Wellness & Yoga Retreat on the Mekong: Meditation, Culture & Nature in Laos

Mornings start with meditation and a yoga class as the sun rises over the Mekong. Depending on the day, you'll practice on the beach or in the open-sided shala set among the gardens. After breakfast, the group heads out on excursions: a guided visit to Vat Phu, the ancient Khmer temple complex that predates Angkor Wat, a cooking class with local ingredients, or a full-day trip to the Bolaven Plateau to see waterfalls and coffee plantations. Lunch is often taken in Champasak town or in a village home, giving you a real taste of daily life.

Afternoons are deliberately free. Some guests book a massage or spa treatment (one is included), others swim in the pool or read on their terrace. The lodge also offers traditional dance classes and basket weaving with local artisans, and you can join a community visit to the monks during their lunch offerings. In the evening, after dinner, there's a gentle activity—yoga nidra, a talk on yoga philosophy, or a shadow puppet theatre performance.

The teaching style is inclusive and personal. Shanna has taught in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Laos, and specializes in vinyasa, hatha, yin, and restorative yoga, along with meditation. Ayuri brings a background in somatic yoga and energy healing, with a focus on safe, compassionate movement. Whether you're new to yoga or have been practicing for years, you'll find sessions that fit your level and needs.

The location sets this apart. Don Daeng sits opposite the UNESCO-listed Vat Phu, a site that has been sacred for over a thousand years. Practicing here, on land that has drawn pilgrims for centuries, adds a layer of meaning that you won't find in a studio back home.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in a private bungalow with river view - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with vegetarian/vegan options - Welcome drink and cold towel on arrival - Unlimited tea, coffee, and water throughout the day - Daily yoga and meditation classes (morning and evening) - Excursion to Vat Phu temple with a guide - Cooking class or foodie's experience - One 45-minute spa treatment of your choice - Village visit on foot or by bicycle - Almsgiving ceremony (offering food to monks) - Traditional dance class - Basket weaving workshop - Group excursions and activities as per itinerary - Wi-fi connection - Boat transfers to and from the island (unlimited)

What's not included

- Airport transfers (available at additional cost) - International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Additional spa treatments The excluded items are as follows: - Airport transfers (available at additional cost) - International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Additional spa treatments