Touching the Jaguar - A Journey to the Lands of the Maya and into the Message from Pleiades
With John Perkins and Daniel Koupermann
These are times of chaos and magic, as prophesized by the ancient Mayas! Today, Mayan elders and shamans are dedicated to leading us into a new era of compassion and transformation. “Touching the Jaguar” to Mayan and Amazonian Indigenous cultures means confronting your fears and transforming them into action to change ourselves and the world. It is also the title of John’s book, “Touching the Jaguar: Transforming Fear into Action to Change Your Life and the World.” Many Mayan sites were built to reflect the Seven Sister stars of Pleiades and there is a Mayan belief that they came from Pleiades and that they receive important messages from the Seven Sisters – as experienced by Jenny in John’s most recent book “Message from Pleiades.”
On this journey you will be invited to soar into the power and mystery of the ancient prophecies and messages for how to shape the future. Join John Perkins, NY Times bestselling author and leading expert on indigenous cultures and shamanism, and Daniel Koupermann, expedition guide and environmentalist, and local Mayan shamans (“Nanas” for women and “Tatas” for men) and teachers on this life-changing adventure to the mountains and rain forests of Central America. Apply “shapeshifting” approaches; elevate yourself to higher states of consciousness; touch your jaguar; and transform yourself and the world around you.
December 21, 2012 was identified by Mayan astrologers more than a millennium ago, as the Great Turning – the beginning of a time of amazing opportunity to “shapeshift” human societies away from exploitation, brutality, and materialism into cooperation, compassion, love, and spirituality. The prophecies, along with messages from Pleiades, proclaimed that the process would begin several decades earlier and continue for many to come.
We have now entered this magical, shapeshifting portal!
Now, with upheaval all around our planet, many of us are wondering what all this means for the future of the world and for us personally. Be part of this select group of travelers who will explore, study, and dialogue about this turbulent time on our planet.
Together, we will explore the Mayan view that their history is a microcosm of today’s world. In building their magnificent pyramids and cities, the ancient Maya drained the swamps and cut the forests. By about 900 A.D. (in our calendar) they had changed their climate and could no longer sustain themselves. Cities went to war over scarce resources. The people abandoned the cities and fled into the mountains where they continued their sacred traditions – but lived simple lives without building pyramids and grandiose temples. Now their Nanas and Tatas have committed to teaching us the lessons of the mistakes of the ancient rulers.
You are invited to join John, Daniel, and their Mayan friends on this journey to the heart of the Mayan culture and sacred sites in the magical lands of Guatemala.
Special Holy Week Trip
The 2026 trip has been scheduled to coincide with the Christian Holy Week, a special time of beautiful ceremonies in Guatemala. We will have the opportunity to enjoy some of these celebrations and explore the ways Catholic and other Christian leaders have integrated the story of Jesus Christ into Mayan philosophy and traditions.
Itinerary:
March 28, 2026: Arriving to Guatemala City
We recommend not to arrive too late, it is nice to arrive at midafternoon or early evening to transfer for 45 minutes to Antigua city. Stay in a classic Spanish luxury hotel with a view of the very active Fuego (Fire) volcano that emits fire and smoke on a regular basis.
March 29, 2026: Antigua full day
In the morning, we will go to a special place where, surrounded and nurtured by sacred plants, you will participate in a Shapeshifting workshop facilitated by John where you will have the opportunity to set your intentions and connect with the energies and spirits of the land and each other and learn the basics of Mayan cosmology and the Mayan version of the 2012 Prophecy (which is very different from the one described in most books and films).
Lunch and in the afternoon a walking city tour to discover the beauty of Antigua, a very well-preserved colonial city.
March 30, 2026: Antigua to Atitlan Lake
We will drive through picturesque villages, until we get to Atitlan Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, surrounded by volcanoes. We will arrive in Santiago de Atitlan. In the afternoon, we will visit the house of Maximon, the local spiritual idol. The devotees of Maximon practice a syncretic ritual - a mixture of Catholicism and idolatry, and the figure of Maximon is moved from house to house of its devotees. Maximon is venerated, and he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year. It is an honor to have Maximon in one’s home. He is most visible during the annual holy week celebrations and rituals of sacrifice that are carried out to cleanse and regenerate the world at this time.
During the rest of the year, people of the communities visit Maximon in his chosen residence, where his shrine is always attended by two or more people, called Cofrades, who serve for a full year to care for him in the Cofradia (fraternity/brotherhood) and keep the altar and sacred items in order. Shamans come daily to do rituals on behalf of their clients.
Back to the Hotel Bambu for dinner and rest.
March 31, 2026: Santiago Atitlan – Fire ceremony
Today we will participate in our initiation fire ceremony, led by Tata Marco Antonio and Nana Ernestina, a Mayan couple who have devote their lives as spiritual guides offering counseling and fire ceremonies to the Mayan and mestizo people. They will give us an introduction of the meaning of each Nahual and explain to us the core of the ceremony.
Then we will assist them building the altar and start the celebration of our first fire ceremony in the Mayan tradition.
In the afternoon we will visit the village of Santiago de Atitlan, the market and the activities for the celebration of Holly week.
April 01, 2026: Lake Atitlan Village Visit
This day is a gift that invites us to step away from our frantic life and immerse ourselves in a culture that lives in harmony with the natural rhythms of the Mayan Culture. Our day takes us through the villages of Lake Atitlan in a day without stress or pressures. There are three majestic, sacred volcanoes, Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan overlooking what is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan. Dotted along its shoreline are more than a dozen towns and villages, most of which have retained their Mayan character and ancient traditions to this day. Maya culture is prevalent around the lake where customs and culture, along with the traditional clothing (traje) have been retained. Each indigenous Mayan village has its own uniqueness and its own signature style of clothing that sets it apart from the others.
In a private motorboat we will head to San Juan de la Laguna Village to visit a cooperative of local Mayan women who dye and weave textiles. We will also visit a medicinal garden that is run by a local women’s cooperative. You will have an opportunity to tour the gardens, learn about the herbs and their uses, as well about the community’s belief in caring for the land with love, and without harming it. Then we will visit San Pedro de la Laguna where we will have a delicious local lunch.
Back to the hotel to enjoy the gardens and facilities. Rest, relax and dinner at the hotel.
April 02, 2026: Chichicastenango Indigenous Market
We will start the day with a 40-minute motorboat ride to Panajachel where our van will be waiting to take us to Chichicastenango City to visit and enjoy one of the most colorful and important indigenous markets in Latin America. We will be there on the big market day. Among the local items sold are textiles, particularly women’s blouses. The makers of masks used by dancers in traditional dances, such as the Dance of the Conquest, have also made this city famous for its woodcarvings.
Another major attraction in Chichicastenango is the 400-year-old church of Santo Tomas, which is next to the market. Shamans still use it for their rituals, burning incense and candles. Each of the 18 stairs that lead up to the church represents one month of the Mayan calendar. The Tzolkin Mayan calendar has 18 months of 20 days each. We will also visit the cemetery that is very famous and colorful.
In the afternoon we will visit the cemetery of this picturesque village, were with luck, we can observe some of the ceremonies and rituals the families do honoring their dead relatives. The cemeteries in Guatemala are one of the most important references of the Mayan culture.
April 03, 2026: Chichicastenango – Iximche – Guatemala - Tikal
After breakfast we will leave the hotel for Iximche, a Mayan ruin. Here we will join a Mayan Nana (female shaman) who will guide us in a second Ceremony with sacred fire. On our return to Guatemala City, we will have lunch and enjoy the landscape of this rural area of the country.
In the late afternoon we will fly to Flores – Petén. We will drive through primary jungle that is inhabited by jaguars, monkeys, coatis, and many other animals (and hopefully see a jaguar at the side of the road). We will spend the night at the Tikal Jungle Lodge located inside the Tikal National Park (declared a World Heritage Site in 1979). Dinner will be at the hotel.
April 04, 2026: Tikal
After breakfast we will begin our first exploration of Tikal, one of the most important cities in the ancient Mayan World. At the entrance of the park, we will stop at a giant guardian Ceiba (Kapok) tree where we will join the Mayan shamans in asking permission from the spirits of the trees, the land, animals, plants and elements for all of us to be there for the next three days.
We will continue our walk to the Grand Plaza in silence, deeply mindful of all our senses and all our surroundings, including the monkeys, coatis, jaguars, and different bird and plant species. Here we can explore the magnificent palaces and structures.
We will continue our walk through the forest to Temple IV, the highest of the Tikal pyramids. From the top, we can witness a magnificent view of the entire area.
We will have a box lunch in the “Lost World Complex” (the oldest area in Tikal and the place where Jenny in “Message from Pleiades” has her first incredible encounter), where we will do a Shapeshifting Ceremony and workshop and continue our process of rising to higher consciousness, realizing our greater purpose, completing our missions, materializing our “dreams,” ridding ourselves of blockages, “touching the jaguar,” and listening to the message from Pleiades. All of this will help us confront our fears and hesitations and use their energy to empower us.
After that, we will participate in a very special ceremony that only people who have received preparation from Mayan shamans (as we will have done, during the previous days) are invited to join. This will be led by John and Daniel.
April 05, 2026: Tikal – Peten Itza Lake – Hotel Camino Real
After breakfast, we will travel to the Tikal Camino Real Hotel, located on the shore of Lake Peten Itza. This gorgeous and beautiful lake is set within the Maya forest which constitutes the largest continuous expanse of tropical forest in Central America. Lake Petén Itza is about 48 km long and covers an area of 98 km². The lake is likely to have held water during arid glacial periods.
We will have time to rest in this beautiful and elegant hotel (laundry opportunity), enjoy lunch, the great views, and luxurious facilities. It will be time to integrate the experience and to do our last sharing circle.
Our farewell dinner will be at the hotel.
April 06, 2026: Peten Itza Lake – Guatemala City – International flights connection
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Guatemala City, arriving around 11:45 am in the morning for our connections home or to other destinations. Please make your international flights for after 13:30 pm.
Cost per person: $4,500 (double occupancy) plus surcharge for Holy Week $350 / Total price per person: $4,850
Initial deposit of $1,000 will confirm your space. The second payment of $2,850 is due December 15th, 2025. Balance of $1,000 is due January 15th, 2026.
Single Supplement: add $1,300 per person.
Reservations: All reservations are subject to availability. To make a reservation for the journey or for information about how to reserve your space and make your deposit, please contact Linda Leyerle at lleyerle@aol.com. In Guatemala, it is not possible to reserve rooms, air tickets or park entrance fees without a copy of the traveler’s passport. Linda will give you details about how to send a copy to us. Time is of the essence so please respond as soon as possible if you are interested in this journey.
Cost includes: Private tour bus or van for travel during the journey, all meals, hotels, tips for restaurants and hotels, water during meals, transportation to and from the airport in Guatemala, intra-country flights, entrance fees, local and shamanic guides to share history and archaeological information, Mayan shaman to share ancient teachings and traditional ceremonies. John and Daniel escorting.
Cost does NOT include: International round-trip airfare to Guatemala City, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, “seed readings” with the shaman, tips for the guides, shamans and private bus driver, personal items and souvenirs.
This journey is for individuals ready to get an educational/experiential experience. People with physical or psychiatric challenges may find this journey too difficult or uncomfortable. We recommend a visit with your doctor at least 6 weeks in advance of departure. No immunizations are required unless you will be entering Guatemala from a country with Yellow Fever – in which case you will need a Yellow Fever immunization and be prepared to show proof. We will not be in high altitudes in Guatemala. More information is available on the CDC webpage.
No visas are required for most people entering Guatemala (US, Canadian, EU, Australia and New Zealand citizens). If you have questions about this, please let us know. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of your return (October 07, 2026).
Please be aware that at some of the locations there may have limited or no cellphone and Internet service.
Once you have reserved your space, we will send you more information – packing lists, info about the country, etc. You will be fully prepared for the journey. Also, Linda is always available by email for any questions or concerns – whatever they may be.
Cancellations & Refunds: Due to availability of space on our journey and the time required to process trip reservations, your deposit will not be refundable if received after December 15th, 2025. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself in case extenuating circumstances force you to cancel your trip. Travelex or CSA are two respected possibilities.
Responsibilities: ANDEAN PATHS reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a participant at any time, and to make changes in the itinerary whenever deemed necessary for the comfort, convenience, and safety of our participants, and to cancel a journey at any time. In the event a journey is cancelled, ANDEAN PATHS shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid to it by program participants as listed. By registering, the participant agrees that neither ANDEAN PATHS and/or their affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss or expense occasioned by any act or omission by any supplier providing services to any program participant. The only reason that Andean Paths would cancel a program is for safety reasons due to impassable roads, protests in Guatemala, or similar unforeseen events.
John and Daniel are very excited about the opportunity to share this amazing journey with you.