2025 Morey Middle School Guatemala Program
| Travel Dates: | June 17, 2025 - June 27, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,055 |
Important Reminders
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Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17 | Denver - Guatemala City - Antigua | The group will fly from Denver, CO to Guatemala City, Guatemala. After arriving in Guatemala city midmorning, we will load our bus and head bus and drive for about an hour and a half to Antigua, stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival to Antigua, the group will check into our hotel and have some time to rest after the overnight travel. We'll hold an orientation meeting to better prepare for the trip ahead before getting our first taste of this picturesque colonial city as we make our way to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will head back to hotel to rest and prepare for a busy day tomorrow. | Hotel Panchoy |
| June 18 | Antigua | After breakfast, we break the ice with a fun and high-tempo dance class! Our instructor will give us an introduction to a few latino rhythms such salsa, merengue and cumbia. Following the lesson, participants will freshen up before venturing out to explore the cobblestone streets of Antigua. We'll make sure to walk through the the central park and visit some artisan markets before a tasty lunch. This afternoon, the group will visit El ChocoMuseo, a renowned chocolate factory and museum where we learn the history and cultural significance of the cacao bean, while also sampling our fair share. We even get to make your own batch! After some more exploring, we will head to dinner. Tonight, we will have a cultural introduction where we will learn more about the host community and our service work. | Hotel Panchoy |
| June 19 | Antigua - San Juan La Laguna | After breakfast, we load the bus and travel to Panajachel, stopping on the way at the Iximche archaeological site where we will learn about the mayan civilization as we walk through these impressive ruins. After lunch, we continue driving for a couple more hours until we reach Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. We will transfer to boats which take us across the beautiful waters to our host community of San Juan de la Laguna. Upon arrival, we will settle in our lodging before meeting some of our community hosts, touring the village, and getting oriented to our service project. After dinner, we will head back to our lodging and rest after a long day. | Eco Hotel Uxlabil |
| June 20 | San Juan La Laguna | Our days in the community will be anchored by our work on a meaningful community service project. After breakfast at our hotel, we will go to out worksite where we will meet the community members that will be coordinating out project. After a quick introduction we will divide in smaller groups, get out tasks assigned and get to work. We will then take our lunch break either on-site or at a local restaurant. After our work day is finished, the group will have a back strap weaving workshop, which is full of local identity, learning about its history told by the weavers, the sourcing of materials for its production and pigmentation, to its finishing touches. Afterward, we will return to our accommodation and be ready for dinner. | Eco Hotel Uxlabil |
| June 21 | San Juan La Laguna | On this day, we will continue working on the project site, getting closer to finish it. The group's lunch will be at a local restaurant, giving some tome to refresh and be ready for the rest of the day. After lunch, the group will immerse into a Handmade Soap workshop, at a medicinal plant garden. Here, the group will learn about the women's cooperative, and how they collect the natural materials in order to manufacture soap, shampoo, body lotions and more. Afterward, we will return to our accommodation and be ready for dinner. | Eco Hotel Uxlabil |
| June 22 | San Juan La Laguna - Santiago Atitlán | Today we will take a break from our service project to go on an excursion around the lake. After breakfast, we will walk to San Juan's dock to catch a boat to another one of the many towns around the lake, Santiago Atitlán. We will tour this town and learn more about mayan culture, traditions and way of living. We will also have the opportunity to explore the artisan markets and get some local snacks. After lunch, we will head back to our host village San Juan. We will have some free time to explore in smaller groups before meeting up for dinner. | Eco Hotel Uxlabil |
| June 23 | San Juan La Laguna | Today we will finish our service project! After putting the final touches of our project we will clean the worksite and help pack up out tools. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, afterward, we will visit a local coffee farm, where the group will tour a local coffee plantation. learn about the cultural and economic relevance of this crop and, of course, taste Guatemalan Coffee. Afterward, we will head back to our accommodation and get ready for the celebration with our community friends, a traditional meal will be cooked and served and we will celebrate with a "fiesta de despedida"! | Eco Hotel Uxlabil |
| June 24 | San Juan La Laguna - Panajachel | After breakfast, we will finish packing our bags and say our goodbyes. Today we will depart our host community and cross the lake by boat towards our next location in a another nearby village on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel. After, where we will be able to and relax while we enjoy on the shores of the lake. After lunch, we will spend the afternoon free to swimming in the lake, kayaking and relaxing and enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the world. After dinner, we will have a debrief where we will discuss our experience during out time at the community. We will also complete some end of program activities before going to bed to prepare for our journey back to the city tomorrow. | Villa Santa Catarina |
| June 25 | Panajachel | We will devote today to volunteering with a local organization, to be selected by Morey community. Details forthcoming. | Villa Santa Catarina |
| June 26 | Panajachel - Guatemala City | Today is our last full day in Guatemala. After breakfast, participants will have the chance to take one last dip in the lake or just spend the morning enjoying the views. We will then pack our bags and head to a reserve where we will do an exciting zipline canopy tour! Before we travel back to Guatemala City and enjoy one last meal together in the lake area. Then we will hit the road and head back to Guatemala City where we will settle in out hotel for tonight and prepare for our early international departure tomorrow. | Hotel Clarion Suites Guatemala |
| June 27 | Guatemala City - Denver | After breakfast, we will head to the airport for a morning departure back to the USA. | Your own bed! |
Fundraising
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Hotel Panchoy
Hotel Panchoy is located in the beautiful city of Antigua only 4 blocks away from the central park of Antigua Guatemala and only 5 blocks from Cerro de la Cruz . This hotel has common areas and a terrace for guests to enjoy. Wi- Fi is available throughout the property. Students will be split between gender in either double, triple or quadruple rooms.
Villa Santa Catarina
This hotel is located in the town of Santa Catarina Palopo, on the edge of beautiful Lake Atitlan. It offers private rooms with furnished balcony and an outdoor pool, 5 minute drive from Panajachel. Villa Santa Catarina’s rooms feature views of the pool, gardens and Lake Atitlan with its nearby volcanoes. All come with cable TV and private bathroom. Wi-Fi is free in common areas. This hotel also counts with a restaurant that serves a varied menu of international and regional cuisine. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan
Set on Guatemala’s Atitlán Lake, in San Juan La Laguna, Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlán offers rooms equipped with a wardrobe and a private bathroom with a shower and toiletries. All rooms have a balcony with lake views and breakfast is included. Water is heated by solar power. An abundant free breakfast is served with organic coffee. The restaurant overlooks the lake and is built to resemble the local 200 year-old church. The hotel offers a free limited WiFi zone and free parking nearby.
Hotel Clarion Suites Guatemala
Located in the popular Zona Viva district, Clarion Suites Guatemala offers stylish air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. Rooms are equipped with cable TV and bathrooms include hair dryer and toiletries. Located in the lobby, the La Poza restaurant serves an international menu. There is an on-site minimarket and a gym.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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420
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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June 17, 2025 at 02:48 PM
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DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth, United States
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June 17, 2025 at 05:50 PM
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Outbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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1013
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DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth, United States
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June 17, 2025 at 08:40 PM
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GUA – La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala
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June 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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Inbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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1258
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GUA – La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala
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June 27, 2025 at 01:05 PM
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MIA – Miami International Airport, Miami, United States
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June 27, 2025 at 05:55 PM
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Inbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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1629
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MIA – Miami International Airport, Miami, United States
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June 27, 2025 at 09:00 PM
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DEN – Denver International Airport, Denver, United States
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June 27, 2025 at 11:29 PM
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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
Family and community is very important in Guatemalan culture. Some people live with their extended familiy members and it’s common for everyone to know what is going on in the community (at least among the tight-knit community of host mothers). Most host families consist of a mother, father, and 1-3 kids, though it is not uncommon for other family members (grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc.) to live within or close to the home as well. Families are very hospitable and look after host students as if they were their own children.
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. 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 daily outings, 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.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Warmer jacket
- Warm hat
- Scarf
- Warm gloves
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- Host family gift
- STUDENT ID
- Spanish/English Dictionary
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
Universidad Rafael Landivar – B.A. Marketing with emphasis on Advertising
Postgraduate studies in Business Management, Costa Rica and India
Guillermo was born and raised in Guatemala. He has traveled throughout North and Central America, and parts of Europe and India. His first intercultural experience took place in North Dakota and Canada as an exchange student. He then volunteered with an international organization in Guatemala that provides educational opportunities to young students. Through this organization, he became a guide for a Latin American student group in Norway and Denmark, giving him the opportunity to explore several European countries and find his traveler spirit. Guillermo lives in Antigua, Guatemala, where he works to support independent coffee farmers and an artisan community and leads programs throughout Central America. He speaks both Spanish and English and enjoys adventure travel, photography and history.
Earlham College – B.A. International Studies, Minor in Economics
Born and raised with a big family in Guatemala, JP spent seven years living and studying in the US where he was exposed to highly diverse communities. JP worked as a Wilderness Leader guiding expeditions in the Southwest of the US. After spending two years in New Mexico studying the International Baccalaureate, he moved to Indiana where he spent the next four years at Earlham College. His passion for international affairs brought him to spend a semester in China, and several other Southeast Asian countries. During his time abroad, he spent his summers traveling and backpacking through 15+ different countries, and participating in several service projects. Today JP is based in Costa Rica where he works full time with the Walking Tree team. Juan Pablo also enjoys hosting friends and travelers coming to visit. He’s always down for an exciting road-trip around the country, or even better, around Latin America. He is a long time art and design enthusiast, and a photography aficionado.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Abigail Kniley
- 2 Addison Bawa
- 3 Bilim Gallagher
- 4 Brendan Flaherty
- 5 Harold Reamy
- 6 Madelaine Wickham
- 7 McKayla Wickham
- 8 Milo Romanyshyn
- 9 Nelliee Grace Waples-Best
- 10 Scout Zweig
- 11 Siena Yeh
- 12 Sophia Waples Ramirez
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 bak 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
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
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
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- 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
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- 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 with 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 travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on 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 a multi-day leadership training retreat. 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 receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues 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 is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on 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 with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.