Vadi camping - Digital detox

 

Hello everyone! 😊

Last time when I was in Türkiye, I escaped Sapanca for a weekend and found myself in a place surrounded by forest, streams and mountains. If lately you've been feeling tired from traffic, notifications, work stress or simply people, I think you'll enjoy reading this one.

The company is called Vadi Camping, located in Çatalkaya Valley in Sapanca. I had been seeing their events on Instagram for a while and finally decided to join one called "Derenin Sesleri." The program included yoga, a nature walk, meditation, a fire show and if you are lucky a DJ performance. To be honest, I was mostly curious about spending a day in nature rather than the activities themselves 😅

After arriving in the valley, the first thing I noticed was the sound. Not music, not traffic, not construction. Just birds, water and trees moving in the wind. It sounds simple but after city life, you realize how rare silence actually is.

Nature Love

The group slowly gathered and we started the morning with yoga. Now, those who know me know that I am not exactly the person waking up at sunrise to do yoga every day 😄 But stretching outdoors while looking at the forest was surprisingly enjoyable. Even my permanently stiff office-worker shoulders felt a bit better afterwards.

After yoga it was turn of the nature walk. We followed trails through the valley, crossed small streams and spent a few hours walking without checking our phones every five minutes. The route was not difficult, but enough to make you feel that you had earned your lunch.

Along the way we stopped several times to enjoy the scenery. Sapanca is already beautiful, but Çatalkaya Valley has a different atmosphere. It feels a little wilder, a little quieter. You can hear the water flowing long before you see it.

After the walk, we gathered for meditation. I always find meditation difficult because my brain likes to make shopping lists, travel plans and random memories appear at exactly the wrong moment 😅 But sitting there with the sound of the stream nearby made it easier than usual. Even if you don't fully disconnect, spending half an hour doing absolutely nothing feels like a luxury these days.

As the evening approached, the atmosphere changed completely. The valley became cooler, people started gathering around the common areas and the social side of the event slowly began. There is something nice about meeting people in nature. Conversations somehow become easier when nobody is rushing anywhere.

After sunset came the fire show. I wasn't expecting much but it turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the day. Watching the flames move through the darkness with the forest surrounding us created a completely different atmosphere. Everyone stopped talking for a while and simply watched.

Later the DJ performance started. Don't imagine a giant festival stage. It felt more intimate than that. People were dancing, chatting, drinking coffee or tea and simply enjoying the evening. Some stayed close to the music, others preferred sitting around and looking at the stars.

Night fire

One thing I liked about Vadi Camping was that it didn't feel like a crowded commercial event. The place still manages to keep its connection with nature. There are camping areas, walking routes, common spaces and enough facilities to stay comfortable without losing the camping feeling. It sits in the middle of Çatalkaya Valley and is designed for people who want to spend time outdoors without needing to be expert campers. 🌲 ⛺

By the end of the night I realized I had barely looked at my phone all day. Maybe that's the real luxury now.

If you enjoy nature walks, meditation, yoga, campfires, meeting new people and occasionally escaping city life, I think you would enjoy one of their events. At the very least, you'll return home with cleaner air in your lungs and a quieter mind.

If you are travelling to Türkiye and Istanbul for a good amount of time, you should try this nature connection camp ! No stress allowed inside !

Have you ever joined one of these nature retreat weekends? Or are you more of a "give me a beach and a cold drink" type of person? 😎

See you on the next getaway!

 

Here is their instagram so you can check them directly :)

And plus here is a 3 page easy Istanbul guide for 2 weeks plan 😊