“For the Love of Learning Volunteer Service Trip" - June 24-July 2, 2023

“For the Love of Learning Volunteer Service Trip

Registration Deadline and Orientation: Group Orientation by Zoom - April 8, 2023, 9-Noon

Trip Leaders: • Sherry Robin (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) • Sue Rikalo (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Trip Cost (Double/Triple Occupancy): $2,184

Nights: 8

Pre Trip -  Travel Friday June 23, 2023, or Saturday June 24, 2023
You may wish to arrive in Guatemala City on June 23 and stay the night. If so, we are happy to pick you up the next morning at the Barcelo Hotel, which has a shuttle service from the Airport. This hotel stay is not included in the trip, and needs to be arranged directly (see contact information for the Barcelo we’ve provided below). You may also choose to take an overnight flight from LAX or elsewhere, normally arriving in Guatemala City between 5 AM and 7 AM on Saturday, June 24th.

Day 1 - Saturday June 24 – Guatemala City to San Martin Chiquito
Welcome to Guatemala! Our private bus will pick you up at the Aurora Airport in Guatemala City by 7:00 AM.  We will pick up our fellow travelers staying at the Barcelo, then head out for a delicous breakfast at the unique Suisa, a blend of Guatemalan and Swiss cuisine. We then head for lush the Guatemalan highlands, and will arrive at our destination in the late afternoon. After checking in to our comfortable accommodations at Local Hope’s Eco Guest House @ San Martin, surprises await! Hosted: Welcome breakfast and dinner.

Note: During the balance of our stay in San Martín Chiquito, all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are hosted, as well as a salsa dancing lesson and a home visit to learn about tortilla making which is central to daily life. One-on-one Spanish tutoring, a backstrap weaving lesson and a Mayan Cooking Class are offered during our time in San Martín Chiquito at an additional cost (see application).

Days 2-5 – Sunday-Wednesday, June 25-28 - San Martín Chiquito
After a hosted breakfast we will enjoy San Martín Chiquito, a Mám-Maya village rich with traditions of the past and challenges of the present. Here, we will undertake individualized service 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 education, art, language, computing, and more. 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.

Day 6 - Thursday, June 29 - San Martín Chiquito to Lake Atitlán
After breakfast and packing up, we will head to Lake Atitlan, one of the world’s most stunning destinations! Upon arrival in Panajachel, we will board our group’s private launch which will take us to our top-rated accommodation “La Casa del Mundo”—each room a beautifully decorated suite straddling the side of an ancient volcano. Lunch will be available there. For the balance of the day you can explore the gorgeous grounds, lay in a hammock, or take a short walk to rest poolside while sipping your favorite drink at a restaurant-bar nearby our accommodation. Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to get some exercise or relax—it’s up to you! Hosted: Breakfast, boat transportation, dinner.

Day 7- Friday, June 30 - Lake Atitlán
Explore a local wildlife preserve and zipline, visit indigenous villages that dot the lake, climb Volcan San Pedro, or make it a shopping day exploring the bounty of local crafts showcased in Panajachel. Hosted: Dinner (Note: Zipline, village tour, volcano climb are available at an additional cost – arrangements will be made on site)

Day 8 – Saturday, July 1 - Lake Atitlán to Antigua
In the morning we will pack up and head to Antigua. Guatemala’s first capitol city, Antigua was destroyed by earthquakes and has since been restored to its colonial glory. There, we will spend one night at the Hotel Aurora, a family-owned hacienda deeply rooted in the city’s history. Enjoy free time exploring the iconic fountain and architecture of Antigua’s of Central Park. In the evening we will enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at the magnificent Convent Santa Domingo. Founded in 1538 and restored in recent decades, the convent offers poinant perspectives of Guatemala’s past and present in a peaceful setting perfect for reflection on our last night together. Hosted: Breakfast, farewell dinner

Day 9 – Sunday, July 2
We will leave very early in the morning to go to the Guatemala City Airport in time to catch flights as early as 9:00 AM. For those with later flights, your trip leaders can arrange private transportation for you later in the day (minimal additional cost paid onsite).
You will leave having enriched lives, and with memories to last a lifetime!
We hope to travel with you.
Questions about this trip?  Feel free to contact any of the listed trip leaders.

FLIGHT BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS

After Your Registration is Confirmed: Please book your flight once you have received an email copy of your application, confirming your registration. If you believe you have registered but have not received an email confirmation, 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, please note the following:

  1. MAKE SURE to arrive in Guatemala no later than 7 AM Saturday, June 24, 2023, to join in group transportation.
  2. DAY-EARLY ARRIVAL - You may arrive the day prior (June 23) and spend the night at Barcelo, Guatemala City, where we will offer you a pick you up on Saturday morning after picking up at the airport.
  3. DO NOT schedule a return flight earlier than 9:00 AM on July 2, 2023.

OUTBOUND from LAX

  • Delta Flight #1897 Departs Los Angeles at June 23, 2023, 11:20 PM; arrives Guatemala City June 24, 6:04 AM

INBOUND FROM GUATEMALA CITY

  • Volaris Flight #4092 leaving Guatemala City July 2, 2023 at 6:21 PM; arrives LAX at 9:40 PM July 2, 2023

Event Properties

Event Date 06-24-2023
Cost (Dbl/Tpl Occu.) $2184
Location
Xela AID Guatemala
GUA, 9 Av 14-75, Zona 13, Guatemala 01013, Guatemala
Xela AID Guatemala
We are no longer accepting applications for this event
$2,184 1