Journey to Guatemala

February 8th-14th, 2027 with Samara & Purba

Guatemala is known as the land of eternal spring and the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization. It is famous for its rich indigenous culture and dramatic volcanic landscapes, including Lake Atitlán, in the southwestern highlands, where our retreat will take place.

We'll be staying at Kawoq Forest, a beautiful eco-wellness sanctuary built into the cliffside, and only accessible by foot. The sacred land of Kawoq Forest has been protected and tended to by the Maya people for over 30k years. We have partnered with them to provide you with a nourishing and exciting week where you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, community, and the local culture and to connect deeper with yourself, your body, and those around you.

Our Itinerary

All of the below activities are included in your retreat package, however, they are offerings, not obligations. We encourage you to listen to your body and take rest when you need.

Twice Daily Yoga Classes with Samara & Purba

Two 75 min classes per day at 7am and 3pm.

The morning classes will focus on mobility, flexibility, and ease. The afternoon classes will focus on strength, balance, and end with restorative postures for deep rest.

Classes will be open level with options for both advanced/more beginner practitioners.

Mayan Fire & Cacao Ceremony

This sacred ceremony merges the transformative power of fire with the ancestral medicine of cacao, creating a space for deep inner connection and heart opening. Through dance, prayer, and offerings, we embark on a journey of emotional and spiritual healing, guided by the energy of the four elements and Mayan wisdom.

Tuj Ceremony

In the Mayan tradition, the Tuj is a sacred steam bath that symbolizes a return to the mother's womb. More than a relaxation experience, it is a ritual of purification and healing, guided by prayers and offerings. In this ceremonial space, fire, water, earth, and air come together to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit, fostering a deep connection with ancestral wisdom.

San Pedro Volcano Hike

Challenge yourself with a hike up the iconic San Pedro Volcano, offering incredible views of Lake Atitlán and beyond.

Details:

Start with a boat ride from San Marcos La Laguna to San Pedro, then transport to the trailhead.
Approx. 3 hours up and 2.5 hours down.
The hike is consistently steep, rising to 9,908 ft. Suitable for active beginners or intermediate hikers

Lake Atitlán Villages Tour

Immerse yourself in the charm of Lake Atitlán’s villages with a guided visit to San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago Atitlán. Experience the unique traditions, crafts, and spirituality of each location.

Highlights:

San Juan: Cocoa factory, textiles, natural dyes, coffee tour, natural medicine, and honey factory.
San Pedro: Explore the town center and local market.
Santiago Atitlán: Witness Mayan ceremonies and veneration rituals in a town steeped in religious mysticism.

Sound Healing Bath

A calming and restorative journey where healing sounds and gentle energy work come together. Through the soothing vibrations of crystal bowls, the soft melodies of the flute, the grounding rhythm of the drum, and the medicine of chants, you are guided into a deep meditative state.

Combined with subtle energy healing, this experience helps release tension, calm the nervous system, and restore balance to body and mind.

Daily Brunch, Dinner & Snacktime

The food at Kawoq is nourishing, vegetarian, and locally inspired. We'll have two big meals daily (brunch and dinner) as well as a midday snacktime with light bites. There is also a cafe onsite that sells any extras you'd like to have during the day. Chicken can be added to your meal upon request for an additional cost, subject to availability.

Sauna Sessions

Enjoy use of the sauna during your down time. The sauna can fit up to 10 people at a time. Cool off afterward with a refreshing outdoor shower. Rinse and repeat.

Spa Treatments

End your day with a relaxing and therapeutic spa treatment. Choose from Thai Massage, Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Mayan Abdominal Massage, Jade Stone Facial Massage, White or Green Clay Facial, Cupping Therapy, Foot Reflexology, and more!

Accommodations

High-speed internet is available in the communal spaces. For all room types, there are shared compost toilet bathrooms and outdoor showers close by.

A $1000 deposit is required to secure your spot. You will have the option at checkout to divide the remaining balance into a payment plan at no extra cost.

Early Bird Discount: Sign up by September 1st to receive $200 off your booking

Members of Sarai receive an additional $100 off

Cielo Deluxe Suite

Cielo is built into the cliff wall and serves as the most deluxe and luxurious space. Made with bamboo, cypress and a palma roof, Cielo looks out over Kawoq Forest to the stunning lake and picturesque volcanoes. Cielo has a low to the ground king size bed and sofa bed, antique Guatemalan furniture, Mayan fabrics and Indian textiles to embrace you into the Mayan culture.

$4000 for single occupancy. Book here.

$3500 per person for double occupancy. Book here.

1 king size bed
Private terrace and outdoor couch
Private sink

Private Forest Cabins

If you’re wanting privacy, the Forest Cabin is perfect for you. With gorgeous lake and volcano views, this cabin features a small terrace to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Immerse yourself with the bird songs and vibrant forest that envelops this cabin to relax and feel the stillness within.

The Forest cabin accommodates up to two people with one full and one single bed inside.

$3400 for single occupancy. Book here.

$2900 per person for double occupancy. Book here.

1 full bed and 1 single sofa bed
Private terrace and hammock

Geodesic Domes

The Geodesic domes are nestled in the forest. This unique and spacious dome offers a fantastic view of the stars at night. Accommodation flexibility is available with one king bed and a twin bed.

$3400 for single occupancy. Book here.

$2900 per person for double occupancy. Book here.

One king size bed and one twin sofa bed
Private terrace and outdoor table

Queen Bungalows 1&2

Looking out over the shimmering waters of Lake Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes, the shared cabañas have terraces and hammocks to allow you to soak in the beauty of the surroundings.

This bungalow has a loft with a queen bed on each floor. Please note, you must pass through the bottom room and up a ladder to get to the top bed.

$3300 per person for double occupancy. (one person per queen bed). Book here.

2 queen size beds
Private terrace and hammock

Queen Bungalow 3

This bungalow is the highest space on the property, and offers magical views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes. Bungalow 3 is a beautiful and nourishing space to relax and reset in, and is built from sustainable cypress wood sourced from Guatemalan plantations.

This space has a queen and single bed inside, and features a comfortable terrace with a sofa bed and hammock to capture the panoramic lake views. This room is considered semi-private because it shares walls with the bungalow dorm, however, you will have your own private space and entrance.

$3200 for single occupancy. Book here.

$2700 per person for double occupancy

1 queen size bed and 1 single bed
Shared terrace. Book here.

Bungalow Dorm

The bungalow dorm has 4 single (twin) beds. The beds are comfortable and nourishing, with warm feather duvets and premium linens and pillows, decorated with Peruvian Shipibo fabrics and Guatemalan Cushions.

$2600 per person. Book here.

4 single beds
Shared terrace

Meet Your Retreat Leaders

Samara Speller

Samara is the founder of Sarai yoga studio and has led retreats in Morocco, Portugal, and Peru.

Her greatest joy is bringing people together through shared experiences that allow people to feel seen, held, and celebrated. Her yoga classes have been described as "sneakily tough" and "like an internal massage for your whole body."

Purba Tyagi

Purba’s teaching is precise and deeply considered. She draws on historical, spiritual, and anatomical traditions to create classes that are quietly demanding. Her aim is that students leave feeling steadier in their bodies and more spacious in their mind and spirit. She also curates the best playlists (but please don’t shazam mid practice).

What's Included:

6 nights accommodations
Twice daily yoga classes with Samara & Purba
Daily vegetarian brunch, dinner, and snacktime
Group airport pickup and drop off to (GUA) La Aurora National Airport or Antigua (min. 3 passengers)
Mayan Fire & Cacao Ceremony, Tuj Ceremony, San Pedro Volcano Hike, Sound Healing Bath, Lake Atitlan Villages Tour
Small group sauna session

What's Not Included:

Airfare
Travel Insurance

Available Add-Ons:

We promise you'll be well fed but there will also be a cafe open with special extras like smoothies, coffee, & desserts
Chicken can be requested, subject to availability
Spa treatments (massages, facials, foot reflexology, etc.) will be available to book during your free time
Private airport transfers for 1-2 people are available for an extra cost
Private Nahual Reading Ceremony: The Nahual Reading is a practice rooted in the Mayan cosmovision, interpreting the energy a person was born with according to the Sacred Cholq’ij Calendar. Each person has a Nahual, which represents their gifts, challenges, and life purpose. During a reading, a spiritual guide (Ajq’ij) analyzes the combination of Nahuales and birth energies to provide personal and spiritual guidance.

Getting There

Recommended Flight from New York to Guatemala City:

Arrival Flight: Avianca AV653

Mon Feb 8th

Departs JFK at 2:45am, 5 hr 5 min nonstop, Arrives at GUA at 6:50am

Departure Flight: Avianca AV652

Sun Feb 14th

Departs GUA at 7:45pm, 4 hr 30 min nonstop, Arrives JFK at 1:15am on the 15th (President's Day)

Traveling from Guatemala City airport to San Marcos La Laguna (the town closest to our retreat) takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic. Your retreat package includes group pickup and drop off for a minimum of 3 passengers. When we receive everyone's flight information we will group you together with other retreaters. If you prefer to have private airport pickup/drop off for 1-2 people, we can arrange this for an additional $100 per car each way.

Physical Requirement:

Please note that from San Marcos La Laguna, there is a 20 min walk through the forest to Kawoq that includes 80 steps. We will arrange for staff to come help you carry your luggage. They can carry up to 25 lbs per person so please pack as light as you can. We recommend using backpacks or small carry-on bags (preferably without wheels). Please note that Lake Atitlan has an altitude of 5,125 ft above sea level, which may make the walk a bit more challenging.

If you're taking a different flight:

Traveling from Guatemala City airport to San Marcos La Laguna (the town closest to our retreat) takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic. Check-in at Kawoq Forest is available until 5:00 PM.

For this reason, we recommend that your flight arrives at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) no later than 11:00 AM. If your flight arrives later, we suggest planning to reach Kawoq Forest the following day. We can share recommendations for hotels near the airport.

Upon arrival at San Marcos La Laguna on Feb 8th, you will meet up with the other retreaters for the 20 min walk through the forest to Kawoq (see "Physical Requirement" above).

If you'd like to be picked up/dropped off in Antigua before/after the retreat:

If you're traveling from Antigua Guatemala, the drive to San Marcos La Laguna takes about 3 to 4 hours. Please ensure you depart no later than 1:00 PM to arrive on time for check-in.

While the forest is safe, we strongly recommend that your first hike be done in daylight, especially if you’re carrying luggage or have never walked through the forest before. Arriving before 5:00 PM is essential.

Group pickup/drop off to Antigua (min. 3 people) is included in your retreat package (in lieu of airport transfers). Private transfer for 1-2 people is an additional $100 per car each way.

Photos from Past Sarai Retreats

FAQ

Do people usually come by themselves or with someone they know?

Both! In every retreat we've held, we've had some guests bring a partner, a friend, a family member, but also plenty of people come solo. Attending a group retreat is a great way to be able to spend as much time in community and as much time recharging on your own as you'd like!

What will the weather be like?

February is during the dry season at Lake Atitlan. Days are sunny and warm (around 70–77°F / 21–25°C) while nights are cooler and crisp.

Can I share a room with my friend/partner/family member? What if I want to share a room but don't have a roommate?

If you know who you'd like to room with, you can each book the same room type (choose the double occupancy option) then email hello@sarainyc.com to let us know who you're rooming with. If you'd like to share a room but are coming solo, we can place you with a roommate in Queen Bungalows 1 & 2 or with three others in the Bungalow Dorm.

What if I want to travel more before/after the retreat?

Great idea! Group transportation (at least 3 people) to/from Antigua or La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City is included in your retreat package. We can help you to arrange private transportation (1-2 people) at an additional cost or you're welcome to meet us in San Marcos the day of the retreat to walk to Kawoq Forest together.

Our Cancellation Policy

Deposits secure your spot on the retreat and are not refundable. Refunds for the balance payments vary depending on timing. For cancellation requests submitted with more than 60 days before the retreat date: You may transfer to a future retreat or choose to get refunded 100% of total amount (less deposit). There are no refunds for cancellation requests submitted within 60 days of the retreat date, no exceptions. Nobody books with the intention of cancelling, but unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, flight delays or cancellations, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits will be granted for failure to attend or complete the program or for arriving late or leaving early.