Return to the Wild: Iceland Retreat
For women seeking adventure and stillness - a journey through Iceland’s wild beauty and their own inner landscape.
10th – 16th October 2026
Eyjafjörður, Northern Iceland
*A WOMENS ONLY RETREAT*
Snow-dusted peaks, vast fjords, geothermal hot springs under starry skies… Iceland calls you home to the wild. For six nights, we’ll root into the raw beauty of this land through yoga, sound, ritual, nourishing food, adventure, and rest. This retreat is not just an escape, but a return — to your body, your breath, your wild heart.
A Taste of the Wild
“Sometimes you need to leave the familiar, to remember who you are.”
– Wild with Clare
Who This Retreat is For?
This retreat is for you if you’re craving:
* A deeper connection with nature’s rhythms 🌍
* Time away from the noise to rest and replenish 🌙
* Adventure and wonder in a land of mountains, fjords, and northern skies 🏔️
* A blend of cosy stillness and expansive exploration 🔥❄️
* The intimacy of a small, like-hearted group (5–8 guests + your two hosts) 💫
The Venue
Our home is a restored Icelandic farmhouse, warm and welcoming, with sweeping views of Eyjafjörður — the longest fjord in the north. After days exploring, you’ll sink into the sauna, hot tub, or by the fire for evenings of deep rest. It’s simple, soulful, and perfectly placed to let the land hold us.
The venue provides total tranquility away from the hustle and bustle, offering a peaceful escape.
Location
Set in the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula (literally “Troll Peninsula”), this region is steeped in folklore and old myths. Surrounded by glaciers, fjords, and dramatic coastline, it is one of the most breathtaking corners of Iceland. Here, nature still sets the pace — whales in the fjord, northern lights above, snow crunching underfoot.
Accommodation Highlights
The farmhouse has two wings: the Main House and the converted Stables, which are attached, each offering comfort, cosiness, and space to unwind. All stable rooms overlook the fjord, with Room 6 enjoying the most spectacular view.
In the Stables (Fjord View Rooms)
• Premium Double — Room 6 Spacious with the best fjord view.
• Standard Doubles — Rooms 1, 2 & 3 Double beds (140cm), with fjord views.
• Cosy Doubles — Rooms 4 & 5 Slightly smaller but warm and light, also with fjord views.
*Shared Facilities: 2 bathrooms + 1 washroom for stable guests
In the Main House
• Twin Room — Main 2 Two single beds, shared bathroom.
• Single Room — Main 3 One single bed, single occupancy, shared bathroom.
(Main 1 is reserved for your hosts.)
✨ Bed linen and towels are provided in every room
✨ Yoga mats are provided — so you can travel light
Simple, soulful spaces that balance rustic charm with comfort — designed for deep rest after days of adventure, ritual, and connection.
The Programme
Each day follows a gentle rhythm of movement, nourishment, adventure, and rest.
Mornings open with yoga and meditation, followed by hearty seasonal breakfasts. Then it’s time to explore — whether hiking wild landscapes, soaking in hot springs, or setting out on a whale-watching boat trip (with a high chance of spotting them right from our hot tub at home).
Afternoons invite workshops in sound, journaling, and ritual, weaving in time to pause and reflect. Evenings are for sauna heat, northern lights, star-filled skies, and nourishing dinners shared in community.
Adventures include:
🐋 Whale Watching Boat Trip — plus the magic of spotting whales from the fjord.
🌲 Forest Baths at Akureyri’s Forest Lagoon & a visit to Hánefsstaðir Forest — imagining Iceland before the Vikings felled the trees.
🥾 A hike through the lava maze of Dimmuborgir, marvelling at the mighty Goðafoss waterfall, and wandering geothermal fields of bubbling mud pools.
A Typical Day
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A Typical Day *
While no two days will be exactly the same, here’s what you can expect:
☀️ Morning
Awaken with a grounding yoga and meditation practice, followed by a hearty seasonal breakfast to fuel the day ahead.
🌲 Daytime
Head out into the wilds — perhaps a hike across lava fields, a forest bath, or a whale-watching boat trip. There will also be time for rest, journaling, or simply soaking in the landscape if you need to recharge.
🔥 Afternoon
Gather back at our retreat home for a workshop — sound, ritual, or journaling — each designed to support your connection with self and nature.
🌌 Evening
Share a nourishing dinner before unwinding in the sauna, soaking in the hot tub, or gazing at the night sky. And if the elements align, we may be blessed with the northern lights.
Your Host
Clare is an experienced yoga teacher, wellness and empowerment mentor with a wealth of knowledge, a fun, dynamic energy, and a warm, open heart. A full-time yoga teacher since 2009, Clare has hosted numerous yoga classes, retreats, and workshops.
She founded The Quaives Retreat centre in 2016. Her expertise lies in women's wellness; her sessions are all-inclusive, non-judgemental, and welcoming to people of all levels and life stages. Clare is qualified in Sunpower Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Women's Wellness Yoga Therapy, Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and Ayurvedic massage. Her mission is to support you in finding inner peace, joy, and self-confidence, offering a safe, compassionate, and supportive space for personal growth and increased confidence in your body and life choices.
CLASS STYLES
Morning classes will generally start with a relaxing session of yoga nidra, breathwork or meditation followed by a dynamic practise designed to both ground and energise you for the day. The late afternoon / early evening classes will generally be longer and more gentle starting with a sharing circle, guided journaling or a cacao ceremony followed by a nourishing yin-style yoga session and deep relaxation.
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I had the most wonderful time on retreat with Clare. It was my first yoga retreat and it has set a high standard. Clare was a warm and inspiring host. The food was amazing. I was nervous about trying a retreat on my own. But the whole experience was wonderful and felt very natural. The yoga, sound baths, and cocoa and fire ceremonies were all authentically delivered, the whole group were made to feel safe and all experiences were inclusive as well as immersive. It was a real healing experience
- Samantha L
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A wonderful escape from everyday life. I received a warm welcome and the cottage was lovely; clean, cosy and beautifully decorated. The classes were great; excellent instruction, loads of guidance and new learning. Clare was a brilliant instructor for yogis of all levels. Adaptions were made for those of us with injuries and there was no judgement. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it! I will certainly be booking to come back. Keep up the good work!
- Suzie T
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My experience with Clare and her team were utterly phenomenal. Right from the moment I arrived, Clare was welcoming and thoughtful. This was my first ever yoga retreat so I was unsure of what to expect for the weekend. The quality of the healing, nourishment, workshops and lasting tools was exceptional. Clare was also extremely respectful when I needed solitude versus group activity over the weekend and I didn’t ever feel pressure to participate if it wasn’t right for me. Two weeks after returning home, I still feel the radiant glow that I left the weekend with, which is indicative of the quality of the retreat
- Erin H
Seasonal Soul Food
At Living Wild Retreats, food is more than fuel — it’s part of your healing, grounding, and pleasure. Each day, you’ll be served three nourishing meals made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, designed to support your energy, digestion, and overall sense of wellbeing.
The menu is mostly vegetarian, with a few locally caught fish dishes thoughtfully woven in. From warming soups and roasted vegetables to fresh salads, wholesome grains, and gently sweet desserts, every plate is a celebration of nourishment.
Breakfasts might include spiced porridge, cottage cheese pancakes, or herby eggs with homemade rye toast. Dinners may feature baked salmon with dill and roasted roots, or buckwheat with lemon-tahini and sauerkraut slaw — always colourful, balanced, and prepared with love.
Please let us know in advance about any allergies or intolerances so we can make sure you feel fully supported at every meal.
Nourishment by Łukasz
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be lovingly nourished by our private chef Łukasz, whose approach to food is rooted in care, creativity, and connection to nature. Expect delicious, nutritionally balanced meals crafted from seasonal ingredients — mostly vegetarian, with a few locally sourced fish dishes.
Łukasz’s background is in the hospitality sector formally working at some of the top restaurants and hotels in Edinburgh. Now the founder of Whispers of the Jungle, a retreat centre in the heart of the Amazon jungle in Peru where he leads groups on transformational experiences and dieta’s. He believes playfulness and creativity are essential to healing, fostering deeper connection with oneself and others. His other passions are plants, storytelling, sound healing and movement such as martial arts, yoga and fire spinning, some of which he undoubtedly will share with us during our stay.
The Details
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A week of yoga classes/ meditation / sound healing / guided relaxation / rituals and ceremonies
6 nights accommodation (solo or twin occupancy)
All meals when at the house - breakfast, lunch, dinner. For half day or full day tours breakfast will be included but lunch and/or dinner will be excluded when eating out. Most likely we will have 1 full day tour and 2x half day tours during our stay.
1 x Whale watching tour
1 x pass to the amazing Forest Lagoon hot springs
Transfers from and to airport (there will be one pick up time so we will align flight timings)
Transfer to tour sites
Aurora lights gazing (season dependent)
Geothermal Hot Tub & Red-light Sauna
Local walks and site seeing
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All additional activities are optional and prices vary.
Guided Hiking into the mountains
Horse riding tour
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Flights - find best prices on sky scanner
Travel insurance
Guided hike to the mountains
Horse riding tour
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A small deposit will guarantee your place. Payment plans are available — get in touch with Clare to arrange
♛ Bedroom 1: King-Size Bed or 2 x Single Beds Large room with Lake views (shared bathroom)
Shared occupancy for two = £1350 pp - SOLD OUT
Single occupancy = £1750 - SOLD OUT
♛ Bedroom 2: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds (shared bathroom). Adjoining Bedroom one, but also with private access
Shared occupancy for two = £1350 pp - SOLD OUT
Single occupancy = £1750 - SOLD OUT
♛ Bedroom 3: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds, TV and Wood burning stove (shared bathroom).
Shared occupancy for two = £1400 pp - SOLD OUT
Single occupancy = £1850 - SOLD OUT
♛ Bedroom 4: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds (90cm) TV, Wood burning stove, Lake views and Terrace access (shared bathroom)
Shared occupancy for two = £1400 pp
Single occupancy = £1850
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Step 1. Fly to Akureyri with a stop over in Reykjavik. Find best prices on Sky scanner
Step 2. A pick up time will be arranged from the airport.
We suggest booking your flights in advance. Please to contact us before booking so we can see about getting everyone on the same flight where possible. If you want to arrive a day early and stay in Akureyri for the night that could also be an option. We can help you with travel arrangements.