Cambodia·6 - 12 November 2022
A life-changing cultural adventure in stunningly vibrant Siem Reap, Cambodia.
If you’ve always wanted to explore the far corners of the globe, to stretch your understanding of the world and see monumental beauty — now is your chance. Join on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Southeast Asia, to a breathtaking town of ancient temples, lotus flowers and Buddhist monks — Siem Reap, Cambodia! You'll be guided and cared for by our local team who is eager to show you Cambodia's world-famous temples, culture and history. By the end our week together you'll feel refreshed and renewed, and more importantly inspired by your life-changing experiences and memories. *Please note we are requiring proof of COVID vaccination (including a booster shot) and a pre-retreat test for all 2022 retreat guests * - Group Size: 12-16 guests - Luxury Score: 3 (out of 5) - Activity Score: 4 (out of 5) - Active + Adventurous - Cuisine: Omnivore (some meat + seafood offered)
Take a guided tour of the UNESCO World-Heritage site Angkor Wat - the largest religious structure in the world. Learn about the complex history of the temple and its use by both the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Walk past local monks as you explore the grounds and climb to the top for 360 views.
Enjoy optional daily yoga classes from our breathtaking private rooftop practice space. Watch the sun rise over Cambodia's tropical landscape during our morning vinyasa flow classes. Most evenings we will have a slower-paced class offering such as restorative, yin or meditation. Mats and props are provided.
Our retreat hotel has a full-service restaurant on site with made-to-order breakfast offerings such as French toast or eggs dishes that are served with tropical fruit, coffee and juice -- or try a more adventurous offerings such as stir fried noodles (yes, for breakfast!) You'll also savor four group dinners during the week (with two at our favorite local restaurants).
In addition to Angkor Wat, we will visit several other local temples such as Ta Prohm (as known as the temple from the movie Tomb Raider) built more than a thousand years ago and overtaken by huge strangler fig trees. We'll also visit the incredibly detailed (and peach colored) 10th century temple of Banteay Srei dedicated to the Hindu god of Shiva.
Visit to a local market with a chef followed by a private Khmer (Cambodian) cooking class - a full morning feast for the senses — taste exotic fruits, try tantalizing spices and enjoy a mini recipe book to take home with you. We'll learn how to make inspired appetizers, a traditional Khmer curry and a dessert.
Enjoy hotel-level amenities and service in an intimate and lush garden setting away from the hustle and bustle of the center of Siem Reap town (Pub St)... However it's easy to jump in a $2 tuk tuk to go exploring or visit the surrounding areas by foot. A saltwater swimming pool is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and cool off after a day of adventures.
Venture out of the town of Siem Reap as you cycle past small villages, palm trees and water buffaloes. Our guided epic bike ride was an absolute highlight of the week for guests last time and it ends with a stunning sunset (and a cold beer if you choose) with 360 views of rice paddy fields.
In addition to our owner and Chief Zen Officer Anna, each Above Yoga retreat has one or two additional certified yoga teachers on-site who will lead a portion of the classes and support students in their practice. We find that an opportunity to participate in a variety of classes with various teaching styles adds to our guests’ overall retreat experience.
Anna feels guided to hold sacred space for others to find personal growth, transformation and community through wellness travel. Her #1 goal is to make sure every guest feels comfortable and included in every part of a retreat. Anna's background in corporate event planning, make Anna well positioned to host exceptional retreats.
Margo discovered yoga later in life while on a health journey. Her goal is for her students to experience movement and openness in their bodies no matter their perceived restrictions (physical or mental) and to walk away feeling confident and empowered. Margo has recently completed her 500 hour advanced training and currently teaches in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Bethany teaches vinyasa, slow flow, yin, restorative yoga and meditation classes across Milwaukee, WI and online. She has taken yoga trainings from Yoga Project (Fort Worth, TX) and Healium Hot Yoga (Milwaukee, WI). Bethany seeks to offer fun, balanced classes that bring you focus, attention and self-love. Her teaching focuses on long-term body function and modern postural alignment. Bethany has also taught on retreat with us in the South of France.
Roundtrip ground transportation from airport
Daily on-site breakfast
5 curated group lunches or dinners
1-2x daily yoga classes in our private practice space
Temple ticket (3 day pass)
Guided temple tours of Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm
Cambodian cooking class + market visit
Guided biking tour of countryside
Donation to local NGO
1-2 alcoholic or N/A drinks with group dinners
Plenty of free time to kick back or explore on your own
Roundtrip airfare from the US to Asia
Tourist visa
Trip Insurance
Alcoholic beverages (outside of group dinners)
VIEW GALLERY
We highly recommend you fly into the SE Asia region at least a day earlier than required in order to give yourself addition time if there are flight delays or cancellations. Consider flying first into a larger airport nearby (Bangkok, Thailand - BKK or Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam - SGN) to save money and take a quick local flight to Siem Reap (budget approx. $700-$1,200 for international flights & $100-$200 for inter-Asia flights; depending on your departure city). The retreat program will start at around 4 pm on the first day and end at 10 am on the final day. Transportation to and from the Siem Reap airport is provided if you arrive / depart on these days. If you wish to explore other parts of SE Asia, such as Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and other parts of Cambodia, Above Yoga would be happy to offer suggestions.
We'll be staying in our favorite property - it's tucked away from the bustling streets of Siem Reap, but just minutes away from the markets and nightlife of Pub Street. Enjoy hotel-level amenities and service like a restaurant, bar and coffee service in an intimate and lush garden setting. A saltwater swimming pool is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and cool off after a day of adventures in SE Asia. Please note, this small boutique hotel, it is not private to our group, so there may be few other guests (adults + children) staying on property at the same time.
All guests must show proof of COVID vaccination (including at least one booster shot) in order to attend this retreat. We may also require proof of a pre-retreat negative test and anything else as required by the Cambodian government. Other vaccinations or preventative medications (unrelated to COVID) may be recommended by your health professional when traveling in Southeast Asia. While millions of travelers visit the area every year without issue, Cambodia is still a developing country with few modern medical facilities up to western standards, so we STRONGLY recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance in case you encounter any issues and to consult with your doctor before booking if you have on-going health conditions.
Cambodia is hot and humid all year long. The average weather for November is highs in 80s & 90s and lows in the 70s. It's coming off of their rainy season, so passing showers are possible, but all the greenery is incredibly lush and the lakes are full and beautiful. While shorts, bathing suits and tight yoga clothes are fine for while at the retreat center, there is a dress code followed for temple visits. This includes shoulders covered and knees covered. More information and suggestions will be shared, but loose thin pants or skirts and a light t-shirt work best.
You'll receive additional extensive pre-retreat information in your welcome docs, our pre-retreat virtual meeting, several pre-retreat emails and in our private Facebook group (if you're on social media). This will be your retreat leader's third time to the Cambodia and the SE Asia region. We work with our extensive contacts, close partners and friends in the area to ensure a seamless and enjoyable trip for all our guests.
“This was an absolutely eye opening trip and after lots of apprehension I am thrilled that I joined the group. Anna’s thorough communication regarding the coronavirus was helpful and reassuring. I appreciate that she provided actual info directly from her contacts in Cambodia. Her info on visas and what to bring on the trip was crucial. The retreat property was central to markets, shopping and so unique. The staff was helpful and attentive. We also could not have had a better tour guide for our excursions. Yung made us feel part of his family and less a tourist. I feel like we had very intimate experiences and got to know the country and its people better. I absolutely loved all the experiences associated with this retreat. They were so important to round out the trip. Meals were great on property and off. Great job Anna. I wish I could go on all of your retreats!” - Stuart, Charlotte, NC
Cambodia Feb. 2020 Retreat Testimonial
“I don’t know if I ever would have traveled to SE Asia if it weren’t for Anna’s Above Yoga retreat. I’m a yogi but my husband is not and we both thoroughly enjoyed the retreat (made for any level of yoga practice). Anna provided travel adviser-like expertise for visas, flights, packing, pre- and post-retreat travel ideas, and was so informative about travel to SE Asia especially after the coronavirus outbreak. She curated fun, cultural activities and made everything optional so we could do as much yoga and exploring as a group or have downtime as needed. She cares for her travelers - she followed everyone’s flights to make sure we got in, helped a traveler with delayed luggage and had a First Aid kit she wasn’t afraid to use. Anna scouts her trips making connections to provide the best opportunity to experience Cambodian culture with temple tours, a visit to the Peacock Learning Center and a unique bike tour watching the sunset in rice fields - all with the wonderful guide she met previously. The perfect location - close to the action but tucked away and quiet.” - Rebecca, Milwaukee, WI
“As with previous retreats, the trip was amazing from start to finish. In this case, I signed up because it would be my first Asia adventure and my experiences with Above Yoga have always exceeded my expectations. The hotel, food, excursions and of course yoga were magical. The trip to the school was a unique experience I'll always remember.” - Lee, Charlotte, NC
Cambodia·6 - 12 November 2022·6 nights
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