6 Day Yoga & Meditation Wellness Escape on Don Daeng Island, Laos

The retreat is based at La Folie Lodge, a four-star eco-resort on Don Daeng Island in Champasak Province. The lodge is right on the Mekong, with all bungalows facing the river and the hills around Vat Phu. It's furnished like a colonial-era lodge, but with modern comfort thrown in. The setting is central to the experience: the land around Vat Phu mekong riverside path, tucked in a protected area near the UNESCO site, so you don't have to deal with tourists bustling around. The staff are local and universally praised in the reviews for being warm and helpful.

There are two yoga teachers who share the week, Shanna and Ayuri. Shanna has taught in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Laos, with a background in meditation, vinyasa, hatha, yin, and restorative yoga. Ayuri is a certified somatic yoga life coach who brings in Hatha Vinyasa, Wheel Yoga, Yin, Chair Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Having both of them means the classes vary through the week, and you also get one free 45-minute spa treatment that you can book with your preference.

The daily schedule usually starts with meditation before breakfast, then a morning yoga class. The actual timing shifts a bit depending on your flight in on day one. After lunch, most afternoons are free for you to spend as you like: reading by the pool, taking one of the lodge's bikes out, getting a massage, or just napping in the hammock. Several afternoons also include the local experiences: a guided visit to Vat Phu, a cooking class, and a trip to the Bolaven Plateau on day four. Evenings reopen with a short yoga session, then dinner and something cultural or just a quiet night in.

The lodge is a small operation, so the group size is capped and the experience tends to feel intimate. Because everything is optional, solo travelers have an easy time finding their own pace, and couples or friends who want to do their own thing can also slip away without any pressure. The included meals are generous, using local fruit, veggies, and fish, with good options for vegans and vegetarians.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in a private bungalow with Mekong view - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - Welcome drink, cold towel, fresh juice, and fresh fruit on arrival - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga and meditation classes (on the beach or at the sala/shala) - Guided excursion to Vat Phu temple - Cooking class - 1 spa treatment of your choice (45 minutes) - Village visit on foot or by bicycle - Almsgiving (offering food to monks) - Traditional dance class - Basket weaving class - Group excursions and activities - Boat transfers (unlimited) between the mainland and the island - Wi-Fi connection - Free cancellation up to 1 day before arrival

What's not included

- International flights - Airport transfers from Pakse or Ubon Ratchathani airports - Travel insurance - Personal expenses (laundry, extra drinks, additional spa treatments) - Visas (if applicable)