8 Day Jungle Island Yoga Retreat and Guided Hike in a Natural Paradise in Delices, Dominica
Adventure Yoga Holiday in Dominica
On this Dominica adventure retreat, you will discover the Caribbean's best-kept secret. Indulge at the incredible boutique eco-lodgings that will rejuvenate your mind and spirit while pampering your senses.
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Highlights
- Daily yoga sessions
- Experience medicinal herb workshop and Caribbean cooking class
- Stay in a boutique eco-lodge surrounded by lush rainforest
- Daily wellness including a spa treatment, hot springs, and yoga
- Immerse in Dominican culture, history and its people through excursions
- Airport transfer
- Feast on daily nourishing meals straight from nature (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- 7 nights accommodation in a boutique eco-lodge
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Spa
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Dining area
- Garden
You will stay at an incredible boutique eco-lodgings that will rejuvenate your mind and spirit while pampering your sense. During your stay, you will have an access to private trails on the lodge’s property, an incredible infinity pool, whirlpool, luscious spa treatments, and more!
If you're traveling solo, you'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room. At the accommodations, you will also have daily yoga offerings as well as gourmet meals served up while soaking in your ravishing surroundings.
Program
If hiking to lush waterfalls, snorkeling in pristine waters, exploring native plants and medicinal herbs, and canyoning through spectacular rainforest gorges sounds like your kind of vacation then this trip to the 'Nature Island' is for you!
Indulge and rejuvenate in this natural paradise.
Dominica may just be the Caribbean's best-kept secret with its lush waterfalls, pristine waters, and native plants and medicinal herbs. Dubbed the “Nature Island,” this Jurassic-looking tropical island is teeming with mountainous peaks covered in greens of all shades and surrounded by the bluest of blues.
Combine this with yoga and wellness and you have a retreat that is sure to reset and restore. This experience takes you to an incredible boutique eco-lodge that will rejuvenate your mind and spirit while pampering your senses.
You’ll have daily yoga offerings as well as gourmet meals - mostly from the onsite permaculture farm - while soaking in your lush rainforest surroundings. Each day you’ll also have the opportunity for outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, swimming and canyoning. An unbelievably revitalizing experience awaits when you escape to this under-visited slice of natural heaven with Traverse Journeys!
Indulge at the incredible boutique eco-lodgings that will rejuvenate your mind and spirit while pampering your senses. At the accommodation, you'll also have daily yoga offerings with your dedicated Traverse host as well as gourmet meals served up while soaking in your ravishing surroundings. An unbelievably revitalizing experience awaits when you escape to this under-visited slice of natural heaven with Traverse Journey!
Activities
- Daily yoga with teacher experienced in all levels
- Visit to Soufriere village and surrounding hot springs
- Snorkeling at Champagne Beach
- Caribbean cooking class
- Agricultural heritage tour learning about Dominican plants and herbs
- Dominican medicinal herbs and teas experience
- Snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking in Scotts Head Marine Reserve
- Perdu temps rainforest hike, visit to Fresh Water Lake, and Titou Gorge
- One 30-minute spa treatment
- Story session with community leader
- Access to private trails on the lodge’s property, an incredible infinity pool, whirlpool, luscious spa treatments, and more
- Optional Boiling Lakes hike (challenging)
Additional
- Engagement session with the community partner and donation to their organization
- Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
- Dedicated Traverse host throughout trip
- Small group experience (max 16 people)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in paradise
Arrive at Douglas–Charles Airport (DOM) at any time (formerly Melville Hall airport). Transportation will be provided from the airport to your luxe lodgings perched atop a jungle-clad hill with expansive views over Dominica’s southwest coast. Enjoy the scenic drive as you travel across untouched jungle peaks.
Upon arrival to the retreat accommodations, take the afternoon to relax and reset in your lush surroundings complete with a stunning infinity pool, gardens galore, and beautiful views in every direction.
If you arrive by mid-afternoon you can join an agricultural heritage tour to learn about the fascinating history of the land where you’ll be staying and discover a wide variety of local ground provisions, tropical fruits (papaya, mango, guava, etc.) readily available on the property.
In the early evening, you'll gather together for your first group yoga class, followed by a delicious welcome dinner full of the island’s fresh, organic ingredients and Caribbean flavors.
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Relax and indulge or opt for adventures
Awaken to the day with a rejuvenating morning yoga session and a satiating breakfast. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed morning to reset your mind and body and tune into the paradise vibes.
Enjoy the expansive tropical gardens, take a dip in the breathtaking infinity pool, opt for an indulgent spa treatment or curl up with a good book in one of the many cozy lounge areas with incredible ocean views.
If you’d like to you can partake in a morning kayaking tour including a short lesson in kayaking, before heading into the Caribbean Sea and enjoying paddling and snorkeling in the warm waters of the Soufriere / Scotts Head Marine Reserve. This is also a good day to enjoy an additional add-on activity from day 6 like a whale-watching boat trip, or a canyoning adventure!
In the late afternoon, you’ll gather as a group to enjoy The “Jungle Bay Story”, as told by owner Sam Raphael. This engaging discussion includes the history and philosophy of eco-tourism on the property and throughout Dominica, along with the many challenges and triumphs from inception in 1997 to the present.
As the sun sets, you’re welcome to join a relaxing yoga class to wind down from the day's adventures before settling into another freshly-prepared dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Hot springs and indigenous herbal medicine
Another morning yoga session awaits followed by breakfast and the day’s explorations. Join your host for a wander around the nearby fishing village of Soufriere and its tucked-away natural hot springs.
In pre-Columbian times, “sulphuric springs” were a place of mythic geography for the Amerindians and Soufriere was an important meeting place for the Kalinagos from the Caribbean islands. Relax on the pebble beach and depending on availability you may be able to visit the Bubble Beach Spa for a truly unique experience!
This afternoon you’ll experience Dominican medicinal herbs and teas demonstration to learn about the ancient herbal remedies of the island’s traditional peoples.
The fragrant herbs you will encounter during this presentation are grown right in the gardens of the eco-lodge. You can even make your own tea blends during this interactive ‘wellness experience for the senses’ where you get to see, touch, smell, and taste! In the evening you may opt for a soothing yoga session before your gourmet dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Explore above and below water
An optional morning yoga session is available, and of course, your delicious breakfast packed with tropical goodness awaits. Following that you can add on a morning activity that brings you to the peninsula and peak of Scotts Head — dividing the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic — and walk up to the Scotts Head peak.
Enjoy the spectacular view of pristine waters, Scotts Head Village, Soufriere, and Dominica. Alternatively, simply wile away the blissful hours with plenty of options for soothing relaxation at your fingertips.
In the afternoon it’s time to don a mask and fins for underwater serenity: snorkeling at Champagne Beach! This unique area is part of the protected Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve.
Underground geothermal activity seeps through the ocean floor and is cooled by sea waves, rising in a line of bubbles creating a memorable snorkeling experience.
As you’re immersed by thousands of tiny bubbles, you can also see fan coral, turtles, and a variety of tropical fish. Upon arrival, back at the beautiful eco-lodge, you may join a yoga session before gathering together for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Chasing waterfalls
Today after your morning yoga session and breakfast you’ll head out to Morne Bruce, Roseau (offering a panoramic view of the entire city), and stop to visit the botanical gardens before continuing on to Trafalgar Falls located in Trois Piton National Park. The incredible twin waterfalls of Trafalgar are easily accessible with a short 10 to 15-minute walk along a well-maintained footpath.
The adventurous can opt to clamber up the boulders towards the waterfall pools where they’ll be rewarded with warm springs tumbling down for a natural shoulder massage. From there, a quick drive will take you to Laudat to visit the spectacular Titou Gorge (located at the start of the hike to the Boiling Lake).
It’s a short walk to the Gorge where you can enjoy a short swim through a series of natural "rooms and ponds" formed by high cliff walls canopied by interlaced trees leading to a hidden waterfall. Fun fact: a part of the second “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie was filmed here when captain Jack and his crew were trying to escape from the tribe and fell into this gorge.
After returning to the eco-lodge, you’ll sit down with leaders from the community partner in Dominica — a fund dedicated to uplifting the local community by supporting proven projects that champion indigenous populations, literacy, disabled persons, education, entrepreneurs, clean water accessibility, conservation efforts and more.
You’ll have a chance to ask questions and learn about Dominica’s history and present-day aspirations through understanding important community values and challenges. Following this fascinating and inspiring discussion, you can join your evening yoga session, or head straight to dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Choose your own adventure
Rise to the sounds of birds chirping and perhaps enjoy a coffee on the deck of your jungle bungalow before a yoga class and breakfast. Once you’re fueled up for the day, it’s off on the adventure of your choice!
For hikers, you can explore Dominica's Waitukubli National Trail — the Caribbean's first long-distance walking trail with 14 segments in total; covering 115 miles from the south to the north of Dominica. Today you can hike Segment 1 starting from Soufriere along the Brooklyn / Bois Cotlette Road towards Galion.
Before reaching the mountain village of Galion, a trail leads towards the east, through farmland, and up a steeper track to the Morne Kwabier Plateau at 1,200 feet above sea level, providing a spectacular view of Martinique and Scotts Head’s Bay.
In the afternoon you’ll enjoy free time to enjoy the incredible infinity pool at the lodge's property, explore the surrounding area, or perhaps book a soothing spa treatment!
Those who love a challenging hike will be thrilled to explore Dominica’s famous "World Wonder" and UNESCO World Heritage Site — the mysterious Boiling Lake and Valley of Desolation. Along the way, you can soak in hot water pools and even have a sulfur mud facial. The athletic hike is approximately 3 hours each way, up and down fairly steep hills (proceed with caution if afraid of heights).
For those who prefer ocean-based activities, options abound! Divers will love exploring the beautiful coral and tropical fish found in Scotts Head Marine Reserve. Alternatively, you can explore the waters from above on a whale-watching boat trip.
Dominica is the only country in the world where nearly 200 resident sperm whales live year-round, making your chances of seeing them in all their glory incredibly high.
Last but not least, you may instead opt for a unique bucket-list adventure: canyoning through some of the most spectacular gorges in the world! Jump into hidden pools with crystal clear water beneath the rain forest and descend into deep canyons carved from thousands of years of rainfall.
Whether hiking through the lush jungle or rappelling halfway down a rock to drop in the water below, your day is sure to be filled with the sound of cheers for every natural obstacle tackled! All are welcome — no training or experience is required for this epic excursion.
After a day filled with the activities you picked just for yourself, a soothing evening yoga session awaits for those who’d like to partake, after which you’ll enjoy dinner together, once again packed with fresh flavors of culinary creativity.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch (packed for you), and dinner
Day 7: Tropical magic
Today’s morning yoga and satiating breakfast are followed by an incredible hike (moderate, 3 hours total), favorited by many locals: the misty mountain trail leading to Middleham Falls. Along the way, you’ll be immersed in lush rainforest vegetation, while keeping your eyes peeled for Jaco parrots, star fruit, wild cashews, mango, and more.
The end of the hike becomes a little steeper as you scramble your way down to the gorgeous waterfall pool, where a refreshing swim beckons. Fun fact: did you know that swimming in waterfalls exposes you to negative ions which are a purification to help counteract stress and strengthen your immune system?
When you return to your tropical home you’ll gather together again for a Caribbean cooking class. You’ll learn how to prepare local Caribbean cuisine full of organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, unique spices, eggs, fish, and more.
Ingredients sourced directly from the property will almost assuredly be included in the recipes! With your culinary skills enhanced, you’ll head into evening yoga and another delicious dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Departure
You may depart from Douglas–Charles Airport (DOM) at any time this day. Morning yoga and breakfast are available to you, after which your airport transportation will be arranged according to your flight time.
If you’d like to add on more days to saturate yourself in this paradise, the team can happily arrange extended days and activities - just ask!
- Meals: Breakfast
Instructors
Allie Reilly
Allie Reilly began her study of yoga a decade ago while living and traveling through Central America. Years of learning the arts of Ayurvedic tradition and daily practice of Hatha and Ashtanga at a center in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica grounded Allie’s passion in holistic transformation and the healing properties of a consistent yoga practice. Since 2015, she has worked and taught yoga internationally gaining her YYT 200-hour and heavily integrates breathwork practices in her teaching series to complement physical movement with the fundamentals of mediation and mind-body connection.
Retreat location
This holiday will take place in Delices, Dominica.
Food
Daily breakfast buffet, lunches, and gourmet dinners are all included. The menus always include some vegan and vegetarian choices rotating everyday to provide a wide selection of tasty garden to table cuisine throughout your stay.
The local chefs also cater to visitors who eat gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions. You can let Traverse Journeys know your needs in advance and their chefs will prepare for your arrival with many delicious options to choose from.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Raw food
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Seafood
- Naturopathic
- Fruitarian
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Paleo diet
- Yogic
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
- Extra nights
- Boiling Lakes hike
- Additional spa treatments
Spa treatments
The package includes one 30-minute spa treatment. Additional treatments are available but with an additional cost.
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily yoga with teachers experienced in all levels
- Guided hike to Middleham falls
- Snorkeling at the Champagne beach
- Caribbean cooking class
- Agricultural heritage tour learning about Dominican plants and herbs
- Visit to Soufriere village and surrounding hot springs
- Dominican medicinal herbs and teas experience
- Kayaking and hiking in Scotts Head Marine Reserve
- Perdu temps rainforest hike
- Visit to Fresh Water Lake and Titou Gorge
- 1 30-minute spa treatment
- Story session with a community leader
- Access to private trails on the lodge’s property, an incredible infinity pool, a whirlpool, a luscious spa treatments, and more
- Airport transfer
What's not included
- International airfare
- Additional meals, excursions, and activities not listed
- Tips to your local guides and drivers
- Alcohol or other drinks (unless specified)
- Required travel insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Douglas–Charles Airport
35 km
Transfer included
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.