Traveling through northern Laos and southwestern China, we will encounter Buddhist traditions, village life, and landscapes that offer space for both discovery and reflection. Along the way, Isabel will guide Yoga, meditation, breathwork, and movement practices  bringing moments of presence to our shared experience.

From $2,600 / €2,400, with a $500 deposit, and limited to 10 participants.
 

          Our journey begins in Luang Prabang, where richly decorated temples stand alongside traditional wooden homes and traces of French colonial architecture. We will travel by private boat to the sacred Pak Ou Caves and spend a day at an elephant sanctuary beside the Nam Khan River. Farther north, wooden boats will carry us along the Nam Ou to a riverside village, where weaving, fishing, and walks through the surrounding countryside reveal the rhythms of rural Laos.

Crossing into China by train, we enter Yunnan, a region of tropical gardens, mountain villages, and enduring tea traditions. In Jinghong, we will explore Dai temples and lively markets before continuing into the mountains of Nannuo and Jingmai. Here, walks among ancient tea trees and Pu’er tastings invite us to discover the relationships between the forest, local communities, and the cultivation of tea.

Continuing north, we will visit Dali’s Three Pagodas and the gardens of Chongsheng Temple before settling into Shaxi, once an important trading village on the Tea Horse Road.

Historic courtyards, a cooking workshop, and a hike to the Buddhist grottoes of Shibaoshan bring us closer to the region’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Throughout the journey, Buddhist art and traditions offer opportunities to reflect on compassion and wisdom. Time for personal exploration complements our shared visits and practices, leaving room for conversation, stillness, and the pleasure of traveling together.

 

Your Guides

Lydia Gaudin-Chakrabarty will accompany the journey, with breathwork and meditation offered by Isabel.

 

An English-speaking local guide will join us for the China portion.

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Retreat Highlights

• Luang Prabang’s Buddhist temples and riverside streets

• A private Mekong cruise to the Pak Ou Caves

• A visit to the Shangri-Lao elephant sanctuary

• Two nights in a village along the Nam Ou River

• A train journey across the Laos–China border

• Ancient tea forests and Pu’er tastings in Yunnan

• Dali’s Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple gardens

• Shaxi’s heritage, a cooking workshop, and the Shibaoshan grottoes

• Breathwork and meditation throughout the journey.

 

Planning Your Journey

Departure is planned for March 12 2027, International flights are not included.

Please contact Isabel through Breathnation for the full itinerary, pricing, and reservation details.