textile traditions of
guatemala
March 6 - 12, 2025 | sold out
Sign up for the trip waitlist below
$2,950 usd per person discount room (sold out)
$3,400 USD per person SHARED ROOM (SOLD OUT)
$4,050 USD PER PERSON, private ROOM (SOLD OUT)
Join Thread Caravan at our origin place, one of our favorite places in the world, the majestic shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Nestled amongst the volcanoes and renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the textile traditions of Guatemala.
During this week-long experience, guests will be warmly welcomed at the Guatemala City airport and taken to the charming town of Antigua, Guatemala for an introduction to Guatemalan craft, including a natural dye workshop at the Luna Zorro studio. Then we’ll head to Lake Atitlan, where we’ll learn about spinning heirloom cotton and work one-on-one with local indigenous artisan instructors to weave a textile on the backstrap loom.
This trip introduces guests to Guatemala through the lens of textiles, while also taking a deep dive into the craft and environment that shape Guatemalan culture. There are options for a hike through terraced fields to a waterfall, a visit to a ceramics studio, a jade jewelry workshop with our partners Xibalba, guided market shopping experiences and more.
ITINERARY
*Some details subject to change.
Guests will be notified if any changes occur.
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Arrive to Guatemala City. Private transportation to Antigua Guatemala, where we'll settle into our hotel and have the option to either rest or explore the charming town, full of great shopping and local coffee.
Group meeting and orientation at sunset, followed by welcome dinner at a favorite restaurant in town. -
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to the Luna Zorro studio for a natural dyes workshop and opportunity to see Molly's textile collection.
2 hour drive into the Guatemalan highlands to visit with our partners in Chuacruz. Here we will have lunch and learn about heirloom cotton spinning.
Continue on to Lake Atitlan, where we will take a boat ride to our gorgeous private lakeside villas.
Group dinner at the main villa.
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Private boat ride to San Antonio Palopo where we will meet our weaving partners for the week. Here we will have an introduction to the Meso-American backstrap weaving practice, and begin creating our textiles with the help of local instructors.
Group lunch at the home studio.
Afternoon option for a moderate hike to a nearby waterfall and/or visit to a ceramics studio.
Return via boat to our villas. Group dinner and relaxation.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Today the weavers will make the journey to us, as we spend the day weaving in the garden terraces of our lakeside villas.
Traditional Mayan gratitude ceremony for the lake.
Group lunch and dinner here at the villas. Soak in the volcano sunset.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Private boat to San Antonio, a town at the base of the volcano, known for their intricate embroidery traditions. Emrboidery workshop and studio visit with our partners here.
Flexible afternoon for guests to either visit nearby towns with great textile shopportunities, or to spend the afternoon resting with temazcal and/or massage.
Group dinner at the villas.
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Group breakfast at the villas.
Return to Antigua. Settle into the Good Hotel. Lunch at a farm-to-table organic farm.
Afternoon jade jewelry workshop at the Xibalba studio to learn about Guatemalan jade. Free time to shop or explore the town.
Final group dinner at one of our favorite dining experiences in Antigua. Option to go out dancing or celebrating together.
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Final group breakfast.
Private transportation to the airport after a wonderful and enriching week together!
photos by Luna Antonia Arboleda, Caitlin Garcia-Ahern, & Luna Zorro
Backstrap weaving workshop
Backstrap weaving is the traditional method of creating textiles in Mesoamerica, a skill that has been passed down through generations for thousands of years.
During this retreat, guests will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a local artisan teacher as they weave a piece together.
This experience is open to all skill levels.
Additional Craft Experiences
In addition to the backstrap weaving workshop, this experience includes a natural dyes workshop, cotton spinning workshop, embroidery workshop and Guatemalan jade jewelry workshop.
Scenic Mountain Hike + Memorable experiences
Give thanks to the lake with a traditional Mayan ceremony. Learn about Nahuales. Hike through terraced onion fields to a waterfall. Eat lunch in an organic farm. Truly experience the profound depth of Guatemala’s craft culture.
Boutique Accommodation
We’ll stay in a collection of neighboring lakeside villas, accesible via private boat with gorgeous views of three volcanoes.
TRIP
DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 10 guests, who will accompanied by 1-2 Thread Caravan trip facilitator(s).
PRICING + PAYMENT
$2,950 USD per person for a shared discount room (in Antigua you will have separate queen beds in a shared room, and while at Lake Atitlan, you will share a bunk bed).
$3,400 USD per person for a shared room
$4,050 USD per person for a private room.
A $1275 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space on the trip. The remaining payment is due at least 60 days prior to the trip start day.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
No prior experience is needed in order to attend this experience. We accept all levels.
No Spanish speaking is required to attend this experience. Our team of hosts will be able to facilitate translation for the guests.
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying at a the Good Hotel, a small boutique hotel with social impact mission in Antigua, Guatemala. On Lake Atitlan, we will be staying in three neighboring villas on with gorgeous lakefront access.
ACCESSIBILITY
Antigua has uneven cobblestone streets, and Lake Atitlan’s towns can be hilly. Our drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan will be a 2.5 hour drive on a sometimes windy road, and the we will take multiple boat rides on Lake Atitlan.
Please contact us before reserving if you have mobility requirements, to see if we can accommodate them.
GETTING TO Guatemala
This trip starts and ends in Guatemala City and takes guests to Antigua and Lake Atitlan.
We ask that guests arrive by 3pm on the trip start day, and depart any time on the trip end day.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This trip includes a natural dyes workshop, a spinning workshop, two day backstrap weaving workshop, embroidery workshop and jade jewelry workshop. During these experiences, cost of materials and fair wage to artisan instructors is included in the trip price.
Additional Experiences: This trip also includes an optional guided hike, a traditional Guatemalan ceremony, an optional visit to a ceramics studio and more.
In-Country Transportation: We’ll be taking a mix of private shuttles and boat rides.
All Meals: All meals noted in the itinerary are included and will offer a range of unique dining experiences.
Accommodation: In a boutique hotel in Antigua and lakeside villas on Lake Atitlan.
Support: A Thread Caravan trip facilitator will guide this experience in partnership with local guides and hosts. Our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Morocco. If you’d like to plant additional trees to offset carbon emissions, there is an option for that at check out.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Airfare: To and from the Guatemala City airport.
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations.
Free Time: During our scheduled free time, guests will be responsible for all incurred expenses. This may include massages, or a boat ride to a nearby town.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Vaccinations: The CDC recommends preparing for Guatemalan travel with routine vaccinations as well as Covid vaccine.
VISA: A visa is not required for US citizens visiting Guatemala for less than 90 days. If you plan to spend more than 90 days in Guatemala, or are a citizen from a country other than the US, please look into visa requirements or contact us to help you.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. It will include things like an exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
TRIP REVIEWS
“Guatemala means so much to me. It is a place that holds all my best childhood memories together in all the ways possible. It is my homeland and home to most of my family today. I’ve lived in U.S. for 23 years now, and although I have travelled back and forth through the years, I had never seen much outside of Guatemala City where I grew up.
It was important for me to reconnect to my roots in a different way, in a deep way. Thread Caravan made it possible for me to see a very beautiful, authentic and meaningful side to my own culture I had been missing. I was able to meet local indigenous people that showed me their craft and their day to day living. They welcomed me in their homes and prepared delicious meals that brought me back to my childhood.
As an artist, this trip gave me all the life I needed. The people, the colors, the smells, the beautiful lakeside views, everything inspired me! This week long workshop opens your mind and your soul to all the beautiful real things that matter, and that’s what I took away from it. One of the best things I loved seeing was how a lot of co-ops are benefitting many women and children that have been held back for so long. As I look back on my childhood, I see how these indigenous groups have come a long way. What inspires most of my work as an artist are the traditions and customs of indigenous Guatemalan culture. Going back to a familiar place but seeing it with hopeful and fresh eyes, that’s a whole other surprise!
I was able to fulfill my dream when I got there but I came back feeling even more inspired and more renewed with a fresh perspective. Lastly, I was able to connect with so many people and real friendships were made here. I plan on returning!”
— NATALIA VALLE
“Working with my hands has always made me feel the most present in my life. When I came across Thread Caravan’s list of workshops, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to participate in a creative workshop in a country I had not been to before. The itinerary looked amazing on paper, but looking back on my week in Guatemala, the actual experience defied my expectations — bonding and exploring with a group of creative women, enjoying delicious food, getting swept away in beautiful vintage textile markets, seeing the different color and pattern textiles between the towns of San Juan, San Antonio and Panajachel — all against the background of Antigua’s rich colors and the silhouetted volcanoes of Lake Atitlan.’
“Working with the multiple incredible women-led co-ops throughout Guatemala was my favorite part of the trip. We can learn so much from the vast indigenous cultures around the world. Thanks to Thread Caravan for creating a wonderful opportunity to explore and learn a new craft and make new friends!”
— CAMILLE ROBLES
“It was such a pleasure to be completely taken care of! Every single event was super quality and all logistics were impeccably handled, whether on foot, by car, van, bus, boat, or tuk tuk! The accommodations were luxurious and comfortable, and my hosts on the tour, and the local people, were all very gracious, and inspiring!’
“I sincerely appreciate all you did to make sure I didn't get separated from the group, including arranging impromptu transport so seamlessly! And arranging rooms so that I had the least distance and the least stairs. I can really tell you are a veteran at this! But still, it was quite amazing that you were seemingly unruffled by anything!’
“Thanks again, from the bottom of my heart, for one of the best experiences of my life! And in one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Among some of the most beautiful people on Earth!”
— ELAINE PUTVIN
