textile traditions of
guatemala
future dates tbd
Sign up for the trip waitlist below
Join Thread Caravan at our origin place, one of our favorite places in the world, the majestic shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Nestled amongst the volcanoes and renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the textile traditions of Guatemala.
During this week-long experience, guests will be warmly welcomed at the Guatemala City airport and taken to the charming town of Antigua, Guatemala for an introduction to Guatemalan craft, including a natural dye workshop at the Luna Zorro studio. Then we’ll head to Lake Atitlan, where we’ll learn about spinning heirloom cotton and work one-on-one with local indigenous artisan instructors to weave a textile on the backstrap loom.
This trip introduces guests to Guatemala through the lens of textiles, while also taking a deep dive into the craft and environment that shape Guatemalan culture. There are options for a hike through terraced fields to a waterfall, a visit to a ceramics studio, a jade jewelry workshop with our partners Xibalba, guided market shopping experiences and more.
ITINERARY
*Some details subject to change.
Guests will be notified if any changes occur.
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Arrive to Guatemala City. Private transportation to Antigua Guatemala, where we'll settle into our hotel and have the option to either rest or explore the charming town, full of great shopping and local coffee.
Group meeting and orientation at sunset, followed by welcome dinner at a favorite restaurant in town. -
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to the Luna Zorro studio for a natural dyes workshop and opportunity to see Molly's textile collection.
2 hour drive into the Guatemalan highlands to visit with our partners in Chuacruz. Here we will have lunch and learn about heirloom cotton spinning.
Continue on to Lake Atitlan, where we will take a boat ride to our gorgeous private lakeside villas.
Group dinner at the main villa.
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Private boat ride to San Antonio Palopo where we will meet our weaving partners for the week. Here we will have an introduction to the Meso-American backstrap weaving practice, and begin creating our textiles with the help of local instructors.
Group lunch at the home studio.
Afternoon option for a moderate hike to a nearby waterfall and/or visit to a ceramics studio.
Return via boat to our villas. Group dinner and relaxation.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Today the weavers will make the journey to us, as we spend the day weaving in the garden terraces of our lakeside villas.
Traditional Mayan gratitude ceremony for the lake.
Group lunch and dinner here at the villas. Soak in the volcano sunset.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Private boat to San Antonio, a town at the base of the volcano, known for their intricate embroidery traditions. Emrboidery workshop and studio visit with our partners here.
Flexible afternoon for guests to either visit nearby towns with great textile shopportunities, or to spend the afternoon resting with temazcal and/or massage.
Group dinner at the villas.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Return to Antigua. Settle into the Good Hotel. Lunch at a farm-to-table organic farm.
Afternoon jade jewelry workshop at the Xibalba studio to learn about Guatemalan jade. Free time to shop or explore the town.
Final group dinner at one of our favorite dining experiences in Antigua. Option to go out dancing or celebrating together.
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Final group breakfast.
Private transportation to the airport after a wonderful and enriching week together!
photos by Luna Antonia Arboleda, Caitlin Garcia-Ahern, & Luna Zorro
Backstrap weaving workshop
Backstrap weaving is the traditional method of creating textiles in Mesoamerica, a skill that has been passed down through generations for thousands of years.
During this retreat, guests will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a local artisan teacher as they weave a piece together.
This experience is open to all skill levels.
Additional Craft Experiences
In addition to the backstrap weaving workshop, this experience includes a natural dyes workshop, cotton spinning workshop, embroidery workshop and Guatemalan jade jewelry workshop.
Scenic Mountain Hike + Memorable experiences
Give thanks to the lake with a traditional Mayan ceremony. Learn about Nahuales. Hike through terraced onion fields to a waterfall. Eat lunch in an organic farm. Truly experience the profound depth of Guatemala’s craft culture.
Boutique Accommodation
We’ll stay in a collection of neighboring lakeside villas, accesible via private boat with gorgeous views of three volcanoes.
TRIP
DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 10 guests, who will accompanied by 1-2 Thread Caravan trip facilitator(s).
PRICING + PAYMENT
Pricing TBD
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
No prior experience is needed in order to attend this experience. We accept all levels.
No Spanish speaking is required to attend this experience. Our team of hosts will be able to facilitate translation for the guests.
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying at a the Good Hotel, a small boutique hotel with social impact mission in Antigua, Guatemala. On Lake Atitlan, we will be staying in three neighboring villas on with gorgeous lakefront access.
ACCESSIBILITY
Antigua has uneven cobblestone streets, and Lake Atitlan’s towns can be hilly. Our drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan will be a 2.5 hour drive on a sometimes windy road, and the we will take multiple boat rides on Lake Atitlan.
Please contact us before reserving if you have mobility requirements, to see if we can accommodate them.
GETTING TO Guatemala
This trip starts and ends in Guatemala City and takes guests to Antigua and Lake Atitlan.
We ask that guests arrive by 3pm on the trip start day, and depart any time on the trip end day.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This trip includes a natural dyes workshop, a spinning workshop, two day backstrap weaving workshop, embroidery workshop and jade jewelry workshop. During these experiences, cost of materials and fair wage to artisan instructors is included in the trip price.
Additional Experiences: This trip also includes an optional guided hike, a traditional Guatemalan ceremony, an optional visit to a ceramics studio and more.
In-Country Transportation: We’ll be taking a mix of private shuttles and boat rides.
All Meals: All meals noted in the itinerary are included and will offer a range of unique dining experiences.
Accommodation: In a boutique hotel in Antigua and lakeside villas on Lake Atitlan.
Support: A Thread Caravan trip facilitator will guide this experience in partnership with local guides and hosts. Our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Morocco. If you’d like to plant additional trees to offset carbon emissions, there is an option for that at check out.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Airfare: To and from the Guatemala City airport.
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations.
Free Time: During our scheduled free time, guests will be responsible for all incurred expenses. This may include massages, or a boat ride to a nearby town.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Vaccinations: The CDC recommends preparing for Guatemalan travel with routine vaccinations as well as Covid vaccine.
VISA: A visa is not required for US citizens visiting Guatemala for less than 90 days. If you plan to spend more than 90 days in Guatemala, or are a citizen from a country other than the US, please look into visa requirements or contact us to help you.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. It will include things like an exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
TRIP REVIEWS
“What a beautiful and absolutely special way to get to know a new country and culture! Thank you for creating this unique experience and for making this trip unforgettable! It was an absolute joy to get to know Guatemala through this beautifully curated journey and to get to know all these special and magic places that will forever be a part of this very special trip! Thank you and I can’t wait to go on another trip hopefully very soon!
— luna a.
I think one of the most effective and beautiful catalysts for self evolution and growth is travel to places that are unfamiliar and brimming with the possibility of cultural understanding. My expectations of my Thread Caravan excursion to Guatemala were up close and personal witnessing of generational skill and craft, beautiful landscapes and having the time of my life. Simply, those expectations were exceeded. There are other culture immersion programs but what sets Caitlin and Thread Caravan apart from the others is the genuine love, appreciation and respect for the artisans’ skills. Her interpersonal gifts and her fierce patience. To be invited into someone’s home or sanctuary to learn and hear about their lives and artistry while meeting the most extraordinary people who share your experience: priceless.”
— fabeyana j.
One of the best trips I've taken! Very well thought through itinerary of educational craft taught in and by indigenous traditional crafts-women, delicious local cuisines of all ranges from 5-star restaurants to home-cooked in-villa meals, as well as great shopping in popular areas and vintage markets off the beaten track! Anyone lucky enough to participate in one of these trips will be able to really feel the heart and soul Caitlin has put into each detail of the full experience. In addition to all of the wonderful things mentioned above, your accomodations are set among the most beautiful of nature's scenery. As a designer by profession, I went on the Guatemalan weaving tour and felt so enriched by everything we learned so this was also an educational adventure! Lastly, Caitlin has a heart of gold and has created a local animal foundation to help rescue, feed, spay and neuter dogs in some of the countries the trips are in- we even got to meet a family of the cutest puppies at a textile dying co-op which will be receiving care from Caitlin's foundation. I recommend Thread Caravan to all!
— rosa h.
