General Information

What is the HOME Retreat, and where is it taking place?
The HOME Retreat is a five-day experience designed to reconnect you with your true self through the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. It takes place in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, from March 16–20, 2025, at the iconic Icehotel, located above the Arctic Circle.

How many people will attend the retreat?
The retreat is intimate, with a maximum of 30 participants. This allows for personalized attention and connection with Rachel and the group.

Are there payment plans available?
Yes, payment plans are available. Please reach out during registration for details.

Do I need a visa to enter Sweden?
Sweden is a very easy country to visit and welcomes people from across the world! As always, visa requirements depend on your nationality. Most EU/EEA citizens and visitors from the United States or Canada do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Beginning in 2025, travelers will require an ETIAS travel authorization for entry. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your stay, and consider travel insurance.

Travel

Where do I fly into, and what are the travel options?
You can get to Jukkasjärvi by plane, train, or car. If you are flying, fly into Kiruna Airport (KRN), Sweden. 

If you are flying in from abroad we recommend you fly to Stockholm and transit to Kiruna from there (Stockholm-Kiruna is a short 1,5h flight). Kiruna is also easy to get to by train! Nigh trains depart from Stockholm Central Station every day. The overnight train takes you straight to Kiruna and takes about 15 hours (the sleeping cabins are very comfortable!). You can also drive to Kiruna, or straight to Jukkasjärvi, if you live within driving distance.

Once you have arrived in Kiruna, a unique and exciting dogsled transfer will take you directly to the Icehotel. This will be a truly memorable experience as you travel through the snowy landscapes, offering a taste of the adventure to come!

How should I schedule my arrival and departure?
The retreat begins with a welcome circle and dinner on March 16 and concludes late morning on March 20 with closing reflections. We recommend you arrive in the early afternoon on the 16th! Plan your travel to fully participate in all scheduled activities.

Accommodations

What are the accommodation options?

• Shared Cabin: Share a cabin with four other participants. Solo travellers or friends looking for the most affordable option can select this option and will be paired with others. 
• Double Room: Private room for two people traveling together.
• Single Room: Private room for one person.

How many nights are spent in the Icehotel?
You’ll check into a warm room and spend one of the retreat nights in an ice room (a once-in-a-lifetime experience!). The remaining nights are spent in a warm cabin or hotel room. All accommodations options are beautiful, cozy and tailored for the retreat experience.

Packing

What should I pack for the retreat?
You’ll need:

• A good thermal base layer (preferably wool).
• Yoga attire and comfortable clothing for movement.
• Flip-flops or sandals for sauna rituals.
• Personal items like journals.
  The Icehotel provides warm winter jackets, overalls, boots, and gloves for outdoor activities, so there’s no need to purchase a full winter wardrobe.

Do I need to bring my own yoga mat and props?
No, mats and props are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Do I need special clothing for the ice room?
The Icehotel provides insulated sleeping bags for your night in the ice room. They recommend you sleep in a thin base layer, and a thin, comfortable hat! You will receive guidance on how to stay warm and comfortable.

Activities and Schedule

What is the schedule for the retreat?
Each day focuses on one of the four elements and includes activities such as:

• Dogsledding
• Northern Lights Safari
• Sauna rituals and cold plunges
• Yoga, meditation, and storytelling
• Ice sculpting and journaling
• Astrology and herbalism

A typical day begins with a pre-practice snack, coffee and tea before you step into the shala for morning practice. Morning practices include yoga, meditation, movement, and ceremony. After practice we head to breakfast and get ready for our activities of the day. Lunch is either served out in nature throughout that day’s adventure, or in the hotel restaurant. There is some free time every day, and all activities are of course optional (but we think you’re definitely going to want to experience them all!). In the afternoons we have a second practice, including workshops, rituals, gentle movement, and sharing. Dinners take place at the hotel, aside from the wilderness dinner during our northern lights safari which takes place at a wildlife camp in the woods. After dinner there is space to ground and journal around the fire. A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the retreat.

Will there be free time?
Yes, there are moments for personal reflection, journaling, and exploration. 

Are all activities mandatory?
No, you can make the retreat your own by opting out of certain activities if desired.

What are the sauna and cold plunge rituals like?
These optional experiences connect us to the water and fire elements and are an incredible way to connect with nature and ourselves. You can make each experience your own (there are levels to the sauna, and you choose how long you want to participate in each stage of the ritual). 

Food and Dietary Needs

What kind of food is served?
The Icehotel restaurant is an arctic culinary destination. People travel from across the globe to eat here! The international kitchen puts special twist to the local ingredients sourced from the regions rivers, mountains, marshes, and forests. On the menu you’ll find incredible dishes with ingredients like cloudberry, reindeer, and Arctic char. You’ll enjoy delicious food and unique drinks – all served on ice if you want to.  

Can the hotel accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, dietary preferences and restrictions will be accommodated. Please communicate your needs during registration.

Other Questions

Do I need to be an advanced yoga practitioner to participate?
No, all levels are welcome! 

How much time will I spend with Rachel?
Rachel teaches all yoga classes, leads sessions, and participates in every retreat activity. This retreat offers abundant opportunities for connection.

What if I have special needs?
Let us know during registration, and our team will work with you to accommodate your requirements.

Can I share a room with a friend or partner?
Yes, please indicate your preferred roommate when registering.

What if I want to extend my stay?
You’re welcome to book additional nights at the Icehotel independently if you’d like to explore the Arctic further.

Are we guaranteed to see the northern lights?
Nature calls the shots, and we can’t make guarantees. But we can tell you that the northern lights are peaking across the globe in 2025 and Jukkasjärvi is one of the most solid places in the world to experience them! The solar flares happening in the first quarter of 2025 will make this year an incredible year for them and the chance that the northern lights will appear during our stay is very high. At the hotel, whenever aurora borealis occurs the restaurants empty, and everyone drops what they are doing to head outside. The northern lights safari we are embarking by snowmobile on will take us to the peaks where we have the best visibility.

Is there a payment plan for the retreat?
Yes, we have payment plans available! Make sure to put your deposit down to book your spot and choose your payment option on the retreat page. Email retreats@rachelbrathen.com if you have any questions.