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Solstice of Gratitude and Ancestral Wisdom

Location icon
Barrio 3 San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Users icon
Up to 32 in group
Date
December 21, 2024

Retreat Highlights

  • From Kawoq Forest, this ceremony reaffirms our commitment to ancestral and territorial leadership. Recognizing and honoring the struggles of our ancestral leaders in defense of the land and their invaluable heritage. Our sacred fire remains alive, symbolizing a space that cares for and dignifies our Indigenous peoples—a sanctuary for healing, prayer, and the preservation of ancestral wisdom.

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

We are deeply honored to close this year, 2024, by fulfilling our commitment to honor ancestral wisdom. Throughout each solstice and equinox, we have celebrated sacred moments that have allowed us to connect with and honor our roots from the Mayan worldview, with the utmost reverence. For this Solstice, we invite you to join us in the Nimalaj Abaj (The Great Grandmother Mountain) ceremony, located in Kawoq Forest, in our sacred cave.



 

From Kawoq Forest, this ceremony reaffirms our commitment to ancestral and territorial leadership. We recognize and honor the struggles of our ancestral leaders in defense of the land and their invaluable heritage. Our sacred fire remains alive, symbolizing a space that cares for and dignifies our Indigenous peoples—a sanctuary for healing, prayer, and the preservation of ancestral wisdom.

Save the date: December 21, 2024, starting at 10:00 AM, at Kawoq Forest. Here, we understand that life itself is a constant ceremony, and our commitment is to safeguard this sacred space so that it continues to be a place of healing and deep connection. Maltiox!

Getting Here

Location icon Kawoq Forest, Barrio 3 San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala

Directions

Travel Tips:

Morning Travel Recommended. If you would like an escort service to Kawoq Forest once you arrive in the town of San Marcos, please arrange to take an 8-9am collective shuttle (Q100) from Antigua (or you can request a 9-10am private shuttle for Q800) in order to arrive with plenty of time. We are able to arrange an escort service up to Kawoq Forest from Circles Cafe 7 days a week.

Please inform our staff of your planned arrival date and we will have our escorts meet you promptly at 1pm at Circles Cafe. Please plan your travels accordingly, either spending a night in Antigua to make a morning shuttle, or stay in San Marcos la Laguna a night early. For your safety, LATE ARRIVALS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

Accommodation

Kawoq Forest is an eco-luxury wellness center nestled in the verdant Guatemalan highlands overlooking the azure waters of Lake Atitlán. This unique lake sits on an ancient, dormant crater surrounded by stunning volcanoes, rolling hills and small Mayan villages rich in culture and tradition. Kawoq Forest is a sanctuary for discerning travelers seeking solace, restoration and a sparkle of adventure. Terraced into the side of a cliff, Kawoq Forest is a twenty five minute hike up into the valley from Lake Atitlán. Kawoq Forest offers 16 accommodation options that combine eco-conscious materials like adobe, bamboo, cypress, and palm roofs, with luxurious local textiles and premium bed linens to guarantee a comfortable and sustainable stay. An open air community dining area, composting toilets, solar-powered showers, and three fully-equipped yoga sanctuaries make up the rest of the space.

Program Price

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
San Marcos la Laguna is a small Mayan village on Lake Atitlán in the western highlands of Guatemala. It has become a Mecca for international travelers attracted by its beauty, tranquility and diverse options for spiritual exploration, cultural immersion and healing. Terraced into the side of a cliff, Kawoq Forest is a twenty minute hike up into the valley from Lake Atitlán that overlooks the lake and surrounding volcanoes.

Meals

Menu Types

At Kawoq Forest, we believe that food is a powerful source of nourishment not only for the body but also for the soul. Our vegetarian meals are a celebration of flavors, colors, and culinary artistry.

What's Included

  • 2 daily nourishing meals, one hearty snack, accommodations, Ayahuasca ceremonies

What's Not Included

  • Airfare, transport, any extra activities on site

Customer Reviews

4.83 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Amazing experience
I really truly enjoyed my three days staying and Kawoq, wanted to stay more.
Staff extremely helpful and welcoming, and always with a smile. The yoga classes were amazing also, so different one to the other. Simply amazing, would definitely come back and do one week!

5.0
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Heaven
My husband and I stayed a few nights and Kawoq and we did not want to leave. The staff are so sweet, and take the best care of you. The location is beautiful and could not be more peaceful. Highly recommend to anyone staying at the lake.

5.0
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Un lugar, staff, cocina INCREIBLE!
Es la tercera oportunidad que me quedo allí y cada vez me gusta mas!
Me gusta mucho que estas dentro del bosque, arriba en la montaña donde solo entras en un estado natural y convives en paz contigo y con los demás!
La cocina y la comida siempre es espectacular, el estaff increible y los profesores de yoga muy bien!
Es un lugar altamente recomendable si quieres alejarte de distracciones y transformar tu vida a una vida consciente y abundante!
Espero visitarlos por cuarta vez y seguir llevando amigos y personas nuevas al lugar para compartir!

4.0
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Relaxing and beautiful yoga retreat set in the Guatemalan jungle.
I stayed at Kawok Forest for three nights and did a personal retreat. I stayed in one of their bungalow private rooms, which was very comfortable and had spectacular views of Lake Atitlan and surrounding volcanoes. I honestly could have sat and watched the view alone for hours it was extremely relaxing. The yoga classes were varied and challenging in different ways. I really appreciated the diversity of teachers and what they brought to my own personal practice. There is a great level of education amongst the teachers and I really feel like I improved in a lot of ways in my practice.

The food was excellent! Prepared by local Mayan/Guatemalan ladies each day. I always felt full and nourished after each meal and everything was extremely fresh and healthy. My only complaint is that dinner was served extremely early at 5pm. If you're not used to this or you get hungry later in the evenings- bring snacks and things to eat throughout the day as meals are only served at 10am and 5pm. They have a few things to purchase on top such as protein balls and smoothies but can be pricey.

The only reason I did not give five stars is because I feel having to pay for additional and typically free amenities was a little absurd such as: connection to wifi being $10 per 3 days, luggage portage, and any trips into town. I questioned the wifi and was told everybody should disconnect during their stay but sometimes that is not feasible as a traveller you may need to connect to wifi to plan further travels, book ferries, contact loved ones etc. Also the retreat is located on the side of a cliff up a mountain I think helping with your bags is a fair trade for hiking to your accommodation. Just thought they should keep that in mind when you compare prices with other accommodation on the Lake.

5.0
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Amazing
My stay at Kawoq Forest was so nice. This place has a real magic to it. The view of the lake is incredible and the yoga classes are special. The accommodations are very cozy and enjoyable as well. The food is prepared by a wonderful team of local Guatemelan women and it's so nourishing and tasty every time. If you're looking to unwind and cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment then I would highly recommend booking a stay at the Kawoq Forest.