Yoga and Wellness Group Tour in Ecuador

This morning we will join a short bird watching tour, during which our experienced guide will help us in spotting birds. Blue and Yellow Macaws might fly noisily across the Cuyabeno Lake, while Hoatzins whisper their hoarse sounds as they scope the Macrolobium trees for food. You may also hear the mysterious swelling sound of the Howler Monkeys or see a troop of squirrel monkeys bouncing through the treetops. In fact, 10 species of monkeys have been recorded in the reserve.

Return to the Lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we will explore the Amazon rainforest in the “terra firma” forest where our naturalist guide will teach you more about the many medicinal plants and traditions of the Amazon. Before lunch we will have our second Yoga class in the Amazon Rainforest.

After lunch and a short siesta we will look for birds and orchids in the flooded igapo (Brazilian Portuguese for Amazon swamp) with Macrolobium trees covered in abundant epiphytes. At the end of the day you can enjoy a sunset swim in the lake.

This night we take you on a walk through the woods with a flashlight. During such walks, we may find some of the strangest creatures, like the spider-like critter we once found. Tree frogs are everywhere, but it is very difficult to find them. And the moment you think you finally have one in your camera, they leap away to never be found again.

This morning we will wake up before dawn to have a spiritual Yoga class accompanied by the sounds of the Amazon nature that wakes up around us.

Time for a good and healthy breakfast before we travel downstream on the Cuyabeno River and deeper into the Amazon Reserve. There are many colorful flowers in the Cuyabeno Nature Reserve, but it takes a bit of an effort to find them. Orchids and Heliconias are among the more spectacular flowers, which we will try to find today.

In the late afternoon you can enjoy ‘a sunset swim’ in the lake. After the swim, we will practice a smooth Yoga class.

Dinner is followed by a nightly walk through the woods: grab your flashlight and check-out the rainforest’s nocturnal critters such as translucent tree frogs, armadillos, bats, nocturnal insects and frogs.

Tonight you can enjoy a quiet read in the evening, while relaxing in one of the hammocks and listening to the sound of the jungle or…… Have a drink at our small jungle bar.

This morning we will also start with a spiritual Yoga class at dawn. After breakfast, we will enjoy a paddling canoe journey to feel the silence of the Lagoon and at the same time enjoy the thousand sounds of birds and insects.

In the afternoon you can relax a bit and prepare for an active Yoga class later in the afternoon.

For the evening we have included an excursion to discover other little lagoons or to hike along one of the small paths in the Cuyabeno Reserve, spotting all kinds of wildlife.

Today we will have to leave early to exchange the sounds of the rainforest for the sound of breaking waves and the smell of flowers, for the smell of salty sea wind.

At 10:30 am we fly from the Amazon Basin to Quito (11:10 am), and travel along a very scenic road from the Andes to the Pacific Coast. Lunch will be a healthy lunchbox.

It takes about 6 hours until we arrive at the beautiful located El Acantilado Lodge.

After watching sunset over the endless Pacific Ocean, we will have our first Yoga class, accompanied by the peaceful sound of the Ocean on the background.

Overnight with breakfast in the El Acantilado Lodge

Today we have an easy day filled only with meditation, Yoga (incl. Kundalini Yoga) and free time to enjoy the gardens, swimming pool, the beach and infinity of the Pacific Ocean.

Optional: it might be possible to arrange a short course of Tai Massage.

Depending on the weather we will also organize a bonfire night on the beach during our stay.

Overnight with breakfast in El Acantilado

After Yoga and breakfast we travel from El Acantilado along a secondary road through the country side, towards the beach of Tongorachí.

Along the way we pass through local villages and communities like Estero del Plátano, Quingue, Caimito, Tóngora y and Cabo San Francisco. Most residents in this area still live from fishing and small scale agriculture, growing fruits and cacao.

The people from the community of Tongorachí are a mix of three different races, Afro- Ecuadorian and Manabita. During our visit they will explain us more about their way of living, which hasn’t changed much during the past hundreds of years.

They will also offer us a typical lunch with fresh seafood (vegetarian option possible) and local vegetables and fruits, served on a small beach surrounded with lush vegetation.

After this interesting visit we head back to El Acantilado for a sunset meditation and yoga session. In the evening you have free time to relax and listen to the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight with breakfast in El Acantilado

A relaxing day to enjoy Meditation, Charla’s, Yoga and a free full body massage.

Today is also a good day to enjoy the swimming pool and a relaxing walk on the beach.

Overnight with breakfast in El Acantilado

8:00 Am, after our last Yoga class and breakfast at the coast of Ecuador, we leave by private transport in about 6 hours from El Acantilado back to the airport of Quito. We will take a healthy lunch packet with for along the way. At 15:40 h leaves our flight from Quito to Catamayo/ Loja airport, arriving around 16:40 h.

It takes about 1h30min, through the countryside and over winding roads with great views, to get to Hosteria Izhcayluma.

The lodge of Izhcayluma is surrounded by a garden of 10 hectare, full with different plants and flowers. They have a swimming pool, massage room, a bird watch platform and the biggest Yoga studio of Ecuador, with great view at the Sacred Mandango Mountain.

The natural shaped restaurant offers beautiful views over the Vilcabamba Valley, also called Valley of Longevity and the Izhcayluma viewpoint offers the best sunset pictures of the Valley.

This morning we start with a short meditation session, surrounded by the spirits of the sacred plants that grow in the Vilcabamba Valley.

The meditation is followed by a ‘Rise and Shine’ yoga class.

After the Yoga a healthy breakfast is served in the rustic restaurant with a panoramic view over the Vilcabamba valley. The rest of the morning and early afternoon you have time for yourself. You can decide to relax in the hammock, jump in the swimming pool, explore the surroundings, or walk in about 25 minutes down to the small town of Vilcabamba.

For the late afternoon we have scheduled a special class of “Air Yoga”.

After Meditation, Yoga and breakfast, you can decide to either walk yourself or get carried around on a horse through the amazing surroundings of the Vilcabamba valley.

For the horseback riding, it is not important if you have experience or not, just let us know before and we pick you the right horse. All you have to do is: “Let go and enjoy the amazing ride!”

Later that afternoon you can relax at the swimming pool, enjoy a relaxing Yoga class and/or treat your body and mind with a massage and Reiki session. We have included one of these treatments in our tour package.

This morning we also start with an early meditation/ yoga class, right when the first sunlight comes over the green hills and the birds start their morning concert.

Late morning and early afternoon you have time for yourself again to make a short hike, relax and/ or read a book in one of the many hammocks.

Before sunset we have scheduled a special Kundalini Yoga class to see if you can surprise yourself about the flexibility of your own body and mind.

Today we have to get up very early to catch the morning flight back to Quito. It is time to say goodbye to the beautiful Ecuadorian country sights, but we are sure that you will never forget your stay and always carry some of its natural spirits with you.

For those who are interested it is also possible to extend this tour with a tour to the Galapagos, leaving from Guayaquil or Quito.