I Went on Jason Vale’s Juice Retreat to Turkey for a Week – Here’s What Happened.

“Omg how can you go with no food for a week?!”

That was the first reaction I had — and the most common one I got when I told people I was heading off to Jason Vale’s Juicy Mountain retreat in Turkey.

But here’s the thing: the juices are jam-packed with goodness, delivering around 1,200 calories a day, and to my surprise… we weren’t hungry at all. In fact, by the end of the week, we felt energised, light, reset — and glowing from the inside out.

A Healthy Celebration of 50

I signed up with one of my best friends — we both turned 50 this year. Our celebrations had been (rightly!) full of indulgence, fizz, and fun. But after the parties, we craved something that would feed our bodies and souls. A proper reset, and a bit of R&R. So we booked ourselves onto Jason Vale’s original retreat in Turkey, the one he set up years ago, nestled in the mountains above Göcek.

Jason also has a retreat in Portugal and is set to open a brand-new wellness and fitness retreat playground there in September 2025, but we chose to go back to where it all started: Juicy Mountain.

What’s Included?

You sign up for a minimum one-week stay, and everything is taken care of. The price includes:

• All of your freshly made juices and shots,

• A full daily programme of movement, fitness, and mindfulness,

• Yoga, rebounding for lymphatic health, circuits, tabata, aqua aerobics, volley ball, morning mountain hikes and more.

• Optional extras like massages (highly recommend!) and a magical boat trip to nearby Göcek, where your first solid food — the freshest, most delicious salad — awaits if you’ve stuck to plan!

What to Expect

Day 2 or 3 can be a bit of a hurdle — especially if you’re withdrawing from caffeine, sugar, or processed foods. Some people (me included!) might feel a little headachey or foggy, but it passes quickly.

There’s something deeply grounding about being in the mountains, away from the noise, and focusing solely on your wellbeing. This is not a bootcamp — it’s a retreat. You can join the activities or opt to nap in the afternoon, journal under a tree, read a book, or simply sunbathe.

There’s a lovely rustic kitchen on site, with a constant supply of lemons and herbal teas. On Fridays, the wonderful kitchen duo Ramazan and Nezera bring a small but beautiful selection of local organic produce — figs, almonds, tahini, walnuts, honey, and olive oil and more - A true taste of Turkey.

Extra Soul Food

Evenings were just as special — a mix of volleyball games, late-night swims, movie nights, and deep, grounding talks:

• Juicing for Beginners

• How to Make Your Own Juice

• The Welcome Talk

• The Going Home Talk — always emotional

There’s also a sauna on site, and I treated myself to two incredible massages: one at the start of the week to unwind and one at the end to soak it all in.

The Magic of Juicy Mountain

It’s hard to put into words, but Juicy Mountain really does have a magical, spiritual energy. Something about the setting, the simplicity, the intention behind every detail — it stays with you. So many of the guests were returning guests, which speaks volumes.

It wasn’t just a detox — it was a deep recharge, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

The retreat means different things to different people — for some, it’s about weight loss or kickstarting a healthier lifestyle. And while I definitely felt lighter by the end of the week, for me that was just a bonus. I went for the health benefits, the clarity, and the chance to properly reset — to give my body a break and reconnect with myself in the most peaceful, nourishing way.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat.