An all-women retreat in Iceland? Sounds amazing, right? Any time is a good time for such a great escape, but December and January in Iceland feel, well, magical. Despite the cold weather, these trips ooze warmth and coziness—thrive in the company of like-minded ladies, ready to explore Iceland’s surreal nature and experience some thrilling activities (snorkeling between tectonic plates, snowmobiling, ice climbing, glacier walking…). Worry not—we’ll have plenty of downtime, relaxing in hot pools, and, depending on the trip you choose, at yoga sessions or soaking up the atmosphere of Christmas and New Year’s festivities. Join us: come for a retreat, leave with lifelong memories and friendships.
Regardless of the trip you choose, all of them will provide you with a safe and encouraging environment
Snorkel between tectonic plates, explore the underground realm of ice caves, do some glacier walking & ice climbing
Experience Christmas time and New Year’s Eve in one of the most spectacular destinations on the planet
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
A huge part of this wellness retreat is where you’ll be staying at and resting after a day out. Your guide has carefully selected the very best hotels for the ultimate indulgence and relaxation.
The Exeter Hotel, nestled in the heart of Reykjavik by the Old Harbor, is a highly modern and comfortable house of style, ideal for recharging your batteries. There’s an in-house restaurant and a bakery, as well as a sauna and a fitness room. Each room is designed with industrial décor, modern furnishing, and wooden floors. You’ll have a smart TV, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a refrigerator at your disposal.
For your days in the Highlands, you’ll stay at the Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll. This newly built hotel is designed for total comfort, oozing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a wonderful gateway to a mesmerizing mountain range, and it’s always a good idea to sit by your window and look at the beautiful landscapes.
The ION Adventure Hotel is set against a backdrop of majestic mountainous lava fields, and it’s located by the Golden Circle route. You’ll stay in comfortable and cozy organic bedrooms with terrific views, but the hotel also has an inviting natural spa with a sauna and an outdoor hot pool, a lively Northern lights bar, and a great restaurant.
New Year’s adventure in Iceland are both beginner-friendly! These will be exciting and festive tours, giving you the opportunity to explore Iceland’s natural wonders as well as its culture and traditions. You will walk a couple of hours a day, one day you’ll even go on a glacier hike (and possibly ice climb!), but it’s all suitable for beginners.
However, if you choose to go on a wellness retreat in the Icelandic Highlands, you can expect more hiking as well as yoga. 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. 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.
This is a list of things we recommend you carry in your daypack (around a 25-40L bag):
This is what your luggage should contain:
What to wear on the trail:
Your main luggage will be transported by transport vehicle. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack. You are allowed to take one piece of luggage on the tour.
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 far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.
Group sizes and prices:
Iceland wellness retreat and these adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
You can secure set dates with a non-refundable 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
In case you need to cancel the trip, the following cancellation costs would be incurred:
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. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s foreign travel advice.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Secure your early bird spot for the following season with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
