10 Day Galapagos Islands Wellness Retreat in Ecuador
Magical Wellness Retreat in Ecuador
Join Self Wilding for a 10-day transformative retreat in one of the world's most extraordinary ecosystems — the Galápagos Islands. This experience combines daily wellness practices, including breathwork, the Wim Hof Method, meditation, and yoga, with guided island adventures led by expert naturalist guides. Participants will snorkel with sea lions, hike volcanic landscapes, encounter giant tortoises, and take part in meaningful group ceremonies — all while staying in eco-conscious accommodations on San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz islands, with locally sourced meals included throughout.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Yoga and journaling
- All island visits and tours
- Breathwork, the Wim Hof Method, and meditation
- Snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, and tropical fish
- Kayaking along the coastlines of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz
- Sharing circles, a cacao ceremony, and unstructured beach time
- Highland walk with giant tortoise encounters and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
- 9 nights accommodation with daily meals
Skill level
- Beginner
7 days with instruction in English or Spanish
Average daily hours of activity: 5
Accommodation
Participants will stay in eco-conscious accommodations on both San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz islands, blending comfort with sustainability and a deep respect for the surrounding environment. The team will always do its best to reserve the accommodation you prefer, but final hotel selection will depend on availability. The retreat also includes one pre-retreat night and one post-retreat night in Quito, Ecuador, where accommodation is provided to support smooth arrival and departure logistics. Nutritious, locally inspired meals are included throughout, crafted with fresh, seasonal, and often organic ingredients sourced from the islands — fueling the body to support the journey of healing and discovery.
Program
The retreat includes daily mindfulness and adventure activities guided by experienced instructors, where participants would learn to use different practices to release tension, improve physical and mental health, and achieve elevated states of consciousness. Sessions will take place in locations carefully selected for their serenity and beauty, such as beautiful beaches and viewpoints. In addition to breathwork, the program will offer complementary activities that enrich the experience, such as meditation, ice bath, and hiking through natural reserves.
This retreat is a rare opportunity to experience the magic of the Galápagos intimately and purposefully — leaving not just with unforgettable memories, but with practical tools to enhance well-being and quality of life long after returning home.
Activities
Each day in the Galápagos unfolds as a living encounter with one of the world's most extraordinary ecosystems. The journey includes one
pre-retreat night and one post-retreat night in Quito, where accommodation supports arrival and departure logistics, with no programmed activities.
Mornings begin with guided wellness practices that ground the body and steady the mind, creating an intentional start before the day expands. Expert naturalist guides lead every visit and tour, weaving science and conservation into each step. Hikes move through volcanic landscapes, while land and sea explorations reveal remarkable biodiversity up close — giant tortoises, marine iguanas, bluefooted boobies.
As the day softens into evening, the retreat turns inward. Group integration and reflective spaces process what the land has surfaced, while ceremonial elements mark key transitions. Time at the beach remains open and unstructured: salt, sun, and silence. Gentle movement practices close the loop.
Itinerary
- Day 1 - Pre-retreat night in Quito (included)
- Day 2 - Arrival in San Cristóbal, welcome circle, and sunset meditation
- Day 3 - Breathwork, kayak, and beach time
- Day 4 - Island tour with snorkeling and wildlife encounters
- Day 5 - Highland walk and giant tortoise experience, breathwork, ice bath
- Day 6 - Transfer to Santa Cruz, eco-lodge stay
- Day 7 - Yoga and Tortuga Bay kayaking, cacao ceremony
- Day 8 - Integration, Charles Darwin Station visit
- Day 9 - Return to Quito, post-retreat night in Quito (included)
- Day 10 - Departure from Quito
Included excursions
- Full-day island tour with snorkeling - Guided exploration of San Cristóbal's marine environment, including close encounters with sea lions, sea turtles, and tropical fish
- Highland walk and giant tortoise experience - Guided hike through the volcanic highlands of San Cristóbal with visits to natural tortoise habitats
- Kayaking at Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz - Paddle through one of the most scenic bays in the Galápagos, known for its white sand beach and wildlife
- Boat transfer between islands - Scenic crossing from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz with views of the open ocean and island coastlines
- Charles Darwin Research Station visit - Guided tour of the station on Santa Cruz, with context on conservation efforts and the history of the archipelago
All excursions and island visits are led by certified naturalist guides licensed to operate in the Galápagos National Park
Instructors
David Vasquez
David is a certified Wim Hof Instructor, breathwork facilitator, and retreat leader from Ecuador, shaped by the wild beauty of the Galápagos Islands. His healing journey began after overcoming years of addiction, leading him to the transformative power of breath, cold exposure, and ritual. Now, he shares these tools with clarity and compassion, blending science-based methods with heart-centered guidance. Trained in trauma-informed bodywork and ceremonial facilitation, David helps others access resilience, release, and embodied presence.
Location
The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. World-renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity, the islands are home to species found nowhere else on the planet — giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and Darwin's finches. The uniqueness of the Galápagos inspired Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection after his visit in 1835.
The retreat takes place across two islands — San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz — each with its own distinct landscapes, from white sand beaches and turquoise bays to volcanic highlands and lush tortoise reserves. Sessions are held in locations carefully selected for their serenity and natural beauty, including beaches, viewpoints, and open-air natural spaces. All island visits and excursions are led by expert naturalist guides who provide rich context on the ecology, wildlife, and conservation of the archipelago.
Food
All meals are included throughout the retreat, crafted with fresh, seasonal, and often organic ingredients sourced locally from the islands. The menu is mainly plant-based and vegetarian, designed to fuel the body and support the practices of the program. Participants who prefer fish or chicken can request this in advance, and the team will do their best to accommodate. Meals are prepared with a deep respect for the natural environment of the Galápagos, reflecting the same values of sustainability and connection that run through the entire retreat experience.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Organic
Things to do (optional)
- Single room upgrade — available for both group sizes at an additional cost of 875 USD throughout the retreat.
- Extra nights in the Galápagos Islands or Quito, Ecuador — available on request before or after the retreat
- Independent exploration of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz towns, local restaurants, and beaches in free time
Spa treatments
Massage treatments available upon request and subject to availability on the islands. Not included in the retreat package price. Please enquire in advance so the team can help coordinate bookings locally.
What's included
- Daily wellness sessions — breathwork, Wim Hof Method, meditation, yoga, and journaling
- Sharing circles, cacao ceremony, and integration practices
- All guided island tours and excursions are led by certified naturalist guides
- Snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, and tropical fish
- Kayaking on San Cristóbal and Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz
- Highland walk and giant tortoise experience
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
- 9 nights accommodation in eco-conscious lodges on San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Quito (1 pre-retreat night + 1 post-retreat night in Quito included)
- All meals throughout the retreat — mainly plant-based, with fish or chicken available on request
- Boat transfer between San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz
- All transportation within the islands and transfers to/from hotels
- Snorkeling gear and yoga mats
- Travel insurance
- Pre-retreat logistics support and on-site support throughout
What's not included
- International flights to Ecuador
- Domestic flights to the Galápagos Islands
- Galápagos National Park entrance fee — 200 USD
- Transit Control Card (immigration card) — 20 USD
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer not provided
Seymour Airport
88 km away from your destination
Transfer not provided
San Cristóbal Airport
0 km away from your destination
Arrival by airplane
The retreat takes place across two islands — San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz. Participants should fly into Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island, or San Cristóbal Airport (SCY), both of which serve the Galápagos. Domestic flights to the Galápagos depart from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) in mainland Ecuador.
One night of accommodation in Quito is included both before and after the retreat to support smooth arrival and departure logistics. The team will support the group in coordinating their flights to ensure everyone books the correct arrival airport and that schedules align smoothly. International flights to Ecuador and domestic flights to the Galápagos are not included in the retreat price. The Galápagos National Park entrance fee (200 USD) and the Transit Control Card immigration fee (20 USD) must also be arranged upon arrival.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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