Origins: A Return to Being
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
November 5th-12th, 2026
The Experience
This isn’t a retreat you rush through.
It’s something you slowly settle into.
Mornings begin gently with locally grown Guatemalan coffee, soft light over the volcanoes, and the quiet sound of the lake.
Days move between moments of movement, rest, and exploration — never too full, never forced.
Evenings soften into shared meals, conversation, and space to reflect.
There’s room here to connect, to feel, and to come back to yourself.
Over the course of the week, you’ll move through a natural rhythm of ritual, time in nature, cultural connection, and integration.
Nothing rushed. Nothing expected of you.
Just a thoughtfully held space that allows the experience to unfold in its own way.
About Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlán sits high in the Guatemalan highlands, formed long ago by a massive volcanic eruption that created a deep caldera now filled with water.
Today, it’s surrounded by three volcanoes — San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán — and a ring of small villages, each with its own rhythm, traditions, and way of life. The lake itself is one of the deepest in Central America, and its waters shift constantly in color — deep blue in the morning, softer and reflective by evening.
There’s something about this place that people always try to describe and usually can’t fully explain.
Maybe it’s the way the light moves across the water. Or how still it becomes in the early morning, before the boats begin to pass.
Or the way the air feels — clear, grounding, almost quiet in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Life here moves differently.
Days are shaped by the sun, the lake, and the land — not by urgency. You notice things more. You slow down without trying.
For centuries, this region has been home to Indigenous Maya communities who have lived in close relationship with the land, the lake, and the surrounding mountains — seeing nature not as something separate, but as something to live alongside and learn from. That presence is still felt here.
Being here isn’t just about seeing something beautiful — it’s about feeling it.
Mayan Culture & Traditions
The Lake Atitlán region is still deeply rooted in Mayan culture.
Many of the villages around the lake are predominantly Indigenous,
with traditions that have been passed down through generations from weaving and natural dyeing, to herbal medicine, to spiritual practices connected to the earth and the elements.
Throughout the week, you’ll have the opportunity to experience parts of this culture in a way that feels grounded and respectful.
We’ll learn from local herbalists, visit communities where traditional weaving is still practiced, and witness small, everyday moments of life in the villages.
These aren’t curated performances — they’re glimpses into a way of living that is deeply connected to land, lineage, and tradition.
The Space
Our home for the week is The Seed Habitat, located in the quiet village of Tzununa on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
Set across 2.5 acres of land, The Seed has been slowly and intentionally developed over several years — shaped by the land itself, with a focus on sustainability, simplicity, and connection to nature.
The space blends traditional Mayan building techniques with natural materials like adobe, bamboo, and wood, creating an environment that feels both grounding and thoughtfully designed.
Everything here is made to support a slower rhythm.
You’ll have access to:
A rooftop yoga shala overlooking the lake
A traditional Mayan temazcal (sauna)
A natural plunge pool
Spring water sourced from the mountain
Edible and medicinal gardens throughout the property
Tzununa itself is one of the quieter villages around the lake — known for its balance of local life and a growing community centered around wellness, sustainability, and conscious living.
Staying here allows you to fully step away from distraction and settle into the experience — held by both the space and the natural beauty surrounding it.
About your hosts
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I’m a retreat host, yoga teacher, and creative, and over the past few years I’ve been building a life centered around slow travel, wellness, and creating meaningful experiences in places that feel deeply connected to nature.
Hosting retreats is something I’ve felt called to for a long time. I remember first hearing about retreats while traveling and feeling like it was something I wanted to be a part of — but not fully knowing how or when that would happen.
Over time, that curiosity turned into something more real.
Through my own experiences — traveling, learning, cooking for retreats, studying yoga and Ayurveda — I began to understand the kind of spaces I wanted to create.
Spaces that feel warm, grounded, and intentional.
Where people can arrive as they are, without pressure to be anything else.My approach isn’t about rigid structure or perfectly curated schedules. I create a thoughtful flow for the week, but I also leave space for things to unfold naturally — for the group to connect, for conversations to happen, and for each person to have their own experience within it.
I care a lot about how things feel — the energy of a space, the pacing of a day, the small details that make people feel comfortable and held.
During the retreat, I’ll be there to guide practices, support the overall flow, and hold space but also to experience it alongside you.
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Chiko is a lifelong student and fellow explorer on an over decade-long road of self-inquiry and world travel.
A creative, and practitioner across genre and modalities; he brings an offering of grounding, music, and mindfulness practices that aid in presence, balancing the mind and body, and finding flow in a demanding world.
He joins this special edition of Anila to support the group, exchange in knowledge and understanding, and learn together while being present in all there is to see, hear, and feel, among the beauty of Guatemala and its people.
The flow of the week
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Element: Earth
A gentle arrival into the land, into your body, and into stillness.
We begin by grounding — connecting to the earth beneath us and arriving fully into the present moment. In the evening, we gather for an opening circle to set intentions and root into the space together.
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Element: Water
We begin to soften and open, moving with the natural flow of the day.
Through morning practice, ritual, and juicing, we invite fluidity and nourishment into the body. In the evening, we gather for a cacao ceremony, allowing the heart to open and emotions to move freely.
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Element: Water
We begin the day with a sunrise paddleboarding experience on the lake, followed by a day trip to San Marcos, where there will be time to explore, swim, relax, and take in the natural beauty and energy of the town.
This day brings together movement, openness, and a sense of lightness — inviting both play and presence.
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Element: Ether
A spacious, inward-focused day.
For those who feel called, the optional mushroom experience offers a deeper journey inward in a supported, nature-connected setting. The rest of the day remains open for rest and integration.
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Element: Earth
We return to the body and ground what has been experienced.
This is a day of rest and nourishment — with time for temazcal, cold plunge, massages, and stillness. A moment to root back into yourself.
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Element: Fire & Earth
We visit San Juan La Laguna for a cultural immersion experience, where you’ll take part in a traditional textile workshop, learning about natural dyes and local weaving practices.
In the evening, we gather for a closing fire ceremony — a space to reflect, release, and honor your experience.
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Element: Ether
Our final morning together includes a gentle practice and closing circle before departure.
You’ll leave with a deeper connection to yourself, a sense of renewal, and space to carry this feeling into your life beyond the retreat.
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If you want it softer + more aligned with your tone:
Massages, facials, and energy healing sessions
Optional guided plant medicine experience for those who feel called. inquire directly for more details
Getting there
Reaching Lake Atitlán is part of the experience.
Most guests will fly into Guatemala City (GUA). From there, we recommend arriving to Antigua — a beautiful colonial town about an hour from the airport — where many guests choose to spend a night or two before the retreat begins.
On arrival day, we’ll coordinate a group transfer from Antigua to Lake Atitlán.
The journey takes around 2.5–3 hours by car, winding through the Guatemalan highlands with views of mountains, villages, and farmland along the way. The roads can be a bit curvy at times, but it’s a scenic and memorable part of the experience.
Once we arrive at the lake, we’ll take a short boat ride across the water to Tzununa, the quiet village where we’ll be staying.
By the time you reach the retreat space, you’ll feel the shift —
the air is different, the pace slows, and everything begins to feel a little more grounded.
We’ll share detailed travel guidance and help coordinate transportation to make the process as smooth as possible.
ANTIGUA
(OPTIONAL PRE-RETREAT STAY)
If you have the time, I highly recommend arriving a day or two early to spend time in Antigua.
It’s one of my favorite places in the world — a small colonial city surrounded by volcanoes, with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and cafés on what feels like every corner.
Mornings here are slow and easy — coffee, fresh fruit, and views of the volcanoes. Days can be spent wandering through local shops, visiting ancient ruins, or simply exploring without a plan.
The food scene is incredible, with a mix of traditional Guatemalan cuisine and beautifully designed cafés and restaurants.
While Antigua isn’t part of the retreat itself, it’s a really special place to land before heading to the lake — giving you a moment to arrive, adjust, and ease into the experience.
I will provide you with a curated Antigua Travel Guide to help you with your stay.
Trip Details
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6 nights accommodation at The Seed Habitat in Tzununa
Daily meals (fresh, local, and nourishing)
All core experiences and activities outlined in the itinerary
Group transportation from Antigua to Lake Atitlán (and return)
Boat transfers to and from Tzununa
Daily yoga and guided practices
Opening and closing ceremonies
Textile + natural dye workshop in San Juan La Laguna
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Flights to and from Guatemala
Travel insurance (required)
Alcohol and additional beverages outside of meals
Personal expenses
Gratuities for local guides and drivers
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November 5-12, 2026
6 nights / 7 days at Lake Atitlán, GuatemalaShared Room — from $3,199 per person
A deposit is required to reserve your spot. Payment plans are available.
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To keep the experience flexible and personalized, the following offerings are available:
Massages, facials, and energy healing sessions
Optional guided psilocybin experience (for those who feel called)
These can be reserved in advance with early access booking or scheduled during your stay.
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Guests are required to have valid travel insurance for the duration of the retreat.
While every effort is made to create a safe and supportive experience, participants are responsible for their own wellbeing throughout the journey.
We’ll provide detailed guidance and support to help you prepare and arrive with ease.
