Sumba Island Retreat
Planning for your Retreat
It’s almost time to immerse yourself in simple, natural living on one of Indonesia's island paradises. We are so excited for you to join us for 6 days on beautiful Sumba island. Full of palm tree jungles and sandy beaches, it will be easy to kick back and enjoy the pleasures of island life while deep diving on retreat.
To support you in planning for your retreat, we’ve compiled some information below.
Packing Ideas
> Warm to Hot weather and tropical rain clothing (average temps 25-32 degrees) including light clothing for sun coverage
> Swimwear, Surf Wear
> Yoga or fitness attire for warm environment
> Yoga Mat (yoga mats are available if you do not wish to bring your own)
> Toiletries
> PJs
> Comfortable Walking Sandals and Shoes
> Re-usable Water Bottle for outings (save the environment and limit use of one-time-use plastic bottles)
> A Backpack or Beach Bag for outings (Soul Tribe has eco bags available for purchase on retreat from 300 php)
> Electronics (ex. mobile phones, camera, chargers)
> Sun Protection: sun glasses, hat, sunscreen, after sun care
> Insect Repellent (Bug Another Organic, BUG-R-OFF Herbal, or Natural Oil blends with citronella work well)
> Travel Medical Kit: this may include electrolyte replacement powder or tablets, pain relief medicine, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine (for bites or allergies), anti-diarrhea (just incase!), antiseptic solution, antibiotics, tweezers, gauze, medical tape, ear plugs, antacid for indigestion, and any other personal medications
> Bring some cash and a back-up credit/debit card
> A Journal or Notepad
> Book to enjoy during your down time
> Travel Documents (ex. Passport)
Accommodation
To facilitate your experience, we've chosen oceanside accommodation on a breathtaking stretch of white sand beach. Soultribe Beach Retreat is a beautiful eco-conscious retreat located on a tropical island with a jungle feel and private pool on site.
Enjoy a fresh sea breeze from the comfort of your Ocean front cabana with private en suite and outdoor showers or get closer to nature with comfort and style in a luxury bell tent.
Airport Transport
A Soultribe Beach Retreat driver will pick you up at the Siargao Island Airport if you book your flight to arrive on the April 21 before 14:00. Rooms will be ready for a 2pm check-in time but you are welcome to arrive anytime and hang in common areas including poolside.
Once everyone has arrived and checked-in, you’ll have some time to settle into our accommodation. We plan to meet as a group in the yoga studio at 3:30pm for intro circle and 5pm relaxing yoga practice.
Meals
3 Meals a day at Soultribe Beach Retreat are included in your retreat package. If you have not yet told us about food allergies, special food requirements etc., please email us your dietary requests so we can do our best to accommodate.
Sample Schedule
Morning:
7am-8:30am Yoga + Meditation
9:00am Breakfast
10:00am-11:30am Workshop
11:30am Meditative Practice
Midday:
12:30pm Lunch
Surf, Massages, Time to explore Siargao or Chill time
Evening:
Restorative Session (ex. yin or gentle yoga)
6:30pm Group Dinner
7:30pm Optional Evening Activity (ex. Chill by the Fire)
Note: This is a sample daily schedule. A more detailed itinerary will be provided upon arrival.
After settling into Soultribe Beach Retreat on our first day (21 April), we will meet as a group in the yoga studio at 3:30pm for an intro circle and yoga practice.
Workshops Series
The Retreat Workshops series was purposefully and thoughtfully created to help you broaden your capacity for wellbeing and connection. Each workshop will be facilitated with the intention to create an inspiring and supportive environment to enable heartfelt conversations and insight to unfold.
The delivery is grounded on the concept of learning through experience and is supported by ancient yogic philosophy, current science in coaching psychology, mindfulness theory, and mind-body practices. Beyond the content, each workshop is an opportunity to honour your own humanness so wholehearted connection and insight can emerge.
Yoga
This immersion will offer daily yoga classes to support your holisitic experience, deepen your yoga practice, and strengthen your connection within.
Morning practices will be mindfully sequenced and themed to build on one another and to complement our workshops. Gentle evening sessions will be offered, allowing you to stabilise the mind and ease your body into deep relaxation.
Classes are suitable for all levels and will include guided meditation and breathing techniques. Modifications to postures will be offered with a focus on self-awareness and ease of movement.
Mats are available if you prefer not to bring your own.
Additional Activities
We want you to get the most out of your time on Siargao Island, so we’ve included two stunning island hopping boat trips as part of your retreat experience. The boat trips include a stop at Guyam Island, Naked Island, and Dako Island.
You may also be interested in getting involved in other activities during your down time. Surfing, paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving, or kayaking is also available. You can organise these activities at additional costs with the staff hosting us at Soultribe.
We can also organise local surf coaches and guides on days that we are not scheduled to surf. The additional cost is approx. 1200 php for 2 hour Surf Lessons depending on the individual coaching rates.
Massages
Two relaxing massages are included in your retreat package. Enjoy a restorative body treatment at our retreat venue while relaxing to the sounds of the ocean, total bliss. We will schedule massages during the opening circle our first day on retreat. If you’d like to book additional massages, you are welcome to arrange this with the venue.
Arriving in the Philippines
You will be asked for an address on your immigration card on your flight over from your origin country.
This is where we will be staying upon arrival in Siargao:
Soultribe Beach Retreat, Bayan ng General Luna, Lalawigan ng Surigao del Norte
If you booked your flight to arrive on the 21st of April during the suggested time (prior to 14:00) or let us know otherwise, a Soultribe Beach Retreat driver will be there to pick you up.
Once everyone has arrived and checked-in, you’ll have some time to settle into our accommodation. We plan to meet as a group in the yoga studio at 15:30 for an intro circle and yoga practice.
Passport
You MUST have a passport to travel to the Philippines and it must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you will return home. If you need to renew your passport we recommend you do it ASAP as the process can sometimes take a few weeks.
Entry Requirements
For this 7-day trip it is NOT necessary that you obtain a visa before departing for the Philippines. You must have 6 months validity on your passport from your arrival in the country right through your planned departure back to your passports issuing country, as well as blank pages. Your travel visa will be issued to you upon entry into the Philippines. Australian + Canadian citizens carrying a valid passport do not need visas when visiting the Philippines as tourists for less than three months.
Please ensure you are also informed of any immunisation requirements for entry to the Philippines and returning to your country of residence. We suggest consulting a travel clinic for the latest information on the vaccinations recommended for the country you are travelling to.
Insurance
You MUST have at least medical travel insurance to cover the duration of your retreat. Please purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage, with specific Covid-19 medical coverage and cancellation and curtailment provision which is now available from many reputable providers.
It is also strongly recommended to consider travel insurance to protect the costs of your trip in the case of loss, damage, injury, illness or inability to attend for other reasons.
Banking
We suggest bringing cash and/or a back up credit/debit card. There are some ATMs on the island though they are a distance from our accommodation. There are some international cards that the ATMS reject so bring cash and/or a second card in case your normal one is rejected.
Some Words to Support You in Your Travels
Below is more info for you. It’s been influenced by observations and feedback over the years. It's our effort to help ease you into your travels and provide suggestions for our upcoming journey together.
Like Everything, the Philippines is Continuously Changing
Whether you were in the Philippines 10 years ago, last year or never been, come with the awareness that it's always changing. The lifestyle and social norms may be different or unfamiliar to what you are accustomed to. I know I am continuously questioning my norms, logic, and points of view. I've found the best way to embrace all that is new is to be curious, ask questions, and be open to what is. From my experience, there is much to learn from different ways of living and many riches to discover.
Come with an Open and Curious Mind
Some of you may already travel a lot, some not so much. Some of you may have practiced a lot of yoga, others are new to the practice. Some of you may have done a lot of personal development, life coaching or some form of inner work, others not at all. I assure you the greatest opportunity for learning will come from staying open, curious, and receptive to whatever it is you are supposed to learn, knowing that the process of discovery and self-awareness is infinite. And together, for this reason, we will draw on the collective wisdom of the group.
Everyone is on their own Journey and coming from Different Places
When we are engaging in personal development, in a foreign culture, and in a collective experience it will more than likely bring up a heightened awareness to your own challenges. This is a good thing, it is leading us to greater self-awareness, living more inline with our values, and being more authentic. Remember continuously to respect where you and others are at. I am available for one-on-one conversations throughout the retreat.
Find the Things you Need to Nurture Yourself
It is so important that you get the most out of this experience. If that means you need to take it easy in a yoga practice, get a massage, have a nap or an early evening, please do what you feel is best. You are very welcome to create a personalized experience that best suits your needs and desires.
Your Experience goes Beyond Yourself
In the past, some participants have felt mixed emotions in the lead up to a retreat - including a sense of guilt. This may be related of taking time off work, leaving family behind, or even due to being in the unfamiliar space of self-care. If you are experiencing any of this, please know that it is OK and a very normal experience. And, also know this... Even though personal development, yoga, and self-care practices benefit you, the purpose is to benefit others as well. A healthy and harmonious being radiates positive energy and peace to its surroundings.
with love and respect,
Erin