Women’s Retreat: Shibari & Wilderness
Hike the desert, learn basic Shibari techniques, explore conscious relating, swim in waterfalls
Dive into a unique retreat offering that combines hiking & the art of Shibari. We will immerse ourselves in the desert landscape during the day on beautiful hikes and waterfall swimming. In the evenings, come together for a series of workshops involving Shibari, conscious relating, and somatic experiencing.
Enjoy delicious trail-side lunches, interpretive hikes, and building community. Come get quiet in the desert with us and make room for your soul’s creative energy to flow in this rich wilderness setting.
Questions? Check out our FAQ below
Women’s Retreat: Shibari & Wilderness
May 16—20, 2024
5 days. 4 nights
Packages Start at: $2000
Plus applicable taxes & fees
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May 16—20, 2024
We begin our time together with an online pre-departure Zoom call, the evening before our trip.
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Originates from: Salt Lake City, UT
Location of trip: Escalante, UT
Accommodations: Luxury Airbnb
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All costs listed below reflect a base cost.
Taxes and fees are added at checkout.
King Bed Private Room en suite bath SOLO: $2700
King Bed Private Room en suite bath SHARED: $2575
King Bed Shared Room: $2500
Queen Bed, Shared Room: $2375
Twin bed, shared room: $2250
Sofa Bed, shared space: $2000
Deposit: $400
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Style: Lodge Style
We will be sleeping indoor at a private airbnb. Breakfast and Dinner will be served at your accommodations. Lunches provided on trail by your guide.
Level of difficulty: 2.5 /5
We will be day hiking between 3 and 6 miles each day
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Guided day hikes across remote desert landscape
AM yoga sessions taught by certified yoga instructor
Evening Shibari workshops w/Kati Bird
Sunset dinner in the desert
Visit indigenous museum in Boulder, UT
Hike to a desert waterfall
Stunning night sky views
Optional private Shibari sessions—time-slots limited
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There is a four person minimum requirement for this trip
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests.
Why Choose Outdoor Mavens?
Experienced Guides: Our seasoned guides are not just experts in the trails, but also passionate about creating a safe, enjoyable environment where you can thrive. They’ll lead you through every step of this unforgettable journey.
Spectacular Itinerary: From awe-inspiring rock formations to hidden canyons, our thoughtfully crafted itinerary ensures you’ll experience the very best Escalante has to offer, all while creating memories to last a lifetime.
Empowerment in Nature: Experience the empowering feeling of conquering rugged trails and embracing the wilderness, all while surrounded by a tribe of strong, supportive women.
Connecting Shibari & Wilderness
In nature and in Shibari, ropes embody a transformative power. In nature, they navigate and connect, securing our paths and guiding our journeys.
In Shibari, they become conduits for emotional exploration, intimacy, trust, and surrender. The connection lies in their ability to intertwine, create, and hold—whether in the embrace of natural landscapes or in the tender caress of Shibari's ropes, both carry the essence of connection and transformation.
Trip Details
May 16-20, 2024
Join a community of women for a special week spent in the golden deserts reflecting, hiking, and learning the ancient art of Shibari.
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Round trip transpo from Salt Lake City
All meals, snacks, and post-hike fizzy drinks
Custom OM swag
Small group experience
3 Evening Shibari Workshops
Professional wilderness guides who are certified first responders and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna
Hiking permits and museum entrance fee
Airbnb accommodation
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20-30 L Day pack
First Aid Kit
Emergency Communication Device
Shibari ropes for workshop
Yoga Mats
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Day 0:
Log into your pre-departure Zoom meeting to meet your OM guide and discuss Day 1 logistics
Day 1:
Drive 4.5 hours to Boulder, UT where we will visit a local indigenous museum. Enjoy a lunch provided by your guide. Finish the final 40 minutes of our drive, arriving to our airbnb. Let’s settle in, have dinner, and enjoy a short opening circle.
Meals: L, D
Day 2:
Rise early today to hike 6 miles through a lush riparian ecosystem in the desert. This hike will surely be a treat and fun surprise. Post dinner, enjoy your first Shibari workshop.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3:
Relish in a healthy morning yoga session, followed by hot coffee overlooking the desert. Once packed up for our day, we will explore the Escalante River corridor on foot. Use the late afternoon for free time or a private session w/ Kati. In the evening we will delve further into our Shibari practice.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4:
Today we will adventure out into the wild red rock desert for another spectacular hike. We stop by the visitor center and learn more about Utah’s geology. After dinner, settle in for the final evening of Shibari.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5:
We will close our time together with a short ceremony, honoring everyone. Finally, we will transit north to Salt Lake City and say our farewells.
Meals: B, L
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Airfare to SLC
Alcohol
Clothing & personal toiletries
Water bottles
OM Guide Gratuity (10-20% of trip cost suggested)
Private Shibari Sessions
We Will Learn
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Learn essential techniques—knots, frictions, tension, lock-offs, closures—to craft upper and lower body ties effectively.
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Establish a solid groundwork in Rope Communication, Boundaries, Consent, Safety, Aftercare, and IISSPP (a powerful acronym that easily breaks down our desires, do's & don'ts in an easy and articulate manner that leads to safer and richer play spaces). The Star Check-in System to express your experience to your partner.
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Engage in playful and inventive rope-based activities that enhance your understanding and application of Shibari techniques.
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Explore the dynamics of body movement and positioning, understanding how they interact with Shibari ties and enhance the overall experience.
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Delve into the roles of Top and Bottom, understanding and embodying control, surrender, and the nuances of these roles within the Shibari context.
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Discover the elegance and versatility of one-rope play, mastering techniques that offer simplicity and complexity within a single rope.
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Experience a guided session using the 4 Elements as a framework for touch and rope play, exploring how these elements influence the Shibari experience.
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Understand and explore the incorporation of sensuality, mood, and emotions within Shibari, learning how to infuse these elements for a richer, more immersive experience
The Sacred Feminine & Shibari
Shibari–the Japanese art of tying the body in ropes, unveils a realm of empowerment, self-discovery, and profound healing, especially within the circle of women.
At its heart, Shibari presents a sacred stage for those to reclaim their voices, learn to truly surrender, express emotions, feel our body, and develop sovereign agency. Within this practice of tying and untying, we are able to tune inward, gaining access to deep aspects of ourselves.
Communication with each other becomes an eloquent dance and refreshing practice of expressing desires and voicing one's needs. Enhanced verbal communication leads to a truly deep and expansive somatic rope experience.
Shibari emerges as a sanctum for healing. The gentle caress of ropes, guided by conscious communication and mutual consent, transcends mere bindings to become a conduit for somatic experiencing. We create a container together that supports each other's growth and development.
~ Retreat Leaders ~
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Traci Salisbury
Founder, OUTDOOR MAVENS
Traci has 10 years of experience navigating the great outdoors. She has led alternative summer breaks for kids in the Himalaya, guided countless backpacking parties in the canyons of Utah, and has led people on llama pack trips out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She values the way that getting outdoors can facilitate healing and rejuvenation. Traci believes deeply in the intersection of adventure and mindfulness practices to increase our ability to be present and joyful.
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Kati Bird
Founder, SHIBARI UNRAVELLED
Kati is a Shibari artist and spiritual seeker who creates safe spaces where the body and soul can communicate. Kati sees Shibari as a somatic experience that has a strong cognitive function. Her practice is to bring the unconscious into the conscious realm. She highly values and guides self-awareness, cultivating trust, communication, and exploring the edges of comfort. Through a series of check in’s and communication exercises, Kati allows people to express their emotions and acknowledge their personal histories that are stored in the subtle body
Terms & Conditions:
A deposit of $400 is required at time of booking to secure your space. Full payment is required 60 days before departure date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancel 61-90 days prior to trip: Full refund, less deposit
Cancel 31-60 days prior to trip: 50% of trip cost is refundable
Cancel 0-30 days prior to the trip: 100% trip cost is non-refundable
We highly suggest purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment
COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols
High touch, communal surfaces will be sanitized frequently
Any dishes used will be cleaned with hot water, soap, and bleach
All gear will be cleaned after each trip in accordance with current CDC recommendations
Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available throughout the trip
Guide prepared meals will follow proper food handler's rules and regulations
Guests are asked to stay home if they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms
What our clients are saying
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Constance C
“Traci is amazing to work with. She crafts the perfect itinerary based on your interests and skills. Hands down one of the best outdoor professionals.
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Regina S
“Their retreats are magical and it was so important for me to go and engage! The quiet of the desert, the night skies, the hikes they took us on. Invest in yourself and go!”
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Jennie D.
“Top notch customer service! As a solo female traveler, they did a great job creating a custom trip with the niche Shibari offering. Kati Bird made us feel right at home using the ropes as a tool for self-growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I fly in and meet my guide?
This trip originates in Salt Lake City, UT. Please make arrangements to fly in and out of SLC. Your guide will pick you up the morning of Day 1 at your hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.
Which hotel should I stay in Salt Lake City?
We can suggest our favorites: Little America, Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, and Evo Hotel.
Who is this retreat for?
We are inclusive to all of those who identify as women, or those who identify with womanhood. This retreat is for: trans women, cis women, queer women, straight women, and non-binary people who identify with womanhood.
Will there be enough room for my suitcase in the group vehicle?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a normal/small suitcase on this trip. Our vehicles will accommodate one piece of luggage per guest, plus your day hiking backpack.
What are the temps in Escalante in May?
Daytime average highs in Escalante, UT are 75* and nighttime lows are 41*
What is a slot canyon?
Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks. In Utah they are the product water movement through sandstone layers. They are named for their long, narrow characteristics.
What is Shibari?
Shibari is a contemporary form of rope bondage, that originated in Japan. Many practice it as a form of meditation, as a tool to create connection and intimacy with a partner, or simply enjoy it because they find the body in ropes to be beautiful.
Do I need to attend with a partner?
There is a variety of ways one can partake in Shibari, solo rope play included. You do not need to attend this with a partner, however, you will have the opportunity to partner up with another retreat goer to practice ties. We also have a variety of rooming options to accommodate both solos and partners/friends traveling together.
How do I book a private session with Kati during the retreat?
Upon registration, Kati will reach out to see if this is something you would like to add to your retreat experience. Time slots will be limited.
I’m not religious or spiritual, is this retreat still for me?
If this retreat resonates with you, we strongly encourage you to attend. Everything on this trip is a “Challenge by choice”. This means you are welcome to attend evening workshops, or not. As well as, if you feel the need to rest instead of hike, we want to honor that.
What should I bring for hiking clothes?
We suggest packing a variety of layers (re: puffer, fleece layer, tights, knit hat, shorts). Layers can be shed as the day warms up. Poly-blends are great for hiking as they wick sweat away from the body.
How many people are coming on this trip?
We have room for 8 guests, first come first served. This trip requires a minimum of 4 people to run.
I don’t do a lot of hiking, can I still handle this trip?
Yes! This trip is designed to be inclusive to all ability levels. However, we do suggest doing a bit of training prior to your trip. We suggest moderate cardio (whatever you are used to) and as you progress add a small backpack with some weight in it.
I can no longer attend the hiking retreat, what is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 61-90 days prior to trip: Full refund, less deposit
Cancel 31-60 days prior to trip: 50% of trip cost is refundable
Cancel 0-30 days prior to the trip: 100% trip cost is non-refundable
Should I purchase travel insurance?
We 100% encourage you to purchase travel insurance! Things happen, and we want to make sure your investment is protected.