Desert Feminine Full Moon Yoga Journey
26 September - 4 October 2020
Jordan
​
For those in search of presence, connection and a deeper experience of their divine feminine essence. Join us this fall in Jordan for adventure and movement, stillness and community. Embrace the timeless energy of the wild desert under the light of the full moon.
​
With visits to Petra, the Dead Sea, Amman & Madaba
​
Journey Details - Journey Leaders - Testimonials - Photo Album - What's Included -
Journey Fees - Meals - Safety in Jordan - Arranging Flights - Sample Itinerary - Register - Terms
JOURNEY DETAILS
​
We welcome you with great respect and love to this magical journey into the lap of the great mother tucked away in the mountain valleys outside of Petra, Jordan, We welcome you whether you are a first timer or if you have already experienced retreat with Saraswati and Alena. This is an all-inclusive journey, open to all humans. All cultures, faiths, lifestyles are welcome here.
This wild desert journey is a great opportunity for you to dive deep into the vast expanses of southern Jordan. The Sacred Feminine is strong in these desert valleys, She holds, supports and nourishes, allowing you to empty out and find renewal as you reconnect to the essence of yourself. For 8 days, be immersed in natural desert rhythms as you experience deep presence and stillness on a path to new experience and discovery.
​
Protected by rocks and mountains, hidden away in the wild deserts just northwest of the ancient city of Petra, our accommodation is at the Ammarin Bedouin Camp, deep in the canyon of Wadi al Amti, which provides the perfect place to journey into the Feminine. A traditional healing place, al Amti carries strong, protective energies that support the spirit, allowing healing to unfold with grace.
​
Our daily schedule is framed by morning and evening practice. During the day, we embrace the energies of the land and the group as we engage in different movement, healing and learning activities on and off site - including a visit to the Dead Sea, meals with a local family and the opportunity to sit in meditation in the Petra site under the full moon.
​
All practices shared by Saraswati and Alena are grounded in wisdom teachings of the eastern and western hemispheres and are a transformative offering for the body, mind and heart.
RETREAT LEADERS
Saraswati Bella Hancock has been teaching Hatha Yoga for the last 20 years. Based in the west of Ireland, she directs Heart Ways Yoga training courses and Devi Yoga Studio.
​
Saraswati is a 500 hour trained teacher and has 1000’s of practice hours and teaching experience behind her. She is a yoga therapist specializing in women’s wellbeing, a yoga nidra facilitator and is immersed on the living path of tantra yoga.
Saraswati’s influences and inspirations include the teachings of Swami Satyananda, BKS Iyengar, teachers of Scaravelli Yoga, the tantric and structural yoga of Mukunde Stiles and the Trilogy Yoga teachings of Chinnamasta Stiles. Saraswati also studied and taught sacred feminine dance movement for 14 years ... SEE MORE
Adventurous & fun, wise & committed, Alena Bartoli is a depth practitioner, transformational educator and journey guide who facilitates deep powerful journeys of inner and outer experience.
​
​Driven by a desire to support others as they expand consciousness of self, land and community, Alena creates and leads journeys of transformation in remote, naturally exquisite settings, gently taking her clients beyond their comfort zones and into the unknown. Drawing on a wealth of life experience and using her deep knowledge of people and place, Alena's individual and group journeys cater to the distinct needs of each client.
​
A true nomad, Alena has lived for extended periods in Jordan, Sweden, Egypt, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Korea ... SEE MORE
.jpg)
]
TESTIMONIALS
The highlight of my Desert Feminine experience was the beauty of the desert and sleeping outside by the campfire and the love with which {Alena} and Bella gently led and held the group.
-- Sally Cooke, 2018 -
​
​The silence of the Desert inside and outside is what I most appreciated. One morning after yoga I was ... sitting in stillness as the whole herd of goats passed ... two small ones made to come and check me out ... I loved those goats and could watch them endlessly ...
​
I [made] great life long connections and feel hugely blessed by how richly [Alena] and Bella held the space for all of us ... the yoga nidra under the stars on the mountain in Petra has penetrated my being.
-- Betty O Toole, 2018 -
​
If I need peace whilst queuing in our busy supermarket I just close my eyes and see the wonderful wadis of Jordan. Such a lovely time. Thank you.
-- Julie Williams, 2018 -
WHAT"S INCLUDED
​
-
8 nights double occupancy accommodation
-
Pick up from and drop off to Queen Alia Airport Amman
-
Transport between Amman - Dead Sea - Petra - Madaba
-
Dead Sea cleansing ceremony
-
Two daily practices including mudra, mantra, womb yoga, yogasana, pranayama, meditiation, wild nidra, movement, stories, songs, dream time, journeying and ceremony
-
2 home-cooked vegetarian/vegan meals a day
-
Water & tea
-
Full Moon meditation inside Petra
-
Hiking tour of Petra Archeological Site
JOURNEY FEES
​
2020 Early Bird Fees (until 1 May 2020) : 1799 USD
2020 Regular Fees (until 31 July 2020) : 1999 USD
​
​NOT INCLUDED: airfare, Jordan Pass (visa & entry fees), souvenirs, personal items, non-water & non-tea beverages.
​
CANCELLATION POLICY
A) until 60 days prior to arrival: 100% refund of total tour costs
B) until 30 days prior to arrival: 50% refund of total tour costs;
C) after 30 days: no refund
MEALS
​
As per the meal traditions of some yogic lineages, during our time in Jordan we will consume just wo meals per day - mid-morning and early evening.. All meals during our stay in Petra are tasty, home-cooked and vegetarian! Breakfasts are served outdoors in a beautiful canyon next to our accomodation. Dinners, cooked over the fire, are served in spectacular, natural locations throughout the Petra area. One dinner will be eaten in the home of a local family in the near-by village of al Baidha. Meals in Amman and Madaba will be at two of Jordan's best local restaurants. Snacks are provided at the retreat site as needed.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
SAFETY IN JORDAN
​
Ranked as one of the Lonely Planet's top 10 don't miss destinations of 2019, Jordan is one of the safest destinations in the region, if not the world. A high value is placed on hospitality by Jordanian tribal society and the safety of travelers and guests is number one for all whose paths we cross. Traveling as a group makes a visit to Jordan especially comfortable for women as it allows participants to avoid the awkward moments of solo travel in a traditional Muslim society while allowing the opportunity to interact deeply with the local community. With 10+ years resident in Jordan, Alena's roots run deep; guests are welcomed as part of the family.
​
We recognize that Jordan exists in a volatile region and take into account US State Department Travel Advisories into account in trip planning and execution. A Level 3 /Reconsider Travel) Advisory will lead to immediate cancellation of this journey and a complete refund of journey fees.
ARRANGING FLIGHTS
Please arrange flights into and out of Queen Alia International Airport in Amman as follows:
2019 - arrival no later than 8 pm on 8 October; departure no earlier than 7 am on 16 October
2020 - arrival no later than 8 pm on 26 September; departure no earlier than 7 am on 4 October
​
In our 10+ years of experience, kayak.com consistently offers best rates on return fares to Jordan, From Europe, Ryanair offers direct service to Amman from select cities. From North America, Turkish Airlines offers excellent rates via Istanbul, generally with a day's stop over included to explore the city.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
​
Please note that itinerary is subject to change based on needs of group and location.
​
Day 1, Airport - Amman
​
Arrival to Queen Alia International Airport. Transfer from Airport to accommodation at Shams Al Weibdeh Hotel Apartments, Amman. Rest.
​
Day 2, Amman
​
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to rest and/or explore Amman on your own or with the group. Optional visit to local hammam (bathhouse) Welcome dinner at al Jafra Restaurant, downtown Amman.
​
Day 3, Amman - Wadi al Amti
​​
Breakfast at the hotel. 9:00 am pick up. Transfer to Wadi Al Amti with stop at Dead Sea, arriving mid-afternoon. Check into Ammarin Bedouin Camp. Welcome and Orientation to the site over tea. Take time to settle in to camp before sharing afternoon practice, sunset and an evening meal, followed by group time around the fire as we set intention for our time together. Rest.
​
Day 4, Wadi al Amti
​
Awaken for a morning practice followed by a mid-morning meal. Free time or group activity followed by afternoon rest. Afternoon practice. After practice, you may choose from one of the two options below.
​​
​(1) Walk to Siq al Barid (Little Petra) archeological site for sunset.
(2) Take a guided plant walk through Wadi al Amti learning about the many uses of local mountain herbs and plants.
​
Evening meal with local residents in the nearby village of Al Baidha.
​
Day 5, Wadi al Amti
​​
Awaken for a morning practice followed by a mid-morning meal. Free time or group activity followed by afternoon rest. Afternoon practice. Sunset and evening meal in the mountains of al Farsh, overlooking scenic Wadi Araba. Return to camp. Rest.
​
Day 6, Petra Site Visit
​
Awaken for a morning practice followed by morning meal.
Options:
(1) Visit to Petra site through main Siq entrance.
(2) HIke back road from Little Petra to the Monastery.
Sunset tea and full moon meditation inside Petra. Return to camp for dinner. Rest.
​
Day 7, Wadi al Amti
​
Awaken for morning practice followed by mid-morning meal. Free time or silent walk. Rest time. Afternoon practice. Sunset with evening meal in the desert.
​
Day 8, Wadi al Amti – Madaba
Awaken. Morning Practice. Closing. Morning meal. 2 pm departure for Delilah Hotel, Madaba. Farewell dinner at Haret Jdoudna Restaurant in Madaba.
​
Day 9, Madaba – Airport
​
Awaken. Breakfast. Transfer to airport.
​
​