From yoga and surfing to great food and chilled-out beach bars, Canggu has quickly become one of our most-loved holiday destinations. Find your zen at The Chillhouse, a quirky little lifestyle retreat offering stylish rooms and organic meals. The communal feel is ideal for travellers looking to connect with like-minded wanderers. A stay at The Chillhouse comes with breakfast, a dinner buffet and a free daily yoga class held in its breezy open-air shala. From fiery Kundalini to restorative Yin, you’re sure to find the right type of yoga to suit your needs!
When to go: May to September
Cost: From $660 per night per person
The ChillHouse, JL. Kubu Manyar 22 , Br Pipitan, Canggu, 80361 Bali, Indonesia, 62 812-3958-3056, www.thechillhouse.com
Practice your plank, pigeon and plow poses under the palm trees of Goa at Little Cove Yoga Retreat. Like many of our favourite retreats across Asia, Little Cove offers a flexible yoga holiday option as well as 10-15 day themed retreats led by world-renowned teachers, designed to deepen your practice. At Little Cove you’ll find 17 eco-friendly cottages, organic Indian meals and inner peace. The yoga holiday option comes with one yoga class, one breathing class and one meditation class a day as well as complimentary cooking classes. The retreats are priced separately.
When to go: November to February
Cost: From $520 per night per person in two-person shared room
Little Cove Yoga Retreat, Little Cola Beach, Canacona, South Goa, India, +91 07875231613, yogaschoolgoa.com
The recently-renovated Salt House in Sri Lanka offers a haven of tranquillity and style surrounded by luscious jungle, just steps from one of the island’s most pristine beaches. Daily yoga classes – a Vinyasa flow in the morning and restorative Yin practice in the afternoon – mean you can come here on holiday any time and drop in on classes when you feel like it. Find it hard to commit when cocktails and trashy romance novels are calling? Salt House also offers themed yoga retreats, which are priced separately. The next retreat takes place from 2 to 9 November 2019 and is temptingly titled “Beach and R&R”.
When to go: December to February
Cost: From $588 per night per couple (book on Airbnb)
Salt House, Hiriketiya Road, Dikwalla, Sri Lanka, +94 041 225 6819, www.salthousesrilanka.net
Koh Samui’s VIKASA Yoga is an island favourite boasting stunning views, a variety of modest but comfortable rooms and the popular VIKASA Life Café, which serves up seriously scrumptious (and oh-so-pretty) health food. Book your yoga holiday any time and indulge in unlimited yoga, a daily meditation class and free gym access as well as brunch and dinner. If you’re seeking something a little more holistic, check out the upcoming themed retreats including the intriguing “Jungle Dance” and “Rise as the Goddess You Are”.
When to go: December to April
Cost: From $770 per night per person (retreats priced separately)
Vikasa Yoga Retreat Koh Samui Thailand, Thailand, +66 77 422 232, vikasayoga.com
Embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle at plastic-free Mandala Ou in Laos. Surrounded by lush rainforest, Mandala Ou hosts a series of yoga retreats throughout the year led by local yoga co-op, Luang Prabang Yoga. Retreats here generally last from four to six days and cover everything from healing practice to meditation and building strength. The resort is home to 10 comfortable bungalows combining traditional Lao style with modern touches and an infinity pool overlooking the serene river Nam Ou. Practice takes place at the peaceful yoga shala, which sits right above the river bank. What’s not to love?
When to go: November to March
Cost: From $2,700 for 4-day, 3-night retreat or $5,050 for 6-day, 5-night retreat per person. Book 60 days prior to start of retreat and receive 15% discount!
Mandala Ou, Nong Khiaw, Laos, +856 30 53 77 332, www.mandala-ou.com
Embrace the island life at Yoga Bliss Lembongan, a relaxed retreat for any level. The yoga holidays here are available year-round and can start any day of the week, giving you total flexibility (pun intended). Three options for accommodation are available, but we suggest staying at Green Garden Bungalows, which is where both restaurant and yoga shala are located. The four-day retreat comes with unlimited yoga classes (choose from three different ones a day) led by welcoming, warm and experienced teachers from around the world, while the seven and 10-day retreats include surf lessons, too. Laid-back Nusa Lembongan is just a 30-minute boat ride from Bali, but feels a world away!
When to go: May to September
Cost: From $4,000 for 7-day, 6-night retreat or $2,000 for four-day, three-night retreat per person
Yoga Bliss, Jungut Batu, Nusa Lembongan, yogablisslembongan.com/surfyoga-retreats
Famed for its dive sites, Palawan has long been a holiday favourite. While most head to El Nido town, Qi Palawan, a small resort with only seven bungalows and no neighbours is situated on the opposite coast, around an hour’s drive from tourist crowds. Feel the flow of prana at free yoga classes every morning in the open-air shala, accompanied by treetop views and the sounds of the ocean. Laid-back bamboo bungalows, a pool, spa, restaurant and fully-stocked bar make this the perfect spot for more relaxed yogis looking to stretch and strengthen while enjoying a holiday.
When to go: December to April
Cost: From $1,500 per night per couple
Qi Palawan, Sitio Palabuayan, El Nido, 5313 Palawan, Philippines, +63 939 925 9433, www.qipalawan.com
Of all the places to stand tall in mountain pose, the Himalayas are surely among the world’s most inspiring. A great option for beginners as well as dedicated yogis of all ages, Shree Yoga Nepal offers jaw-dropping views, a relaxed approach to yoga and a back-to-basics lifestyle. Choose from a selection of yoga retreats, ranging from a one-day yoga hike to a nine-day yoga retreat and everything in between. In addition to yoga, the daily schedule includes meditation, mud baths and more.
When to go: October – December
Cost: From $2,170 for five-day, six-night Classic Hatha Yoga retreat or $1,300 for three-day, four-night Healing Yoga Retreat, per person
Shree Yoga Nepal, Khapaundi Happy village, Raatmate Danda, Pokhara, Nepal, (977) 981-414-0515, www.shreeyoganepal.com
Take a step towards enlightenment at Siem Reap’s Hariharalaya Yoga & Meditation Retreat Center. Spread over two acres of jungle on the sacred ground of Angkor, Hariharalaya is a grassroots community-based yoga centre. Slow down, reconnect with nature and learn everything from yoga and chanting to rock climbing at its five-day retreats. With over 1,000 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor, Hariharalaya is often described as magical. In true retreat style, there’s no alcohol, coffee or technology and all meals are vegan. Just be sure to pack mosquito repellent.
When to go: November to February
Cost: From $2,500 for five-day, six-night retreat per person in four-person shared room
Hariharalaya Yoga & Meditation Retreat Center, Siem Reap, Cambodia, www.hariharalaya.com
Just a short flight from Hong Kong, Taiwan’s Origin Yoga & Wellness offers a signature three-day, two-night retreat every weekend, making it the ideal last-minute mindfulness mini-break. Look forward to daily yoga and meditation sessions, nature walks, a hot spring visit, chill out time at the beach and delicious vegetarian meals (plus healthy desserts). Oh, and you’ll get a half-hour spiritual guidance with a zen master!
When to go: October to December
Cost: From $8,600 for six-days, five-nights retreat or $4,300 for three-day, two-night retreat, both per person in four-person shared room. 7% donated to charity!
Origin Yoga & Wellness, No.18 Haiwan Xincheng, Shimen Dist, New Taipei, Taiwan, +886-932-163-907, www.originyogawellness.com