Private Gathering for previous students of Andrew Cohen
Intention: to come together in friendship with no agenda.
At Suryalila Retreat Centre in Andalusia
Every day, we will be offering optional activities, including daily Yoga Classes, Meditation and Chi Gung. We will also offer several optional excursions during the week. Enjoy sauna sessions, swims in our salt water pool and various types of massage. There is plenty of hiking around the Centre and we have a lovely trail on the property. We invite you to rest, relax, reconnect and recharge.
Optional Excursions which are not included in the price.
Hike in Grazalema
with a visit to the picturesque little white town
Grazalema is a small white village with about 2000 inhabitants and is located in the middle of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park. The town is located on the edge of a mountain that has a height of 600 to 1600 meters. It has a microclimate that gets the most rainfall in all of Spain, namely about 2200 liters per square meter per year. The main industry has been the furniture industry and the hand weaving of lambswool cloth, used for shawls and blankets, an industry that started in the middle ages and continues till today. Many people come to hike in the mountains and to climb them too. The pinsapo is a unique Spanish fir that grows only in the area and now is the symbol of the mountains. The nearby Valley of Benamahoma generates plenty of electricity because of all of the rainfall.
There are about 30 different hikes around Grazalema, all equally beautiful. Our guides will be happy to take you to the one suited for your needs in terms of the grade of difficulty and duration.
River Hike
El Bosque and Benamahoma are two picturesque villages tucked away amongst the mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park. They are part of what is known as ‘Pueblos Blancos’ - a unique tourist name in Andalusia consisting of a group of towns in the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga characterised by their whitewashed facades and steep streets. Our favourite thing to do here is walk from one town to the other along the banks of the majestic Majaceite river. Thanks to the steady flow of crystal clear spring water, the land here is lush, green and fertile - as dragonflies dance in the air and fig trees sway in the breeze, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a secret tropical haven far from the tourist trail. The walk takes around an hour - winding over rocks and bridges with the soothing sound of water accompanying every step. Dotted along the way, are inviting natural bathing pools and sparkling waterfalls. There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day (summer time temperatures in Andalusia can climb to 40 degrees!) then to plunge into the clear cool waters and emerge feeling reborn! And of course, to treat yourself at the end of the walk with a cold ‘cana’ (beer) in one of the town’s friendly tapas bars and cafes whilst marvelling at the beautiful mountain vistas.
Visit to Ronda
Famous worldwide for its dramatic gorge, the mountain top town of Ronda is one of Spain’s most spectacular sites. The ‘old’ and ‘new’ town is split by the Tajo Gorge as if by magic and is connected by the Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge. For the thousands of visitors who flock here every year, they make this their first stop - and for good reason. The views are spellbinding. Deep in the chasm of the gorge snakes the Guadalevín river flowing over rocks and boulders making it a popular trail for canyoners. Rock climbers can also be spotted scaling the dizzying heights of the golden gorge walls. Beyond, farmland, olive groves and mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s little wonder that the famous American writers Earnest Hemingway and Orson Welles were inspired to live here. Apart from dramatic views, the town boasts a rich history. The Celts were the first settlers back in 6th Century BC, and over the centuries, Ronda was taken over by the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Berbers. This diverse cultural tapestry can be explored through Ronda’s beautiful palaces, churches, squares, museums, Arabic baths and monuments peppered around the labyrinth of streets lined with tapas bars, shops and restaurants. The most notorious site is the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings set in a stunning piazza surrounded by gardens leading to the cliff edge. Our favourite way to savour all the delights this wonderful pueblo has to offer is on a walking tour. The day typically starts with a stroll along the bridge before following the winding path into the belly of the gorge to take in the incredible vistas from the bottom up. Along the way, your guide will share stories of Ronda’s fascinating history whilst leading you through the pretty cobbled streets and alleyways. After working up an appetite, you’ll settle at a wonderful Spanish restaurant and sample the area’s gastronomical delights on a sun-dappled terrace. Ronda has a thriving foodie scene, and is peppered with delicious delicatessens where you can pick up goodies to take home.
Distance: One hour drive
Late spring in Andalusia is epic, with lush green meadows, explosions of flowers, blue skies and warm weather. It can rain but usually not for long. Looking forward to sharing this earthly paradise with you.
For those of you who might be interested, there is a five night retreat with revered Swami Sarvapriyananda, from 18-23 April prior to this weeklong gathering. In the case that you would like to book both events, Suryalila would be happy to offer you one free night on 23rd April. Please mention this when booking.
https://www.suryalila.com/retreats/advaita-vedanta-retreat-
Please book early to be sure you can get the accommodation type you would like.
Prices:
