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Sample 7 Day Retreat (7 days/6 nights)
Sample 11 Day Retreat (11 days/10 nights)
Note: Certain activities may be adjusted as needed according to weather and availability of presenters. Daily schedule
Detailed Activities Activities besides yoga, ayurveda seminars, personal ayurveda consultations, and meals.
THIS IS A SAMPLE ONLY OF ACTIVITY CHOICES. THESE RETREATS ARE CUSTOMIZED BY THE YOGA CENTER OR GROUP COORDINATOR. IF YOU WANT TO LOUNGE IN THE SUN AT THE BEACH, HAVE FREE TIME, OR GO ON ECO-ADVENTURES - THE CHOICE IS YOURS AND WE WILL ACCOMMODATE YOUR DESIRES.
Day Activities will start on the day after guests arrive. Seven Day, Six Night Retreat Day One At Laupahehoe Point you feel (and are) exposed to the ocean’s fury on the jetties. Away from the jetty the surf pounds against the twisted and jagged lava and is spectacular to watch. We then stop for an overlook to see the densely forested jungle gorge and waterfall and visit Waikumalo Park where a pretty stream merges with the ocean. Then on to Umauma Falls. This may be the most stunning waterfall setting in the state of Hawaii. Vine covered trees and ever chirping birds give this area an unforgettable feel. If time permits we’ll stop at Kalopa Native Forest and take a nice short hike and enjoy the indigenous fauna and flora of the area. For the evening we will gather for orientation and blessings. Afterwards there will be a high vibrational kirtan & bhajan – allowing the retreat to begin with transcendence. Day Two First take a visit to the stunningly beautiful, Eden-like Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Afterwards, we’ll cool down with a real island smoothie at “What’s Shakin” before seeing the 420-ft. freefall plunge (one of the largest in the world) of Akaka Falls and its sister falls flowing through lush vegetation and mountain streams. Then spend some time in the quaint town of Honomu for a shopping walk-about & a visit to the local Buddhist Temple. An intimate evening of heavenly music and melodious song with Mahesh and Brihan on the harp, flute and tablas is guaranteed to take one’s consciousness to a higher realm of peace and tranquility. Day Three With unimaginably steep walls on all sides, waterfalls etching the perimeter – including a 1200-ft. multi-tiered drop – fields of lava, and a luscious mile-long black sand beach, Waipi’o Valley is as beautiful a place as you will ever visit. Spending the day there will be a highlight of the trip, and if there’s time we’ll do a walk-about in the “old Hawaii” town of Honoka’a to visit galleries and shops. For the night entertainment: Kings – The Magic of Polynesia. Behold the beauty, power, and lore of Polynesia through captivating dances and story-telling. Witness the thrilling Fire-Knife dance. Be transported into ancient Hawaii. An experience that could change the way you view the world. Bring Hawaii home to your heart. Day Four Get out your swimsuits for a day of beach hopping to incredible hidden gems of world-class beaches surrounded by gorgeous scenery where you can boogie, frolic, and sport with the abundant ocean life, and see miniature underwater volcanoes. Conde’Nast Traveler magazine has often voted Mauna Kea Beach and Hapuna Beach the best in the nation. We will also visit the impressive Pu’ukohala Heiau Temple, a massive structure built by King Kamehameha in 1790-91 (the 1st king of Hawaii who unified all the islands). We’ll then visit the Malama Petroglyph Trail and see how the ancient Hawaiians expressed themselves through their tenacious carvings in lava, then on to witness the most beautiful sunsets at Anaeho’omalu Beach or Mauna Lani. On this day you may view whales and dolphins or have a close encounter with the endangered giant Honu turtle. As the sun says goodbye, we’re still at the beach, merged in the beauty of nature and ecstatically frolicking in her glories. The eternally warm atmosphere of Hawaii makes for perfect night-time ocean swimming, or you can just lie back on the sands and gaze at the brightest stars you’ve ever seen and delve deep into the quietude. Day Five The Big Island is most famous for Kilauea Volcano located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In all the world there isn’t a more active volcano and none is as user-friendly and approachable. This park is the most fascinating place you may ever visit, and you surely don’t have anything like this back home. Vents spewing steam, brand new land, birds-a-plenty, giant chasms, ancient petroglyphs, lava craters, walk-through lava tubes, unrivaled vistas – it’s all here. Coming back, we can share each other’s experiences and meditations over a sumptuous dinner. Spelling out our plans for the next day at the lava flows (eleven day seminar), or just enjoying each other’s company for one last magical night on Hawaii. Day Six On the half-day, we’ll go through the yoga class, followed by breakfast, an ayurveda seminar, and personal consultations. Lunch will be served soon after. After that it’s warm hugs and back to the mainland until heaven beckons once more… Top Eleven Day, Ten Night Retreat (Begins after the first five days of the 7-day retreat) Day Six One day just isn’t enough for the fame of Hawaii’s volcanoes, so we’re going back. This time we’ll go visit the Jagger Museum, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and the Volcano Art Center Gallery. You’ll love the stop at Hilina Pali Lookout where on a clear day you can see the entire shoreline for over 30 miles south! It’s very quiet, remote, and peaceful with the sound of the distant ocean a friendly companion. Here we will have a close encounter with the endangered Menes. We’ll visit Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park). This nice 30 minute hike goes through a kipuka – an old growth of forest surrounded by newer lava flows. Birds abound in this park – hence its nickname. We’ll stroll through Ka’u Desert Trail which leads to Footprints. Most of these were created during the eruption of 1790 and some were from an earlier eruption in the 1500s. Life renewing life, creation meets destruction and rising again to creation – all vividly visualized in one day. Most of the time at night we can see lava traveling from a linear belt of fractured rock to where the lava shatters as it’s quenched by the sea, creating new geological formations. We will bear witness to the wonder of creation on the most massive mountain on Earth, consisting of 10,000 cubic miles of rock, situated in the most isolated island chain in the world. Day Seven We start by traveling up the spine of the sleeping Kohala Volcano on Kohala Mountain Road – cresting at almost 4,000 ft. before descending to the sea. Kohala is the oldest surviving volcano on the Big Island. The mountain last erupted 60,000 years ago and will probably cough back to life in a million years or less for a last effort of island-making before truly being pronounced dead. Still, it is considered “extinct” despite this. Afterwards we’ll visit the mountain artist towns of Hawi and Kapa’au for a walk-about and visit the statue of King Kamehameha the Great which was made in Paris in 1878. Then it’s on to Kauhola Point Lighthouse. This area is wild and undeveloped, and it also sports nice views of the sea cliffs that wrap around the north shore. Reaching the end of the road at Pololu Valley Lookout, prepare to be awed by the outstanding vista. Raw, untamed forests and landscapes defy your attempt to capture it all in one glance. To honor them, we’ll hike down the nearly 500 ft. cliffs through lush vegetation to Pololu Beach. At the bottom we’ll find black sand dunes over 100 feet high. This type of black sand beach is formed when water constantly chips away at the lava river bed. It’s very picturesque in the valley, and a great place to observe Mother Nature’s Force. Day Eight Hilo is a charming mixture of old and new Hawaii. Hilo has remained in a time warp since the demise of the sugar industry and that’s the charm. The island’s largest outdoor farmers and arts & crafts market is here, and it’s a lot of fun to visit and pick-up some great bargains. We’ll then visit the Hawaiian Islands Ocean Museum which is noted for its extensive interactive displays of marine life and home to many of the aquatic residents found around Hawaii. Coming back to land, we’ll rest a bit in the shade and exquisite beauty of Rainbow Falls, and then head to Boiling Pots. This series of bowl-shaped depressions roil and boil with superheated water, creating dramatic photo opportunities. Next step on this heavenly journey is Pe’epe’e Falls. This waterfall and deep pool are an idyllic place to sit in solitude and ponder the wonders of Creation and Creator. We’ll then finish the day at Wai’ale Falls. Many people come to Hawaii looking for the perfect, movie-style waterfall and pool to frolic in – well here it is, and only a ten minute hike away. Wai’ale Falls itself is a pretty, high-volume waterfall, above which lie several beautiful ponds and some small falls that are a delight to play in. After dinner in Hilo, we’re heading home to keep with us both physical souvenirs and astral as we review the unforgettable day of enjoying the beauty and secret voices of ancient nature – from breathtaking waterfalls to the deafening quiet of otherworldly landscapes. Day Nine A peaceful day planned for swimming, strolling, snorkeling, and lounging. We’ll visit huge fish ponds surrounded by palm trees ideal for wonder-filled strolling where Secret Pond beckons for a cool, refreshing dip in the crystal clear water. Kiholo Bay is a fabulous place, a beautiful and uniquely shaped ocean inlet. With waters as still as a yogi’s mind, you can easily meditate on the turtles that abound – how they pull their limbs into their shell as a calm mind pulls away from sensory distractions. The water is so still that you can easily look right into the water and see fish, or if one is careful, you can snorkel out and see the divide between the freshwater floating on the heavier saltwater before they mix – a very surreal experience. The lagoon used to be part of a great fishpond built by the late King Kamehameha in 1810, which is considered one of the artificial wonders of Hawaii. Day Ten On the half-day, we’ll go through the yoga class, followed by breakfast, an ayurveda seminar, and personal consultations. Lunch will be served soon after. After that it’s warm hugs and back to the mainland until heaven beckons once more… |
Detailed Activities |
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