Fire and Ice: DDY + The Northern Lights

      Akureyri, Iceland

      DD
      Dancing Dogs Yoga Travels
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      56 reviews
      Nov 13 - 20, 2021
      Group size: 14 - 24
      Fire and Ice: DDY + The Northern Lights
      Akureyri, Iceland

      Dancing Dogs Yoga Travels
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      56 reviews

      Nov 13 - 20, 2021
      Group size: 14 - 24

      About this trip

      Join Shelley Carroll for the bucket list trip of a lifetime to Akureyri, Iceland .  Together, we will chase waterfalls, search for aurora borealis,, practice daily yoga and meditation, visit power places, and soak up the energy of this amazing country!


      Iceland is a Nordic island nation known for its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and lava fields.  The northern lights, or aurora borealis, offer an entrancing, dramatic, magical display that fascinate all who see it, and this trip will offer all of the magic Iceland can muster.



      A Typical Day

      While no two days will be the same, we do have a somewhat predictable schedule for meals, because a yogi has to eat. 


      7-8am Breakfast.  Served in your apartment, self-serve, food provided.

      8:45am:  Geear up for transport to the Yoga class

      9:15 - 11:15am Yoga and Meditation

      Change clothes at wellness center and go straight to lunch!

      11:30am. Lunch

      12.45  depart for excursion or have free time!

      6pm Group Dinner

      7pm Free time or Northern Lights excursion!

      Power places, Northern lights, and spas!

      We have special events planned throughout the trip.  Please look at the detailed itinerary for all of the events.  Schedule may shift from day to day based on weather conditions and the optimal time to view the northern lights.


      While we can not GUARANTEE we will see the Northern Lights, we have chosen a time of year for optimal viewing.    Please note that the Northern lights are not on our itinerary as we will go out on the best night possible!

      Travel Logistics

      Plan to depart your home city on Friday to arrive Saturday early morning in Reykjavik (KEF = Keflavik International) then take a smaller flight from the Reykjavik smaller domestic airport to Akureyri. Your return will be the following Saturday morning from Akureyri – Reykjavik domestic, then a transfer to the International airport (Keflavik) and back home. If you choose to add extra days on your own in Reykjavik before or after the retreat dates, we are here to assist.


      Everyone will need to book 2 tickets to get to Akureyri, Northern Iceland. The first flight will be from your hometown to Reykjavik (Keflavik International).  From here, book an easy 45 minute flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Akureyri.  This is a different and smaller airport than Keflavik International.  We will list flights from Atlanta here as options by May 1.


      If you add extra days on the front or back end in Reykjavik, the city center is only 10-15 minutes to the domestic airport for the shorter inland flight.  For those of you arriving and departing on Saturday and flying all the way to Akureyri and then home on the last Saturday (no extra time in Reykjavik)  – The international airport (KEF) is 45 minutes away from the smaller inland airport (RKV), so you will need a minimum of 3.5 hours between the flights to ensure you make it through customs, luggage and take the transfer to the domestic airport.


      ARRIVALS: If you want to start searching flights, look at the overnight flights that depart on Friday night and arrive Saturday morning. DEPARTURES on the last Saturday – Most flights (ex. Iceland Air is recommended) leave between 5 and 6pm.   If you are flying home on Saturday, do not book a flight that leaves KEF before 2pm.


      Upon arrival to Akureyri, we will be transferred to our retreat, settle in, then enjoy dinner together at a local cafe in the town center. The apartments will be stocked with breakfast foods so each participant can manage their own breakfast routine before we head to daily morning yoga classes. Lunches and 5 group dinners are also included (2 dinners in Akureyri are open for the group to explore). Our hosts do their best to accommodate various dietary restrictions (such as dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian needs); please let us know these needs in advance if possible.


      Each morning at a designated time, you’ll be picked up from your apartment or hotel and transported just a few minutes across the fjord to the beautiful yoga studio and wellness center. After class, we’ll head to lunch and then out on our daily adventures to experience the majesty of our surroundings.


      Once you are registered, we’ll be in touch about your travel plans!

      What To Pack

      • winter clothes and several layers
      • thermals (top and bottom)
      • winter pants (wind- and/or water-resistant are recommended)
      • winter 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)

      What’s included

      • 7 nights lodging
        7 nights group accommodations in Akureyri, Iceland
      • Daily yoga classes
        practice yoga and meditation every morning in our own dedicated wellness center
      • Transfers
        Group transfers from Akureyri airport and Inland transfers to apartments, yoga classes and excursions.
      • Meals
        All breakfasts, lunches and five dinners. 2 dinners will be on our own
      • Hrisey Island Excursion
        Ferry ride and tour / hike on Hrisey Island (one of the power places in all of Iceland)
      • Myvatn excursion
        Myvatn full day excursion with spa entrance fees (includes Godafoss waterfall, lava landscapes, pseudo craters, dinner overlooking Dimmuborgir, a soak in volcanic hot springs and more)
      • Waterfall Chasing
        Akureyri hiking excursion with local waterfall excursion and other surprises (on snowshoes-- provided)
      • Northern Lights Chasing
        We will chase the northern lights!!!
      • GeoSea Saltwater baths
        GeoSea geothermic saltwater baths in Husavik

      What’s not included

      • Flights
        We will help you arrange flights at no cost by offering options.
      • 2 dinners
        2 dinners will be on our own in Akureyri.
      • Alcohol
      • Souveniers
      • Tips
        We will provide best practices.
      • Cancelations
        All payments paid through WeTravel are non-refundable. WeTravel recommends that you acquire travel insurance in case something goes wrong: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/home

      Available Packages

      Single Occupancy
      $4,900
      Double Occupancy
      $4,300


      Itinerary

      Day 1: Saturday
      Arrival

      Arrive in Akureyi and get settled in.  Group dinner to begin our retreat, stargazing and settling in.

      Your Organizer


      DD
      Dancing Dogs Yoga Travels
      56 reviews
      Dancing Dogs Yoga is a kickass, feel good Yoga community. Shelley Carroll has been leading trainings and retreats for over a decade, and each trip promises connection, adventure, and to leave you feeling Zen AF.

      Reviews

      My experience was incredible! The Dominican Jungle Treehouse was breathtaking and I plan to return in the future. The entire Yoga Retreat was beautiful with delicious wholesome food, a wonderful, friendly and attentive staff, inlcuding the manager Alex who was on top of every detail. It's a gorgeous, clean place like no other. Shelley Carrol models excellence in business and Dancing Dogs Yoga overdelivers!
      By Millicent S for Learn to Run Successful Retreats with DDY Travels on Sep 15, 2023
      Another epic retreat in the books!! Such an awesome way to kick off my 50th birthday celebration! The food was delicious, the yacht was gorgeous, and the crew was fantastic! The swim stops were phenomenal and I’m so glad we had the chance to see the blue grotto! That heat wave did not stop me from having a great experience!
      By Kendra G for Yoga Luxury Yacht Adventure on Jul 31, 2023
      AJ
      DDY Travels does it again. This was my second retreat and IT WAS EPIC! The accommodations & location were so luxurious and the challenge of doing yoga on a yacht was definitely a new experience. Such a perfect balance of yoga, meditation, relaxation, fun and adventure and the new friends made and experiences shared will forever be imprinted as some of the best times in my life. If you are thinking about joining a DDY Travels retreat...you will not be disappointed. Find your paradise now.
      By Andrea J for Yoga Luxury Yacht Adventure on Jul 25, 2023
      sk
      This retreat was such an incredible time. From the yoga itself, to exploring the National Park itself, to visiting the cactus garden at sunset, to exploring the town itself, Shelley created time and space to genuinely experience this magical space! I will always remember, however, that the desert is COLD in November!
      By sam k for Joshua Tree Yoga Adventure on Mar 09, 2023
      It was fun trip in a beautiful place!
      By Susan W for Yoga + Surf Camp on Feb 12, 2023
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      References

      I was fortunate enough to complete my YTT at the Dominican Tree House Village in El Valle, Samana. I am so thankful for Shelley and being able to share my yoga story. Shelley is a woman of many virtues but my favorite is her being able to hold space for diverse populations in yoga (BIPOC/LGBTQIA+). I was supported during my learning journey, and encouraged throughout my training to continue to create space for other individuals like myself. Our training was well organized, detail oriented, knowledgeable, and a healthy balance between learning, resting, and adventure! I was paired with the best roommate and suite mates ever! I am terrified of being in the jungle but knowing I was there with three other women, made it so worth while. Finally, Emma made the most amazing Dominican cuisine for us daily and the Tree House Staff were so hospitable. I would absolutely go on another training/retreat with Shelley and the crew!
      By Chelsea E on 26 Oct, 2022
      What an amazing trip! This was my second DDY retreat and I will be back for more! The resort was beautiful, with a yoga Shala that looked out over the ocean and has a jungle backdrop! And on top of that, the food was amazing! The variety of both included and optional activities where amazing, in addition to the twice daily yoga. My personal favs were the sound healing, and the Mayan clay ceremony. The fellow retreaters where also amazing and really made it a trip to remember! Can’t wait for the next retreat!
      By Theodora G on 04 Feb, 2022
      Business with partners.
      By Aboubacar C on 24 Oct, 2019