Observe and participate in Colegio Horizontes classes and witness our amazing students and teachers in action.
Meet our inspiring female leadership team.
Volunteer with Community Library users.
Prepare tortillas and the signature Maya Ixil dish, boxbol, alongside students’ families.
Try your hand at traditional backstrap loom weaving and purchase one-of- a-kind textiles from local families.
Learn about the impact of the 36-year civil war in the Ixil area from a community member who experienced it firsthand.
Enjoy the timeless charm of UNESCO World Heritage site Antigua Guatemala with its cobblestone streets and volcano-framed skyline and the breathtaking serenity of Lake Atitlan
Day 1: Fly into Guatemala City and spend your first night in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua.
Days 2-5: Travel to Chajul where you’ll spend time with Limitless Horizons Ixil students, staff, and families. Witness Colegio Horizontes classes in action, visit students and families in their homes, participate in a weaving lesson, and experience the unique Maya Ixil culture.
Days 6-7: Travel to breathtaking Lake Atitlan, where you’ll enjoy astounding volcano views, tour local artisan cooperatives, learn about the local indigenous culture, and have the option to relax, kayak, hike, and/or shop!
Days 8-9: Return to Antigua via private transport for a final celebratory dinner before flying home.
Add an optional day in picturesque Antigua at the beginning of your trip to wander through the cobblestone streets and visit ruins, churches, and markets, in this city surrounded by three beautiful volcanoes!
This trip combines learning, service, and exploration during which you will be able to observe classes in action and spend time in families’ homes during the Guatemalan school year and one of the sunniest months of the year!
This milestone trip coincides with the graduation of our very first high school class, which you will celebrate alongside our full student body, their families, and our staff and board!
Praise for community engagement trips from prior participants.
A community engagement trip with Limitless Horizons Ixil offers a meaningful way to learn, engage in community service, and build authentic relationships in Chajul. Your visit supports youth and families through ethical, community-centered engagement, creating dignified employment for local families while directly funding Limitless Horizons Ixil’s educational programming. Participants learn from community members about Maya Ixil culture, history, and daily life, gaining perspective that extends far beyond traditional travel. Visitors are invited to engage with humility, respect local customs, and return home with a deeper understanding of Chajul and a meaningful connection to the community.
Once in Chajul, participants engage in a blend of service and cultural learning experiences designed and led by our teachers, mentors, librarians, international staff, and community members. Activities vary depending on the time of year and school activities, and may include learning basic Ixil language, exploring the history and lived impact of the Guatemalan Civil War, participating in classroom activities, and helping lead interactive activities for youth in the community library. Each experience is intended to be collaborative, respectful, and rooted in relationship building.
Adults from all backgrounds who are eager to learn, engage thoughtfully, and step outside their comfort zones are great candidates for the trip! Educators, professionals, and individuals interested in community-based work with Limitless Horizons Ixil are especially well suited for the experience. No prior service trips or language proficiency are required to join. While we do our best to adapt to individual physical limitations, it’s important to note that Chajul is at high elevation (7,000 feet) and getting around includes walking on uneven terrain and some hills. Participants should be comfortable with moderate physical activity and simple living conditions. Overall, the most important qualifications for our visitors are curiosity, flexibility, patience, and respect for the community.
While accommodations at Lake Atitlan and in Antigua are more modern with reliable hot water, accommodations in Chajul will be simpler: although clean and comfortable, electricity and hot water in Chajul may be limited at times.
In Antigua and Lake Atitlan, you will eat at various restaurants with preset menus. Meals in Chajul feature delicious local foods and are prepared by trained local cooks and families who follow established hygiene practices. Visitors should drink only bottled or filtered water. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Standard travel immunizations such as tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, COVID-19, and flu are recommended, along with hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations for the region. There is no malaria risk in the areas visited on this itinerary. Participants should bring all necessary prescription medications for the duration of the trip and practice routine health precautions such as frequent handwashing and drinking purified water. All visitors must have health insurance that provides coverage while traveling internationally including emergency evacuation coverage.
Travel lightly. We recommend a traveling backpack or roller bag that doesn’t exceed 40 pounds, as each participant must be able to carry their own luggage. Please note that we will not have an opportunity to do laundry.
Consider the weather and environment of Guatemala. Typically, June through October is the wet season, but relatively warm. That said, weather can range from warm and sunny to cold rain storms in the day with chilly nights. We will be visiting a variety of elevations and climates, so please bring layers. Chajul is at 7,000 feet, and can get chilly at night.
Chajul is a conservative community, so it is important to dress modestly during your trip. We will provide a full recommended packing list.
Participants are responsible for booking their own international flights to Guatemala City and purchasing health insurance for the trip. Once you arrive in Guatemala, we coordinate all transportation, lodging, meals, and scheduled activities. Staff will provide guidance on booking your airline ticket once you have signed up for the trip.
During the months prior to departure, participants will receive preparation materials, a travel guide, required forms, and detailed arrival instructions. We will also host a pre-trip virtual orientation session and provide ongoing support to help participants prepare culturally, logistically, and practically for the experience.
Yes, and thank you so much for your interest in supporting the Chajul community with donations! While there is great need throughout the community, Limitless Horizons Ixil aims to answer that need in a thoughtful and supportive manner. Participants who wish to bring donations are encouraged to use our recommended donation list. If you want to bring something not on the list, please coordinate with us in advance to ensure items meet real community needs and can be distributed responsibly.
The trip cost is $1,800 per person based on double occupancy accommodations* with an optional pre-trip cultural day in Antigua available for an additional fee. This fee covers lodging, meals, ground transportation within Guatemala, guides and translation services, all scheduled activities, pre-trip coordination and planning, and a charitable contribution that makes our educational programming possible. A portion of the trip fee is eligible as a tax-deductible charitable donation in accordance with current IRS regulations.
Airfare, airport meals, travel insurance, medical expenses, personal purchases, and tips for guides are not included in the trip cost. Additionally, each traveler is responsible for any personal expenses such as communication with loved ones at home, supplemental snacks, alcohol consumption when appropriate, and souvenirs.
*Please note that this trip cost is based on double occupancy rooms throughout your stay. If you prefer single occupancy for the Antigua and Lake Atitlan portions of the trip, please let us know and we can try to accommodate for an additional fee. Single occupancy in Chajul is limited and dependent on hotel availability.
