PRICING AND PAYMENT
Private room: €3,200 per person
Shared room: €2,800 per person
A non-refundable deposit of 30% of your accommodation cost is required to
reserve your space. The remaining balance can be paid at your convenience, at least 60 days before the trip start date. Custom payment plans are available upon request. Please contact us if you would like to set one up.
INDIGO & NATURAL DYE
WITH OLGA RAICHEL
Olga Reiche has been working with indigenous artisans in Guatemala for 36 years and runs her own line and store of naturally dyed products – Indigo – which serves as a creative hub for many textile projects. Passionate about environmental and artisanal sustainability, Olga is self-taught and an expert in textiles and natural dyes, dedicated to preserving Guatemala’s weaving traditions. She is also the author of Plantas Tintóreas de Guatemala.
Natural dyes are essential for connecting culture, creativity, and sustainability, turning fibers into living expressions of heritage. With this remarkable master, we will have the privilege of learning about indigo and local natural dyes from Guatemala.
BACKSTRAP WEAVING
WITH FLORA CAN
Backstrap weaving is a living tradition of Mesoamerica, a skill handed down through countless generations that carries the stories, symbols, and wisdom of its people. During this retreat, guests will have the unique opportunity to learn directly from a local master artisan, working alongside her to
create their own woven piece. Flora, our teacher, together with a group of dedicated women, has created a space to guide and support learners in
the profound practice of backstrap weaving. With their guidance, we will immerse ourselves in this ancestral craft, discovering not just the technique, but the spirit, rhythm, and meaning woven into every thread.
This experience is open to all skill levels, inviting each guest to connect deeply with a tradition that is both art and living heritage.
HUIPIL NECK & RANDA EMBROIDERY
WITH JUAN MANUEL
The symbolism behind huipil embroidery is pure magic. Each design tells a story, revealing the region, community, and cultural identity of the weaver. The colors, patterns, and motifs are not only decorative—they carry meaning, representing nature, ancestry, spirituality, and the cycles of life.
Randa is the traditional technique used to join two pieces of fabric. There are many ways to connect them, and each method holds its own symbolism, reflecting harmony, protection, or continuity.
With Master Juan Manuel, who has worked with over 200 women across Guatemala to promote traditional embroidery and preserve cultural heritage, we will explore the rich universe behind Guatemalan embroidery. Guests will learn not only the techniques, but also the stories, meanings, and wisdom woven into every stitch. This is a rare opportunity to connect deeply with a living tradition that is both art and cultural memory.
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