Spirit Ash Sacred Retreat Karakaya, Bodrum, Turkey

Join Emily Mascarenhas and Charli Van Ness on this beautiful opportunity to spend 4 nights with us in the paradisical valley in the Aegean. As its name suggests, surrounded by black rocks. An Aegean corner filled with olive trees, mountain lavenders, yellow daisies and colorful flowers and plants that you may not have seen before. Birdsong will be your background music, breathtaking sunsets your backdrop. Forget the crowds, the hills filled with houses and the crowded beaches that usually typify Bodrum. This is a completely different Bodrum, accessed after crossing the hills of the beautiful town Gümüşlük. Karakaya Retreat is fully integrated with the region’s nature.

Autumn is a beautiful abundant, rich time to visit Karakaya is so many dimensions and with that in mind Emily and Charli have created the following itinerary (all optional) for you during your stay with us, being held, nurtured, nourished and celebrating joy within and beauty radiating out.

Please note the itinerary curated by Emily + Charli are all optional, you can opt out of any of the activities. You have absolute permission to be you and your voice is heard without judgment.

Thursday 24th October - EARTH 'Bhumi' element - 'I am safe'

Welcome! This is the moment to really settle, ground and feel safe within self and your new environment . Upon arrival you will be given time and space to breathe and receive.

• Refreshments upon arrival
• Guided walk around the grounds to acclimatise
• Welcome Circle
• Delicious 'grounding' nourishing supper
• Padme Humm Sound Journey Meditation (Breathwork, Yoga Nidra + Sound Bath) to send you off to bed happy, relaxed and at peace.

Friday 25th October - EARTH 'Bhumi' + WATER 'Jala' element ' I am connected + creative'

This is the day to delve deep for self, awaken the body, connect to your heart, rebalance your mind and align your spirit to nature. This is the only day we spend the whole day at the retreat centre.

• Sunrise Breathwork, Meditation, Mantra
• Jala Yoga Flow Class
• Breakfast
• Conscious Creatives - enjoy an art creative activity led by one of the local artists
• Lunch
• Mindfulness Activity - Forage + Create
• Bhumi YinYang Yoga Class
• Supper
• Sacred Site Culture, Goddess + Philosophy Circle

Saturday 26th October - WATER 'Jala' + FIRE 'Agni' element ' I am fluid and strong'

Connecting with the water and fluidity within you, the water around us, learning to be adaptable, brave and strong. Today we will also align to nature and it's season as we use this as an opportunity to release any negative energy or burdens you may be carrying with a fire ritual ceremony in the evening and welcome positive change.

• Sunrise Hike at Karakaya Lake
• Cleansing Kriyas + Breathwork to release + awaken the physical, mental + emotional body
• Packed Breakfast
• Rest
• Agni Hatha Yoga (Hot Yoga Sequence) (Prelunch)
• Lunch
• Rest
• Bellyfit Dance Class
• Supper
• Fire Ritual Ceremony

This would also be a day for optional additional treatments, boat trips and beach visits.

Sunday 27th October - FIRE 'Agni' + AIR 'Vayu' element ' I am brave and free'

Feel the wind upon your face, the sun on your back as we step into the local town and explore the seas to open our hearts and clear away any debris no longer serving us.

• Heart Opening Yoga Class
• Breakfast
• Boat Trip
• Lunch at one of the beautiful restaurants at Gümüşlük
• Explore Gümüşlük
• Breathwork + Meditation
• Supper
• Sacred Singing Circle

Monday 28th October - ETHER 'Akasha' element - 'I am ready'

You are ready to step back into your world and integrate your experience into your home life in its own little way. Feeling energised, senses awakened, heart opened and mind clear and ready to fly free!

• Sunrise Connection Yoga Class
• Breakfast
• Closing Ceremony

Karakaya Retreat Center is a truly beautiful hideaway mountain location overlooking the Aegean Sea. The center is dedicated to offering a wide variety of residential
retreats, workshops and events in the healing arts and therapies to guests from all over the world. Focused on a holistic lifestyle, working towards peace, and protecting
our planet; while creating a space for a life-changing experience that encourages letting go, healing, self-awareness and overall wellbeing. Karakaya Retreat is a family business that welcomes guests seeking to explore a holistic lifestyle. In addition to stunning views, the Retreat offers detox programs, as well as yoga, meditation and workshops.

Bodrum is a town on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey, popular with tourists from all over the World with its blue beaches, typical white houses, historical background, Halicarnassus, sailing opportunities, Diving opportunities, sleepy villages, bouganville flowers, hidden coves, pine-citrus clad hills.

Package Includes :-

• Accommodation (Primarily Twin Rooms, however Solo Occupancy is available at an additional cost (see below for details)
• A beautiful Itinerary curated by Emily + Charli - you can attend all offerings or you can have option to opt out of any of the activities not feeling called to attend or you need to rest. You have absolute permission to be you and your voice is heard without judgment. Includes local transport for excursions and the boat trip.
• Food - all breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for by Karakaya. Nutrient dense organic vegetarian food on site. Vegan option available. We will include a lunch out on one of the days when visiting Gümüşlük where fish is also available for those wanting to eat local fish, but again vegetarian and vegan options will be available. On the Hiking Expedition to Karakaya Dam Lake we will provide a packed breakfast for you within your package to take with you on your expedition to the lake. If you choose to stay at home for this activity you will be able to have a packed lunch at the venue so if you did want to explore elsewhere food is provided for you.

Not included :-

Flights - we will email you suggestions of flights to book once we have recieved your deposit, ideally try and arrive as early as you can on the Thursday and Depart as late as possible on the Monday. Closest airport is only an hour away, Milas-Bodrum Airport.

Transfers - Airport transfers are provided for with the Karakaya Retreat Center, will confirm transfer details once we have confirmed numbers and schedules for arrivals and departures.

Additional Optional Extra Activities - Treatments, Private Tuition + Mentoring, Excursions (Diving, Horse Riding for example)

Once we have received your deposit to secure your space we will send you the full brochure and a Personal Assessment Form including full itinerary, transfer details, optional extras for you to book in advance prior to your arrival so your experience is seamless and effortless so you can truly rest and enjoy your stay here.

Do you wish to stay longer rather than 4 nights?

There is an additional option for you if you wish to stay at the retreat venue following our retreat for a few more days, this can be arranged with the Retreat Venue. Please contact us on charlivanness@gmail.com for enquiries regarding extending your stay and we can then connect you with the venue directly. There will be also additional options available for you to enjoy post retreats such as; Cooking Class, Treatments, 1:1 Mentoring + Yoga, Excursions etc but also happy for you to just enjoy 'being' on location.

What is the weather like in Turkey in October?

Days are usually hot with balmy evenings, so visitors should pack light and cool clothing. The average daily maximum is 27 C and the average daily minimum is 13 C. There is a 70% chance of a perfect sunny day and a 30% chance of seeing some clouds, with on average 16mm of rainfall this month. Best time to be on the beach. It’s a particularly good time of year to swim in the sea, with water temperatures around 23 C.

Can I pay for the Retreat in instalments?

Yes, absolutely. You are required to pay deposit 30% to secure your space on the retreat. You can either pay the full amount upon booking or you can pay in 2 instalments.

30% Deposit Due Date : 15th May 2024 Shared Occupency £268.50 / Private Room £328.50

40% 1st Instalment : 15th June 2024 Shared Occupency £358 / Private Room £438

30% 2nd Instalment : 15th September 2024 Shared Occupency £268.50 / Private Room £328.50

Total Retreat Investment = £895 (Shared Occupancy) £1095 (Private Occupancy)

This helps make the retreat affordable for you and helps you spread your budget over a period of months. Please contact charlivanness@gmail.com should you wish to have a different payment plan available to accommodate with your own personal budget.

Emily and Charli cannot wait to meet you and share this beautiful sacred land with you. Emily has visited and stayed at Karakaya before and it holds a very special place in her heart and cannot wait to inspire you with the special sacred energy this place holds.