{"product_id":"deposit-for-xela-and-beyond","title":"Deposit for Xela and Beyond: Community + Crafts: February 19 - 28, 2027","description":"\u003cp\u003e\/\/This is a non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot for our first rural textile travel to the Xela area, taking place from February 19th - 28th, 2027. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeadline to sign up is September 10th, 2026. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot applicable for store discounts (we will correct the discount in your second invoice).\u003c\/span\u003e\/\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoin us for a new rural textile adventure to\u003cstrong\u003e Xela and Beyond\u003c\/strong\u003e! Community visits include \u003cstrong\u003eMomostenango, Salcajá, San Andrés Xecul, Cantel, Zunil, Almolonga, and the famous hot springs of the region\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003cstrong\u003ewool, jaspe (ikat), glass, traditional Maya backstrap weaving, footloom weaving,\u003c\/strong\u003e and more. Enjoy the historical city center of Quetzaltenango (lovingly referred to as \"Xela\" pronounced \u0026lt;sh-eh-lah\u0026gt;) and visit artisan-partnered businesses, organizations, and local artisan workshops as well as homes. What a privilege to experience community this way!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis trip is brought to you in collaboration with our friend \u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHanne De Wyngaert,\u003c\/strong\u003e designer and founder of \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Que Onda Vos\" href=\"https:\/\/www.queondavos.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eQué Onda Vos\u003c\/a\u003e. Originally from Belgium, Hanne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e has made Guatemala her home for almost 15 years, working closely with indigenous weaving communities in the highlands. We're delighted to work with Hanne to share her favorite places and personal insight into her work in the communities of the area. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal 9 nights:\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e 5 nights in Xela + 1 night in natural hot springs + 3 nights in Antigua\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an especially small-group offering as we will all be going in one van together. \u003cstrong\u003eMin 6 participants \/ Max 8 participants \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$3250 per person in single-occupancy rooms\u003c\/strong\u003e. Take $200 off per person when signing up together and sharing a room. Note that for the one night in the hot springs, cabin accommodations will be for 2 participants each, meaning everyone will be sharing a cabin for one night, even if selecting single room occupancy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReserve 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistoric city center of Quetzaltenango (lovingly called \"Xela\" locally) as well as Antigua Guatemala.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCommunity visits to Momostenango, Salcajá, San Andrés Xecul, Cantel, Zunil, and Almolonga.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrafts: wool, jaspe (ikat), glass, traditional Maya backstrap weaving, footloom weaving, and more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe beautiful natural hot springs of the area, staying overnight to enjoy outdoor natural pools and walking paths of the area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHanne's personal passion working with wool artisans in Momostenango and beyond. Learn the joys and challenges of artisan-focused work in Guatemala from an expert.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur home sweet home: UNESCO-heritage city Antigua Guatemala. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCross-cultural gathering and friendships from within Guatemala and beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnd more!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 nights Xela city center hotel, well situated for exploring the historic city center by foot.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 night in a mountain cabin at a private natural hot springs reserve. Note that cabins need to be shared for this night - 2 pax per cabin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 nights in a central and historic Antigua Guatemala hotel, just a couple of blocks from the Kakaw studio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMost meals, including home-cooked in artisan homes as well as gourmet restaurant meals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll rural community visits, including demonstrations and workshops.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport for extending your stay in Antigua before and\/or after the group itinerary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA printed-out \"Antigua Guide\" we have developed with our favorite places around town for participants to explore before and\/or after the group trip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo bilingual facilitators for the entire trip (Hanne + one Kakaw facilitator), with additional local village expert guides and facilitators for workshops and activities.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonalized pre-trip assistance and communication, including a group Zoom call.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis itinerary includes walking up and down hills on uneven ground. Community visits can be tiring, and participants need to be able to travel as a group from breakfast to dinner on many days to facilitate rural visits. The forest around the hot spring reserve can be moist, and walking through beautiful habitats require balance and mobility. If you feel unsure about physical ability, please reach out via email at hello@kakawdesigns.com.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe drives to reach rural communities can be long, sometimes on windy roads. Expect a 4-hour drive for the longest of the legs for this trip. If we encounter road maintenance or other factors, this may be longer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSome images were taken by Hanne.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrip Cancellation Policy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf the trip is canceled by the participant:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLess 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLess than one month to the start of the course: no refund or credit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelay in joining the group for any reason: no refund or credit for missed time in Guatemala.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly 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.).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestions? Reach out at hello@kakawdesigns.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kakaw Designs","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":47602944508130,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Double - signing up with a friend (please sign up per person)","offer_id":47602944540898,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0288\/9618\/files\/Xela_QOV_oficina_Xela.jpg?v=1774280431","url":"https:\/\/kakawdesigns.com\/products\/deposit-for-xela-and-beyond","provider":"Kakaw Designs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}