Yoga and Wildlife Retreat in the Galápagos at Semilla Verde

The yoga studio at Semilla Verde was the first dedicated retreat space of its kind in the Galápagos. It has climate control for both warmer and cooler conditions, so it stays comfortable and dry year-round. Large windows face the tortoise pond and the forest, and there's enough wall space for inversions and assisted poses. The studio is stocked with Manduka ProLite mats, cork blocks and Yogitoes straps, plus a sound system and iPod dock. Bamboo flooring, and windows placed so you catch sunrise and sunset each time you unroll your mat.

A typical eight-day, seven-night retreat includes three full-day boat excursions — to Bartolomé, North Seymour, and South Plaza or Santa Fé. Boats carry no more than sixteen guests and a certified Galápagos naturalist guide comes along on every tour. Each excursion mixes guided walks on land with time in the water; masks and fins are provided and lunch is served aboard. You might swim with sea lions, rays and turtles, though wildlife being wildlife, no encounter is guaranteed.

Back on Santa Cruz, there's a guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can see the captive rearing programme for giant tortoises and land iguanas. The highlands tour takes in the scalesia cloud forest, two giant pit craters at Los Gemelos, underground lava tunnels and wild tortoises. A trip to Tortuga Bay includes kayaking — the beach is a 40-minute walk from Puerto Ayora along a paved path, and at the far end there's a protected pool where you can swim and snorkel safely.

Meals are mostly served at Semilla Verde, with some eaten at local restaurants. The food is fresh and generous, and menus can be vegan, vegetarian, or include meat and fish. Dietary preferences are accommodated with advance notice. Rooms are all en-suite with their own adjoining terrace and hammock, and each has its own quirks and charm.

The hotel is run by General Manager Cattya and owner Robert Grimstone, who guests consistently mention in reviews for answering questions and making sure everyone's needs are met. It's a ten-room boutique hotel, so don't expect 24-hour room service — expect to be looked after well and to share the dining room and lounge with other guests. The retreats are designed for groups who want to bring yoga and the Galápagos together, and the yoga programme is created by you or your organiser rather than being a fixed timetable.

What's included

- En-suite, air-conditioned accommodation at Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel - Three meals each day - Daily yoga classes in the dedicated studio - Three full-day boat excursions to Bartolomé, North Seymour and South Plaza or Santa Fé - Naturalist-accompanied visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station - Naturalist-accompanied Highland Tour (pit craters, lava tunnels, cloud forest, wild tortoises) - Excursion to Tortuga Bay including kayaking - Walking, snorkelling and swimming on all day excursions - Private transfers to and from Baltra Airport - Twelve acres of private nature trails to explore - Yoga studio equipped with Manduka ProLite mats, cork blocks and Yogitoes straps

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Dinners in Puerto Ayora or at Semilla Verde marked as optional extra - Lunches in Puerto Ayora or at Semilla Verde marked as optional extra - Scuba diving and other optional sports excursions - Spa treatments - Personal expenses - Gratuities