jump into making a difference

Hiptipico's Alternative Spring Break Program

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE

Hiptipico's Alternative spring break program

Is an extremely unique opportunity for young professionals and students to gain a deeper understanding about global issues by interacting directly with local community members and marginalized indigenous groups in rural Guatemala. All immersion activities are supplemented with intensive seminars and group discussions with Hiptipico founder Alyssa and innovative local leaders.

Cultural Immersion

Hiptipico's ASB program focuses on providing participants with a truly immersive experience in the beautifully diverse country of Guatemala. Participants will have the opportunity to explore some of the most striking parts of Central America and gain insight into the Maya culture and traditions by meeting local indigenous artisans. This program concentrates on economic empowerment through inclusion as a way to break the cycle of poverty in Latin America.

Group leaders travel for free!

Customize a highly immersive week of service projects, leadership-building, and community involvement with 10 of your classmates. Specific activities include: shopping at the largest open-air market in Central America, visiting home workshops of indigenous artisans, traditional Maya weaving and dyeing lessons, boat rides across Lake Atitlan and even volunteering at the local animal shelter. 

Sample Activities:

Visit Our Artisans' Homes

Attend a Traditional Weaving Workshop

Hike an Active Volcano

Tour a Coffee Farm

Weave Your Own Scarf

Learn How to Make Tortillas

Watch Sunsets over Lake Atitlan

Example Immersion Tour:

Natural Dyeing + Weaving Lessons with Rosa

Hop across the lake from Panajachel to San Juan la Laguna, home of one of the oldest artisan weaving cooperatives. It’s leader, Hiptipico's long term artisan partner Rosa, will demonstrate the traditional Maya Tz’utujil dyeing technique, done completely with local organic materials like fruits, vegetables, tree bark, and even insects. You too, will learn yourself how to weave with the traditional backstrap loom and stay a while longer to create your very own scarf! Homemade lunch, village tour and seminar to follow.

Natural Dyeing + Weaving Lessons with Rosa

Hiptipico

Textile Seminar with Local Weavers

Pricing and Info

The all-inclusive trip cost is $1,500 per person (for a minimum of 10 people) which covers all expenses on the ground in Guatemala for one week. Group leaders travel for free!

Price includes: local transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, beverages, local tours, cultural sites, translations, artisan workshops, family visits, weaving lessons, market visits, seminars and college credit.

Price excludes: airfare, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses. 

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Sign up: info@hiptipico.com 

Meet your guides

Marleny

Hiptipico's full-time artisan coordinator Marleny is a Panajachel native. Speaking Kaqchikel, K'iche, and Spanish - Marleny is in constant contact with our artisans partners all around Guatemala. She manages all orders, and is in charge of quality control and building new artisan relationships. Marleny is excited to meet new people!

Contact en Espanol

Alyssa

Before founding Hiptipico, Alyssa earned her Master’s Degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Living in rural Guatemala for the past 7 years, she is thrilled to share her experiences working with Maya artisans and textiles with ethical travelers and socially-minded consumers.

Contact Alyssa