Guatemala Yoga & Seva Retreat

Register Now
Mar 29 - Apr 5, 2025
INCLUSIONS: airport transfers, all accommodations, yoga space/yoga classes, meals as listed (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner), private vehicle, private guide, walking tour Antigua, entry fees, visit to AltaMira, coffee tour, coordination of 2 days of service work, special SUV transportation to Volcano, Jocotenango experience, Guatemalan cooking class, and all bank/wire processing fees.

At The Village Experience, travel inspires impact. To date, TVE has operated over 800 responsible tourism programs around the world. Our programs have immersed nearly 3,000 travelers into our partner communities and impacted more than 25,000 people on the ground. Together, we have implemented programs to tackle social justice issues such as access to education & healthcare, women’s empowerment, and sustainability in these communities.

It is only through this unique relationship of responsible travel + philanthropy, that we have been able to raise $3,500,000 for our partner communities. You inspire and contribute to the impact…so keep traveling with The Village Experience!



Flex Yoga Wooster’s Guatemala Retreat will be led by Emily Moorefield Mariola and Dee Black
in partnership with The Village Experience. Students can expect daily yoga sessions, workshops,
community Seva activities, and exciting responsible
 tourism offerings. 

EMILY MOOREFIELD MARIOLA

Emily Moorefield Mariola, ERYT-500,  is the founder of Flex Yoga Wooster and is a certified Yoga Instructor through Amazing Yoga Studios of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Emily took her first yoga class in 2004 and has been hooked ever since. Emily uses her understanding of competitive athletics and awareness of physical capabilities to enhance her yoga practice as well as her teaching. Emily teaches a Power Vinyasa Flow style of yoga that integrates the physical poses (or asanas) with the breath (or pranayama) in a fluid and powerful way. Emily has traveled to Guatemala several times and is excited to bring a group on this retreat!

DEE BLACK

Dee is the Studio Manager for Flex Yoga Wooster, E-RYT 200+YACEP, Yin, Restorative, and Reiki Certified. She completed yoga teacher training at Flex Yoga Wooster in 2018. In 2019, Dee began working full-time for the studio. She manages Flex Yoga with passion and makes it a priority to be available for students as much as possible. Her yoga classes focus on breath and movement and making the practice of yoga accessible and welcoming for everyone. Dee believes that you never need to change your body to fit a yoga pose – you change the shape of the pose to fit your body. She is excited to be co-leading this retreat to Guatemala along with Emily.

FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT

We are asking that as part of your commitment to this trip, you are prepared to raise at least $250 in donations for our Community Seva Activities to support the community partners we will interact with on this trip. You can make the donation yourself, you can host fundraisers, you can ask your friends and family for support, or work with Emily, Dee and Kelly to come up with other ideas.


Pricing

$2999 – Per person – Double occupancy

$3799 – Per person – Single occupancy

$1000 – Deposit due with Registration

Final balance, flights, passports and travel insurance due: October 1, 2024

Itinerary

March 29
Arrive to Guatemala City International Airport. Meet your TVE representative and transfer to hotel in Antigua for the evening. Settle into your accommodations and rest before the activities begin tomorrow morning.

March 30
8-10 a.m. – Morning Welcome Circle and yoga practice onsite.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Antigua. Visit Fifth Avenue, Central Park, the Main Cathedral, La Merced, San Francisco and more. Stop for lunch and coffee and people watching along the way.
6-8 p.m. – Evening yoga practice or meditation offered. (B)

March 31
8-10 a.m. – Morning yoga practice onsite.
11 a.m. – Small scale coffee farm tour with our partners at De La Gente. Hike to the coffee plantation, learn the production process, and then share a cup of coffee and lunch with the family. This is part of our responsible tourism program in Guatemala.
Afternoon visit to Alta Mira lookout point after lunch and photo opportunities with the Golden Hand – La Mano de Oro.
6-8 p.m. – Evening yoga practice or meditation offered. (B, L)

April 1
8 a.m. – Depart hotel for Volcano Fuego for a day of service with our partners at Vamos Adelante. We’ll spend time in one of the villages we support, participate in a food distribution to the elderly, and work on a special project the group has funded. Packed lunches provided on site. (B,L)
5 p.m. – Return to hotel
6-8 p.m. – Evening yoga practice or meditation offered. (B, L)

April 2
8 a.m. – Depart hotel for Volcano Fuego for a day of service with our partners at Vamos Adelante.
We’ll spend time in one of the villages we support, participate in a food distribution to the elderly, and work on a special project the group has funded. Packed lunches provided on site. (B,L)
5 p.m. – Return to hotel
6-8 p.m. – Evening yoga practice or meditation offered. (B, L)

April 3
8-10 a.m. – Morning yoga practice onsite.
11 a.m.  – Today, we will get to know tour guide, Ingrid, and her family. Take a walking tour of the village of Jocotenango where they live. Visit the beautiful church and ruins. Stop for coffee. Sample locally made sweets and see artisans at work. Then, enjoy a traditional lunch at Ingrid’s home. We’ll present the gifts we brought along for the family at this time.
6-8 p.m. – Evening yoga practice or meditation offered. (B, L)

April 4
8–10 a.m. – Morning yoga practice onsite. Free day for massages, continuing to explore, relaxing, shopping, or booking an optional tour.
6 p.m. – Evening Guatemalan Cooking Class and Farewell dinner. (B,D)

April 5
Transfers to airport today. Check out time is typically 10 a.m. (B)


Extension Trip to Lake Atitlan

 


Inclusions:
all accommodations, private transfers to/from Lake Atitlan, private guide, tour of ChiChi, boat tour to 3 Mayan Villages, tour of Iximche, airport transfer, and all bank/wire processing fees.

Pricing

$1299 – Per person – Double occupancy
$1699 – Per person – Single occupancy

(Pricing based on 4 passengers)

Payments due: October 1, 2024

 

Itinerary

April 5 – Check out of Antigua hotel and drive to Lake Atitlan. Stop at Chichicastenango to witness one of the largest outdoor markets in Central America. Visit one of the local churches where both Catholic and Mayan traditions abound. Walk through the cemetery and learn about Mayan rituals. Visit the Mayan ceremonial site of Oxlajuj Baktun. Continue on and check into hotel with views of Lake Atitlan and all three majestic volcanoes. (B)

April 6 – Boat tour of several Mayan Villages today. Enjoy stops at San Juan La Laguna for a women’s weaving demonstration and time to shop. Then, head to Santa Cruz for lunch with the hospitality school of Amigos de Santa Cruz. Lunch has incredible views of Lake Atitlan. We’ll then enjoy a guided walk through Santa Catarina Palapo with our friends at Pintando Santa Catarina Palapo. We will learn all about their efforts to beautify their village and how our tour is contributing to these efforts. Today is all part of our socially responsible tourism program in Guatemala. Return to hotel in the afternoon and enjoy the pool, the views, and the botanical gardens. (B)

April 7 – Check out of hotel. Visit the Mayan archeological site of Iximche. This city was the capital of the Mayan Kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. Visit the temples, palace, and recreational spaces onsite. Continue on to Guatemala City. Check into hotel for the evening. Head up to the rooftop for more volcano views! (B)

April 8 – Transfers to airport today. Check out time is typically 10am. (B)


Flight Reservations

Arrival & Departure: La Aurora International Airport (GUA)

Vaccinations

Visit the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date requirements (www.cdc.gov) and/or speak with a local travel doctor regarding vaccinations. 

Recommendations for Guatemala include:
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

We also advise that you speak with your doctor regarding a prescription for an antibiotic to combat food and water borne illnesses.

Required Documents

1.  Passport – Must have at least two blank pages and six months’ validity.
2.  Travel Insurance – Medical evacuation, repatriation and medical coverage are required by The Village Experience. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.