This eight-day, seven-night retreat is an adventure-packed journey through Iceland’s awe-inspiring landscapes. You’ll gallop through the untamed countryside on the back of our majestic Icelandic horses, taking in breathtaking vistas at every turn.
Experience the thrill of exploring Iceland’s natural wonders as you hike to stunning waterfalls and soak in geothermal hot springs. Discover the charm of quaint villages and connect with the warm and welcoming local community and artisans.
Join Colleen, a true master of her craft, and our superhero guide Oli (along with other knowledgeable Icelandic guides) on this unforgettable journey. Oli’s herd of magnificent Icelandic horses will carry you through the rugged terrain and leave you in awe of their grace and beauty.
Don’t miss your opportunity to discover the wonders of Iceland in the company of kindred spirits.
What to expect:
Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Each morning, we’ll wake up to breathtaking views from our guesthouse, where we’ll begin our day with a gentle Qi-Gong, yoga, and centered riding practice, followed by a delicious and nutritious Icelandic breakfast.
On the first day of our retreat, we’ll hike to the top of Glymur waterfall, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. For the next six days, we’ll embark on thrilling horseback rides through mountains, rivers, and streams alongside a herd of 30 Icelandic horses. With their smooth four-beat gait known as the tölt, we’ll enjoy an almost bounce-free ride, making for a comfortable and exhilarating experience.
Our adventure will take us from the Snaefellsness Peninsula to the farm, covering over 6 + hours of riding through the Icelandic countryside each day. We’ll even get to change horses along the way! We’ll also make stops at various attractions, including swimming pools and hot springs, where we can soak in geothermal waters and take in the stunning surroundings.
We will spend our first two days riding along the beach, enjoying the stunning coastal views and the thrill of galloping through the surf and even crossing a river where the horses will swim.
Please note that advanced riding experience is required to participate in this adventure. Get ready for a week of invigorating experiences, unforgettable sights, and an immersion in Icelandic culture that you won’t soon forget!
Highlights:
7 nights lodging at the farm with healthy, organic food and 6 days of guided horseback rides
Daily relaxation practices including yoga for centered riding, meditation, and Qigong, designed to relax and empower
Hiking Glymur, the second highest waterfall in Iceland
Hvammsvik hot spring after the Glymur hike, *extra fee
Krauma Hot Spring and Spa which is next to our farm, *extra fee
Visit the highest-flow hot spring Europe: Deildartunguhver
Tour of Reykholt where we will visit Borgarfjörður, which is a museum, rich in the culture and history of the sagas, music, geology, and the life story of Snorri Sturluson that lived in the valley near our farm
An evening of sound meditation
Amazing organic, locally sourced meals and cooking class with Birta, our culinary expert for the week at the farm. All food will be made with local Icelandic ingredients and medicinal herbs. Birta prepares delicious food at every meal with sack lunches for our horse rides. She will even teach us how to bake the BEST BREAD ON EARTH!
Transportation during the week. Pick up and Drop off in Reykjavik
Lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences
Professional instruction and guidance
About
Gallery
About The Host
Colleen
Colleen founded the organization after a highly successful career as a professional triathlete for 13 years. During her racing days, she was World Champion in 1984, and National Champion in 1988 and 1990. She also earned multiple U.S. National team spots and was ranked in the top 3 in the World for over 10 years.
Her passions, besides chocolate and being in nature, revolve around liberating and empowering women through movement and balance, helping them connect with their true desires. Colleen continues to evolve adventures, creating experiences that inspire happiness and joy through physical activity.
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
What will the food be like?
The food is the BEST PART (besides horseback riding in Iceland)! Amazing culturally and locally sourced meals at Breiðabólsstaður farm with cooking class by our gourmet chef, Birta. We will learn how to make the best bread on earth! The Iceland bread is a highlight and even if you are gluten free you can eat this bread.
Throughout the retreat we will experience Icelandic cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients. Seafood, lamb and dairy are very common in Icelandic meals, so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. We make sure the food is VERY GOOD!
What is a typical day?
Each day will be magical but not very typical.
We will start each day with our "Awakening the Senses" Yoga for centered riding. We will then have a hearty breakfast and pack our lunch for the riding adventure. We will ride with the herd from Reykolt to Syaefellsness and each night the horses stay at a different barns along the way, but we drive back. After our FANTASTIC rides we will be stopping on the way home at different hot springs to soak and swim. Great way to end the day!!
We will be hiking:
Beautiful hikes with waterfalls and along river hot springs. We will be hiking Glymur, the second-highest waterfall in Iceland on our way to the farm on our first day.
* If anyone would like to come in early you can spend a day exploring the capital on July 15th, Reykjavik, learning about the culture and maybe stopping to grab a world-famous hot dog for lunch. We will all come in on the 15th, go to the SKY Lagoon for a hot spring soack and stay at Hotel Borg on July 15th.
We will be horseback-riding:
* 6 beautiful days of guided Icelandic horseback rides. We will ride for 6 hours or more a day.
We will ride with the herd each day crossing mountains, rivers and streams and experience Iceland by horseback. our last two days will be riding on the beach towards Snaefellsness Peninsula Riding experience is necessary. Riding in Iceland is at the TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST!!!
* Yoga and Qi Gong practice for centered riding will be woven into our daily activities, plus a sound gong bath healing, fairy realm circle with Bjork and other special guests.
When does the retreat begin and end?
Please arrange to arrive at least one day before the retreat starts, on July 15th. The retreat will formally begin on July 16th at 9:00am and end on July 23rd after 4:00pm. We will plan to go to Fagradalsfjall volcano on our way to the airport.
What is Iceland like?
Unlike its name, Iceland in the summer is green and full of life! There are waterfalls and breathtaking views around every corner. The food is rich with history and the locals are friendly. We will see a great deal of the country while horseback riding which is the very best way to see it. We promise, there will be no shortage of stunning views, local food, and culture.
What will the weather be like?
July is the main summer month in Iceland with an average temperature of (51°F), though it is usually warmer than that and sometimes hits 20°C (68°F) or higher.
Don’t be surprised if you see most Icelanders only wearing shorts and t-shirts in July, sunbathing on their front porch or in the local swimming pools.
The sun is up for close to 20 hours during July, so it’s basically daylight all day and all night! (Make sure to bring a sleeping mask if you want to get some sleep). Remember that it can rain anytime in Iceland and the summer nights can be cold.
The lush vegetation is in full bloom during July and the diverse wildlife, especially birdlife, is rampant. It is a great month to go birding or whale watching.
Do I have to do all of the activities?
No! All activities and outings are optional. This is YOUR retreat. We encourage you to do what feels most nurturing and right for you. You will be fully supported in doing as much or as little as you choose. All of our activities will be guided by expert staff, and instruction and support will be offered for every activity according to your experience level.
What will the hikes be like?
Iceland is known for hiking and the trails are maintained very well, with the inclusion of ropes and rails to help on steeper sections. We will be hiking to amazing spots including the Glymur Waterfall (a steeper but safe and impressive hike) and going to Fagradalsfjall volcano. Hiking shoes or shoes with “4 wheel drive” are a must since the trails can be rocky and muddy.
What is the average age on this retreat?
We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-75 years young. Each retreat will vary but Iceland is for EVERYONE.
What if I am coming alone?
The majority of the women who attend our retreats come by themselves. Iceland is a safe and easy country to travel in as a single woman. English is widely spoken, and we are here to answer any questions about travel that you may have. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!
How do I change money in Iceland?
The Icelandic króna is the local money in Iceland. You can travel with US Dollars and exchange them at the banks either in the airport, Reykjavik, or any other major city. ATM’s may be the best option as they may give you a better exchange rate and allow you to travel with less cash in hand. Make sure to let your card company know where and when you will be traveling so they do not put any holds on your account for unusual transactions.
What about communications?
You can find Wifi everywhere in Iceland. The best way to communicate with home is through an online communication program (we recommend Skype or WhatsApp). You can also buy minutes with Skype and make calls to US phones through Wifi. Please check with your cell phone provider if you choose to use your phone. They will most likely charge foreign use fees (either a flat rate or by use).
Who is the staff?
The staff is an inspiring and spirited group of women!!! You will have the chance to play with women who are both phenomenal athletes and articulate teachers. You will receive cutting-edge instruction with heartfelt support and encouragement. The high staff-to-camper ratio allows opportunity for individual guidance, safe supervision of all activities, and personal attention to your feelings and needs. We organize the groups to accommodate all fitness levels and levels of experience. Don’t worry if this is your first time on a mountain bike, if you have not done much hiking, or your first experience with yoga-we LOVE to introduce the JOYS of these activities!