Deposit for Colors of Guatemala trip, Dec 9 - 19, 2024

//This is a non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot for the natural dye exploration itinerary from December 9th to 19th, 2024. Deadline to sign up is July 15th, 2024. Please check our FAQ sheet for more information on our Textile Travels. Wondering how to compare the different itineraries? See our blog post.//

A new itinerary put together with indigo practitioner Abigail Rothberg from Mysa! Over the past decade working with artisans in Guatemala, we at Kakaw have learned a lot about natural dye practices and traditions. But, sometimes, it seems like the more we learn, the more we have follow-up questions! This is the pull of the magic behind natural dyes that many of our workshop participants also feel. Thus, our new travel itinerary to explore more in-depth than ever before -- come along with us foraging, harvesting, nature-walking, dyeing, and more! Learn about the history of natural dye practices in the area, and the movement to support and bring back this tradition.

We are committed to local education/training in Guatemala, and plan to sponsor two local artisans interested in natural dyes for this trip. We will need a minimum of 8 participants to offer sponsorships.

Explore:

• Introduction to Guatemalan textiles
• History of natural dyes in Guatemala
• A local traditional ikat corte workshop and their educational project
• Foraging and harvesting local dye plants
• A local cochineal farm
• Resist-dye techniques such as ikat 
• Dyeing with local materials
• Indigo practices from a local master dyer who grows and processes her own indigo
• Plain weave on a backstrap loom. The finished loom is for you to take home and continue weaving!

What's included?

• 6 nights at Lake Atitlán at two lake-front lodges that are locally-owned and operated, with plenty of common outdoor space to practice our crafts (Santiago Atitlán and San Juan la Laguna)
• 4 nights in Antigua at our favorite hotel that feels like a home away from home
• All meals except for three which are "free-time"
• All small group workshops and one-on-one instruction in open-air settings, sometimes overlooking the beautiful lake
• All in-country transport with a trusted driver. This includes airport transfers between Aurora Airport (Guatemala City) and Antigua, which can be arranged flexibly before the start date and after the finish date, so you can explore beautiful Antigua on your own.
• A private boat at Lake Atitlán
• 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 expert guides for the entire trip, with additional local village expert facilitators for workshops and activities

Min 6 pax (Min 8 pax for artisan sponsor) / Max 12 pax 

$2900 per person in single-occupancy rooms. Take $200 off per person when signing up together and sharing a room. 

Reserve your spot with a $400 deposit.

Want to learn more? Here is a little Q and A with Abigail on our blog.

NOTES:

• COVID-19 vaccination required to participate.
• This itinerary includes home-cooked and restaurant meals in a rural community. 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 at homes and at restaurants.
• The hotels we use for this trip have plenty of steps, and the village visits require some walking. We ask that individuals with mobility challenges seriously consider these factors. When in doubt, please reach out and ask!
• The rest of the payment for this itinerary will be invoiced after the sign-up deadline (July 15th). Instructions will follow. We are happy to work out a flexible payment schedule.