GUATEMALA WELLNESS RETREAT
6-DAY GUATEMALA YOGA RETREAT
Trip Style: Retreat
RENEW YOUR SPIRIT WHILE IMMERSED IN NATURE AND LOCAL CULTURE
Trip Highlights
Stay in a jungle eco lodge
Take part in a Mayan fire ceremony
Learn about cacao, permaculture & regenerative agriculture
Practice daily yoga with options for kayaking, hiking and paddle boarding
Explore local Guatemalan villages
Perched on a volcanic crater lake surrounded by sweeping conical peaks, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and its stunning vistas are sure to take your breath away. Our gorgeous lakefront retreat center is the perfect sanctuary from which to base our inward and outward explorations. During the 6-day retreat, you’ll have daily yoga classes and facilitated workshops, offering the opportunity to connect within while exploring the unique culture around you. An expansive yoga deck opens onto breathtaking views of the lake and common areas. A pool, hot tub, spa and sauna give you space to connect and realign the mind and body. You’ll also enjoy abundant vegetarian buffet meals made with organic and locally grown food. Limited road access means that much of the lake's small villages are only accessible by boat, creating a peaceful haven where connection thrives, and life moves at a slow pace. With prevalent Mayan communities in the region, strong indigenous traditions still prevail, and throughout the itinerary you are introduced to local healing and spiritual wellness traditions that complement the local spirit of sustainability and abundance.
Book our 6-day Guatemala Retreat starting at $2695 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
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STARTING AT $2695 per person
June 12-17, 2027 with Michelle Fajkus
6-day Guatemala retreat with an experienced Retreat Leader
4-16 people
Trip Inclusions
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5 nights at an idyllic and sustainably-built retreat center
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Airport transfer to/from La Aurora International Airport (GUA)
Vehicle transit to/from included activities
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Daily yoga and meditation
Yoga props like bolsters, cork yoga mats & handmade yoga blocks
Onsite sauna
Opportunity to hike, visit local villages & natural pools
Cacao and chocolate-making workshop
Permaculture farm tour and waterfall hike
Mayan Fire Ceremony
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Three meals a day, plus coffee/tea, two snacks, and dessert
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Engagement session with our community partner + donation to their organization
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Dedicated Traverse host throughout trip
Small group experience, max 16 people
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Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rock-climbing, hiking, acro-yoga & more
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International airfare
Alcohol, unless specified
Tips to your local guide, Traverse host, drivers, etc.
Required travel insurance
Testimonials
DAILY ITINERARY
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After your flight arrival (no later than 1 pm), transportation will be provided from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City to your lodgings perched among the lush surrounds of stunning Lake Atitlan. Enjoy the scenic drive (~3.5 hours) as you travel across Guatemala’s unique mountainous landscape. You’ll then take a 10-minute boat ride to the private dock of our retreat center.
When you arrive at our retreat accommodations, you’ll have the opportunity to settle in and relax. The gorgeous retreat center that you’ll call home for the week is centered on spiritual practice and sustainable living concepts and comes complete with spacious rooms, private bathrooms, hot water, wifi, and balconies with beautiful views of the lake and volcanoes.
Gathering together this evening, we’ll enjoy a soothing yoga session to unwind from a day of travel. Following that, enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner full of fresh, organic ingredients with Guatemalan flavors, while connecting with one another to introduce intentions for the journey ahead.
Meals: D
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To begin our first full day together we’ll embark on a ceremonial journey led by a Mayan Spiritual Guide. The ancient Mayan Fire Ceremony will help us explore the energy of our time together according to the sacred Mayan calendar. Our Spiritual Guide will walk us through this beautiful and sacred ritual full of color, fragrant incense, and flowers. During the ritual guests are invited to make offerings and give thanks to the fire, while also setting intentions for our week together.
Before the ceremony, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast together. Have an optional 20-minute personal reading with Tomas, our Mayan spiritual guide leading the fire ceremony that illuminates your gifts, strengths and challenges according to your nawal, or the day you were born in the sacred Mayan calendar.
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Notes: If you opt to do the waterfall hike, know that it can be a bit challenging depending on recent rains – be sure to wear good hiking shoes with solid traction, and plan to hike for a little less than an hour.
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Begin your morning with a refreshing yoga class, allowing you to connect within. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an immersive experience learning about cacao at the home of a leader in a local cacao women’s collective. Upon arrival you’ll enjoy a welcome drink and begin to learn about this unique project that prioritizes local empowerment and regenerative practices, while also gaining an in-depth look into the cacao making process and history. You’ll discover a variety of uses and benefits of cacao, such as its deep connection to many aspects of Mesoamerican history, its cosmetic and medicinal potential, and its link to permaculture and reforestation. Finally you’ll enjoy drinking the cacao and sharing a delicious traditional Guatemalan lunch.
After your cacao experience you will have free time. Options include exploring the villages of San Marcos or San Juan. Your Retreat Leader will provide some options. As dusk descends, it’s time to gather up for another yoga session and come together for a thoughtfully prepared dinner before settling in for a restful evening.
Meals: B, L, D
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Another day in paradise begins with a yoga flow and delicious breakfast. Then it’s time to explore your surroundings with a fascinating tour of the organic gardens at a nearby farm as well as a beautiful hike to a secret waterfall. During this walking tour you’ll also learn about our Community Partner, WellKind.
After returning you’ll dive into a tasty late lunch and enjoy some afternoon downtime to relax and connect with your environment. Perhaps a dip in the refreshing lake waters is in order! In the evening you’ll gather for an uplifting yoga session followed by another delicious dinner. We’ll reconvene in the evening for our yoga session and another nourishing dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
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After renewing your mind and body with another morning yoga session and freshly prepared breakfast, you’ll have some free time. We’ve left the day open for you to enjoy myriad options in the area, including hikes, water activities, and visits to local villages. Bustling San Marcos, San Juan, San Pedro, Santa Cruz and Panajachel are all unique options to explore. You can also partake in the onsite spa services at our retreat center.
This afternoon we’ll have our final yoga flow together, followed by a special closing yoga ceremony. Our Farewell Dinner tonight provides an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and what to bring forth into your life back home following this transformative week together.
Meals: B, L, D
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Today we say farewell to our beautiful retreat surroundings. The group will depart together for the 4-hour drive to Guatemala City, arriving at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) approximately 3 hours before the first flight. Plan your departure flight no earlier than 2:00 p.m. Everyone will be taken to the airport first, and if you’d like to stay longer in Guatemala City the driver can take you to an alternate destination in the city for an extra fee (please be sure to arrange in advance).
Meals: B
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You'll be paired with a roommate of the same gender unless you request your own room.
STARTING at $2695 per person - double occupancy
+$395 - ‘My own room' option - private room with private bathroom
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Mayan Astrology Reading: $75 1.5 hour session with Michelle on site, including a 10-page personalized PDF report
Organized on-site: Kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, massage, aerial yoga, sweat lodge ceremony
FAQS
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Since this retreat is held several hours away from Guatemala’s main international airport, our transfer is with the whole group at once on arrival and departure day. So for this trip, most people do not add on extra days because that means you’d need to book a private transfer to and from the Lake Atitlán area. However, if you would like to do this we can certainly provide a custom quote for the add-on.
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While of course you're welcome to participate, you're welcome to hold back from the yoga sessions and just enjoy the cultural and adventure aspects of the trip - or sleep in if that’s what you need!
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Yes, absolutely! We take in any dietary restrictions prior to departure. You’ll have a wide selection of tasty garden to table cuisine throughout your stay. Our partners cater to visitors who eat gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions.
About your hosts
Michelle Fajkus is a writer, lifelong learner, yoga teacher, retreat leader, and creator of Yoga Freedom. She has been joyfully teaching yoga since 2002 and leading retreats since 2010. A left-handed Texan Gemini with Libra rising, she lives with her family on magical Lake Atitlan in Guatemala and works as a freelance writer, editor, translator, interpreter and yoga instructor.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
