Yoga for Elephants

Practise Taoist yoga on a lakeside sala at sunrise, then watch elephants bathe, forage and play just steps away. With yoga teacher Jacqueline, five days of Yin, Yin Yang and Restorative practice, kayaking on Nam Tien Lake, and time with the vets and mahouts who care for about 30 elephants rescued from logging and mass tourism.

ElephantConservationCenter_Sayaboury_Laos_ClassesNature (28)

Mahouts (elephant keepers) take elephants to a new place deep in

Elephants in Socialization Area in the Elephant Conservation Cen

YOGA FOR ELEPHANTS

5 days of yoga and stillness beside Laos’ rescued elephants
13-18 February 2027 · Elephant Conservation Center, Nam Tien Lake, Sayaboury

Wake to mist on the lake. Move slowly through Yin and Yang yoga on a lakeside sala. Then watch a herd of elephants bathe, forage and play, just a few steps away.

Yoga for Elephants is a six-day / five-night immersion where Taoist yoga meets living nature. Your teacher is Jacqueline, who has taught yoga since 2013 and draws on 25+ years of exploring movement. She guides Yin, Yin Yang and Restorative yoga, plus sound bath and meditation sessions. Practice is about release and presence. No yoga or meditation experience needed.

You stay at the Elephant Conservation Center, home to 26 elephants rescued from logging and mass tourism. It sits on a forest reserve of roughly 540 hectares and has Laos’ only elephant hospital and nursery. Here, watching elephants is an act of respect, and your stay supports their care.

Your week

Morning Yin Yang
Elephant nursery visit, forest walk, and elephant bathing time
Hospital visit and time with the vets and mahouts
Observation of the young elephants and females, then the males, in their socialisation areas
A positive reinforcement “ target-training” session
Kayak and paddle on the lake
Evening Meditation. Yin and Yoga Restorative.

Practical details

Price per person, all-inclusive, 5 nights: shared room/dorm (2-4 people) $770 · Classic bungalow (shared / twin beds) $850 · Premium bungalow (shared / twin beds) $900
Included: accommodation, 3 meals a day (vegetarian & vegan options available), the full yoga programme, the elephant conservation center’s “Exploration” programme, hospital and nursery visits, exhibition space, kayaks and paddles, and more!
Free shuttle from Luang Prabang (departs 7:30, about 3 hours, arrival at 11:15)
Book before 15 November
Contact: [email protected] · WhatsApp +221 77 192 22 10 · www.elephantconservationcenter.com

Reserve your place, before 15 November.

Yoga for Elephants Flyer

BOOK NOW!

PROGRAMME ITINERARY

Sunday: Arrival / Settling In (Earth)
7:30–11:00 · Transfer from Luang Prabang to ECC
11:15 · Check-in to the bungalows
12:30–14:00 · Nursery visit and lunch on the water, watching the elephants
Free time
17:00–19:00 · Yin & Yang: settling in, welcome circle
19:00 · Dinner and welcome evening. All overnights at Dormitory or selected accommodation

Monday: Observe (Metal)
6:15 · Gentle wake-up: water, herbal tea, coffee
6:30–7:45 · Yin & Yang – breath & clarity
7:45–8:30 · Breakfast
10:00 · Meet the ECC team
12:00 · Lunch
14:00–15:00 · Visit to the information centre
Free time
17:00–18:45 · Meditation & Yin – discerning
19:00 · Dinner

Tuesday: Release (Water)
6:15 · Gentle wake-up: water, herbal tea, coffee
6:30–7:45 · Yin & Yang – fluidity & undulation
7:45–8:30 · Breakfast
9:00 · Forest walk with the elephants
12:00 · Lunch
13:30–15:00 · Hospital visit, conversation with the team
15:30–16:00 · Elephant bathing
Free time
17:00–18:45 · Meditation & Yin – circulating
19:00 · Dinner

Wednesday: Act (Wood)
6:15 · Gentle wake-up: water, herbal tea, coffee
6:30–7:45 · Yin & Yang – momentum & direction
7:45–8:30 · Breakfast
10:00 · Visit to the socialisation area (young elephants and females)
12:00 · Lunch
15:30–16:00 · Elephant bathing
Free time
17:00–18:45 · Meditation & Yin – unfolding
19:00 · Dinner

Thursday: Connect (Fire)
6:15 · Gentle wake-up: water, herbal tea, coffee
6:30–7:45 · Yin & Yang – Dragon Dance
7:45–8:30 · Breakfast
Free time
12:00 · Lunch
Free time
15:00–16:00 · Training observation (Target Training)
Free time
17:00–19:00 · Meditation & Yin – radiating
19:00 · Dinner

Friday: Departure / Transfer
7:30–8:30 · Breakfast
9:00–10:30 · Observation of the males in their socialisation area
12:00–13:30 · Lunch
14:00 · Transfer to Luang Prabang
The programme may be subject to minor adjustments

English

Français

Inclusions & Exclusions

4-16 Participants - Min. Age: 16

CONDUCTED IN FRENCH & ENGLISH

From $ 770

All Inclusive - Overnights in shared Dorms - Other Accommodation Options Available

Included:

All-inclusive: transfers from Luang Prabang, all meals, accommodation at ECC, guided activities, yoga equipment.
Group size: 2–16 participants per session
All interactions with elephants are hands-off / observation-only and under the supervision of ECC professionals.
Accommodation in shared dormitories or shared bungalows

Not Included:

Flights to/from Laos
Visas
Travel insurance
Expenses before/after the programme
Tips and drinks at bar

No prior yoga experience is required. The retreat is conducted in both English and French languages.

CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

DORMITORY

$770

Nestled on the shores of Nam Tien Lake, our volunteer dormitory offers simple, comfortable accommodation in a shared setting. With four rooms of bunk beds, it hosts up to 16 volunteers, located within walking distance of the Workshop, ECORE workspace and ECC main site, with lake views.

CLASSIC LAKESIDE BUNGALOW

$850

Nestled beside the tranquil Nam Tien Lake, our bungalows offer a cozy retreat with twin rooms (2 participants per room). Perfect for unwinding and relishing the breathtaking sunset views on a private balcony after long, rewarding days in the field.

PREMIUM LAKESIDE BUNGALOW

$900

On the shores of Nam Tien Lake, our bungalows offer a restful, nature-focused stay with twin rooms setup (2 participants per room). Each features a private balcony—perfect for soaking up sunset over the water. New for 2025, our Premium bungalows add contemporary comforts while preserving the same close-to-nature character and uninterrupted lake views.

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YOGA FOR ELEPHANTS

CONSERVATION

BACK TO THE WILD

EDUCATION