FAQ for
Participants
Travel and Arrival Questions
Your registration confirmation letter will provide specific travel windows. Please be sure the trip has been “officially confirmed” before booking your flights. The majority of TNT programs provide group transport to/from the airport.
As a general rule, passports should have at least six months of validity after your departure from your destination. That means if your passport has less than six months remaining until the expiration date, you should renew it right away!
IMPORTANT: Requirements can vary by country and may be dependent on your country of origin.Terms of entry are always subject to change and should be confirmed independently before traveling. Sherpa is a great resource to start your research for your travels.
U.S. Travelers - Airside
If you are traveling from the US, we recommend looking into Airside. This app allows you to skip the customs lines in 24 US airports when you return to America. Whether or not you use Airside, please make sure to have a valid passport for your travels.
Safety and Medical
Yes, when you register for the trip please include information about any allergies, medications, and/or medical conditions so we can share this information with your group leader and the Retreat Center. If you are on a particular medication, please be sure that you have enough medication for the duration of the retreat. We recommend that either a family member or friend have a copy of your daily itinerary and your passport in case of a State-side emergency. We also collect emergency contact information from all participants in the unlikely event we need to contact someone at home.
We have never had a medical situation that has not been adequately resolved. In extreme cases, air transport is available. Please check with your health insurance company for information about coverage in foreign countries.
Also check with your home country’s health department to ensure there are no vaccines required for re-entry.
If you have questions about which vaccines are recommended please go to www.cdc.gov, your home country’s department of health or ask your physician.
All of our venues have nearby medical facilities. Please check with your health insurance company for information about coverage in foreign countries.
True Nature Travels highly recommends that all of its participants get travel insurance before their trip.
We cannot emphasize more the importance of travel insurance. As we all know, especially as travelers, "life happens." Whether it's family, work, mother nature, or a change of heart, it is important to be prepared in case you need to unexpectedly change your travel plans. Often for less than $150, you can purchase a travel insurance policy and be protected in the event that you need to make a change or need to be covered financially prior to or during your trip.
We encourage you to research the insurance company and policy that best meets your needs. You may read more about our insurance partner on our website.
We recommend leaving valuables and electronics at home. We will be traveling in a country that does not have as many material resources as we do. We do our best to honor and preserve the incredible natural resources and environment that we will be visiting. By bringing less, we together get to see that much more of what is around us. Most people do bring their phones and cameras. If you do bring some valuables you may have a safe inside your room or you will have access to a safe at the front desk.
We suggest that you unplug as much as you can and enjoy the peace and quiet of the center you will visit, so you may not need many electronics.
Safety is a priority for all of our groups.
General Safety Precautions: Follow airport safety guidelines (about luggage), do not go places alone unless you have notified your group leader, carry the money you will need in a safe place (like a money belt) and leave the rest of your belongings at your hotel/retreat center. Carry important phone numbers with you at all times.
Always use good judgment and take common sense precautions when traveling abroad.
Please take our US number and the number of the center(s) you will be visiting. This information will be provided to you in the final instructions letter you will receive a couple weeks prior to embarking.
Yes, we will give you the number of the center where you will be staying and a U.S. number for TN. We would be happy to assist in anyway we can.
Costs and Extras
Each retreat is different. Please check the retreat description on the retreat webpage. Room, meals, group ground transportation to and from airport, some activities, taxes are included in your package (the exception is retreats on Amorgos Island, Greece - in most cases, a group airport shuttle/arrival ferry is not included.) Treatments, tips, and excursions are generally not included. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you need clarity.
If a participant chooses to forgo any services included the retreat package, they do so of their own volition and are not entitled to a refund for the services not used. This includes meals, hotel accommodations, excursions, transportation, and any other package inclusions as listed on the retreat web page.
In most cases, one group transportation shuttle to and from the airport is included if you arrive within the window of times we have outlined. A group shuttle to/from the airport and retreat is generally NOT provided for Amorgos Island, Greece - although a shuttle will pick you up from the local port. Please check with us for the trip you are considering. If you have already registered, transportation details will be on your Confirmation Letter.
If a participant chooses to forgo this transport, books flights that do not coincide with our provided program flight windows, or arrives/departs from a different location than the provided pick-up and drop-off point, the participant is responsible for arranging their own transport and covering any associated costs.
If you would like to begin your trip with the local currency, you can check online or at your local US bank. Oftentimes you can order foreign currency to bring along. More specific details about currency will be provided a few weeks prior to your trip. Also, please advise your credit card company on the dates and location of your trip.
Tips and spa sessions are not included in most retreats. Some activities may be included. Please check the ‘What’s Included’ tab on the retreat webpage for specifics on your retreat.
Yes, in most cases, our centers will set up a personal bill for extras purchased at their property (treatments, excursions, additional food etc.). They can be paid at the end of your program with a credit card or cash. Remember many international locations charge a fee when using a credit card and the percentage varies depending on the center. Some centers which accept credit cards do not accept Discover and/or American Express. Certain venues only accept cash, including our center in Peru and some locations in Italy.
Yes, some of our centers have small gift shops, and most of our centers are near towns where you can shop.
This varies from center to center. You can book treatments and bodywork sessions at the beginning of the retreat. If you need to know about prices and treatments offered in advance, please contact us. While most centers have a spa on-site, a few of our locations offer services which may dependent on practitioner availability.
PAYMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Paying an initial non-refundable deposit of $350 and $35 Payment Processing Fee (added to the tuition rate upon registration) will lock in your tuition rate and hold your space for the trip.
Depending on when you register, payments are split into 1-3 payments and your credit card will be automatically charged. The exact dates of the auto payments are on the Confirmation letter you will receive upon registering.
You may read more about Our Policies on our website.
Depending on when the participant signs up and our agreements with the venue, we may be able to set up a payment plan for participants. These are customized to the needs of the participant. If somebody would like to set up a payment plan, they should reach out to us directly at info@truenaturetravels.com.
Should you need to cancel, please email us immediately at: info@truenaturetravels.com
Please see Our Policies to review cancellation guidelines.
Cancellation Policy:
Initial deposits and the $35 registration fee are non-refundable and non-transferable.
50% of payments are refundable up to 90 days before a trip excluding the initial deposit and the $35 registration fee.
89 days prior to a trip, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full tuition is refunded if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment. The $35 registration fee is not refundable.
True Nature is not responsible for any loss incurred due to currency conversion rates.
Full tuition is refunded* if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment.
*Refundable amounts do not include applied credits.
When registering for a waitlist, you must complete the entire registration process. The system will ask for your credit card information, however, you will not be charged anything until we contact you to confirm your spot on the retreat. We often find that spots become available prior to a trip.
Yoga Retreats
Our programs are tailored to multiple levels of practitioner and our group leaders are adept at providing instruction for beginning to advanced students. If the retreat has any special requirements, this will be noted in the program description. Always feel free to contact us with any questions if you are brand new to yoga or are unsure if you meet any special requirements.
Each retreat is unique. Most yoga retreats have two yoga classes per day, as well as another 1-2 sessions which may include teaching, meditation, group exercises, etc. We also incorporate free time for relaxation, exploration, and activities/treatments.
This depends on your teacher. Most teachers have specified in their bio what type of yoga and lineages of yoga they incorporate in their teachings. Please contact them for more detailed information about their practice.
Food
Yes! Our centers do accommodate most special dietary restrictions like allergies, vegan, and non-gluten diets. They serve wholesome, fresh, organic when possible meals that are simple and delicious. If you have dietary restrictions, please note this on your registration form and we will forward information to your destination, so they can be prepared for you.
If you have an extremely restrictive diet, consider bringing along extra snacks or special foods you enjoy. Also feel free to email us at info@truenaturetravels.com if you have any dietary concerns.
Each of our centers serve organic fruits and vegetables when possible.
Some countries have the same water standards as those in North America. More specific details about water in your destination will be provided to you upon registering.
If your retreat will serve vegetarian fare only, this is usually noted on the retreat web description.
Most meals have a protein source (eggs, beans, cheese, nuts etc.) and some locations do serve meat/fish a few times a week or on a daily basis.
Sometimes there is an extra charge to include meat in your meals and this depends on the location. If you are on a high protein diet, please let us know in advance so we can coordinate any special arrangements. If this is the case, it may also be a good idea to bring a protein bar for each day of your retreat.
If you like to snack, we recommend bringing some special snacks with you, but this is not necessary. The meals are abundant and we are confident that you will be well fed. If you have extreme allergies or strict dietary needs, you may want to bring some supplemental foods to enjoy during your stay.
Most of our centers have alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. Usually, smoothies and fresh juices are offered as well as sodas, tea, and coffee. Extra drinks are not included in our packages and prices vary from center to center (Some centers do provide complimentary coffee and/or tea throughout the day- check with us if you have questions).
Accommodations
Most but not all of our centers have laundry services to wash your clothes. There is an extra charge for laundry services. This will be noted in your group’s final instructions letter which you will receive a couple weeks before the trip. Feel free to check with us if you have questions.
Your cell phone will not work unless you have an international calling plan (check with your provider or use a SIM card. One communication option we recommend is using the smart phone app, What’s App, which allows you to make calls and send messages for free anytime you are connected to WiFi. If you have an iPhone, you can use iPhone or FaceTime Audio/Video with a WiFi connection for free.
Depending on your phone, you can buy a SIM card (often available at the airport) to use in your device while abroad. This will allow you to call out and receive calls from a temporary, international number. The price varies but this is typically an inexpensive option.
You can also contact your service provider about international coverage during your trip.
At some locations, the internet service can be spotty or subject to occasional outages; be sure to check with us if you have special requirements.
In most cases, there are a few single occupancy rooms available for each retreat. We try our absolute best to honor roommate requests. You can request a roommate on your online registration form.
Some countries in the Americas have the same electrical outlets and voltage as the United States and Canada.
More specific details about electricity in your destination will be provided to you upon registering.
This varies by location and is often noted in the final instructions letter you will receive a couple of weeks prior to the retreat. Feel free to contact us with questions.
Please check with us for the specific location and the amenities available.
We, along with our centers, continue to strive to have our retreats accessible to all. Please check with us in regards to the retreat you are interested in.
Weather and Conditions
More specific details about insects in your destination will be provided to you upon registering.
Most smartphones have a weather app. You can usually monitor the weather of your destination up to a week in advance. More specific details about weather in your destination will be provided to you upon registering.
Most smartphones have a world clock option that you can view the time zone of your destination. You can also look up the time difference on this website: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
Miscellaneous
More specific details about the language in your destination will be provided to you upon registering.
Yes! Coming on retreats can be a great place to find your own space and connect with new friends. Since this is a group experience you will not be alone unless you want to be.
While there is no age which is inappropriate for retreats, most of our retreatants are between the ages of 25-60. If you fall outside that range…no worries, as long as the program feels interesting to you (and you have your parent’s consent if under 18), we welcome your presence. Please note that some programs are restricted to ages 18 and above.
All retreats are geared towards adult participation (unless otherwise stated in the program description). If you want to bring your children along, please contact us and we can send you details. Certain retreat leaders prefer that only adults attend the retreat, we will let you know if this is the case.
