Guatemala Women Leaders Immersion
8 Days That Shift How You Lead
October 24-31, 2026 | Limited to 12 Women
$500 Deposit to Hold Your Spot
You’ve done the work. You’ve earned the success. Now it’s time to invest in the leader you’re still becoming.
This isn’t a retreat. It’s not a conference. It’s an immersion into Guatemala’s living classroom — a week designed to interrupt the pattern of your life long enough for something fundamental to shift. You’ll meet Guatemalan women who lead with vision and courage, engage with local changemakers strengthening their communities, and discover what emerges when you stop performing and start being present.
The Experience
This is experiential leadership development. Not theory. Not another framework. Real people, real challenges, real transformation.
Throughout the week, you will participate in integrated group coaching — structured conversations that help you process what you are experiencing, examine assumptions you didn’t know you had, and begin articulating who you are becoming.
What Makes This Different
Most leadership programs teach you what to think. This experience creates space for you to discover how you make meaning — and whether that is actually serving you.
No other immersion experience does what we do:
- Unparalleled access to the local community, built over years of living and working abroad
- Deep integration of group coaching throughout every day
- Proven methodologies that create lasting change
- For women, by women
We don’t lecture about transformation. We create the conditions where it becomes possible.
The EDGE Methodology™ — Our North Star
Everything we do begins with our proprietary EDGE Methodology™:
- Experiential: Real challenges in real contexts, not simulations
- Deliberate: Intentional design for meaningful outcomes
- Growth: Crossing thresholds that open new possibilities
- Embed: Building capacity for sustained, embodied change
Who This Is For
This immersion is designed for women leaders who:
- See their success as a powerful part of who they’ve become — and sense there is more possible
- Are ready to invest in themselves for greater connection, awareness, and growth
- Want to step away from the daily grind and reconnect with what truly matters
- Are inspired by the outdoors and growing alongside like-minded women
- Are ready to examine their leadership honestly, not defensively
- Can commit to being fully present for 8 days — minimal phones, no laptops
This experience asks a lot. It may not be the right fit if you:
- Are looking for quick fixes or surface-level insights
- Aren’t ready to sit with discomfort or ambiguity
- Prefer to observe rather than engage fully
- Are seeking networking over genuine personal development
The Transformation
Guatemala is our living classroom, teaching us to ask different questions, see our experiences differently, gain new perspectives, and push us to cross the edges that hold us back.
Participants in past immersions describe:
- Clarity: “I finally understand what’s been driving me — and what I actually want to create.”
- Reconnection: “I found parts of myself I’d buried to be successful.”
- Courage: “I stopped leading from fear and started leading from purpose.”
- Perspective: “I realized how much I was performing rather than being authentic.”
- Freedom: “I gave myself permission to lead differently.”
This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you are beneath the performance, the expectations, the exhaustion.
The Details
- Dates: October 24-31, 2026
- Locations: Quetzaltenango and Antigua, Guatemala
- Group Size: Maximum 12 women — intimate and intentional
SHARED ROOM
$5,957
PRIVATE ROOM
$6,457
✦ Early Bird: Save $500 when you register by April 15 ✦
Physical Fitness
This journey requires reasonable physical fitness. Participants will walk on uneven terrain and cobblestone streets, navigate stairs at altitude, and may hike around a lake at approximately 9,000 feet. Altitude will reach up to 9,500 feet. Anticipated temperatures range from the 40s to 60s Fahrenheit in the mountains and 50s to 70s at lower elevations. A comprehensive packing list will be provided two months before departure.
This is not an extreme adventure, but it does require mobility and stamina. If you have concerns about physical requirements, let’s discuss during your exploratory call.
What’s Included
- All accommodations — 7 nights
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- All in-country transportation
- All immersion activities and community engagement
- All on-site coaching sessions
- All translation — Spanish and Kʼicheʼ to English
- Integrated group coaching throughout the week
- Pre-departure preparation materials
- Post-immersion integration session (virtual)
- Access to a private post-immersion community group
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Guatemala City
- Alcohol
- Personal items and souvenirs
- Optional 1:1 coaching before, during, and after the immersion
Bonus: Pre-Departure 60-Day Learning Circle
All participants are invited to join our exclusive pre-departure Learning Circle — a bi-weekly, facilitated experience beginning 60 days before departure. This isn’t just trip logistics; it’s where your transformation actually begins.
Through guided dialogue and experiential exercises, you will:
- Begin examining the patterns you’re bringing to Guatemala
- Connect with your cohort before you arrive
- Prepare mentally and emotionally for immersion
- Set intentions that ground your week
Many participants describe the Learning Circle as “where the real work started.”
Our Journey
Saturday, October 24 — Arrival & Welcome
Arrive in Guatemala City and be greeted by your airport transfer to a boutique hotel in a tranquil neighborhood of the capital. Take time to settle in and unwind from your travels, then meet the other participants who will share this week of reconnection and reflection. During our welcome session, we’ll set intentions for the days ahead and begin opening ourselves to what this journey may reveal. The evening concludes with a delicious dinner at a rooftop restaurant.
Sunday, October 25 — Day 2: A Journey into the Indigenous Highlands
Our first full day in Guatemala begins as we journey into the Guatemalan highlands, winding deeper into the mountains with each curve of the road. Along the way, we’ll pause at the Iximché Archaeological Site, one of the last Maya capitals before the Spanish conquest. After a guided historical visit with a local expert, we’ll enjoy a traditional Guatemalan lunch before continuing on to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second most influential city. Known locally as “Xela,” from its Indigenous name Xelajú, Quetzaltenango will be our home base for the next few days. In the evening, you’ll have time to stroll through the historic center, acclimate to the altitude, and settle into your room at our cozy hotel.
Monday, October 26 — Day 3:Where Ancient Practices Meet Modern Leadership
The day begins with meditation and group reflection, creating space to be fully present as we explore leadership and community through a new lens. After lunch, we’ll travel to a nearby community to meet Indigenous women leaders who are strengthening their communities while preserving Mayan traditions and ancestral practices. As the day draws to a close, we’ll gather with an Indigenous Authority and spiritual leader, who will share the meaning and significance of nawales and help prepare the group for the Mayan ceremony taking place the following day.
Tuesday, October 27 — Day 4: A Spiritual Connection with the Earth
This day invites movement, presence, and connection as we travel to Laguna Chicabal, a sacred Maya lagoon nestled within the crater of a small, long-inactive volcano. From the park entrance, we’ll take a 4×4 to the top of the mountain and then descend on foot via a steep staircase of more than 500 steps to the lagoon below. We’ll be accompanied by a Maya spiritual guide, who will lead a ceremony shaped by the intentions of our group. Participants are invited to arrive with openness and respect, experiencing firsthand ancestral practices that continue to be preserved and practiced today. Following the ceremony, there will be time to walk quietly around the lagoon or begin the return journey to the entrance at your own pace, allowing space to reflect and connect with the natural environment. After lunch, we’ll return to Xela for an afternoon of rest and reflection at the hotel. The evening concludes with an exquisite dinner prepared by a local chef.
Wednesday, October 28 — Day 5: Reflect and Refresh
On our final morning in Xela, you’ll have the option to visit a lush volcanic hot spring tucked deep in the mountains. A short but steep hike down to the pools offers a natural transition, inviting disconnection from the outside world and time to soak in warm waters, surrounded by stillness and nature. For those who prefer a slower morning, there will be space for individual coaching, reflection, and journaling, either in private areas of the hotel or at a local café. After lunch, we’ll depart Xela for the colonial town of Antigua Guatemala. Upon arrival, we’ll settle into our converted hacienda and begin to attune to the rhythm of a new place, where cobblestone streets and centuries-old churches meet a vibrant, present-day town.
Thursday, October 29 — Day 6: Collective Leadership – New Ways of Leading while Preserving the Past
This day begins with morning meditation and yoga, opening our minds and bodies to new ways of thinking about leadership. Following our group morning session, there will be an optional walking tour, offering an opportunity to be immersed in the town’s rich history. For those who prefer quieter time, there will be space for individual coaching, reflection, and journaling, either at the hacienda or a nearby café. At lunchtime, the group will gather at a local restaurant to learn about the art of tortilla making and enjoy local cuisine. In the afternoon, we’ll spend time with Indigenous women leaders who are working to strengthen collaboration among local organizations and reduce barriers to participation through collective action. The day concludes with dinner on an outdoor terrace, with views of the surrounding volcanoes.
Friday, October 30 — Day 7: Leading with Integrity and Compassion
On our final full day, following morning meditation and yoga, we’ll visit a residential home and learn from the Executive Director and her team about their work supporting children who are survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. While the realities are challenging, participants will also witness the care, dignity, and moments of joy that exist within this space. After the visit, we’ll take time for reflection and processing, exploring how leadership, presence, and the ways we show up shape our experiences, particularly in difficult contexts. Following a group lunch, there will be an opportunity to visit a local coffee farm, where we’ll learn about the coffee production process and spend time in the gardens—walking, talking, and continuing to reflect. The day concludes with a meal at a beautifully restored former convent, followed by a closing ceremony back at the hacienda.
Saturday, October 31 —Departure/ Guatemala Extension
As we say goodbye, we carry with us the stories, insights, and moments of stillness gathered over the week, gentle reminders that purpose is not a destination, but a lifelong practice. Transfers will be provided to the airport for departing participants.
For those who wish to extend their stay, our team is happy to help organize additional activities, which may include:
All Saints Day (November 1): An opportunity to visit a nearby village to experience the vibrant kite festival and learn how Maya communities in Guatemala honor and remember their ancestors.
Hiking and volcano experiences: Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes and scenic trails offering expansive views of the landscape. Optional excursions can include:
- An overnight hike and camp on Volcán Acatenango, with dramatic views of the erupting Volcán de Fuego (the most physically demanding option);
- A day trip to Volcán Pacaya, where you can experience an active volcano—possibly roasting marshmallows or enjoying food prepared over volcanic heat (moderate to challenging); or
- Shorter half-day hikes in the hills surrounding Antigua, adaptable to a range of fitness levels.
Rest and restoration: Additional time in Antigua can include day spas, massages, and opportunities to unwind at a slower pace.
Cultural learning: We can also arrange hands-on experiences such as traditional cooking or weaving classes.
The Venue
Travelers will rest in Guatemala City at the beautiful downtown Adriatika Hotel, an oasis in the hustle and bustle of the country’s largest city. Following a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant, you will love the lavish suites as you sink into fluffy pillows for a restful sleep.
The next morning, we head to Quetzaltenango, known as Xela locally, and the Centenario Boutique Hotel. Our bespoke rooms face a private courtyard, the tables and chairs lit up with evening lights, beckoning for conversation or perhaps an optional nightcap. Along one side of the courtyard are intimate meeting rooms ready for learning, reflection, and conversation – as well as morning meditation for those ready to center their day. Centenario is an easy walk to the main plaza and a local woman-owned cafe with delectable banana bread and cappuccinos.
Our final stop will be the UNESCO heritage site, Antigua, where we will lounge in a private Hacienda walking distance to the Central Plaza. Built as a stable centuries ago, the old world charm of this gorgeous villa meets modern luxury with antiques, iron, and leather softened with white linens, delectable cuisine, and the distant sound of church bells. Expansive views can be taken in from the roof top lounge area – including amazing volcano vistas, clouds permitting. Cafes, restaurants,and gardens are walking distance over cobblestone streets.
A Heritage on a Plate
Guatemala’s cuisine is a living record of the country’s layered history, where ancient Mayan traditions meet Spanish colonial influence in every kitchen and at every table. Here, food is not prepared quickly. It is prepared with intention, built from recipes that have been passed from mother to daughter over generations, often beside a wood-fired stove that serves as the gathering place for family storytelling, decision-making, and warmth on cold highland evenings.
In the western highlands around Tecpan and Quetzaltenango, you will encounter dishes that are deeply rooted in Indigenous tradition. Pepian, one of Guatemala’s most celebrated stews, combines roasted tomatoes, chiles, and toasted pumpkin and sesame seeds into a rich, fragrant sauce that simmers for hours. Jocon, a bright green chicken stew made with cilantro, tomatillos, and ground pumpkin seeds, originated in these very highlands and is recognized as part of Guatemala’s cultural heritage.
In Antigua, the flavors shift toward the criollo tradition, where colonial-era recipes have been reimagined using local ingredients and Indigenous techniques. You will find Guatemalan chiles rellenos, tamales wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks, and platanos en mole, sweet plantains bathed in a bittersweet chocolate sauce that speaks to Guatemala’s deep connection to cacao. Guatemala is, after all, one of the birthplaces of chocolate, and you will taste that legacy in everything from a morning cup of hot chocolate to afternoon sweets in the market.
In Guatemala City and Antigua, an emerging food scene is taking shape as innovative chefs experiment with new flavors and techniques that combine high-end cuisine with local ingredients. Many of these restaurants are reinterpreting traditional Guatemalan dishes, elevating familiar ingredients such as corn, cacao, and native herbs in creative and contemporary ways.
Every meal during this immersion will be an invitation to slow down, to notice the hands that prepared what is in front of you, and to understand that food here is an act of generosity and belonging. Whether you are sharing a plate of black beans and handmade tortillas with local women leaders or tasting freshly roasted Guatemalan coffee in the cool morning air, each bite connects you to something larger: a culture that has endured, adapted, and thrived.
We cannot wait for you to experience the warmth and hospitality of Guatemala’s culinary traditions. Every meal will be an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and savor the vibrant heritage on your plate.
Flights
Fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. Arrival should be scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026. Departure on Saturday, October 31, 2026. All in-country transportation is included; please send your flight information in advance so we can coordinate your transfer.
Your Trail Guides
Stephanie Mikulasek
Former U.S. Diplomat, Founder and CEO of The ServantEDGE, published author, public speaker, and executive coach. Stephanie brings 20+ years of experience leading transformational immersions across six continents. Her doctoral research focuses on how dissonance in immersive contexts catalyzes genuine leadership transformation — not just awareness, but fundamental shifts in how leaders make meaning and show up. She has led groups into the African bush, through Guatemalan highlands, across Caribbean communities. She has seen the moment when someone’s face changes because the living classroom has shifted something profound. That is the work she lives for. Stephanie doesn’t teach leadership. She creates conditions where leaders discover what’s actually true for them.
Sara Barker
Sara brings more than 20 years of experience living and working in Guatemala and across Latin America, with a career rooted in peacebuilding, community leadership, and accompaniment alongside Indigenous communities. Her work has focused on facilitating relationships and learning spaces where local leadership, ancestral knowledge, and lived experience are recognized as essential sources of wisdom. She has walked these highland paths for decades — learning from Indigenous women leaders, community authorities, and local organizations who lead with care, resilience, and deep connection to place. Sara invites participants into experiences where listening comes before leading, where humility opens new ways of seeing, and where time spent in relationship — with people, land, and history — can quietly and powerfully reshape how leaders understand themselves and their role in the world.
Olga Lorenzana — Local Host
Olga brings more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of social research, monitoring and evaluation, and community-based development across Guatemala. Her career is rooted in understanding how programs translate into meaningful change — accompanying organizations, communities, and technical teams to generate learning that strengthens impact and accountability. Her work spans peacebuilding, education, nutrition, gender equity, and rural development. She has worked closely with Indigenous communities, women’s groups, youth leaders, and local partners, ensuring that data reflects lived realities and informs more inclusive decision-making. Olga believes in creating spaces where stories, data, and experiences come together — helping groups see beyond rigid frameworks to the human dynamics that shape sustainable change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in my registration?
All accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, immersion activities, group coaching, translation, and pre- and post-departure programming. See the full list above. Personal items, souvenirs, alcohol, and international flights are not included.
I need a roommate — how do I arrange that?
If you prefer to share accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If shared accommodations are unavailable, you would be placed in a single room at the single room rate.
Will I have internet access?
Limited access will be available. This experience is designed for intentional presence — minimal phones and no laptops are encouraged throughout the week. We recommend contacting your phone carrier about international data options before departure.
Where do I fly into?
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. All ground transfers to and from your destination within Guatemala are included.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Guatemala. Citizens from many countries can enter Guatemala without a visa for stays up to 90 days.
You will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your departure date — meaning your passport must not expire before April 30, 2027.
All travelers must fill out an electronic immigration and customs declaration form to enter and exit Guatemala.
Is there transportation from the airport?
Yes. All airport and in-country transfers are included. Please send your flight information in advance so we can coordinate your pickup.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Please indicate any dietary needs at the time of registration and we will do our best to accommodate them. While we are able to support vegetarian and pescatarian preferences, we are not able to accommodate strictly vegan diets. During meals hosted by local community members, we have less direct control but will communicate your needs in advance.
Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?
Your safety is our priority. We will remain informed of current travel advisories and use trusted local transportation and vetted venues throughout the journey. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance and leaving valuables at home.
What is the weather like?
Expect temperatures in the 40s to 60s Fahrenheit in the mountain regions (Quetzaltenango) and 50s to 70s in Antigua and lower elevations. Pack layers. A comprehensive packing list will be provided two months before departure.
What is the cancellation policy?
What if I have concerns about physical requirements?
This journey requires reasonable mobility and stamina. It is not an extreme adventure, but participants will walk on uneven terrain, cobblestone streets, and at altitudes up to 9,500 feet. If you have concerns, please bring them up during your exploratory call and we will discuss them directly.
Destination: Guatemala
Guatemala is a country of extraordinary contrast — ancient Maya cities standing alongside colonial Spanish architecture, volcanic highlands dropping into lowland jungle, and Indigenous traditions woven into every market, meal, and ceremony. It is a living classroom unlike any other.
The women who lead here do so under extraordinary conditions, with extraordinary grace. Their stories will change yours.
From the cobblestone streets of Antigua to the high-altitude lake towns of the western highlands, Guatemala offers a context that strips away the familiar and replaces it with something more elemental: the realization that leadership is not a role you perform — it is a way of being that must be continually rediscovered.
Register for the Guatemala Women Leaders Immersion
Space is limited to 12 women. Registration opens March 4, 2026. A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot.