In Hindu mythology, Kurma the tortoise supported Mount Mandara as it churned the ocean of milk to create the nectar of immortality. Here in the Galápagos—where giant tortoises roam through mist-covered highlands and right outside of our practice space —you'll find a primordial grounding energy to support your own becoming.

Join Selena for an immersive 7-day yoga and pranayama retreat on Santa Cruz Island, where dedicated daily sadhana converges with a once-in-a-lifetime nature immersion. This isn't a passive vacation—it's an active adventuring, designed to both challenge and restore, strengthen and soften.

Mornings begin with pranayama and asana as the island wakes around you. Days unfold with snorkeling alongside sea lions, hiking volcanic trails, and coming face-to-face with creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Evenings return you to your practice—restorative, vital, integrated.

Past retreaters describe peak experiences: breakthroughs in breath, body, and perspective. The Galápagos has a way of stripping away the unnecessary, leaving you clearer and more connected—to yourself, to each other, and to the wild, ancient world.

Slow down. Revitalize. Evolve.

Semilla Verde is an award-winning boutique hotel, which only adds to the experience. Located on twelve acres of private forests, it gives an authentic experience to the Galápagos, where the natural world reigns supreme and allows you to reconnect with your sense of nature.

Get ready for an unparalleled level of personal service, traditional home cooking featuring local ingredients, panoramic views from raised terraces, a swimming pool and fitness studio, wifi and exclusive access to nature trails. Giant tortoises lumber through the coffee plantations, and birdsong resounds in the canopy above. In the evening, sit out and enjoy the wonders of the night sky, listening for owls and an exhilarating frog chorus.

The hotel actively embraces and promotes ecologically responsible decision-making and a sustainable economic future for Galapagos. Funds raised by their business are routed back into their own conservation effort and the local economy. The estate was designed to ensure it would not disturb the migration routes of the giant tortoises, and provides a near-natural habitat in which native birds, insects and plants thrive.

The hotel has nine en-suite rooms, each with sliding glass doors to a private terrace and a hammock to enjoy the views over our private forest to the Pacific Ocean.

Spa treatments are available.

The retreat center prepares traditional home cooking using local produce—a mixture of traditional Ecuadorian and international fare. They cater to all dietary requirements including paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free.

All meals are included. Lunches on boat tour days will be served aboard the Sea Finch, and one or two dinners will be at local restaurants in Puerto Ayora. Each place will be fully briefed on any dietary restrictions.

Weather: January is one of the best times to experience the Galápagos! You'll enjoy warm, sunny mornings with temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s°F (27-30°C), and the ocean is at its warmest and clearest—a balmy 76-79°F (24-26°C)—making it absolutely ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Brief afternoon showers keep the islands lush and green, cooling things off just in time for relaxing evenings. With the holiday crowds behind us, mid-January offers the perfect balance: peak-season conditions without peak-season congestion. Pack light layers, sunscreen, and your sense of adventure—this is the Galápagos at its most vibrant.

Drinking Water: Tap water in the Galápagos is not safe for consumption. It is best to stick to bottled, filtered, or purified water, which will be provided throughout the retreat.

Payment: Cash is the best way to pay for anything while in the Galápagos. Although there are places that take debit or credit cards, it's better to bring enough cash for shopping and extra food/drink.

Flights are not included in the retreat cost.

You will fly into mainland Ecuador—either via Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE)—and from there take a 1 hour 40 minute internal flight to Baltra Island (GPS) that serves Santa Cruz Island. Avianca, LATAM, and Ecuair offer daily flights to Galápagos.

Your hosts will provide guidance on flight times.

Arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer to Semilla Verde. Settle in with a welcome drink and lunch, then explore the estate at your own pace—tortoises roam freely through the grounds. Late afternoon, gather for your first yoga session and opening circle. Dinner at the hotel under the stars.

Sunrise yoga before breakfast. Journey into the misty highlands through lava tunnels and scalesia forests, where giant tortoises roam free in grassy fields. Return for lunch at the hotel, free time to relax, then afternoon yoga. Dinner at Semilla Verde.

Early yoga and breakfast, then board the Sea Finch for one of the most wildlife-rich day trips in the Galápagos. Blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions, and marine iguanas await. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters before returning to the hotel. Evening yoga and dinner.

Morning yoga followed by a leisurely free morning at the hotel. After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to discover the science behind Galápagos conservation. Continue into Puerto Ayora for dinner at a local restaurant. Return for optional bedtime pranayama and yoga.

Morning practice, then head to Tortuga Bay's pristine white-sand beach. Kayak, swim, or snorkel in turquoise waters with sea turtles and marine iguanas. Return for lunch and a free afternoon—perfect for spa treatments. Late afternoon yoga and dinner at the hotel.

A slower pace today. Morning practice and a leisurely breakfast. Free time to relax, explore the grounds, get a spa treatment, and visit a local animal rescue center. Afternoon yoga session, then dinner in Puerto Ayora at a handpicked restaurant.

Early start for the Galápagos' most iconic excursion. Climb to the famous viewpoint overlooking Pinnacle Rock, then swim or snorkel with penguins, reef sharks, and sea lions. Return for a closing dinner celebration at Semilla Verde. Optional bedtime pranayama and yoga to seal your journey.

Early breakfast for those with morning flights. Private transfers to Baltra Airport. Carry the spirit of Kurma with you as you return home—transformed.