A week at a yoga retreat fits in a carry-on. Take three practice outfits, two casual outfits, one warm layer, swimwear, sandals plus one closed shoe, and a refillable bottle. Most venues supply mats, towels and blocks — check, and skip carrying yours if they do.
Sola Retreats · Updated 20 July 2026
The list
Three practice outfits. You will rinse and re-wear; nobody notices and everybody does it.
Two casual outfits for meals and town, one of which works for a slightly nicer dinner.
One genuinely warm layer. Mornings at altitude and evenings by the sea are colder than the brochure photograph suggests.
Swimwear, and a second one so you are never putting on a wet one.
Sandals plus one closed walking shoe.
Refillable bottle, reef-safe sun cream, insect repellent, and any medication in its original packaging.
A printed copy of the address, the host's number, and your insurance policy number.
Something to read that is not a phone. Retreat evenings are long in the best way.
The four things people forget
A universal plug adapter, because the one in your drawer is for the last country you visited.
Cash in local currency for tips and small purchases, in small denominations.
A head torch or the knowledge that your phone torch works — rural venues have unlit paths.
Rehydration sachets. Cheap, weightless, and the difference between a lost day and an inconvenient hour.
The three things nobody needs
Your own mat, unless you have a specific physical reason. Almost every venue supplies them.
A full make-up bag. It will stay in the bag.
Hair dryer, gym kit, and 'just in case' outfits. Every returning guest says the same thing: they took too much.
Check a price yourself
Paste any retreat's price and nights and get an instant verdict against these bands. Free, and it works on retreats that have nothing to do with us.
This page is free to quote and cite. If you are writing about solo retreat pricing and want the underlying figures, the Solo Retreat Price Index has the methodology.