25th - 29th Jan 2026
Oru El Saltador
Permaculture Retreat: From theory to action. Co-design a climate-resilient, self-sustaining, fully circular retreat centre, rich in biodiversity!
At Oru El Saltador, we believe that learning begins with curiosity and with the simple act of paying attention to the land beneath your feet.
On the 25th - 29th January, join us and three world-renowned regenerative agriculture experts, John Goldwyn, Gabino Carballo and Susana Rodriguez on an immersive hands-on permaculture retreat at Oru El Saltador, our living laboratory for ecological and cultural renewal in southern Spain.
At this retreat, you will actively co-design the future of our site and 81 acres in the Sierra Alhamilla, Andalusia.
You will get an accessible introduction to regenerative living, permaculture principles, and land-based wisdom. Each day will be fully immersive, with participation in daily wellness practices, knowledge workshops, field activities and hands-on experience of tangible on-site case studies.
- A foundational understanding of permaculture and regenerative design principles
- An increased awareness and knowledge of key issues, including soil health and water conservation techniques
- A deeper connection with nature and land-based practices and wisdom
- Direct input into the co-design of Oru El Saltador’s evolving landscape and systems
- A renewed sense of grounding, well-being, and purpose
You don't need any prior experience, just curiosity and a willingness to get involved.
This is not only a retreat but a chance to shape a regenerative legacy. This retreat offers something rare: the chance to be involved at the very start of a groundbreaking land restoration initiative.
Alongside expert facilitators, you’ll learn the practical tools, ecological frameworks and hands-on stewardship skills that will shape this landscape for decades to come.
Each day will offer an accessible and fully immersive introduction to regenerative living, permaculture principles, and land-based wisdom. You’ll participate in daily wellness practices, knowledge workshops, field activities, and hands-on exploration of real on-site case studies, taking knowledge from theory into practice, learning directly from the soil, plants and the land itself
Facilities and Activities
Beautiful views and hikes from our doorstep
Thoughtfully curated daily yoga classes to help you connect with nature
World-class education on landscape design, soil ecology, Mediterranean growing systems and regenerative land management.
Daily practical sessions working on the land, planting trees and cultivating the future of Oru El Saltador
Three delicious organic veggie meals per day
Example Retreat Schedule
7.30am - Teas, Coffee, Fruit
8.30am - Grounding and energising morning yoga practice
9.30am - Morning site walk and reading the landscape
10am - Brunch
11am - Workshop on ‘Designing in accordance with nature - learning the principles of Regenerative Planning’
1pm - Lunch
2pm - Hands on work: composting and microbe activation
5pm - Relaxation time
7pm - Dinner
*subject to change
Room Options
Accommodation will be simple and comfortable. Choose from limited solo occupancy rooms, a dorm space or a twin/sharer room. We also have limited options for volunteers to join and stay on the land.
All rooms have shared bathrooms and showers.
Twin / Double Room
Shared bathroom
Premium: £850pp
Standard: £750 pp
Single room (solo occupancy - limited)
Tucked away, cosy
Shared bathroom
Premium: £1000 pp
Standard: £850
Dorm room
5 single beds
Shared bathroom
£500pp
Where you’ll stay
Oru El Saltador Retreat Centre
Almeria, Southern Spain
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Nestled in the gentle hills of the Sierra Alhamilla in Almeria, Spain, lies Oru El Saltador. It is located at the crossroads of the Tabernas Desert and the wild beauty of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
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You will need to arrange your own flights for this retreat.
For direct flights in January, we recommend flying to Murcia (1 hour 45 from the venue).
The nearest airport is Almeria, just 45 minutes from the venue. There are limited direct flights to and from this airport in January.
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Once you have chosen your airport of choice, we can help arrange taxi transfers for you direct to the venue.
Almeria - 45 minute drive
Murcia - 1 hour 45 minute drive
Facilitators
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With over 25 years of professional experience, he brings a unique perspective that bridges environmental agrobiology, sustainable landscape design, and education. His background combines scientific understanding of soil–plant–water–air interactions with hands-on expertise in dryland management and ecological restoration. Specializing in the design of low-input, high-resilience landscapes that thrive under arid and semi-arid conditions, and drawing from techniques in permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and Mediterranean garden culture, Gabino helps shape environments that conserve water, restore soil function, and foster biodiversity.
His work integrates swales, water-harvesting topographies, drought-resilient plant communities, and local microclimate adaptation to transform degraded terrain into living systems
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With a broad experience on agricultural field work in southern Spain, she has worked extensively on plant health, particularly olive and almond trees, irrigation systems and harvest management in semi-arid conditions. She has also worked in the wellbeing industry and has created and managed a line of organic skin care Products. Trained as an Agricultural engineer with early formative years in Germany and Spain she has worked extensively in agricultural related fields. Following her passion for plants and the botanical world she has trained as a landscape architect with a specialization in planting in mediterranean controlled environments and interior planting.
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From Europe to Central Asia, The Caribbean to The Indian Ocean and Asia, John has designed projects with incredible teams. He has spent over 18 years with WATG as Senior Vice President of Master Planning and Landscape. Based in London, he also spends two terms on the global board of directors and board of trustees. John has come to realise that on any project (large or small) there are only a handful of people that are absolutely essential and add the most value. He set up Studio Wild 15 to unleash this incredible potential; efficiently and precisely. Trained as a Landscape Architect, he has a passion for projects that regenerate and heal the fragile surface of the planet.
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Training alongside Erin Prichard, Vib aims to teach a balanced, inquisitive yoga practice that encourages the practitioner moments of introspection alongside moments of challenge and strength. Vib’s classes are welcoming, light-hearted and inclusive, so you leave feeling more centred and grounded than before.
Ready to unwind and reconnect with yourself?
Secure your spot today.