Deposit for Birds + Textiles Cobán Adventure, January 23 - February 1, 2027

//This is a non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot for the rural nature, community and textile exploration for the Cobán area in Guatemala from January 23 - February 1, 2027. Deadline to sign up is August 30th, 2026. Not applicable for store discounts (we will correct the discount in your second invoice).//

We have loved our trips to the Cobán area, and are excited to launch this itinerary with more time dedicated for nature. Hosted together with an expert bilingual birding guide and friend, we will be exploring both nature and textiles in the lush cloud forest area of the country.

Join us for an unforgettable rural textile travel experience to visit and share with our partner weavers in the Cobán area of Guatemala. This area is known for the lush cloud forest, and with some luck, we should be able to spot some quetzales! We hope you can get a feel of the natural beauty, striking textile traditions, welcoming weavers, and overall joy from the pictures from our last visits. 

Total 9 nights: 6 around Cobán (3 in city center + 3 in cabins in the cloud forest) + 3 in Antigua

This is an especially small-group offering as we will all be going in one van together. Min 5 participants / Max 7 participants 

$2950 per person in single-occupancy rooms. Take $200 off per person when signing up together and sharing a room. 

Reserve your spot with a $600 non-refundable deposit. The deposit is a little higher than for other itineraries in order to cover extended transport costs and other logistics in case of a cancellation.

We are committed to local education/training in Guatemala, and we look forward to sponsoring a local artisan partner to join us on this adventure (with 7 pax registration).

Explore:

• • History and evolution of the regional pikbil weave tradition, introduced through an expert textile talk with physical textile samples.
  • San Juan del Chamelco, Samac, Tactic, and Tamahú: nearby towns around Cobán but with very different textiles. Spend quality time with weavers and support the groups.
  • Local birding walks led by an experienced Guatemalan birding guide and friend, Ana Paula. This is a great time of the year to see some quetzales. We have been fortunate to see them on past trips!
  • In-depth pikbil weave demonstration by master weavers
  • The hot cacao drink tradition
  • An active local organic tea farm
  • Regional dishes and cooking opportunities together with weavers
    
  • An orchid sanctuary
  • The beautiful UNESCO-heritage city Antigua Guatemala. 
  • Cross-cultural gathering and friendships from within Guatemala and beyond.
  • And more!

What's included?

• 3 nights in the cloud forest of Alta Verapaz. The property is also a private reserve and features lovely cabin accommodations. Participants are welcome to walk on the many trails available, including to a waterfall.
• 3 nights in Cobán at a beautiful hotel with lush gardens and a river downhill, perfect for morning walks in nature before community visits to weavers.
• 3 nights in Antigua at our favorite hotel that feels like home away from home (1 before and 2 after Cobán)
• All meals except for the arrival and departure days and two "free-time" slots.
• All rural community visits, including demonstrations and workshops.
• All in-country transport with a trusted driver. This includes airport transfers between Aurora Airport (Guatemala City) and Antigua at a date of your choice. We encourage all participants to arrive and stay a bit longer in Antigua when possible.
• A printed-out "Antigua Guide" we have developed with our favorite places around town for participants to explore before and/or after the group trip.
• Two bilingual facilitators for the entire trip (one Kakaw textile facilitator + one nature guide), with additional local village expert guides and facilitators for workshops and activities.
• Sponsorship for a master weaver from a different community to join us for the entirety of the trip outside Antigua, with 7 pax registration.
• Personalized pre-trip assistance and communication, including a group Zoom call.

NOTES:

• COVID-19 vaccination required to participate.
• This itinerary includes home-cooked and restaurant meals in rural communities. We cannot guarantee changes to the menu to meet dietary restrictions. We will do our best, but those with special dietary needs should be prepared with snacks in case an alternative cannot be provided.
• This itinerary includes walking up and down hill on uneven ground. The cloud forest can be moist, and walking through beautiful habitats require balance and mobility. This trip was created for lovers of both nature and textiles. If you feel unsure about physical ability, please reach out via email at hello@kakawdesigns.com.
• The drives to reach rural communities are also long, sometimes on windy roads. Expect a 6-hour drive for the longest of the legs for this trip. If we encounter road maintenance or other factors, this may be longer.
• The rest of the payment for this itinerary will be invoiced either after the sign-up deadline (August 30th) or when the spots fill. Instructions will follow. 
• Some images are from our 2021 visit, when masks were still required. It is no longer the case.
• All bird images were taken by Ana Paula Oxom.

Trip Cancellation Policy

If the trip is canceled by the participant:

•  Up to two months to the start date of the course: full amount in credit form for future travel with Kakaw Designs to be used within 365 days of the original trip dates, minus the non-refundable deposit.
• Less than two months to the start of the course: 50% trip cost in credit form for future travel with Kakaw Designs to be used within 365 days of the original trip dates, minus the deposit.
• Less than one month to the start of the course: no refund or credit.
• Delay in joining the group for any reason: no refund or credit for missed time in Guatemala.
• Early return home or disruption of travel with the group for any reason, including missed meals or group activities: no refund or credit and traveler is responsible for any extra expenses incurred (transportation, etc.).

If the trip is canceled by the organizers due to unforeseen circumstances in Guatemala (volcano eruptions, COVID-19, etc.), the full amount is refunded minus the deposit and any associated bank transfer fees.

Questions? Reach out at hello@kakawdesigns.com