Experience the Elements Private Island Adventure Retreat, Sumatra, Indonesia

Location:

Imagine yourself on a secluded island in Indonesia, surrounded by pristine waters and untouched natural beauty. Pinang Island is a unique blend of Indonesian sanctuary, sustainable living, and wildlife conservation, truly like no other place on Earth, and provides the ideal tropical setting for your 7-10 night Experience the Elements Retreat on Pinang Island, from 29 September to 6 October (or 9 October), 2025.

Situated on the Western tip of Sumatra, the Banyak Islands are renowned for their breathtaking tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant underwater worlds. Just a short flight from Medan in Sumatra, you will arrive in Nias island, Gunungsitoli Airport (GNS), from where you will be picked up by our driver and escorted to the harbour and our private boat will be waiting to take you to Pinang Island.

Your stay on Pinang Island - 7 nights or 10 nights option

Arrival day on Pinang Island is 29 September..

From 30 September to 5 October, your 6 day yoga retreat will begin with the natural wake up call of the jungle birds and soft sounds of ocean waves: We will meet together at the spacious yoga shala, nestled on the coast line, with breathtaking sea views and swaying palm trees, where our movement and yoga retreat experience will focus each day, on one of the five elements.

During the yoga practice, and for one practice in nature each day, we will enhance our relationship to, and immerse ourself into, each element, offering a better understanding and experience of how we can very easily shift the way we feel, simply by movement, breath and mindfulness, thus changing our focus, breaking old patterns, and creating a stronger connection to nature.

Each morning we will greet the sunrise together with a quiet movement practice, breath work, and meditation, before taking a short break for herbal tea or fresh coconut water. After the break, we will make a longer movement practice to generate and circulate energy, focussing on developing strength, mobility, stability and flexibility, whilst embodying the natural spirit, freedom and vibration of each element and the island around us, building our appetite for the delicious brunch that awaits.

Daily brunch and dinner are a delightful fusion of local delicacies and healthy and delicious cuisine carefully prepared by the resident chefs with love and perfect attention to detail. The plentiful fresh fruits and vegetables from the islands permaculture gardens, fresh fish, delicate aromas and mouthwatering tastes, together with the unforgettable dining experience with direct views over the ocean, are very much part of the magic of each day.

Afternoons can be enjoyed relaxing in a hammock or indulging in a massage, snorkelling for turtles, discovering the secluded beaches and pristine waters around the island by kayak or SUP, spearfishing, volleyball or taking a quick work out in our outdoor gym. Should you wish to extend your stay after the retreat for a further three nights, you will also have the opportunity to add a trip to watch turtles nest on Bankaru Island, go surfing, or scuba diving.

In the early evening we will come together again to enjoy a more relaxing, regenerating, and rejuvenating practice, as the sun sets over the island, and we close the energy of the day together before dinner, sharing stories, or sitting around a camp fire and watching the star filled sky above, before a wonderful nights sleep.

Departure day from Pinang Island is 6 October for the 7 night yoga retreat.

Extend your stay from 6-9 October on Pinang to 10 nights, for only EUR 995 per person! (min. 4 persons).

For those wishing to extend their stay after the 7 night yoga retreat, and add an extra 3 nights on Pinang Island from 6-9 October, you will have the option to spend the additional days enjoying a trip to the Bankaru Islands, which is one of the few remaining primary rainforests in Indonesia and a protected area, with its globally important nesting site for endangered turtles. We can arrange an overnight stay so you can observe these incredible turtles nesting, or you may decide to go to some of the great surf spots on the reefs around the area, or schedule a couple of days diving experience with our diving partners on a nearby island. Equally, you may wish to kick back and just relax on the island enjoying the peace and tranquility of having the whole place to yourself!

The extended stay to have the island all to yourself, is for a minimum of 4 persons, and includes all food and accommodation for 3 nights, the return trip to Nias on 9 October, and an overnight group trip to Bankaru Island for the group to see the turtles, or the option to go surfing on the nearby islands, or the option to stay on Pinang and relax and enjoy the great food and peace there. Daily trips to the nearby diving centre and additional costs are extra. The return boat trip to Nias is on 9 October. Flights should be booked from Nias on 9 October, and return flights to your home country, should be booked from Medan on 10 October.

Your Accommodation and Pricing:

Besides the staff and other guests in the group, the island is totally your own paradise. The pricing is per person, and includes return airport transfer to/from Nias, all classes, all activities on the island such as kayaking, snorkelling, spear fishing, SUP, outdoor gym, volleyball, daily brunch, afternoon snacks and dinner, daily cleaning services, coffee, tea, fruits and WIFI.  

Massages and trips for scuba diving are priced extra, however, should you wish to extend your stay for an extra three nights, a group trip to turtle island, or for surfing, will be included in the price during your extended stay.

Our accommodation consists of five tropical bungalows only a few steps away from the beach. You will fall asleep with the gentle sounds of ocean waves and wake up with birds chirping at sunrise. In a secluded guest area, the accommodation provides full privacy and comfort. Each bungalow has authentic and natural building style with ocean views, daily housekeeping, fresh towels, mosquito nets, fans, filtered water, and WIFI.

The prices are per bungalow per person for the 7 nights Experience the Elements Retreat from 29 September to 6 October 2025. Should you wish to extend your stay a further three nights to 9 October, please add EUR 995 per person.

Shared or Family Bungalow

The largest bungalow is 42 sqm and has three king-size double beds offering a dreamy sleep haven. You can relax in style on beanbags by your own campfire, surrounded by soothing ocean views. There is a coconut table and chairs for intimacy, and a driftwood desk with a comfortable chair, and an outdoor hammock and conversation table. The ensuite tropical jungle bathroom is made of mostly local natural materials, and has a sky-view shower, western style toilet, sink and mirror to create an authentic jungle experience.

Price per person based on 2 people sharing EUR 2,690 per person

Price per person based on 3 people sharing EUR 1,990 per person

Driftwood Bungalow

Made from locally sourced materials like driftwood from our beach and bamboo from our jungle, the drifwood bungalow has a total area of 45 sqm with one king size double bed and a single bed, making this room perfect for two or three people. The private ensuite semi-open bathroom has a western style toilet, basin and mirror. You can also refresh yourself under the open-air tropical shower, a very natural experience. You can relax on your private patio with a well crafted table, plus chairs and a hammock, and inside we have a local driftwood worktable and a comfortable chair for your creative moments.

Price per person based on 2 people sharing EUR 2,490 per person  

Price per person based on 3 people sharing EUR 1,790 per person

Two Coconut Bungalows

Each 24 sqm Coconut Bungalow can be made up as one double or two single beds, for single or double occupancy, with direct access to the beach for ultimate relaxation. Equipped with a coconut wood table, there is also a work desk with a comfortable chair for your convenience, and on your patio outside, a roof covered hammock and bean bag, offer a cosy spot with ocean views. Bathroom facilities include two showers and three toilets, which are shared with the other Coconut and A Frame bungalows.

Price per person single occupancy EUR 2,490

Price per person based on 2 people sharing EUR 1,890 per person

A Frame Bungalow

This unique 26 sqm A-frame design bungalow made from local wood, offers a king size double bed which is perfect for a couple or for single occupancy. The locally made coconut table, driftwood hammock and bean bag chair add to its rustic charm. Facilities include two showers and three toilets shared with two other Coconut bungalows and direct access to the beach for your morning swim.

Price per person single occupancy EUR 2,490

Price per person based on 2 people sharing EUR 1,890 per person

 Logisitics:

We will assist each person individually to tailor your trip for you according to your wishes. Your retreat in Pinang Island can ideally be combined with a prior tour of *Sumatras top highlights* (see options below).

Your flight from Medan to Nias must be booked on 29 September to arrive on the earliest flight option in Nias and your fight from Nias to Medan should be booked to leave Nias on 6 October on the latest flight option, (or on 9 October, for those taking the 10 night option). Therefore, it is important that you arrive in Medan on 28 September, one day prior to your flight to Nias, and depart from Medan on 7 October, (or 10 October, for those taking the 10 night option), one day after your flight from Nias.

Suggested flights are with Singapore Airlines or with Swiss, if flying from Zurich. We are happy to assist with all flight bookings.

Suggested hotels in Medan are the luxurious spa, pool and gym hotel of JW Marriott Hotel Medan (one hour from the airport) or the clean and convenient hotel with swimming pool of D`Prmahotel Kualanamu Medan (20 minutes from the airport) or the very convenient and clean Anara Sky Kualanamu in Medan Airport itself.

Sumatras Top Highlights:

There are various options to add one of the following tours to your trip, prior to your Pinang Island Retreat.

For further details, organisation and booking, please contact us personally and we will assist you with all your planning.

Option 1 Full Tour - 5 nights and 6 days

Tuesday 23 September

We will pick you up from airport or hotel and a relaxing drive of around 3 hours to Bukit Lawang. Relax in Bukit Lawang and explore the area. Dinner and overnight stay in Ecolodge, Bukit Lawang.

The Gunung Leuser National Park overlooks the Bohorok River valley and is home to the rainforests diverse flora and fauna, gibbons, pigtail macaques, Thomas leaf monkeys, and of course, wild orangutans (Indonesian for Jungle people). Your licensed and professional English speaking guides will share endless information of the parks natural ecosystem, its wildlife and plants and prioritize responsible tourism, encouraging you to refrain from feeding animals, littering plastic waste and work together to preserve the pristine beauty of the wilderness for generations to come.

Wednesday 24 September

After an early breakfast we begin the Jungle Trek direct from your hotel in Gunung Leuser National Park, for around 5-6 hours to see the orangutan and other wildlife. Fruits and lunch are provided before your return by jungle taxi on traditional tube rafting to your hotel, to rest, have dinner, and a good nights sleep.

Thursday 25 September

Optional additional early morning jungle trek or an option to visit the incredible bat cave after breakfast to Berastagi after a light lunch. During the 3-4 hours journey, you will visit the local fruit and vegetable markets of Berastagi, and the buried ghost town under Mount Sinabung volcanoe on the way. Check into hotel Kalang Ulu Exclusive Hotel, for dinner and a good nights rest.

Friday 26 September

Early start at 4.15 am, and head to hike Mount Sibayak volcanoe to arrive at the top for a spectacular sunrise. The hike takes about 1.5 hours. After a warming cup of tea and snacks, we head back down through the Jurassic Park landscape, to meet our driver for a much needed breakfast and a dip in the natural hot springs to relax and unwind. Once back at our hotel, we freshen up and pick up our luggage to continue our 4 hour journey on to Lake Toba. On the way, we stop to enjoy the magnificent Sipiso-piso waterfall and spectacular views of Lake Toba, the largest volcanic crater lake in the world. We then cross the lake by ferry to Samosir island where we check into our hotel, Tabo Cottages, for a fabulous dinner, a dip in the lake, and a good nights rest.

Saturday 27 September

Cultural immersion tour on Samosir island. After breakfast and an early morning swim, we visit various wonderful spots to better understand the local Batak culture and their people, watching Batak Toba traditional dances, crafting, learn about the culture and magnificent Batak houses of Lake Toba. The afternoon can be spent having a traditional massage, or enjoying a swim in the crystal waters of the lake, followed by a lovely dinner back at your hotel.

Sunday 28 September

After breakfast, we head back to Medan (4 hours) with optional guided tour of Medan, drop off at your hotel.

Price for the tour is Euro 995 for one person, Euro 675 per person, for two people.

Included in the price is all transportation with A/C, all accommodation and breakfasts, all tours and entry fees/permits and fully licensed english speaking guides. Full details of the tour and what to bring, will be provided so please do not hesitate to ask.

Option 2 Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek - 3 nights and 4 days

Thursday 25 September

Pick up from airport or hotel and drive to for around 3 hours, to Bukit Lawang. Relax in Bukit Lawang and explore the area. Dinner and overnight stay in Ecolodge, Bukit Lawang.

The Gunung Leuser National Park overlooks the Bohorok River valley and is home to the rainforests diverse flora and fauna, gibbons, pigtail macaques, Thomas leaf monkeys, and of course, wild orangutans (Indonesian for Jungle people). Your licensed and professional English speaking guides will share endless information of the parks natural ecosystem, its wildlife and plants and prioritize responsible tourism, encouraging you to refrain from feeding animals, littering plastic waste and work together to preserve the pristine beauty of the wilderness for generations to come.

Friday 26 September

After an early breakfast we begin the Jungle Trek direct from your hotel, in Gunung Leuser National Park, for around 5-6 hours with fruits and lunch provided, to see the orangutan and return to your hotel for dinner and a good nights sleep in the Ecolodge hotel.

Option for 26 & 27 September

To stay overnight in the jungle at our campsite of small shacks with dome tents from mosquito nets inside, with mattress and small pillow. A wonderful dinner is prepared by our cook there and you can take a dip in the river before falling asleep to the sounds of monkeys and birds. This is an incredible and memorable experience. The following Saturday morning you wake up to the sounds of the jungle, take a dip in the river and freshen up, then continue your jungle adventures looking for more wildlife before returning to your Ecolodge hotel in the afternoon on traditional tube rafting. Freshen up, have a wonderful dinner and good nights rest.

Saturday 27 September

Day 2 jungle trek after breakfast, searching again for orangutan and other wildlife, then return by jungle taxi on traditional tube rafting to your hotel for dinner and a good nights sleep.

Sunday 28 September

After breakfast we head back to Medan with optional guided tour of Medan, then drop off at your hotel.

Price for the tour is Euro 395 per person, for two people.

Included in the price is all transportation with A/C, all accommodation and breakfasts, all tours and entry fees/permits and fully licensed english speaking guides. Full details of the tour and what to bring, will be provided so please do not hesitate to ask.