5 Day Yoga & Wellness Escape on Koh Phangan, Thailand

Ananda Yoga & Detox Center runs this all-inclusive retreat on the quieter west coast of Koh Phangan, in the village of Hin Kong. The location is the first thing you notice — the center looks straight out over calm sand and the sea, with the National Marine Park in the distance. It's tropical and lush, with jungled hills behind the coast, but it's also just off the road, so getting around is easy. The whole vibe is peaceful and low-key, and because the group is small — fifteen max — you get real attention from the teachers.

The yoga program is the heart of it. Every morning starts with meditation and pranayama, then you choose between two classes: a dynamic Ashtanga-based vinyasa for people who want a challenge, or a gentle fundamentals class for beginners or recovery days. There's a mixed-level flow in the afternoon, then yin or restorative later on, and a sunset power flow a couple of days a week. Sundays run on a different clock with a 10:30 inner flow. You can practice as much or as little as you like — everything's unlimited. Evening extras like sound gongs and aerial yoga with the much-loved instructor Bella are where the magic happens, especially that sunset aerial session in the silks above the trees.

The retreat is led by Dr. Valerie Jeremijenko, an Australian with a PhD and ERYT 500 certification who's been teaching since 1991 and has trained over 300 teachers. She's known for being charismatic, warm and rigorous all at once, and she'll be there in person to greet you. The rest of the teaching team rotates — you'll meet people like Stephanie and James, who guests consistently single out for their breathwork and yin classes. It's a real teaching center, not just a place to drop in for a few classes.

Meals are a big part of the day. Three buffet meals are served daily, all vegetarian and mostly vegan, with lots of Thai classics, raw dishes, brown rice, and Ananda's famous vegan chocolate cake. There's a juice bar with fresh juices, coconuts and shakes for a small extra cost. Beyond yoga, you've got a saltwater pool, a herbal steam sauna, and the option to add on detox therapies, bodywork, or one-on-one consultations if you want to go deeper. The retreat also runs longer detox programs, so the center has real experience with fasting and cleansing if that's what you're after.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in the room type of your choice - 3 vegetarian buffet meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - 2 yoga classes per day (except Sunday, with a special Sunday flow) - Daily meditation/pranayama classes - 1 Thai massage per night of your stay (for dorm guests, every other day) - Access to saltwater pool and herbal steam sauna - Unlimited filtered drinking water, tea and coffee - Welcome drink - Wi-Fi throughout the center

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport/pier transfers - Optional detox therapies and 1-on-1 consultations - Juice bar items (fresh juices, coconuts, shakes) - Extra massages or spa treatments