Join us for an incredible journey to Guatemala. Of the many places I have traveled in Central America, Guatemala is one of the most diverse landscapes, containing mountains, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, ancient Mayan ruins, colonial cities and beautiful people. In one week we do our best to experience much of what this ecologically varied country has to offer along with using the energies of the landscape to assist us in our process of self-discovery and healing.

Tikal is one of the most magnificent Mayan sites located deep within the rain forest. Surrounded by the national park and protected areas, the wildlife in this area is remarkable. You can hear the sounds of the jungle around you at all times. Two days is just enough time to touch the surface of this immense city. In addition we will explore two lesser known sites - Topoxte and Yaxha. Yaxha once had a population of around 40,000 people site now in the middle of the nature preserve. There are at least 500 structures here, including palaces, temples and ball courts. If you've got energy - climbing to the top of Temple 216 will reward you with a beautiful view of Lake Yaxha and the forest surrounding it. (See the picture in the itinerary below.) We will also enjoy the colonial city of Antigua with its magnificent churches, beautiful streets and shopping. Guatemala for me is one of the most romantic places, filled with mystery and magic. There are many Shamans that make their home around this area of great power. I had one of my most powerful experiences in this country and love to return in celebration of that turning point in my own process.

I invite you to share my love of this beautiful country and experience the power and the magic of it. This will be a journey you will not forget! Please feel free to take a peek at some pictures from our last journey to Guatemala: Guatemala Photo's!

As is typical for a Journeys of the Spirit retreat, you will experience class time daily, time for sharing with the group, reflection and meditation time, and one-on-one personal time with your group leader (along with fun and shopping time too of course!). It is our intent that you return home with an open heart and mind along with the tools you need to make the changes in your life you desire.

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Day 1-(-/-/-)GUATEMALA CITY AIRPORT - ANTIGUA On your arrival to the "La Aurora" airport in Guatemala City, you will be met and taken to the colonial old capitol of Antigua private transfer about 45 min. You will stay the next two nights in the Posada de Don Rodrigo (or equivalent), an historic hotel brimming with colonial atmosphere. Here we take the time to get to know each other and have a restful nights sleep before our first day of excitement!

Day 2-(B/-/-)ANTIGUA There are hundreds of amazing churches in this colonial city and many of them were built over powerful native sites. Today we visit many of these beautiful places and practice “dreaming”, a Toltec technique that we can use to merge with the energies of these places. Full day tour of Antigua, a UNESCO World heritage site. You will visit the Capuchinas Convent, San Francisco church and the Casa Kojom, a museum of Mayan Music and a working coffee plantation. Take time to visit the local markets and shops to get your first glimpse (but not your last!) at the great quality and variety of native handicraft available in Guatemala. Optional activity: Climbing Pacaya Volcano - an active volcano and a great day hike! There will be some time to explore the city on your own and do some shopping too.

Day 3-(B/L/-)ANTIGUA / SAN ANDRES IZTAPA / SAN ANTONIO AGUAS CALIENTES / IXIMCHE Start your tour early to enjoy a wonderful macadamia nut pancake breakfast at the Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm just outside of Ciudad Vieja. Marvel at the sustainability of Macadamia nut farming and the innovative inventions to process them for the humble farmer of Guatemala. Then we will drive close by to the town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes for a glimpse of the best weaving in the country. San Antonio is famous for their two sided back loom weavings. Take the time to investigate the town cooperative and the church and plaza. Most San Antonians thrive in their native dress.

Enjoy lunch in a quaint restaurant en route to San Andres Iztapa. It will take us about 1 1/2 hours drive to reach the town where you may want to stop at the local street vendor stalls to buy some of the local necessities to honor San Simon. San Simon is the Kaqchiquel version of Maximon, the Maya Saint whose house is located in Santiago Atitlan by Lake Atitlan. The Catholic Church does not recognize the Maya saint, however, many Mayan Catholics recognize him as the provider for many of the delights of life. He is the “bad boy” who loves to smoke cigars, drink alcohol, and live the fast life. He is the protector of many who seek love, a good job, a nice house and all the good things for ones family. One belief is that you need to share with Maximon and he will bring you good fortune. Often, there are Maya shamans perfuming their fire rituals with their patient in tow. After watching and possibly participating in a cleansing ritual, we return to Antigua. We will also, time permitting, drive to the ruins of Iximche an hour from San Andres. The Maya site from the post classic time was the first capital of the Spanish Conquered Maya realm. It's a large site with many various buildings, mounds and ball courts. Return to Antigua to Posada Don Rodrigo hotel.

Day 4-(-/L/D) YAXHA & TOPOXTE Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Santa Elena, Peten. Transfer from the airport in Santa Elena, Peten to the Eco-Lodge "El Sombrero", a quaint lodge with bungalows both private and communal and hammocks for resting in the dinning area and private bar. Transfer in small-motorized boat to the Maya archaeological site of Topoxté located on an island in the middle of the Lake. Return to the restaurant for lunch. After a brief rest, transfer to the newly built museum of Topoxté and the site of Yaxhá. Yaxhá has been recently excavated and the restoration of the large temple 216 makes a great platform for observing the sunset over the Lake. Return to the lodge for dinner in a peaceful family setting. Optional Night Crocodile Photo hunt by boat on Lake Yaxha.

Day 5-(B/L/D)TIKAL After breakfast, transfer to the magnificent site of Tikal where you will enjoy a full day visit to this incredible ancient city; considered by most to be the most impressive in the Mayan world. Tikal is famous for it's monumental pyramids and grandiose central plaza. There is no way to talk about Tikal and its towering pyramids that look over the surrounding jungle canopy! We spend the day in this wonderful city exploring the ruins and the jungle in our own minds.

We then return to the comfort of our hotel at the entrance to the park for lunch and later, we can visit the Museum of Tikal where many jade artifacts, ceramics, and tomb contents are on display or return to the site of Tikal. You will note that most visitors to Tikal are "day trippers" - arriving in the morning and leaving in mid-afternoon. As such, you will have the park largely to yourself this afternoon, as you will stay tonight at the Tikal Inn, located in the park itself. Staying in the park will give you a greater appreciation for the area and its abundant flora and fauna - especially the howler monkeys and coatimundis!

Day 6-(B/-/-)TIKAL / GUATEMALA Early morning birding and nature walk, followed by time in this amazing ancient city. Late afternoon flight to Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua for your final night in Guatemala City.

Day 8-(B/-/-) ANTIGUA - GUATEMALA CITY AIRPORT Today we leave our new friends and family to fly back home enriched by our experiences in this charming country.

This trip is during holiday season, and because of this you will need to book your ticket way ahead of time to get a good price. Please consider registering for this journey early so that you are sure you will get a flight during the holiday season!

This schedule is tentative! Due the remote areas we are traveling to, weather, bad roads and other unseen obstacles may cause us to make changes in the schedule or to visit different sites. We understand that if this happens we were not meant to be where we were going!

Only certain meals are included in this program. These are noted next to each day and are in parentheses. Non-included meals may need to be paid for in cash so plan accordingly. All spiritual teachings are included. All tips for the drivers, guides, and bell boys are included. All ground transportation is included on this journey; our buses. Entrance fees to all the ruins are included. Your round-trip air flight is not included in the cost of the journey, but your internal flight from Flores to Guatemala City is included and our boat trip. Other non-included items would be spa services and souvenir shopping!

The actual schedule of spiritual teachings and what we will be doing day to day is not published. This is because we teach by channeling spirit which comes in the moment. Every day will be a magical experience for all of us, teachers included! Keep you heart and mind open to the experience life brings us.

2008 trip cost is $3285.00 per person double occupancy if 5 people travel, $2850.00 per person double occupancy if 8 people travel, and $2663.00 per person double occupancy if 10 people travel. The single room supplement for this journey is $244.00. A deposit of $500.00 is preferred by: October 1st, 2008. Final payment is due: November 1st, 2008. Any cancellation made in writing from: October 1st - November 1st, 2008 will result in a cancellation fee of $200.00. Any cancellation made after: November 1st, 2008 up to the date of departure will result in total loss of deposit. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended to cover such issues. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum.

Please know that I am happy to create a monthly payment plan for you - but your tuition must be paid in full before the trip departs. Just email me and we can charge a specific amount monthly to your credit card.

You may print each form separately, or download all 7 forms at the same time and then print them from your computer. All the documents are in Adobe PDF format. If you don't have Acrobat Reader in your computer (most people do), please go to CLICK HERE to download it. FORMS WILL BE POSTED SOON.

Dear Spiritual Traveler
Don't Forget Me List!
Statement of Health
Trip Application
Limitation of Liability
Release of Liability
Terms & Conditions
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These are a few books that I feel will help you prepare for your upcoming journey. Please enjoy these recommendations. If you have any of your own, let me know and I will consider posting them! If you click on the book itself it will link you to Amazon.com.

Having experienced many Spiritual Journeys, it is nice to have all the information you might need before you go! I have included a list of online resources that will prove to be useful as you plan and prepare for your next Spiritual Journey. Simply choose a link from the drop down menu below and the corresponding website will open in its own window making it easy for you to return to this site and continue your exploration.