Step 5 of 5 · Plan it a week ahead
Stop moving for a bit
Sometimes on the road you want something other than just travelling. Learning to surf, going deeper into yoga, a few weeks of serious training or a week of doing nothing at all. For multi-day programmes we work with Tripaneer, one of the biggest platforms in the world for wellness, sport and lifestyle trips.
- 4 to 7 days the usual length
- All included bed, food and classes
- Beginners welcome at the vast majority
- Worldwide range with Asia well covered
Four kinds of week that turn your trip around
From sporty to silent. What they have in common: you stay a week in one place and you leave different from how you arrived.
- Yoga and meditation From a long weekend to a full yoga teacher training. Koh Phangan and Chiang Mai are the classics; expect two sessions a day and plenty of time to read.
- Surf and dive Surf camps on Siargao, dive courses on Koh Tao and in the Philippines. You often walk away with a certificate that is valid for the rest of your life.
- Sport and fitness Muay Thai in Chiang Mai or on Phuket, bootcamps and training camps for every level. Two sessions a day, and after three days everything hurts. Then it gets good.
- Rest and health Wellness, detox and silent retreats in places where your phone switches itself off. Tougher than it sounds, and that is exactly why it is worth it.
Where do you put it in your route?
A programme of a week or longer pauses your trip. That is no problem, as long as you plan around it.
- At the start As a landing
You start the trip rested, your jet lag is gone straight away and after a week you already have a group of people around you. Great if this is your first solo trip.
- Halfway As a reset
After a few weeks of buses, hostels and moving on, you are usually ready for one place. That is when a retreat works best, it just gets rushed if your route is tight.
- At the end As a finale
By now you know what you wanted from the trip and you finish in the place that fits it. Do leave a few days between the programme and your flight home.
- The day after A rest day
After a training camp or an intense retreat you are tired, even if you mostly sat still. Do not book your next bus for the morning after.
Five things to check
A retreat is one of the pricier things you book on the road. These five points decide whether that money is well spent.
- Look past the price With one programme everything is in: room, meals, classes and the airport transfer. With another you pay for all of it separately. Two programmes that look the same price can be hundreds of euros apart.
- Mind the group size With ten people you get personal attention, with forty you are a number. For a course where you really want to learn something, that makes the difference.
- Check the level Most camps suit beginners, but not all of them. If the description says nothing about level, send a message before you book.
- Check exactly where it is A retreat in the jungle sounds amazing, until you find out the nearest shop is an hour's drive. Fine if that is what you want, annoying if you did not know.
- Read the recent experiences At a retreat the teachers make the difference, and teachers change. Reviews from this year say more than an average score over five years.
One more thing
Why book through Tripaneer?
The range is big and worldwide, and the reviews come from people who actually did the programme. You see up front what is included, you book safely online and there are programmes for beginners and experienced people alike: sporty, relaxed or focused on personal growth.
How many days should I set aside?
Most retreats last four to seven days, training camps often one to four weeks. For a first time, five to seven days is a good length: long enough to really get into it, short enough not to throw your whole route out.
Can I do this if I have never done yoga or Muay Thai?
At the vast majority of programmes, yes; they are made for people who want to learn. Look for beginners or all levels in the description, and if you are unsure, message the organiser. They usually reply within a day.
What does a retreat in Southeast Asia cost?
It varies hugely, from a simple yoga weekend to a luxury wellness week that costs many times that. So always compare what is included rather than just the amount: bed, all meals, classes and sometimes the transfer make up most of the price together.
Do I need to sort my own accommodation during the retreat?
No, at nearly every programme you sleep on site and it is in the price. Do check which room type you get: shared or private makes a difference to the price and to how your week feels. The night before and after the programme you usually book yourself.
Is a retreat a good idea for solo travellers?
It is perfect for them. Almost everybody comes alone and you spend a week with the same group, so you know each other after two days. Of everything you can book on the road, this might be the easiest way to meet people.
Sort the next step right away
Route first, bookings second
Booking is a lot easier once you know which way you are heading. Our destination pages have the route through each country, how long to stay and roughly what it costs.
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