6 Day New Year's Yoga and Intimacy Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand

Six days at Vikasa on the east coast of Koh Samui, from 29 December to 3 January, built around seeing in 2027 on purpose. Yoga teacher Milan leads twice-daily classes, sunrise chanting and workshops on intimacy, which here means connecting with yourself and other people. It’s an alternative to a countdown party, with a fire ceremony instead of a concert at midnight.

The programme

Mornings start with mantra chanting over the ocean at sunrise, then a silent walk to the shala for meditation, breathing practice and a hatha-based vinyasa class. Brunch follows. You then get about three hours free each afternoon for the beach, the infinity pool or the spa.

Evenings bring a slower class of yin or restorative yoga, then sound healing, kirtan or dancing. The first night opens with a fire ceremony on the beach. On 31 December, Vikasa serves a five-course dinner and the group holds a second fire ceremony to mark the new year.

Everyone gets one private session with Milan, chosen from reiki, a yoga alignment class or coaching. After checkout at noon on 3 January there’s an optional trip to a temple overlooking the ocean, with one last dinner back at the resort.

The venue and rooms

Vikasa is a yoga resort on the rocks above the Gulf of Thailand. Rooms range from those closest to the shala, pool and cafe to the cabanas just above the beach, where you’d be near the sunrise chanting but a walk across the resort from class. All have a private terrace, air conditioning or sea breezes, and an en suite.

The buffets offer a meat and a vegan option each evening, and gluten-free is easy to arrange. Snacks from the cafe in the afternoon are extra.

Watch out: every room involves a lot of stairs, because the resort is built on a steep slope. If that’s a problem, say so before you book.

Who it’s for

This suits solo travellers who’d rather not spend New Year alone in a bar, as well as couples and friends sharing a room. The intimacy work is the point of the week, so if you only want yoga, Vikasa runs shorter retreats without it.

Late December can still be wet on the Gulf coast, so expect some rain. For the alternatives, see New Year’s Eve in Thailand.

Booking terms

You have 72 hours after booking to cancel for free, and after that the deposit is non-refundable. The balance is due 60 days before the start. If you pay in full at booking, the balance can be refunded up to that point.

Check-in is from 2pm on 29 December, and the resort stores luggage if you land early. The retreat ends at noon on 3 January.