From Forest to Form

[  the experience  ]

Spend time with the artisans of Itza Wood, learning how their work is shaped — from living tree to finished piece. Guests spend time in the workshop, in the forest, and in conversation; learning how objects take shape, how rural economies function, and how craft can support both livelihood and landscape.

You’ll stay at La Reserva Itzá, our jungle campus set between lake, ruins, and rewilded land. Evenings bring sunsets over ancient cities, meals with artisans, and conversations that unfold slowly. This immersion is about understanding the full story — the material, the place, and the people behind the work.

[  the itinerary  ]

  • Your journey begins in Guatemala City, where modern energy meets deep-rooted tradition.

    We gather for a welcome dinner at Mercado 24, a curated introduction to local flavors and contemporary Guatemalan cuisine.

    The evening is about connection—setting context, sharing intentions, and easing into the rhythm of the days ahead.

    Overnight at Good Hotel Zona 4; a soft landing before heading deep into the forest.

  • An early flight takes us north to Petén, where the landscape begins to change and slow us down.

    From Flores, we cross Lake Petén Itzá by boat, arriving in San Andrés for lunch by the water. From there, the road narrows as we travel by truck into the jungle, arriving at La Reserva Itzá; our home for the next days.

    The afternoon is about grounding:
    Walking the land and understanding the reserve’s story, meeting the Itza Wood makers and team, and orienting ourselves to forest life and daily rhythms.

    As the day cools, we head into the jungle to identify fibers, medicinal plants, and native hardwoods, ending with dinner and a story circle by firelight.

  • After a traditional Guatemalan breakfast, the day opens into two parallel paths; both equally immersive.

    Guests may join a jungle walk to harvest fibers and learn the foundations of weaving, or spend the morning in the Itza Wood workshop, tracing the journey from raw material to finished object.

    Lunch is shared with the team, centered around tortilla-making, conversation, and stories of life in Petén. The afternoon remains intentionally open. Time to rest, write, reflect, or explore the 700-acre reserve. Swim, hike, or simply observe the forest from our decks.

    The day closes with a special dinner at the eco lodge, celebrating craft, collaboration, and shared purpose.

  • We depart the reserve to visit Yaxhá, an ancient Maya city set between lakes and jungle.

    We explore temples, pathways, and plazas, ending the day watching the sun set over the water; one of the most powerful moments in the region.

    That evening, we return to La Reserva Itzá for our final night together, packing and preparing for departure, with space to reflect on what was seen, learned, and imagined.

  • An early morning departure takes us back through the forest to Flores airport, and onward to Guatemala City.

    Guests leave not just with memories, but with context, relationships, and a deeper understanding of the ecosystems; human and natural; that make this work possible.

[  WHY JOIN?  ]

When you understand where something comes from, you value it differently.

The Itza Wood Immersion offers context — for material, for labor, and for land — in a place where making and conservation are inseparable. It is also an invitation into a fantastic adventure: traveling deep into the jungle, sleeping under the sounds of the forest, working with your hands, and stepping briefly outside the rhythms of modern life.

This experience is about curiosity, humility, and discovery — about remembering that some of the most meaningful journeys are the ones that ask a little more of you and give a lot more in return.

[  who it's for  ]

  • Buyers & retailers seeking deeper material provenance

  • Designers, creatives, and makers

  • Brand partners interested in sustainability beyond buzzwords

  • Curious travelers who value meaning over comfort

[  cost  ]

USD $2,000 - $2,500

Pricing varies by group size and room type. Custom dates available for private groups and brand partners.

interested in joining? let us know!