Yoga Retreat with Northern Lights in Iceland

Description

Immerse yourself in the magic of Winter at 66° North: white-blanketed nature conveys calmness and harmony, while giving space for enjoyable activities.

Experience the quietest time of the year in Iceland and enjoy the wonderful winter activities. The sun casts its golden light over the flat snowy landscape and at night often the Northern Lights are dancing across the sky - it's an enchanted world of silence which radiates at a great deal of power. When it's really cold outside, the warm pools give their full blessing. 

Next Yoga Retreats in Winter

• Dates Winter 2024
• 13.10 - 18.10.2024
  
  
  

Price per Person

• Double Shared Room: 1850 Euro (Price in ISK for the booking) 
• Single Room: 2160 Euro (Price in ISK for the booking) 
• Book your spot by paying a deposit of 45000ISK (ca. 320€)
  

Program of your yoga retreat with hiking

Sunday: Individual arrival in Akureyri
Depending on your arrival, you can relax in the accommodation, or perhaps enjoy a first visit to the swimming pool of Akureyri, with its three different "heitir pottur" (= hot pots) and a steam bath. In the evening, we invite you to take a short city tour to get acquainted with your new hometown As an introduction to our time together we welcome you here in the North with a dinner in a retro restaurant in Akureyri.

Monday: Gorgeous view of the fjord
We start the morning with a yoga sequence at the fabulously in nature nestled yoga center. A 1.5 hrs indoor practice awaits you.
After lunch we go for an inspired hike above the cliffs of Akureyri. On the way up to the cliffs we stop in a scenic spot for an ever-new yoga practice. Once we have reached the height of the cliffs, we enjoy an amazing view over the fjord and mountains all the way.

• Yoga: 2 hours (indoor 1.5h and 0.5 outdoor)
• Hike 3h 

Upon our return from the longest hike of the week, we drive over to our Yoga & PSA center to relax in the brand-new SPA. Finally, we have another hearty meal in a cozy restaurant in Akureyri.

Tuesday: Yoga in the mountains of the Trolls
We start the day earlier with a morning yoga sequence indoor. In the late morning we drive north to the peninsula of the trolls. Here we turn into one of the most beautiful valleys in the North: the Svarfaðadalur. We drive far into this world of mountains before we reach the old farm Skeið at the end of the valley. This time of year, the valley is usually dipped in a winter dress and it almost looks like the mountains are covered with cream. We snowshoe/hike through the idyllic valley up to a small mountain lake. We might do some yoga or just enjoy the quietude amongst magnificent pyramid mountains. Back at the farm Skeid, our hostess Myriam welcomes us in her cozy renovated barn with a wonderful Icelandic lamb lunch alongside with other local delicacies. (vegetarian option available). We not only enjoy  the hearty meal but as well  the serenity of this peaceful place. Back home you can enjoy time in your own outdoor jacuzzi at the apartment

• Yoga: 2hrs
• Hike: 2 hrs
  

Wednesday: Yoga on hot ground
In the morning we start out with a yoga session at our new Yoga & SPA center. We then have lunch in town. Afterwards we begin our journey to one of the most exciting areas of Iceland: Lake Mývatn. Here we experience the fantastic world within an active volcanic area with its hot springs and the steaming and bubbling mud pools. Our first stop is at Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods with its magnificent icicles. Shortly after we reach Mývatn. We explore the diverse landscapes on different short hikes: the pseudo craters of Skútustaðir, the mystical Lava towers in Dimmuborgir, the continental divide  and the geothermal area at Námaskarð. Then it's time to relax in the wonderful warm water of the  Nature Baths, the 'Blue Lagoon' of the North Let yourself be enchanted with the breathtaking landscape. With clear skies and cold temperatures, we have a very good chance to experience the dance of the Northern Lights on our way back to Akureyri

• Yoga: 2 hours
• Walking:1 hour
  

Thursday: Yoga on the island - a powerful spot!
In the morning we start out with a yoga session at our new Yoga & SPA centre.
We are going to have lunch at our retro café/restaurant in Akureyri.
Then we head out for a new adventure. We drive along the west coast of Eyjafjörður to the north before we reach the Sævar ferry. This ferry takes us to the small island Hrísey located in the fjord. A short walk takes us to a spectacular view point. This place is considered as one of the most energetic spots in Iceland- a perfect location to rest and enjoy a yoga unit. Then we snowshoe/hike onward down to spectacular cliffs and are awestruck as the waves splash against the cliffs. Back to the village we soak in the warm local pool. For the more corageous one, a jump into the sea is just a step away! 

• Yoga: 2 hours
• Hike : 2 hours
  

Friday in Winter: A farewell with panorama
In the morning we start out with a yoga session at our new Yoga & SPA centre.
After a warm soup at our center we leave for a last snowshoe hike straight from the Yoga & SPA centre. We gradually gain height on the eastern shore of the fjord and then once again opens up a wide view over the Eyjarfjörður: a good point in time to say farewell to the North of Iceland. We then will bring you back to Akureyri where you can enjoy the charming town before departing back to Reykjavik.

• Yoga: 2 hours
• Hike : 2 hours

Friday in Autumn: Yoga at rushing waterfalls
We start the morning with our final yoga sequence 1.5 hrs indoor and thus close the yoga circle. After a break we head out south to get to know the closer area of Akureyri. Our first stop is dedicated to hidden waterfalls. We stroll along this river, marvel at the rushing waterfall and integrate the experiences of the week. On the yoga rock you can for a last time transcend space and time in a yoga posture. Afterwards we head to one of the last six remaining turf house churches, an insight into life in Iceland throughout the ages. Then we continue our loop to a farm that produces their own ice cream. That is the chance for you to enjoy an excellent ice cream that is produced on location...it doesn't get more local. Then we drive back to Akureyri and drop you either at the bus station, a guesthouse (if you stay another night) or the local airport. Please book your departure between 4 and 6pm.

Attention points

Group
Maximum of 18 persons

Accommodation
You spend the week at our Pearl of the North apartments in Akureyri and enjoy a great deal of comfort. You have access to the private hot tub. Every apartment consists of 2 to 3 bedrooms which hosts 3 to 5 yogis. You share one bathroom together and have a fully equipped kitchen, living room, laundry room etc. Our apartments offer double rooms and single rooms if available. You can also ask for a payable upgrade.for private bathroom. This is applicable for yogis who share bedrooms.

Yoga
The yoga units are led by Ulrica. The daily yoga units last 2 hours and take place in our Yoga & SPA centre. If the weather is favorable a part of the yoga unit is practiced outside on our tours. (the outdoor practice is 20 to 30 Min)

Snowshoe tour in Winter
The snowshoe tours lead you through diverse landscapes in North Iceland. The duration varies between 1 to 3 hours and are technically at a simple level. A qualified guide will accompany you on all tours.

Hiking in Autumn
The hikes lead you through diverse landscapes of North Iceland. The duration varies between 1,5 to 3 hours and takes place in a technically simple level. A qualified guide will accompany you on all tours.

Meals
Breakfast can be prepared in the well equipped kitchen in each apartment. You need to bring along a packed lunch/sandwich/snack on the Myvatn day. The offered meals are all in genius places. Except on the arrival day and on the Myvatn day, you prepare your dinner in your fully equipped kitchen or dine in a restaurant close by the apartments.

Transportation
All transport is included. Pick-up at the bus station or Akureyri airport, the transportation between apartment and yoga studio as well as the transport for all excursions. Drop-off after the retreat on the day of departure. Pick-up starts on the arrival day for the Straeto bus and pick -up at the local airport at 15.45 (ideal arrival time), and final pick-up at 19.40 at the local airport.