GALAPAGOS YOGA ADVENTURE
A Nature Lover’s Dream.
May 6-13, 2017
with Stephanie Cullen
Join me and delve into an amazing island exploration. Discover the Galapagos via an intimate and lush 12 acre private retreat at Semilla Verde; where endemic giant tortoises roam freely and walking paths abound. This once in a lifetime Galapagos yoga retreat is land based to allow for a daily yoga practice and maximum exploration.
Retreat Highlights:
-12 acres of private walking paths to explore
-Meditation, Vinyasa flow, Yin yoga and Yoga Nidra practices
-Kayaking over sharks and around the mangroves on Tortuga Bay
-Naturalist accompanied visit to the Charles Darwin Station
-Naturalist guided day trip with snorkeling to Bartolomé Island
-Naturalist guided day trip with snorkeling to Santa Fe, South PLazas or North Seymour Islands
-Snorkeling and swimming on all day excursions
-3 daily meals with 2 meals in Puerto Ayora
-7 nights accommodation at Semilla Verde, Santa Cruz Island
-8 days
Wake up each morning ready to delve into your body and breathe in preparation for this amazing island exploration! Each morning will open to a guided meditation and an intention-based Vinyasa flow practice. We will go deep in our yoga practices soaking in the natural wisdom of the islands.
Due to the intimate size of the group each student will receive personal attention and will be guided to their highest potential through Stephanie’s individual guidance. After the day time high of exploring and connecting with nature, our evening practices will be a combination of Yin and Restorative to ground us back down and calm the senses.
LOCATION
I believe your experience in the Galapagos Islands should be as unique and natural as you are. Semilla Verde offers you the chance to stay somewhere far removed from your busy life and the standard hotel offering you may be used to. You are invited to step into another world, the original Galapagos, the true and enchanting islands. And, to experience the wonders of a rural forest lodge; amongst all the natural elements, pure sea air and life alongside the unique wildlife you came so far to see.
Giant tortoises lumber through the coffee plantations and bird life thrives in the forest canopy and their song calls in a new day. The location is secluded but convenient and very safe. There is not another residence within hundreds of meters of this oasis. Semilla Verde remains true to the philosophy on which it originally built for good friends and family, ensuring a level of intimacy, personal service and home cooking you will only find in a traditional guesthouse.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND BOOKING
The 6-room lodge is known for its hospitality, location and delicious meals. Located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the 18 main islands of the one-of-a-kind Galapagos Islands, it has been named a “Traveler’s Choice” two years running with TripAdvisor for Galapagos and South America. When you retreat to the Galapagos Islands where 97% of land is designated protected National Park, mind-body connection is heightened as you begin to interact with the natural world in its primary state!
Each bedroom in the lodge is spacious with private bathrooms, hot water, air conditioning, WiFi, TV/DVD, and direct access to a private balcony. The main living area on the first floor comprises a large open plan lounge with stone fireplace, dining room and kitchen. A large south facing terrace offers spectacular views over surrounding farmland, Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve to Floreana Island.
Special Early Bird Pricing…Book before Sept.30, 2016
Single: $4295 USD
Double: $3195 USD
Triple: $2295 USD
After Sept.30, 2016 ….add additional $250 USD
A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD of the total amount is required for your booking to be confirmed.
Booking and Final Payment Deadline January 15, 2017
This amazing Galapagos experience combines multiple nature excursions; as well the expertise of a certified Galapagos Naturalist Guide. Below is a sample itinerary. Each trip will include a trip to Bartolomé Island with the other two island days being a mix of North Seymour, South Plazas or Santa Fe.
Sample retreat itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and welcome lunch and drink at Semilla Verde
Excursion to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora
Sunset yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 2
Morning trip to Garrapatero Beach – beach yoga/meditation (optional)
Lunch at Semilla Verde
Afternoon yoga
Early evening in Puerto Ayora
Group dinner in Puerto Ayora
Day 3
Sunrise yoga
Breakfast at Semilla Verde
Day trip to North Seymour Island, a popular nesting ground – you can expect: Lunch on board and post lunch siesta, great frigate birds, blue footed boobies, land iguana, sea lions, guided snorkeling, and naturalist guided hiking
Sunset yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 4
Morning yoga
Breakfast at Semilla Verde
Morning excursion to Tortuga Bay: Mangrove kayaking, snorkeling, and marine iguana watching (they’re everywhere!)
Lunch in Puerto Ayora
Afternoon to explore Puerto Ayora: Souvenir shopping, visit Chi Spa, return to Charles Darwin Research Station, have a drink on the Red Mangrove patio (iguanas and sea lions are almost always chilling out on the deck with you), and head to the Fisherman’s Market and watch the sea lions and pelicans appear when the dingy comes in with fish.
Evening yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 5
Sunrise yoga
Breakfast at Semilla Verde
Day trip to South Plazas Island: Visit one of the largest sea lion colonies in Galapagos, land iguana, sea lions, red-billed tropic birds, swallowed-tailed gulls, guided snorkeling, and naturalist guided hiking
Sunset yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 6
Breakfast at Semilla Verde
Santa Cruz Highland tour
Explore Los Gemelos (“the twins”): These two giant craters were formed when the magma chamber underground emptied and the land caved in, try climbing through the lava tunnels
Visit a Giant Galapagos tortoise farm
Explore the Cloud Forest: expect to see small birds like Darwin finches and Vermillion flycatchers
Lunch at Semilla Verde
Free afternoon for exploring Semilla Verde’s acres and wildlife, reading, sleeping or take a cab into town
Sunset yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 7
Early (05:45) departure for Bartolomé Island
Coffee and snacks served before departure
Breakfast served on the boat
Bartolomé is a crown jewel of Galapagos islands – Lunch on board – beds available for post-lunch siesta: Pinnacle rock, beautiful crescent beaches, Galapagos penguins, white tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, naturalist guided hiking, and guided snorkeling
Early evening return to Semilla Verde
Evening yoga
Dinner at Semilla Verde
Day 8
Breakfast
Pack, hugs, goodbyes and back to the Baltra airport
Excursions
Throughout this retreat you won’t only be enjoying yoga, but you’ll also get to explore the islands of Galapagos with multiple nature excursions with the expertise of a certified Galapagos Naturalist Guide. You’ll have 12 acres of private walking paths to explore with wild Giant Tortoises roaming the property. You will also experience a certified Galapagos Naturalist day trip to Bartolomé Island, South Plazas, North Seymour Islands, and a guided trip to visit to the Charles Darwin Station. You will also get to go snorkeling and swimming (think sea turtles, sharks, penguins, sea lions, etc.) on all day excursions, and a certified Galapagos Naturalist guided Highland Tour (pit craters, lava tunnels and cloud forest and wild tortoises). Kayaking over sharks and around the mangroves on Tortuga Bay will also be part of your long list of excursions.
About the Teacher
Stephanie Cullen, RYT 500, E-RYT-200
Through Stephanie’s many years of practice; the one thing she has learned is that every moment, every day and every posture is new again…..each breath creates a new experience. It is never complete, it is always evolving.
Through her teachings she hopes to touch the hearts of her students and to introduce them to a place of bliss. A place where they can grow and be their true authentic self. In her classes you will experience a fun-loving kaleidoscope of yoga with artful alignment and creative flows.
Stephanie is 5oohr certified yoga teacher and owner of Blissful Energy Yoga. For over the past 10 years Stephanie has led classes, workshops and retreats within Canada and internationally.
Stephanie pursues yoga and outdoor adventure to strengthen her mind, body and spirit connections. She’s always excited to share these experiences with others…to find a place of bliss!!!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-7 nights shared accommodation
-Daily yoga and meditation sessions
-Guided day trips to Bartolomé Island, South Plazas, and North Seymour Islands
-Guided trip to visit to the Charles Darwin Station
-Guided Highland Tour to pit craters, lava tunnels and cloud forest and wild tortoises.
-Kayaking excursion on Tortuga Bay
-Snorkeling and swimming (think sea turtles, sharks, penguins, sea lions, etc) on all day excursions
Three meals a day with two meals in the town of Puerto Ayora
-Transfers to and from the airport
-Unlimited Southern hemisphere star gazing
What’s not included
-$100 USD Galapagos National Park entrance fee: to be paid in CASH at the Baltra airport to the national park authority.
-$20 USD Migration card: to be paid in CASH at the mainland Ecuador airport.
-Alcohol or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
-Flights to Baltra, Ecuador (GPS)
-Gratuities
-Travel insurance(recommended)
Know before you go:
Airport transfers
Transfer from and to Baltra Airport (GPS).
Semilla Verde will provide transfers to and from Baltra Airport for no additional charges. Please note that transfers will be on arrival and departure days only.If yogis are staying at other hotels pre and post retreat they will pay their own way to or from Semilla Verde.
Itinerary information
The itinerary mentioned above may change upon the discretion of Stephanie. Please note that weather does play a part in some of the excursions. Yogi flexibility is always appreciated!
Please also note that the free days in town and trips to have meals out there will have one scheduled pick up. If you choose to stay in town beyond the transfer time you will need to take a cab back to the retreat center at a cost of approximately 5 to 8 USD.
General information
Participants of all levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to join this retreat.
Seasonal information
June to November is known as the garua season. Water temperatures are about 21C and fog is typical in the mornings. Generally this cloud cover burns off and the sun is still warm. Rains are also typical during this time of year.
December to May is considered the warm season with ocean temperatures are about 25C, hot day temperatures and little to no wind. Strong rain storms can blow in and out during this time of year.
Regardless of the time of year, the highland location of Semilla Verde offer fewer bugs, cooler temperatures and a quiet to the bustle of town.
Electricity information
Ecuador uses the same plug and currency as the Canada & US (110 to 120V). Some plugs will not accept the third ‘grounding’ pin so a back-up adapter is recommended.
What to bring
Semilla Verde is fully stocked with Manduka mats and blocks and YogiToes straps. Feel free to bring your own yoga mat and accessories with you, but they are not necessary on this adventure.
Light rain jacket
Lightweight layers for sun protection
Yoga clothes (and more yoga clothes)
Sunscreen
Sturdy walking shoes
Pair of shoes that can go from water to land (i.e., Tevas, Keen or the like)
Hat
Travel binoculars
Camera
Small Backpack for day trips
Water bottle
Bathing suit
Snorkeling gear (gear is provided by the boat so this is only if you don’t want to use shared equipment)
Did we mention sunscreen? we will be super close to the equator so the sun is very strong!!!!
Special menu request
Special dietary needs can be accommodated. Please inform Stephanie in advance.
Passport / Visa
Canadian & US citizens will need a valid passport to visit Ecuador, but no visa is required at this time. Passports will need to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Ecuador reserves the right to refuse entry if passports expire before the 6 month mark. Nationals of all other countries should check travel requirements well in advance of their retreat.
Important information
You will be traveling via Baltra Airport (GPS) in the Galapagos. Many flight schedules require an overnight in Quito, Ecuador. Please feel free to contact Stephanie in regards to Hotels in Quito.
The $100 USD Galapagos National Park entrance fee can only be paid in cash.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Payment
A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD of the total amount is required for your booking to be confirmed.
Payment of the balance of the retreat price is due January 15,2017. If the balance is not paid on or before the due date Stephanie Cullen/Blissful Energy Yoga reserves the right to treat your booking as canceled.
Cancellation
All monies beyond the non-refundable deposit received from the participant will be refunded if the cancellation is made before January 15, 2017. No credit or refund is available if the client cancels after January 15, 2017 or if the client does not show up, or leaves early for any reason. Retreats are non-transferable.
Different fees may apply to airline tickets depending on the carrier being used. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking which may cover your cancellation penalties in some situations. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced Stephanie Cullen/Blissful Energy Yoga is not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.
Accepted payment methods:
US Money Draft, US Cheque, PayPal(3% service fee)
Please make payable to Cullen Contracting Ltd.
Mail to:
Blissful Energy Yoga/ Stephanie Cullen
RR#2, Box 28, Site 1
Olds, Alberta
T4h 1P3 Canada
(recommended: send via expresspost with a tracking number)
Travel insurance information
Travel insurance is recommended for all travelers and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance should provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with all recommended minimum coverage. It should also cover cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience. Stephanie Cullen/ Blissful Energy Yoga shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects.
Personal belongings lost or stolen while unattended by the client in public lounges or other public areas, whether on board a vessel, train, bus, or other mode of transportation, publicly owned or operated by affiliated tour operators or elsewhere, are not reimbursable. Losses due to ordinary wear and tear, and other acts of God are not reimbursable. We cannot accept responsibility for and in no event shall be liable for loss or damage of valuables or other articles left in or on facilities used by us such as hotels, home stays, vessels, expedition vehicles, or any other mode of transportation.