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Yoga Society Retreat

Samöens, The French Alps

*If you would like us to arrange a trip outside of these dates get in touch or click here for more information.

£980 all inclusive   
 

 6 
Days

6 night trip in June, 2025

Flexible weeks.

Min 35 people - Max 50 people

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WHAT TO EXPECT

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La Source specialises in magical, unique and transformative yoga retreats in the French Alps. This week-long yoga retreat is designed for university students who want an immersive experience combining physical challenges, awe inspiring nature, deep connections and spiritual grounding.

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This all-inclusive adventure will deepen your yoga practice, and take you lake swimming, white-water rafting, canyoning (abseiling in waterfalls), and on an overnight journey in the mountains. 

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While physically and mentally challenging, all activities are optional, ensuring that you can tailor the week to your own level of comfort and readiness. It combines elements of a wild adventure and a meditative break.

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Expect this week to be a journey of rewilding, reconnecting, and rediscovering the simplicity and beauty of nature. It’s an opportunity to step away from the fast pace of life, unwind after exams, disconnect from technology, and reconnect with your inner self and the group. Through adventure, yoga, and reflection, you’ll tap into your resilience and rediscover a sense of vitality and presence.

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WHO IS IT FOR

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We welcome students of all yoga abilities, genders and backgrounds who are members of the University of Bristol Yoga Society.

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THE TEACHERS & HOSTS

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Your hosts and yoga teachers will be Saskia and Olympia and we will also have an International Mountain Leader with us for the week.  We encourage the Uni to send at least 1 Uni Teacher as it's a great experience to be part of the hosting team!

 

We will split into groups of 12 to 15 people and each group will have it's own host so we can build an intimate group dynamic within the larger group. 

 

Saskia has been a qualified yoga teach and has run retreats for  over 16 years. She is the Founder of La Source. She has also been an Outward Bound Instructor in the USA, Costa Rica and South Africa. 

Olympia was part of the Bristol University Yoga Society Committee for 2 years and is a qualified Yoga Teacher.

Aga is a Tree Whisperer and Mountain Woman and has a magical way of connecting us all deeply with the majesty of nature.

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ACCOMMODATION

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We stay in a lovely rural eco centre, Fermes de Vercland, in Samöens with beautiful views of the mountains tucked away in the wilderness.

 

Each dorm room has an en suite and sleeps 3-7 people.

 

There are large communal areas in the accommodation chalet and this is where we do yoga.

 

Everyone eats together in the Dining Room Chalet which is 5 minutes walk away.​

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1 night will be spent in a Refuge, or catered High Hut in the mountains. 

 

THE FOOD

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It's a stunning 5 minute walk to the Old Savoyard Barn where we eat our breakfast and dinners. The food is abundant and healthy and vegetarian or vegan on request. If you are vegan bring a few snacks!

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At breakfast, we will make up our picnics. 

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The night we spend at the refuge is catered by the Refuge team.

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TRAVEL: HOW TO GET TO SAMOENS

We do not include transport in our costs and you will need a car to get around as there is no public transport in the area.

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PLANE & HIRE CAR

The easiest option is to fly Easyjet from Bristol to Geneva.

 

If you are 19 years old or over and have held your driving license for a year,  it is possible to rent a car. Always hire cars from the Swiss side of the airport as it is more straight forward.

 

Samoens is a 1 hour drive from Geneva Airport. We recommend Booking.com for car hires as they have a good insurance policy.

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COACH

The Yoga Society could hire a coach and driver for the week. This is likely to cost around £9000.

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SELF DRIVE

Alternatively, it is possible for guests to drive. We recommend car pooling as with 5 sharing a car, this is an eco and cost-effective way to travel. The total cost for a return car journey to Bristol with the Eurotunnel and tolls included is around £500 so £100 split between 5. 

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Samoens is 1 hour East of Geneva.

 

It's best to take 2 days for the journey unless you are sharing the drive. It's around a 15 hour drive from Bristol via the Fokestone EuroTunnel.

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Our favourite place to stay en route is the spa motel The Val Moret. Rooms are around €100 for 3 or 4 people. The Spa is included and Dinners are cordon bleu!

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ITINERARY

Day 1 | ARRIVAL
Dinner

Everyone arrives at the chalet from 5pm. There will be time for ice breakers and perhaps a swim at the Lake before dinner at the Outdoor Centre at 7.30pm. There will be a few team building activities and an orientation after dinner.  

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Day 2 | WHITE WATER RAFTING
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Yoga is 7.30-8.30 am each morning. After breakfast and packing our picnics, we will set off on our first adventure which is white water rafting through a magical canyon. We will have a picnic by the river and after a short canyon walk we will explore the beautiful village of Samoens in the afternoon.  

Day 3 | CANYONING
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After yoga and breakfast we'll experience a thrilling canyonning adventure in a stunning river canyon. We will spend the afternoon at Lac Blue.

Day 4 | OVERNIGHT HIKE
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After Yoga and Breakfast we will start our 2 day hike in to the Mountains. We take our time and enjoy the absolute majesty of the landscape. We stop at a natural spa for a swim. The energy is totally different and we will take the opportunity to meditate and spend some time solo in nature.

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Day 5 | RETURN HIKE
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 

After a night at the refuge, we get into the swing of the simplicity of mountain living. We head deeper into the mountains, swimming in a glacial lake on our way home. 

Day 6 | CHILL DAY BY THE LAKE
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

After our big expedition, today is a rest day. We do a Yin style yoga class and head for a lazy day by the lake. If anyone want to do any activities like paragliding, or a Ropes Course, this can be arranged. We will have a group gathering and debrief in the evening. 

Day 7 | CLOSING AND FAREWELL
Breakfast | Picnic | Dinner

We need to leave the chalet by 10am so it's Farewell until the next time!

THE BOOKING PROCESS

1. Feel free to email or call Saskia to ask any questions.

 

2. Decide upon travel options to Samoens.

 

3. Decide on the week you would like to book and send us the dates. 

 

4. If the week is available, Saskia will send you a non refundable deposit invoice of £1000. The minimum cost will be for 35 people and if there are less than 35 people, the cost will be a minimum of £17,815 for the group. 

 

This is an all inclusive price for everything built in to our itinerary.

 

5. 3 months before the trip, we will send you an on-line form to collect details about all participants. The balance is payable in full 2 months before the trip.

 

6. You will receive a Welcome Letter with a packing list, etc. and we set up a What's App for the group 1 month before the trip.

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OUR ACCOMODATION
 SAMOENS, FRANCE

Group size is 35 to 50 people

The rooms are shared en suite dormitory rooms for 3 to 7 people. We will send you a room plan so you can allocate the rooms.

Dining facilities are a beautiful 5 mins walk from the Outdoor Centre Accommodation.

£980  all inclusive

 6 
Days

Weeks available throughout June, 2025

Mountain Lake with a Blue Sky

WHAT IS INCLUDED

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  • 6 nights accommodation in an Outdoor Centre in shared en suite dorms.

  • Full catering

  • 24/7 hosting by Saskia, Olympia and International Mountain Guide Agneizska 

  • 5 x Yoga Classes with a max of 17 people per class each morning

  • White Water Rafting 

  • Canyonning

  • Samoens Village

  • Visit to Fer a Cheval (a Wonder of France)

  • Lake swimming

  • 1 night at a catered refuge and 2 days of  hiking

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

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  • A University Yoga Teacher! (If you do not want to send a Uni Yoga Teacher please budget an extra £35 per person and we will provide a 3rd Yoga Teacher)

  • Getting to Samoens 

  • Travel insurance 

  • Budget for any extra gear you might need; e.g. hiking boots or sturdy trainers and a big day pack with a waist strap. (Suggested kit list will be sent with Welcome Letter - bedding etc is provided).

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Sarah, London

“I feel so renewed. The trip was so beyond my expectations and I can't wait to go back to the mountains."

Lottie, Edinburgh

"Saskia was so attentive and really held the space for us to open up to parts of ourselves that helped us grow in a way that felt so safe, light and fun."

Josie, Birmingham

“What I loved, apart from all of it, was the way the group opened up so much and how we made such close friends. ”

©2024 Source Holidays - La Source Experience Ltd - Co. Number 09134271 

Member of Responsible Travel since 2008

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