Travel to the Guatemala Highlands in search of cultural connections between the Maya, who call this home, and the Hopi clans, who date back more than 4,000 years in the American Southwest. This is an extraordinary opportunity to visit present-day Tz’utujil, K’iché, and Kaqchiquel—Maya communities in the highlands of Guatemala. Engage with Maya and Hopi scholars as they compare cosmologies, rituals, and agricultural practices. Shaman-led Second Harvest ceremonies celebrate the rich Maya culture. Highlights Witness Shamans and ceremonies surrounding Second Harvest. Learn about indigenous agricultural practices.
Evidence of trade and cultural interchange between the American Southwest and Mesoamerica dates back over thousands of years. Each indigenous group absorbed and shared traditions from creation stories to key crops including staples like maize, and ritual products like cacao & tobacco. Join us in the exploration of ritual ceremonies and traditional agricultural practices in present-day Tz’utujil, K’iché, and Kaqchiquel Maya communities. We will observe the traditional “Last Harvest” ritual with local spiritual leaders, learn about farming techniques passed down for thousands of years, visit some fascinating archeological sites, & enjoy spectacular vistas and colonial towns including Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Quetzaltenango and Los Altos de Guatemala. Re-enforcing the Maya cosmo-vision is connectivity to natural areas and we will try to have a hike or outdoor activity each day to enjoy the beautiful highlands of Guatemala.
| Day | Place |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival to Guatemala City |
| 2 | Iximché & Lake Atitlan |
| 3 | Day of Sacred Maize |
| 4 | Medicinal Plants & Xela |
| 5 | Fincas of the highlands, thermal baths of Fuentes Georginas |
| 6 | Laguna Chicabal & Takalik Abaj |
| 7 | Takalik Abaj, Cacao, transfer to Antigua |
| 8 | Closing ceremony & Exploring Antigua |
| 9 | Departure |