Fitness & Adventure Retreat: ColombiaKnown for its biodiversity, world-famous coffee and ridiculously-fast salsa dancing, Colombia is becoming a favorite destination for travelers of all kinds. The country is made up of so many incredible regions, ranging from beach to mountains to cities, and we've picked two of our absolute favorites for this retreat!
We're kicking things off in Cartagena, where the juxtaposition of modern and old holds a unique charm. We'll explore the culinary, historic and cultural sides of the city while getting in our workouts - in true Ketanga style! Then we're heading north along the Caribbean coast to Santa Marta. We'll soak up the sun and spend time in the one and only Tayrona National Park, the ideal hiking spot with the most beautiful beaches around! Guests have the option to join the entire retreat or just join for Cartagena or stay for the entire trip. Fitness: Throughout the retreat, Coach Sarah Gawron will lead one to two daily workouts with a focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and maintaining proper form. Depending on the rest of the day's activities, some workouts will be more restorative or mobility-focused and others will be more strength and conditioning based. All levels are welcome and will be accommodated and safely challenged! Adventure: In addition to our daily workouts, we've got a week of unique local adventures and VIP experiences planned for you! In Cartagena, some of the highlights will be exploring the walled city, taking a private salsa dancing class (and then visiting a world-famous club with a live band) and spending a day island hopping on our own boat through the Rosario Islands. In Santa Marta, we will hike through Tayrona National Park, go tubing down the Don Diego River and explore the local cuisine! Relaxation: With all the excitement and activities planned, there will also be plenty of free time to relax and chill. We will have beach days, free time to explore the city and shop for mochillas (beautiful bags woven by indigenous women) and a couple of nights off to try local restaurants. At the end of the day, this trip is for you, so if you want to go and do an extra activity or skip a planned one, go for it! |
Early bird pricing:Full retreat, June 27-July 5:
Cartagena only, June 27-July 1:
Notes:
|
What's Included
|
Summary:
|
Meet Coach Sarah Gawron
|
Sarah is passionate about health and fitness. Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle is rooted in her belief that wellness is beyond physical. In order to achieve optimal wellness, an individual needs to nurture their mind and spirit too. Her personal passion for health translates into helping and coaching those who want a similar lifestyle. In recent years, she has coached many people through their personal journeys to find healthier and happier lives.
Sarah teaches healthy habits to create a balanced lifestyle in and out of the gym. In order to create these positive rituals, Sarah will help you find your motivation or your “why”. Helping you find your “why” will help you become and stay motivated on your path to wellness. By creating specific and personal goals, Sarah will guide you to tap into your fullest potential. She encourages those to trust their strength and ability in order to progress. Sarah focuses on building functional strength from the ground up by creating a strong foundation of movement quality before adding load. She specializes in kettlebell, barbell, and gymnastics strength and conditioning. Sarah believes everyone has the ability to move well with strength, power, and grace. Follow her on Instagram @_coach_sarah. |
|
The Accommodations
Throughout our stay in Colombia, we will find comfortable accommodations at boutique properties with local charm and modern luxurious amenities. In Cartagena, we will find unique and luxurious accommodations at Casa Pestagua, a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of the old city. Walking down the cobblestone streets, you'd never expect this majestic property to exist, housing 11 suites and luxurious rooms to indulge you with the personalized service of a boutique hotel in the majestic spaces of a colonial palace.
In Santa Marta, we are staying at the brand new Ecohabs Los Naranjos, just a 5-minute drive from Tayrona Park! Ecohabs are the popular eco-friendly accommodations in Santa Marta that are built with thoughtful consideration of the environment. This property is made of eight large cabins nestled in between palm trees, bamboo and other jungle vegetation. Just a two minute walk from Los Naranjos beach and with a private pool on site, total relaxation is at your fingertips! Each cabin has a private bathroom, minibar, security box, air-conditioning and fan, terrace, internet WiFi, desktop and TV. There is a restaurant as well where breakfast and dinner will be served for the group each day.
In Santa Marta, we are staying at the brand new Ecohabs Los Naranjos, just a 5-minute drive from Tayrona Park! Ecohabs are the popular eco-friendly accommodations in Santa Marta that are built with thoughtful consideration of the environment. This property is made of eight large cabins nestled in between palm trees, bamboo and other jungle vegetation. Just a two minute walk from Los Naranjos beach and with a private pool on site, total relaxation is at your fingertips! Each cabin has a private bathroom, minibar, security box, air-conditioning and fan, terrace, internet WiFi, desktop and TV. There is a restaurant as well where breakfast and dinner will be served for the group each day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Itinerary
Day 1
- Welcome to Colombia! Guests will arrive in Cartagena and check in to our old city mansion. We'll meet for introductions and get to know each other at our first group workout, stretching out from our day of travel! In the evening, we've got a very special first night planned for our stay in Cartagena. We will go to the home of some friends of Ketanga who will prepare a multi-course dinner for us using local flavors and inspirations. We will hang out on the rooftop, eat fantastic food and enjoy spirited conversation.
Day 2
- This morning we will wake up to the smell of Colombian coffee and the burn of a satisfying workout. Then we'll have a free morning to relax and explore the city. In the afternoon, we'll get acquainted with the city on a VIP walking tour. We will have a chance to explore the old town and trendy Getsemani neighborhood, taste some local flavors, and get ideas on where to go during free time! When we get back, we'll come together for a second workout, a more restorative mobility / stretch class, and then we'll have a free night!
Day 3
- Today will start with an invigorating HIIT class and nourishing breakfast. Then the day will be free! Sign up for an additional tour or excursion, go shopping in town or simply relax at the pool, the day is yours! In the early evening we'll go for cocktails at a very special bar that promises unique libations with fresh ingredients in a magical setting! After a round of drinks (optional, of course), we'll head to our second class of the day. But instead of a workout, we'll head to a private salsa lesson where we'll learn the Colombian style of the popular dance! After working up an appetite dancing, we'll have dinner and then visit Cafe Havana (optional), the famous salsa venue where we can practice our new skills or just hang out and listen to the live band.
Day 4
- On today's exciting agenda is a strength and conditioning class with Sarah followed by a day trip on a private boat to the Rosario Islands! We'll visit different beaches and islands and simply enjoy the scenery and company. In the afternoon, Sarah will lead a beach workout (for anyone who is interested in getting off their beach towel!) and then we'll make our way back to the mainland. In the evening, dinner will be included for the group at one of the best restaurants in town!
Day 5
- On our final morning in Cartagena, we will have a HIIT class with Sarah followed by breakfast where we will say goodbye to anyone who is only staying for the first part of the trip. For the rest of the group, we will take a private shuttle to Santa Marta for the second half of our adventure together. We'll pick up any new members of the group and go to the town of Santa Marta to grab lunch and check out the shops and marina. Then we'll continue to our accommodations, and settle in with a workout and group dinner.
Day 6
- This morning we'll wake up to famous Colombian coffee and an invigorating beach boot camp with Coach Sarah. We'll enjoy breakfast and then depart for Tayrona National Natural Park, one of the most picturesque locations in the country. The park, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is known for palm-shaded coves, stunning beaches, lagoons, and biodiversity. We will enter the Park and hike our way through nature, stopping at viewpoints and beaches along the way. After our adventure, we'll head back to the hotel for free time and an evening restorative flow / mobility class and group dinner.
Day 7
- Today we will start the day with a HIIT class overlooking the Sea and a homemade breakfast. Then we'll depart for an adventurous, yet relaxing tubing trip down the Don Diego River. We'll float while looking up at the Sierra Nevada mountains and checking out indigenous flora and fauna. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel for a free afternoon followed by a second workout and dinner.
Day 8
- Our final full day in Colombia is all about relaxation! We'll have a morning and evening workout with Sarah, but the way you spend the middle of the day is completely up to you! Relax at the pool, sunbathe on the beach or take a trip back to Tayrona National Park!
Day 9
- We will wake up for an invigorating workout to kick off our day of travels. We'll enjoy breakfast as a group, spend our last few moments in paradise and then head to the Santa Marta airport to say our goodbyes and make our way home.
|
|
|
Testimonials about this retreat
"This was my first group trip, and I loved that it was a diverse group of people from all over the US. I had so much fun connecting with everyone. This trip was honestly a perfect balance of fitness, local/cultural experiences, walking tours, island hopping, coffee experience, personal free time, learning to salsa, food and overall a lot of fun. Great restaurant and bar choices and also an amazing hotel. People can really own their own vacation and not feel obligated to participate if they didn't want to. I personally loved being a part of it all and really appreciated the mix of agenda items on our itinerary as it allowed me to experience so many aspects of Cartagena. It took away a lot of the stress of planning everything and I left the trip feeling like I experienced so much in a few days. Sarah was also an amazing coach and put us to work! I loved that I also learned new workouts and stretching/restorative training to incorporate while traveling. She also adjusted each workout based on each individual's level of fitness and gave other ways to challenge ourselves if we wanted. Overall, a 5 star amazing experience!" - Nina K
"I went on the July 2019 Cartagena trip and am completely obsessed! It was the first trip I have ventured on alone and am so happy I did it! The group was a wonderful mix of all ages and we meshed so well. I love the balance of fitness, activities, and exploring local culture. Coach Sarah is phenomenal, motivating, and so sweet. Also Stacy was on the trip and it was amazing to meet her and talk about all the work Ketanga does for fitness retreats! I am looking forward to my next trip with Ketanga already. This was an experience I will remember forever and have been talking about nonstop since returning home!" - Brooke W.
"I've never been on a group trip before, but i sure am glad I found Ketanga Fitness. The itinerary was exactly what i was looking for; a great mix of fitness, adventure, relaxing, culture and of course, a great group of people to share the experience with. The workouts are designed for everyone and you can challenge yourself if you want. Coach Sarah is an amazing trainer that knows her stuff and makes things fun. It's obvious how much planning and care Stacy puts in to her business. She knows there's a lot of options out there, and i'm excited to choose Ketanga for another trip in the future." - Matt G.
"I went on the July 2019 Cartagena trip and am completely obsessed! It was the first trip I have ventured on alone and am so happy I did it! The group was a wonderful mix of all ages and we meshed so well. I love the balance of fitness, activities, and exploring local culture. Coach Sarah is phenomenal, motivating, and so sweet. Also Stacy was on the trip and it was amazing to meet her and talk about all the work Ketanga does for fitness retreats! I am looking forward to my next trip with Ketanga already. This was an experience I will remember forever and have been talking about nonstop since returning home!" - Brooke W.
"I've never been on a group trip before, but i sure am glad I found Ketanga Fitness. The itinerary was exactly what i was looking for; a great mix of fitness, adventure, relaxing, culture and of course, a great group of people to share the experience with. The workouts are designed for everyone and you can challenge yourself if you want. Coach Sarah is an amazing trainer that knows her stuff and makes things fun. It's obvious how much planning and care Stacy puts in to her business. She knows there's a lot of options out there, and i'm excited to choose Ketanga for another trip in the future." - Matt G.
Request more information:
Itinerary subject to change