Ripples Retreat
An Intimate Retreat in Guatemala
February 7-14, 2027
A Transformative Week Long Retreat
on the shores of Lake Atitlán + 2 nights in Antigua
This all-inclusive experience invites you to explore the vibrant Maya cultures, traditions, and landscapes of this sacred region while reflecting on the ripples we can create within ourselves and in the world.
Each day offers a balance of movement, reflection, cultural exploration, and time in nature—allowing you to feel the subtle ripples of transformation that will extend long after your return home.
This retreat provides the perfect balance between rest and relaxation in one of the world's most beautiful settings, engaging in cultural knowledge and making an impact in the community. All your travel, lodging, food and activities are covered from your arrival in the airport to the completion of our retreat. Relax and enjoy the most comprehensive and impactful journey through the Highlands of Guatemala!
Come as you are.
Leave with a deeper sense of purpose, belonging, and the reminder that every ripple matters.
Flow of the retreat
Our arrival day includes transportation from the airport to Antigua. We will spend two nights in Antigua to explore this vibrant colonial city including a traditional Maya crafts market, ancient Church ruins, and the Organic Permaculture project of Caoba Farms.
From there we will travel to Lake Atitlan, stopping at Iximché to explore ancient Maya temples and ruins. On the Lake, we will spend five more nights in the luxurious Casa Floresta located on the shores of the Lake.
During our retreat:
We will honor Maya Cosmology through a traditional Maya Fire Ceremony guided by Tata Walter and learn about cacao as an ancient healing medicine through a Cacao Ceremony.
We will honor Maya art and craft through taking a workshop with Kemó Women's Cooperative to learn the traditional Maya weaving and natural dying.
We will honor Nature and Lake through a guided hike on the Santiago volcano to see the small Quetzal bird in the wild, the symbol of Guatemala, as well as visiting an organic farming project, Caoba Farms, in Antigua.
Finally, we will honor the Maya people by visiting and build relationships with two long standing local NGOs: Konojel and Escuela Caracol. For decades we’ve been collaborating with these projects and are thrilled to be able to share with you all they are doing to create lasting impact.
Through shared meals, guided practices, and intentional connection, you’ll have time to pause, play and listen deeply to your own heart, the community, and the miraculous natural world that supports us all.
About Our Retreat Partners
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Casa Floresta is a family-run eco-retreat center on Lake Atitlán, designed as a space for connection, creativity, and community. With sweeping views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes, cozy cabins, a private dock, and a dedicated Temple space, Casa Floresta invites guests into a world of natural beauty and quiet reflection.
Tucked into the peaceful cove of Pasajcap, just around the bay from San Marcos La Laguna, you’ll find the perfect place to disconnect and reconnect.
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Konojel, based in San Marcos La Laguna, is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to reducing chronic malnutrition and poverty through nutrition programs, educational opportunities, job creation, and community-led initiatives that empower local families and foster long-term resilience. Their Healthy Babies program supports mothers in preventing malnutrition early in life, and the Young Leaders Program helps indigenous youth to complete their education and achieve future professional goals.
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The Kemó Weaving Association is a women’s cooperative in San Juan La Laguna, founded to strengthen the economic opportunities and quality of life for local families. Representing 24 Tz’utujil families, the association preserves and shares the rich tradition of backstrap weaving, a skill passed down through generations from mothers and grandmothers. Each handcrafted piece reflects the vibrant culture, symbolism, and natural beauty of Lake Atitlán, while supporting sustainable livelihoods for the women artisans who create them.
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Iximché is an important archaeological site and former capital of the Kaqchikel Maya. On this visit, we will take a tour through ancient temples, ceremonial plazas, and ball courts while learning about the history of the Kaqchikel people and the significance of the site in the final centuries of the Maya civilization. Iximché remains an active ceremonial site where traditional Maya spiritual leaders continue to hold fire ceremonies. Walking through the ruins offers a powerful glimpse into Guatemala’s living Indigenous heritage and sacred history.
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A native of San Marcos La Laguna, Tata Walter carries forward the sacred traditions of his ancestors through the Maya Fire Ceremony, a spiritual practice he has been leading for over a decade. Deeply rooted in his community and lineage, he weaves the wisdom of the Maya Calendar (Tzolk’in) and the Maya Nawals into each ceremony, creating a powerful space for reflection and connection.
Fluent in Spanish, English, and Kaqchikel, Tata Walter bridges cultures through his teachings, offering participants a way to honor the elements of earth, water, wind, and fire. His ceremonies invite you to connect more deeply with your own energy, the rhythms of nature, and the 260-day cycle of the Maya calendar.
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Caracol School (Escuela Caracol), in San Marcos La Laguna, is a nonprofit Waldorf school offering holistic, bilingual, and culturally immersed education. Approximately 90% of students are local Mayan children (Kaqchikel and Tz’utujil), and nearly all of them receive almost full scholarships covering tuition, materials, and meals to ensure access regardless of financial means. The first Waldorf School in Guatemala, Caracol provides the diverse cultural communities in San Marcos a heart-centered and nature-based education opportunity.
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Caoba Farms in Antigua, Guatemala is a vibrant organic farm and community space dedicated to sustainable agriculture and permaculture-inspired practices. The farm grows over 100 varieties of organic crops using methods such as bio-intensive gardening, composting, seed saving, and rainwater collection to support soil health and biodiversity. Designed with food forests, animals that contribute natural fertilizer, and low-impact farming systems, the land functions as a self-sustaining ecosystem. Caoba Farms also serves as an educational hub where we can learn about organic farming and local food production.
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This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the traditional pottery and painting techniques of San Antonio Palopó, a Maya Kaqchikel community on the shores of Lake Atitlán known for its vibrant ceramic artistry. Guided by local artisans, we will learn about the cultural significance of the designs, natural materials, and firing methods used in generations-old pottery traditions. We have the opportunity to paint our own piece using the bold patterns and colors that make San Antonio ceramics unique. This experience offers a meaningful connection to local culture while supporting the preservation of Indigenous artistic traditions.
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This 4 hour moderate hike offers a rare opportunity to search for Guatemala’s national bird in the cloud forests surrounding Lake Atitlán. Guided by knowledgeable local naturalists, we will hike through lush highland habitat at dawn, when the resplendent quetzal is most active among the avocado and wild laurel trees it favors. Along the way, we learn about the region’s unique biodiversity, birdlife, and the cultural importance of the quetzal in Mayan history. This early-morning adventure blends nature, conservation, and local knowledge in one of the lake’s most beautiful landscapes.
“Deeply profound experience - really wanted to freeze time - it was tough to leave. Many many kind thanks to Zach, Jessi, and all of the other kind and generous souls who make the magic happen.”
-Brett W.
Schedule
Sunday- February 7th: Arrive in Antigua
6:00 PM — Dinner
Monday- February 8th
8:30 AM — Breakfast
9:30 AM — Free Time
12:00 PM — Meet at Rincon Tipico for lunch
1:00 PM — Antigua Historical Tour & Traditional Market
3:30 PM — Leave for Caoba Farms
4:00 PM — Tour of Organic Farms
6:00 PM — Dinner at Caoba Farms
Tuesday- February 9th
8:30am - Breakfast
9:30am - Depart from Antigua
11:00am - Arrive at Iximché for Tour & Maya Fire Offering
1:30pm - Depart from Iximchė
3:00pm- Arrive to Lake Atitlan
3:15pm- Private boat to Casa Floresta dock
4:30pm- Opening Circle & Welcome
5:30pm- Dinner
6:30pm - Evening Yin
Wednesday – February 10th
8:15am - Grounding Yoga
9:15am- Light breakfast
10:00am- Ripples Workshop & Mayan Cosmology
11:30am- Brunch
1:30pm- Cacao & Maya Ceremony
6:30pm- Dinner
Thursday – February 11th
Lake morning and SUP
9:00am- Full Breakfast
10:00am- Leave for San Marcos
10:30am- Tour of Escuela Caracol
11:30pm- Workshop at Konojel with Pupusas
2:30pm - Return to Casa Floresta
2:45pm - Snack at Casa Floresta
3:30pm - Sauna Ceremony
5:30pm- Dinner
6:30pm- Evening Restorative with Sound Ceremony
Friday – February 12th
8:15am - Grounding Yoga
9:15am- Light breakfast
10:00am- Free time
11:00am- Brunch
12:00pm- Women's Weaving Association & Shopping in San Juan
4:30pm - Meet for Boat to Casa Floresta
5:30pm- Dinner
Saturday – February 13th
4:30am - Boat to Santiago
5:30am - Quetzal Hike & Tour
9:30am - Finish Hike
10:00am - Boat to Santa Catarina
10:30am - Brunch in Santa Catarina & Tour
12:30pm - Boat to San Antonio
1:00pm - Pottery & Painting Workshop
3:30pm - Leave for Casa Floresta
5:30pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Closing Ripples Workshop
Sunday – February 14th
8:00am- Breakfast
Free Time
11:00am - Check Out
Accommodations
PRIVATE
SHARED
Register Now!
February 7-14, 2027
$1895- Early Bird
Shared Accommodation
**If you want to come with a friend/partner and share a room you would each pay the shared accommodation rate**
(Rate increases to $2095 after November 1st)
$2295- Early Bird
Private Accommodation
(Rate increases to $2495 after November 1st)
All packages include
Transportation to & from the airport
All yoga classes, ceremonies, excursion & workshops
Nourishing vegetarian meals daily
Lodging for 7 nights
Access to lakefront area, paddleboards, etc.
Community circles and evening gatherings
Retreat Add-Ons
Enhance your retreat experience with optional add-ons. Prices listed are per person.
60-Minute Massage — $90
90-Minute Massage — $120
Add these options during checkout when registering.
Meet your Facilitators
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Jessi was born and raised on the land of Seven Springs. She completed her first YTT200 in 2007 and her YTT300 in 2012. She co-founded Kula Collective Yoga School and Seven Springs in 2015. Jessi has always loved to combine elements of dance and natural movement with traditional yogic sequencing. She incorporates attention to rhythm of the breath, and allows for organic movement to flow in each pose. She is passionate about anatomy and physiology and especially women's health.
Her first son was born in 2018, and since that time, Jessi has dedicated herself to learning more about birth and birth keeping, as well as focused on creating support circles for women. She has trained as a Birth Doula and Post-partum Doula, and she is passionate about Pre and Post Natal Yoga.
Most of all, Jessi believes yoga is a holistic practice that can benefit every woman, and while the asana practice may have brought her into the yoga path, Jessi now enjoys exploring the subtler aspects of the yoga journey through ceremony and circle.
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Zachary Townesmith brings a thoughtful, grounded presence to his work as a facilitator, educator, and retreat host. With a background in community organizing and organizational development, he has spent over a decade supporting teams, leaders, and communities in clarifying vision, strengthening collaboration, and creating meaningful, values-aligned impact.
A graduate of Harvard, Zachary’s work has taken him across the Americas, engaging with diverse groups in fields including education, public health, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. His approach blends strategic thinking with deep listening, helping groups move forward with clarity, cohesion, and purpose.
As a steward of Seven Springs Retreat Center, Zachary is passionate about creating spaces where individuals and teams can step out of their daily routines, reconnect with what matters most, and engage in thoughtful reflection within the support of nature and community.
Contact Us
Schedule a Discovery Call
About Seven Springs
Seven Springs Retreat Center is a family-stewarded sanctuary in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Set on 128 acres of forest, meadow, and spring-fed water, it offers a quiet, natural environment for rest, reflection, and meaningful gathering.