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 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.
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: Afterwards, 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.
Our April 2026 trip combines learning, service, and exploration during which you will be able to observe classes in action and spend time in family’s homes during the Guatemalan school year and one of the sunniest months of the year!
Our November 2026 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!
Praise for Limitless Horizons Ixil trips from previous participants.
A Community Engagement Trip with Limitless Horizons Ixil offers a meaningful way to learn, serve, 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.
People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate. No prior service experience or language proficiency is required. Participants should come ready to learn, open to new experiences, and willing to travel as part of a group. The itinerary is adaptable to a range of physical abilities and needs whenever possible. The most important consideration is joining with a spirit of curiosity, flexibility, and patience.
Living conditions in Guatemala are modest and part of the experience involves adapting to different foods, shared spaces, and cooler showers. These challenges are often part of what makes the experience meaningful and memorable.
While accommodations at Lake Atitlán 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 Atitlán, you will eat at various restaurants with pre-set menus. Meals in Chajul 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.
Participants must have health insurance that provides coverage while traveling internationally including emergency evacuation coverage. Standard travel immunizations such as tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 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, drinking purified water, and pacing physical activity.
Travel lightly. We recommend a traveling backpack or roller bag that doesn’t exceed 40 lbs, as each participant must be able to carry his or her 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. See full packing list here: link
Participants are responsible for booking their own international flights to Guatemala City and purchasing health insurance for the trip. Once you arrive in Guatemala, LHI coordinates all transportation, lodging, meals, and scheduled activities. Staff will provide guidance on booking your airplane 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 this recommended donation list and if they 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*; an optional pre-trip cultural day in Antigua is available for an additional fee. All fees include lodging, meals, ground transportation within Guatemala, guides and translation services, all scheduled activities, and a charitable contribution that supports LHI’s educational programming. 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.
