Casa Verde · Mindo, Ecuador · UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Private retreats
in the cloud
forest.
Year-round, all-inclusive, up to three guests at a time. Personalized yoga, garden-to-table meals, and daily hiking inside one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
A retreat built entirely around you.
Casa Verde is not a retreat centre with a programme. It is a private home in one of the world’s rarest ecosystems, where up to three guests at a time receive Wendy’s full, undivided attention, every single day.
There is no group schedule to keep. No shared yoga classes. No communal dining with strangers. Every yoga session, every meal, every walk in the forest is shaped around you.
The pattern repeats, almost without exception: guests arrive carrying the accumulated weight of their ordinary lives, and leave lighter — physically, mentally, measurably lighter.
The combination of daily yoga practice, organic garden-to-table meals, and uninterrupted time in the Chocó-Andino Biosphere Reserve produces results that no single element could produce alone.
Most guests book seven or nine nights. Wendy recommends nine — because it takes a few days to genuinely arrive, and she wants you to have time to go deep.
“Wendy has done for me what no doctor or specialist has ever been able to do — and in the span of only 8 days.”
Simon — CanadaBiosphere Reserve
Casa Verde sits within the Chocó-Andino de Pichincha Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2018. Spanning 286,806 hectares of the western Andean cordillera, it is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth.
Home to 10,000 plant species, 270 mammal species, and 200+ bird species — including the endemic Chocó toucan.
UNESCO official designation →Private yoga, six mornings a week.
One-on-one instruction adapted entirely to your body and level. Over 50 years of experience working with all practitioners.
Garden-to-table, three meals a day.
Organic, plant-based meals from the property’s own garden. You leave knowing every recipe.
Five trails. Four waterfalls. UNESCO biosphere.
Over 250 butterfly species, 4,000 orchid varieties, and the endemic Chocó toucan outside your window.
What each day holds.
Private yoga instruction
Six mornings a week, one-on-one with Wendy. Hands-on guidance adapted to your exact level.
Garden-to-table meals
Three organic, plant-based meals prepared daily from the property’s own garden.
Cloud forest hiking
Five trails leading to waterfalls and rivers inside the UNESCO Chocó-Andino Biosphere.
Rest, reflect, explore
Time is yours. Sit on the patio and watch the Chocó toucan. Read. Take a second walk.
Discussions & conscious media
Open conversations with Wendy: yoga philosophy, nutrition, naturalism, and deep green living.
Cuisine preparation classes
Learn to prepare every meal you have been eating, and take the recipes home with you.
A Finnish sauna, at the edge of the forest.
A custom, hand-crafted traditional Finnish sauna, heated to 85°C, set against the valley.
The perfect closing — you will not want to speak for a while afterward, and that is the point.
Two lengths. One experience.
- Private yoga instruction, six mornings a week
- Three garden-to-table meals daily, plus herb teas
- Daily cloud forest hiking in the UNESCO biosphere
- Cuisine preparation classes with recipes
- Evening discussions on wellness and nature
- Private room with private bath
- Everything in the 7-night retreat
- Two additional days for deeper integration
- More time to explore Mindo and the biosphere
- Option to upgrade to The Orchid cabin
A 50% deposit confirms your dates. No refunds. The Orchid treehouse cabin is available as an upgrade for $450 extra per week. Read the FAQ →
The lodge & the cabin.
The Yellow Room
Two single beds · Cloud forest viewsLush forest views from every window. Private bath and quality linens.
Included in retreat rate
The Blue Room
Double bed · Mountain lightSun-filled room with Andean peak views. Comfortable double bed and private bath.
Included in retreat rate
The Orchid
Treehouse · Three levels · River viewsHand-crafted treehouse rising above the canopy, with a private balcony over the Mindo River.
+$450 per week upgrade
Optional experiences in the biosphere.
Butterfly Farm
Visit Mariposas de Mindo — home to 3,200 species in the Chocó-Andino biosphere.
Birdwatching
The Chocó toucan, spectacled bear corridor, and 200+ bird species.
Chocolate & Coffee
Cacao pod to finished bar in under an hour, plus coffee harvesting tours.
River Tubing
Float down the Mindo River through the cloud forest. Best in dry season.
Orchid Gardens
4,000 orchid species grow in the Chocó-Andino reserve.
Night Walk
Two-hour guided night hike spotting armadillos, frogs, and reptiles.
Ziplining
Circuits over the cloud forest canopy for a burst of adrenaline.
Mindo Village
15 minutes by taxi. Restaurants, craft beer, and chocolate shops.
“I had more information than I had ever had about how to be healthy — and rather than dreading implementing new habits, I was genuinely excited. It’s been a game changer.”Desiree Patrice — New York City
Everything you need to know.
How much does a retreat cost?
7 nights in the Main House is $2,249, all-inclusive except transport. 9 nights (Wendy’s recommendation) is $2,799 — a 10% saving. The Orchid cabin upgrade is $450 extra per week. A 50% deposit confirms your dates. No refunds.
What makes this a UNESCO biosphere retreat?
Casa Verde sits within the Chocó-Andino de Pichincha Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2018. It spans 286,806 hectares and is home to 10,000 plant species and 270 mammals.
How many guests do you accept at one time?
A maximum of three guests at any one time. This is what makes the attention genuinely personal and the atmosphere genuinely restful.
Is the retreat suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Wendy has spent five decades adapting her practice for every body type, age, and ability. Instruction is always one-on-one, so the pace is always yours.
How do I get there from Quito?
Fly into Quito (UIO). Mindo is approximately 2 hours west of Quito. Once we have your flight details, we arrange a taxi pickup. Learn more about getting to Mindo →
Ready when you are.
Retreats are year-round. Choose your dates and Wendy will confirm availability personally — usually within 24 hours.