I came to Mountain Trek for a week in mid May and it was one of the best experiences I have had!
I am currently living in the middle east but had just left my job and have a few months before I start my new role. I was keen to spend the time trying to get back the fitness I have lost over the last few years, lose the weight I gained as a result of various health issues (despite being fairly active and sporty and eating healthily), travel and see friends and family.
Being British, I started by looking at fitness retreats in Europe. None however quite fitted the bill. They were either yoga or treatment based so not active, or army style bootcamps with lots of strapping men shouting at you whilst you crawl around on the floor! I love sports but I much prefer being outdoors to the gym and I wanted exercise that I would actually enjoy. I can truly say that whilst it was really hard work I absolutely loved Mountain Trek.
On the exercise front the week comprised of yoga for an hour in the morning overlooking the beautiful lake, 4-5hours of nordic hiking at speeds I never knew were possible and in absolutely stunning scenery around lakes and mountains, and a gym based class in the evening - either weights based or high intensity. All the classes and hikes were fabulous and run by amazing and enthusiastic staff. Despite playing lots of sports, running and hiking I had never really done yoga before or weights but everything was set up to deal with people who were totally inflexible or new to these types of classes right through to those who are regulars. walking was split into 3/4 groups based on speed with each group being pushed to the right level for their fitness. I moved up and down groups afew times depending on how I was feeling on the day. Because the number of guests is so limited they really can offer a personalised service and assist each individual.
But Mountain trek wasnt just about the exercise - it really is a fully body and mind reset.
The lectures on nutrition, stress, sleeping, metabolism etc were incredibly interesting and really based around science and research and taught even those who were nurses, drs and return visitors something new.
The spa services form the jacuzzi to sauna and steam room were actively encouraged every day to assist with detoxifying and relaxing. The massages were absolutely the best I have had anywhere in the world from Dubai to Thailand to UK etc.
They also really assist in trying to ensure you dont just gain from your week there but can take it forward with manageable goals rather than unachieveable ones. You continue to receive advice and newsletters once you leave and if you have booked any of the additional medical tests then you will also receive phone consultations with your results afterwards.
And last but certainly not least I couldn't finish without mentioning the outstanding food. Everything tasted truly fabulous. Fish and meat are on the menu - locally sourced and organic, but I dont believe we had wheat. Other potential food allergies or intolerances were all dealt with on a person by person basis. From 6.15am smoothies, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack to dinner around 5.30pm (very early for me but you'll understand why after the lectures!) the regular timed food ensured despite the limited calories that you were never hungry.
Its not cheap and as a result many of the guests are high flyers, but even though it took a while for me to save for it, and is on the other side of the world, I can say without a shadow of a doubt I will be saving up to return again! There were guests there returning for their 17th year and I fully understand why. Now I'm just waiting for a second site to be opened in Europe ;-)
