Rejuvenating 'detox' retreat in Koh Samui

Combining travel with detox (body cleanse) is becoming a sought-after experience attracting many to the emerald island in southern Thailand.

Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand, located in the Gulf of Thailand in Surat Thani province, is renowned for its turquoise beaches with long stretches of white sand and a lively atmosphere perfect for vibrant outdoor activities during summer days. However, Koh Samui also offers a 'specialty' for travelers seeking unique experiences, those willing to challenge themselves, that is a detox journey often likened to a 'trial by fire'.

Detox is a method to cleanse toxins from food, polluted environments, and even the mind, helping to dispel anger and negative emotions within each individual. Detox also involves meditation, yoga practice, and massage.

To embark on the detox process, you need to go through several stages:

Before detox:

A personalized diet regimen is essential before embarking on actual detox to ensure effectiveness. Strictly avoid high-protein foods, white bread, pastries, sugar, and stimulant drinks like coffee or alcohol. Stick to unprocessed foods such as salads, fruits, consume plenty of vegetables, and hydrate with lots of water.

Particularly important is the twice-daily liver detox drink in the morning and evening. The recipe includes a mixture of: 2 tablespoons (or 1/3 cup) of olive oil, 1/3 or 2/3 cup of fresh lemon juice, 3-5 cloves of garlic, a small piece of ginger, half a gram of red pepper, and fill up with freshly squeezed orange juice. If you don't have much time to enjoy relaxation at the resort, it's best to prepare this process at home beforehand.

The detox process:

The detox process consists of various levels with different durations. Typically, for those with limited time, opting for a 3.5-day detox retreat is common. However, if you have ample time and aim for weight loss and thorough body cleansing, joining a 7-day program will facilitate a much more comprehensive and effective toxin elimination.

It's crucial to recognize that instead of indulging in diverse culinary experiences during regular trips, you'll have to abstain from eating entirely during the detox process.

Every day, every 3 hours, you'll consume 5 types of specially prepared detox drinks provided by the resort such as liver cleanse water, garlic-infused water, vegetable broth, carrot juice, or coconut water. These beverages will make you feel satiated and act like a sponge, drawing out all toxins from your body while cleansing your intestines.

Every 3 hours, you'll engage in the herbal supplement regimen. It supports the detox process and accelerates intestinal cleansing.

Throughout the detoxification process, you'll also have moments of care and relaxation with spa services daily to replenish minerals and electrolytes in your body.

Moreover, during the detox at resorts in Koh Samui, you'll receive comprehensive guidance and support from healthcare professionals to ensure the best detoxification results.

Post-detox:

On the first day post-detox, stick to fresh fruits and simple salads. This helps stabilize your digestive system quickly without the need for other oily foods. Around 3-4 days later, you can incorporate green vegetables, fruit juices, and vegetable waters into your diet. Remember to drink plenty of water every day, at least 8-10 glasses.

Detox retreats

Detox services are quite popular at spas in various countries worldwide such as the United States, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, the Philippines, and Thailand. Due to proximity, ease of travel, and suitability, many Vietnamese travelers choose Thailand as their destination to experience detox processes while combining tourism. Besides Chiang Mai, Koh Samui island is the most ideal detox destination in Thailand.

In Koh Samui, there are several resorts conducting effective detox programs such as New Leaf Detox Resort, The Spa Resort, Kamalaya, and Absolute Sanctuary. These are luxurious and upscale resorts with excellent service quality and full amenities. Moreover, many foreign tourists come here for detox and return multiple times.

New Leaf Detox Resort is a specialized detox resort, located just 100m from Lamai beach in Koh Samui. If you choose detox here, you'll get a free night's stay. Additionally, the detox service at this resort is all-inclusive, covering room rates/resort with Wi-Fi coverage, daily activities, detox drinks, Yoga classes, intestinal cleansing therapy, massage, free laundry, and airport transfers. The all-inclusive price for a 3-day program is 25,000 Baht (about 17.5 million VND), 5 days is 35,000 Baht (about 24.5 million VND), and 7 days is 50,000 Baht (about 35 million VND).

The Spa Resort Samui is situated in a beautiful location overlooking the Gulf of Thailand on Lamai beach. It is considered one of the first resorts to combine health care services in Thailand over the past 20 years. The all-inclusive price for a 7-day detox program here ranges from 29,390 to 49,790 Baht (about 20.5 - 34.8 million VND) depending on room type. Moreover, The Spa Resort also offers separate detox packages excluding room rates, such as 14,000 Baht (about 9.7 million VND) for a 7-day detox, 9,500 Baht (about 6.6 million VND) for 3.5 days, and 2,300 Baht (about 1.6 million VND) per day.

Kamalaya is where you can experience a relaxing vacation while improving your health through various services such as detox, yoga, or weight loss. At Kamalaya resort, detox is divided into 3 different levels: Introduction to detox, Basic detox, and Comprehensive detox. The all-inclusive price for each detox program ranges from 56,100 to 136,100 Baht (about 39 - 95 million VND), depending on the level and duration of the program.

Absolute Sanctuary is a luxurious resort inspired by Moroccan architecture, suitable for those seeking a rejuvenating retreat to restore balance and rejuvenate themselves. The all-inclusive price for a 3-day detox program ranges from 41,500 to 51,500 Baht (about 29 - 36 million VND), 5 days is 56,500 to 71,500 Baht (about 39.5 - 50 million VND), and 7 days is 74,500 to 94,500 Baht (about 52 - 66 million VND) depending on the room type you choose.

However, it's not necessary to rent a room at the resorts where you undergo detox. There are various service packages available from individual options to all-inclusive ones for you to choose according to your needs. You can completely sign up for the detox process at the resort and stay at a different hotel outside.

Moreover, you don't have to spend a lot of money to undergo detox. If you want a more rustic experience and save money, you can choose the Orion Healing Detox Center on Koh Phangnam island (about half an hour by ferry from Koh Samui), which is also very interesting. Prices here are much more affordable than other luxurious resorts. The 3.5-day detox package costs 6,250 - 13,400 Baht (about 4.3 - 9.3 million VND), while the 7.5-day package ranges from 10,000 - 25,500 Baht (about 7 - 17.8 million VND) depending on room type.

Transportation

To reach Koh Samui, you'll have to transit in the capital Bangkok. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, AirAsia, or Qatar Airways to Bangkok. Then, from Bangkok, there's only one airline to Koh Samui, which is Bangkok Airways because Samui Airport is the private property of this airline. The flight takes about 1 hour and is served with delicious food but the ticket price is quite expensive, over 6 million VND for a round-trip ticket.

Another cost-saving but time-consuming option is to take a train or bus to Surat Thani and then catch a bus to the ferry terminal. It takes about 2.5 hours or more to travel from the ferry terminal to Samui island, depending on the type of ferry you choose and also depends on weather conditions.

Points of interest

After the detox process, you can stay on this beautiful emerald island and explore some famous attractions in Koh Samui:

Chaweng Beach attracts tourists with its charming natural beauty of blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine. At night, it becomes lively and bustling like major urban areas with bars and pubs popping up everywhere.

The Coconut Village is the most unique place in Koh Samui where you can witness monkeys trained to pick coconuts from trees and deliver them to tourists. All you need to do is relax under the coconut trees and enjoy refreshing sips of coconut water.

Wat Phra Yai Temple (also known as the Big Buddha Temple) captivates any visitor with its exquisite architecture and the famous golden Buddha statue standing tall at 12 meters.

Koh Phangan Island hosts the famous Full Moon Party, and if you happen to visit during this event, you cannot miss the vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Lamai Night Market is where tourists can choose to buy souvenirs and many inexpensive items to give to their loved ones and friends.

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Source: Travel guide from Mytour – Via: ngoisao.net.