Land of Fire & Ice Retreat

Experience the Energy of Iceland

Right from the comfort of your own couch…with our Retreat Recap below

“Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.”

— Carol Pearson

Day One: A Colorful Start in Reykjavík

Our retreat kicked off with a stay in Reykjavík, a city that beautifully blends modern energy with small-town charm. So eager to dive in, we all arrived early for some pre-retreat fun, each person selecting their must-see spots to explore and prepare for the experience ahead. From the very start, it was clear that the magic of Iceland—and the deep belief in its folk tales—was alive in the air, setting the tone for what was to come.

We found our first hotel a little quirky but its location simply could not be beat. As we wandered through Reykjavík’s colorful streets, taking in its vibrant art, cozy cafes, and rich history, it became obvious that the city was as much a part of the experience as the landscape. The friendly, welcoming locals and vibrant city that definitely does not let the absence of the sun slow it down, would shape our journey, drawing us closer together and opening our hearts to the adventure that lay ahead.

We began with a warm, laughter-filled meal at Grillmarkaðurinn, a local restaurant with the most incredible fresh Icelandic food and a total immersion into the powerful vibe of Iceland. With an opening prayer and a toast to the spirits of the Land of Fire & Ice Retreat was officially launched.

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Day Two: Waterfalls, Waves, and Wonders on the Way to Vik

With an early morning goodbye to the colorful city we set off on a scenic journey along Iceland's rugged South Coast. Known for its awe-inspiring waterfalls, we explored two of the country’s most enchanting falls, as well as a few hidden gems off the beaten path.

The beauty of visiting waterfalls in midwinter is truly unmatched. The frozen landscapes and snow-covered surroundings created a breathtaking winter wonderland.

Our first stop was the iconic Seljalandsfoss, where the falls were crowned with glistening icicles. The mist from the waterfall had frozen into a stunning sheet of ice, enhancing the natural beauty of the scene. Though we couldn't walk behind the falls due to the icy conditions, the view from the front was nothing short of spectacular—an unforgettable display of winter's magic.

We then had an incredibly delicious lunch at Skógafoss Cafe, which overlooked Skógafoss, one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland. Skógafoss is known for creating rainbows due to the mist from its powerful drop, and we were blessed with rainbows our entire visit. We connected with the guardian and protector troll tucked in a cliff facing the falls—could be he even allowed us a glimpse of the treasure said to be hidden behind the falls (you guys do realize, the brightest treasure is greeting your own soul after the falls lightened its burdens, right?). Skógafoss has appeared in numerous TV shows and Hollywood movies, including Vikings, Thor, and Game of Thrones.

Some adventurers strapped on crampons and took a 20-minute hike to the top for an incredible perspective of the falls. From above, the view was nothing short of breathtaking, offering a unique vantage point of the powerful cascade and the surrounding landscape.

We took a step back in time at the Skógar Folk Museum, where we witnessed a quintessential Icelandic scene: traditional turf houses nestled into the Earth. These turf-roofed homes were the primary type of shelter until the 20th century when importing building supplies became easier in this largely treeless country. As we explored the old ways of life, we gained insight into what made the Icelandic people tough, hardworking, and strong-willed—and perhaps discovered a bit of that strength in ourselves along the way.

Right next door there was a 20-minute hike to the stunning Kvernufoss, surrounded by breathtaking countryside at every turn. Icelandic horses grazed peacefully, and the rocky hills seemed to hold countless faces—giants, trolls, dragons, and more—etched into the landscape by nature's hand. The 98-foot waterfall, nestled in a gorge and partially hidden by moss-covered black volcanic cliffs, was one of the most striking falls we witnessed. A few brave souls ventured behind the falls, feeling the cool mist and the power of the water. The stream was so pure that our guide Tomas gave permission to drink from it, adding to the magical experience of this incredible place.

Our day continued with some of the wildest landscapes in Iceland, rich in the folklore of the Huldufolk, the hidden people of Iceland's magical realms.

Just down the road, we were enchanted by the sunset at the mystical Reynisfjara black sand beach. The basalt caves, black sand, and towering stacks of basalt rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean evoked a sense of power and drama. The legends here were as wild as the landscape itself, and as we walked the beach, we felt as though anything could happen. We even received a special welcoming message from the Landvættir (pronounced lahnd-vah-tir), the powerful guardians of Iceland, protecting the natural and spiritual integrity of the land they inhabit. The four Landvættir are the Dragon of the East, the Griffin of the North, the Bull of the West, and the Giant of the South.

Legends abound here tied to the land and sea. The sea stacks or “needles” at Reynisfjara, were formed when the Three Trolls of Vik—Skessudrangur, Laddrangur, and Langhamar—tried to capture an unfortunate ship and drag it to shore. Despite battling against the tide, they continued struggling with their prize until the sun rose, turning them into stone. These stone trolls remain “asleep” there to this day.

After dinner at Black Crust Pizzeria (oh and Iceland takes the pizza win with unusual pairings and a specialty black crust dough infused with charcoal), we checked into our comfortable hotel, where we’d stay for the next three nights, ready to rest and reflect on the day’s magical experiences.

Did we say rest? Well, we thought we might—but excitement from the day’s adventure kept us going long into the night. We gathered, played games, and chatted, which turned out to be the perfect plan. Why? Because the Northern Lights decided to join in on the fun!

Icelandic folklore is rich with stories about the norðurljós—the Northern Lights. Many believed the lights were the spirits of the deceased, particularly those who hadn’t yet found their final resting place. Others thought the vibrant glow was the elves and hidden people (Huldufólk) dancing in the night sky, with some even claiming to hear music and laughter accompanying the display.

For Icelanders, the lights were often seen as a sign of good luck, especially for those about to embark on a journey or significant life event. Sometimes, though, they were considered a warning of impending bad weather. One legend told that the lights were reflections from the shields and armor of Valkyries—female warriors who determined who would die in battle and join Odin in Valhalla. The lights were believed to be the "Bifrost Bridge," a glowing, pulsating arch leading fallen warriors to their final resting place.

For us, the lights formed what’s known as an Aurora Arc, creating a rainbow-like spectacle across the night sky. Then the arc slowly dissipated, and the lights moved and swirled with us as we danced with them beneath the stars. As if not amazing enough already, a fellow traveler from the US joined us and shared his star knowledge with us late into the night.

Day Three: Mýrdalsjökull Glacier & Katla Ice Cave

We grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the meeting spot for the first of our three special private tour excursions. A Super Jeep rolled up, with Helgi (who, in all appearances, looked like a Nordic glacier pirate at the helm), and we embarked on an exciting ride across the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, taking in breathtaking views of the snow-covered land, from distant mountain landscapes to the rugged coastlines of the South Coast.

Our destination was the powerful Katla, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland (no need to worry—the most recent eruptions were on the Reykjanes Peninsula, far from here). Since Iceland's settlement in the 9th century, Katla has erupted over 20 times and is considered the country’s most dangerous volcano, with major eruptions occurring every 50 to 100 years.

Katla lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and this unique phenomenon has created an incredible ice cave where fire and ice meet. The cave walls are marked by traces of volcanic activity, with a stunning mix of black debris, ash, blue ice, and white air bubbles. Fire and ice came together here, offering us an extraordinary opportunity to connect with one of the most powerful places on Earth.

Once at the glacier area, Helgi introduced us to Frosty, an Arctic Fox he befriended last year. Frosty arrived in the company of two Ravens—pure magic.

We borrowed gear (helmet, headlamp, crampons) and set out on a short glacier hike across creeks filled with meltwater from the glacier, leading us to the black icefall Kötlujökull—the Katla glacier. As we approached the entrance, it was easy to see why this ice cave appeared in Star Wars: Rogue One.

Inside the cave, we passed naturally formed ice sculptures and tunnels, elevating the experience to a whole new level. Despite the cave’s compact size, the high arches made it feel open and airy, while the dark, heavy walls gave it a regal and majestic presence. The Katla ice cave is primarily known for its black color, but during the day, it revealed a beautiful combination of blue, violet, and white hues. As we ran our gloved hands across the ‘dragon glass’—a striking mix of ice and volcanic ash resembling black obsidian—we couldn’t help but feel the presence of ancient dragons. A few of us even had a chance to drink the water of the glacial stream. The taste is indescribable—pulsing with life force, quenching the thirst like nothing else.

Each year, with the spring thaw and winter freeze, the Katla ice cave changes, revealing new sections while hiding others. The walls we saw told a different story from those of previous years, and with each visit, the cave unveiled new stories. The cave we explored reflected our own journey, offering us a chance to connect with the layers of our past and uncover keys to our future.

Here in this wild place we found laughter bubbling up from within as we played in this place of snow and magic, bouncing in the Jeep, licking the ice, and sledding on our bums down the glacier together.

After the magic of Katla, we returned to Vik, where a very special program awaited us—a one-of-a-kind Dragon Death Ceremony designed to help us fully let go of the past. While Sierra & Kumari prepared the space (generously provided by the Vik community center in exchange for coffee and good vibes), everyone else had some free time to do a bit more souvenir shopping in town. We won’t give away too much of the ceremony, but let’s just say it was one powerful night, and mission accomplished.

Our wonderful Tomas picked us up and whisked us off to Drangar Restaurant for a warm, delicious meal before tucking in back to our cozy hotel for the night.

Day Four: Ice Ice Baby all Day

We start our days adventure with a drive to Vatnajökull National Park, the biggest of the three official national parks in Iceland covering approximately 13% of the country’s land surface. In 2019 Vatnajökull National Park was included in the official UNESCO World Heritage List, and it’s not surprising to understand why. The park is a real embodiment of the Land of Fire and Ice, with its combination of glaciers and volcanoes scattered all across the park. Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier, concealing several mountains, valleys, and plateaus. It even hides some active central volcanoes, of which Bárðarbunga is the largest and Grímsvötn the most active.

Our first stop on the way, the glistening blue and white icebergs of Diamond Beach. While many of the icebergs go straight out into the ocean, the chunks that wash up at the beach glitter like diamonds on the black sand.

Each iceberg chunk is completely unique, their brilliant whiteness is laced by bright jewel blue and green hues. Spectacular gray shadows, formed from the ash of past volcanic eruptions, dance through a few of them. Some are luminous and clear like diamond jewels, while others are more opaque. This creates a vision unlike anything you will see anywhere else in the world. We almost ran to the beach and found it was covered in treasure that reflected the mountains and the sea. We were literally holding water that contained the memories and energy from thousands of years ago as we picked up the frozen chunks glittering on the beach.

The intangible nature of these gifts that could not be collected or coveted, but belonged to the Giants of this land, spoke to the dreams and visions that were forming in our consciousness- making ready for our Dragon Vision Ceremony to come. The gifts we took with us are in the messages each formation held that uplifted the spirit and inspired hope.

Across the way we sat with the still blue waters of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, one of the most spectacular sights in all of Iceland. Enormous icebergs frequently break off Breiðamerkurjökull, a part of the Vatnajökull glacier, into the lagoon, melting slowly as they drift towards the sea nearby. In the winter wildlife is plentiful, with seals lounging on the icebergs and an array of birdlife. We even spotted a couple seals out in the lagoon!

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the deepest lake in Iceland, has quadrupled in size since 1970 and is still growing due to the melting of the glacier. The lagoon, which has been featured as a must-see on Lonely Planet’s travel list, is a key location for many films and TV shows. Action scenes in A View to Kill and Die Another Day were shot at Jökulsárlón. You can also spot the lagoon in the background of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Batman Begins, the TV series Amazing Race and various other TV shows and documentaries.

As if the day hadn’t already been incredible, we were met at the lagoon by Oshcar, our guide for the next adventure, with what looked like a crazy kind of Super Bus to take us deeper into Vatnajökull National Park to the Crystal Ice Cave.

It was a quicker and much less bouncy ride than Katla but no less tricky travelling on a glacier. We got all our gear and took a short walk to the Crystal Cave entrance, its small and dark entry keeping secret what lay inside. There were five stones that seemed to be the guardians of this place, with a brief prayer of gratitude we entered the cave. We had to duck down and squeeze at times and walk carefully on the loose stone but when the cave opened we were awestruck by the power of the forces of pressure and light that created the majestic blue brilliance in the thick walls of chunky blue ice. We were dazzled by the bright blue and almost translucent walls and ceilings, as well as 49 shades of grey, black, and white ice, with some areas over thousands of years old.

The ever-changing nature of ice caves made their astonishing beauty even more precious. The glacier caves of Iceland regularly melt, collapse, or get filled up with water in the summer. This inspired us to explore these caves, knowing that it was a unique experience for this place. Since 2011, the Crystal Cave had formed in more or less the same location, thanks to the recurring flow of a large glacial river every summer. The cave, just like us, would never be quite the same again, constantly evolving, growing, and transforming under the application of pressure and light.

We were blessed with not one, but two places in the cave where you could not hear any of the other groups visiting this wonder. We sat in the silence and listened to the sound of the water at it moved all around us and we were inspired to sing Grandmother’s water song into the silence (www.singthewatersong.com). At the highest and deepest point in the cave we offered a brief meditation and sent HOPE into every drop of the water, trusting that some hope will remain always deep in the ice and that hope will flow into the sea every year.

The exit was not far from where we began, reminiscent of the ouroboros nature of the Nordic dragon Jormungandr. Sierra was reflecting on this as she brought up the stragglers who were not yet ready to say farewell. She was called to look to the stones alongside the trail and discovered an enormous quartz geode that even the guides did not know was there. Miraculous moments truly everywhere.

A warm yummy dinner at Magma Bistro and then back to share stories and laughs in Vik.

Day Five: An Underground Trek in a Magical World

We started the day with a surprise visit to Urriðafoss, an immensely powerful waterfall that somehow gets missed on the list of waterfalls to see in Iceland (thank you Tomas).

While the drop at Urriðafoss is only 12 feet, it is known as the largest waterfall in Iceland by volume, with a water flow of 360 m³ (12,700 ft³) per second—more than half the flow of Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, located in North Iceland. With the incredible rush of water and sharp gusts of wind that took away the breath, Urriðafoss was an unforgettable place to experience the power of nature

We were held safe on the icy roads by the skill of our guide Tomas. Icelanders really approach the weather practically and simply, just like they do everything else.

With many of us drifting into the land of dreams with some Nordic storytelling and the gentle sway of the bus, we headed to our third special tour of the trip: Raufarhólshellir, the longest lava tunnel in Iceland. The story of Raufarhólshellir began with a volcanic eruption in the Bláfjöll Mountain Range about 5,200 years ago. Lava tunnels are formed when active magma flows harden, creating a thin crust on top, which thickens as more lava continues to flow. Eventually, this creates a tunnel with a solid roof, while the hot lava continues to flow beneath.

As we made our way down into the tunnel, it felt as though we could almost feel the dragons' breath. We walked along the path of lava flows from thousands of years ago, marveling at the incredible rock formations and naturally sculpted lava falls.

In winter, the cave takes on a completely otherworldly landscape with glistening icicles and ice formations that added to the drama and mystery of the landscape. Near the entrance, the ceiling of the lava cave had natural windows that cast beautiful columns of light across the dim interior. They also allowed the snow to accumulate in enormous drifts, and when you look closely at the peaks you find faces in the snow.

The vibrant range of colors on the tunnel walls, created by the different mineral types of the rock, told the history of the tunnel's formation. As we watched and listened, the cave seemed to tell its own story, and we opened all our senses to fully immerse ourselves in this underground journey to another world.

Our guide Soleil paused in the farthest point on our tour and offered our group an opportunity for meditation. She turned off all the lights and we were surrounded in darkness. We sat in the silence and we simply listened.

The weather was picking up so we chose to head for an earlier check in at our final hotel of the trip, Herasskolinn, a charming hotel that held onto its origins as an all girls school. The antiques scattered throughout and a dinning room filled with desks gave this hotel such a playful feel.

The play inspired Tomas to take us on a secret expedition to do an “experiment”. As we headed outside we were surprised by one of our retreat members who awaited us armed with dozens of snowballs for the best snowball fight ever. With no clear winner, Tomas guided us to the edge of the lake where a pool of hot bubbling water sat at its edge. Tomas had us make sure he was not tricking us by checking his eggs, and then he boiled his eggs to a lovely soft boil right at the edge of the freezing lake. He finished them in one bite and said experiment complete. We took the slow way back, making snow angels, hugging trees, and making a million memories.

Herasskolinn seemed to turn back the clock and we became school girls again, laughing and giggling at all hours of the night.

Day Six: The Golden Circle

Today, we explored the stunning Icelandic countryside, under a blanket of brilliant white snow. The Golden Circle greeted us with spouting geysers, crashing waterfalls, and breathtaking views at every turn.

Our cameras were ready as we continued along the Golden Circle to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the geological wonders of the world. Þingvellir is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also served as one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones.

Þingvellir is where the Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, was founded by the Vikings in 930, making it one of the oldest parliaments in world history. Farmers and craftsmen from across the country would gather here to settle disputes, trade goods, and socialize.

Þingvellir is also the only place in the world where you can stand between the Eurasian and North American continental plates on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year. Iceland is the only place where this rift is above sea level, and nowhere else can you see the edges of both plates as clearly as in Þingvellir. We walked in the seismic rift valley that marks the border between the two continents. The plates slowly shift apart by about 0.78 inches (2 cm) a year, gradually changing the landscape and creating an extraordinary sight.

As we stood at the center of the Mid-Atlantic Rift, we felt the power beneath our feet, a reminder that the Earth is growing and changing, just as we are—never to be the same again.

We felt bubbles of excitement, like little kids, as we stood waiting for the amazing hot spring geyser Strokkur to blast its cloud of water and vapor 30 meters into the sky. Thankfully, this geyser erupts every ten minutes, so we didn’t have to wait long for this powerful experience.

The whole area is a geothermal park, sitting on top of a vast boiling cauldron. We saw belching sulfurous mud pots in unusual colors, hissing steam vents, hot and cold springs, warm streams, and primitive plants scattered throughout.

Active geysers like Strokkur are rare around the world, as many conditions must align for them to form. Just down the road lies the now dormant Great Geysir, one of the most notable geysers in the world. The English word "geyser" is derived from the Icelandic word "geysir," meaning "gusher." Though the Great Geysir is now silent, the region remains geothermically very active, with many smaller hot springs still bubbling away.

Then to our final Iceland waterfall, Gullfoss, probably Iceland’s most iconic waterfall. Gullfoss flows from the Hvítá (White) River, which is fed by Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull. Depending on the season and weather conditions, the water in the Hvítá River changes color, ranging from white to light brown to a deep blue. On our visit she was a steely blue and the wind was blasting icy gales making it really feel like winter was here.

The story behind the waterfall’s name is a subject of debate in Iceland. The golden hue of the water is the most widely accepted reason for Gullfoss being named “Golden Falls.” Another story suggests that a farmer named Gýgur threw his hoarded treasure into the waterfall to prevent anyone from possessing it after his death. Some even think the name comes from the rainbows that form in the mist on sunny days, tied to the old Celtic belief that a pot of gold waits at the end of every rainbow. Regardless of the origin, Gullfoss remains a key highlight of the popular Golden Circle route, admired for its golden hue and powerful majesty.

We filled our suitcases with treasure from the Gullfoss and Strokkur gift shops.

Any retreat we lead can only be as good as its team, and our retreats at MHC have always been blessed to have the most amazing drivers and guides. Iceland was no exception, Tomas, like any Icelander was a little slow to open up, but when he did he shared his joy of his country with all of us. He went out of his way to make a few changes and surprises (even to me) for us to make this trip unforgettable. Here are two of the fun surprises- a visit with the Icelandic Horses and to a tomato farm.

The Icelandic Horses (apparently you should never insult them by calling them ponies) are a quintessential part of the magic of Iceland. We were so lucky to meet four of these sweet horses at a local farm. Princess was the matriarch at an astounding 46 years old (that is 87 human), a living testimonial to the ruggedness of these horses.

We fed them all the horse cookies allowed and shmoopled them as long as we could before we had to get one last kiss and jump on the bus to our next surprise, a hydroponic geothermal tomato farm. This greenhouse style farm supplies a whopping 40 % of the countries tomatoes. We met the bees that call this little world home and had the best lunch ever at their a tomato themed cafe, from sweet and savory tomato soup, fresh bread, green tomato ice cream, cheesecake and so much more!

With full tummies we made our way back to our hotel for dinner (oh my more food!-of course we ate every morsel) and our last ceremony of the retreat. This night was our Dragon Vision Ceremony to create and fully embrace our futures, and anchor the transformative power of the Land of Fire & Ice Retreat. We are not going to tell you all the details of this secret ceremony - other than this magical night is really why we came…

Day Seven: Heavenly Integration at Laugarvatn Fontana

For our day of rest and integration, we rose leisurely in the morning, taking our time to ease into the day. After a quiet, unhurried start, we bundled up and took a short walk to the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal springs. Icelanders have a long tradition of using the mineral-rich healing waters in this area for relaxation and restoration of body, mind, and soul. We soaked in a natural hot spring and listened to the soothing sounds of the bubbling spring in the steam rooms, which were built directly over geothermal vents, allowing us to experience Iceland's hot springs in an unconventional way. For those seeking extra deep cleansing, there was also a Finnish-style sauna heated to a sweltering 176°F.

As we lounged in the hot pools, we admired the beautiful Lake Laugarvatn and its surrounding volcanic range. The lake itself had geothermal activity occurring on its bed, and from the spa, we could wade in to feel the warm water around our feet. The more adventurous even took a dip in the freezing lake.

While we rested and renewed at Laugarvatn Fontana, we had the unique opportunity to experience a geothermal bakery firsthand. Our chef Flavio was the most entertaining and most certainly beautiful. He dug out a pot of fresh Rúgbrauð, Icelandic rye bread baked the traditional Icelandic way—from under the sand in geothermal waters for 24 hours. The bread, served hot from the ground with Icelandic butter and fresh smoked trout, melted in our mouths. Afterward, we all plotted how to bring this fabulous meal home. It was truly a delightful experience for our taste buds!

Day Eight: The Journey Home

With an opportunity for a leisurely morning we each say farewell in our own way to the spectacular beauty of the Land of Fire & Ice. With what feels like a lifetime of epic moments, both personal and shared, to treasure in our hearts, Tomas gathers us for our trip back to the airport. We take a stop along the way for our last hot dog moment, really hot dogs this time.

The friendship, laughter, and spectacular vistas we experienced in Iceland will never be forgotten and the true riches we received will continue to unfold in the days, weeks, and even years ahead.