The Alchemy of Evolution
Yoga, Meditation, Ceremony & Adventure
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Oct 14 - 21. 2023 & Oct 21-28, 2023
“You lack a foot to travel? Then journey into yourself - that leads to transformation of dust into pure gold.”
― Rumi
The Retreat
October 14-21, 2023
The magic of wild Ecuador is calling us together. This pristine land will be the backdrop of our inspiration. What mirrors will we see? There's no place better than the Galapagos islands to teach us about the power of diversity, untamed and untouched nature, and the alchemy of evolution.
Our retreat will be an immersion of transformative yoga (all levels welcome), meditation, healing and empowerment ceremonies, dance, and once in a lifetime nature excursions. A true adventure awaits!
The rich biodiversity of the protected native wildlife, many of whom are unafraid of humans, will help us remember our wild undomesticated selves. Swim with sea lions (pups begin to swim this time of year) and sharks, spot Galapagos penguins and flamingos, and watch the dance of marine iguanas and blue footed boobies on volcanic rocks. This truly unique UNESCO World Heritage Site offers the perfect landscape for us to drop in and learn from each other and the beauty of the natural world around us.
More about our Itinerary:
Our trip will begin as we’ll meet in Baltra, the morning of Saturday, October 14. Some will arrive via Guayaquil, Ecuador, some via Quito, Ecuador. We recommend staying overnight in one of these cities to hop the smaller plane to Baltra the morning of the 14th. You may choose to spend an extra night or two in the charming town of Quito for more cultural immersion.
From Baltra, we will be transferred to our home away from home–Semilla Verde. You can review the excellent Trip Advisor Reviews of this property HERE.
Set in the highlands just 15 minutes from town, we’ll sleep like babies listening to the birds in the morning and watching the giant tortoises that roam the property. Semilla Verde is private, quiet, and fully equipped with a beautiful yoga room and terraces with views to the coast. Each morning, we’ll practice yoga and enjoy breakfast together and then begin our daily explorations!
All excursions are included in the registration fee. Some highlights:
A day trip to Bartolome Island, the crown jewel of Galapagos. Some features include Pinnacle Rock, crescent beaches, Galapagos penguins, white tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, guided snorkeling, and hiking. Lunch is served on board our tour boat, and we’ll return to Semilla Verde for evening yoga and dinner.
A day trip to North Seymour Island, where we might see great frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, sea lions during our guided snorkeling and naturalist-guided hiking excursions.
An excursion to Tortuga Bay where we can kayak, snorkel, and hang out with the marine iguanas.
The Charles Darwin Station Lunch in Puerto Ayora where we have the option to shop for souvenirs, and have drinks on the red mangrove patio with the iguanas and sea lions.
A Santa Cruz highland tour where we can explore the lava tunnels, a cloud forest, and Los Gamelos (two giant craters that were formed when the magma chamber underground emptied and the land caved in).
A morning at Garrapatero Beach for snorkeling, swimming, exploring, beach yoga, and relaxing.
A visit to the South Plazas Islands, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in Galapagos as well as red-billed tropical birds, swallow-tailed gulls, and more endemic wildlife.
What’s Included:
Accommodation on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Yoga most days (at teacher’s discretion on cruising adventure days)
Three meals a day
Naturalist-accompanied visit to the Charles Darwin Station
Naturalist-accompanied day trips to Bartolomé, South Plazas, and North Seymour Islands
Snorkeling and swimming on all day excursions
Two dinners in Puerto Ayora
Naturalist accompanied highland tour (pit craters, lava tunnels, and cloud forest, and wild tortoises)
Sunrise yoga/meditation on the beach followed by a beach breakfast
Kayaking on Tortuga Bay, with 12 acres of private walking paths to explore
Evening fire pit and unlimited southern hemisphere star gazing
Transfers to and from the airport (on arrival and departure days only)
What’s Not Included:
Flights to Baltra, Ecuador (GPS)
$10 US SICGAL inspection and migration card
$100 US Galapagos National Park entrance fee (cash only)
Alcohol or items of a personal nature / souvenirs
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Travel Insurance (recommended)
Details
Meet your Guide
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Alex Holiday is a lifelong student of nature, movement and transformational practices. Alex has logged over a thousand hours of yoga teaching where she is passionate about creating accessible classes for everyone and every body. Her teaching is rooted in the principles that if you change your energy you change your mind. Alex’s meets students where they are at, reminding them to drop judgment while approaching practice with love and humor. Her knowledge is rooted in the teachings of Tantra, Ayurveda, and Earth Wisdom. She is an Ayurvedic health coach, yoga teacher, sanctioned ceremonial guide, wife of an adorable husband, cooker of delicious things and expert joy maker.
Pricing
Because of the limited spaces available in the retreat we strongly encourage sharing a room. We will only have 2 singles available each of the weeks at a first come first serve basis, so if that is your preference we encourage you to book early. There are only 9 rooms available at the venue.
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot.
WEEK 1
Double Occupancy: $3900/ person
Sky View Room (Sold Out) – Top floor the new Finch wing, King bed twin bed and wraparound balcony overlooking the property.
Ocean View Room (Sold Out) – Top floor floor with queen and twin bed, private balcony with hammock.
Double Occupancy: $3,700/ person
Forrest View Room – this main level room features a Queen and twin bed and private balcony with hammock.
Sunrise Room – (Sold Out) In the new Finch wing, King bed or 2 twins and balcony overlooking the property.
Sunset Room – (Sold Out) In the new Finch wing, King bed or 2 twins and balcony overlooking the property.
Tortoise Pond (upstairs) (Sold Out) – In the main building, 2 twins beds or 1 Queen plus small private terrace.
Double Occupancy: $3600/ person
Single Occupancy Room: $4800
Tortoise Pond (downstairs) (Sold Out) - These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
Plantation View - (Sold Out) These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
Garden View - These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
WEEK 2
Double Occupancy: $3900/ person
Sky View Room – Top floor the new Finch wing, King bed twin bed and wraparound balcony overlooking the property.
Ocean View Room (Sold Out) – Top floor floor with queen and twin bed, private balcony with hammock.
Double Occupancy: $3,700/ person
Forrest View Room – this main level room features a Queen and twin bed and private balcony with hammock.
Sunrise Room – In the new Finch wing, King bed or 2 twins and balcony overlooking the property.
Sunset Room (Sold Out) – In the new Finch wing, King bed or 2 twins and balcony overlooking the property.
Tortoise Pond (upstairs) – In the main building, 2 twins beds or 1 Queen plus small private terrace.
Double Occupancy: $3600/ person
Single Occupancy Room: $4800
Tortoise Pond (downstairs) - These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
Plantation View (Sold Out) - These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
Garden View - These ground level rooms have 1 queen or 2 twin beds, entry from inside the building plus sliding doors that lead to the main grounds.
Please note: The deposit is non-refundable. Cancellation given 60 days or more before the event will be given a full refund, minus the deposit. No refunds will be given for cancellations within 60 days of the retreat. In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or your reservation to another person as long as you notify us 21 days in advance.
Unforeseen circumstances may require us to change activities, however, we will do our very best to keep the schedule as is, or replace an offering with another of similar interest and value.
