The RISE Experiential Journey is an opportunity for Flagship program graduates to see concepts from the Flagship program put into practice in the real world. Experiential Journeys are curated with RISE's commitment to sustainability and anti-oppression in mind. Participants will be ethical and mindful visitors, and will learn about how the tourism industry in each destination strives to improve.

RISE's first Experiential Journey will see participants travel to Guatemala in August 2022. This EJ will be open to graduates of RISE's Pilot program and Spring 2022 Flagship program cohorts. 

During our time in Guatemala we will participate in tours and activities that empower local and indigenous communities by sharing their initiatives and sustainability efforts throughout Guatemala. Everywhere we visit will be an opportunity to engage in an exchange of ideas around anti-oppression and development of destinations, host communities, and travelers. This Experiential Journey will allow participants to travel through the colonial streets of Antigua and surrounding villages, immerse themselves in the living culture and traditions of Lake Atitlan, and climb the most iconic temples of the magnificent Mayan jungle.  

We are excited to partner with Etnica for our first Experiential Journey!

Etnica is a social enterprise that is empowering locals to create unique, immersive, community-based travel experiences. Working under the principles of fair trade, sustainability, and co-creation, valuing the cultural and natural heritage of Guatemala, Etnica has created an exciting itinerary for RISE’s first EJ. 

- Support locally run tourism initiatives all over Guatemala.

- Engage with artisans and farmers in the surrounding villages of Antigua to learn about their traditions and community initiatives.

- Experience a homestay in a community of weavers.

- Admire the vocanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan.

- Get to know the history and current context of Guatemala.

- Visit the largest outdoor market in Central America to experience Guatemala's centuries-old trade hub.

- Observe wildlife in its natural habitat without disruption.

- Visit the emblematic Mayan temples of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.

- Learn about the wonders of Mayan syncretism and cosmovision.

- Meet people all over Guatemala who are striving to improve the tourisn industry. 

- Learn with and from your fellow RISE students. 

We will be eating traditional, regional Guatemalan dishes and local treats throughout our trip. In some cases meals will be home cooked by local families. Dietary needs can be accommodated with prior notification. 

 Inclusive Package Prices and Services: The services within RISE Travel Institute Experiential Journeys are presented as itinerary “packages”.  We do not break down the costs of the individual components of the package. All rates are calculated based on confidential contracted rates with our partners and include all taxes, valid for the services requested. Rates are based on the requested number of participants and given dates. The rates are based on current exchange rate and local taxes effective on the date the price quotation is created and are subject to change up until the deposit has been paid. 

Guidelines above are applicable to optional "Add on" excursions and tours as well.

All services with our in-country partners/contractors have been confirmed and committed to. Cancellation of any segment/component of the confirmed itinerary package are non refundable and non transferable.

Itineraries: Accommodation, transportation, arranged tours and other inclusions are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond the control of RISE Travel Institute or its partners/contractors. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Should any of the service providers identified in the itinerary not be available for reasons beyond our control, we will do our best to arrange for an approved substitute.

Exclusions: Package prices do not include: Travel and personal Insurance coverage, the cost of obtaining passports or entry visas, tourist taxes, excess baggage charges, hotel/cruise incidental expenses, room service, personal expenses, such as laundry, communication charges, optional activities, and gratuities.

Unless specified, meals/beverages/sightseeing/ museum or attraction admissions are not included.

Nor are international and internal airfares, and airport departure taxes, unless specified.

Furthermore, vouchers or tickets issued are subject to all laws, conditions, and regulations imposed by local and governmental authorities in countries visited. Under no conditions will any liability, or excess of that dictated by law, be recognized.

Additional activities not specifically included are the responsibility of the traveler, as are COVID-19/health related expenses, such as medical care, quarantine, rebooking fees, lodging, etc.

BE SURE TO carefully review and abide by the COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to the host country and for returning home. Any and all costs incurred for failure to do so shall be paid by the traveler.

If you are unable to meet your driver upon arrival, you will be responsible for your own transfer.

Trip Insurance: 

• Travel Insurance is required for every traveler.
• Trip insurance is not included in the tour price. 
• Rise Travel Institute is not an insurance advisor/ broker.

Passports and Visas: Check and confirm the requirements for entry based on the passport you hold. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary and valid travel documents required for travel, including a visa and passport that is valid for at least six (6) months after the return date of travel. All travelers should contact a consulate or the embassy of the destination country for applicable passport and visa requirements. Check and double check your travel documents and make sure all is in order prior to booking.

Travel Advisories: It is the responsibility of the traveler to be informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings issued by their home country. For US Passport holders, please visit the U.S. Department of State travel website at www.travel.state.gov/, or phone 1-888-407-4747. 

Liability: RISE Travel Institute and/or its partners act only as agents for the traveler with respect to transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, RISE Travel Institute and/or its agents neither assumes nor bears any responsibility or liability in connection with the services or the actions of any third-parties involved in providing services for the travelers.

RISE Travel Institute and/or its agents act only as agents for the services described upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delays, or irregularity, which may be occasioned by reason of being engaged in carrying out the services described in the individual itinerary packages.

In all cases wherein RISE Travel Institute and/or its partners are rendering services (i.e., providing vehicles or transportation, meals, guides, tickets, etc.) they are acting solely as an intermediary for the owners or contractors of those services. Neither the Management of RISE Travel Institute, nor any of its employees, contractors, volunteers, members, advisors, or travel advisor partners, shall be, or become, liable or responsible in any way for any loss, injury, damage, accident, inconvenience, delay or irregularity that may be occasioned either by reason of defect, through the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in carrying out the arrangements of the tour, or as a direct or indirect result of acts of God, Force Majeure, weather conditions, dangers or conditions of the sea, fire, flood, wind, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of governments or other authorities, de jure or de facto, wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, riots, thefts, animals, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failures of transportation, or for failure of any transportation to arrive or depart on time, or for any causes beyond the control of RISE Travel Institute, or for any loss or damage resulting from improper passports, visas or other documents. RISE Travel Institute cannot accept responsibility for loss or additional expenses due to delay or changes in schedule or other causes. 

PAYMENT OF THE ITINERARY DEPOSIT CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN

Deposit and Payments: RISE Travel Institute partners with local, in-country tour operators/ contractors. Please reference your specific trip for the deposit and payment schedule.

Our quotes are in US Dollar (USD), unless otherwise noted.

Cancellation:

In case of cancellations, the following cancellation conditions will apply:

• Administrative fees and any nonrefundable paid fees (e.g., nonrefundable deposits, airfare, broker fees, prepaid entrance fees, hotel deposits, etc.).
• Penalties and fees imposed by our suppliers may be additional and, if imposed, will be deducted from the above refunds. 
• Postponement or request to change your confirmed trip for another Experiential Journey may be treated as a cancellation and cancellation fees may apply.
• Notifications of cancellation must be received by RISE Travel Institute in writing.
• Cancellation costs will be calculated from the date RISE Travel Institute receives a written request for cancellation. 

Refunds: All refunds will be processed as quickly as possible. In the event refundable deposits have been paid for services, RISE Travel Institute will take all measures to assure the applicable funds are returned and refunded as quickly as possible. 

Traveler(s) Requirements: All travelers assume all risks associated with participating in a RISE Travel Institute Experiential Journey (EJ), which may include walking and/or climbing in difficult terrain with steep ascents and descents. On a RISE Travel Institute EJ you are likely to encounter uneven cobblestones, farmland, staircases without handrails, unpaved walkways, dirt roads, and stone steps. Some activities are not regulated by any industry safety standards and you assume all risks. You should come properly attired for any type of weather conditions that may occur. You are responsible for monitoring your own dietary restrictions and alcohol consumption. You are also encouraged to check with your health insurance provider to ensure that your coverage extends to international travel. All responsibility for all products and services purchased during a RISE Travel Institute Experiential Journey rests with you and the product or service vendor.

The participant represents that neither he/she/they nor anyone traveling with him/her/them has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to themselves or other participants on the same itinerary.