I just returned from Yogascapes Northern Lights retreat in Iceland. It was amazing. Yogascapes curated the perfect retreat with fun and adventure in a beautiful place. As a lawyer, I do extensive research prior to just about everything I do. I was drawn to this trip, but was nervous because I read a couple bad reviews about Yogascapes. I quickly found that all of the bad reviews were unfounded. This truly is an amazing organization. A lot of energy and heart went into planning this trip. We soaked in hot springs, hiked a glacier, gazed at stunning waterfalls, had daily yoga, looked upon the Northern Lights, and some of us even soaked in beer. Leah, one of the trip curator's at Yogascapes, was in Iceland with our group handling all of the travel details and organization. This really helped me relax. I was impressed with her dedication at making the trip amazing. For example, I really wanted to see Icelandic horses, which was not mentioned as an option on our trip itinerary. I didn't expect to get to ride an Icelandic horse, but Leah made it happen. She did the research, asked for recommendations, and figured out the costs. Lastly, the yoga was amazing. I just completed yoga teacher training last spring and was excited for a new teacher with a different perspective. Jason Bowman is an excellent yoga teacher. He has a way with words that guide you deeper into your practice. He is also an excellent photographer. He shared a beautiful photo with our group that he took of the Northern Lights, which was nice keepsake to take home. I highly recommend a Yogascapes retreat. I definitely plan to do another one. read more

I just returned from a Yogascapes trip to Bali. It was everything they said it would be and more! From the extremely organized planning to the week of fun, I was completely thrilled. Leah was an amazing host/organizer and made sure everything ran smoothly. The location was AMAZING. Naya Ubud was the perfect place for the retreat and was a wonderful home away from home. Many different options (private room, shared room, etc.) made it flexible and comfortable for everyone. Plenty of free time and terrific organized trips as well as great yoga kept it well balanced. From the top of the volcano for sunrise to the water temples to a variety of yoga routines, we were exposed to so much! I am looking forward to taking another trip with Yogascapes soon! read more

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I went on the Sicily yoga retreat a week or so ago and I was supremely disappointed. First off, they sent out the wrong dates. I had booked about 9 moths in advance - that is simply unacceptable for an international trip. Luckily, my hotels at the beginning were refundable and my flight from NYC was early enough that no big calamity happened, other than me having to waste my time rebooking flights - which, they initially said that they would reimburse. When I tried to get details and compensation, Ben didn't return my call and my emails were not answered. They finally said that they would pay for my additional night in Sicily before the retreat, and lo and behold, when I went to check out, they had not paid nor made any arrangements. What kind of crap is that? At the retreat, the yoga was barely there and the classes were cancelled a lot. They had a women's only morning class that excluded the 2 guys there - totally unnecessary and kind of horrific. They said that there would be a men's only class, but that didn't happen. The teacher, Kate van Horn, was not good and did not have a presence whatsoever. These were some of the worst yoga classes that I have ever taken. She tried to incorporate some of Taryn Toomey's moves as well - and did that very poorly. This retreat was a colossal waste of time and money. I would not recommend this to anyone. The company is inept and horrific. Don't be fooled by their slick promotions. The only way that I was able to recoup anything was because I still owed them half the fees and they just discounted that. Most people did not get anything back. They promised to repay folks for the changes, but they did not. TERRIBLE COMPANY! read more

Very poorly organized retreats and customer service department. I am still awaiting a refund on a retreat I was unable to go on due to poor communication and poor scheduling via the company. I was told I would see a refund within 30 days and now the story has changed. The response from Ben made me sound like I was crazy for being told this, but after reading other poor reviews I felt it necessary to share my experience. A previous retreat I went on about two years ago was horribly organized as well(no space for yoga was created til the teacher insisted, they did not create food according to medical diagnosis diets, we had to pay additional charges for entrances to Yellowstone, and an excursion was changed the day before leaving many without the incorrect packed items) but I decided to give them a second chance. Now I am having to dispute the charges via my credit card company. Yogascapes takes forever to respond to emails, if they even do... My last email from Ben was finally speedy due to having to threaten to dispute charges, but the response was very rude and unprofessional. I have been unable to find a customer service number to call which would 1. Make me feel better about the whole experience and 2. Eliminate the unprofessionalism Ben portrays via email (i would hope!). Buyer beware !! read more

I went on the Iceland retreat sept 4 to 11 and it was one of the best trips I've ever taken. We had such an amazing and diverse group, along with an incredible yoga instructor, Chelsea Korus. We went hiking everywhere and jumped in hotsprings and drank the water from the creeks and ate berries from the fields and hiked glaciers and saw the northern lights, and went out and explored Reykjavik, in addition to one or two yoga classes a day. There was a huge focus on nature and simplicity, which I'm normally so far removed from thatx that prior to the retreat I hadn't cared for much... by the end of the retreat I have a new found love for and appreciation of outdoorsy activities, which has also helped to bring a lot if clarity in my life. The yoga was the perfect level of intensity with Chelsea tailoring the difficulty to different levels - from inversion practice to basics for those just beginning their yoga journey. I still can't wrap my head around everything that we did and saw, and the amazing people that I met and continue to keep in touch with. The trip was worth every penny and more and I'm Hoping to jump on another retreat with yogascapes sometime in the near future. read more

Yogascapes is a down to earth, real deal, yoga and adventure retreat company that clearly takes pride in creating life-changing experiences. They plan exceptional trips to amazing places around the world, bring in some of the best teachers, and align the retreat experience with the true culture and personality of the location. I actually feel like I learn so much about the place I'm in when I go on Yogascapes trips in addition to everything else. These retreats are definitely for the yogis and adventurers that want to learn and grow, go on an epic vacation, and are up for being in the moment as the moment unfolds. If you need everything perfectly manicured and polished, it may not be the trip for you. If you want something with a stellar itinerary, heart and spirit, and a staff who cares - then I'd highly recommend it. read more

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I've now been on over six trips with yogascapes, most in Northern California but also in Scotland, and I've been blown away again and again with the professionalism of their customer service team, the originality and quality of the locations and the food and the depth of the yoga. Every time I've had any questions, I've received an immediate response. Both Ben and Leah and have bent over backwards to make sure my trips were smooth and comfortable by helping me organize flights, rides and hotels. The food is my favorite part every time! On every single trip the food has been over the top delicious. I'm always inspired to go home and re-create the clean, healthy lifestyle in connection to nature that yoga retreats offer. I'm VERY familiar with the yoga scene in the Bay Area. Some of the most well respected teachers of this region have chosen to work with Yogascapes at some point. To me, this says a lot about Yogascapes commitment to the integrity of high quality yoga education and to their policy of compensating their teachers fairly. Yoga retreats are the best ways to travel because they infusing your life with meaning and growth, you don't have to spend time organizing all the details and you are sure to meet like-minded people. I highly recommend traveling with Yogascapes. I'm headed back to Scotland again this summer! read more

Yogascapes is an incredible organization with a team of people who truly care about each detail of the experience. They spend time preparing a sweet welcoming, incredible adventures and choose top tier teachers for this trips. In my experience with their team, I can see that they care not only about the customers needs, but the teachers as well. They take time to lovingly create transformational experiences in incredible destinations. I highly recommend any retreat with Yogascapes near or far!! read more

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!! they cancelled my trip to Peru a couple of months before it was scheduled. They offered $100 towards another retreat or a full deposit refund. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND I AM STILL WAITING! they owe me $750 and are refusing to respond to my emails. Not only did I lose money on my flights because of the cancellation on short notice but I am now out $750 from the company for their refusal to refund my deposit for a trip THEY CANCELLED. Never never use this company. Worst customer service. It is a fraud. read more

I went on the Sicily retreat in May and have a wonderful time! The week was filled with great people, great food, great yoga, and great accommodations. Our yoga instructor, Kate Van Horn, was incredible! Her classes were fun and dynamic and she did personal tarot readings for everyone! Danena Farmhouse was beautiful with lots of places to relax and delicious, healthy food. The daily excursions provided an opportunity to see the countryside and experience local culture. I was looking for a last-minute trip to unwind and have fun and Yogascapes was the perfect fit! read more

I just returned from a Yogascapes retreat in Italy and had an incredible experience. The retreat location in Umbria was a dream - a boutique retreat center with a full traditional Moroccan spa, salt water pool, and delicious 4 course dinners. In addition to yoga we had day trips like wine tasting in a castle and a trip to Assisi to explore the area. Leah our retreat coordinator was so helpful and tended to all of our needs. Our group was a perfect size of 10 people, we bonded over the course of the week and I left feeling so grateful for the experience. Highly recommend! read more

Oaxaca five senses retreat - An amazing & thoughtful adventure with wonderful people!!!! Our yoga instructor Rebecca & trip guide Leah were FANTASTIC!!!! This is my second Yogascapes retreat & I highly recommend them, both have been very well planned out & super fun!!!! read more

I did a retreat with these guys at Sierra Hot Springs and it was so fantastic! I'm not really sure why the only reviews are negative, everyone in my retreat had a really good time and the group vibe was so good! I'm guessing that people feel more inclined to give negative feedback than positive on Yelp... (no one was drinking alcohol on my retreat and the Yogascapes leadership was so sweet :) As far as my experience, I found the organization and communication to be top notch, and I got to the retreat with all the info needed and a ton of excitement about being in such a beautiful Hot Spring setting and doing yoga all weekend. The yoga teacher was so good! Each class she taught was themed around an element and the flow she brought us through was so challenging, but it felt so good and I was surprisingly not sore afterwards. The food was fabulous, we had the restaurant make us really delicious vegetarian organic food and the meals were a bonding time for the group. There was beautiful hiking to be had, and of course the soaking was so amazing (I'm a hot springs enthusiast so of course this part was satisfying!) If you're looking for a relaxing retreat where yoga and good food are the focus look no further. Yogascapes does a great job organizing and they have incredible destinations all over the world. Don't let 3 peoples' negative experiences sway you because there have been thousands of satisfied yogis (my estimate based on how many retreats they've done and how many satisfied people were in my group) read more

Please be advised that the trip descriptions are misleading. I recently attended the Patagonia retreat, which was described as including kayaking and sailing. In reality, you ride in a large ferry boat. The upcoming trip to Patagonia still mentions that "sailing" is part of the trip. Very misleading... read more

Update: Received an email from Ben asking me to take this review down; par for the course. If you'd like to read other's experiences with this company, I recommend also checking the comments in the review section on their Facebook page - which includes a comment from someone *today* who is currently having communication issues with Ben. read more

Poorly run retreat last year in hop land, California. Teacher was good but the organization and food was poor.

I had purchased the Point Reyes retreat around March, and I was super stoked to go. This retreat included backpacking into the campsite, so over the last few months I had saved money for a backpack, hiking boots, a 2 person tent, and other camping essentials. I got an email on Wednesday, 2 days before the retreat, that stated the trip may be cancelled due to something with the chef? Anyways, I was told that they would let us know that evening. I impatiently checked my email all night, but still no word. May I mind you, I live in Utah, and was planning to attend this trip solo. So still with no word on Thursday, hoping this trip would go through, I finally got an email when I arrived IN California that it was cancelled but that we were still able to use the campsite. I went for a night because I wanted to get use out of my backpacking gear, but no one else came. With the option of a full refund or a $100 credit to another retreat, I emailed Leah to see if I could get my refund sooner than the 30 days because I ended up having to get a hotel and spend money on food which was going to be included in the trip. I have not received any response. Why would I want a $100 credit to another retreat when this customer service is so poor ? Bad karma Yogascapes. read more

I just finished my second retreat with Yogascapes and it was just as amazing (if not more) than the first! I went on their "Explore the Senses" retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico and it was epic to say the least. The retreat was intelligently designed to insight and inspire all five senses (sound, touch, taste, sight, and smell) and it delivered. Given the sights from Monte Albon (Zapotec ruins), the touch of the salt water springs, and the delicious flavors of each and every meal, this retreat struck every cord. Adventure was around every corner as well as connection and conversation with locals who are experts in their craft (i.e. mezcal makers, textile weavers, and chefs). Each conversation was met with such zest and passion for what they did that it inspires you to seek and like with that same vigor for work/life. To top everything off, the retreat was guided beautiful each day with a mindful yoga practice (key word... 'yoga'-scapes). If you're looking for a balanced retreat, want to explore another culture, meet some new folks, and eat your way through Oaxaca, go no further than Yogascapes. Leah was with us the whole way and made the experience seamless. Thanks again! Can't wait for the next journey. read more

Dear, Yogascapes: I cannot say enough about my experience with you guys. Your attention to detail and care for each customer as if they are a close friend is so special. Your retreats offerings are the best I have ever experienced and your willingness to answer any and all questions and the personal care every step of the way makes me feel so comfortable traveling with you. Thank you for welcoming me and for creating and holding space for me to connect deep within and with all the incredible folks on retreat. You really know how to create transformational experiences, I cannot recommend your retreats enough, everyone needs to experience a trip with Yogascapes! read more

There are truly no words that could even begin to capture my experience with Yogascapes, but I will do my best. I experienced the Five Senses retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico, and when I say experience, I mean EXPERIENCE. It was a beautifully perfect personally curated retreat. From the bed and breakfast we stayed at, to the restaurants, the yoga classes (and instructor, Rebecca), the activities, and the people. Yogascapes set a sacred and safe space which set the tone for an absolutely incredible journey into the exploration of every single sense. I can't imagine having a better experience than this and would absolutely do another retreat with them in a heartbeat (and I will!). There is not enough space or time for me to list all the truly outstanding ways in which Yogascapes went above and beyond in order to make our retreat a unique and life changing experience. I can't thank you enough, Yogascapes - especially Leah! who handles every ebb and flow with such positivity and grace. A thousand thank you's from the core of my heart. read more

Yogascapes is the first away retreat I have ever done.It was my first for a lot of things. I travel a lot to foreign countries but usually by myself. I went not knowing what to expect but with an open mind. It was more than I could have hoped for. Everyone there was a stranger to me and by the end I had several friends. Iceland itself is a pretty epic location in its beauty but the choice of accommodations and activities greatly enhanced the trip. Our guide from Yogascapes was sweet and caring. She made sure everyone had what they needed. Our yoga teacher took the time to make sure I had appropriate modifications for my skill level (I'm not a seasoned yogi). She also took the pulse of the group and did classes accordingly. I learned a lot about myself and was able to do some self reflection and ended up with a lot of clarity on the next steps for my life. This happened because I was allowed the space I needed as well as the togetherness of the group. I have to say this trip was life changing for me and that is not a phrase I use lightly. I know that the primary reason a lot of people would do a retreat with this company is to come to together with others for the intention of furthering or deepening their yoga practice. That wasn't my primary reason for going but I ended up facing the challenges presented to me and walked away being able to do poses at the end that were killing me in the beginning. If this retreat is indicative of how all their retreats are run then I would highly recommend this company to anyone. read more

I Went to the Amalfi Cost Yoga Retreat. It was an amazing experience, far better than what I could have imagined. I met awesome people, enjoyed breathtaking views and delicious vegan meals, learned a lot about Yoga and had a great time practicing it in such a great space read more

Choose yoga retreats based on a teacher you know and love or ask a teacher you know and love to recommend a teacher who is doing a retreat. Yogascapes has great destinations but that's it. The yoga aspect is questionable - 'Go with the Flow, it is yoga' is the answer to all the disorganization and horrible teachers who themselves are on a freebie trip. Yogascapes employees on the trip are working, always on their laptops, they join the yoga class after it has begun or take promotional photos when you are practicing. My trip was an overpriced booze cruise. Nothing wrong with that, if that's what you were planning but some of our yogis started drinking after having been non drinkers for years. There are so many great yoga retreat options out there, organized by teachers who really care about their students. There is no need to book on an anonymous website. read more

This was my first yoga retreat and I was nervous about attending alone. I am so happy that I decided to go. It was well organized and the communication leading up to the weekend was great. I would definitely recommend it and am considering attending an international retreat next year. The only thing I would advise on is that they can be a bit slow responding to help inquiries on the website but you have to understand that this is a small organization run by about 5 people so its a very personalized response not a customer services center like a large organization. read more

I had a great time on the Sicily yoga retreat. The farmhouse we stayed in had history and the rooms were renovated. The staff was really kind and attentive. The activities planned for us when not doing yoga were a really good insight into the surrounding countryside. There was also time for us to relax at the farmhouse if we chose. Food was included for breakfast and dinner everyday, and lunch if you chose to stay there during the day. It was mostly vegetarian and healthy, as advertised. Oh yeah, the yoga was good too :) I only give it four stars instead of five because the incorrect dates were put on the website which messed up a lot of travel plans for people, although the company reimbursed people for hotel to cover it. I also give four stars because the "cleaning" in the room consisted of making the beds, a somewhat useless exercise, and our bathroom floor became dirty early in the week, including the towel outside the shower, but the floor was never cleaned nor was the towel replaced. read more

Hello, Ekaette, Ben and Leah- I am not sure I know what each of your roles are with Yogascapes so I thought it would be best to include all 3 of you. Here is all of the misrepresentations I have been provided by your company: From Leah 6/7/18 email: "We know this is a massive shift and are working with our venues to expedite the refund process as much as possible." I'm not sure what you mean by your "working with your venues" - this has nothing to do with your refunding our money that you have been using since January. From Leah 6/7/18 email: "We will follow up with complete answers to all of your previous questions about this process, and touch base with Evan, who we had discussed this cancellation with prior to contacting you." Nobody has followed up with answers to our questions. From Ekaette 6/7/18 email: "We will process a full refund for your reservation for the Iceland retreat, and you will receive notice of these cancellations via our reservation platform." We have received no notice of refund. From Ekaette 6/5/18 email: "I am in a meeting and not able to speak by phone right now. I am looping in Ben Crosky, our COO, and he will be able to answer your questions in detail and give you more information and additional support." Ben has never contacted us. From Ekaette 6/5/18 email: "Unfortunately, we've had a number of last minute cancellations for this retreat and can no longer move forward with this trip." Evan told us there was only 1 other person signed up besides Ginny and me. Why weren't we told this? Your Website showed that the Iceland trip with Evan was "Sold Out" prior to you sharing the news with us about the canceled trip. If you were actively marketing the trip why did you show it as "sold out"? I guess I should have been concerned when your phone number goes directly to voice mail and nobody returns the call. I guess we also should have been concerned when we contacted Ion Adventure Hotel in Iceland about extending the stay and they refused (thinking we were with Yogascapes) because they stated they were owed for considerably past due invoices that Yogascapes has failed to pay. I explained that if you did not contact me by the end of the day on Friday, 6/8 that I would "resort to other means of restitution". Your response of telling me that a refund would be forthcoming is not a satisfactory response. I am still open to having a conversation with whomever is in the capacity to rectify this situation. Unfortunately, I will now have to begin other efforts to recover our financial losses for this canceled trip. Brad read more

I have so much respect for the depth of knowledge yogascapes bring to their events, I want to make more time to be involved.

Yogascapes is a small company that goes out of its way to make sure its guests have a unique and beautiful experience. I am a yoga teacher and have taught over 30 retreats in Central America with multiple retreat companies, so I have a lot of experience with the challenges that come along with organizing any group of people... especially in a developing country. For the past four years I lived in Tulum and was connected to one of the properties where they held their retreats (which btw has never sold alcohol and discourages its use on their property... so this concept posted below of being on a booze cruise seems very specific to the group that was in attendance. Most teachers do not accompany guests if they drink... but there is little we can do if that's how guests choose to entertain themselves ). Anyway, I was contacted by yogascapes to host 3 retreats at that location this year. While I normally teach, I welcomed this opportunity and appreciated that they reached out to someone local to the area to guide their guests. It was my first experience taking on this particular role, but I felt comfortable as I had their guidance and support every step of the way. It was an amazing experience.. I connected with incredible people that quickly became friends and had the privilege of attending every single class(from start to finish) taught by these inspiring and talented teachers. These women are phenomenal.. Beyond the three teachers I met on these particular retreats, I personally know and deeply respect several other teachers who work with yogascapes... Aarona, Be shakti, Tabitha rose, Ashleigh Sergeant,.. Jazz Braden.. all brilliant teachers in their own special ways...do yourself a favor and look them up before making decisions based on a couple ugly reviews. It is challenging to please a large group of individuals who all have their own perspective of what their yoga class should look like. Have you ever stood in front of a class and tried to decipher facial expressions and appease the wide array of bodies in a full class of people? I have in my own teaching experience had many people tell me that they had (in their words) profound and transformative experiences in my class .. while others may walk away rolling their eyes complaining because I did not in some way meet their personal standards... people are fickle and can be rude when they don't get what they expect. To say any teacher is on a retreat as a "freebie" shows a lack of awareness of the energy that goes into planning and teaching classes as well as what it means to be present and offer all day support to 15-20 adults that each come with their own set of emotions, dietary restrictions, injuries, fears and other personal needs. We work hard and give a lot of ourselves. It is great to be in a beautiful place, but it is no way a vacation for us. Please, have a little compassion. Doing anything in another country is difficult.. you have to be open and yes "go with the flow" because life outside of the US is just different. Going forward, I will gladly continue to work with yogascapes, as a teacher or a host, whatever they need. I am excited to get to join them again this year in Morocco and reunite with some of the folks returning from previous retreats. read more