July 9-18, 2021 - A Xela AID Service Adventure for the Young at Heart

9-Night, 10-Day Custom Trip

Trip Leaders – Ashlee Palka (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Molly Corbin (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with Mel and Leslie Dinkel accompanying • Includes all accommodations, transportation, many meals and activities as listed. Air transportation is not included (see suggested flights below)

Group Orientation by Phone: Date to be arranged

Trip Cost (Double/Triple Occupancy): $2045

Friday, July 9, 2021 – Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango - Welcome to Guatemala! Our private bus will pick you up at the Aurora Airport in Guatemala City. You will enjoy a delicious breakfast at a well-known eatery. We then head for the Guatemalan highlands and the beautiful city of Quetzaltenango (Xela). On the way, we will stop at the famous Mayan ruin at Iximché, where we will learn about the first inhabitants of Guatemala from whom the people of the village we’ll serve in are descended. We’ll continue on, stopping for a no-host lunch at Chichoy, an eatery serving traditional fare. We will arrive at our destination in the late afternoon, and check in to our comfortable accommodations, a family owned and run Pension Bonifaz just off the historic Parque Central. Our Spanish-colonial accommodation will be home during our volunteer service experience.  Hosted: Welcome breakfast. Entry to Iximché ruins.

Note: During the balance of our stay in Quetzaltenango, all breakfasts and lunches are hosted. An optional, no-host group dinner will be arranged nightly in one of the local eateries.

July 10 – Quetzaltenango — Today we’ll explore this quaint colonial city, including the historic square, government buildings, local museum, shopping areas, and the Cathedral and Parque Central (above, right). You’ll have time to rest or shop in the afternoon, then, in the early evening, we will make our way to “Panorama,” a location above the city to take in the views and have dinner as an option. You may choose to attend a very special hosted event: an authentic Mayan ceremony of the “energies of the days” with Shaman Eliü. Hosted: Walking tour, museum, lunch, ceremony with Eliü.

July 11, 12, 13, 14 – San Martín Chiquito - After a hosted breakfast we will travel each day to the village of San Martín Chiquito, a Mám-Maya village rich with traditions of the past and challenges of the future. There, we will undertake individual projects where we welcome you to contribute your specific talents and interests. We will match your talents with need, and will work with the children on a variety of projects spanning art, language, computing, and more. Have job skills? Consider passing them on to the women and young people so they can become additionally competitive in the job market and make a better life for their families. A scrumptious traditional lunch will be served daily! The exchange of ideas and talents will be immensely rewarding and you will find that the people of the community are thrilled to have you there. Hosted: Salsa lessons, hike to Lake Chiquibal.

July 15, 16, 17 – Lake Atitlán - After breakfast and packing up, head for Lake Atitlan, one of the world’s most stunning destinations! Lunch will be available at the hotel or in Panajachel. Explore the sprawling crafts market of Panajachel, swim or rest poolside at our comfortable accommodation. Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to get some exercise or relax—it’s up to you! Explore a local wildlife preserve and zipline. Or instead, explore indigenous villages that dot the lake or climb volcano San Pedro! No matter what you choose, your Atitlan visit will be sure to dazzle. On our last night we will celebrate with a special ceremony at dinnertime. Hosted: Dinners, and a choice of: zip line, guided volcano climb, or explore villages in a private launch.

Sunday, July 18 – In the morning we will pack up and head back to Guatemala City airport. Plan on leaving with new friendships and memories to last a lifetime!

FLIGHT BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS

After Your Registration is Confirmation: Please book your flight once you have received an email copy of your application and have been notified by the trip leader that your application has been confirmed. If you believe you have registered but have not received this, please contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Note: These suggested flights are from Los Angeles. If you are not traveling from Los Angeles, or you are but choose a different outbound option, MAKE SURE to arrive in Guatemala no later than 7 AM Friday, July 9, 2021, to join in group transportation. Please do not schedule a return flight prior to 7 PM on Sunday, July 18^th 2021.

OUTBOUND FLIGHTS

OPTION 1 - Avianca AV641 leaving LAX Thursday, July 8th at or near 11:55pm, arriving Guatemala the next day, July 9th at 5:35 AM. This flight is a red-eye and typically less expensive than daytime flights. NOTE: This flight departure time sometime changes. If it leaves after midnight, please make sure and book the flight for Saturday, July 10, 2021 rather than Friday.

OPTION 2 – To avoid a red-eye flight, travel to Guatemala on a daytime flight the day prior. May we suggest overnighting at the Radisson Hotel and Suites, Guatemala City, www.radison.com. Take the Radisson shuttle to the airport to meet the group by 7AM, July

RETURN FLIGHT - Please book a return flight that leaves after 7 PM on July 18th. Please do NOT book an earlier outbound flight. Suggested: Avianca AV640 leaving GC on July 18th between 6-8 PM (time listing varies) arriving LAX at 11:40 PM

Please feel free to contact one of your group leaders regarding any questions you may have!