Yoga & Hike Golden Autumn Retreat Iceland – Dates 2026

The autumn excites all the senses: the colours of the plants, the clear air and the sweetness of the ripe berries. The display of colour shows the strong energy of nature before the winter silence begins.

Slowly calmness is coming: the migratory birds and most of the tourists leave Iceland. But life here once again awakens to full power: the berries and mushrooms are ripe; the colors are shining, and horses and sheep are brought back from the mountains to the valleys in huge round-ups. A wonderful time to have an intensive insight into Iceland´s intimate life.

A wonderful time to have a first-hand insight into life in rural Iceland and with a little luck you will be gazing at the Northern Lights.

Next Retreats

Dates 2026: 11.10.-

Dates 2027: 10.10. -

Program of the retreat

Sunday: Individual arrival in Akureyri
Depending on your arrival, you can relax in the hotel, or perhaps enjoy a first visit in the swimming pool of Akureyri, with its three different "heitir pottur" (= hot pots) and a steam bath. In the early evening at 17:00 (5pm), 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 Iceland with dinner in a fantastic farmhouse and artgallery on the countryside.

Note: We offer free pick up for the flight arrival in Akureyri at 16.15 (4.15pm)..

Monday: Yoga above the cliffs of Akureyri with fantastic 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. We have a hearty meal in a private home in Akureyri - truly local. 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 (3 hours of Hike). 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.

Tuesday: Tröllaskagi - Yoga in the mountains of the trolls
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 ancient farm Skeið at the end of the valley. Then we hike through the idyllic valley up to a mountain lake. Either you use the time to rest here or join another yoga session in a majestic nature setting. For the courageous ones, a dip into the mountain lake is the ultimate Nordic challenge. Back at the farm Skeid, our hostess Myriam serves us with a delicious meal. We not only enjoy the hearty meal but as well the serenity of this peaceful place. Hiking time is 2 hours
Then we drive back to the yoga centre for a restorative Yin Yoga class.

Wednesday: In Mývatn - yoga on hot ground
We start the morning with a yoga sequence 1.5 hrs indoor. At lunch we start 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, bubbling mud pools and bright colors. Our first stop is at the lake Ljàosavatn where we will do our outdoor yoga! The next stop is at Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods. Shortly after we reach Mývatn. We explore the diverse landscapes on different short hikes: the green pseudocraters of Skútustaðir, the mystical lava towers of Dimmuborgir, the contintental divide, and the colorful world of active volcanism at the Krafla volcano and on Námaskarð. We go then to dinner at a cafe with local Arctic char (or veg. version) overviewing Dimmuborgir and the lake. Afterwards it is time to relax and enjoy the warm waters of the Nature Baths, the Blue Lagoon of the North, with views over the Lake Myvatn area. . Face to face with the midnightsun we make our way home. Hike: short walks at the scenic spots, each 10 to 20min

Thursday: Yoga on a island in the middle of the fjord
We start the morning with a yoga sequence indoor. In the early afternoon we drive along the west coast of Eyjafjorður 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 powerful places in Iceland- a perfect location to rest and enjoy a yoga unit. Then we continue our hike along spectacular cliffs and marvel at the rich birdlife. Back to the village we get into a warm pool from which we will have a wonderful view. For those who are into it, the Polar Bear plunge awaits you...For dinner we will still be in Hrísey and enjoy the catch of the day (or a very tasty vegan meal) . In the light of the midnight sun the ferry takes us back to the mainland. Hike: 1.5 - 2 hrs

Friday: Yoga in the Elves forest at a powerful canyon
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 the magic forest at a canyon. On our silent walk we can sense the magic of the Elves and marvel at the canyon and integrate the experiences of the week. 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 treat yourself to 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 a guesthouse (if you stay another night) or the local airport. Please book your airplane departure at 16.45 (4.45pm)

Note: If the winter is early on, some of the hikes turn into snowshoeing tours. What an excitement!

Attention points

Group: Maximum of 16 to 18 participants

Accommodation: You spend the week at our partner Hotel Akureyri and enjoy a great deal of comfort.

Transportation: All transport is included. Pick-up at the Akureyri airport at the designated time, the transportation between hotel and yoga studio as well as the transport for all excursions. Drop-off on the day of departure at the designated time. Pick-up on the arrival day is at 16.15 at the airport Akureyri and drop off at 16.00 on the day of departure.

Yoga: The yoga units are thought by Ulrica Seiler. The daily yoga units take in total 2-2.5 hours and take place indoors and outdoors in nature. Typically, the morning session is in our brandnew Yogashala, the afternoon session in pure Nature.

Hiking: The hikes lead you through diverse landscapes of North Iceland. The duration varies between 1,5 to 3 hours and takes place on a technically simple level. A qualified guide will accompany you on all tours. If there are snow conditions (which might happen in the mountains) the hikes will be transmuted into snowshoeing tours. (We provide the equipment)

Meals: Breakfast buffet is included. Either lunch or dinner is included as outlined in the programme. Generally, we recommend to have a small lunch box set, since we are on tours.

What's included

Daily 2 yoga sessions: a yoga session in the morning in the modern Yoga Studio and afternoon yoga in the middle of Icelandic nature (depending on the excursion and the weather)

5 nights accommodation (in shared double or single room with extra charge) in the cozy Hotel Akureyri, within easy walking distance to the most beautiful corners of the small town Akureyri. The hotel has as well their own restaurant.

Breakfast buffet included

Excursion to the island of Hrisey "Pearl of the North" with an experienced guide, a nature reserve in Northern Iceland, including ferry ticket as well as entrance to the swimming pool

Tour to the famous Myvatn area with an experienced guide, including admission to the "Myvatn Nature Baths"

Excursion to Tröllaskagi, the "Troll Mountains", with an experienced guide

Hike over the cliffs of Akureyri with an experienced guide

1x access to the Spa area of our international yoga centre including towels (sauna, SPA, relaxation area, outdoor jacuzzi, teas, water)

Transfers according to programm within Akureyri (airport transfer to/from Akureyri airport)

3 dinners and 2 lunches with vegetarian/vegan alternatives (drinks not included)