Northern Lights and Ayurvedic holiday in Swedish Lapland

The magnificent landscape of Lapland is your inspiration source for this well-being retreat. This open programme is ideal for anyone interested in a healthy holistic break. You’ll experience a breathtaking winter landscape, the Polar Night and Northern Lights while enjoying simple yet luxurious guesthouse accommodation and delicious Ayurvedically prepared meals. There are opportunities to be active and experience Lapland’s nature, as well as to recharge and relax.

Begin each day with gentle hatha yoga. Enjoy artfully prepared cuisine and learn more about a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Meet with Kumar, our expert Ayurvedic chef, or visit in the kitchen to watch the cooking process and learn simple methods that you can use at home. Revel in the crystal clean air and pure snow. Make your own ski or snowshoe tracks through untouched snow. Glide over ice covered country roads by kick-sledge. Sit by a campfire under the glimmer of the stars and perhaps even the dancing Northern Lights. Relax deeply with a sauna or massage.

This is a flexible retreat programme. You are welcome to book just accommodation and meals or a full programme of well-being and outdoor activities.

Accommodation:
Your guesthouse accommodation is located in a small village, well off the beaten tourist track and surrounded by expansive forests, pristine lakes and mighty rivers. In January, the landscape is covered with white untouched snow. The winter light can be breathtaking and the Northern Lights often appear at this time of year.

The guesthouse is a beautiful timber building dating from the 1920’s which has been renovated with environmentally sustainable living in mind. There are six simple, yet elegant and comfortable, double/twin rooms. There is a dining hall with an open fireplace and group gathering rooms as well as quiet corners for reflection and relaxation. The guesthouse provides a calm and peaceful atmosphere and fits in well with the surrounding nature and community.

Ayurvedic Cuisine:
Meals and snacks are freshly prepared with the highest quality, organic, and seasonal ingredients available. One of the main aims of this retreat is to demonstrate the preparation of food using whole ingredients and bringing out tasty, colourful and very healthy results. Kumar Prasad Bhat, an expert Ayurvedic consultant brought from India, will lead the cooking. You’ll learn the techniques, advantages and health benefits of cooking with spices according to the Ayurveda tradition. All dishes will be cooked, grilled, steamed, baked or roasted. Deep frying will be totally avoided, however light sautéing with butter or ghee will be employed. Different parts of plants - fruits, seeds, flowers, stems and roots will be used to create rich, mouth watering dishes. Meal preparation will focus on the well being and health of each individual and the meals themselves will provide a plentiful, unique culinary experience. Each day you will have the opportunity to take part in guided activities that will enhance your well-being and help you experience Lapland’s nature. Gentle hatha yoga classes with an emphasis on using the breath to ground and release the body are held each morning. In the daytimes, you may take part in guided outdoor activities in our pristine nature. The tours will be adjusted to the interests and capabilities of the participants. No previous experience with skis, kick-sledges or snowshoes is needed. Our wood-fired sauna can be warmed when desired and a massage therapist trained in Swedish massage will be on hand.

Below is a sample itinerary for a full 7 day retreat including well-being activities. You can tailor make your own retreat according to your interests, budget and requirements.