Arctic Immersion
- Reimagine & Rewild -
18 - 24 th of September 2025
Disconnect from the chaos of the day-to-day and allow yourself to lean into a wilder and simpler way of being - leaving your roles, your scroll, your shoulds behind - and come home to the woman you are, beneath it all.
Nature
Welcome to an unforgettable journey into the wild landscapes of Northern Sweden. Nature isn’t just scenery here, it’s the backdrop to personal transformation.
Over seven days and six nights, we will explore the stunning lands of this hidden Scandinavian gem.
Connection
Come together with like-minded women for a soulful journey into the wild.
Designed for adventurous, curious women, this intimate experience blends outdoor adventure, creativity, mindfulness, and deep soul nourishment.
EXPANSION
This retreat offers opportunities for relaxing in traditional Swedish saunas, as well as exploring breathwork and photography as tools for wellness and presence.
Offering the perfect combination of comfort while exploring some of the world’s most pristine natural landscapes.
Arctic Sweden IN September is a quiet kind of magic...
The air is crisp and clear. The light softens, turning golden in that unmistakable way that only the North knows. Birch leaves shimmer like coins in the breeze, sunlit and trembling, while the first touches of red and ochre begin to paint the forest floor.
You can feel the shift, not just in the landscape, but in your body. Nature is preparing to exhale, and you, too, are invited to slow down. To listen. To ground.
Some mornings are touched with frost, other days hold onto the warmth of late summer. It’s the season of the in-between - where you walk through mist in the morning and watch pink skies dance with the mountains at dusk.
It’s a time for layering wool, picking the last blueberries, and if you listen closely, hearing the rustle of reindeer in the forest. Fires feel more sacred, conversations more honest. And somehow, even silence feels like company.
There’s something ancient in the air. A kind of remembering. And if you’re lucky, you may witness the northern lights perform their mesmerizing dance across the night sky, reflected like liquid poetry in still autumn lakes.
No crowds, no noise. Just you, the stars, and the wonder of the Earth’s magic.
What's included?
- Six nights accommodation - Twin share basis. Single room available for an additional fee.
- Private transport throughout the whole week.
- All meals - 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners. Plus healthy snacks for hikes etc (Special dietary needs catered for).
- Expert photography guidance with host Sara Lindström - Learn how to capture beautiful nature images in both day and night settings under Sara's personal guidance.
- Guided hiking - Discover the beauty of Arctic Sweden on foot along pristine trails with a selection of guided hikes.
- Guided Breathwork and optional cold plunge sessions in picturesque nature locations.
- Forest Foraging Excursion - Discover the wild, edible bounty of the forest with reknowned forager Eva Gunnare.
- Yoga classes - Participate in our private group yoga sessions to stretch your muscles and relax the mind.
- Sauna Sessions - Optional daily sauna sessions located at our accommodation bases.
- Autumn Equinox Fire Ceremony - Celebrate the changing of the seasons with a guided intention ceremony led by our host Melanie Sands.
photography... BREATHWORK... SOFT ADVENTURES... SLOW LIVING
Who is this retreat for?
This week-long retreat is for the woman who craves space to breathe.
She’s ready to step away from the noise - of her phone, her roles, her routines - and reconnect with what’s real.
She’s drawn to wild nature, meaningful connection, and the kind of beauty that can’t be filtered.
Whether she’s a creative, a coach, a healer, or simply in a season of reimagining her life, she’s ready to see the world - and herself - through a new lens.
She doesn’t want a luxury spa escape.
She wants soul, silence, and starlight.
And a camera in her hands.
SOUND LIKE YOU?
The ACCOMMODATION
Split in between a forest and a mountain location, the whole week you'll be staying in cosy, modern comfort - in therapeutical natural surroundings.
Tucked beside a mirror-still lake and framed by whispering pine forests, Sörbyn Lodge is a hidden gem in Swedish Lapland where rustic charm meets simple luxury.
With its cozy modern rooms, sauna by the water’s edge, and slow, nourishing meals crafted from local ingredients, it’s a place that invites you to exhale fully, and remember what stillness feels like.
Cradled by ancient mountains and the clear northern sky, Årrenjarka Mountain Lodge feels like stepping into a sacred Nordic storybook.
Timeless wooden cabins, crackling fireplaces, and panoramic views create the perfect backdrop for quiet reflection, deep connection, and wild, starlit wonder.
Here, the land holds you, and something inside you softens.
The food
The meals at both lodges are a quiet ceremony in themselves; deeply nourishing, locally sourced, and thoughtfully prepared with care and intention.
You’ll savor dishes inspired by the land: wild-caught fish, handpicked berries, root vegetables pulled from the earth, and slow-cooked stews that warm you from the inside out.
Everything is seasonal, sustainable, and infused with Nordic simplicity - comforting without being heavy, rustic yet refined.
Mornings begin with steaming coffee, fresh-baked bread, and wholesome breakfasts that ground you for the day. Dinners are shared around the table, lit by candlelight and conversation - unhurried, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying.
Whether you’re plant-based, gluten-free, or omnivore, the food is not only accommodating, it’s a part of the medicine.
(Most allergies or special food preferences can be catered for - just let us know when requesting to join ♥).
return home with...
- A grounded clarity - gained not from thinking, but from feeling deeply and being fully present
- A renewed connection to your body through breathwork, movement, and deep rest
- A fresh way of seeing yourself and the world - through the lens and from within
- Photographs that reflect not just your face, but your truth and essence
- Soulful sisterhood - real conversations, shared silence, and women who truly get you
- A slower inner rhythm that helps you resist the pull of urgency and performative living
- Practical tools for nervous system regulation, digital boundaries, and conscious presence
- A heart full of memories of starlit skies, mountain air, wild waters, and mossy stillness
- A deeper trust in your own cycles, desires, and direction
- The courage to let go of what no longer serves you, and the vision to imagine something new
A glimpse at the itinerary
Mama Nature is impredicatble, and we will be dancing along to the beat of her drum, but this gives you an idea of what awaits you:
Day 1: Our trip starts in the vibrant city of Luleå, known for its unique blend of Arctic beauty, cultural heritage and modern innovation. We will travel north in our private vehicle to reach Sörbyn Lodge, far away from any city buzz, where a warm, wood-heated sauna will await us.
In the late afternoon we will hold our welcome circle, followed by our first dinner together. Tonight you may get your first glimpse of the Northern Lights!
On Day 2 we'll head off on a Foraging excursion with local expert Eva Gunnare, and learn all about the incredible edible delights of the surrounding forest. Upon return to the Lodge our retreat leader Sara will host an Introduction to Photography workshop. Then we'll head out again to a beautiful secluded nature spot for a mindfulness session with Melanie. We'll end the day with delicious dinner at the Lodge.
Our 3rd Day on retreat will start with yin yoga and breakfast before we'll depart on a hike, with an option to go kayaking on the lake. We'll soothe our muscles in the sauna, followed by a another wholesome dinner. Tonight is a trip highlight - a night photography session under the open sky.
On Day 4 we'll enjoy a morning yoga class, before we depart for Årrenjarka Lodge, incorporating scenic stops and a picnic along the way. Upon arrival at Årrenjarka we'll get settled in, try out the sauna and enjoy a warming dinner together.
On Day 5 we will set off on a mountain hike, taking in the dramatic scenery of this unique Lapland landscape. Back at the Lodge, we'll enjoy an optional dip in the lake and sauna session. At sunset we will doing a Spiritual Fire Ceremony to mark the Autumn Equinox, and enjpying another evening of Stargazing.
On Day 6, it'll be your opportunity to have a private portrait photography session with Sara, or enjoy free time around the Lodge, do a short hike, swim, or sauna.
On our final morning of Day 7, we will travel along a scenic route back to Luleå via Storforsen River. Upon arrival we will say our farewells and start planning our next meet up.
Meet your Hosts
Howdy, I'm Sara Lindström!
In my role as a travel & adventure photographer, I've had the priviledge to roam all over the globe to chase light and beauty with my camera through my work, but it has struck me that few places compare to my home in Swedish Lapland.
It took a global pandemic for me to slow down enough to fully see and then rapidly fall in love with the untamed beauty and serenity still available in this remote corner of Europe, and today I'm passionate about sharing it with others. Not only for it's visual splendour, but for the highly positive impact these unexploited landscapes tend to have on our own bodies and minds.
I am all too familiar with the conscious commitment it often takes to prioritize your own well-being and find the balance in life. That struggle of turning off the mental noise constantly demanding us to be more, perform better and get more shit done.
Nature is the place where I go to recharge, find my inspiration and reconnect with the whispers of my heart.
My intention with gathering a small crew of women here is to share some of the many treasures I've found, to teach you how to use nature and photography as a kind of mindfulness tool, and to give you a glimpse of a different way of life, a little wilder and simpler.
Hi, I'M Melanie Sands!
With over a decade of experience leading life-changing retreats around the world, I bring deep passion, global expertise, and heart-centered guidance to every journey I create.
Raised in Australia with an unshakable curiosity for the world, I have explored hidden corners of the globe, led adventure tours across four continents, and pursued studies in Tourism Management and Outdoor Leadership and later, Holistic Therapies and Naturopathy. My background blends the adventurous with the intentional, creating the perfect foundation for transformative wellness experiences.
For the past 11 years, I have curated soul-nourishing retreats that inspire deep personal growth, inner clarity, and holistic healing. I'm the founder of Vida Sana, and currently lead transformative experiences both through my own brand and as Head of Retreats at Palmaïa, Mexico’s premier wellness resort.
In 2023, I relocated to the Riviera Maya with my three children to be closer to these sacred lands and expand my offerings.
All my retreats are rooted in nature, guided by intention, and designed to reconnect you to your truest self, and feel lighter, more aligned, and empowered with a renewed connection to your health and purpose.
Your Investment
€ 4,490.- /person (shared twin room)
Single room available at an extra cost.
Deposit: €700 (to reserve your spot)
Flexible Payment Plan available
Group size: minimum of 8, maximum of 12 participants.
NOTE:
This retreat is a co-creation with Melanie Sands of Vida Sana Retreats
and all payments will go through her.
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** Early Bird Bonus (Register by June 30, 2025) **
- Complimentary Mini Portrait Shoot with Sara (Valued €850!)
- 1-on-1 Holistic Nutrition consult + custom plan with Melanie
Early bird
Bonus offer
IN HER TRUE ELEMENT Photoshoot
Set in the breathtaking nature, this is a space to let your guard down and unravel your authentic self in front of the camera.
Whether you're ready to unleash your inner wild woman or feel shy in front of the camera, we’ll create space to express the parts of you longing to be seen.
This mini shoot will result in 10 powerful images for you to always remember the radiant version of yourself you called forth during this retreat.
Register before June 30th 2025 and this will be a gift to you ♥
"It is not by accident that the pristine wilderness of our planet disappears as the understanding of our own inner wild nature fades.”
- Clarissa Pinkola Estés
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Until 30 days before start date - 50% of the fee will be refunded in the unfortunate event that you have to cancel your booking. After this point no refunds will be given due to the difficulty to fill your spot on such short notice (unless you find your own replacement).
Make sure you have an insurance covering you in case you would get sick or otherwise unable to attent.
If we are forced to cancel the retreat for any reason (like too few participants signed up), your entire participation fee will be refunded to you.
TRAVEL DIRECTIONS
Meeting point: Luleå Central Station. Make sure to be on this location no later than 1.30pm on the 18th of September.
The night train from Stockholm is a great, sustainable way to get here.
Although we encourage starting your adventure by travelling here by rail, a speedier option is to catch a flight to Kallax (Luleå Airport). There are several connections every single day.
Don't hesitate to reach out for any questions! We are happy to give you guidance.
FAQ
I don't have fancy camera, can I still join?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve had people on retreats with nothing but their iPhone camera! Although it’s one of the cornerstones, my retreats are about so much more than just photography. They provide you with time in nature, stillness, sisterhood, and an opportunity to truly slow down. All you need to join is a curiosity to learn and maybe a little extra patience for when other people stop to take photos and might require more time with their camera equipment.
Do I need any prior outdoor experience to attend?
No prior experience is required. Most retreats are designed to accommodate all skill levels, from beginners to experienced outdoor enthusiasts. However, a basic level of physical fitness is recommended.
What should I bring?
You’ll get a full list of recommended things to bring when you book your spot. In general, you should pack comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities in accordance to the season you're traveling, layers, sturdy footwear, a water bottle, your photography equipment - and of course, a sense of adventure!
Are there any age restrictions?
Most women that have attended my retreats in the past have been between 25 and 55, but the space is open to any age, as long as you are at least 18 years of age.
Can I attend a retreat if I have dietary restrictions?
Yes! We are able to accommodate most special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, lactose and gluten-free, or allergies. Be sure to let us know your dietary restrictions when you book your spot.
I would be traveling solo for the first time - and I’m a bit scared!
Traveling within Europe is generally safe and fairly easy due to the excellent train and airport network. Of course, you might feel a little out of your comfort zone in the beginning but we will provide you with all the information you need to make it safely to your destination. Traveling to Arctic Sweden? Get excited! Despite what most people think, real people live here and we have roads and infrastructure to get around!
What about all the wild animals, will they eat me?
Most likely not ;-) You will hopefully see wild animals of all sorts, from very small to large, but the chance of something happening to you is statistically extremely low.
I love the sound of this but I don't identify as a woman. Do you offer retreats for mixed groups?
From my experience, women tend to have a harder time relaxing and taking up space in mixed groups. That’s why I’m focused on creating women-only spaces at the moment. I’m open to mixed groups but don’t have the marketing bandwidth to launch another offering at the moment. If you’d like to explore options for a private workshop or retreat, I’d love to hear from you!