The Namkhan in Luang Prabang: A Peaceful Yoga Retreat in Laos

This idyllic riverside resort away from the hustle and bustle in Luang Prabang is one of, if not the best, places to visit for a yoga and wellness holiday in Laos. Read on for my first-hand review of The Namkhan Ecolodge after a blissful stay.

Laos has all the makings to be the next wellness and yoga destination in Asia, from its spectacular landscapes and heritage towns to healthy local cuisine and world-class hospitality, the country has the potential to gently stir the souls of those who enter “the Land of a Million Elephants”.

The potential is nascent, and there are just a handful of places in Laos that truly call themselves a “yoga retreat” or “wellness retreat” destination. On my fourth visit to Luang Prabang I finally had the opportunity to experience one such property: The Namkhan Resort & Eco-Farm, set on a sprawling seven hectares of perfectly manicured grounds and organic farm.

From the very moment I was picked up from the Luang Prabang train station in a pristine vintage Jeep and whisked away to the riverside property, I knew I was in for a treat and something truly unique.

With the luxury of space and tranquility, you might find yourself hard pressed to find a reason to leave The Namkhan Ecolodge – here’s what you need to know about booking a stay at this boutique eco-resort and wellness retreat in Luang Prabang. Read on for my The Namkhan hotel review.

You may also like: 10 Top Things to Do in Luang Prabang (And What You Might Want to Skip)

The Rooms at The Namkhan

From humble beginnings in 2016 as a local organic farm founded by Mallorca-natives Francesca and her partner, The Namkhan has since built two dozen rooms ranging from glamping tents to two-bedroom villas and private suites on its seven-hectare property. The property itself is only a 15-minute drive from the old town heritage area.

For a truly unique experience check into one of these luxury glamping tents at The Namkhan. Few places offer glamping in Laos, and The Namkhan is once again one of the only places where you will be able to immerse yourself in nature without sacrificing your creature comforts (like air-conditioning and a toilet and shower!).

The bungalows and villas are handcrafted by local carpenters and feature traditional Lao-style architecture. I felt right at home as soon as I stepped into my riverside tent at The Namkhan, and I had absolutely everything I needed including a queen-sized bed, private deck, mini kitchenette area and rain shower.

It’s obvious that thought and care has gone into the design, this is not one of those places where glamping is offered as a novelty. I loved the luxurious amenities as well as bottled drinking water which was replenished daily, placement of multiple power sockets, thick duvet for cool evenings and ample space between each room to provide maximum privacy and peace for each guest.

For those who prefer an enclosed space, The Namkhan also offers luxury suites and villas to suit every type of traveler. Opt for one of the rooms with a river view to take advantage of the property’s stunning location.

Sustainability is at the heart of The Namkhan. For starters, you will not see any plastic bin liners or plastic bottles on the property, and all bathroom amenities are natural and environmentally-friendly. The property is equipped with solar panels, and much of the produce is sourced from its own farm. Wastewater is also filtered and cleaned by specially-designed septic tanks before it is discharged back into the river.

The Facilities at The Namkhan

The Namkhan checks off all the “must-haves” and more when it comes to luxury property offerings including an open-air fitness center; two swimming pools; pool bar; farm-to-table restaurant; spa and therapy rooms; sauna; and even a small children’s playground area and giant chess set.

The Namkhan never feels crowded; during my stay there was a large external retreat group from Italy and I only bumped into a handful of them during mealtimes at the restaurant.

At the heart of The Namkhan is their stunning riverside bamboo yoga shala where twice-daily drop-in yoga classes, breathwork and Qi gong sessions are held. It is probably the only one of its kind in Laos at the moment, which makes The Namkhan a perfect yoga retreat destination.

I found myself melting into the mat as I practiced Hatha Vinyasa with their resident Yoga teacher, and felt what can only be described as “peace” as I lay there at the end of the class in a gentle Savasana with the sound of the rushing Nam Khan river washing over me.

In my opinion, The Namkhan is a hidden gem when it comes to yoga retreats in Laos; here, you can create your own schedule and join as many or few classes as you’d like – Yoga is, after all, more than just practicing asanas.

For those who are in need of massage therapy, check yourself into the on-site spa. The treatment room felt like a true sanctuary during my hour-long Lao traditional massage, with the light gently dimming as the sun went down.

Dining at The Namkhan

The Farm Table Restaurant is The Namkhan‘s all-day dining restaurant, strategically located right next to its organic farm. The restaurant serves up mouthwatering Lao and Lao-fusion favourites like laap and pad kra pao.

Aside from the “main” menu there is a well-designed vegan menu as well as a kids menu. Breakfast is served buffet style and plenty of healthy smoothie options are on offer, as is a killer flat white if you need a little pick-me-up. I initially had plans to venture out for a few meals, but found myself craving what the restaurant dished up at The Namkhan and instead had all of my meals here.

If you’re looking for a special dining experience you can also opt for an outdoor barbecue experience hosted by one of their chefs, or sign up for a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Lao dishes.

Service and Staff at The Namkhan

The Namkhan employs 60 staff members, many of whom have been working at the property since its early days as an organic farm in 2016. Southeast Asia has experienced a turbulent past few years and was heavily impacted by the pandemic, and The Namkhan worked hard to retain and provide employment for its team even during border lockdowns and the plummeting of the tourism industry.

In general, I find that Lao people are very gentle and friendly, and as a guest at The Namkhan you can feel the warmth and eagerness to help from each and every staff member. From the front office team to the cleaners and gardeners who keep the property perfectly maintained, I felt welcomed at every step.

One unique aspect of checking into The Namkhan is its use of their own app for pretty much everything you might need – from communicating with reception (there are no phones in the rooms) and requesting additional amenities or turn down service, to booking yoga classes and spa treatments, you can simply hop onto the app.

I especially appreciated the very transparent pricing when it came to booking transportation and tours to explore Luang Prabang – if you have traveled to Southeast Asia before, you might understand why this can often be an issue. Instead, I simply opened the app, chose a time for my tuk tuk trip to Tad Sae waterfall, and received confirmation within minutes.

More often than not, hotels stumble when it comes to utilizing technology like this and it can feel like the human touch is being “replaced” by non-intuitive chatbots. Instead, I found the experience to be very seamless. When I couldn’t figure out the hot water system in the bathroom, I received a chat response from front desk in seconds.

Things to Do Around The Namkhan

When I did eventually tear myself away from the peaceful grounds, I opted to hop in The Namkhan’s private tuk tuk to visit the nearby Tad Sae Waterfall, a lesser-known alternative to Kuang Si Falls. Like Kuang Si, you can trek uphill to explore the upper-level pools, or stay near the lower falls to go for a dip in the cool waters.

If you choose to head to Kuang Si, you can book a private vehicle with The Namkhan to head out to the turquoise pools which is located about an hour from the property.

For those who have not visited Luang Prabang before, hop in the free shuttle to explore the heritage old town area to visit famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, the Buddha’s Footprint Temple on the backside of Mount Phousi and Wat Mahathat.

You might also enjoy sipping on a cocktail or coffee in the heart of the old town “walking street” area, and watch as the street transforms in the evening into a bustling night market. Try the coconut pancakes for a real treat.

For an ethical elephant interaction experience in Luang Prabang, book a half-day tour at MandaLao Elephant Conservation where you can walk alongside Asian elephants who roam freely across the 500-acre property. MandaLao is a no-riding, no-bathing venue and listed as a “best practice facility” for elephant welfare by World Animal Protection.

If you can’t tear yourself away from The Namkhan, there are a number of activities to take part in as a guest including kayaking, tubing, observing the local neighborhood alms giving ceremony and sunset boat tour.

The Verdict

Whether you are looking for a dedicated yoga retreat in Laos, just want to indulge in the luxury of space, or want to travel to a quiet Southeast Asia resort with family – you can’t go wrong with The Namkhan. There is something for every type of traveler.

Here, you can truly bathe in the space to retreat mentally and physically, and appreciate the space of nature. Because there are only two dozen rooms spread across the huge plot of land, the resort still feels very intimate and private.

Perhaps it was the intensity of my nearly two-weeklong work trip in Laos or the magic of The Namkhan (or a combination of the two), I found myself canceling plans to venture out and explore in favor of retreating into the spacious glamping tent and sipping on tea on my private deck.

In a region where the yoga and wellness retreats space is incredibly saturated, The Namkhan has carved out a nook for itself, in an underrated travel destination away from the crowds. I can highly recommend venturing off the trodden path and considering Luang Prabang and The Namkhan for your next yoga and wellness getaway.

I hope you found this review of The Namkhan in Luang Prabang helpful! Ready to book your stay? Check rates and availability at The Namkhan here.

You might also find these guides helpful:

• Visiting Luang Prabang for the first time? Head on over here for the best things to do in Luang Prabang (and what to skip)
• Heading to the capital city as well? You might also like my Vientiane city guide
• Learn more about ethical and sustainable tourism in Southeast Asia – here are some important things you should know before you visit Southeast Asia
• Head on over here for even more Laos travel guides and tips

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I was hosted as media on a familiarization stay at The Namkhan. These media stays allow me to experience the property and give a first-hand, honest review of their rooms, facilities and service.

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links.

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