Panama Yoga & Hiking Retreat
12 - 17 April 2020
Chiriqui, Panama
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Join a like-minded group of practitioners for four full days of yoga practice and hiking in the highlands of western Panama!
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With visits to Boquete, Volcan Baru, Bambito & Playa La Barqueta
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Retreat Details - Retreat Leaders - Testimonials - What's Included - Retreat Fees - Meals - Safety in Panama - Arranging Flights - Sample Itinerary - Register - Terms
RETREAT DETAILS
Enjoy the opportunity to connect with the knowledge, wisdom and experience of senior Kripalu teacher and founder of Pranakriya School of Yoga and Healing Arts, Yoganand Michael Carroll, as he guides you to a greater understanding of the yoga practices that exist in the spaces between mainstream yogasana and the rarely achieved experience of enlightenment.
Yoganand's career as a teacher and practitioner has spanned over forty years. As an early initiate in the Kripalu lineage, he is a rare western yogi who has experienced teaching and practice in both ashram and householder settings. Yoganand's teachings are accessible to all practitioners who sit with a pure intention, an open heart and an honest desire to learn and grow.
The setting for retreat is in the province of Chiriqui, close to Costa Rica and home to Yoganand's spouse, Elzebir (Elzy) Navarro. The retreat program offers a uniquely authentic experience of Yoganand and Elzie's lives in Panama and is an opportunity for participants to experience Panama through their eyes. Mornings spent in deep practice are complemented by afternoons hiking in Chiriqui's most stunning natural spaces. Days come to an end with an opportunity to sit together in meditation, reflecting on experience.
RETREAT LEADER
Yoganand Michael Carroll (E-RYT 500, YACEP) founded Pranakriya Yoga in 2005. He is a Master-Level teacher in the Kripalu Yoga tradition. Through many years of intensive study and practice of Swami Kripalu’s work, Yoganand has gained a profound ability to distill and interpret esoteric yoga texts and techniques.
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After studying with Kripalu Yoga masters in India and America, Yoganand taught at the Kripalu Center for more than 15 years before founding Pranakriya Yoga, which he developed from the original teachings of Swami Kripalavandaji and reconfigured to meet the needs of Western yogis in today’s world without taking away from the ancient teachings...
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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5 nights accommodation
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Pick up & drop off at David International Airport
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All in-country transport
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Two daily practices including mudra, mantra, yogasana, pranayama and meditation
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Daily excursions in the Panamanian highlands
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Daily breakfasts
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Picnic lunch at the summit of Volcan Baru, Panama's highest peak
TESTIMONIALS
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'This journey truly presented me with an experience of paradise in Panama: deep outdoor yoga practices overlooking the mountains, hikes to hidden waterfalls, delicious healthful meals and time spent with my favorite yoga teacher (Yoganand) and special new friends. I can’t wait to go back!'
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- Julie Pogachefsky, 2019 Participant
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Overall it was an outstanding trip and I am so glad that I went. It was a fun adventure that provided a good balance of yoga, discovering a new country, hiking and wildlife viewing. One of the reasons that i feel so happy about the trip is because Yoganand and Elzie lead us on an amazing adventure ... They were enthusiastic, caring and generous hosts who were excited to share Panama and their enthusiasm and personal attention to every detail made it an exceptional trip.'
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- Jessica Kogel, 2019 Participant
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RETREAT FEES
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2020 Double Occupancy Fees : 1509 USD
2020 Single Occupancy Fees : 2259 USD
NOT INCLUDED: airfare, souvenirs, personal items, lunch - Days 2, 3 & 5, dinner - Days 2, 3, 4 & 5
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CANCELLATION POLICY
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A) until 120 days prior to arrival: 100% refund of total tour costs
B) until 30 days prior to arrival: 75% refund of total tour costs
C) after 30 days: no refund of total tour costs
MEALS
All breakfasts are provided by the hotels either in buffet style or ala carte. Day 2 & 3 lunches are taken cafeteria style at local restaurants in Boquete and Volcan. During the Volcan Baru hike, lunch boxes are provided by the tour operator. A closing lunch at Playa Barquete is ordered ala carte from the resort. Dinners at Hotel Bambito and the Gran Nacional in David are served ala carte.
Panamanian food is a combination of local and international cuisine. Flavors are simple and most importantly healthy. Vegetarian options are available at all meals.
SAFETY IN PANAMA
Group travel in Panama is both common and safe. Retreat leaders carry a first aid kit and are versed in basic first aid. Information on risk management and cultural norms will be presented to guests prior to departure and upon arrival in Panama.
ARRANGING FLIGHTS
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Please arrange flights into and out of David International Airport (Airport Code: DAV) in David, Panama as follows:
2019 - arrival via afternoon Copa flight from Panama City on 12 April; departure no earlier than the morning Copa flight on 17 April
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In our 10+ years of experience, kayak.com consistently offers best rates on return international fares, Purchasing your international leg separate from the Panama City - David leg will assure a less expensive rate.
Retreat Details - Retreat Leaders -
What's Included - Retreat Fees - Meals -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note that items and times on the itinerary are subject to change.
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Day 1
Arrive to David International Airport no later than the arrival of the afternoon Copa Airlines flight from Panama City. Travel by shuttle one hour's drive north to retreat accommodation at Hotel Bambito Resort located in the scenic highlands of Chiriqui.
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Check-in to the hotel.
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Welcome Reception & Dinner - 7 pm - at the hotel followed by an opening orientation, invocation and meditation with Yoganand.
Day 2
Morning Practice (7 - 9)
Brunch (9 - 10)
Group visit to a nearby pre-Colombian archeological site.
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Lunch in the mountain town of Volcan Baru
Return to the hotel for rest-time or hike to a nearby scenic view.
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Dinner (6 - 7:30)
Optional Evening Meditation (7:30 - 8)
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Day 3
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Morning Practice (7 - 9)
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Breakfast (9 - 10)
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Drive a scenic route through the highlands to the three waterfalls hike! Enjoy a wander through the jungle from water fall to water fall.
Upon completion of the hike, drive to the nearby town of Boquete for lunch.
Full of tropical flowers, Boquete is one of the most scenic towns visited during the retreat.
Free time to explore Boquete after lunch.
Return to the hotel for afternoon rest.
Dinner (6 - 7:30)
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Optional Evening Meditation (7:30 - 8)
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Day 4
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Morning Practice (7 - 9)
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Breakfast (9 - 10)
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The peak experience of this retreat is the ascent of Volcan Baru, Panama's highest mountain. Leave the hotel after breakfast via 4x4 to ascend Volcan. At the summit, located on the Continental Divide, if the weather is clear, both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are visible. Spend some time at the peak, enjoy a box lunch provided by our guides and then have the option to hike or drive down.
Return to hotel for rest, dinner and evening meditation.
Day 5
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Morning Practice (7 - 9)
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Breakfast (9 - 10)
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Check out of our hotel and travel down to the coast for a day at Playa La Barqueta, located on Chiriqui's Pacific Coast. Enjoy farewell lunch and the afternoon at Las Olas Resort where you can hang out by the pool, get a massage and enjoy a fruit juice at the bar.
Closing ceremony at the beach.
As the day comes to an end, drive to the city of David for buffet dinner and the night at the Gran Nacional Hotel located at the center of David.
Day 6
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Breakfast
Transfer to David International Airport