A jungle venue built for gathering
Shivari sits inland on Koh Phangan, on a stretch of jungle with a river running through it and a waterfall that keeps flowing through the dry months. Founder Natasha Svedovaya built the center around a straightforward idea: a group needs somewhere to practice, somewhere to eat properly, and somewhere to make noise together — and all three should be a short walk apart.
For a retreat leader, that layout matters more than it sounds. The shala looks out over the river. The kitchen is plant-based from top to bottom, so there's no menu to negotiate. And when the teaching is done for the day there's a sauna at the water's edge and an open-air stage with a real sound system — often the difference between a group that scatters after dinner and one that stays together.
Green Yogi Traveler is a licensed Croatian travel agency — when you bring your group here, we handle the accommodation, transfers, meals and day-to-day logistics, so you can focus on your retreat.
At a glance
Amenities
- Yoga shala above the river
- Russian-style sauna & waterfall pool
- Open-air amphitheater
- Art & exhibition hall
- Vegan & raw restaurant
- Substance-free grounds
Grounds & bungalows
Bungalows and shared spaces
Guests sleep in thatched jungle bungalows, each with a private bathroom, a balcony and a hammock — built with natural materials to sit inside the jungle rather than on top of it. Two room types stack one above the other in each bungalow.
Yoga shala
Open to the jungle along its length, with the river below. It takes a full group for asana and works just as well for meditation, breathwork, or a sound journey after dark.
Sauna, amphitheater & interiors
A Russian-style sauna sits beside the river, with a waterfall pool alongside to cool off in. Nearby, an open-air amphitheater with a red teak floor and a sound system hosts most groups' ecstatic dance sessions, live music, or a closing ceremony on the final night.
A kitchen that's plant-based by default
Every meal at Shivari is vegan, with a substantial raw element. The menus come from founder Natasha Svedovaya herself, whose background is in nutrition and naturopathy — alongside full plates, smoothies, superfoods and herbal teas run through the daily rhythm.
The practical advantage for a group leader: because the kitchen doesn't handle animal products at all, there's no chef working around your retreat's diet — it's already the house standard, consistent at every meal. Specific allergies and individual requirements can be accommodated with notice ahead of arrival.
The house rule worth knowing
Shivari is entirely substance-free — no alcohol, no smoking, no recreational substances anywhere on the property. Worth flagging to your group before they book; it's also a large part of why the place holds the atmosphere it does, on an island known for the opposite.
Reaching Koh Phangan
Fly into Koh Samui (USM) or Surat Thani (URT), typically via Bangkok, then take the ferry across to Koh Phangan — roughly 30 minutes from Samui, nearer three hours from Surat Thani. Shivari is inland from the pier. Send us your group's arrival times and we'll coordinate transfers together.
Questions about hosting at Shivari
Can I bring my own teacher and program to Shivari?
Yes — that's the usual arrangement. Shivari provides the rooms, the food and the spaces; your program and your teaching are yours. Their own facilitators can be added if you want something specific, such as a sound healer or a ceremony leader.
Is alcohol allowed at Shivari?
No. The property is completely substance-free, which includes alcohol and smoking. It's worth putting in writing to your group before they book.
Is there covered space if it rains?
Yes. Both the yoga shala and the art hall are roofed, so a wet afternoon doesn't cancel a session.
Who arranges the booking, transfers and meals?
We do. Green Yogi Traveler handles the contract with the venue, airport and ferry transfers, meal planning and the day-to-day coordination on the ground.
How is this different from a beach resort on Koh Phangan?
Shivari is inland, built around a river and waterfall rather than a shoreline, and it functions as a working wellness and art center rather than a hotel that also hosts retreats. That means purpose-built practice spaces and a kitchen already set up for the way retreat groups eat — but it also means you're in the jungle, not steps from the sea.
Ready to bring your group here?
Tell us about your group and we'll put together a proposal for Shivari — dates, pricing, and everything included.
