2022 DCIS Guatemala Service Adventure

Accommodations

Hostal Villa Toscana

This family hotel offers all the comforts of home in Guatemala City, in a friendly and welcoming environment. Just around the corner from the airport, the convenience and warmth of Hostal Villa Toscana make this the perfect place to stay before catching an international flight back to the USA. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

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Hotel Casa Antigua

Casa Antigua Hotel is set in a historic building, just a 2-minute walk from Antigua’s Central Park, and offers a rooftop terrace with panoramic views. Rooms at this hotel feature a desk, wardrobe, cable TV. and fee Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are decorated with traditional painted tiles and have a shower. The bedrooms feature antique furniture and traditional Guatemalan fabrics. Hotel Casa Antigua has shops, meeting facilities, terraces and 3 gardens with fountains. The hotel staff is bilingual and Spanish classes are given. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

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El Dragon Hotel

This boutique hotel is located directly on the shores of the stunning Lake Atitlán in San Marcos La Laguna. The unique location, quaint rooms, and artistic garden spaces will make any guest feel like they are in paradise. Free Wi-Fi throughout the facilities keep everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped according to gender in their rooms.

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Hotel Pa Muelle

Hotel Pa Muelle is located in the municipality of San Juan La Laguna, a very welcoming town and proud of its history and art. Rooms include a private bathroom, hot water, cable TV, comfortable beds (double and single), kitchen and a community area. The hotel offers a nice view of the lake and mountains. San Juan La Laguna offers attractive places and activities, such as traditional painting galleries and weavers who work with natural dyes. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

 

Group Flight

Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

We have partnered with our long-time friends at Guatemala Housing Alliance, a non-profit organization which works in our host community. Service projects in Guatemala are organized through the GHA and students will work under the watchful eye of a foreman and alongside a handful of community members to build a new home from scratch for a family that desperately needs it. According to GHA, it is estimated that there are well over a million houses in Guatemala cobbled together with cornstalks, cane, and scavenged materials. During the wet months – from June to November – wind driven rain blows through the wall, drips from the roofs, and often turns dirt floors into parasitic muck. Students work with local community members to build homes from the ground up!

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list that is provided as a guideline. Feel free to augment as you feel necessary.  We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on hikes, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

• Underwear
• Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
• T-shirts (some quick dry)
• Long sleeve shirt
• Lightweight sweater (especially if doing service work in the communities around Lake Atitlan)
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
• Comfortable/hiking/everyday pants
• Durable athletic/hiking shoes with good grip
• Sandals (Chaco/Teva/Keen/Merrel sandals are great to have for water activities)
• Work gloves – required for service work
• Bandana for work site (optional)
• A hat that can protect your neck
• Swimming suit/s

TOILETRIES:

• Two rapid COVID tests. Program Leaders will carry additional tests and will also administer the one to be verified by a medical professional within 24hrs of return to the US.
• Face masks
• Basic toiletries
• Sunscreen 
• Band Aids and Neosporin, basic first aid supplies.
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medication in properly marked original container. It’s important that medication travel in its original container, as customs officials have the right to confiscate it otherwise.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen
• Book
• Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
• Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
• Durable water bottle
• Quick-dry towel
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Deck of cards or other portable games

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.

Guillermo Montoya Berganza

Guatemala & Belize Country Director

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Universidad Rafael Landivar – B.A. Marketing with emphasis on Advertising
Postgraduate studies in Business Management, Costa Rica and India

Guillermo, a globetrotter from Guatemala, has explored North and Central America, Europe, and India, immersing himself in intercultural experiences. His journey began as an exchange student in North Dakota and Canada, later volunteering with an educational organization in Guatemala. This role allowed him to lead Latin American students through Norway and Denmark, fueling his passion for travel. Now based in Antigua, Guatemala, Guillermo champions independent coffee farmers and artisan communities while leading customized programs. Fluent in Spanish and English, he combines his love for adventure, photography, mural painting, and history to create memorable experiences for his clients.

Guillermo has crafted tailored walking tours for VIP clients, including Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa and former CNN presenters Alberto Padilla and Claudia Palacios, earning a reputation as a sought-after guide. In 2023, he presented on “The Leadership of a Tour Guide” at the XIV National and Ibero-American Congress of Tour Guides in Playa del Carmen. Guillermo has also authored a booklet on Antigua Guatemala’s coats of arms and delivered academic presentations on mural paintings and women’s roles in tourism. With a focus on inclusive tourism and cultural preservation, Guillermo continues to enrich the tourism landscape, blending expertise and passion to showcase Guatemala’s heritage.

Luke Mueller

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

[email protected]

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Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History

Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

• 1 Alexssa Dimas
• 2 Andrea Macias
• 3 Benjamin Menard
• 4 Emily Pacheco
• 5 Gianna Foley
• 6 Katherine Clurman
• 7 Kayla Montano
• 8 Kayla Montano-Flores
• 9 Kayla Montano-Flores
• 10 Layla Rankin
• 11 Lila Doyle
• 12 Madeleine Doyle
• 13 Marcus Atencio
• 14 Maureen Padilla
• 15 Mazie Johnson
• 16 Milla Murano
• 17 Morrigan Quist
• 18 Paikea Negler
• 19 Sadie May Weilminster

Blog and Communication

During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.

Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational.  As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.

IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Guatemala website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.

Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.

We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.

To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.