10-day Yoga & Hiking Retreat: Corsica & Haute-Pyrénées

Piana, Corsica, France

JS
Jade Skinner
  • Email address verified
1 review
Sep 18 - 27, 2019
Group size: 4 - 12
10-day Yoga & Hiking Retreat: Corsica & Haute-Pyrénées
Piana, Corsica, France

Jade Skinner
  • Email address verified
1 review

Sep 18 - 27, 2019
Group size: 4 - 12

About this trip

Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?!!!!  We love yoga, therefore, we practice daily, but not in the way you may be used to.  Our retreats are an integration of how we practice yoga on and off the mat!  Let us show you the way though nature, culture, food, yoga, breath practices, meditatoon, and community.


Welcome to Corsica, the Isle of Beauty; an idyllic and truly spectacular mountain jutting out of the glittering Mediterranean sea! Spend 4 days and 4 nights taking in the views of the limpid turquoise waters of the Gulf of Porto (and swimming in them), and exploring the the Piana calanches (rugged coastal rock formations), the Scandola Nature reserve (by kayak) and the magical Girolata Bay area. Together these form the Gulf of Porto World Heritage Area.  


We continue our adventure on day 5 as we head over to the Haute-Pyrénées mountain range of France where we will settle in at Blue Cairn Lodge.  Enjoy a day at the local market followed by a lovely local hike and picnic.  We have 3 epic hikes along the GR10 and canyoning or ziplining in Gavernie.    

*Mountain weather can be unpredictable at times.  With that being said, daily Itinerary of guided hikes are subject to change.


*Please see website for full itinerary.  

Food + Accommodations: French Culture

French culture is very different from the United States. They eat breads and fruit for breakfast, have big lunches usually with salad and petite dinners. Every dinner is typically 3-course: salad, entree and dessert...dont forget the wine!. They dont have queen or king size beds. So if you want to snuggle with your lover, they push two twins together to make one big bed. Here are some things to know before signing up for this Retreat.


Corsica:

If you’re like me, then food becomes a big part of any adventure. As much as we would love to have elegant meals, sometimes you have to let go of being picky and step into the realm of gratitude. The eco lodge in Corsica will provide breakfast and dinner. Breakfast consist of eggs, fruit, yogurt, muselii. Dinners are 3 course (salad, entree-fish, meat or veg, and dessert). Picnic lunches are gathered in town on our way up to the lodge.


All rooms in the eco lodge are dorm style as the same in the refuge at the nature preserve. The accommodations are lovely, but if you’re looking for luxury, then this is not the retreat for you!


Haute-Pyrénées: 

As we make our way over to the Haute-Pyrénées, we’ll be staying at the Blue Cairgn Lodge. Farm style breakfast of fresh fruits, yogurt, musielli, breads, cheese, eggs, coffee, teas are provided daily. Picnic lunches are vegetarian and usually consist of rice salad, hummus, lentils, salads, fruits, cheese, etc. Dinners are 3-course (salad/soup, entree-veg, dessert) made by local chef.


You will love this place! The views from the land are spectacular! All rooms are dorm style. Depending on the number of guests, we may be able to accommodate 2 couples to have private rooms, but no guarantee. 

Cancellation Policy

All travelers may request a full up to 90 days before Retreat start date.  


50% deposit refunded up to 75 days before Retreat start date


All deposits are non-refundable 60 days prior to Retreat start date.


Any refund given will be negative any transaction fees.

Packing List

Technical equipment

Comfortable walking boots or shoes (3 or 4 season)
Walking poles (strongly recommended for all over 25 years old!)

Clothing suggestions

Fleece
Waterproof jacket (or big plastic poncho)
Waterproof over trousers (or big plastic poncho)
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses
One pair shorts
One pair lightweight walking trousers
Two T-shirts (anything but cotton, wool is best as it is quick to dry and doesn’t smell. Synthetic is also fine – smells but also quick to dry)
Good quality walking socks

Other essential items

Day pack
Waterproof ruck sack cover or waterproof bags to keep your things dry
Sun block for face and lips (Factor 50)
Personal First Aid kit (plasters, Compeed for blisters, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus type hydration system – 1.5 to 2 litres
Penknife
Survival blanket (light foil blanket to keep injured people warm).

Optional items

Camera
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
Waterproof map case
Ear plugs (if you are sensitive to noise, sleeping in different places always means different noises!)
Buff – good for keeping your neck warm, holding your hair etc.
Swimsuit (you never know)

What’s included

  • Transportation
    Arrival at Calvi/ Ajaccio airport or ferry,(arrival before 1pm) pick up, transport (or bus together) to Porto ; taxi boat to Scandola Natural Reserve
  • Incountry Flight Connect
    One-way flight departing Ajaccio, Corsica to Toulouse, France. Then transport to Lourdes either by bus or train
  • Accommodations
    Sleeping Accommodations: rooms are dorm style sleeping 2-4 persons/room in Corsica. Blue Cairgn Lodge in France sleep anywhere from 2-6 persons per room. We cannot offer any private rooms.
  • Food
    Meals are provided at lodges and refuge. Breakfast, picnic style lunches, and dinner. Teas, juice, coffee included
  • Yoga Classes
    Daily pranayama meditation and guided yoga classes. Mini-workshops if time allows
  • Travel Yoga Mat
    As a ‘Thank You’, we are supplying every traveler with a Manduka Superlite Eko Travel Mat. It’s so lite you can fold it up and stuff it in your suitcase
  • Guided Hikes
    We have the best guide ever for these amazing hikes!
  • Mineral Baths
    At the end of every Retreat there needs to be a little down time. I love taking everyone to the mineral baths where we soak in jet powered pools heated by the spring, hammams, saunas and salt room.

What’s not included

  • Airfare
    Airfare to and from Retreat destinations is not included. Ferry fees, train tickets, bus and taxi fares outside of Retreat description is not included either
  • Insurance
    We do not provide travel insurance.
  • Currency Exchange
    We do not exchange currency nor do we reimburse any exchange fees
  • Food + Drink
    Any specialty items, snacks, alcohol, or bottled water are not included in package
  • Additional Spending Cash
    You are solely responsible for paying out of pocket for any additional purchases
  • Add-ons
    Canyoning, Ziplining, and 3-day Trek are additional costs. Please see website for full details and pricing
  • Packing list
    We are not responsible for supplying any missing items from your packing list

Available Packages

Trip Price
$3,000
Deposit: $1,000

Available options

Your Organizer


JS
Jade Skinner
1 review
Hi! Where to begin....I’ll try to keep this short and sweet! I live in sunny Florida where I teach yoga full-time and have been for 12 years. Ashtanga Yoga taught Mysore style is my niche, but I’m pretty well versed in others styles of yoga too such as restorative, yoga therapy, yin, creative flow, pranayama meditation and SUP yoga. My latest hobbit is paddling outrigger canoes on the side for fun and competing. I enjoy rock-climbing and absolutely love hiking. Total plant nerd when I’m out in nature. I love, love, love food! Everytime I’m out in a new city, the first thing I do is lock down the hottest spots to eat and the best wine list. Exploring has always been in my blood since I was a little girl, so I get the travel bug quite often. I love being around people, hanging with friends, making new friends and but when I get down time I love cuddling with my cat. If I write anymore I might have to publish a book.

Reviews

Great adventure! Relaxing & energizing at the same time. Connected with nature, connected with people, and reconnected with myself. Jade Ashtanga is awesome, Jungle Keva is awesome and Smiling Tulum Tours is awesome!
By Cheryl R for Mysore in the Jungle on May 22, 2019