💰 Our guides are very grateful for tips.
$5, $10 or $15 pp lets her know she did a great job (especially for smaller groups)! You can give cash, ask for their personal venmo or venmo @namasteinnature (last 4 digits are 4576) with a note containing your guide’s name.
Another way to show your appreciation is to write us a review on Facebook • Instagram • TripAdvisor • Yelp • Google • AirBNB and mention your awesome guide by name!
Please prepare based on your specific needs and make us aware of any injuries, allergies and/or medical conditions you have.
Let us know if you are pregnant and/or are recovering from any surgeries/injuries or have medical conditions of which we should be mindful. Let us know if there are any movements/postures that you need to avoid.
Bring an epi pen if you are allergic to any kind of plants, bees, hornets, wasps or other insects. It is highly unlikely we will encounter any of these plants/insects, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Do you provide yoga mats?
Yes! Your guide will have lightweight yoga mats for you to carry and use during the yoga hike. However, you are welcome to bring your own mat if you prefer.
Transportation & Directions
We'll provide clear directions, but you are responsible for getting yourself to and from the trail head in your own vehicle(s). Driving to a trail head in the mountains is not the same as driving to a business downtown. To get to your designated meeting spot or trailhead, please follow the google maps link and/or directions provided in your confirmation email. Plan on arriving 5-10 minutes before your activity start time out of consideration for your guide and other guests.
Check your GPS/directions 24 hours in advance to make sure it matches the directions provided in your confirmation email to best estimate the time it will take you to get from your lodging to the trailhead. Allow yourself a little extra time if you are visiting and unfamiliar with the area. Let us know in advance if you have any questions or concerns about getting to the trailhead. DO NOT just type the name of the location into your GPS as it could take you to the wrong location.
If you are late or get lost en route to your experience, contact your guide by phone. You will receive a text from your guide before your experience that you can easily reply to and her name/phone number will also be in your confirmation and/or reminder email(s).
You will not receive a refund if
• you get lost
• arrive late for your experience
• book the wrong date/time/location
Remember to...
Print, copy or screenshot driving directions and fill up your car with fuel before driving to the trail head.
Do not use Lyft or Uber to transport you to/from the trailheads.
We recommend referring to TURO, a car-sharing service, as an alternative to renting a car! Also Van in Black and AVL Taxi are great car services.
Cancellations, Refunds and Reschedules
We don’t offer refunds within 72 hours cancelling of your experience because our guides are all contractors that have given up other income opportunities in order to lead a yoga class or micro retreat™ and most are also moms that have arranged for childcare as well. Therefore, we still pay them even if their guest(s) cancel their booking(s). Last minute cancellations also prevent other would-be guests from booking and there isn’t enough time to try to refill those lost spots.
What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel and receive a full refund with at least 72 hours notice. Please contact your guide and/or our admin team via email, phone call or text as soon as possible to let us know you will not be participating as planned. Our admin team can be reached at: booking@namasteinnature.com and 828-276-3536
You are also able to cancel with a refund if done the same day as the booking.
Refunds/reschedules may not be processed until the next business day.
What if I need to reschedule?
You may reschedule at no cost at least 72 hours in advance. There is a 50% rescheduling fee within 72 hours or less of your scheduled yoga hike. This is mostly to cover the cost of paying two guides; the guide that would have led your original yoga hike and the guide that would lead your rescheduled yoga hike. If you accidentally book the wrong date, time or location, we cannot offer a refund nor guarantee a reschedule with less than 72 hours notice.
You are also able to reschedule free of charge if done the same day as the booking.
What about the weather?
The weather is part of the yoga; we can’t control it, only how we react to and prepare for it. Yoga Hikes are rain or shine however Namaste in Nature reserves the right to cancel any event if the weather is deemed unsafe or extreme.
Because weather forecasts shift rapidly in the mountains, we may wait until the day of the tour to make the final call. If we start an experience and are unable to do yoga due to environmental or weather conditions, you will be invited to attend another yoga hike in the future at no cost. If an experience is cancelled by Namaste in Nature due to weather, you may re-book or receive a full refund.
We wrote this nifty blog post to give you a better idea of the weather, temperature and things to do throughout the year.
What should I wear?
Yoga pants of course, or any other light, comfortable clothing that you can easily move around in. Sturdy boots or shoes with ankle support are best for traversing the trails. (We do take them off during the yoga portion.)
Be prepared for anything! Wearing layers is recommended and definitely pack a rain jacket or poncho as the weather and temperature can change quickly in the mountains. For sun and bug protection, you can wear long sleeves and pants, a hat, sunglasses and/or sunscreen and insect repellent.
During the colder months (October - March), bring/wear warm layers including a jacket, gloves, a hat and a scarf.
Western North Carolina is a temperate rain forest so always be prepared for rain!
What should I bring?
You are responsible for bringing and carrying everything you need during these events, preferably in a small backpack. We have yoga mats you can borrow but you are also welcome to bring your own. Bring some water to stay hydrated - preferably in a reusable bottle.
We want to have as little impact as possible on the natural beauty so we firmly believe in the principles of leave no trace.
Are there any hazards to be aware of?
Trail Conditions
The trails are well maintained but conditions will be different for each hike. Be mindful in and around water, slippery/loose rocks, mud, exposed tree roots and ice.
Part of enjoying nature is respecting the plants and animals that live there.
This is not to scare, but help you be more aware… and your odds of encountering any of these is pretty rare. (Hey that rhymes!)
Stinging Insects: Yellow Jackets, Honeybees & Bumblebees
Warmer months are also the yellow jacket season; especially August. Bees are rarely encountered and not a huge threat unless provoked so just be aware when you are hiking and laying down mats, especially during mountaintop vortex experiences. Please be mindful and carry an epi-pen with you if you are allergic to stinging insects.
Other Insects: Ants, Ticks, Spiders, Mosquitoes
It’s always a good idea to wear yoga pants/socks/closed shoes and check yourself for ticks after each hike. You may want to use/have bug spray just in case. Essential oils that naturally repel mosquitos and ticks are citronella, lavender and lemongrass. Avoid ant hills when laying your yoga mat on the ground.
Snakes
A few non-venomous snakes have been occasionally spotted on the trails and near the waterfalls. As long as you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Here’s a guide to snakes in North Carolina.
Bears
It’s super rare to see a bear on any trail but you are most likely to see them before/after sunset hikes. Basically keep your distance, never approach them intentionally (or any other wildlife) and if you get surprised by one, make a lot of loud noise to scare it away. Here’s a link to more information on how to be Bear Aware.
Poisonous Plants
Keep yourself and your yoga mat away from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Remember: Leaves of three, let it be! Here is more information on identifying & avoiding these poisonous plants.
Do I need prior yoga/hiking/meditation experience?
You can be a beginner but we do recommend that you have some prior yoga and/or hiking experience and are in reasonably good shape for hiking and walking at higher altitudes. The yoga portion will have multiple options for each pose to accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced yogis. You will be doing yoga outdoors on natural and sometimes uneven surfaces so it will be different from a yoga practice indoors. Trails are considered easy to moderate level. We hike at an average walking pace.
How many people are in a group?
Public group sizes are limited to 10 people. Average group size is typically about 4 people. Weekend groups tend to fill up faster than weekdays so make sure you book in advance to guarantee you get the day you want. We are happy to accommodate larger, private groups upon request.
Will you cancel the tour if there is only one guest?
Nope. Whether we have 1 guest or 10 guests, we will still offer the same great service and experience. We realize this could be awkward for some guests so please let us know in advance if you prefer not to have a solo tour or have a preference of a male or female guide.
How many people are required for a private booking?
Private groups require a minimum of 4 people OR groups of 3 or less can pay the equivalent cost of 4 people. Contact us to book a private group.
Are kids allowed to participate?
We didn’t create this experience with kids in mind, but if you have children or teenagers that are totally into doing a micro retreat™, we can certainly oblige with a parent or guardian’s permission and presence. Contact us to set up a private, family yoga hike if you have little ones.
Can I participate if I am pregnant?
If you are already an active hiker and/or yoga practitioner than you will probably be ok but you should consult your doctor or midwife before participating.
Can I bring my dog?
As much as we love animals, we can't allow them to accompany you during our public group yoga hikes or events since we can’t guarantee everyone else in the group is comfortable with dogs and don’t know what other animals and people your pet may encounter. A dog on leash may be permitted for private groups as long as we have advance notice.
Can I drink, smoke or vape?
Please be mindful of other guests and our guides and do not consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes or use a vape pen during the yoga hike experience.
Want to request a particular guide to lead your tour?
We often get requests from guests for certain tour guides and we recommend booking private tours to ensure they can lead you! While you can always request when booking, it’s not guaranteed!
What if I get injured?
We don't anticipate anyone getting hurt but our guides are trained in First Aid, CPR and carry a first aid kit during all hikes just in case.
What if someone in my group doesn’t do yoga?
We make our classes welcoming to everyone including beginners and encourage everyone to give yoga a try. However, if you have someone who doesn’t feel comfortable participating in the yoga practice due to injury or lack of experience or some other reason, they are welcome to spend that time reading or journaling or meditating or just relaxing in nature nearby. The experience is the same price regardless if you participate in the yoga or not.
Do you do winter tours?
Our Winter Waterfall Micro Retreat™ Experience will be available during the winter off-season in November, December, January & February as long as weather conditions are favorable. Yoga hikes will be cancelled and you will be fully refunded if there is snow or ice that makes trail or road conditions unsafe. If you would like a private yoga class indoors during the winter, contact us or email booking@namasteinnature.com.
Where should I stay?
There are plenty hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, AirBNB & VRBO rentals as well as cabins, campgrounds and glamping locations located in and around Asheville where you can stay during your visit. If you would like to stay closer to the trails we use, here are some general recommendations:
• Relaxing Waterfall Micro Retreat™ or Mindful Waterfall Micro Retreat™ Experiences = East of Asheville (Stay in Downtown Asheville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Old Fort, Marion)
• Mountain Vortex / Sunset Micro Retreat™ Experiences = North of Asheville (Stay in Downtown Asheville, Montford, Woodfin, Weaverville)
Where are the trails located?
Enjoy the best trails, views and waterfalls closest to Asheville, NC
You want an awesome hike/view/waterfall without a long drive? So does everyone else. You will most likely see some other people intermittently on these trails during our experiences because they are some of the closest to Asheville. However, we have scheduled our experiences at the ideal times to guarantee parking, avoid the crowds and beat the summer heat. Click here to see more pictures and videos of the trails/locations we use on our instagram.
Reminder: transportation is not included. To get to your designated meeting spot or trailhead, please follow the google maps link and/or directions provided in your confirmation email.
What is the elevation of the trails/mountains?
The city of Asheville, NC has an elevation of 2,134 feet (650 m). The elevations of the locations we use range between 1,400 - 6,200 ft with two summits over a mile (5,280 ft) above sea level.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (in education and training programs and activities), age, disability, or retaliation.