THE TRAVEL YOGI
Patagonia Yoga Adventure
Trip in One Word: Otherworldly
What You’ll Experience in Patagonia
This Patagonia yoga retreat adventure will awe your heart and soul. You’ll navigate the unparalleled Futaleufú river, hike, kayak, hot tub, and yoga surrounded by natural beauty. Amidst the world’s most stunning scenery, this yoga adventure brings together glacier-blue beauty, wellness, and a river-wild adrenaline rush on this Patagonia yoga retreat adventure.
How You’ll Experience Patagonia
From hiking to rafting, this yoga adventure makes “adventure” an understatement. You’ll kayak and raft the pristine Futaleufú river and travel to different local abodes. Relax at night in a hot tub surrounded by glacier mountains and find balance with your daily yoga practice. In case you’re wondering, even whitewater novices will safely navigate the river with the help of our amazing local guides and the safety catarafts.
How You’ll Feel When You Return Home
After this river-wild adventure, you’ll return home a confident navigator of life and whitewater. This Patagonia yoga retreat adventure will fashion stories and memories to keep you afloat for years (and get you hooked on adventure travel… if you aren’t already).
Patagonia Yoga Retreat Details
Puerto Varas
Chaiten
Futaleufú
Upcoming Dates
Jess Gumkowski
Jess Gumkowski
Jess is a Wellness and Mindset Coach, Author, Podcast Host, and Co-Founder of YogiTriathlete, a holistic performance coaching company. With over 20 years of experience in yoga, Ayurveda, and as a longtime endurance athlete, Jess integrates ancient wisdom into her coaching to guide people toward greater ease, acceptance, and grace. Her holistic approach blends yogic science and modern insights, empowering clients to cultivate presence, self-compassion, and resilience as they navigate life’s transitions. While her expertise often attracts women, especially those navigating menopause, Jess supports individuals across all life stages in discovering new possibilities for freedom.
Jess’s journey began with a successful massage therapy practice, where she recognized the need for more than just bodywork. Incorporating Ayurveda and mindfulness, she expanded her approach to personal transformation. Whether helping athletes optimize performance, guiding clients through emotional shifts, or offering support for healthy lifestyle changes, Jess provides compassionate, practical support to foster clarity and resilience.
As a Yoga Retreat Adventure leader with The Travel Yogi, Jess nurtures transformative experiences that reconnect guests with themselves and nature. Her retreats focus on calming the nervous system and embracing stillness amidst exhilarating adventure. Jess’s pursuit of minimalism and purpose-driven living inspires others to approach life’s transitions with grace and acceptance.
Brent Laffoon
Brent Laffoon
Brent Laffoon’s love of yoga knows no bounds. Known for mixing traditional postures with modern functional movement, and encouraging practical applications of classical yogic philosophy, he is passionate about helping people from all walks of life to find the practice that helps them live their best lives.
A student of Ashtanga, Iyengar and power vinyasa yoga, Brent combines elements from these styles, as well as other modalities, to create classes that are equal parts challenging, playful, introspective, uplifting and healing.
Kristen Addicks
Kristen Addicks
Kristen Addicks has embodied movement her entire life. Exploring and training in many forms of dance and yoga has given her a special combination of skills. Her classes flow fluidly, focusing on alignment, working the body in a balanced way and linking poses gracefully and intelligently. She believes the ancient yoga texts teach important life skills that can benefit everyone and she shares these powerful teachings in her classes. Her classes are inspiring both physically and spiritually. They build strength, balance, and flexibility in the body, and a deeper sense of calm, peace, and stability in the mind.
Kristen is a yoga instructor in Marin County. She teaches Hatha Flow at Sukha Yoga and Metta Yoga, Vinyasa Flow at Some Like It Hot Yoga & Boutique (Best of Marin, 2017), and Power Yoga at Red Dragon (Best of Marin, 2020). She has trained teachers at Some Like It Hot Yoga & Boutique and has written a monthly yoga blog for Marin Magazine. Additionally, she leads a Yoga Sutra Study Group that studies the deeper meaning of yoga and has lead several international yoga and adventure retreats.
In 2019, Kristen was invited to teach yoga at a summer surf camp with professional surfer Coco Nogales. Other private clients have included Skywalker Ranch, Novato High School Girls Lacrosse Team (State Champions), Redwood High School Girls Basketball Team, Novato High School Boys Lacrosse Team, Redwood High School Boys Lacrosse Team, golfers and tennis players at Marin Country Club, and dancers at Marin School of the Arts.
Kristen received her 200-hour RYT from Yoga Works and her 500-hour from YogaTree.
Her other passions include being outside in nature, travel, meeting new people, playing music, water sports, wildlife, and caring for our environment.
Leslie Sikes
Leslie Sikes
Leslie Sikes is a Cincinnati yoga instructor with over 15 years of teaching in studio, institutional, and private settings. She recently participated in a Travel Yogi trip to the Galapagos Islands. It truly changed her life in many ways.
Leslie teaches yoga studies for The University of Cincinnati. This curriculum allows college students to access yoga and meditation through their college career. She was the driving force behind the creation of a yoga studies certificate that consists of coursework from yoga classes through the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Medicine, and the College of Arts & Sciences – a first of its kind at the University. She also teaches yoga for the UC men’s basketball and UC women’s volleyball teams.
Leslie’s yoga training consists of 200 YTT in Ashtanga Yoga, 300 YTT in Rocket Yoga and certifications in Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Mindfulness. She recently completed her 500 YTT at Modo Yoga Nicaragua and currently teaches hot yoga and workshops for Embra Yoga Cincinnati.
When it comes to teaching, Leslie’s goal is to help students use yoga to stay connected both spiritually and physically, on and off their mats. She loves music and is constantly creating new music playlists to match her teachings, which she subsequently shares with her students. Leslie currently lives in Clifton with her husband and two girls, Lila and Rose.
Leslie’s Galapagos Story
I found The Travel Yogi through the Yoga Journal as a sweepstakes to win a free yoga retreat to Iceland. While I didn’t win, I reached out to the company to see what they were all about. I’m a 42 year old yoga instructor who lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two kids, ages 14 and 11. The Galapagos Island trip had been on my bucket list since I was a little girl. I knew this was the right time in my life to travel again. I decided I should travel as a student first to see the experience from that side. I was completely blown away by my experience! The food, culture, hospitality, yoga practice, local guides of the island, and time to detach from everything at home was crucial for my mental health. I returned home recharged with a fresh outlook on life, and couldn’t wait for the next trip. I made a new group of friends as the Travel Yogi trips seem to attract open-minded, non-judgemental, diverse and friendly people! This is what inspired me to host my own yoga retreat in Panama, the beach lover’s vacation. If you’re looking for a way to detach and “replenish your soul”, come meet me in February 2024. You’ll feel recharged and full of life inside and out.
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What's Included
- Daily yoga practice surrounded by Patagonian splendor
- Round trip in-country flights from Puerto Montt to Chaiten
- Fully guided adventure week
- Daily whitewater rafting and/or kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Hiking
- Lake SUP
- Chef cooked meals
- Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with notice
- Chilean wine or beer with dinner
- New Sotar rafts with footcups, wetsuits and type 5 life jackets
- Fully guided with expert local whitewater & kayaking guides
- 3 to 1 traveler to guide ratio
- All accommodations
- Transfers to and from Puerto Montt (PMC)
- Wifi all week with the exception of two nights on the river
What's Not Included
- Airfare to Puerto Montt (PMC)
- Alcohol or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities
Accommodations
Our Patagonia yoga retreat adventure has comfort, character and luxury all wrapped up in one amazing week. Local lodges, all with en suite bathrooms, allow a taste of Patagonia culture and hospitality. Our midweek accommodations have deck hot tubs with stunning mountain views and the week ends lakeside with all the beauty you’d expect (and more).
Each lodge brings their own charm and off-the-beaten-path excitement to the week. Unique accommodations are the order of the day on this Patagonia trip; nothing but the extraordinary will do.
Itinerary
Our Patagonia yoga retreat adventure schedule will vary slightly based on weather and final itineraries will go out to our traveling yogis about a month prior to departure. The schedule below gives you an overall picture of what a weeklong yoga retreat in Patagonia will look like:
1
DAY ONE
- Arrival at the Puerto Montt airport
- Transfer to our lake view hotel in Puerto Varas
- Check in and, if you’re early, chill out or explore the quaint, eclectic town of Puerto Varas
- Meet up with fellow travelers and head out into Puerto Varas to a local restaurant for a group welcome dinner
2
DAY TWO
- Rise and shine breakfast and transfer to the airport for our flight to Chaiten
- This 45min flight is a beautiful introduction to Patagonia
- Hugging the coastline you’ll see deep fjords, gorgeous rivers, verdant rain forests and the stunning snow capped peaks of the Patagonian Andes
- Get a bird’s eye view of the Chaiten volcano just before landing
- After landing we’ll board our private vans and drive 3hrs past glaciers and lakes to our starting point on the Futaleufú
- Before putting in everyone will be drilled in safety and techniques for a successful run
- Adrenaline rush Class IV rapids are on the menu for our first day on the water
- Head to tonight’s lodge on beautiful Lago Lonconao
- Hit the lodge’s main room for tonight’s unwind yoga class
- Group dinner at our lodge and the first of many awe-inspiring star gazing nights
3
DAY THREE
- Sunrise yoga class followed by a hearty breakfast
- Today we hop on our mountain bikes for a relatively flat ride to today’s river put in
- After arriving at the river we’ll kayak Class II and III rapids
- Kayaking will bring us to the beach and a 10min ride back to the lodge
- Yoga out your arms, shoulders and back after a day’s kayaking
- Group dinner and story time
4
DAY FOUR
- Our morning yoga class takes in a pure Patagonia morning
- Today is traveler’s choice so fill up with breakfast and get ready for a heart-pumping day or some chillaxing… totally up to you
- Those looking to keep the action going can join a 3hr hike to Inferno Canyon
- Anyone staying at the lodge can choose to:
- Explore the hundreds of acres surrounding the lodge
- Swim, kayak, SUP or mountain bike, as you will
- Enjoy a full relax day
- Explore the hundreds of acres surrounding the lodge
- Come together for an early evening yoga session and dinner on property
5
DAY FIVE
- After breakfast today we’ll mountain bike for an hour to the river
- Upon reaching our put in we’ll kayak one of the most beautiful Class III runs in the world
- After our kayak day we’ll head to our next private lodge in a gorgeous hidden valley
- Yoga tonight will be on the huge outdoor deck with spectacular views of the 6,000ft mountains surrounding our quiet valley
- Traditional Chilean dinner
- After dinner it’s time to stargaze from the deck hot tubs
6
DAY SIX
- Good morning yoga and hearty breakfast
- Today is a 2.5hr steep hike out of the valley to stunning Lago Obsession
- The hike is an amazing journey waterfalls and ancient forests
- After reaching the lake (and after catching your breath), take in the mirror perfect waters
- Hop on a SUP board and cruise the lake
- Those who opt out of the hike can take the time to horseback ride up the turquoise Rio Azul Valley to a beautiful waterfall
- Coming back from the day’s adventure, we come together for dinner and more hot tub muscle soaks
7
DAY SEVEN
- Morning yoga and breakfast gets us ready for our last day on the river
- We’ll hop on our bikes for a quick 10min ride to the river and some amazing rapids
- Today’s Class IV rapids are all about beauty and exhilaration so be prepared to be awed
- *Today is the day when our adrenaline junkies can hit some Class V rapids as the icing on the cake on our Patagonia rafting adventure*
- The zen-end to the adventure is a boat ride from the river across the narrow fjord-like lake
- Arriving at our final lodge we tuck into dinner and a happy last night in a true natural wonderland
8
DAY EIGHT
- This morning we wake up to our final yoga class
- Breakfast and a drive-out goodbye to Patagonia
- Arriving in Chaiten we hop on our group flight to Puerto Montt
- Transferring to the main airport for flights on to Santiago and beyond
TESTIMONIALS
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers on this adventure. Please know that proof of travel insurance will be required to join the trip.
You will receive a quote, and an option to purchase Ripcord during the booking process, but you can purchase your comprehensive travel insurance anywhere.
You will be traveling to Puerto Montt (PMC) airport. The airport is a few minutes drive to our jumping off point for this Patagonia adventure. Transfers are for the scheduled day of arrival and departure only.
US citizens will need a valid passport to visit Chile and a Tourist Card will be issued upon arrival. Passports will need to be valid for the duration of the stay and will need at least one blank page. Chile reserves the right to refuse entry if passports expire before stated departure from Chile. As entry requirements can change, please visit the State Department’s website for up to date information. Nationals of all other countries should check travel requirements well in advance of their retreat.
Nope, no previous rafting or kayaking skills are required. Our expert guides will be getting everyone up to speed and the low traveler to guide ratio keeps everything safe and exciting. And, anyone that wants to skip any portion of the rapids can hike, drive or horseback ride (depending on the day in question) and meet up with the group. Or, the extra stable safety-cataraft is always available.
This is a physical trip and you should be physically healthy to embark on this adventure. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome and no rafting or kayaking experience is necessary. The most strenuous activity is the 3200 ft ascent to Lake Obsession and anyone who chooses to opt out can horseback ride up the Rio Azul Valley.
You will need to bring your mat and any gear you require but once you arrive it will be transported for you.
You will be getting a full packing and gear list about a month before the adventure. However, some of the more important gear to start packing would be a waterproof paddle jacket, quick dry clothes, light to medium weight hiking boots and, of course, your yoga clothes and gear!
Winter for us in the Northern Hemisphere is winter in the Southern. Most of the trip will take place in a microclimate that experiences less rain and wind than other areas in Chilean Patagonia. Weather can range from 50s to the 80s during the day and nights will generally be in the 40s or 50s but can go lower. You’ll want to be prepared with all of the quick dry and warm clothes that we’ll recommend. You will be supplied with a sleeveless wetsuit when on the river; water temperature will be approximately 60* and you will definitely get wet!
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.
