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Below are some of the itineraries we have offered in the past. We love facilitating travel and workshop experiences that offer mutually-beneficial creative outlets for international participants and local artisan partner groups alike. 

January 2023:

A new concept based comfortably in our hometown of Antigua Guatemala. Mornings are filled with creative hands-on workshops, afternoons are free for exploring the beautiful town we call home. Come learn from our partner master makers in a safe small-group setting, with workshops held in our open-air courtyard and other open areas. This is a great option for the independently-minded traveler who enjoys taking some time on their own to explore and take it all in. The slow pace will allow for plenty of creative happenings!

If you'd like to get more into backstrap weaving in the afternoons, we'd be happy to facilitate private sessions for you. 

<Read what 2022 participant Kenna said about her day-to-day experience>

Min 4 pax / Max 6 pax

NOVEMBER 2022: 

We're excited to repeat a new itinerary we started in 2021. Now even more fine-tuned after last year's successful itinerary in collaboration with our local dyeing and weaving partners. We had such a great time slowing down and dedicating attention to processes and people. Looking forward to another fantastic week! Read about one of the group leaders, Kelly Moe-Rossetto, to find out why we're so excited to have her onboard.

Learn from beginning to end the traditional handmade processes involved for textile production:

• Growing organic cotton (including heirloom ixcaco)
• Spinning cotton using a "malacate," a traditional drop spindle
• Dyeing with natural dyes (plants and cochineal)
• Visit a local cochineal farm
• Designing and making warp ikat patterns by hand
• Setting up a backstrap loom
• Backstrap weaving (plain weave). The finished loom is for you to take home and continue weaving!

• Five nights at Lake Atitlán, two nights (one before and one after) in Antigua
• Small group workshops and one-on-one instruction in open-air settings, with COVID safety in mind.
• Local tamales-cooking class for Thanksgiving Day

Min 6 pax (already met for November 2022)

NOVEMBER 2022:

November 6-14: Antigua Area and Ixil Triangle Textile Exploration

UPDATE May 2022: Full!

A new itinerary by request! This trip will be lead by Aiko Kobayashi (she's my mom 😉), who has decades of experience visiting and leading groups to this region, and Kakaw manager Evelyn Arévalo. The Ixil region is very remote, and it will be a treat to be able to travel together in a small-group setting as these towns and villages are usually quite difficult to reach as well as coordinate for visits.

• Five nights total in the Ixil Triangle area (2 in San Juan Cotzal, 1 in Nebaj, 2 at an active dairy farm in Acul)
• 3 nights in Antigua (2 before and 1 after the Ixil visit)
• Visit with local weaving cooperatives in San Juan Cotzal and Chajul
• Local market visits with COVID safety in mind, including Chajul and Chichicastenango
• Boxbol cooking class - a regional vegetarian delicacy!
• Chajul-style pompom making in Antigua, learn how to wear the headdress
• Backstrap weaving with your own loom to take home in San Antonio Aguas Calientes with master weaver Doña Lidia López
• Pepián cooking (and eating!) with Doña Lidia and family
• Potential other workshops and visits TBD

Min 6 pax / Max 8 pax

2021: