THE TRAVEL YOGI

Galápagos Yoga Adventure

Trip in One Word: Prolific

What You’ll Experience in the Galápagos

This Galápagos yoga retreat adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Endemic giant tortoises roam freely and wild horses wander on this UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll swim with sea lions, visit a tortoise sanctuary, and spot penguins, sharks, marine iguanas, and the amazing blue-footed boobies. Focused on exploration and adventure, you will spend every day in amazement at the wild beauty and boundless natural energy of the Galápagos. 

How You’ll Experience the Galápagos

On your Galápagos yoga retreat adventure, you’ll unwind on a property with gorgeously appointed villas and a private open-air yoga studio with views to Floreana Island, the Pacific, and 43 acres of lush green. You’ll learn about the spectacular flora and fauna of the islands with a Certified Galápagos Naturalist, also known as the “local experts.” You’ll explore iconic Bartolomé and neighboring islands, snorkel with diverse sea life, kayak secluded bays, immerse yourself in the culture of the local town, and walk the fascinating Santa Cruz highlands. And, you’ll deepen your yoga practice amidst the natural abundance of the Galápagos.

How You’ll Feel When You Return Home

Inspired by the natural wonder of the Galápagos. You’ll carry on a sense of adventure, amazement, and exploration when you return home— reverence and a new respect for nature. Aside from memories and photos, you’ll bring back a sense of awe at the diversity of life—and the fragile beauty of our remarkable blue planet.

A giant tortoise looks up on this Galápagos Yoga Retreat with The Travel Yogi.

Galápagos Yoga Retreat Details

Swimming in Las Grietas Galapagos Islands yoga adventure

Santa Cruz

Bartolomé

Sun bathing sea lions in Galapagos

South Plaza

North SEYMOUR

Upcoming Dates

April 6 - 13, 2024

Jesse Schein

Elena Cheung

*waitlist only*
June 29 - 6, 2024

Stacey Rosenberg

*Only 1 Room Left*

STAY TUNED FOR NEW ADVENTURE DATES...

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What's Included

  • Accommodation at a private yoga retreat center on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos
  • Twice daily yoga (excepting as noted in the itinerary)
  • A dedicated Certified Galápagos Naturalist for the week
    • our handpicked guide will get to know each group and can tailor talks and exploration to meet the wildlife expectations of each group
  • Snorkeling and swimming (think sea turtles, sharks, penguins, sea lions, etc) on all-day excursions
  • Sunrise exclusive trip to Las Grietas
  • Kayaking over sharks and around the mangroves on Tortuga Bay
  • Three meals a day (dietary needs accommodated)
  • Private cultural excursion
  • Two meals in the town of Puerto Ayora
  • 12 acres of private walking paths to explore (wild Giant Tortoises roam the property)
  • Unlimited southern hemisphere star gazing on this Galápagos yoga retreat adventure
  • Transfers to and from the airport (on arrival and departure days only)

What's Not Included

  • Flights to Baltra, Ecuador (GPS)
  • $20 U.S. SICGAL inspection and migration card
  • $100 U.S. Galápagos National Park entrance fee (cash only)
  • Alcohol or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Travel Insurance (recommended)

Accommodations

Every day on our Galápagos yoga retreat is unique as are our rooms (which you won’t spend much time in!).  Our 43-acre property boasts views of Isabela and Floreana Islands as well as Tortuga Bay on your home of Santa Cruz Island.  The organic and biodynamic garden produces the veggies for your table as well as the coffee you’ll sip each morning.

The two different villas on property share modern lux interiors with ceiling fans, safe boxes, wifi and bluetooth stereos.  Rooms have either two twins, a queen or a king-size bed and maximum exploring with minimal packing is accommodated with individual beach towels, rubber boots, rain jackets, water bottles, and flashlights available for use.

Itinerary

This amazing active Galápagos yoga retreat adventure features multiple nature excursions, as well as the wildlife expertise of a certified Galápagos Naturalist Guide. Below is a sample itinerary. Each trip will include a trip to Bartolomé & North Seymour Island with one additional island day which could be either South Plazas or Santa Fe.

Please note that weather does play a part in some of the excursions and yogi flexibility is always appreciated.

1

DAY ONE

  • Bienvenido! – arrival and welcome lunch and refresher
  • Explore the grounds & spy for Giant Galápagos Tortoises and the wild horses (yup, seriously!)
  • Sunset Yoga to deplane and relax
  • Post yoga-licious dinner
    • Tuck into your first delicious meal with new friends and get an overview of hotel information and services

2

DAY TWO

  • Sunrise yoga
  • Early breakfast before a big day departure
  • Bartolomé is a crown jewel of Galápagos Islands for it’s special geological features, amazing dual crescent bays and verdant wildlife. Today is all about:
    • Pinnacle Rock
    • Galapagos penguins
    • White tipped reef sharks
    • Sea turtles
    • Naturalist guided hiking
    • Guided snorkeling
  • Early evening return to Santa Cruz
  • Dinner and crash-out-sleepy time

3

DAY THREE

  • Sunrise Yoga
  • Breakfast time
  • Head out to meet local artisans
    • learn woodcarving technique from a local artist and create your own Spanish cedar (an introduced species) souvenir
  • Lunch on property
  • Santa Cruz Highland Tour
    • Explore Los Gemelos (‘the twins’)
    • Climb through the lava tunnels
    • Explore the Cloud Forest
  • Sunset Yoga
  • Dinner in town

4

DAY FOUR

  • Sunrise Yoga
  • Refuel with breakfast
  • Morning excursion to Tortuga Bay
    • Mangrove kayaking
    • Snorkeling
    • Marine iguana watching (they’re everywhere!)
  • Lunch on property
  • Free afternoon – exploration in Puerto Ayora, walk the biodynamic gardens or skip down to the beach
  • Evening Yoga
  • Dinner on property 

5

DAY FIVE

  • Rise and shine morning yoga
  • Breakfast vittles
  • Full day excursion to Santa Fe Island:
    • Visit one of the oldest islands of the Galápagos (bits and pieces dating back 4 millllllllion years!)
    • Endemic Barrington Land Iguanas
    • Large colonies of sea lions
    • Giant Opunita (Prickly Pear) trees
    • Swallow-tailed gulls
    • Guided snorkeling
  • Return to Santa Cruz
  • Evening yoga
  • Dinner on property

6

DAY SIX

  • Sunrise Yoga
  • Breakfast
  • Day trip to North Seymour Island – this island is a popular nesting ground and our Naturalist will find the best spots to get your birding on and for underwater adventure
    • Great frigate birds
    • Blue footed boobies
    • Land iguana
    • Sea lions
  • Lunch on board and post lunch siesta
  • Sunset Yoga
  • Dinner and chill time

7

DAY SEVEN

  • Sunrise stroll to the pristine Las Grietas local swimming spot
  • Breakfast in town post-swim
  • Explore Puerto Ayora
    • Head to the Charles Darwin Research Station
    • Check out the fish market
    • Explore town, shop or grab a drink waterfront with a sea lion (seriously)
  • Lunch on property
  • Sunset Yoga
  • Dinner in Puerto Ayora – soak up the people and animal vibes (yup, Galápagos animals go everywhere!)

8

DAY EIGHT

  • Sunrise Yoga
  • Final breakfast and new friend info exchanges
  • Pack, hugs, goodbyes and back to the Baltra airport
  • Adios y viaje seguro!

TESTIMONIALS

ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)

ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)

ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)

ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)

Frequently Asked Questions

You will be traveling to the Baltra (GPS) airport in the Galapagos.  Many flight schedules require an overnight in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  Please feel free to contact us for recommendations on hotels in Guayaquil. Some flights may also route through Quito.  Quito has a great colonial district and is an excellent jumping-off point for the Ecuadorian rainforest or mountain adventures.  However it is also at an elevation and the airport is approximately an hour from the city center.  Unless you plan on staying in Quito for a few days, we recommend that you travel through Guayaquil for your Galapagos adventure.
 
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 and have at least one blank page.  Ecuador reserves the right to refuse entry if passports do not meet these requirements.  Please know that this information can change and it is best to visit the State Department’s website for current information. Nationals of all other countries should check travel requirements well in advance of their retreat.
 
Speaking from experience, we always recommend travel insurance.  This yoga retreat is a big investment of time, energy, imagination and funds and travel insurance is your safe guard in the event that an unforeseen situation arises.  You will also want to know that you are covered medically if a penguin bites off a finger (kidding!!).
 
Animal sightings are never guaranteed, but then again, this is Galapagos.  Expect to share dining space in town with marine iguanas, pelicans and sea lions.  Frigate birds, penguins, blue-footed boobies and sharks should all be on your checklist. Giant tortoises roam freely in the highlands, will certainly be at our Montemar yoga retreat center where they share their space with the wild horses.
 
Ecuador uses the same plug and currency as the US (110-120V).  Some plugs will not accept the third ‘grounding’ pin so a back-up adapter is recommended.
 
Fresh and double filtered water is available in multiple locations and fresh water and juices will be available at meal times.  The water out of the tap is is filtered and ok to drink, but sensitive stomachs will be best off with the other available water options.
 
Yes, wifi is available on our yoga retreat property and can be accessed in the rooms or communal spaces.  Please note that the signal may occasionally drop and that large files or pictures and Skype likely won’t work.
 
Our brand new yoga studio is fully stocked with Manduka mats and blocks and straps… not to mention stunning views of the ocean and neighboring islands. If you are attached to your mat and accessories, feel free to take them, but they are not necessary on this adventure.
 
This Galapagos yoga retreat is fully itinerized leaving only minimal time unscheduled. There is so much to see on the islands and we are bringing you on an adventure that takes it all in!  Plan on full days of adventure, animal sightings and beautiful star filled nighttime skies. We recommend that you leave your limited downtime free to allow for a little quiet time for yourself or for strolling on the grounds.
 
You will need a good sturdy pair of walking shoes as well as a pair of shoes that can go from water to land (i.e., Tevas or the like). The topography of the islands is varying and you’ll want sturdy shoes for the time spent in the highlands.  We will send out a packing list in your departure booklet, but some basics are your yoga clothes, casual wear, a swim suit and fully charged camera batteries!
 
June to November is known as the garúa season. Water temperatures are in the low 70*s and fog is typical in the mornings. Generally, this cloud cover burns off (think ‘June Gloom’) 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 in the high 70*s, hot day temperatures and little to no wind. Strong rain storms can blow in and out during this time of year. The islands have many micro-climates and you’ll find that the weather in the highlands can vary widely from the weather in town or on the water.  Layers are helpful and, no matter what time of year you visit, sunscreen is a must. There is no bad time of year to visit the islands and each season has it’s own unique offerings.  And year round our highland location offers fewer bugs, cooler temperatures and a natural paradise compared to the bustle of town.
Yes!  Of course.  Once you’re booked you’ll receive an email with important logistical information and a link to your invoice.  You can pay any amount at any time on the invoice; you can use it as a payment plan or leave it alone until the final due date. Remember that deposits are non-refundable so, on all trips, we recommend purchasing travel insurance.