Our home for the week is a secluded haven in the highlands of Santa Cruz—a tranquil lodge nestled within lush gardens. Surrounded by nature’s symphony, it’s the perfect sanctuary to unwind between your daily adventures. Wander through vibrant gardens, sway in a hammock, or sink into the warmth of the jacuzzi after a day of exploration. Let the swimming pool become your oasis, reflecting the endless sky above.
Each day begins and ends in harmony with nature. In a simple yoga studio overlooking the forest and fruit-laden trees, Matthew will guide you through two practices a day. Morning practices will be energising and strength-based, designed to wake up the body and connect you to breath, while evening sessions will offer a slower, more restorative rhythm to help you unwind and integrate each day’s adventure.
Beyond the lodge, the Galápagos reveals its wonders. We’ll set out to explore Santa Cruz Island’s breathtaking beaches and embark on unforgettable boat journeys, encountering the archipelago’s legendary wildlife. Imagine stepping onto shores where blue-footed boobies dance, swimming alongside sea turtles in crystalline waters, and witnessing marine iguanas basking on ancient volcanic rock.
On Bartolomé Island, otherworldly landscapes unfold before us. We’ll hike with a guide to uncover the secrets of its volcanic origins, then drift along the coastline by dinghy, searching for the elusive Galápagos penguin. At Sullivan Bay, a mesmerizing world beneath the waves awaits as we snorkel through lava-formed underwater realms.
Santa Fe Island welcomes us with powdery white sands and playful sea lions. As we wander through a towering cactus forest, Galápagos hawks soar above, and bright crabs scuttle across the shore. The adventure continues at Fisherman Bay, where we’ll snorkel through a dazzling underwater world, swimming with rays, sea turtles, sea lions, and even Galápagos sharks.
We’ll also walk among gentle giants at the El Manzanillo Tortoise Reserve, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, and soak up the vibrant energy of Puerto Ayora. With so much to discover, there’s also space to simply be—to book a massage, relax by the pool, visit the lodge farm or cheese factory, or share stories under the stars with new friends.
This isn’t just a retreat; it’s a journey into one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. Are you ready to experience the magic of the Galápagos?
Who's Teaching: Matthew Shaw

Matthew is a seasoned Vinyasa Yoga teacher known for his grounded, strength-based approach and dynamic, intelligently sequenced classes. He’s dedicated to empowering you with the ability to improve your fitness and to find mental resilience both on and off the mat.
Morning practices will be dynamic, 90-minute vinyasa flows—invigorating, sweaty, and grounded in functional strength. Evening sessions will slow things down with gentle flow, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra to ease the body and settle the nervous system.
All levels are welcome, with options to “level-up” or “level-down” throughout. That said, to get the most out of the retreat, some prior experience with vinyasa yoga is recommended.
For more about Matthew, and to try a free class (or to join one of his Livestreams), CLICK HERE.

We have space for 16 guests in four private rooms, four double/twin rooms and one quad room. Our accommodation is rated in our comfort category*.
Set within 40 hectares of lush tropical forest, our traditional family owned Ecuadorian lodge offers ten beautifully decorated ensuite bedrooms, each a tribute to the skill of local artisans. Inspired by Ecuadorian culture, every room has been recently renovated with custom finishes and colourful Ecuadorian accents, complemented by local Galapagos artistry. These modest rooms are located three in separate buildings on expansive grounds, ensuring plenty of privacy and space for all guests.
Please note that wifi is very slow on the island and very patchy at our retreat location. There is also no mobile reception here. There will be time for you to head into town where there is a better connection in case you need to be online during your trip.
*Read about our accommodation categories
Our local chef team will be creating delicious, hearty meals using quality local ingredients.
The family farm is located near to the lodge where they grow a variety of organic local plants and produce, such as pineapples, papayas, avocados, coffee, cacao, bananas and much more. Their harvests support the lodge, as well as the local community. You are welcome to take a tour of our farm and discover the deep-rooted farm-to-table, family experience and see where much of your food is grown. There is also a cheese factory in our grounds so expect some delicious cheese options for some meals!
Your meals will be mostly vegetarian with some meat and fish options. Our chef can accommodate special dietary needs but please do ask us before you book, so that we can check with the chefs before confirming with you.
This is an alcohol free retreat.
Our Galapagos adventure is tailor-made for our Venture Travellers*.
This retreat is perfect for those with an adventurous spirit and a passion for nature. A good level of fitness is essential as we’ll be exploring every day through hiking, biking, kayaking, and swimming, alongside invigorating yoga sessions.
The yoga is dynamic, so some prior experience is recommended to fully benefit from the classes. Keep in mind that internet access on the island is limited, so be ready to unplug and embrace the adventure without the expectation of being online constantly.
*Read more about our traveller categories
You will first need to fly to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador and stay overnight on 4th December before flying to Baltra on 5th December. Your return flight from Baltra will be on the morning of 12th December, so you’ll be able to take an onward evening flight from Quito.
Flights from UK to Quito
Flights from London (LHR) to Quito ((UIO) take around 14 hours via Amsterdam with KLM or via Madrid with Iberia.
Flights from US to Quito
Flights from Newark or Philadelphia to Quito ((UIO) take 8-9 hours via Miami with American Airlines or 11.5 hours via Atlanta with Delta.
Domestic flights and transfers
Our Galapagos guides will meet us at Baltra airport (GPS) and transfer us to our lodge Santa Cruz island and our first adventure of the day (visiting the giant tortoises) so it is important that we are all on the same flight from Quito (and back again). We will inform you when the flights are available and request that you book them well in advance of the trip. Your flights will be with Avianca and the return fare should be around £250/$300.
Responsible Retreating in The GalapagosWe are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible way which includes being transparent about the current eco-credentials for each retreat.
Our Galapagos retreat takes places at a woman owned, locally operated location on Santa Cruz. Conservation and wildlife protection is at the top of the tourism agenda in Galapagos. We work with local suppliers who are passionate about wildlife and conservation and while it is a popular destination, tourism is well managed here. It is only possible to reach this retreat by plane, and they do not have renewable energy options available yet. So this is one of our retreats with higher emissions while supporting conservation and wildlife protection.
Our Galapagos location assessment is below.
| 1 | Your property is locally owned and operated | Locally operated |
| Or your property is operated in partnership with a local owner | Yes | |
| 2 | You employ local staff with good pay and working conditions in compliance with all local laws and regulations | Yes |
| 3 | Staff are offered employee benefits and professional development opportunities | Yes |
| 4 | You partner with and support local suppliers for excursions, activities, and products | Yes |
| 5 | Your chosen excursion suppliers operate with clear guidelines to minimise their negative environmental impact, and animal welfare is a priority on any trips involving wildlife | Yes |
| 6 | You give preference to suppliers with ownership from diverse or underrepresented populations | Some |
| 7 | Your property runs on renewable energy | No |
| 8 | Your property uses a sustainable water supply | Yes |
| 9 | There is a comprehensive waste management system | Yes |
| 10 | There is limited use of single use plastic | Yes |
| 11 | Sustainable, local food sources are available | Yes |
| 12 | Biodegradable products are used | Some |
| 13 | You measure your property’s environmental impact and operate in compliance with all local laws and regulations | Don’t measure but operate in compliance |
| 14 | You are actively involved in conservation | Yes |
| 15 | The location is not over touristed/we are visiting out of high season | Yes |
| 16 | There are slow travel/public transport options available to reach you location | No |
| 17 | You have your own sustainability strategy/targets for your property | Some |
| 18 | Your property has its own certifications such as ISO 14001, Green Key, Green Building Certifications, BCorp certification or other demonstrable policies* | No |