Birds in Bloom: A Sedona Hiking, Nature and Mindfulness Retreat

Birds in Bloom is a five-day wellness retreat in Sedona, Arizona, that combines birding, hiking and mindfulness during spring migration. It is open to people brand new to birdwatching and to longtime birders, and it is led by Trish Hart with chef Dre Williams and naturalist guide Tim Weber. Days are built around guided birding walks, canyon hikes, yoga nidra, a sound bath and a private sweat lodge, with time to rest in between.

What to Expect

The retreat begins at Bella Vista Base Camp with a welcome lunch, then a first hike on the Boynton Canyon Trail. That evening there is a group dinner, an opening circle, and a session of Yoga Nidra and sound bath to close the day.

The middle days mix early starts with open afternoons. One morning is a hike on the West Fork Trail with a trail breakfast. Another begins with sunrise mindful movement and meditation, followed by a visit to the Sedona Wolf Sanctuary, a picnic lunch at Montezuma's Castle, and a swim at a local red rock swimming hole. Afternoons are left for resting, journaling or simply being still, and there is time in Uptown Sedona for local shops and artist studios. Evenings often end with a hot tub soak and stargazing.

The fourth day centers on the Secret Cathedral Rock Trail, with optional dips in Oak Creek, followed by a visit to Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. After an early dinner at Basecamp, a local healer leads a private sweat lodge ceremony. The final morning brings coffee, gentle yoga and a meditative walk through a labyrinth, then a farewell brunch for sharing reflections and integrating the experience before heading home.

Throughout, birding education sessions and field walks take place in Sedona's varied habitats, from the riparian corridor along Oak Creek to red rock cliffs and high desert. Guided mindfulness practice covers movement, stillness and creativity, and there is an optional cold plunge in Oak Creek.

About Trish Hart

Trish Hart is the founder of Hart Mind Body and works between Boston and Sedona. She is a therapeutic yoga instructor, mindfulness and stress management educator, sound therapist and nature-infused retreat leader, and she serves as Senior Program Manager of the Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her early career was in auditing, consulting, administration and finance, including work at Deloitte and at Boston hospitals. After a marathon injury in 2012 she chose an integrative mind body program over surgery, then studied at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, where she is a certified facilitator of Stress Management and Resiliency Training. She is also a Kripalu-certified Mindful Outdoor Leader and a lifelong birder.

About Dre Williams

Dre Williams co-leads the retreat as a chef, yoga instructor, artist and gardener, and is a bird lover. Dre prepares the vegetarian meals and snacks served through the five days.

About Tim Weber

Tim Weber is the local naturalist guide and a formally educated, certified birding guide with deep knowledge of Sedona's ecosystems and its migratory and native species.

The Setting

Lodging is set among Sedona's red rock formations, with hot tub access and stargazing from the grounds. Meals are vegetarian and include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Pickups and drop-offs noted in the itinerary are covered, and the group gathers at Bella Vista Base Camp.

Before You Go

No birding experience is needed, and the level is open to all. The hikes cover canyon and desert terrain, and the schedule leaves rest time between activities. The retreat is held in English. Included are meals, guided birding sessions, the three named hikes, mindfulness practices, the Yoga Nidra and sound bath, the sweat lodge ceremony, the Amitabha Stupa, Montezuma's Castle and Wolf Sanctuary visits, and lodging. Airfare and travel to Sedona, personal shopping in Uptown and any meals outside the itinerary are not included.