UPDATE: OUR MEXICO TOUR HAS BEEN CANCELLED. OUR FEBRUARY GUATEMALA TOUR IS SOLD OUT. STAY TUNED FOR OTHER TOUR PLANS!
MEXICO CITY & TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS, LUNAR ECLIPSE, MARCH 2025
We’re thrilled to announce a week long tour throughout historic sites of the Aztec Triple Alliance kingdom of Tenochtitlan, known today as Mexico City (CDMX), and the breathtaking pyramids of Teotihuacan, to trace the connections between modern cacao culture and the ancient history of the Mexica (Aztec), Maya, Olmec and Toltec civilizations.
We’ll adventure to ancient archeological sites, enjoy historic museums, eclectic markets, delicious local cuisine, and rich cultural experiences unique to the beauty of Mexico.
Mexico City is now one of the biggest cities in the world, and much was lost through colonization. Yet a lot has survived too, and that's a testament to this special place.
Our time in Teotihuacan will take place during a total lunar eclipse within view of the pyramids.. This will be the only total eclipse viewable in N. America in 2025, therefore a very magical cosmic occurrence to witness at an ancient sacred site.
In respect to cacao and its indigenous cultivators, we’ll discuss the importance of reverence and honor to the land and the ancestors throughout the tour. We'll have group circles to provide mutual support during the journey.
This one-of-a-kind group tour will be guided by Soul Lift Cacao founder Nick Meador and local expert Crystal Arreola.
Join us for a profound and memorable journey into the heart of ancient Mexico that will leave a lasting imprint in your heart and soul!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Dive Into the History of Mexican Cacao: Uncover the origin story of cacao that dates back over 4,000 years, that survived colonialism to today's chocolate traditions. We’ll also enjoy a cacao workshop and sample not so well known traditional cacao beverages off the beaten path.
Discover Mexico City’s Cultural Treasures: Visit world-class museums and landmarks to deepen your understanding of Mexico’s vibrant history as a nexus of civilization.
Explore the Mysteries of Teotihuacan: Wander the iconic pyramids of Teotihuacan, uncovering the spiritual connections between the ancients, sacred items, and the celestial realms. Plus we’ll board a hot air balloon to rise high above the pyramids!
Experience Ceremony and Ritual: Participate in both modern and ancestral ceremonies to connect with the land and deeply with ourselves, including a featured experience during the lunar eclipse.
TOUR DATES:
- Arrive in Mexico City by Sunday, March 9
- Activities planned from Mon, March 10 to Sat, March 15
- Group separates the morning of Sun, March 16
TRIP INCLUDES:
- All planned activities and entry to all museums, etc.
- Modern cacao and microdose (optional) ceremony in the totality of the lunar eclipse.
- Seven (7) nights lodging (private & shared options), part in the Centro Histórico neighborhood of CDMX and part next to Teotihuacán.
- Ground transportation in and around CDMX.
- Note: Arrival transportation to the hotel on the 9th isn’t included, but is easy with Uber.
- Transportation to the airport (Benito Juarez MEX, or Felipe Angeles NLU) on the 16th.
- Meals from breakfast on Mar 10 to breakfast on Mar 16.
- Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options. All diets accommodated.
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Due to the unpredictable nature of group travel, organized meals happen 2-3 times per day during the tour. Participants will have the option to bring snacks or find more food. There will be no refunds for missed meals.
Reserve your spot today to experience the timeless allure of Mexico during this unforgettable celestial event!
REGISTRATION - LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS
Shared Lodging - $1,899 USD per person (whether you're a pair with your own room, or a solo matched by organizers in a room with your own bed)
Private Individual - $2,199 USD per person
• Payment can be all at once, or you can save your spot with a $600 deposit.
• Payments by credit/debit card, Venmo, or Paypal are subject to a 2.91% service fee. Prices in the drop menu above include that service fee. Options to avoid the fee include paying by Zelle or wire transfer.
• NOTE: ShopPay automatic installments are not an option for registration.
Whichever option you choose, if starting with a deposit in advance, the full trip balance will be due by January 12, 2025.
• Because we have to pay deposits to reserve lodging and other activities, registration is non-refundable. Please look into trip insurance if you have any concerns.
APPLICATION & MORE DETAILS:
To maximize the synergy of the group, we are having potential participants fill out an application. The specific trip itinerary and other details will be shared with those who are approved. All potential participants must fill out the application separately – including both people in a couple.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MARCH TOUR, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS APPLICATION AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU PROMPTLY!
ABOUT CRYSTAL ARREOLA
Crystal shares the teachings of ancestral medicine, lineage decolonization and is a seasoned cacao facilitator. She spends most of her time in modern day Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) researching and studying the ancient origins of cacao, its ancient people and cosmic connections to many archeological sites in MesoAmerica.
After living amongst Tzotzil Maya communities in the indigenous stronghold of Chiapas for years, she is passionate about supporting indigenous resistance and sovereignty after witnessing and even second hand experiencing how the land, waters and people are still exploited and abused. This includes speaking up for the many ways indigenous culture and medicines are appropriated and disrespected.
Crystal is also an initiated Priestess of the Rose Lineage who utilizes her knowledge and training within this path to cultivate the healing and empowerment that is possible by honoring cacao as an ancestral medicine and benevolent guide. Cacao has supported her through many moons of deep ancestral healing repair and she aims to support others through a similar process.
She does this in work in reverence to indigenous wisdom keepers and the cacao cultivating ancestors, warriors and abuelas of her Mexican, Guatemalan and Colombian lineages.
LODGING PREVIEW (full lodging details provided to approved applicants):
Coming soon!
WAYEB CEREMONY TOUR
GUATEMALA, FEB 2025
Join us on a curated journey through western Guatemala to experience the special time of Wayeb firsthand.
Wayeb is a sacred, ancient tradition of 5 days of prayer that is an essential part of the Mayan way of life. This is an entirely new tour and unlike anything that most foreigners ever get to experience.
Wayeb is all about agriculture. The main reason it was celebrated was for indigenous people to say thank you before planting new seeds for the growing season. To grow food and good crops was everything for them.
Wayeb represents a deep connection to Mother Earth for receiving abundance. It's a beautiful way to say thank you – for cacao seeds, for water, for all the harvest to come.
Praying for five days is an act of service and a way of paying respect to these ancient ceremonies, to Mother Earth, and to the cosmos.
There will be guidance on how to participate respectfully, so that we can foster symbiotic relationships between indigenous and modern cultures.
This tour is organized by Nick Meador and Enjoly Mar. More info on the organizers below.
TRIP INCLUDES:
- Many ceremonies (with and without cacao) led by Mayan spiritual guides
- Seven (7) nights lodging (private & shared options)
- All ground transportation (starting and ending in Guatemala City)
- Options available for those who need to start or end in Antigua or Panajachel, Lake Atitlán. (There might be additional cost depending on your needs.
- Meals
- Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options
- Some organized meals will only be vegetarian due to limited food supplies in rural Guatemala
- Due to the unpredictable nature of travel in a developing country, organized meals happen 2-3 times per day during the tour. Participants will have the option to bring snacks or find more food. There will be no refunds for missed meals.
REGISTRATION
Shared Lodging - $1,799 USD per person (whether you're a pair with your own room, or a solo matched by organizers in a room with your own bed)
Private Individual - $2,099 USD per person
• Payment can be all at once, or you can save your spot with a $600 deposit.
• Payments by credit/debit card, Venmo, or Paypal are subject to a 2.91% service fee. Prices in the drop menu above include that service fee. Options to avoid the fee include paying by Zelle or wire transfer.
• Because we have to pay deposits to reserve lodging and other activities, registration is non-refundable. Please look into trip insurance if you have any concerns.
APPLICATION & MORE DETAILS:
To maximize the synergy of the group, we are having potential participants fill out an application. The specific trip itinerary and other details will be shared with those who are approved. All potential participants must fill out the application separately – including both people in a couple.
THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT!
ABOUT ENJOLY MAR
Enjoly Mar is a world traveler and practicing Medicine woman, a space holder / ritual artist and Facilitator of Cacao in Guatemala, Guided by Mayan elders to do so. Founder of "Camino Jaguar' - Jaguar Journey , which began for healing and expansion 13 years ago. After being introduced to the Red Road by an Apache family who helped her understand the importance of knowing deeper her own heritage and connecting to Jaguar spirit. She is half Mexican and Mayan , Mestiza with a percentage in Basque and Hungarian roots. Raised a " Chicana" in The USA by refuge immigrant parents, today Guatemala is her home base and has been for many years. Enjoly has been walking and learning among Mayan elders for about 10 years originally to connect , reclaim and heal herself. Because of her singing and bilingual skills was welcomed. Gaining trust and eventually invited as an interpreter for hundreds of ceremonies and organizing circles/events and soon Guided into creating the "Jaguar Journey ' , A Pilgrimage in Guatemala. As a bridge between the outsiders and Mayan people, allowing the opportunity to dive deeper into the culture and introduction to Mayan Cosmo-vision, in order to help share intelligent wisdom and yet create reverence.
Enjoly is considered one of the Pioneers / activist in the behind the scenes of this new/old Cacao movement that began in Atitlan this last decade , helping the development and formation for a few Cacao collectives to properly share this resource with respect to the indegenous but in favor of the beauty of the movement and its creative possibilities to bring communities together and heal. Still Passionate about retrieving, preservation of all ancient traditions and ancient use of Cacao, through investigation and hands-on work among the people. Involving integration not only as Bridge but also as a Voice for the Mayan communities. She is also a cultivator of other projects such as; Eco. protection of rights and helping empower " Women weavers collectives " economically with tools and designing clothing.
LODGING PREVIEW (full lodging details provided to approved applicants):
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS TOURS
“My intention in coming on the tour was to connect with cacao, to learn about it and learn from it. The intention was definitely met, and went beyond any expectations I could have set. There’s a saying in Spanish that loosely translates to ‘When you wake up, do it cautiously so as not to disrupt someone else’s journey, dream, or path.’ It’s what I’m really trying to emulate, and I appreciated that about Nick. He is awakened but doing it cautiously and mindfully. Nick is such a quiet yet strong force. In so few words, he taught me so much, and I’m really grateful for that. I’m also really grateful because Nick is one of the few white people I’ve personally encountered who authentically pay tribute, make space and give honor to the medicine and medicine carriers who deserve it. As a Latina, I often experience anger towards the lack of cultural sensitivity of white people who don't honor nor make space for the medicine and medicine carriers whose birth-given right is to be in that space. Being enveloped in a space where the medicine and medicine carriers were honored was in itself so healing because it allowed me to embrace the call of returning to and remembering my ancestral practices. Labels associated with those ancestral practices are difficult for me to accept and by Nick creating this space, it’s really helping me as a Latina release fears, and accept who I am and who I am meant to be. Not many white people create spaces like these. I dare to say that Nick is the first white male person that has created the space for me to resonate with my ancestral identity, so I am eternally grateful for the space and for Nick. I see how much in service Nick is to the medicine, and it inspires me to be in service as well.” - Stephanie Alvarez, Musician, Educator, Mexico City Native - Nov 2023 tour
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"This was absolutely a life-changing trip! I jumped on Nick's tour without knowing much about him or Soul Lift Cacao and I don't have any regrets! I found his information after a night of Google searching for the perfect cacao tour and decided to go with his tour after seeing he was working with some of the people I already followed on Instagram like Lavalove etc. I really liked how he takes you through every step of the process in working with cacao from meeting producers, growers, roasters, Mayan elders, and so much more. I chose his trip because he actively spoke about honoring where your cacao comes from and after his experience I have gained so much knowledge, respect, and appreciation for this sacred tree and the people that preserve her! Thank you Nick" - Alessandra Motola, Travel Agent - March 2023 tour
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"Wow! What an incredible, unique experience! Everything about this tour, from start to finish was mindfully hand picked for a well rounded experience. You will not be able to find this type of trip anywhere else. Every collective we visited had something different to share. It was such a gift to learn about this sacred, ancient medicine and to witness it's full life from seed to cup, first hand. Every tour, every experience was facilitated by the warmest, most genuine people who wanted nothing more than to welcome us into their homes and their lives and spread the word about who they are and what cacao represents. We learned so much more than how to make cacao. We witnessed a gentle, kind group of people and we experienced their lives first hand. Nick does an incredible job of curating this experience and managing all facets of the trip, I felt like I had nothing to worry about. You arrive wanting to learn about cacao, you leave with an open heart full of gratitude and a new perspective on your life and others." - Laurel Ziemienski, Ananda Healing Arts - Dec 2022 tour
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"This cacao tour was more than I could have imagined. I signed up with the intention of wanting to learn more about cacao, and I feel like I walked away with so much more. This thoughtfully curated tour was a journey not only into the depths of the lands that grow cacao, but a journey into the hands and hearts that continue to courageously protect Mayan Indigenous wisdom and traditions. I was transformed by the gracious opportunities to sit in ceremony with these wisdom keepers and also by witnessing the labor of love each bar of ceremonial cacao offered really is. Grateful to the Soul Lift Cacao team for sharing such a beautiful experience with the world. Please do not miss out on this transformative tour!" - Toni Kim, Holistic & Integrative Psychotherapist - Dec 2022 tour
PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS TOURS
ABOUT SOUL LIFT CACAO FOUNDER NICK MEADOR
Since 2016 Nick has been traveling throughout Central America connecting with cacao farms, collectives, and experts. He founded Soul Lift Cacao to create a positive impact in the world by helping Mayan collectives share their cacao in the U.S. and beyond.
On top of that, Nick has been on a path of facilitation, leadership, and self-development for more than a decade. He has trained in various traditions, schools, and lineages for healing and self-development, and looks for the parallels that tie them together.
Nick created the Soul Lift Cacao Method to provide an ethical and responsible way to share ceremonial cacao in modern settings, and to create safe containers for transformational journeys. He has been training people to share cacao on their own since 2017.
This will be the eighth cacao and culture tour that Nick has organized.
ABOUT CEREMONIAL CACAO
Cacao is the natural, unprocessed form of chocolate grown in tropical regions around the world. Most people know cacao as a superfood. It has possibly the highest amount of antioxidants of any food. Cacao contains beneficial minerals like iron and magnesium. And the main active compound, theobromine, gives a boost of energy without the crash or cravings that can happen with coffee.
Yet cacao also has another aspect not spoken about in health food stores. Legends tell of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations using cacao for introspective and celebratory purposes, calling it the “Food of the Gods” and even trading it like currency. This more mysterious "plant medicine" side of cacao offers the potential to put you more in touch with your body and your soul. You can gain insights into the best direction moving forward, as well as the focus and motivation to take action towards those goals.
MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE SHOP!
ABOUT ETHICS
Nick Meador is an American man of mixed European heritage and not of Mesoamerican descent. So he puts a lot of effort into making sure his work is ethical and responsible. Nick works in close partnership with indigenous teachers and cacao workers in an ongoing effort to bridge cacao into the modern world. It's all based on direct, consensual relationship, and an attitude of curiosity about this special plant that has changed Nick's life so profoundly, particularly on his path of healing from chronic illness. As an American who started traveling to Guatemala in 1996, and who has a deep background in facilitation, Nick is in a fitting position to lead this tour for Americans and people from other Western countries. The intention is to bring positive impact for both visitors and our local hosts, while minimizing or eliminating potential harm. Feel free to write to hello@soulliftcacao.com with any questions.
*Note: Specific lodging and activity details are subject to change due to factors out of our control. We are doing our best to represent the essence of the tour and what it will involve. We will update the group of any alterations to the plan.
Oaxaca mural by Bouler
Guatemala photos 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 above by Clara Angel Neumann
PAST TOUR: OAXACA / DAY OF THE DEAD 2024
Join Soul Lift Cacao founder Nick Meador for an incredible journey to Oaxaca (pronounced wah-hah-cah) for Day of the Dead 2024.
Oaxaca City is known as a spiritual epicenter in Mexico for this unique holiday that connects the living to the afterlife during the transition from October to November.
This is also an opportunity to meet the people who make Mitla ceremonial cacao, which is grown in Chiapas and prepared east of Oaxaca City.
The villages and archaeology sites around Oaxaca City make for an epic adventure in themselves. And going for Day of the Dead allows us to show respect the local culture, connect with our own lost loved ones, and find more meaning from our living days.
Nick will be joined by assistant guide and translator Stephanie Álvarez. Stephanie is a native of Mexico City. In her childhood years her family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she continues to live. She considers herself a creative soul, adventurer, musician, educator, space holder, and lover of all things chocolate. She works professionally as a Choir Director in Northern California. Outside of her profession, she is committed to learning and practicing indigenous and ancestral practices that help decolonize herself and her community. Learn more about Stephanie on her website.
Woven into the texture of the tour will be Nick and Stephanie’s guidance on how to travel responsibly, so that we can have a positive impact in the places we visit.
Plus this tour is a collaboration with a group of local tour guides in Oaxaca City that's all about "conscious and respectful tours"!
