Samothrace
on the way to meet one's god/dess
May 23 - June 3, 2026
May 23 - June 3, 2026
This retreat invites you into the timeless field, where your inner landscape can rest, open, and renew. Come extend the summer, immerse yourself in sacred nature, and experience the magic of Samothraki that has welcomed seekers for millennia.
Samothraki is not just a destination. It is a living temple. Known since antiquity as the Island of the Great Gods, it has long been a place of initiation, transformation, and deep communion with the sacred. Its mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, and wild forests carry the ancient echoes of the Kabeirian Mysteries, where pilgrims once sought guidance, healing, and divine connection. The energy here is palpable: the veils thin, intuition heightens, and the Divine speaks
through the elements of nature.
THE RITUAL MAP OF SAMOTHRAKI
Day 1
ARRIVAL
We gather gently on the island, letting the Aegean wind loosen whatever we’ve carried with us. This is a day to settle, breathe, and attune to Samothraki’s ancient pulse.
Day 2
THE CENTRAL HEART OF THE ISLAND:
The Great Sanctuary of the Gods
We begin at the sacred core, the mythic heart where pilgrims once sought protection and transformation. This place vibrates like an ancestral memory. Its ancient ritual power anchors the entire journey. Everything connects back here.
Theme: Initiation, transformation, the mythic center
Theme: Initiation, transformation, the mythic center
Day 3
ROOT
Mikró Vouní,
Prehistoric Metallurgy Site
On this ancient hilltop, early metalworkers transformed raw earth into tools, ornaments, and symbols of survival. Here, we return to the origine, to the body’s ground and the primal spark that anchors life. This is a day of standing firmly on the land, feeling your weight, and remembering the strength of simply being alive.
Element: Earth/Fire
Theme: Grounding, safety, primal instinct, embodiment
Element: Earth/Fire
Theme: Grounding, safety, primal instinct, embodiment
Day 4
SACRAL
Therma Hot Springs,
the Womb Waters
Warm volcanic waters invite softening and release. This is a day of dissolving tension, melting into deep emotional clarity, dissolving blockages and reconnecting with sensual flow.
Element: Water
Theme: Release, emotional cleansing, sensuality, inner softness
Element: Water
Theme: Release, emotional cleansing, sensuality, inner softness
Day 5
SOLAR PLEXUS
Fonias Gorge & Big Waterfalls,
the Wild Masculine River
Fonias, the “Killer River”, carries a sharp, cleansing power. As we hike its strong, living gorge toward the big waterfalls, the landscape becomes more raw and honest. The river carves straight through rock, just as we carve through our own hesitation and self-doubt. Its forceful water that strips away the old patterns, wakes, and clears us, leaving only what feels true and courageous.
Element: Water/Air
Theme: Willpower, courage, boundaries, self-definition
Element: Water/Air
Theme: Willpower, courage, boundaries, self-definition
Day 6
HEART
Gria Vathra,
the Feminine Healing Waters
Tucked into the mountains, Gria Vathra offers quiet pools and soft cascades that feel like a natural sanctuary. Here, the energy shifts: gentler than Fonias, more rounded, more receptive. The cool water, the curved stones, and the hush of the falls create a space where the heart can unclench. This is a place to feel held, softened, and restored; a feminine counterbalance that invites openness, emotional ease, and simple, nourishing presence.
Element: Water/Earth
Theme: Reconnection, gentleness, receiving, emotional restoration
Element: Water/Earth
Theme: Reconnection, gentleness, receiving, emotional restoration
Day 7:
PAUSE
A full day to settle, breathe, and simply be. No agenda, no structure, no pressure, just room for spaciousness and gentle unwinding. This pause invites the body to integrate, the mind to loosen, and the heart to grow quieter and clearer. You can wander, rest, swim, journal, or do nothing at all. It is a soft inward turning, a day for honoring being rather than doing, a gentle exhale before the journey continues.
Day 8
THROAT
The Wind Paths of Kipos & South Coast
We walk along wild coastlines where strong winds and bright sun clear stagnation from the voice. Expression becomes natural, spacious, and unrestrained. The solar heat and steady breezes burn away mental fog, opening the channels of authentic speech. Wide paths and expansive views encourage clarity, presence, and connection, awakening the throat chakra and inviting honest, open communication, the courage to speak your truth with ease.
Element: Air/Fire
Theme: Expression, clarity, speaking truth
Element: Air/Fire
Theme: Expression, clarity, speaking truth
Day 9
THIRD EYE
The Cliffs of Prophet Elias
Perched high above the coast, these cliffs have been used since Byzantine times and carry a striking, oracular energy. Atmospheric shifts can feel sudden and intense, and the presence of storm currents gives the site a sharp, purifying quality. The energy here is ascetic, vertical, and electrifying, even non-religious visitors often describe it as “thin-veiled” or charged. Like the ancient Greek oracular heights, the cliffs naturally invite clarity, insight, and the reception of subtle messages from beyond, drawing the mind and perception upward toward intuition and vision.
Element: Air/Light
Theme: Insight, intuition, clarity, inner vision
Element: Air/Light
Theme: Insight, intuition, clarity, inner vision
Day 10
CROWN
Mount Saos (Fengari Peak)
A full-day climb to the island’s highest point. The ascent is steady, and as the views open, space for stillness and clarity naturally grows. At the summit, the landscape stretches wide, offering perspective, a sense of completion, and connection to the sky and moon. Here, the energy feels expansive and freeing — a place of quiet transcendence and open awareness.
Element: Ether
Theme: Transcendence, communion, liberation
Element: Ether
Theme: Transcendence, communion, liberation
Day 11
RETURN TO THE
CENTRAL HEART OF THE ISLAND:
The Great Sanctuary of the Gods
We come back to the Sanctuary to close the circle, completing the spiral of the journey. Returning after the days of movement and exploration gives the site a new depth, allowing experiences to settle and integrate.
Theme: Integration, closure, completion
Theme: Integration, closure, completion
Day 12
DEPARTURE
We close the retreat with full hearts and renewed inner alignment. Samothraki sends us home changed, connected, and lit from within. Final goodbyes are shared, and we begin the journey back. The island’s energy lingers. Expect the transition to be slow, gentle, and unfolding in its own time.
Expedition Team
Facilitator: Michael Yoshpa
Michael is a Process-oriented therapist and a Life Coach, he holds a PhD in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Master's Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and a facilitator at internal development and self-realization retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several therapeutic and educational laboratories: My Creative Self, LifeStream, Living Science, and Living Dreams, all of which are syntheses of traditional and devised approaches that he has developed over the course of many years in study, practice and research. He teaches meditation, Yoga and Chi Gung.
Michael is a Process-oriented therapist and a Life Coach, he holds a PhD in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Master's Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and a facilitator at internal development and self-realization retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several therapeutic and educational laboratories: My Creative Self, LifeStream, Living Science, and Living Dreams, all of which are syntheses of traditional and devised approaches that he has developed over the course of many years in study, practice and research. He teaches meditation, Yoga and Chi Gung.
Organiser, guide, interpreter: Yana K.M
Yana is a puppeteer and a photographer. She holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York. Yana taught photography in different settings, from kindergarten to university, organized art workshops for children and adults, performed puppetry shows, danced and took part in numerous exhibitions and festivals worldwide. Yana practiсes and teaches Kundalini yoga.
Over the last 20 years, Yana has visited more than 35 countries. She speaks fluent Russian, English, French and Indonesian.
Yana is a puppeteer and a photographer. She holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York. Yana taught photography in different settings, from kindergarten to university, organized art workshops for children and adults, performed puppetry shows, danced and took part in numerous exhibitions and festivals worldwide. Yana practiсes and teaches Kundalini yoga.
Over the last 20 years, Yana has visited more than 35 countries. She speaks fluent Russian, English, French and Indonesian.
FAQ
How are Living Myth Expeditions different from other tours?
Our expeditions are not your usual travel agency tours. We try to stay away from the crowds and venture to remote destinations. We would love your 100% participation and involvement in co-creating the journey together with us. And what is even more important is that we travel not only far out, but also deeply within. We study and learn how the outer influences the inner and vice versa. We offer daily practices cultivating conscious and caring attitude toward ourselves, the group and the world around us.
How many people are in the group?
In retreat-expeditions we travel in small groups of 8-10 people. It is important for us to be aware of every participant and give everyone our full attention. We also invite an atmosphere of friendship through co-creative teamwork, supporting and helping one another during and after the journey.
Can you tell me more about the expedition?
We create and propose a specific, yet flexible program that can be changed during the trip according to your suggestions and through a consensus among the traveling group. We have two fixed points: place of arrival and departure, and our base camp. The rest is open to improvisation. Traveling by car we are free to go anywhere inspiration takes us. We will begin every day with body-mind practices, including hatha yoga, LifeStream, Intuitive movement and meditation. Every evening we will hold a sharing circle to process and integrate our daily experiences in a company of friends. We will also practice Chi Gung at many different locations, learning how to feel and access the local energies for healing, rejuvenation and inspiration.
What is MySelf laboratory?
MySelf is a co-creative laboratory facilitating group dialogue to explore our sense of self, to become aware of our inner calling and creative spirit within, to examine our patterns, habits and routines, and to see how current life situation affects our health, inner disposition and creativity.
What is LifeStream laboratory?
LifeStream is a co-creative laboratory for an in-depth exploration of the human body. It is dedicated to studying, becoming consciously aware of, purifying, refining and mastering the body's material and subtle dimensions. LifeStream was created by Michael Yoshpa about 20 years ago as a harmonious synthesis of many traditional and innovative approaches, which were developed in the course of his extensive study, practice and research.
What is Living Dreams laboratory?
Living Dreams is a co-creative laboratory for in-depth exploration of dreams and waking reality. It was created by Michael Yoshpa approximately 20 years ago as a synthesis of traditional and experimental approaches.
I have never done any body-mind oriented practices, is Living Myth for me?
Our laboratories don't require any previous experience in body-mind practices. During the expedition all participants will receive individual instructions and necessary assistance.
Where are we going to live?
We will stay at a wonderful campsite surrounded by wild nature, not far from the ocean. We will sleep under the stars and cook our own food. Simple life in harmony with nature.
And what about food?
Cooking and preparing our meals together at the Laboratory of Conscious Eating and Spontaneous Culinary Art will be an important activity of our expedition. We will also visit some of the best restaurants and cafes on the island to try local delicacies.
What about transportation?
A comfortable car will take us around the island.
How do I get to Samothraki?
The most common way to reach Samothraki is by ferry from Alexandroupoli. The trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Ferry schedules change depending on the season, so check a ferry-booking site (like Ferryhopper) for current times. The closest airport is Alexandroupoli International Airport (AXD). From there, you can take a taxi or transfer (15 min or so) to the ferry port in Alexandroupoli.
Another option is to fly into Thessaloniki or Athens, then take a bus or drive to Alexandroupoli and ferry from there.
Another option is to fly into Thessaloniki or Athens, then take a bus or drive to Alexandroupoli and ferry from there.
How much money do I need for personal expenses?
Expedition price includes accommodations, transport and all activities. You will have to pay for the airfare and food (about €200).
How to make a payment for the expedition? Do I pay in Euro or USD?
You can make a downpayment of €450 ($500) in person or via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. The remaining amount is paid in € cash on the first day of the trip. We encourage you to make a downpayment as soon as possible, so you could take advantage of all early booking benefits, such as:
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
Participants are strongly requested to pay in Euro with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, an additional fee of 10% of the trip price will have to be paid.
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
Participants are strongly requested to pay in Euro with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, an additional fee of 10% of the trip price will have to be paid.
What should I take with me for the trip?
Please, pack light, comfortable clothing and footwear, suitable for body-oriented practices and trekking. You will also need a swimming suit and yoga mat. We will send you a detailed list after you register for the expedition.
PRICING
«Early Bird» Discount
The discount is valid only if a nonrefundable
downpayment of €450 ($500) is paid by February 1, 2026
downpayment of €450 ($500) is paid by February 1, 2026
Regular Price
A nonrefundable downpayment of €450 ($500)
must be paid by June 1, 2026
must be paid by June 1, 2026
What is included?
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Participation in the laboratories
- Admissions to the sites
- Workshops
- Hikes
Not included:
- International and local airfares
- Meals
To book a place in the expedition you need to pay €450 downpayment.
Attention: €450 is a nonrefundable downpayment. We use this money to book transportation and lodging. If you decide to cancel your participation, the downpayment will not be returned.
Attention: €450 is a nonrefundable downpayment. We use this money to book transportation and lodging. If you decide to cancel your participation, the downpayment will not be returned.
Experience Samothraki,
the gateway to the ancient Mysteries!
the gateway to the ancient Mysteries!
Book your trip and send us your requests
