2026 Textile Tour
Saturday, October 24 – Monday, November 2, 2026 (10 days/9 nights)
Cost: $3,125 plus airfare for double occupancy - Single Supplement: $500
Join Guatemala textile aficionadas Jody Slocum and Mary Anne Wise on a ten-day tour through the highlands of Guatemala to discover crafts and traditional artisan techniques passed down by generations of Maya women and men. Experience the extraordinary Day of the Dead Kite Festival, immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of lively artisan markets and enjoy the natural beauty of Guatemala’s spectacular Lake Atitlan, rural mountain villages, and the architectural splendor of an old colonial city.
Highlights include:
● Antigua – former capital of Guatemala and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
● Lake Atitlán – with a boat trip across the Lake to explore the village of Santiago Atitlán famous for its embroidery and ikat weavings.
● Multicolores’ office and gallery in Panajachel - here we will meet some of the artists who create the hooked rugs and embroideries sold at the International Folk Art Market and exhibited in galleries in the US, Canada and the UK.
● Chichicastenago market - shop at Guatemala’s biggest and best handicraft market where K’iche Maya artisans sell woven textiles, ceramic pots, wood carvings, masks, and jewelry.
● A tour of the Maya ruins Iximche.
● The Sumpango Kite Festival during the Day of the Dead celebration.
We will take day excursions from three hotels:
● Hotel El Meson de Maria, Antigua (October 24, 25, 26)
● Porta Hotel del Lago, Panajachel (October 27, 28, 29, 30)
● Hotel Aurora, Antigua (October 31, and Nov. 1)
Price of the Tour:
● $3,125 double occupancy / $500 single room supplement (includes airport transfers, hotels, meals, and transportation).
In order to secure a place, make a $500 non-refundable deposit by April 24, 2026.
Final payment is due, on or before July 24, 2026.
Tour is limited to 16 guests.
● Not included: Airfare, travel insurance, gratuities, and fees for optional excursions.
This immersive journey involves climbing in and out of vans and small boats, walking on steep inclines, and navigating cobblestone streets and uneven terrain. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please be certain you can manage these physical demands before registering for the Textile Tour.
Step #2 - Reserve your spot
reserve by April 24, 2026
2026 Textile Tour Deposit
Tour Itinerary
Saturday, October 24, 2026: Arrival Day and Welcome Dinner.
Sunday, October 25, 2026: Presentation by the curators at Casa del Arte in Antigua on the history and techniques of Guatemalan textiles. Lunch in the nearby town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes at the home of weaver Lidia Lopez. Lidia will demonstrate the very complex weaving of their double-sided brocade on a backstrap loom. This type of weaving is particular to San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Dinner together in Antigua.
Monday, October 26, 2026: We will take a private walking tour through Antigua's cobblestone streets and enjoy its many historic buildings, fountains and ruins. We will then travel to Finca la Azotea for a chocolate making class and have lunch on the grounds of the family coffee farm. Late afternoon we will visit the studio of Olga Reich for a natural dyeing demonstration.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026: In the morning we will travel to Panajachel situated on Lake Atitlán. We will stop to visit the Maya ruin, Iximche, and have lunch at a typical Guatemalan restaurant.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026: Visit the Multicolores’ office and gallery shop in the morning. Embroidery and rug hooking artists will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate their work. We will share updates about Multicolores. Lunch together. Free afternoon or optional visit to Asociación Maya to see a dip-dyeing demonstration and bamboo scarf weaving.
Thursday, October 29, 2026: Day trip to the market town of Chichicastenango. We will enjoy the hustle and bustle of this famous textile market and visit the church of Santo Tomas, built in 1545 atop a pre-Hispanic Maya temple. We will visit the local cemetery and see a Maya ceremony. After lunch at Hotel Santo Tomas, we will have more time to explore the market before departing.
Friday, October 30, 2026: We will take a boat across Lake Atitlán to the village of Santiago Atitlán, known for its exquisite bird embroidery. We will visit workshops to see embroidery, ikat tie-dying and weaving. After lunch at the Posada de Santiago, Jody and Mary Anne will take us on a guided shopping tour through the town, pointing out embroidered treasures as we walk. Afternoon boat back to Panajachel.
Saturday, October 31, 2025: This morning we will pack up our bags and return to Antigua. En route we will have lunch at Hotel Atitlan, where we can also relax and explore their beautiful gardens. We will end the day with dinner together in Antigua.
Sunday, November 1, 2025: Guatemala celebrates the Day of the Dead by flying giant colorful kites. Early departure for the kite flying festival in Sumpango. We will travel back to Antigua for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to shop and pack before we gather for a farewell dinner at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Travel home.
This immersive journey involves climbing in and out of vans and small boats, walking on steep inclines, and navigating cobblestone streets and uneven terrain. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please be certain you can manage these physical demands before registering for the Textile Tour.
