Sample Itinerary

 
 
 
Arrive in Tecpán, Guatemala, to start your trip. Be met at the airport by a Hug It Forward representative and then escorted to Tecpán. Next, have lunch with the group you’ll be working with side by side, and then spend the afternoon enjoying the grounds of the hotel and relaxing before the emotional week ahead. During the first night’s dinner, participate in an important orientation, preparing you for the week ahead and building group synergy.

After dining on a breakfast prepared by our private chef, drive to the community in which you will be working. You will be greeted by a welcome ceremony before starting work on the bottle school. After lunch, work a little more on the school before watching a presentation from a community member about the Guatemalan Civil War. Afterward, take part in a community hike, during which you’ll visit the home of a few local producers who will share their culture and lifestyle. Return to Tecpán in the evening for dinner.

 
 
After breakfast, drive to the bottle school community and spend the morning working on the bottle school. Depending on the bottle school’s stage of construction, you may participate in different tasks on the construction site, including digging; stuffing; classifying and placing bottles; cutting and bending rebar; mixing cement; putting the first layer of cement on the walls; and painting the school. In the afternoon, enjoy a presentation by a community member about migration. Return to Tecpán in the evening for dinner.

After breakfast, drive to the Mayan ruins of Iximché, which was the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. Prepare yourself for an eye-opening tour through the amazing Mayan culture, led by Dimas, an expert guide who practices Mayan spirituality. Return to Tecpán in the afternoon to rest before having dinner.

After breakfast, drive to the bottle school community and spend all morning working on the bottle school project. After a lunch served in the community, work more on the bottle school before having a Q&A session with the students. The community will present a closing ceremony, after which it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends and head back to Tecpán for dinner.

Drive to Antigua in time for lunch, which will be served at the hotel. Spend your afternoon as you choose, visiting the artisan markets or Antigua’s many museums, galleries, churches, and sites of historical interest; resting; or just exploring this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant, and the group will share their experiences from the previous week, bringing the trip to a close.

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport and returning home.