Wander Women Thailand:
Post-Retreat Elephant Extension
Koh Samui, Thailand
April 15-17, 2026
Not ready to head home yet? Join us for a three-day post-retreat extension to the neighboring island of Koh Samui to complete your Thailand adventure by coming face-to-trunk with an elephant!
Extend your adventure with a visit to Koh Tao’s big sister island, Koh Samui, to check off some true Thailand bucket-list moments! Meet elephants, the country’s beloved national animal, at a saddle-off sanctuary that supports ethical interactions. Soak up the sun in style with a bougie afternoon at one of Samui’s hottest beach clubs with daybeds reserved just for our group. Spend time wandering the famous Fisherman’s Village, where seaside charm, vibrant boutiques, and lively markets create the perfect backdrop for our final night together. It’s the ultimate way to close out your journey — equal parts adventure, relaxation, and celebration!
The Details
The Elephant Extension takes place immediately following the Wander Women Koh Tao: A Beginner Dive + Yoga Retreat from April 15-17, 2026. The cost, including just about everything, starts at $850.
What’s Included
• Two nights accommodation at a chic boutique hotel
• Two breakfasts + two lunches
• Temple tour
• Elephant Sanctuary tour
• Entrance to a trendy Samui beach club
• Daily yoga
• VIP Ferry ticket from Koh Tao to Koh Samui
• All local transportation, including airport transfer on the last day
• Professional photos
What’s Not Included
• Alcohol
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Mandatory travel insurance
The Itinerary
Subject to change, but you’re going to have a magical time — here’s the general idea!
Day 1: This morning, we’ll say goodbye to Koh Tao and take a short ferry over to Koh Samui — and we’re going VIP! We’ll indulge in the most Instagrammable lunch of the trip before heading to our hotel for some chill time poolside — or indulging in an optional onsite spa treatment, or a nap, your choice! Stay zen with a yin yoga class in our onsite studio this afternoon, before we explore two of Samui’s grandest temples. We’ll wrap up the day by raising a glass at a vibrant sunset restaurant, toasting to an unforgettable finale in Thailand.
Day 2: Today we’re getting wild at a sanctuary that cares for elephants rescued from the tourism and logging industries. We’ll first get flexi with an animal yoga class perched in the trees overlooking the majestic herd! After stretching out, we’ll make our way into the park for a private tour. This is a fully cruelty-free experience — no riding here — just meaningful, up-close connections as we meet these gentle giants, learn about the sanctuary’s incredible work, and even help feed them their lunch. After enjoying our own midday meal, we’ll celebrate our final afternoon in style: sipping cocktails in daybeds at a chic beach club and soaking up the last of the Thai sun. To wrap up the day, we’ll wander through the charming Fisherman’s Village in Bophut, perfect for a bit of last-minute shopping and a choose-your-own-adventure dinner in the night markets. We’ll then come together for a final hurrah at the island’s liveliest beach bar, home to one of Thailand’s most famous fire shows!
Day 3: We’ll close our journey with one final yoga class to ground and connect, before gathering over breakfast. Before checkout, savor a final swim, some poolside laughter, or quiet time to reflect. Then, with full hearts, we’ll say our goodbyes — departing not just with souvenirs, but with new travel sisters and memories to last a lifetime.
Where We’ll Stay and What We’ll Eat
A stylish boutique hotel will be our Koh Samui sanctuary, with pools and plenty of places to luxuriate at the end of an active trip! Nestled amid lush gardens and with an onsite yoga studio, this airy abode features chic, spacious rooms with kitchenette, lounge and large glass doors opening onto a view of the stunning pool. Shared rooms have either one large bed or two singles for sharing.
For meals, we’ll mix it up! From lunches alongside elephants to a cute sunset bistro dinner, a choose your own adventure night market feast and the cutest custom smoothie bowls you could ever imagine. Breakfast will be daily at our hotels. All diets can be accommodated.
Meet Your Host
For this retreat you will be hosted by travel enthusiast and hostess with the mostest — Nik Turnbull!
Nik originally hails from Australia and has over ten years experience working in the travel industry, from tour guiding in the Greek Islands to charter boats on Sydney Harbor and running a backpacker hostel in Italy. She came to the island in 2019 to learn to dive (surprise-surprise!) and after completing her Open Water course she was hooked! Nik is a certified Divemaster and freediver who has worked on conservation research projects on the Great Barrier Reef and loves introducing people to the underwater world. Koh Tao is both where she calls home and where she first met Alex — her very friendly next-door neighbor! In 2023, Nik joined the Wander Women team as Retreat Manager, and she can’t wait to share her favorite little rock with you.
Join Us
A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot for this extension to the Wander Women Koh Tao: A Beginner Dive + Yoga Retreat, with the second installment due in one month. This extension requires a minimum number of guests to run. We will notify you when it is a guaranteed departure! Until then, please do not book non-refundable airfare.
Can’t make this one? Don’t sweat — sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when enrollment opens on future retreats. Don’t hesitate to email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com with any and all questions or concerns over if this is the right retreat for you. We’re always here to chat.
Wander Women Koh Tao: Post-Retreat Elephant Extension 2026
Price range: $850.00 through $1,050.00
F.A.Q.
How do I get home from Koh Samui?
There’s an international airport right on Koh Samui (USM) with several daily flights to Bangkok, and further abroad, making it seamless to connect back home.
I’ve heard warnings about elephant experiences in Thailand. Is this one really ethical?
The park we are visiting, Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary, is a true paradise for rescued elephants and is committed to upholding the internationally recognized 5 Freedoms for Animals. The goal is simple: to provide a happy home in nature where the herd is free to express their natural instincts and receive the care and respect they deserve.
The Kingdom does not offer elephant rides or bathing, both of which are understood to be disruptive or harmful to the creatures we are so honored to meet! Instead, our visits are led by the elephant family themselves, focusing on observation and respect for their space. We will use the innovative Skywalk to view the elephants roaming, socializing, and feeding in their natural habitat without disturbance.
The Elephant Kingdom was founded in 2019 by Chokchai Rueangsri, a man whose family cared for elephants for generations. After witnessing the stress and suffering of elephants in the tourism industry, Chokchai established the sanctuary to transition his family’s herd to a life of freedom, making their happiness and well-being the top priority. Visits like ours are what fund the ongoing care these elephants receive, including the development of a state-of-the-art elephant clinic for all elephants in the area.
