SAUNA & COLD Plunge

Absolutely not. Nobody is going to push you in.

That said, there's something about being out in nature, warm from the sauna, with a crystal clear river or lake right there in front of you. It has a way of making the decision for you. Many of our guests surprise themselves. That's all we'll say.

You're in good company – many people haven't. There's always a mix on our retreats: seasoned cold dippers and complete first-timers who aren't entirely sure what they've signed up for.

There's no right way to do it. You ease in, you see how it feels, you go at your own pace. The setting does a lot of the work.

If you have any medical concerns it's worth checking with your doctor beforehand. But beyond that, an open mind is genuinely all you need.

Generally, yes. Our retreats are designed to be accessible and you're always free to go at your own pace (nobody is keeping score).

That said, some retreats are more active and adventurous than others. A retreat with big days in the Himalayas needs a reasonable level of fitness. Others, like our West Norway retreat, are slower and more restorative.

It's worth reading the details of each retreat and choosing what feels right for you. And if you're not sure, just get in touch — we're good at helping people find their fit.

Yes, they're part of the retreat, not an add-on.

In Finland that means our own sauna at the lodge plus a pretty special lakeside one. In West Norway, a riverside spa with the option to plunge straight into the river below. In Mongolia, a wood-fired yurt sauna on the banks of a crystal clear river in the middle of the wilderness.

Massages and additional treatments are available on some retreats but come at an extra cost.