A one of a kind
Guatemalan Experience
Día de los Muertos
• Lake Atitlán •
Join us for a very special cultural experience for those of you that have lost loved ones and would like to set time aside to honour their memory.
Discover the magic of Guatemala as you immerse yourselves in rich Mayan culture and learn how to renovate the spaces your loved ones hold in your heart. The local traditions of Dia de los Muertos on Lake Atitlan offer the perfect setting for us to set time aside to grieve, remember and honour the stories of people we held dear that are no longer in our lives.
This is not only for those that have suffered death in their families, if you had someone close to you that is no longer with you due to divorce or estrangement, this is a suitable place to come and process that loss as well.
Time of reflection, story telling, observing local customs that can be learned from, and FUN is all part of the program.
This trip offers a place to connect and heal.
Guided and facilitated by Guatemalan locals and English speaking Canadians that reside on the lake, this is a perfect hosting team that will ensure you get the most out of your experience on Lake Atitlan.
We provide the familiarity of language, we take care of transportation, meals, and event planning during your stay while you explore this exotic and remote landscape that has preserved Mayan culture so well.
TRIP DATES: OCT 30 - NOV 6, 2025
12 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Early bird pricing available for the first 4 registrations!
What is included:
6 Nights Accommodations
14 Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Suppers
Delicious snacks, smoothies and refreshments
Hiking poles for Rostro Maya Hike
Local guides
English speaking host and leader that will be with group for the duration of the trip.
Airport Shuttles
Transportation throughout Guatemala
Activities:
San Juan walking tour
Group Sessions discussing grief
San Juan and San Pedro tours during parades and local cultural events.
Lake Atitlan Boat tour
Rostro Maya Sunrise Hike and summit breakfast over the campfire
Traditional Bracelet Weaving
Pickup truck ride through villages
Live music
WhatsApp group chat leading up to the trip for continual support and questions answered.
What is not included:
Flights
Personal Travel Insurance (Required)
Gratuity for guides/hotel staff (5% - 10% suggested)
4 meals out while exploring San Pedro and San Juan
The Full Itinerary
Day 1
Thursday, Oct 30
11am
Shuttle pick up in Guatemala City.
3pm
Arrive at San Juan accommodations
Settle in, welcome charcuterie snack spread, cultural orientation and schedule review.
5pm
Time to settle-in, enjoy the view
7pm
Special welcome dinner with live music
Day 2
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Sleep in
8am
Breakfast
9:00
Tuk tuk tour through the magical town of San Juan, explore plant-based dye textile demonstrations, medicinal plant worskhops, apiary tour and cacao demonstrations.
Lunch
Session on local customs of Dia de Los Muertos on Lake Atitlan, led by Brigida Matzar.
Arrival back at accommodations
6pm
Dinner in town, taking in the festivities, visit the cemetery.
7pm
Optional Bonfire, free time
Day 4
Sunday Nov 2, 2025
3:45am
Wake up, meet in garden and head out for first hike up Rostro Maya trail.
5:45am
Summit View and campfire breakfast.
7:30am
Pickup truck ride down through villages.
9am
A session guided by San Juan Elder, Michaela, teaching about sacred plants, dying cotton and the importance of preserving our own cultures and tradition through example.
Down time!
Comfort Food lunch - homemade soup and sandwiches
3pm
Traditional Bracelet weaving with Abuela Concepcion.
6:30pm
San Juan dinner at "Deleite Ancestral"
Day 3
Saturday Nov 1, 2025
8am
Breakfast
9am
Boat tour around Lake Atitlan, visit villages around the Lake, including San Marcos nature reserve to swim and rock jump.
Lunch at Hotel overlooking the Lake Atitlan
Story-telling and memory sharing session led by Christina and Owen.
Arrival back at accommodations
6pm
Dinner in town, taking in the festivities, visit the cemetery.
7pm
Optional Bonfire, early to bed!
Day 5
Monday Nov 3, 2025
8am
Breakfast served and leave to Antigua
9am
Free time to enjoy the lake, hike, kayak, etc. Several activities available!
Lunch at accommodations, small group sessions.
Optional Cacao Workshop OR
Free afternoon to explore and visit traditional textile shops.
Dinner
7pm
Optional card/board games, chill time as a group.
Day 6
Tuesday Nov 4, 2025
8am
Breakfast served
9am
Group kayak to a sandy beach to enjoy the sun and have a picnic together.
A morning to focus on disconnecting from devices and the importance of good old fashioned "play time".
Kayak back to hotel dock.
Down time.
7pm
Traditional Temascal steam sauna with Eucalyptus and herbs.
Day 7
Wednesday Nov 5 2025
8:30
Breakfast
9:30
Closing Activity to share highlights.
11am
Shuttle back to Guatemala City, Antigua or.. extend your stay! (please ask for details)
Where you'll be staying while in Guatemala:
Each one of the rooms offered in this package boast two to three double beds and a beautiful north-east facing view so you enjoy the daily sun rising during your time at Lake Atitlan.
Beautiful views, local decor. Eco Hotel Uxlabil.
Total regular price:
$1700 per adult
$2100 per adult/1 child combo
(Children 9 and up)
APPLY NOW! First 3 applicants pay $1450, a savings of $250.
Payment plans available
Accepted applicants can reserve their spot with a deposit of $800
All funds USD
We make it easy.
From Airport pickup to drop off, you'll have bilingual support and guides available throughout the trip, taking the stress out of the travel and allowing you to focus on what you're here for: great conversations, amazing food, healing and reflection.
HIKING PACK LIST!
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Head lamp
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Portable charger
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Medications if needed (acetaminophen is recommended to have on hand)
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Electrolyte tabs
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Water bottles, 1 litre capacity recommended
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Extra snacks: granola bars, chocolate, nuts.
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Layers of Clothing: Indian-nose hike can be chilly!
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Mits and beanie
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Hiking shoes
CLOTHES PACK LIST
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7 Pairs socks and underwear
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3 Pants
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Comfortable hiking pants
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3 pairs of shorts
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7-8 shirts/tops
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Toiletries, brush
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Swimwear
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Sandals -hiking type recommended for versatility
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Sport Bras
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Base layer of thermo-wear
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Jacket AND sweater
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Walking shoes
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Earplugs and headphones
GENERAL INFORMATION
Join us for an incredible 6 night stay of work hard - play hard fun! We are so proud to offer this experience! Once registered, you will be invited to the WhatsApp group where registered guests are posting ideas, tips and questions for the hosts to answer.
Information on the hike that is included:
Rostro Maya:
Distance to top from San Juan: 4 miles
Top elevation: 2250 metres Hike up 2 hours.
Way down is a scenic pickup truck tour.
Lake Atitlan remains extremely traditional and conservative in nature. Please remember that we are guests and as such we should dress and behave respectfully towards our hosts. Please dress modestly during your time here.
Bringing a small gift is optional but recommended to give to some of the families we support in our community. (Quality socks, non-lingual games (like UNO, a quality decks of cards, Blockus), children's toys or a quality kitchen utensil/gadget.)
As our name Culture Chalk implies, we specialize in Cultural Education. We truly want you to experience the best of Guatemalan culture while representing your own culture with class, sensitivity and objectivity. And trust us, we know it's not always easy when experiencing new things, as good as they may be, they are still different and different can be challenging. We encourage visitors to come with an attitude of loving Guatemala for what it is and not judging it for what it is not.
Guatemala is a vibrant place and roosters crowing, dogs barking, music playing and fireworks being set off at all times of the day is considered normal. Come ready to laugh, dance, sing, and see yourself in a brand new light.
Also... Please bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper! ;)
Our goal as your hosts is for you to leave our place BETTER, in so many ways.
Cultural Immersion Retreats