Itinerary
Expanding Presence
The Flow of the Retreat
While the itinerary below captures the intention of the retreat, we may adapt the schedule to meet the needs of the group, the needs of the local communities, the weather, and other changing conditions.
FRIDAY
Stepping into the Journey: You will be welcomed at the airport by a private driver who will take you on a one-hour drive to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the colors and sights of Antigua or resting after your long day of travel. In the evening, gather for a group dinner with other retreat participants.
SATURDAY
Seeing the Sacred along the Way: After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a three-hour drive through the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlan. A private boat will bring us to Villa Sumaya Retreat Center, an oasis of peace and tranquility that has received accolades in Tashen's Great Yoga Retreats as well as in the Yoga Journal. We will enjoy lunch in Panajachel and then will have the afternoon to relax and explore the gardens, paths, and views that make Villa Sumaya so special. We’ll gather for an opening ceremony that will help us settle deeply into our retreat experience.
SUNDAY
Connecting to the Spaciousness of Self and Place: Start the morning with stillness and gentle movement overlooking the lake, and then after breakfast we will receive an orientation from the Villa Sumaya staff. We’ll spend the day being nourished by all the retreat center has to offer. You could relax in the tropical gardens, swim in Lake Atitlan, read by the dock, take in the volcanoes, schedule a spa treatment, rent a kayak, or hike nearby. We will practice yoga in the afternoon, and our evening program will include time for reflection, connection, and gratitude.
MONDAY
Receiving from Others: We’ll welcome the morning by connecting deeply with our breath and body, and then we’ll hike up to the village of Santa Cruz to meet with leaders of Amigos de Santa Cruz. We’ll tour the village, learn about Amigos’ programs, and visit their handcraft shop. Graduates of Amigos' programs will teach you how to bead your own bracelet, weave a scarf, or cook a three-course Guatemalan meal. We'll return with enough time to relax at Villa Sumaya before dinner. Our day will close with a gentle yoga practice. (Photo by Amigos de Santa Cruz)
TUESDAY
Exploring the Beauty and Power of Presence: Our morning will start on the dock at sunrise and then those who are interested can continue their practice with a "mindful meander" along the shore of Lake Atitlan. After breakfast you are encouraged to soak up the beauty of the area in ways that make you feel most alive. Create the perfect day for yourself! Consider strengthening your connection to the natural world: relax in the gardens, paddle on the lake, explore the many walking trails in and around Santa Cruz, or simply be present to the magic at the retreat center. In the afternoon, we’ll dance in the outdoor Diamond dojo. After dinner, we will explore the Mayan understanding of time and creation and you will learn your nuhaul--a symbol of your energy.
WEDNESDAY
Seeking a Perspective That’s Vast, Open, Interconnected, and Generous: Immerse your senses and play with creative expression today with early morning writing, mid-day art-making, and an afternoon sweat lodge ceremony. If you’d prefer to get out and explore a bit, you could arrange a tour with Villa Sumaya (for an additional fee) or simply hop on a public boat and visit some of the towns around the lake. After dinner, we’ll gather for a grounding movement session in our beautiful studio space.
THURSDAY
Tuning into Magnificence: After breakfast, we’ll take a private boat to the artistic community of San Juan where we’ll browse the many market stalls, visit a weaving cooperative and check out some of the murals that depict scenes from daily life. You could take the boat back to Villa Sumaya for lunch or stay longer in San Juan and hike up to the mirador, or go to San Marcos and explore on your own. During our evening program we’ll integrate our experiences through movement and conversation.
FRIDAY
Resting in Stillness and Wonder: We will savor our outdoor morning meditation. Breakfast will be early so that we can gather together in appreciation and participate in a Mayan fire ceremony. Fire ceremonies, often considered to be the heart of Maya spiritual practice, are beautiful two-hour events, full of color, fragrant incenses and flowers, and rich words. After the ceremony, you might want to revisit some of your favorite places or check out some things that you have not yet had a chance to do. Indulge in one of Villa Sumaya’s revitalizing healing treatments, spend some time in the hot tub, hang out in your hammock, hike to a restaurant perched on the cliffs, visit a nature reserve, go on a bird watching tour, or get together with some other participants and book a private boat tour. After dinner, we will honor our final night at Villa Sumaya and celebrate all that we have received.
SATURDAY
Celebrating All That Is: We’ll have our final morning session at Villa Sumaya and then it will be time to say goodbye to Lake Atitlan. A private boat will take you back to Pana where you will meet a shuttle which will take you to your hotel in Antigua or in Guatemala City. You could spend the afternoon visiting the Antigua handcraft markets and walking the cobblestone roads of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Or you could relax by the pool at the hotel in Guatemala City and begin to integrate the gifts of the retreat..
SUNDAY
Bringing the Gift Home: With a full heart, you’ll travel back home.
The retreat experience doesn’t end when you leave Guatemala. Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll have opportunities to gather with our amazing community and explore how our time away can inspire and inform our way forward.
"The spiritual atmosphere and beauty of Villa Sumaya was another unexpected highlight. Wherever one walked, in a corner or crevice, one found a surprise, a spiritual connection, a beautiful color, a smiling buddha, a reminder of peace."
-Retreat Participant