HOUSE OF THE SERPENT
A 7 DAY TRANSFORMATIVE PILGRIMAGE TO PALENQUE, MÉXICO
AN INITIATION OF REMEMBRANCE
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 6, 2025
Remember the truth of your heart in the ancient jungle of México.
Now, more than ever, we are called to return to what is true.
On this sacred journey, we shed what has disconnected us from the remembrance of love.
We return to the simple, sacred ways of life as ceremony.
We honor our ancestors during the Día de los Muertos portal.
We offer our hearts to the initiation of remembrance.
Like the serpent, we release the old skin of separation and rebirth into the wholeness of the heart.
We return home transformed- claimed by the power of love.
Return to your truth in a jungle initiation of the heart.
This pilgrimage takes you deep into the heart of the jungle in Palenque, México, where you will experience powerful activations, purification and healing in sacred Mayan power spots, wild waters and a variety of ceremonies.
We will stay in a beautiful boutique hotel nestled within the national forest, near the living presence of ancient temples.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Gustavo Ik, Angela de la Agua, and Giovanna Garcia are honored to be in service to you in Palenque!
Read more about us below…
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MAIN GUIDE + CO-CREATOR
Gustavo Ik is our main guide and has been making pilgrimages to Palenque for over 20 years. Under his guidance, our group will be lead through fire + cacao ceremonies, temazcal (Mexican sweat lodge), ancient temples and pyramids, jungle walks, breathwave ceremony, and will also share the Law of Time teachings.
Gustavo is a ceremonialist and teacher of time. He has 21 years walking the path of ceremony, medicine, and Indigenous practices. He has learned from elders of different traditions along the way. He has deepened and focused his practice as an Ajq’ij (One who walks with the sun) facilitating fire ceremonies, as the traditional way that cacao was shared in the Mayan cosmovision.
Gustavo has a passion for being of service and supporting people to deepen in their own path of purpose and joy. He is gifted at helping people feel seen and hopeful. He embodies a good balance between order and play and transmits that to others.
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CO-CREATOR + FACILITATOR
Angela de la Agua is helping to hold the sacred container for our group and will also be sharing a cacao ceremony during the pilgrimage. She will be thoroughly supporting your preparations, facilitating group circles, as well as providing integration support post-journey. She’ll also be documenting the journey reverently with her camera, and will ensure you have beautiful photos of yourself to mark the transformational journey!
Angela is a ceremonial priestess, divine healer and spiritual teacher based in the desert of Joshua Tree, CA, where she has been rooted since 2011.
Angela has 13+ years experience facilitating group containers focused on spiritual transformation by means of ceremony, healing retreats, global pilgrimage, and mentorship programs. Widely known for her work with ceremonial cacao, sacred photography, healing foods, fasting and daily self-care, she helps others connect with the sacred found in every moment through heart-opening practices of self-love.
Love is the foundation of all of Angela’s work. It is her greatest joy to help others awaken to their own divinity through the remembrance of Love.
This will be her second time returning to Palenque with Gustavo since they birthed the first House of the Serpent in 2024.
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SACRED SUPPORT
Giovanna, Gustavo’s partner, will be co-faciliating the fire + cacao ceremonies and temazcal along with Gustavo. She will be providing support where needed to ensure you have the best possible experience in Palenque.
Giovanna is a Holistic Nourishment Guide and Ceremonialist of Mexican-American roots. Her personal health journey to heal disordered eating, depression, and learning to navigate being a highly sensitive being has led her to deepen in the exploration and studies of nutrition, holistic culinary arts, spirituality, indigenous ways, energy healing, and emotional and mental health for the past 13 years. Dance, creative expression, and reconnecting with Mother Earth have also been important practices of self-acceptance and transformation on her path.
Giovanna has been working with cacao and copal medicine since 2016. In 2022, she received initiation to the Mayan fire tradition from Mayan elders in Guatemala.
“Gustavo and Angela created a space that was both powerful and joyful, holding the perfect container for transformation.”
~ Amanda B
ROOM OPTIONS
SHARED CABIN w/ fan
Earlybird through July 31st: $2400
After July 31st: $2700
Share a rustic cabin with two beds (or one bed for couples), a full bathroom and garden view terrace with one other participant.
Price per participant. 2 guests max per room.
SINGLE CABIN w/ fan
Earlybird through July 31st: $2600
After July 31st: $2900
Enjoy the privacy of your own rustic cabin with a double bed, full bathroom and garden view terrace for yourself.
Limited to one participant per room.
SHARED ROOM w/ AC
Earlybird through July 31st: $2900
After July 31st: $3200
Enjoy a shared A/C room with two double beds (or one bed for couples), full bathroom and garden view terrace with one other participant.
Price per participant. 2 guests max per room.
SINGLE ROOM w/ AC
Earlybird through July 31st: $3100
After July 31st: $3400
Enjoy the privacy of your own A/C room with a double bed, full bathroom and garden view terrace for yourself.
Limited to one participant per room.
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT:
$500 holds your spot (this amount is deducted from the above totals)
EARLYBIRD PRICING through July 31st!
Payment plans available
BONUS:
Join in July and receive complimentary access to Embracing Cacao, Angela’s level 1 cacao apprenticeship program! (value $444)
THIS IS FOR YOU IF:
You feel the serpent stirring within- a call to transform, awaken, and remember.
You’re ready to shed old layers and step boldly into a new chapter of your becoming.
You feel drawn to deepen your spiritual path through sacred ceremony in nature.
You long to connect heart-to-heart in person, in a space of truth and reverence.
You are called by the spirit of Sacred Cacao and want to honor her ancestral roots.
You feel the pull of sacred lands and ancient temples, ready to receive their wisdom.
You’re ready to surrender to the unknown and say yes to the initiation calling to your heart.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Imagine the sonic symphony of birds and howler monkeys echoing through the canopy of trees. The sacred fragrance of copal smoke curling through the air. The warm, grounding taste of cacao awakening your heart. The presence of your ancestors walking beside you, whispering remembrance.
Each day of this sacred pilgrimage, you’ll be held in the living embrace of the jungle- its wild beauty, its mystery, and its medicine.
You’ll walk in reverence through ancient temples, where stone remembers the prayers of the ancestors. You’ll be nourished by heart-opening community, guided ceremony, and the simplicity of a life lived in devotion.
Under impeccable guideship, you will experience:
• The ancient temples of Palenque, pulsing with sacred energy
• Astonishing waterfalls, where you’ll bathe in the elemental force of nature
• Transformative fire and cacao ceremonies, to awaken the heart and transmute the old
• A purifying temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony, to cleanse body, mind, and spirit
• Honoring Día de los Muertos, the sacred threshold where we remember, make offerings, and commune with the ancestors
• Nourishing traditional Mexican cuisine, blessed with love and intention
• Heart-centered sharing circles, to witness and be witnessed
• And the untamed wildness of the jungle, a mirror for your own inner landscape
This is more than a journey- it’s an initiation.
A return to the sacred within.
“Through the unknown, I knew I could trust my guides. Gustavo and Angela surrounded us with ancient knowledge, a spirit of exploration, joy, and even play throughout our week in Palenque…”
~ Kat M
HOUSE OF THE SERPENT
Nah Chan, the city where Palenque is located, means “the house of serpent.”
Palenque, a powerful place of prophecy, offers us the opportunity to receive ancient knowledge through the lens of the new.
As humble initiates, we come to this sacred land with reverence for the power it holds to invite transformation (the medicine of the serpent) into our hearts.
We make this pilgrimage to surrender ourselves to the transformation our hearts seek as individuals.
Through all we experience in this initiation process, we make this journey to open our hearts to the expanse of Love within so we may expand the presence of Love on the planet as a whole.
We make this journey to shed all that holds us back from the truth of our hearts and the embodiment of Pure Love.
We make this journey to remember the Love that we truly are.
Together, we courageously step into the mouth of the serpent and surrender ourselves to divine transformation.
YOU’LL EXPERIENCE:
Powerful ceremonies throughout the journey including a Full Moon Closing Ceremony
Pyramid + temple activations
Temazcal - Mexican sweat lodge ceremony
Waterfall purification
Exploration of hidden temples in the jungle
Cacao Ceremony, of course :)
Breathwave Ceremony
Sacred spontaneous adventures
Exploring local markets
Channeled transmissions + loving guidance from Gustavo + Angela daily
Heart-centered connecting amongst the group
Swimming and relaxed downtime to digest the powerful initiation
Laughter on the daily :)
ITINERARY
OCTOBER 30: ARRIVE by the afternoon/early evening
OCTOBER 31: OPENING CEREMONY
OCT 31-NOV 5: 6 FULL DAYS of pyramids, hidden temples, waterfall purification, temazcal, fire + cacao ceremony, authentic Mexican nourishment, local markets, swimming, relaxed integration time, and so much more!
NOVEMBER 5: FULL MOON CLOSING CEREMONY
NOVEMBER 6: DEPART in the morning
WHAT’S INCLUDED
7 nights accommodation in Palenque at Maya Bell Hotel (shared or single room) with a beautiful pool, hot tub, and spa services available
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
All ground transportation during the pilgrimage
Airport group shuttle upon arrival and departure (included within designated timeframes)
Temple and National Park entrance fees
A thorough Preparation Guide provided in advance so you know what to bring and how to prepare
Group Preparation Calls to connect prior to the journey
Group Integration Call to support you after the journey
Any assistance you need in arranging your international travel plans
NOT INCLUDED
Your international flight arriving and departing from Villahermosa Airport
Travel insurance
Airport shuttle fees outside of designated group timeframes
Any additional accommodations outside of the journey dates
Any additional snacks, beverages, etc outside of the planned meal times
Alcoholic beverages - this is an alcohol-free event
Hotel and restaurant tips
Spa services
Gifts you’d like to purchase
ABOUT PALENQUE
Palenque is an ancient Maya powerspot in Chiapas, México. It is a place of prophecy, a place of retrieving ancient knowledge through the lens of the new.
The temples of this ancient Maya civilization hold important knowledge for us today. The main temple parallels the energy of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The mystery of the tombs found within the sacred structures hold great power for us to work with during our time there.
Gustavo’s first pilgrimage to Palenque was in 2004, and he has returned 7 times since then.
“I loved the safe and loving container that was created in the group, which gave us a chance to be vulnerable and truly expand our awareness.”
~ Gustavo Arcq
FAQ
WHERE/WHEN DO I FLY INTO PALENQUE?
You will fly into Villahermoso Airport (VSA). Be sure layovers in Mexico City are at least 2 hours long.
Book your arrival flight for Thursday, October 30th by 2:30pm at the latest.
Book your departure flight for Thursday, November 6th no earlier than 10am.
Please run your flight itinerary by us before booking.
IS AIRPORT PICK-UP/DROP-OFF INCLUDED?
The airport is 2.5 hours from the hotel. There is one scheduled group pick-up upon arrival and drop-off upon departure included in the cost. If you arrive outside the designated arrival/departure windows, you will need to pay for your own transport, but we will help to arrange the ride for you.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Once you have joined our journey, we provide a very thorough preparation guide that outlines all things needed and recommended for your travels.
WILL WE BE PROCESSING CACAO OR VISITING A CACAO FARM?
This pilgrimage focuses on the ancient energetic power of Palenque, and so our work with Cacao medicine will be mostly experienced within the parameters of ceremony in ancient temples. Visiting a Cacao jungle farm or facility for the purpose of processing our own cacao isn’t part of the itinerary, but you will have the opportunity to connect with Cacao trees.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
The average temperature in Palenque during November for a typical day ranges from a high of 81°F (27°C) to a low of 67°F (20°C). Some would describe it as pleasantly warm, humid but cool. There's a 44% chance of moderate rain on an average day.
I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS.
Prior to the journey, we will ask for any dietary requirements amongst the group. Traditional Mexican cuisine can be expected for most meals. We will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Your $500 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable. The remaining balance is 50% refundable up until 90 days prior to the start date of the pilgrimage. All payments are non-transferrable.
90 days before the start date of the pilgrimage, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferrable. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in the event that you are unable to attend.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
We highly recommend protecting yourself and your investment by securing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage. Most airlines offer travel insurance as an add-on for your flight ticket purchase, or you can buy insurance separately. We recommend World Nomads for excellent travel insurance: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance
DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
Yes. If you do not have a current passport, then best to get this process started as soon as possible. Your current passport must be valid 6 months after the travel dates. Please see info and links below to help you in your process:
To obtain a NEW US passport go here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html
To RENEW a US Passport go here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html
Questions?
If your questions aren’t answered in the FAQ, please message us below!