Summer Solstice in Maya Lands
Dates: Saturday, June 20th - Friday June 26th
Flores, Guatemala
Guided by Nan Amalia Tum - Maya Kaqchiquel and Tat Mario Ovalle - Maya K'iche.
A guided summer solstice journey in Peten, Flores, exploring sacred Maya sites alongside Maya wisdom keepers. Through ceremony and connection to the land, participants align with the sun’s peak energy for renewal, clarity, and expansion.
For the Maya, the solstices and equinoxes mark powerful turning points in the cycle of time: moments of balance, transition, and renewal, that revealed the deep connection between the cosmos, the earth, and human life. Among these celestial moments, the summer solstice held profound significance.
Occurring on June 21st, the summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and its light is at its most powerful. For the Maya, this is a time of abundance, vitality, and heightened energy, a moment to honor the life-giving force of the sun that sustains all living beings.
In reverence of this sacred alignment, the ancient Maya built temples and ceremonial structures precisely oriented to the sun’s path. On the solstice, sunlight would interact intentionally with these spaces, illuminating altars, passing through doorways, and activating the architecture in ways that connected the physical and spiritual worlds. These temples were not only places of worship, but living instruments designed to mark time and anchor human life within the rhythms of the cosmos.
This wisdom still continues to be sustained by the traditional Maya and you are now invited to experience these powerful ancient ceremonies in the original temples where the Maya ancestors left their wisdom embedded in the pyramids.
Program
June 21 - Uaxactún
Solstice Ceremony
A time of celebration and gratitude for the movement of the stars, honoring Grandfather Sun, Grandfather Fire, and our inner fire, our hearts open to self-love and love for all of life as we connect with the ancient teachings embedded in the pyramids.
The pyramids of Uaxactún are among the oldest known in the Maya world, and are especially significant for their role in astronomical observation.
It was designed to track the sun’s movement, marking solstices and equinoxes, showing the deep relationship the Maya hold between cosmos, time, and life on Earth. Uaxactún is a place where time, sky, and human consciousness align.
June 22 - Tikal
Ceremony to reaffirm each person’s mission
At Tikal, above the jungle canopy, we gather to reaffirm our mission and path, give thanks for all we have, our work and our role in the world and receive guidance and insight
In the Maya tradition, this is a day of self-knowledge, healing, and flourishing, a space where each person reconnects with their purpose and responsibility within the greater whole.
June 23 - Yaxhá
Purification ceremony by the sacred lagoon
A space for cleansing emotions and bringing fluidity into our lives.
Honoring all waters, both physical and energetic, and cultivating awareness in how we care for and use them, as well as how we relate to our emotions, our bodies and the sacredness of water.
We will make offerings. Water guides our emotions, teaches us how to cleanse, and flow.
At Yaxhá, we enter a space of emotional purification, renewal and softness, reconnection to the medicine of the water within and all around us.
June 24 - Actun Kan Caves
Ceremony to connect with the spirit of Mother Earth
These sacred caves hold the living spirit of Mother Earth. As we enter, we will take a moment to ask for permission and walk with awareness and respect.
This ceremony will invite stability, groundedness and protection on our path., cultivating a deep sense of safety within ourselves.
June 25 - Gringo Perdido Hotel by the Lagoon
Ceremony of integration with the four elements
When you balance the four elements within, your energy naturally harmonizes with love, gratitude, well-being, and abundance, guiding you toward a life of harmony and right living.
Sacred fire transforms, it opens the heart, purifies, and awakens the will.
Through intentions of gratitude, it offers us the opportunity to write down and burn what we are ready to release, allowing transformation to unfold.
Closing ceremony to bless everyone’s prayers and intentions, and journeys back home.
There will be an integration wisdom circle for Q&A with the elders
There will be walks exploring the sacred sites and more activities with the elders as themes arise after each ceremony.
Program subject to change according to the elders’ guidance ***
You will receive :
A deep sense of renewal and personal rebirth, aligned with the peak energy of the sun
Clarity of vision and purpose, as light illuminates what is ready to be seen
Activation of inner vitality, creativity, and life force
A powerful opportunity to release what no longer serves and step into expansion
Strengthened connection to nature and the rhythms of the Earth
Alignment with cycles of abundance, growth, and manifestation
Reconnection to ancestral wisdom and ancient ways of relating to the cosmos
A rare opportunity to witness and respectfully participate in ceremonial practices guided by Maya timekeepers
Special access to sacred spaces within the pyramids, traditionally reserved for Maya timekeepers and ceremonial use
Connection to the sacred energy held within these lands, temples, and stones, shaped by thousands of years of ritual and devotion
Opening to inner balance, gratitude, joy, and the fullness of life
Meet the Elders
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Nan Amalia Tum - Maya Kaqchiquel
Nan Amalia is a gifted healer, naturopath and renowned spiritual leader and teacher, member of the commission of the sacred sites in Guatemala – COLUSAG, founder of the elder council Iq’B’alm, member of council of elders and political association of maya women MOLOJ, spiritual assessor of association of women KAKLA. Nana Amalia works alongside her husband Tata Mario on healing, purification and spiritual balancing ceremonies, Maya astrology readings amongst other traditional practices and ceremonies.
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Tat Mario Ovalle - Maya K'iche
Tat Mario is a renowned spiritual leader, naturopath, painter and talented traditional musician, he plays the marimba, drums, caracol and flute. Founder of the council of Ajq’ijab’(spiritual guide) Iq’ B’alam and Accessor of Indigenous Townhall of Santa Lucia, Utatlan, Solola. He gives conferences about medicinal plants, Maya cosmology and history, identity and rights of indigenous people, he’s also a primary school teacher. Tata Mario works alongside his wife Nana Amalia on healing, purification and spiritual balancing ceremonies, Maya astrology readings amongst other traditional rituals.
Accommodations
The retreat accommodations will be at gorgeous lakefront hotel Gringo Perdido
Getting There
Please fly into Flores (FRS) airport on June 20th, 2026. Please book your flight back home for June 26th.
There will be a shuttle pick up from the airport at 7:20 pm, if you arrive earlier you can take a cab to the hotel.
Contribution Information
Early Bird Prices until May 15th
Triple Room
$2200 EB till May 15th $2450 after
Double Room
$2500 EB till May 15th $2750 after
Single room
$3000 EB till May 15th $3250 after
Only 20 spots available
- Your contribution includes accommodations, healthy meals, and all transportation during the retreat. (not included: flights + transportation back to airport on the 26th).
If you have any questions, please reach out to tony@aniwa.co.
Join us for this retreat
