Accommodation

This gorgeous retreat center is the perfect sanctuary from which to base your inward and outward explorations. The naturally built center exudes comfort and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. An expansive yoga deck opens onto breathtaking views of the lake and common areas as well as a library and onsite sauna, giving you space to connect together and realign the mind and body.

Program

Day 1: Arrive and gather together to connect

Upon arrival, transportation will be provided from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala 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. As you arrive at the retreat accommodations, you’ll have the opportunity to settle in and relax.

The naturally built retreat center that you’ll call home for the week is centered on permaculture and regenerative living concepts and comes complete with spacious rooms, private bathrooms, hot water, Wi-Fi, and balconies with beautiful views of the lake and volcanoes.

Gathering together this evening you’ll enjoy a soothing yoga session to unwind from a day of travels. 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: Dinner

Day 2: Mayan fire ceremony and connecting to place

To begin your first full day together you’ll embark on a ceremonial journey led by a Mayan shaman. The ancient Mayan fire ceremony will help you explore the energy of your time together according to the Mayan calendar. Your shaman will walk you 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 your week together.

Following the ceremony, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast together. 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 a tasty lunch, you’ll enjoy some afternoon downtime and an opportunity to connect with your environment. Perhaps a dip in the refreshing lake water is in order! This evening you’ll gather for an uplifting yoga session followed by another delicious dinner.

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.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Cacao experience and time to explore

You may opt to begin your morning with a refreshing yoga class, allowing you to connect within and find inner stillness. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a unique cacao workshop. Learn about different techniques to make healthy treats with pure cacao and explore new tastes, textures, and possibilities. You’ll also discover a wide variety of uses and potentials of cacao including its deep connection to many aspects of Mesoamerican history, its cosmetic and medicinal potential, as well as its link to permaculture and reforestation. Finally you’ll enjoy drinking the cacao and sharing a delicious traditional Guatemalan lunch.

After your midday meal, enjoy some free time during which you might try out optional activities like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, or exploring surrounding hiking trails and the nearby peaceful towns of Tzununa and San Marcos. As dusk descends and temperatures cool, you’ll gather up for another yoga session before settling into a peaceful evening.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Markets & local villages

Another day in paradise begins with a yoga flow and delicious breakfast. We’ve left the rest of 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. The day also offers a chance to swim in natural pristine pools followed by lunch together as you immerse yourselves in this beautiful part of Guatemala and the future of regenerative lifestyles. You can also enjoy the onsite sauna at our retreat center. We’ll reconvene in the evening for our yoga session and another nourishing dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Relax, hike, swim, or visit nearby villages

After renewing your mind and body with another morning yoga session and freshly prepared breakfast, you’ll some free time.

This afternoon we’ll have our final yoga flow together, followed by a special Sound Healing ceremony. Our Farewell Dinner tonight will be an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and what to bring forth into your life back home following this transformative week together.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Departure

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: Breakfast

Daily yoga with experienced yoga teacher

June 2025 - Michelle Fajkus

Instructors

Leti Alvarez

Leti began her yoga journey years ago and has remained deeply committed to living her yoga. She offers empowering, inspiring flows that encourage students to explore and connect with their deeper authentic selves. Leti meets students exactly where they are, and encourages them to embrace their own unique experiences. Leti loves yoga for all its transformative powers, including physical and spiritual, and emphatically knows yoga is her “health insurance.” Leti caters to students of all levels and abilities and ensures that everyone feels welcome and comfortable from day one.

Michelle Fajkus

Michelle is a writer, editor, translator, yoga teacher, and retreat leader. A native Texan, Michelle is a lifelong student of Hatha and Dharma yoga. She has been teaching yoga since 2002. For the past decade, Michelle has lived and breathed deeply with her husband, daughter, and fur family on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Her yoga style is slow flow, and she incorporates Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga, chakra energies, pranayama (breathing practices), dharma (Buddhist teachings), mindfulness, and laughter into the classes she leads.

Retreat location

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, offers stunning vistas of a volcanic crater lake surrounded by sweeping conical peaks offering the perfect natural setting for a rejuvenating experience. 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. As well, a large presence of practitioners bringing forth unity through healing and spiritual wellness complements the profuse examples of permaculture, sustainability, and regenerative lifestyles found in abundance.

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Unique features

Activities

Cooking classes
Hiking
Sauna
Stand up paddle boarding
Swimming

General

Balcony
Environmentally friendly
Kitchen

Services

Free Wi-Fi
Local market

Food

Enjoy a full-service farm-to-table restaurant, providing all your meals with plenty of organic and locally grown food. You will be served three meals a day, plus coffee/tea, two snacks, and dessert.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks

The following drinks are included:

Coffee
Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Organic

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Add-on activities include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rock-climbing, hiking, acro-yoga and more.

What's included

5 nights of accommodation at an idyllic and sustainably-built retreat center
3 meals a day, plus coffee/tea, two snacks, and dessert
Daily yoga and meditation classes
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
Organic farm tour and waterfall hike
Mayan Fire Ceremony
Sound healing session
Airport transfer to/from La Aurora International Airport (GUA)
All in-country transportation to/from included activities
Engagement session with the community partner and donation to their organization
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Dedicated Traverse host throughout trip
Small group experience, max 16 people

What's not included

Alcohol, unless specified
International airfare
Tips to your local guide, Traverse host, drivers, etc.
Required travel insurance

How to get there

Recommended Airports

GUA

La Aurora International Airport

78 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flights to arrive at La Aurora International Airport (GUA). Transportation will be provided from and to the airport.

Airport: La Aurora International Airport Airport transfer included: La Aurora International Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.

Explore

Hello there.
Glad to have you!

Day 1: Arrive and gather together to connect

Day 2: Mayan fire ceremony and connecting to place