Rainbow Bridge Pilgrimage
Two Dates:
October 26th - November 2nd, 2024
February 1st - 8th, 2025
San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Join us on an initiation with cacao, the way of the Bridge, and the re-membrance of our ancestral heart.
This is a unique, one-of-a-kind pilgrimage that blends modern transpersonal psychology with ancestral wisdom to empower us to become bridges in what is emerging as a new story for humanity.
In this way, we can show up up humbly in service as Cacao Medicine Carriers, here to re-awaken the seed of the indigenous soul of the world.
In our hyper productive, consumption based capitalistic culture, many of our brothers and sisters are ancestrally starving, our indigenous roots drying up as we’re fed constant distractions, self-hatred propaganda, pharmaceuticals to numb us, and foods that make us ill.
Our hope is the initiation you complete here will ripple out into your family line, your community, and the collective, as a curing salve.
Our intention is to create a life-altering space to unlearn all the ways we’ve forgotten who we are.
In addition, we hope to give life to the art of the sacred rites of passage we lost through the process of colonization, homogenization and individualization.
Although many of us will never get the gift of being given a rite of passage with our own family line, we hope that this experience of initiation will bring you to your roots, creating a strong foundation inspired by your own ancestral traditions as well as the Mayan traditions we will commune and learn with.
What to expect on this Pilgrimage
The space is designed to explore what it means to navigate between the mystery and the matrix and how you can relate more deeply to the Earth and the natural world, and in turn, to your natural and innate gifts as a leader and a Bridge.
This initiation is a transpersonal deep dive into the most inner workings of your being.
We will work with the Earth and her natural forces and elements, Cacao, Ninos Santos, Family Constellations, Transpersonal Group Work, Prayer, Offerings, Fire, and Ceremony to reclaim our innate relationship to our body, and the greater body of the Earth.
In this process we embody and open our channels so we can a become a potent vessel of service on this planet. Specifically, a lot of our transpersonal work will be focused on the Wounds of the Healer.
We will also have the honor of being with Mayan elders, Fire Shamans and Cacao Guardians to connect to the lineages of the medicines we share with the world, so we can be in right relationship with the cultures that have held the wisdom of awakening for millennia.
Each full day we’ll have an opportunity to learn and listen with elders and work together within a wide range psychotherapeutic, transpersonal and mystical experiences.
Along with all of this, we are leaving room for fun, play, joy, dance, and of course, some shopping in the local villages for handmade and organic handicrafts and ceremonial garb.
We are also very excited to be able to come together in ritual around a very important holiday in Central America, Dia de Los Muertos. With the thinned veils and opportunity to closely explore our relationship with death, bones, and our ancestors, expect this passage to change you forever.
Once you go through this initiation, our hope is you will have reached a new level of integrity , humility, authenticity, and depth within your work.
If you feel the call and feel your essence as a bridge between ancestral wisdom and the modern world, we hope you’ll join us.
About Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is one of the most mysterious lakes in the world, who’s true depths are still unknown. It is a place known by the Mayans to behold ancient underwater cities, as well as inter dimensional societies and networks inside of the Earth.
The name itself, “Atitlan”, translates to “where the Rainbow gets its colors” in the local indigenous Kachquikel language.
Lake Atitlan is also home to many wisdom keepers of cacao, mushrooms, fire, and the Mayan Cosmovision. Many of these wisdom keepers call themselves “Rainbow Bridges”, who are dedicated to sharing this ancestral wisdom with the modern world for collective liberation.
As such, this retreat was created for those who resonate as a “bridge” in their community and want to take their healing and space holding practice to the next level.
What’s included:
7 nights, 8 days of accommodation on a beautiful lakeside home called Peace of Heaven
Mayan Fire Ceremony with Kaqchikel Mayan Daykeeper Walter Quicain
Cacao Ceremony with Mayan Tztuijil Healers Sebastian and Ana Maria who also prepare their own ceremonial cacao
Day trip to a secret & sacred Mayan Altar and a Cacao Forest located on the coast
Ninos Santos Ceremony with the theme of initiation, death and re-birth
1 day Vision Quest & Fast to prepare your vessel for the initiation ceremony
Daily morning silence with space for your own personal practice
Daily Family Constellations & Psychotherapeutic group work which addresses some of the deepest Wounds of the Healer
Daily Movement inspired by 5 Rhythms and other somatic based lineages
Shopping Day in San Juan, Lake Atitlan’s gem for organic, hand woven fabrics & handicrafts
Daily use of the temezcal to pamper and nourish your body
Group Celebration Dinner out at a local European & Guatemalan Fusion restaurant
Built in support of your process within your Daily Heart Share groups & our facilitation team
3 Preparation & 3 Integration Group Sessions to prepare you for this initiation and your re-entry in the world
Opportunities to dive deeper 1-on-1 with our facilitation team before and after the retreat for deeper support if needed
Private Group Shuttle & Boat to and from the Guatemala City Airport to Casa Paloma
Healthy, organic plant based traditional meals prepared by our dear friend and local Mayan chef, Lucy
“When mankind gets out of harmony with the natural world, chocolate comes from the rainforest to open peoples’ hearts and re-establish the balance.”
— Indigenous Proverb
Sample Daily Itinerary
7am: Movement & Group Shares
8am: Light Breakfast
9:30am: Group Work & Activity
1pm: Lunch
2pm: Cacao or Fire Ceremony (away from retreat center)
7pm: Dinner & Rest/Sauna
Tentative Itinerary
Please note that the times and days of these events are subject to change.
Day 1: Arrivals & Orientation
Opening Ceremony, Learning about the Wounds of the Healer, Self Care & Sauna
Day 2: Earth (Ruk'u'x Ulew)
Ruk’u’x’Ulew means “heart of the Earth” in the Kachiquel Mayan language
“Tending to the Bones” Ritual, Cacao Ceremony w/ Ana Maria & Sebastian
Day 3: Fire (Qaaq)
Qaaq means “fire” in the Kachiquel Mayan language
Vision Quest & Mayan Fire Ceremony
Day 4: The Void (Wayeb)
Wayeb is a Mayan Holiday that celebrates “time out of time” or the void through prayer and ceremony
Dancing with the Void Ritual, Ninos Santos Ceremony
Day 5: Water (Ruk’u’x’ya)
Ruk’u’x’ya means “heart of the water” in the Kachiquel Mayan language
Integration Day, Flower & Plant Baths & Lake Baptisms
Day 6: Air (Ruk’u’x’Kajj)
Ruk’u’x’kajj means “heart of the sky” in the Kachiquel Mayan language
Smudging & Tobacco Class & free time for self care
Day 7: Jungle (La Selva)
Day Trip to Mayan Altar & Cacao Farm
Day 8: Gratitude (Maltiox)
Maltiox means “thank you” in the Kachiquel Mayan language
Gratitude Breakfast & Closing Circle
About the location
Peace of Heaven is owned by a Guatemalan woman named Lesley who fell in love with Lake Atitlan nearly 20 years ago. Peace of Heaven is located in San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, which is a small town of around 4,000 people full of magic. From San Marcos, you can spot 5 of the Lake’s volcanoes: Atitlan, San Pedro, Toliman, Acatenango, and Agua. San Marcos is also home to many of the teachers and elders we’ll be working with in the Pilgrimage, as well as numerous sacred Mayan alter sites, handicrafts, epic “hippie” friendly food and lots of world travelers.
Use the carousel below these to see photos of Peace of Heaven
Pricing & Payment Information
To keep this pilgrimage as inclusive as possible for everyone, we’re offering a sliding scale pricing structure based on your financial situation. Please read below to see how we’re structuring it.
Level 1 Pricing
Finances are limited but I feel called to this pilgrimage and I trust, so I’d like to pay the discounted (early bird) amount.
(THIS PRICING LEVEL IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL 10/1/2024)
Level 2 Pricing
Finances are good, I am happy to pay full price for this pilgrimage. This price range also supports our scholarship fund.
Level 3 Pricing
Finances are abundant and I’d like to share the overflow and donate to the Reciprocity Fund & Scholarship Funds so someone in need can attend and I can support the community that I’m visiting.
Please note: Cost includes transportation to & from the airport, accommodation, all retreat activities, preparation & integration calls. Price does NOT include flights.
Discounts, Trades & Scholarships Available
We DO have ONE partial trade position for a photographer/videographer ($444 discount).
We are also offering 2 partial scholarships (20% off) for BIPOC folks or single mothers.
Those who have attended Becoming the Bridge or Rainbow Bridge with us will receive 10% off the total price.
Making your payments
To pay for this pilgrimage, you can choose to…
Pay in full in which your total payment due at least 60 days before the pilgrimage
OR
Pay in a monthly payment plan, in which case your total payments must be paid within 60 days of the pilgrimage.
To reserve your spot
You will need to fill out an application for this pilgrimage (takes around 15 minutes). If we have never worked with you before, we will need to schedule a 15 minute interview with you as well. Once you fill out your application and we invite you to join us, you’ll be asked to pay a $350 deposit to secure your space within 7 days of booking.
Accommodation Options
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Shared Room
(SOLD OUT FOR OCT ‘24 DATES)
(4 SPOTS LEFT FOR FEB ‘25 DATES)
Share your space with 3 other travel companions. You’ll have your own shared casita complete with a kitchenette and fireplace as well as your own shared bathroom. You’ll sleep on a twin mattress built into the wall. There is also a Queen bed that can be used in the space.
Level 1 Pricing: $2,550 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 2 Pricing: $2,650 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 3 Pricing: $2,750 (PLUS $300 OFF)
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Double Room
(2 SPOTS LEFT FOR OCT ‘24 DATES)
(7 SPOTS LEFT FOR FEB ‘25 DATES)
Get a little extra privacy and space you may need for this pilgrimage with your own full or twin sized bed and a shared bathroom with 1-2 other people. Each room is uniquely and thoughtfully designed throughout the property.
Level 1 Pricing: $2,750 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 2 Pricing: $2,850 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 3 Pricing: $2,950 (PLUS $300 OFF)
-
Double Luxe Room
(SOLD OUT FOR OCT ‘24 DATES)
(1 ROOM/ 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR FEB ‘25)
Perfect for couples or good friends who are willing to share a bed, the Luxury Rooms come with a Queen or King Bed, private bathroom, private balcony and a gorgeous bathtub. Each of these rooms is uniquely designed with privacy and spaciousness in mind.
Level 1 Pricing: $2,950 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 2 Pricing: $3,050 (PLUS $300 OFF)
Level 3 Pricing: $3,150 (PLUS $300 OFF)
About Our Chef, Lucy
During this week, your body will be nourished with healthy, simple, yet exquisitely delicious and thoughtful locally sourced plant-based cuisine, prepared lovingly by our longtime dear friend & Mayan Kaqchikel friend Chef, Lucy, who makes a mean chia lemonade and loves filling bellies with her homemade blue corn tortillas and guacamole recipe.
Between our last Pilgrimage and this one, we’re hoping to purchase a stove for Lucy, who has cooked for almost a decade for others, but doesn’t have a proper stove to cook herself. This stove will allow Lucy to host cooking classes and provide an income for herself while also empowering her to find leadership in her community as a Bridge herself. We’re also hoping to raise some funds for her English classes, as she’s trying to learn English for her profession.
If you choose the “Level 3 Pricing”, some of your proceeds will go towards this stove and classes for Lucy.
Lucy will also provide hand woven fabrics, shirts & scarves from her family, in custom designs only known by her family, so please do bring some extra cash for that!
“I came to the cacao pilgrimage to RECEIVE, REST and HEAR my ancestors. Yes, this is what I received, but SO much more! I left initiated... initiated into a new way of BEing, fully understanding my life calling, powerfully supported and held.. . Krystal and Carlos beautifully created an EXPERIENCE that has forever changed my life in magical ways. Soooo much gratitude!”
— Bird Meija
Testimonials
Love notes from past Rainbow Bridges 🌈🤍🍫
“The Rainbow Bridge Pilgrimage was one of the best life experiences I have to look back on. Every detail of the retreat was well thought out and filled with the loving presence of Carlos, Krystal & Cacao. I am so grateful they handled all of the transportation arrangements, which made the pilgrimage there and back easy. Our accommodations on Atitlan were comfortable and I particularly enjoyed the daily Temezcal and felt it really bolstered the experience as a whole. Sitting with the young Mayan elders for Cacao Ceremony was an extraordinary honor that has forever touched my life and altered my relationship with mama cacao. The home cooked meals by the local women offered an extra depth of cultural richness to everyday. I felt safe throughout the entire experience and highly recommend this retreat for anyone who wishes to reconnect with the magic of life and the lineage of cacao. Matiox!”
— Sunny Kirkland
“Krystal and Carlos cultivated such a magical space for us all to arrive into and exist in for the duration of the Pilgrimage. They are such grounded leaders rooted into love and it was so clear that they poured intention into every part of the ceremonies and activities that we did. The group field felt so harmonic, strong, protected, and immersed into love, creating a deeply transformational space for my soul essence to truly emerge. I received so much from this Pilgrimage, Krystal & Carlos, the wise teachers we were blessed to learn from, the ceremonies, prayers, songs, and every moment in between. I feel as though I have shed a layer from my being that was no longer serving me and have stepped into a new, more raw, version of myself after this experience. It was challenging at times to do the inner work, but we worked as a strong collective to support one another in anything we were navigating, and I felt safe and held to walk through the initiations. I was able to receive many messages about my soul path on this planet and was also able to connect more deeply with my ancestors and lineage. Thank you for creating this experience 🤍”
— Dari Edwards
Who this pilgrimage is for
We invite those to attend this pilgrimage who have been working with cacao and/or plant medicine for more than 1 year, or who have attended one of our Becoming the Bridge trainings. We are looking for an intimate group of people who are devoted to deepening in their work who have a great deal of emotional maturity, humility, respect and awareness.
Who this pilgrimage ISN’T for
This pilgrimage isn’t for those who are brand new to plant medicine or cacao, or beginners on the spiritual path, This pilgrimage is also not a luxury retreat, so those who expect that should not attend. This is a prayerful, devotional, ceremonial pilgrimage for those who desire to connect to the ancestral ways.
Art by Jim Figora
Meet the Facilitators
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Krystal Penrose
Retreat Lead, Co-Founder of Kokoleka Collective, Medicine Woman and Entheogenic Therapist
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Naiya Sarah D'Antoni
Retreat Co-Lead, Medicine Woman, Moon Dancer, Somatic & Systemic Constellations Therapist
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Ana Maria & Sebastian
Tzʼutujil Mayan Cacao Elders & Founders of Licor Maroon in San Juan, Guatemala
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Walter Quicain
Cacao Ceremonialist, Mayan Spiritual Guide & Daykeeper, Educator on the Mayan Cosmovision
Transportation Information
Getting there
NOTE: Please reference the correct dates corresponding to your booking.
Please book your flight to arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala no later than 8am the morning of Saturday, October 26th, 2024 OR Saturday, February 1st, 2025. It is highly recommended to arrive on the evening of Friday, October 25th, 2024 OR Friday, January 31st, 2025 and share an Airbnb with other participants. This has worked great for our guests in the past.
Participants will be departing in a group shuttle (provided) from an agreed meeting point in the city to the retreat space on Lake Atitlan on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 OR Saturday, February 1st, 2025at 9:00am. The journey to the retreat space from Guatemala City will be around 3.5 - 5 hours.
Please arrange your travels so that you can be on time for our shuttles. If you miss the group shuttle, we can help you arrange a private shuttle at your own expense.
Departure
We will be departing the retreat center at noon on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 OR Saturday, February 8th at 12pm.
The journey back to Guatemala City will be at 1pm and will take 3.5-5 hours, so we recommend booking a flight that leaves after 7pm on November 2nd, 2024 OR February 8th, 2025 or the next day (ideal).
Many guests will be staying for a day or two in the city together in an Airbnb, or a few days to do some traveling after. We recommend building your trip out to give yourself 2 days of padding to land into this experience. One idea is staying in San Marcos or checking out the town of Antigua, before or after the retreat for some amazing shopping, culture, food, and fun.
Guatemala COVID Entry Requirements
According to the Guatemala Embassy website, you do not need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter Guatemala.
Guest Cancellation Policy
It is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policy before making a reservation. Naturally, no one books with the intention of cancelling or postponing their retreat, but unexpected things do happen, so please purchase travel insurance once you have made your reservation to avoid any unnecessary inconveniences.
**INSURANCE RECOMMENDATION**
Because of the unstable nature of the world today, we recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the costs of this trip should something happen that is beyond our control (illness, death, political unrest, war, etc). You can purchase affordable travel insurance ($50 or under)from Seven Corners or Allianz.
With that being said…
If you cancel your trip 90 days or more prior to your departure date
We will refund the full cost of your trip with the exception of your deposit. This deposit is non-refundable.
If you cancel your trip 60 days or more prior to your departure date
We can refund 50% of your trip (minus the non-refundable deposit), ONLY if you have completed your full payments for the trip.
If you haven’t completed your total payments for the trip, we can offer you a refund equal to 50% of your total paid payments (minus the non-refundable deposit).
If you cancel your trip less than 45 days before your departure date
Unfortunately we cannot refund your trip, nor can we offer you any credit towards future retreats or training.
Exceptions to our policy cannot be made outside of medical conditions. We do not offer credit for a guest arriving late or leaving early.
Guest Payment & Booking Policy
In order for us to make these pilgrimages sustainable, we have recently put into place the following payment policy:
By signing up for this pilgrimage, you are agreeing to make the FULL payment for the pilgrimage within 60 days of the pilgrimage date.
By signing up for this pilgrimage, you are also agreeing to make ALL payments on time within 7 days of their due date.
To view our FULL Booking Conditions & Policies , click here.
Thank you for understanding our payment policy. NO exceptions can be made at any time.
“We open our eyes to see beyond what we have seen before. We open our ears to hear what we could not hear before. Beyond limiting, beyond the beyond… We feel a new story emerges from ourselves, rippling out into our lucid bodies as waves of love remind us of who we really are. Dissolve us into what we have always been meant to be. And suddenly, we realize, we are all that we dream we could be. We all have something powerful to say, to give. When we are in tune with our inner rhythm, we know how to walk on the edge of time and worlds”
— -Zola Dubnikova
Preparation
We will create a. Telegram group for our Pilgrimage Group which is great to have before, during, and after the pilgrimage.
A Welcome Packet with detailed information will be given to you 2 months before the retreat, followed by 3 Zoom Preparation Calls to prepare for the retreat properly together.
This will be your opportunity to meet the main facilitators, ask any questions you have, or speak to any fears or concerns that come up.
Integration
There will be 3 Zoom Integration Callas, 2 weeks and 1 month and 2 months after the Pilgrimage.
You are welcome to attend all calls (recommended) or just one. Each call will build on the previous one.
We feel integration to be the most important part of this Pilgrimage, so we highly recommend partaking in these calls.
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Krystal directly at events@kokolekacollective.com or for more urgent questions reach out to her via text at 808-212-6775.