Overview
In order to be mutually supportive, we must acknowledge and find reverence with our whole humanity. To strike a harmony that plays to each dimension of well-being as we build capacity and evolve beyond our circumstances. But many times, in the throes of our life and work, we forget to move our bodies, nourish our minds or even allow the breath to flow. We begin to feel constricted like an elephant is sitting on our chest. We have dreams and our minds swirl into impossible scenarios. It is time to retreat to revolutionize. Using the A.R.I.S.E. Method as a foundation, retreat participants are taken through a process of aligning body, mind, and soul. In Capurganá, where the jungle meets the sea, there is a symbiotic nature with which they co-exist. Two very different ecosystems that rely on each other explicitly. Casa Galú was built with this in mind. The owners Thomas and Charles wanted to share the magic and history of this beautiful place on the Caribbean side of Colombia with the world. This ‘retreat’ is for the more adventurous type, a rewilding of sorts that will challenge your very essence and bring it in tune with who you are becoming as you go through divorce, separation, loss, and grief. There will be plenty of time to relax in the exquisiteness of the Colombian jungle, yet your invitation will be to find your edge on active excursions as part of integrating the parts of you that need more attentionand grace.
Highlights
Hike to Panama
This adventure excursion includes both land and sea as you hike across the Colombian border into Panama trekking through the dense jungle. Lead by a local guide along the jungle trail, feel the calming energy as you become completely surrounded by immense vegetation; engage your curiosity as you encounter monkeys, toucans and other wildlife; and witness the awe-inspiring views from the mountaintop lookout point. Refresh in the Cascada Diana (Waterfall of Diana) and the sea of Panama’s La Miel beach and enjoy a coconut water beverage picked straight from the tree! After all this hiking, let’s keep things simple by taking a quick boat ride back to Colombia’s Sapzurro for a traditional lunch, more time to reflect and recover, or explore the town’s shops and mural work. The excursion will finish with a 15 minute boat ride back to Capurganá, as you catch a new view of the town as it appears from the sea. This is a full-day excursion that will challenge the senses yet leave you feeling fullilled beyond your souls desires.
Coastal Snorkeling Excursion
This excursion takes you out into the Caribbean Sea for a half-day adventure of snorkeling around the nearby Bird Island. Swim through the warm, crystal clear waters as you view the endless varieties of fish, corals, and other sea life down below. As a massive rock protruding straight from the sea, Bird Island is located just off the coast, offering a vantage point of the jungle-covered mountains that is sure to spark excitement. Whether from the water or the boat, don’t forget to look up and marvel at the flocks of birds that call this rock home. With a private boat driver and guide, the group will spend the morning at sea discovering the beauty that life underwater has to offer. Once you have built up an appetite we will take the boat to Aguacate, a hostel-haven community neighboring Capurganá, for a traditional Colombian lunch. Refuel, relax on the bay’s beach, or take a quick 5-10 minute walk to natural pool and [blowhole] formed by old corals. This half day excursion will complete with a 10 minute boat ride back to Capurganá.
Host
Crystal Carnahan
Crystal Carnahan is a seasoned emotional wellbeing coach who brings a wealth of personal experience and professional expertise to her practice. Her journey began in the restaurant business, where she navigated the challenges they the profound loss of her mother at a young age. These experiences ignited a deep passion within Crystal for health and wellness, leading her to pursue her master's degree in Health and Wellness Coaching.
Thomas and Charles
Thomas and Charles co-own Casa Galú and are very connected to the history of this magical land in Capurganá, Colombia.
Schedule
Your 6 day/5 night adventure in eco-luxury of Capurganá, Colombia will be most exquisite and exciting. You will notice your soul feeling the vibrance of both ecosystems as we integrate the essence of the jungle with the sea. This retreat is meant to spark the flame of your energy within.
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Medellin to Capurganá
Arrival Day/Day 1
Depending on arrival or scheduled flights, you may have to secure accommodation in Medellin the day before as flights sometimes arrive late…we will make every attempt to greet you at MDE and guide you where you need to go, perhaps even a pre-retreat dinner will be scheduled.
March 26, 2025, we will meet at EOH at the scheduled time for air transfer to Capurganá. The flight takes about 30-min and another 10 by moto-taxi (similar to a tul-tuk) from airport to resort as there are no cars in Capurganá
- Once you arrive, your bags will be taken to your rooms and you will have a chance to explore a bit, rest and rejuvenate, have a snack and allow your nervous system to settle.
- Welcome festivities to begin at 4 PM-8 PM with short yoga nidra practice to end the evening
Capurganá
Adjustment Day/ Day 2
- Travel is magical and can also set the body into overwhelm…today we begin with a beautiful centering movement practice and afterward, nourish the body with fresh juices and break our fast with a meal made and served with love by the team at Casa Galú.
- After breakfast, we will participate in our first personal development workshop focusing on explaining and understanding the energy centers of the body honing in on what the root, sacral, solar plexus, and heart mean and where they are located.
- Align and Energize from root to crown.
- Lunch allows us to digest more than the food we are eating and is a time for retrospection and reflection.
- Free time to explore and take in the mystical magic of the jungle.
- Afternoon workshop as a continuation of alignment and energy.
- Free time to process and reflect
- Dinner at 6:00 PM and The ARISE CIRCLE for any thoughts, insights, epiphanies, discussions
Capurganá
Assimilation/Day 4
- Morning movement practice to stretch out and relieve any tightness or tension from our hike, creating an intention for today's workshops
- Breakfast as we reflect on what the hike meant to us, traveling from country to country by foot, what thateams in our lives right now.
- Workshop session on challenges/opportunities that were given in Day 2, keeping with the flow of ‘align and energize’
- Lunch/snacks
- Free time, reflect, process nap, explore
- Afternoon workshop session
- Free Time, reflect, process nap, explore
- Dinner and ARISE CIRCLE
Sugar Island/Bird Island
Aspiration/Day 5
- Morning movement practice as we breathe into and flow as we prepare for our private guided snorkel trip to Sugar Rock aka Bird Island. Set an intention for what version you aspire to be in the moment and when you return home
- Snorkel, enjoy the coral and floating atop the water, swim, laugh, play, celebrate the beauty of the sea!
- Traditional Colombian lunch in Aquacate, afterwards a short jaunt to the pool and blowhole naturally formed by old corals
- A boat ride back to the eco-resort for reflection and introspection about the retreat.
- Free time to process and pack
- End of Retreat Dinner with a special ARISE CIRCLE for integrating as you journey back to your home.
Capurganá to Medellin
Departure/Day 6
- Optional morning movement practice
- Breakfast
- Hugs, farewells and see you laters
- All depart for airport to transport you back to Medellin
What's included
What's Included
6 day/ 5 nights in eco-luxury single en-suite accommodation
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snacks
All non-alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, water
Two excursions with Lunch and Snacks and equipment (One full day/One half day)
Personal Development workshops
Free time, rejuvenation, and regeneration time as needed
What's Not Included
International travel to Colombia
Travel insurance (Required)
Any extra souvenirs/miscellaneous items
Any extra food/drink that is not already specified
Gallery
Casa Galú
“The meeting point of those seeking adventure with nature!”
Galú means “sacred land” in the language of the Kuna Yala natives that used to inhabit the area. Casa Galú is our home in this sacred land.
Casa Galú is a lifelong dream that became a reality for a father and son. Charles IV moved to Colombia in the 70’s after meeting the love of his life. Soon after arriving to Colombia, he was introduced to the beauty of the Country and fell in love with the jungles and the coastlines of Colombia. He passed on his love of nature to his children and was always accompanied by his son Charlie V, whom he always took with him on his adventures to the deep jungles of Chocó since he was only 3 years old.
Charlie V lived in the United States and Italy for a few years, where he studied and followed a career in industrial design. However, Charlie always dreamed about living a simple life surrounded by nature, reliving his adventures with his father in the deep jungles of Chocó. When the opportunity presented itself, Charlie moved back to Colombia and began working on his dream in Capurganá, back where it all started. He envisioned Casa Galú as a place where visitors could come to enjoy the beautiful beaches and deep jungles, while appreciating and protecting its endangered surroundings. Charlie designed each building with the objective of optimizing the connection with the jungle and privileging the view looking out to the Sea, all without disturbing nature. Each building is elevated from the ground and seems built into the topography. The main house and each module, therefore, projects itself out from the mountain through the jungle. The contact elements between the slope and the construction - as for example the wooden decks – were shaped to respect the existing land, In the part that it comes out of the mountain, the structure touches the ground with only pillars.
The vision for Casa Galú is to develop an ecolodge, not only without disturbing the surrounding nature, but that will operate with minimal environmental impact. It is a work in progress, but an immediate task for Casa Galú. To this end, with a degree from the U.S.'s first School of Sustainability, Thomas Kalchik joined Casa Galú with a true passion for bringing environmentally friendly practices into daily business operations. His experience in both sustainable food chains and the hospitality industry allows Thomas to integrate his skills into helping the natural environment thrive while still bringing an unforgettable experience to each guest.
We believe that we are one with nature.
You'll Be Staying Here
Private Cabin
Casa Galú welcomes you to your private eco-luxury cabin set a bit further from the main structures.
You can relax in room or on your private balcony swing chairs that envelop you with a sense of peace as you listen to the sounds of the jungle.
Private Room
Your private ensuite room will be in the main structure with a private balcony and hammock to enjoy the sounds of the jungle and the sea.
FAQs
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is focused on humans who identify as women debating or moving through divorce, loss and grief
Do I need to have vaccination certificates to travel to the area?
It is recommended to carry the Vaccination Card against Covid19.
- The yellow fever vaccine is recommended but not required.
Keep in mind that you must apply the yellow fever vaccine at least ten days before traveling.
- Other vaccines recommended, but not mandatory, are those that act against hepatitis A and typhoid fever. The same goes for malaria pills, which are only useful if you are going to visit jungle areas such as Capurganá, where we also advise you to use repellent.
Can I find convenience stores and/or drugstores in the nearest town?
There are several shops and drugstores near Casa Galú. Any member of the hotel staff will gladly help you locate the type of store you are looking for.
Is there any recommendation on clothing, care elements and type of luggage?
Carry comfortable and light luggage, including cotton clothing, pants and long-sleeved shirts, hat or cap, raincoat, flashlight, river shoes or boots, repellent, tennis shoes or comfortable shoes for long walks, sunscreen, water bottle or thermos at hand, items for personal use, medicines required at the time of the trip.
Wear comfortable clothes, preferably cotton and light colors (long-sleeved shirts are recommended for walks through the jungle).
In the town there are shops where you can buy all the toiletries and beachwear at good prices and of good quality if you wish.
It is recommended to carry cash since there are no ATMs in the area, only Bancolombia withdrawal points among others. Many times there is not enough money in those points.
What type of police forces are there in Capurganá?
჻ Colombian National Police
჻ The Armed Forces of Colombia
It is important to clarify the warning about the security risk in certain jungle areas of Chocó. There have been cases of violence, but these cases have been reported in the interior area and to the south. Capurganá is very quiet and has a nearby military base, in addition to the military base in Panama, on the border.
Are there any ATMs in Capurganá?
There are no ATMs in Capurganá, so be sure to bring enough cash for all of your spending. There are Bancolombia withdrawal points, but it is not guaranteed that these points will have enough cash to give out.
We recommend $500 USD for this retreat, for anything extra that you may want or need to buy.
We try our hardest to think of everything but we are human!
