THIS RETREAT HAS BEEN POSTPONED
A little more about the Galapagos Islands:
Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called “a living museum and showcase of evolution.” Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galapagos are a melting pot of marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise, and the many types of finch that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) than anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants you will see are endemic. More than 20% of the marine species in Galapagos are found nowhere else on earth. Favorites include the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galapagos penguin—the only penguin species to be found in the Northern Hemisphere. To learn more about the islands, history, species, and conservation, visit The Galapagos Conservancy (www.galapagos.org).
More about our Itinerary:
Our trip will begin as we’ll meet in Baltra the the morning of Saturday, October 26. Some will arrive via Guayguil, Ecuador, some via Quito, Ecuador. Some may need an overnight in one of these cities to hop the smaller plane to Baltra the morning of the 26th, and some may choose to spend an extra night or two in charming town of Quito. 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 enjoy breakfast together and then begin our daily explorations!
Some places we’ll visit:
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, visit the Chi Spa, and have drink in 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. We’ll have some morning yoga, evening yoga, and beach meditations depending on the day’s itinerary.
Flights:
Your final destination airport on the Galapagos Islands is Baltra (GPS). All flights stop on mainland Ecuador before arriving on the islands. This necessary stop will include an additional baggage screening with SICGAL (which will cost $10 US in cash) to ensure that any food or animals that may be of danger to the Galapagos ecosystem stay well away from the islands. After the screening, your bags will be zip-tied locked and you will be allowed to check in for your final flight to Galapagos.
Depending on your origination location, you may be required (due to airline routing/timing) to stay a night in either Guayaquil (GYE) or Quito (UIO). If you have extra time we recommend an extended stop in Quito to stroll around and explore this colonial South American gem. If your time is limited, you are better off flying into Guayaquil just for the evening. Guayaquil is closer to the islands but does not have the easy charm of Quito.
If you arrive into Guayaquil late we recommend the Holiday Inn or Mariott at the Guayaquil airport. It is only a few minutes travel from your terminal. There are only a few flights from Quito and Guayaquil to the islands per day. LAN and Tame will get you where you need to go and any of their flight times to the islands are open and OK to book. These flights can be booked on most travel booking sites.
Please CLICK HERE for a document with travel booking advice.
Transfers:
All yogis will be met at the Baltra airport and escorted to a short boat taxi ride across the channel to Santa Cruz Island and a private taxi ride from the desert to the highlands where you will soon be nestled in your home for the week.
The Ins and Outs:
Ecuador and the islands may seem worlds away, and will absolutely feel like that when you arrive, but there are a few ease-of-travel things that we want you to know. Ecuador and the islands use the US dollar, so for many of us, no money-changing is necessary. There are ATMs in the airports in Ecuador and Puerto Ayora on the islands, but we do recommend that you bring about $300 in cash.
There is a fee required to enter the Galapagos National Park. Once you disembark at Baltra you will go through a combination passport control/park fee collection point. You must pay the fee, which is $100 US on you in cash when you arrive on the islands. There is no visa needed for US citizens to visit Ecudaor. You simply need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival. Citizens of all other countries should check with their consulates as to their visa requirements, if any.
- Sunscreen
- Light rain jacket
- Lightweight layers for sun protection
- Yoga clothes (and more yoga clothes)
- Sunscreen
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Sandals
- Hat
- Travel binoculars
- Camera
- Small backpack for day trips
- Water bottle
- Bathing suit
- Light wetsuit for snorkeling trips (if you run cold and want one one)
- 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?
Using mindful movement and breath awareness to explore body mind and soul, Rachael emphasizes clear instruction to build a proper foundation of alignment for “every” body, empowering students to dive deeper into their own practice and discover the elements that speak to their heart. Teaching and practicing a range of styles from hatha and vinyasa to yin and restorative, she is passionate about guiding students to find their own path on this lifelong journey.
Rachael received her 200h teacher training in 2009 and completed her Yin Yoga training in 2012. Learning from wonderful local and national teachers alike over the years, Rachael is studying towards the Pranakriya School of Yogic Healing Arts 300h certification with Yoganand Michael Carroll and has begun her 300h certification with Mark Nelson and Nikki Robinson at the Yoga Garden, Narberth.
Using clear instruction to build a proper foundation of alignment for “every” body, her classes aim to empower students to dive deeper into their own practice and discover the long term benefits of uniting body, mind and breath. http://www.rachaelhunteryoga.com
PREMIUM ROOMS:
Sky View Room – premium room in the new Finch wing. King bed plus twin bed can be added.
Ocean View Room – extra spacious room located in the main building, top floor. Queen bed, large bath & private terrace. An additional twin bed can be added.
Double Occupancy: $4195 per person
Special: $3995 (save $200)
*please enquire about triple occupancy
DELUXE ROOMS:
Forrest View Room – Main Building mid level, private terrace and great views. Queen bed plus twin can be added.
Sunrise Room – RESERVED
Sunset Room –in the new Finch wing, a lovely room with terrace and a King or 2 twin beds. – one female roommate space available
Tortoise Pond (upstairs) – In the main building, 2 twins beds and small private terrace.
Double Occupancy: $3995 per person
Special: $3795 (save $200)
STANDARD ROOMS:
Tortoise Pond (downstairs) – Downstairs room with 1 queen or 2 twin beds.
Plantation View Room Double –Downstairs room with 1 queen or 2 twin beds.
Garden View Triple Occupancy (for 3 women) – Downstairs room with 2 twin beds.
Double Occupancy: $3795 per person
Special: $3595 (save $200)
Triple Occupancy: $3595 per person
Special: $3395 (save $200)
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)
If you place a deposit, the balance due will be set to charge in equal installments starting the month after deposit through July, 2019, unless other arrangements are made.
We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAVEL GUARD offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.
We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.