Arctic Immersion
- Reimagine & Rewild -
7-13 September 2026
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.
Sisterhood
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, cold plunging, as well as mindful photography as a tool for wellness and presence.
A perfect combination of comfort and adventure 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.
Seven Days to Step Into Her
Alongside the photography and overall adventure through the wild Nordic landscapes, there is an intentional inner journey woven through the week, led by co-host and certified life coach Melanie Wilson.
It begins on Day 1 with a visualization — a powerful practice of stepping into the woman you are becoming and letting her lead the way. From there, coaching moments unfold naturally throughout the week; some formal, some spontaneous on the trail, around the fire, in the quiet after a cold plunge when something has shifted and the real conversation begins.
By Day 7, you leave not just with memories and photographs, but already living as the woman you envisioned at the start of the week. Clearer. Lighter. More herself than she's been in years.
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 - Learn to capture stunning nature shots and see beauty everywhere, with the camera as a mindfulness tool.
- Mindfulness in the Wild – Experience yoga, guided meditations and soulful coaching with co-host Melanie Wilson, creating a powerful arc of personal growth woven through every day of the retreat.
- Reiki & Energy Healing - Experience the restorative power of Reiki with Melanie who's also a certified reiki master.
- Hiking - Discover the beauty of Arctic Sweden on foot along pristine trails with a selection of hikes by co-host Sara, who grew up in these wild lands.
- Wild swimming - Optional cold plunge sessions in picturesque nature locations.
- Foraging & Forest Wisdom – Discover the wild foods of Sweden’s forests on an immersive foraging + tasting experience with renown culinary forager Eva Gunnare.
- Sauna Sessions - Daily sauna sessions located at our accommodation bases.
photography... ADVENTURES... Expansion... SLOW LIVING
Who is this retreat for?
This week-long retreat is for the woman who craves freedom, expansion, and space to breathe.
She's feeling pulled towards a life that's bigger than what she currently sees around her, and is ready to step away from the noise - of her phone, her roles, her routines - to reconnect with what’s real.
She’s drawn to wild nature, adventure, personal growth, 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, starlight, and a camera in her hands.
But perhaps most of all, she wants the space and silence to hear her own heart's wild whispers.
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 big 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, 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; 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 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 getting still and being fully present.
- A fresh way of seeing yourself and the world - through a new lens.
- Soulful sisterhood - a new tribe of women who truly get you.
- A slower inner rhythm that helps you resist the pull of urgency and performative living.
- The courage to let go of what no longer serves you, and the vision to imagine something new.
- A deeper trust in your own desires, and direction.
- A heart full of memories of starlit skies, mountain air, wild waters, and mossy stillness.
"BEYOND WORDS"
“I absolutely loved the experience Sara so lovingly crafted. The accommodation was out of this world - quiet, serene and with amazing hospitality. The locations she chose for hiking were nature’s beauty at its best. I did not want to return home.
On top of it all I got to experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis and as it happened, I felt the spiritual energies flowing... beyond words.
Thank you, Sara! This retreat gave me a different perspective of life.”
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 edible delights of the surrounding forest.
Upon return to the Lodge our retreat leader Sara will host an inspirational 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 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 enjoy an optional dip in the lake and sauna session before another nourishing dinner gathering.
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 ups!
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 sh*t 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 group 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 Wilson!
I am a retreat leader, coach, Reiki master, artist and guide. After 20 years as a creative in advertising, I took a bold leap to rebuild my life following divorce, career burnout, and the realization that I was ready to stop living by default and start creating a life aligned with my purpose.
That pivot set me on a path of reinvention; leading international retreats, hosting community wellness events, and guiding women through profound expansion. I am doing what I love, living a life that fills my cup. And it's my mission to empower others to do the same.
I believe with all my being in the transformational power of travel.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do at a crossroads is leave. It's not a getaway, it's a gateway to stepping into a higher, better version of yourself.
In a distant land, among women who get it, who get you, something opens.
You forge connection to the people and places around you, and the pieces of yourself you had forgotten. By the glow of a fire or a walk along the trail, you find a new spark. And you go home with more than a souvenir…a full heart, a circle of soul sisters, and the knowing of being found.
I can't wait to see what unfolds in this wild, mystical place. Because I believe you are the creator of your life. And in the right place, with the right people, under the right sky, the magic is real.
Booking
Your Investment
From € 4,590.- /person (shared twin room)
A limited number of single rooms available at € 5,090.-
Deposit: €700 (to reserve your spot)
Flexible Payment Plan available
Group size: minimum of 8, maximum of 12 participants.
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"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
Activity Level
Expect longer hikes, steeper inclines, and 4 - 6 hours of sustained activities, with appropriate rests. To take advantage of all the offerings during this retreat, you should be at an intermediate fitness level and lead a somewhat active lifestyle.
If you have any questions or concerns about this itinerary's Activity Level, please get on touch for more details prior to registering.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Until 3 months 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.
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!