Akureyri, Iceland
August 2025
Discover yourself in the
Land of Fire and Ice
AUGUST 9 - 16, 2025
North Iceland is the ideal location for all travel enthusiasts who desire an authentic experience at the heart of this magical country. Away from the mainstream tourism of Reykjavik, we will be based in the northern town of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city. Akureyri’s mild climate on the country's longest fjord and close proximity to the Arctic Circle makes it a must-see and must-experience destination. Some of the features include majestic landscapes, Icelandic horses, waterfalls, secret hikes off the beaten path, volcanic craters, and geothermic nature baths.
In partnership with the only modern yoga and wellness center in Northern Iceland, I invite you to join me on an adventure you will never forget! Retreat packages include housing, meals, guided excursions to the best sights of the North, and use of the yoga and wellness center for classes.
ABOUT THE LOCATION:
Iceland is one of the planet’s true gems. With a population of only 330,000, Iceland has struck a perfect balance between a warm, welcoming culture and its vast mountainous landscapes' raw, untamed beauty. While most tourist groups and cruise lines visit the southern capital city Reykjavik (where most of the population is), we’ll be heading to 66°North Iceland to the town of Akureyri–one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets.
The cultural capital of Iceland, Akureyri, has been voted the number one destination in Europe by Lonely Planet on more than one occasion. With a population of only 18,000 and a mild climate on the country's longest fjord, Akureyri in Northern Iceland is truly THE place to visit.
One Yoga Global is in an exclusive partnership with the only yoga and wellness center in Northern Iceland. Enjoy your daily yoga practice in a newly built, one-of-a-kind studio with majestic views of the fjord and soaring mountains that will warm your body and soul. This wellness center is complete with massage rooms, a dry sauna, a Jacuzzi, showers, changing rooms, and all the amenities, and our friendly and knowledgeable guides live on site, giving this space a personal touch.
Guests of our retreats can stay in local private apartments complete with geothermal Jacuzzis or at a local hotel in the city center. These comfortable and modern accommodations are a launching point for exploring some of Iceland's most powerful places and diving into the island’s rich traditions.
You’ll have the opportunity to ride Icelandic horses, see the humpback whales that live in the fjord, visit a nearby island considered one of Iceland's power places, and experience the sun that hardly sets!
Vacation Details:
This special week in Northern Iceland is open to all. It offers the opportunity to learn about Iceland's culture, history, and unique geography while experiencing some of the most magical sights of this amazing country. A professional guide will accompany you each day, sharing details of each site along with local folklore and personal stories.
OUR ITINERARY: Each morning, after breakfast, we will all have the option to participate in an all levels group yoga/movement class. Our hosts will pick us up at each domicile (all within a few blocks), and we’ll be transported across the fjord to our beautiful yoga and wellness center that overlooks the mountains and water. Classes will be welcoming to all, and if you prefer, the center has a relaxation room, beautiful views, a dry sauna, and a jacuzzi available to our group. After class, we’ll be transported to lunch; after this, we’ll head out for our day’s activities! If you decide any morning to sleep in and skip a class, you can meet us at lunch, which is just a couple blocks from your home. Our afternoon and evening adventures together will include:
Hrisey Island is a lovely ferry ride to spend an afternoon picturesque exploration and hike of Hrisey Island. Situated at 66 degrees North, just a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle, Hrisey is considered one of Iceland's “Power” places. This can’t be easily explained, so we’ll offer some moments of pause to sit and feel this special planetary vortex energy.
A local exploration of Akureyri, learning about the history and folklore. We’ll drive along the fjord and make several stops, including visiting a secret canyon with hidden elves. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time or onto the most spectacular movie set designed by Mother Nature herself! Some weeks, we can offer a special dinner at a local farm.
Icelandic Horseriding! The Icelandic Horse is unique to Iceland and even boasts a unique gait called the “tolt.” Beginner riders will be in one group and enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful experience of the spring fields of Iceland. More experienced riders will have the opportunity to trot, canter, and tolt through the countryside! We’ll learn about these beautiful animals and be treated to hot beverages and Icelandic treats afterward. *note: If you are uncomfortable on horses, we can offer whale watching as an alternative!
A full-day adventure to Myvatn – an amazing geothermic region that will take you from the fjord, through the mountains, to the lava fields. You’ll experience the rolling fields of Icelandic sheep contrasted with the barren lunar landscapes the astronauts used to train for the first lunar landing in the ’60s! Our day concludes with a visit to the thermal baths of the North. In the front is a modern cafe, showers, and lockers … when you exit the back, you enter large natural pools of geothermic waters bubbling from Mother Earth herself. With a high concentration of natural minerals, Icelanders often credit these waters with their health and longevity, which is much higher than the norm. We’ll watch the sunset, and the galaxies of stars arise. A sight to behold!
There are two afternoons of optional activities. These afternoons, your teachers may offer extra classes, and you may decide to explore the little town on your own, get a massage, or walk to the fjord and take a boat to see the humpback whales. With enough interest, we can take a group to the geothermic salt water baths at the GeoSea in Husavik and arrange a visit to the new Forest Lagoon in Akureyri.
Each evening after our excursions, we return to Akureyri for dinner, then relax in our apartments and the backyard hot tubs to enjoy the fresh air and excellent company. Side note: The weather in Iceland is more temperate this time of year than you might expect! It is not uncommon for temperatures to be 50’s°F during the day.
Travel, Additional Information & FAQ’s:
Most of you will depart your home city on Friday to arrive early Saturday morning in Reykjavik (KEF = Keflavik International). Then, you will take a smaller flight from the smaller domestic airport to Akureyri. Your return will be the following Saturday morning from Akureyri—Reykjavik domestic, followed by a transfer to the International airport (Keflavik) and back home.
*Some of you will choose to add extra days on your own in Reykjavik before or after the retreat dates, offering more options. This is ALSO the time of year that driving from Reykjavik to Akureyri is also possible and may be a great choice if you want to join a few others and make the 6-7 hour drive.*
If you decide to fly, you must book two tickets to Akureyri. Your first flight will be to Reykjavik (Keflavik International), and your second will be an easy 45-minute flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Akureyri. (This is a smaller airport than Keflavik International.)
We have created a Google document that anyone can access for more detailed advice, links, and details on booking travel.
You will need to pack:
warm clothes and several layers
light thermals (top and bottom)
jeans/pants
warm gloves/socks and waterproof boots/hiking shoes
an outer shell that is warm, and wind- and rain-resistant
warm headgear
a buff or balaclava for the neck and face
a bathing suit for the Jacuzzis and springs
yoga clothes (compression pants make for a nice underlayer)
adapters for electronics (Iceland uses the round 2-pin style common throughout Europe)
Accommodations:
Your home base in Akureyri will be in some of the most modern houses in the city or a centrally located hotel. The houses provide comfort and privacy and are just a short walk from the city center. Each house has several rooms, some with a shared bath and some with a private bath, and each has a kitchen, living space, and backyard geothermic water hot tub. When you reserve, we will contact you directly to confirm your housing placement. A limited number of private hotel rooms are also available for those who desire this option.
Houses
Double Occupancy Room (shared bath)
A larger private room in a 3-bedroom house complete with a kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi, and access to a washer/dryer. The family bathroom is shared with 4-5 people in the house.
Cost: $4195 SPECIAL: $3995 ($200 off to the first 6 registrants)
Single Occupancy Room (shared bath)
Private room in a 3-bedroom house complete with kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi, and access to washer/dryer. The family bathroom is shared with 4-5 people in the house.
Cost: $4695 SPECIAL: $4495 ($200 off to the first 6 registrants)
Double Occupancy room (Private Bath)
Private shared room in 2-room house with private bath, kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi, and access to washer/dryer.
Master bedroom: RESERVED 2nd bedroom: AVAILABLE
Cost: $4395 per person (double occupancy) SPECIAL: $4195 ($200 off to the first 6 registrants)
Hotel Room
Private hotel room with private bath in the city center (Hotel KEA or equivalent)
Double Occupancy: USD $5195 per person SPECIAL: $4995 ($200 off to the first 6 registrants)
Single Occupancy: USD $5995 per person SPECIAL: $5795 ($200 off to the first 6 registrants)
*To receive your discount, just place your deposit, and we will confirm your balance minus your discount*
When you reserve, you’ll set up an account and choose to pay in full or make a $695 deposit. If you choose to pay a deposit, your balance can be split into monthly payments through April 2025. We will send confirmation when you enroll.
INCLUDED:
7 nights accommodation in Akureyri
Transfers to and from the Akureyri airport and daily to classes and excursions
Breakfasts, Lunches, and 4 group dinners in Akureyri
Daily yoga classes
Group Excursions
NOT INCLUDED:
International Flight to Reykjavik (KEF) and domestic flight to Akureyri
Optional Extras (massage, special excursions)
3 dinners in Akureyri
Refunds and Cancellations:
Refund less deposit ($695) before April 1, 2025. No refunds after April 1, 2025. In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or reservation to another person if you notify One Yoga Global 21+ days in advance. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.
After the deposit is received, the remaining balance will be paid in equal monthly payments starting in May 2025 unless other arrangements are made. All participants must sign a liability waiver to participate.
We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like Travel Guard and Trawick offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to weather & travel delays, personal property loss, and emergency travel medical. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.