Imagine a pivotal travel experience that leaves you profoundly changed—better, stronger, braver.
Envision a small group of travelers on a pilgrimage through the heart of Iceland’s Highlands. Hike a celebrated trail that meanders through technicolor rhyolite hills, vast lava fields, bubbling fumaroles, crashing waterfalls, and rushing glacial rivers.
Imagine returning to your everyday life renewed, acting with intention and purpose. Laugavegurinn, the Trail of the Hot Springs, acts as a metaphor for the internal journey we will embark on. Using the trail topography in concert with a comprehensive retreat curriculum, participants develop transformative skills to live a bolder life.
An Experiential Learning Retreat
Many people believe that they are rushing through their lives, led by obligation, and lacking sufficient connection or purpose. They may think they are stuck in their situations, captive to their prior choices, and constricted in their environment.
I want to help you live your life differently. This retreat is designed to equip you to be more present in your days, to prepare you to master difficult transitions, to give you the skills to unravel problems that you previously viewed as unresolvable.
My curriculum is designed to help you connect your everyday activities to purpose, so you live a life guided by your own values, not simply debts or burdens. You will learn to develop a flexible mindset of resilience, to lean into fear to overcome worry, to resolve entrenched problems by reframing solutions.
Set Your Intention
Moments of quiet rapture are contrasted with brief intervals challenging your physical limits, pushing through a tough climb or wading a glacial river.
The opportunity to “hike your own hike” allows one to refine their purpose for attending the retreat, to foster resolve, and open up to change.
A flexible educational format permits each individual to apply their own circumstances to each transformative query.
Celebrate
Every day offers new experiences and unexpected gifts: the opportunity to linger in the midnight sun, the spectacle of ephemeral glaciers, intimate conversations, shared anecdotes, and joyous laughter.
Trail days begin and end working together to prepare communal meals, sitting down to toast skál, break bread, and engage in revelry.
Be Present
Participants are fully supported by a logistics team that transfers all belongings, food, and other supplies from hut to hut, enabling retreat members to hike comfortably with light daypacks.
Mountain huts are heated with natural geothermal energy, allowing for a restful sleep out of the elements.
Transportation by professional drivers to/from the trail is provided.
Restore
The trek is book-ended by indulgent activities to nourish your body and renew your spirit, while simultaneously expanding your awareness.
Participants are welcomed the first night by a wonderful meal overlooking the panorama of Reykjavik from Perlan. An optional eighth day offers the chance to visit the otherworldly Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa, followed by a spectacular meal at the renowned Moss.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive by air and check into Hotel Leifur Eiríksson. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for an exceptional meal at restaurant Út í Bláinn in the museum Perlan.
Day 2: Meet the group early to travel first to the Highland camp of Landmannalaugar at the beginning of the Laugavegur Trail. Hike from Landmannalaugar to the highest point of the trek at Hrafntinnusker: 7.5 mi / 12 km. 4-5 hrs. Ascend 470m.
Day 3: Hike from Hrafntinnusker to the beautiful Swan Lake, Álftavatn: 7.5 mi /12 km. 4-5 hrs. Descend 490m. Experience the majesty of the Land of the Gods, Goðaland.
Day 4: Continue from Álftavatn toward Emstrur: 10 mi / 16 km. 6-7 hrs. Descend 40m, crossing through the black sand desert of Mælifellssandur.
Day 5: On the final trekking day, we leave Emstrur for Þórsmörk, the woods of Norse god Thor: 9.5 mi / 15 km. 6-7 hrs. Descend 300m. A special celebratory meal awaits us.
Day 6: We will enjoy the beloved area of Þórsmörk until mid-day when we depart for a late afternoon return to Reykjavík. The evening is yours to plan as you like it.
Days 7 and 8: Enjoy your final day in Iceland and head for departure, or spend the day with others at the Blue Lagoon, first experiencing the Retreat Spa and then a memorable dinner at Moss. Those who elect the optional Blue Lagoon experience then depart the next day.
The Details
7 days / 6 nights: The fee includes professionally-guided five-day trek facilitated by Icelandic Mountain Guides, accommodation, food, luggage service, trek transportation, and retreat activities led by Dr. Heather Tuckman.
An optional eighth day, features a visit to the private Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon, followed by a four-course chef's tasting menu at the legendary Michelin-acclaimed Moss Restaurant.
This limited availability option includes admission to the Spa, transportation, extra night accommodation, and restaurant meal.
What's Included
- Retreat curriculum instruction, workbook, and pre-trip prep.
- Two nights shared hotel accommodation, one night before trek, and one night at the end of trek.
- Five-day professionally guided and facilitated trek on Laugavegur Trail with mountain hut accommodations, food, luggage service, and transportation.
- Three-course meal plus wine at Út í Bláinn in the museum Perlan.
Upgrades and options:
- Extra day to visit Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon, including their signature skin ritual, and drink of choice. Afterward, a four-course dining experience at Moss, Blue Lagoon's flagship restaurant. Transportation and an extra night of hotel accommodation included.
- Single hotel accommodation and/or additional days stay available. Prices vary.
- Sleeping bag rental available on request.
Blue LAgoon
The Retreat Spa at the Blue Lagoon
A limited number of spaces are available for retreat participants to spend a special day at the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon is supplied by silica-rich water drawn from the Earth’s mantle into hot pools for a soothing bathing experience.
A variety of treatment rooms, including hot sauna, as well as changing room for two guests, signature skin treatment, and drink of choice, are included. In-water massage, and other optional treatments, are available for an extra fee.
Afterward, dine at Moss, Blue Lagoon’s exceptional flagship restaurant, recommended by the 2019 Michelin Guide.
Astonishing Iceland
Truly the land of fire and ice...hosting 30 active volcanic systems, untold geysers, hot pots, and fumaroles, as well as 269 named glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe. Iceland has volcanic deserts, elfin forests, infinite waterfalls, majestic views, and an amazingly complex history full of courageous explorers, modern-day pioneers, and genuinely enchanting people.
Heather Tuckman, Psy.d.
Tuckman Psychological Services, PC
Dr. Heather Tuckman is a clinical psychologist with 20+ years of professional experience providing therapy and assessment services, as well as teaching, presenting, professional writing, and advocacy.
Heather is passionate about helping people develop purpose to meet their personal goals and better persevere through life's inevitable trials and transitions. She specializes in helping people improve themselves and navigate difficult life experiences, including medical illness and perinatal or postpartum conditions.
Heather believes that some of life's most critical skills are best learned immersed in nature. Come explore your inner world in the outer world to live a bolder life!
To Register:
Heather Tuckman, PsyD
Tuckman Psychological Services, PC
www.HeatherTuckman.com
610-430-1430
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