One minute you’re snorkeling between tectonic plates, the other, unwinding in geothermal pools after a power yoga session. That’s just a tiny bit of what you can expect on this 6-day, all-women wellness retreat in Iceland. The adventure seamlessly blends untamed landscapes with self-care and relaxation. But the best part of this trip? You won’t feel like a tourist—instead, you’ll become a part of our Viking Women family, a community of local women leading ahead and taking you through the enchanting Iceland. We’ll visit unique restaurants and greenhouses, go on invigorating hikes in the Highlands, and marvel at some of the most beautiful spots in Iceland. Join this truly unique wellness retreat, where a supportive environment will be the perfect place to connect with yourself and other like-minded women.
An all-women mindfulness retreat with natural hot pools, yoga sessions, and Nordic cuisine in Iceland. Sounds good? Sign up. This 6-day retreat is more than just a trip—it’s a supportive environment where you can connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships with like-minded women. There will be invigorating hikes, snorkeling between tectonic plates, marveling at the iconic Gullfoss… But there will also be re-energizing yoga sessions, visits to unique restaurants and greenhouses, and unwinding in natural hot pools. Join a truly unique wellness retreat in the Icelandic Highlands and leave with experiences you’ll remember for life and newly forged friendships.
After arriving in Reykjavik, we’ll meet up and get to know the city’s rich history by going on a guided walking tour. We’ll set the tone for the days ahead, fostering the sense of camaraderie among your fellow Viking women. Let’s get to our comfy hotel and settle in.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Exeter Hotel Reykjavik
The first stop of our Day 2 is the thundering Gullfoss, Iceland’s most iconic waterfall, and then Geysir, a geothermal area in southwestern Iceland famous for its hot springs and geysers. Following an inspiring hike, we will go on a journey through the authentic Nordic cuisine. There will be an easy optional afternoon hike on a marked route.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Nordic cuisine journey)
Accommodation: Highland Base Kerlingafjöll
Let’s embrace the rugged beauty of the Highlands with a challenging hike, allowing the wilderness to serve as both backdrop and inspiration. Realign your mind and body through an invigorating yoga session amidst the sheer vastness of the Highlands. Today we will take on a challenging 12-km (7.5 mi) hike with an altitude increase of about 400 m (1,300 ft). The hike will take around 5-6 hours with resting and photo stops on the way.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Highland Base Kerlingafjöll
Next stop is the Friðheimar greenhouse—we will learn how they use geothermal heating to grow vegetables, pick fresh tomatoes from above your table, and have a delicious lunch. We will then embark on a unique snorkeling adventure between tectonic plates. It’s a surreal experience reminding us of nature’s unparalleled power. Let’s retreat to our hotel, followed by an evening of shared experiences over dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Ion Adventure Hotel Nesjavellir
Kick off the day with another captivating hike before treating yourself to a gentle yoga stretch! After that, we can relax in natural hot pools, nurturing a sense of unity with the surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Ion Adventure Hotel Nesjavellir
All good things come to an end, and so does this all-women wellness retreat in Iceland. Bid adieu to the Highlands, your companions, and the transformational experience we’ve all shared together. Depart with memories that will linger long after the journey’s end. Airport drop-off is included in the price of the tour if you’re ready to head home!
Meals: Breakfast
During the winter season, the itinerary may change due to heavy snowfall in the highlands. As a result, the group will need to be transferred to and from The Highland Base on a super jeep, which operates at specific times throughout the day.
Saga was our tour guide in December 2019 – we don’t normally go on tours, but not wanting to drive in Iceland in winter and not knowing the language or culture we thought it best to try a tour. Definitely the best decision ever!!! Saga was brilliant!!! She’s friendly, young, full of energy without being over the top, competent, knowledgeable, accommodating (we had someone with a broken foot on our tour and the lengths Saga went to, so that she could participate, were so far above & beyond the call of duty it was phenomenal). Saga also had a wonderful way of incorporating a relevant story of Icelandic Culture into whatever adventure we were embarking on – we could’ve listened to so many more hours of her stories (and Love the accent!). Absolutely fantastic – Highly recommended!!
Saga guided us through beautiful Iceland. I was impressed by Iceland, but also impressed by Saga! Very engaging lady with many talents: from active walk guide, and cool driver, to relaxing meditation mentor, with beautiful storytelling about the history and culture of Iceland. Takk fyrir, Saga!
Included:
Not included:
On this Iceland wellness retreat, you can expect daily hikes or yoga sessions. Some hikes will be easy (soft, packed dirt and pebble paths), while other areas will be challenging, including steep ascents and descents on trails that can become muddy when wet—good fitness is required. For this reason, hiking shoes are mandatory (waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended), as is a lightweight backpack that can carry at least 1 L of water, snacks and a lightweight, breathable jacket.
Here’s a list of clothing & footwear you need to bring:
Here’s a list of personal items & equipment you need to bring:
Your main luggage will be transported by transport vehicle, and you will not have access to it until you reach your accommodation in the afternoon. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack.
You are allowed to take one piece of luggage on the tour. Your guide advises you not to bring a massive one—there are luggage lockers at four centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store your extra luggage.
For your own well-being and safety, we strongly suggest following the advice of this equipment list. This includes having good quality rain gear, tops, and bottoms. Cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity—nor are jeans and cotton t-shirts. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.
Group sizes and prices:
Iceland wellness retreats can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
To get to Reykjavik, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF). From there, you have a 45-minute drive to Reykjavik by bus or a cab. Buses leave the airport every hour, 24/7, so you don’t have to worry about getting delayed.
You’ll meet your guide and your group on Day 1 of the tour! It’s recommended that you either pick an early-morning flight so you get to seize the day or spend the night in Reykjavik a night prior to your adventure.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their insurance packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.
However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.
Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.
First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.
Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.
And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.
In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
https://safetravel.is/
https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info
Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
https://youtu.be/QA3-BXYuYrw?feature=shared
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Early Bird booking
Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.
As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.
More about how Early Bird bookings work below:
My time in Iceland was truly life-changing and I have to give a special thanks to Saga for leading such a memorable experience! From her passion for her country, the culture, and adventure in nature, every moment was truly inspiring. Now when I think of “happy places”, my favorite memories are our hike up Reykjadalur Valley to the hot river and our walk on Sólheimajökull Glacier that ended with a meditation underneath the sun and a rainbow! I will absolutely be back to explore even further with Viking Women.