Galapagos Yoga and Wildlife Program

Enchanted Galapagos Lodge

Enjoy a combination program of both nature and yoga, while staying at a beautiful and quiet lodge located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Galapagos. This secluded lodge sits on several hectares of lush land with many gardens and large trees. It is the perfect place to relax and disconnect.

This program will combine visits to some of the highlights of the Galapagos, where you will walk among giant tortoises, bike in the highlands of Santa Cruz, visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station, get up close and personal with the wildlife of the Galapagos, snorkel in a world-renowned marine reserve and much more!

Start out each day with a yoga session lead by an experienced yoga instructor who is a native to the Galapagos – Carolina Larrea Angermeyer.

After each day’s activities, return to the lodge to unwind with an end of the day yoga session. Then enjoy a nutritious and healthy dinner served at the lodge.

YOUR YOGA INSTRUCTOR:
HARIDEVI PREM (CAROLINA LARREA ANGERMEYER)

Carolina lives in the Galapagos Islands and works there regularly as a naturalist guide, sharing the beauty and uniqueness of the wildlife. She started her personal practice of yoga in 2005 to get a balance while studying Biology, and during the years has felt the potential to assist and share with others her path. She took a 200 hour Hatha and Biomechanics Yoga training in January and February 2015 in Quito with Jordan Mazza and Pablo Dellagiovanna. In August 2015 she became an Unnata Aerial Yoga Teacher in Spain with Montse Lominchar and has deepened her practice with Michelle Dortignac, the creator of this style, in New York in 2016. Following a more spiritual connection she went to Vrindavan India, to the Yoga Inbound Alliance School of Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti and Swami B.V. Atulananda in October 2016 and got a certification of 80 hours in Vinyasa, imparted by Syam Vallabhi Devi Dasi and Chaitanya Das. To deepen her practice she continues with trainings: Yoga Therapy with The Inbound School of Yoga with Syam Vallabhi Devi Dasi and Maharama Das, in March 2017 in Cali Colombia; Yoga Therapy and Biomechanics in Quito, February 2018 with Jordan Mazza and two physiotherapists Francisco Campoverde and Michael Schonauer. She has completed 150 hours of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training and 16 hours of Aerial Training with Anya Hawkes, in Galapagos in June 2019.

The different trainings include asanas, pranayamas, anatomy and alignments, philosophy and mantra meditation, which she applies during her classes. In September 2015 her path crossed with Meditation Zen Master Satyaprem from Brazil, of whom she got her name Haridevi Prem. She also practices Mindfulness meditation inspired by teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the monks of Plum Village with the Sangha (community) of Galapagos. She has been teaching yoga and meditation for the Galapagos community since 2016.

ENCHANTED GALAPAGOS LODGE

Enchanted Galapagos Lodge is beautiful and quiet lodge located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, about 15 minutes away from the city center of Puerto Ayora. This secluded and tranquil lodge sits on several hectares of lush land with many gardens and large trees. It is the perfect place to relax and disconnect.

Guests can enjoy the beautiful large outdoor pool and hot tub, enjoy doing yoga from the large deck that overlooks a coffee and cacao plantation, relax in the hammocks, take a walk through the lodge’s trail network, visit our organic vegetable garden, or ride your bike along the country roads.

You will awaken to the sounds of birds, the smell of coffee made from locally grown organic coffee from a nearby farm, and breakfast made with fruit freshly picked from our fruit trees. The lodge prioritizes using ingredients from our own vegetable garden and other local producers from the island.

Enchanted Galapagos Lodge is perfectly equipped to host to yoga groups. The lodge has a large, shaded open-air deck where yoga classes are held. The deck overlooks a garden of endemic trees and plants. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and trails that can be used for meditation or guided walks for those who enjoy forest bathing.

TRIP SUMMARY

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Start / End: Baltra (Santa Cruz, Galapagos) / Baltra (Santa Cruz, Galapagos)
Activities: Daily yoga, wildlife viewing, walking, hiking, snorkeling, boat rides
Highlights: Los Gemelos, Tortoise Reserve, visit uninhabited islands, snorkel in a world renown marine reserve, Garrapatero Beach, Tortuga Bay Beach, Charles Darwin Center, and more!
Season: All year
Rate: USD $2990 per person, sharing double occupancy room. Single supplement US$280
Included: Accommodation in double rooms at Enchanted Galapagos Lodge, all transfers mentioned in program, all excursions and activities mentioned in itinerary, snorkeling gear on days where there is snorkeling, use of kayaks, use of bikes on days where there is biking, all meals, air ticket from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos and back including municipal migratory card fee.
Included for Yoga Groups: Use of yoga equipment (yoga mats, bolsters, straps, blankets), specialty meals as requested (vegan, vegetarian, etc), all meals while at the lodge, snacks, tea service after yoga
Not Included: Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$100), any extra beverages on board (anything in a bottle), wetsuit rental, tips, personal expenses, international flight if coming from abroad

*Accommodation in Quito/Guayaquil can be arranged along with airport transfers and/or any of our many tours on mainland Ecuador

DETAILED ITINERARY

HD: Half Day

FD: Full Day

DAY 1: Arrival and HD Private Tour to see Tortoises
Arrival at Baltra airport where you will be met by your local naturalist guide. Transfer over the island and visit a local tortoise ranch. Depending on the time, either before or after lunch you will spend some time walking the trails of this reserve, and you will have the opportunity to see many giant tortoises. Then continue on to Enchanted Galapagos Lodge – your base for the next 7 nights. After check-in you will have the rest of the afternoon to relax, enjoy the pool, and then time for a sunset yoga session overlooking our gardens.
*Please note the group must arrive on same flight – we will either book your flights or tell you what flight to book

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms

Activities: Walking, wildlife viewing

DAY 2: FD Private biking tour to Garrapatero Beach, kayak, lunch, and visit Trapiche Farm
Wake early for a morning yoga session.
After breakfast, we hop on our bikes and begin our 8km bike ride to El Garrapatero Beach. This is a great opportunity to observe the change in vegetation from the lush midlands to the arid low lands. Once we arrive at the beach, we will walk along a path that brings us to El Garrapatero beach. This is fantastic beach for swimming, relaxing and observing flora and fauna. After a short interpretation walk we get on our kayaks and go for a kayak around the bay. Enjoy some time to relax (or do some yoga) before walking back up the trailhead.
Return to the lodge for lunch and a break. Afterwards visit a local farm that produces caña liquor and grows coffee! This is a short but fun visit, and you will get to sample some local caña! Return to the hotel, and then drift into the evening with a sunset yoga session.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms
Activities: Biking, biking, walking, kayaking, wildlife viewing

DAY 3: FD Shared navigable tour Plazas Island
In the morning after your yoga session and breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven to the canal to board your boat for your day tour to Plazas Island. Located a few hundred meters away from the Eastern cost of Santa Cruz Island, South Plazas and North Plazas islands were formed from uplifted seabed, giving it a tilted tabletop quality.
First you will have the possibility of snorkeling in the calm waters of Punta Carrión where you will see an abundance of sea life including sea lions, tropical fish, and quite possibly some white tip reef sharks sleeping in the underwater caves. Then you will disembark on South Plazas where you will be greeted by a colony of sea lions. South Plazas is covered with scarlet sesuvium succulents that serve as ground cover for a grove of prickly-pear cactus. You will find bright colored Galapagos land iguanas sitting beneath, waiting patiently for pears to drop. The trail takes you gradually towards the southern cliff of the island where you will be able to observe nesting swallow-tailed gulls and several sea birds such as tropic birds, Nazca and blue footed boobies fly by.
Return to the hotel for your evening yoga session and dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms
Activities: Yoga, walking, wildlife viewing, snorkeling

DAY 4: HD Cooking class and Afternoon Free to Explore or Shop!
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning (much needed after yesterday’s long day!). Mid-morning you will visit our enchanted forest walking along the trails listening to the native birds of the area and appreciating the magic of the ancient trees to reach our garden and collect ingredients to prepare a delicious meal.
Afterwards assemble in the kitchen and our chef will do a demonstration on how to prepare a typical local dish. Guests are welcome to participate in the cooking. Afterwards everyone will sit down and enjoy the lunch they have made. Enjoy the rest of the day off, this is chance for everyone visit the town or do some souvenir shopping. (A transfer to and from town is included, at two scheduled times).
Dinner on your own. (There is no evening yoga session on this day)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms
Activities: Walking, cooking, wildlife viewing

DAY 5: FD Shared navigable tour North Seymour Island In the morning after your yoga session and breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven to the canal to board your boat for your day tour to North Seymour Island.
North Seymour Island was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event, reason why its low, flat profile. Swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges of the cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline. A forest of Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing site, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.
Among the emblematic fauna of the island you will be able to see sea lions, land iguanas and blue footed boobies. The trail turns inland where you will find active and dynamic colonies of both species of “magnificent” and “great” frigate birds.
Then you will visit Las Bachas, a beautiful coral lined beach located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, is the perfect place for practicing snorkeling, swimming or to simply enjoy the white soft sand. Several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. Return to the hotel for your evening yoga session and dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms
Activities: Yoga, walking, wildlife viewing, snorkeling

DAY 6: FD Private early morning beach and yoga at Tortuga Bay and Chocolate Demo! Optional afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Station.
This morning you will have a very early start, but it will be well worth it! Depart the hotel in time to arrive at the trailhead to Tortuga Bay at the time it opens, 6am. Enjoy a 30 min walk along a National Park path towards the stunning Tortuga bay beach. Early in the morning one can appreciate the sounds of finches and mockingbirds along this path, as well as enjoy the landscape of a typical lowland forest of Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees. Share your early morning beach yoga session with the sounds of waves and the company of marine iguanas.
Afterwards there will be some time to swim or relax. Then transfer back to town by boat. Before lunch you will visit a local chocolatier shop for an in-depth demonstration on locally produced chocolate! Right the visit you go for lunch at a local restaurant that overlooks the bay.
After lunch visit the Charles Darwin Foundation. This visit is optional. Since many of you may be tired from the early start, a transfer service will be provided back to the hotel for those who want to opt out of the Charles Darwin Foundation visit. A second transfer will be provided after the visit.
Return to the hotel for your evening yoga session and dinner
Meals: Box-Breakfast, Lunch (in town), Dinner
Accommodation: Enchanted Galapagos Lodge standard double rooms
Activities: Yoga, walking, wildlife viewing, chocolate demo

DAY 7: Departure
Private transfer to the canal (driver only, no guide). From there make your way to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
*Itinerary subject to change, based on National Park regulation changes

RATES AND CONDITIONS

Rates:
• USD $2990 per person
• Price per person, sharing double room accommodation, single room available with payment of single supplement of US$280
• Rates do not include: National Park entrance fee ($100 pp), international air fare, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance

Booking conditions:
• Min 10 passengers for trip to run, and max 16 passengers
• A 20% deposit is required to confirm your participation
• Remaining payment is due 45 days prior
• Cancellations received less than 45 days before trip are not refunded unless we can resell the space