Practice of Presence
Step away from the noise and into the present moment, experiencing the essence of the Westfjords without the constant pull of your phone.
Practice of Presence is a retreat designed to create space to connect with the landscape, yourself and those around you.
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14 - 19
September 2027
450
Patreksfjörður
English,
Icelandic*
5 - 10
Participants**
*If all participants speak Icelandic, the activities will be led in Icelandic.
**Age: 14+
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Included
Daily yoga practice
2 Sound healing sessions
1 Mindfulness session
1 Creative writing workshop
2 Meditative guided hikes
Access to the local swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna
5 nights
accommodation in Patreksfjörður.
1 lunch
2 dinners
at local restaurants.
Transfer to/from Tálknafjörður on day 2 and 4.
Transfer to/from Bíldudalur on day 3.
Meet the practitioners
Writer, artist, publisher and yoga teacher, Birta lives in Patreksfjörður, where she runs a small publishing house, print workshop and creative space, giving discarded paper a second life through sketchbooks and other forms of art. She brings creativity, love and quietude into her practice.
Elín is our local craniosacral therapist and sound healer, working with grounding practices to support deep relaxation and reconnection. Her work includes gong sessions and one-to-one therapies, encouraging a deeper awareness of the body and the present moment.
About this journey
Practice of Presence is shared in a small, intimate group, creating space for deep relaxation, inner work, and the opportunity to get to know the people you are journeying with.
This journey is designed for those who feel drawn to step away from everyday demands and explore the connection between mind, body and place, experiencing the landscapes of the Westfjords through a more attentive and introspective relationship with nature.
During your stay, we kindly invite you to put your phone away and disconnect from the online world. No notification sounds, no scrolling. Instead, we encourage you to embrace slowness and give your attention to what is around you: the landscape, the natural elements, your fellow participants and yourself.
Rather than following a rigid timetable, our journeys adapt to the weather and local conditions. This allows us to make the most of each day while keeping everyone safe and ensuring the best possible experience. The itinerary below is therefore a draft of how the week may unfold.
Flow
Arrival
Afternoon
Arrive at your own pace. Stock up on some food for the following days and check in to your accommodation. The program details will be printed out and placed in your room. Disconnect your phone.
Evening
Meet your fellow participants over a dinner featuring Icelandic cuisine at the local restaurant.
On your way back to the accommodation, take some time to look up at the sky. You might spot the stars and, if you're lucky, the northern lights. If the weather isn't inviting to be outside, curl up with that book you've been meaning to read.
Important Information
Preparedness and Flexibility
Weather can change quickly in the Westfjords, so it is important to come prepared for changing conditions and ready to enjoy the outdoors whatever the day brings. For general guidance on what to bring, see our guide to What to Pack for the Westfjords.
The order and timing of activities may change due to weather or other local circumstances. Whenever adjustments are needed, we will always provide the best possible alternatives while maintaining the spirit and quality of the experience. For more on weather conditions, see The Weather in the Westfjords.
Transportation
Travel to and from the Westfjords is not included in this journey, allowing you the flexibility to choose the option that best suits your itinerary and preferences. We are happy to help arrange selected transportation options. For more information, please see our guide Getting to the Westfjords.
All activities included in this itinerary are either within walking distance of your accommodation or include the necessary transfers.
If you choose to rent or bring your own car, and with everyone's consent, we can help connect participants before arrival to arrange car sharing.
Bicycles and e-bikes can also be pre-booked and delivered directly to your accommodation.
Unless otherwise stated, transportation between activities or during free time is not included.
Pricing
Prices are in Icelandic króna (ISK).
The price of this journey will vary depending on whether you are sharing a room or travelling alone. Once we know how many people you are travelling with, we will send you the available options and corresponding prices.
As places are limited, we encourage you to get in touch as early as possible.
This journey is sold as a complete package. Individual services included in the programme cannot be removed, substituted, or refunded if you choose not to use them.
Næra Westfjords allocates ISK 1,500 per adult from the journey price to the volunteer rescue teams in Vesturbyggð, in recognition of the invaluable role they play in keeping residents and visitors safe in our municipality. Contributions are donated annually at Christmas.
Payment
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking.
The remaining 70% is payable in a single payment no later than 60 days before the start of the journey.
You can pay securely by card via a payment link or by bank transfer. Payment instructions will be sent only from bookings[at]naerawestfjords.is.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the nature of this group journey and the coordination required between multiple local service providers, bookings are subject to the following cancellation policy:
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A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required to confirm your booking.
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Cancellations made 60 days or more before the journey starts will not incur any additional charges beyond the non-refundable deposit.
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Cancellations made less than 60 days before the start of the journey are not eligible for a refund.
All cancellations must be made and confirmed in writing to bookings[at]naerawestfjords.is.
Næra Westfjords reserves the right to cancel this journey if the minimum number of participants required has not been reached up to six weeks before the start of the journey. In this case, participants will be provided with a full refund of any payments made to Næra Westfjords. All refund amounts will be issued in Icelandic Krona (ISK).
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, personal belongings, and any other unforeseen events that may affect your travel plans.
By booking this journey you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms & Conditions.
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