THE TRAVEL YOGI
Iceland Yoga Adventure
Trip in One Word: Breathtaking
What You’ll Experience in Iceland
From the volcanic power that continues to form this island to the big-little-city hum of Reykjavík, this island is alive. On our yoga retreat in Iceland, you’ll venture off the tourist trail and revel in an otherworldly landscape where the trolls and elves of local folklore would fit right in. Secret waterfalls, black-sand beaches, nature-made hot springs and the quirky charm of the local culture come together in an adventure both powerful and relaxing. This yoga retreat in Iceland will truly take your breath away.
How You’ll Experience Iceland
On your yoga retreat in Iceland, you’ll hike, wander and soak your way to a state of energetic harmony with the living earth. You’ll sample local fare on a food tour through vibrant Reykjavik and visit rustic fishing villages guarded by half-human deities from the Icelandic Sagas. You’ll walk through a 50-foot-wide lava tube, stand in the shadow of the majestic Kirkjufell mountain, revel in explosions of geothermal color and rejuvenate in the infinity pool-like hot springs of Hvammsvík. In a few steps, you’ll cross a bridge from North America to Europe (it’s possible, we promise!). Along the way, you’ll integrate Iceland’s striking volcano-carved beauty with daily yoga practices.
How You’ll Feel When You Return Home
Wherever on Earth you live, you’ll return from this Iceland yoga retreat adventure awed at the force sleeping beneath our planet’s surface. Inspired by Iceland’s use of geothermal energy, you’ll carry a seed of hope for a future of environmental harmony. You’ll see shadows of (friendly!) trolls on nature walks and every time you take a hot bath, you’ll close your eyes and imagine the feeling of volcanic mud between your fingers as you drift back to Iceland in your memory.
Iceland Yoga Retreat Details
Reykjavík
Snaefellsnes
Reykjanes
Iceland Yoga Retreat Upcoming Dates
Leslie Sikes
Leslie Sikes
Leslie Sikes is a Cincinnati yoga instructor with over 15 years of teaching in studio, institutional, and private settings. She recently participated in a Travel Yogi trip to the Galapagos Islands. It truly changed her life in many ways.
Leslie teaches yoga studies for The University of Cincinnati. This curriculum allows college students to access yoga and meditation through their college career. She was the driving force behind the creation of a yoga studies certificate that consists of coursework from yoga classes through the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Medicine, and the College of Arts & Sciences – a first of its kind at the University. She also teaches yoga for the UC men’s basketball and UC women’s volleyball teams.
Leslie’s yoga training consists of 200 YTT in Ashtanga Yoga, 300 YTT in Rocket Yoga and certifications in Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Mindfulness. She recently completed her 500 YTT at Modo Yoga Nicaragua and currently teaches hot yoga and workshops for Embra Yoga Cincinnati.
When it comes to teaching, Leslie’s goal is to help students use yoga to stay connected both spiritually and physically, on and off their mats. She loves music and is constantly creating new music playlists to match her teachings, which she subsequently shares with her students. Leslie currently lives in Clifton with her husband and two girls, Lila and Rose.
Leslie’s Galapagos Story
I found The Travel Yogi through the Yoga Journal as a sweepstakes to win a free yoga retreat to Iceland. While I didn’t win, I reached out to the company to see what they were all about. I’m a 42 year old yoga instructor who lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two kids, ages 14 and 11. The Galapagos Island trip had been on my bucket list since I was a little girl. I knew this was the right time in my life to travel again. I decided I should travel as a student first to see the experience from that side. I was completely blown away by my experience! The food, culture, hospitality, yoga practice, local guides of the island, and time to detach from everything at home was crucial for my mental health. I returned home recharged with a fresh outlook on life, and couldn’t wait for the next trip. I made a new group of friends as the Travel Yogi trips seem to attract open-minded, non-judgemental, diverse and friendly people! This is what inspired me to host my own yoga retreat in Panama, the beach lover’s vacation. If you’re looking for a way to detach and “replenish your soul”, come meet me in February 2024. You’ll feel recharged and full of life inside and out.
Emily Devers
Emily Devers
Emily is a compassionate yoga instructor committed to guiding students on a journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being. Her yoga practice began long ago as supplemental stretching to marathon training. Realizing the yogic lifestyle was much more than “stretching”, Emily began to enjoy the benefits of the mind/body connection. The benefit of mindfulness enhanced her professional career of nearly 25 years in Nuclear Cardiology as well as raising two daughters. After practicing yoga for 15 years, Emily received her 200 hour training in 2019 through True Love Yoga in Kansas City, MO. Soon after, she retired from the hospital setting and received her 500 hour advanced training certificate with Jason Crandell of San Francisco. Emily holds certificates in Yoga for Golfers, Yoga for Cancer and Meditation/Restorative Yoga. In November 2023, Emily co-founded Easy Tiger Yoga in Parkville, MO. The studio offers vinyasa, hatha, restorative and yin classes, as well as teacher workshops and trainings.
With a health care background and a passion for mindfulness, Emily seamlessly blends physical postures with breath awareness and meditation techniques to create a nurturing and transformative yoga experience. Her classes emphasize self-acceptance, body awareness, and inner peace, empowering students to cultivate balance and harmony in their lives.
From medical missions in Romania and Africa to hiking adventures in Patagonia, Peru and Slovenia, if she hasn’t been there, it is on her list. The Travel Yogi is the perfect blend of her two favorite passions. Join Emily as you travel to awaken your body, calm your mind, and nourish your soul.
Cortney Ostrosky
Cortney Ostrosky
Cortney Ostrosky is an international Yoga Teacher, host of The Unique Way Podcast, Massage Therapist, Lululemon Legacy Ambassador and Airbnb Superhost based in Charleston, SC.
She leads yoga retreats across the globe, inspires over 13K people globally through her Instagram account, and has been featured on the cutting edge fitness app Alo Moves.
Cortney has over 1000 hours of training in yoga (Jivamukti, Baptiste, Laughing Lotus, Ashtanga) and has 17 years of experience in bodywork & massage therapy which provide her with inspiration and vast knowledge to create powerful classes and retreat experiences.
Cortney is known for intelligent, creative sequencing, while weaving in timeless wisdom & depth.
Her retreats are great for all levels of practitioners – everyone is welcome! You can be a total novice or an advanced yogi & she’ll make sure you feel right at home.
STAY TUNED FOR NEW ADVENTURE DATES...
In the meantime check out other great Yoga Adventure locations. Join our newsletter for the latest updates and new adventure location dates.
What's Included
- Morning vinyasa and/or evening chill-out yoga practice
- Foodie walking tour of Reykjavik
- Three nights in a Reykjavik lux hotel
- Four nights discovering nature in Snaefellsness and Húsafell
- Explore iconic and tucked-away Iceland gems:
- Soak in the natural hot springs and amazing scenery of Hvammsvik
- Plumb the depths of Iceland’s largest lava cave
- Wander the banks of Selvallavatn and behind (if you dare) Selvallafoss
- Stroll the quaint fishing village of Arnarstapi
- Take a short stroll to Langifoss and soak in the Húsafell Canyon baths
- Hike Úlfarsfell for amazing views over Reykjavik
- Sky gazing in the perfect dark of nature to spy the Northern Lights (winter & spring trips)
- Late fall, winter and spring trips can spend each night in the country spying for lights (always worth looking when in town too!)
- Summer trips can stroll the river Straumfjarðará and bask under the midnight sun
- Reykjanes Peninsula day trip
- Cross the ‘bridge’ and the continental divide between the American and Eurasian plates – walk from America to Europe (ha)
- Stroll the Krýsuvíkurleiðin route on the Reykjanese Peninsula
- Head to the Blue Lagoon for a long soak
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon with extras
- Full buffet breakfast daily
- Five included lunches and six delicious Icelandic dinners (vegetarian and non-vegetarian options)
- Transportation to and from Keflavik (KEF) airport (on arrival and departure days only)
What's Not Included
- Airfare to Iceland
- One lunch & one dinner
- Additional excursions
- Alcohol or items of a personal nature/souvenirs
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Gratuities
Accommodations
ReykjavÍk HOtels
We have the option of using two different hotels in Reykjavik for our in-town adventures. Regardless of the hotel, all rooms offer comfort blended with Scandinavian efficiency and luxury. Clean, crisp rooms and bathrooms lull each yogi to sleep. Bask in the thoughtful extras of heated towel racks (a welcome luxury), long tubs and deep, comfortable beds. Our Reykjavik hotels are all city center and walkable to the main square or the long art/shopping street of Laugavegur.
Snaefellsnes & Area hotels
Enjoy the charm and hospitality of a family owned boutique hotel in Snaefellsnes and the luxury dark, remote skies for Northern Lights spying. We’ll move between Snaefellsnes and a tucked-away corner of the country near the Langjökull glacier for remote beauty and exploring. Both locations feature locally sourced cuisine, spacious (and warm) rooms, blackout blinds for sleeping under the midnight sun and stunning local scenery.
Itinerary
Iceland yoga retreat schedules will vary slightly based on weather and final itineraries will go out to the travel crew about a month prior to departure. Our schedule below gives you an overall picture of what a weeklong wellness and yoga retreat in Iceland will look like:
1
DAY ONE
- Early (very early for most of us) morning arrival in Iceland
- Transfer to Reykjavik (approx 1hr) and drop bags off at our hotel
- Rejuvenate with some coffee and take a few moments to relax
- Head out to get a lay of the land and to fill your belly on a walking foodie tour of Reykjavik
- Get your bearings and a gastronomical tour of this eaty-eclectic country
- Play in downtown or stroll back and check in to your room
- Evening de-plane and welcome yoga class
- Group welcome dinner
2
DAY TWO
- Morning yoga and group buffet breakfast
- Pack up and head out for the northern wilds…
- Pack your swimsuit in your day bag as our first stop en route north is at the nature hot springs and stunning scenery of Hvammsvik
- Weather permitting we’ll hike a local mountain at Hvammsvik for some crazy stunning views before lunch
- Dry off and head north to explore the fishing village of Borgarnes
- Enjoy a stroll around town and maybe a coffee stop to sit and local-watch
- Reaching the peninsula we’ll check-in, chill out and get ready for this evening’s yoga class
- Freshen up and come together for dinner and a first chance at spying the lights (fall/winter/spring)
3
DAY THREE
- Morning yoga and breakfast
- Today we head out into the wilds of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (today’s itinerary will vary slightly based on season and weather)
- Don some hiking shoes and a rain jacket and strolling behind gorgeous Selvallefoss
- Head to the iconic mountain of Kirkjufell and the scenic Kirkjufellsfoss
- Take a brief nature-respite as we stop at a family-owned and operated restaurant for some smiles and Icelandic cuisine
- With full bellies we’ll head out to explore Lóndrangar, the nearby black sand beach and symmetrical basalt cliffs
- Stroll the sleepy town of Hellnar and Arnarstapi and marvel at the Gatklettur arch
- Unwind in this evening’s yoga class and enjoy a delicious dinner at ‘home’
4
DAY FOUR
- Wake up with morning yoga and an Icelandic breakfast
- Pack up and head out to a new corner of hidden nature
- Today’s short drive from the Snaefellsnes area will be punctuated by a few secret stops along the way (our guys know the best spots and when the weather/season is right for each!)
- Check-in and enjoy lunch in the countryside
- This afternoon will be yours to rest, explore or book some time on horseback
- Come together, rested and ready, for evening yoga and a delicious local meal
5
DAY FIVE
- Early morning yoga and a fuel-up breakfast
- Grab your hiking boots and your swim suit
- Boots first as we are of for the morning (easy) hike to Langifoss
- The hike’s reward (besides the gorgeous two-tiered waterfall) is a soak in the natural hot springs in the canyon
- After enjoying a local lunch we’ll head out to explore some of Iceland’s most beautiful geological marvels
- Look, but don’t touch, the geothermal spring at Deildartunguhver (this is, incidentally, where your evening’s hot water is coming from)
- From hot springs to hot lava… we’ll head to Víðgelmir to explore Iceland’s largest lava tunnel and cave
- This evening’s yoga class and dinner can be followed by a walk in the midnight sun or some of the best chances to see the Aurora Borealis (due to the geography of the region – we’re staying in the Aurora Zone)
6
DAY SIX
- Good morning yoga class and breakfast
- Today we’ll be heading back to Reykjavik but before we get to town we’ll sneak in a few sneaky extra explorations
- Just before Reykjavik we’ll hit the Úlfarsfell hiking path – this easy hike culminates in some stunning views over the water and Reykjavik itself
- We’ll check-in and enjoy some free time to head back to favorite spots in town
- Dinner is on your own tonight but we’ve got plenty of suggestions from the traditional to the Icelandic-twist on the international
7
DAY SEVEN
- Morning yoga and group buffet breakfast
- Today we’re heading out to visit the homes of the elves, Vikings (only kinda kidding) and the stunning Reykjanes Peninsula
- Today begins with the otherworldly… a hike through the colors, geothermal oddities and volcanic history of Sogin
- Visit Kleifarvatn for a view of the seismic-ly beautiful Kleifarvarvatn and walk the “bridge” between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates
- Crossing Iceland’s tectonic plates isn’t all they have to offer… mud-pots, steaming vents and multi-colored mineral deposits are all part of the beauty of Krýsuvíkurleiðin
- We’ll enjoy lunch out on the peninsula and fill up before an afternoon of pampering and luxuriating
- After a day of exploring we’ll head for a soak in the warm-zenness of the Blue Lagoon
- You’ll have a few hours to relax in the waters and chill. Entrance with us includes:
- a pre-treatment in-water silica mud mask
- a drink of your choice from the swim-up bar in the Lagoon
- skin smoothing-tightening-glowing-allaroundawesome in-water algae mask
- You’ll have a few hours to relax in the waters and chill. Entrance with us includes:
- Head back into town for the final yoga class on our Iceland yoga retreat adventure
- We’ll come together for a final dinner in town and delicious send off from the week with new friends and plenty of memory souvenirs
8
DAY EIGHT
- Depending on your flight time it’s up for breakfast, hugs and goodbyes
- Transfer to KEF and shuffle through a week’s awesome memories while waiting to board
- Öruggar ferðir og sjáumst fljótlega aftur!
TESTIMONIALS
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Of course. Once you’re booked you’ll receive an email with important logistical information and a link to your invoice. You can pay any amount at any time on the invoice; you can use it as a payment plan or leave it alone until the final due date. Remember that deposits are non-refundable so, on all trips, we recommend purchasing travel insurance.
