Iceland: Elemental Alchemy for Deep Restoration

November 9th – 19th, 2026

(Only 4 Spots Remaining)

To find true balance, sometimes you have to go to the extremes.

Iceland is a land of paradox: Fire and Ice. Magma and Glaciers. The darkest winter skies and the brightest cosmic lights.

For a nervous system running on overdrive, this environment is medicine. We travel in November specifically to embrace the cozy culture of the north and to watch for the aurora borealis.

But more importantly, we use the raw, geological power of this island to shock the system out of stagnation and melt it into flow.

This tour offers a somatic reset. There is no faster way to drop from high-stress force into deep restorative flow than soaking in a geothermal hot spring while the crisp Arctic air invigorates you.

We will hike glaciers to find our footing, watch the northern lights to ignite our sense of wonder, and use daily qigong to mirror the powerful energy of the land beneath our feet.

On This Personal Growth Adventure, You Will:

• Experience Geologic Awe: We don’t just look at nature; we immerse ourselves in it. Visit the exploding Geysir Hot Springs, the massive Gullfoss Waterfall, and the rugged Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We use the scale of these sites to gain perspective and quiet our busy minds.

• Build Resilience on the Ice: Traverse a glacier and walk through an ice cave on a guided 5-7 hour adventure. This is a practice in finding your footing and trusting your body in new terrain.
• Witness Cosmic Wonder: We look to the skies for the awe-inspiring aurora borealis. Viewing the northern lights dancing in the dark is one of the most effective ways to activate the brain’s awe response, instantly down-regulating stress.

• Practice Elemental Qigong: In this land of fire and ice, we practice daily qigong to align your internal energy with the potent surroundings. We use the environment to clear stagnation and build vitality.

• Create Meaningful Connection: Engage in honest conversations about self-acceptance and compassion. You will travel with a small cohort of like-minded people, often forming friendships that last long after the flight home.

• Return with a Somatic Toolkit: The clarity you find here isn’t just a vacation feeling; it’s a new baseline. You will learn practical tools to shift out of stress and back into balance, ensuring the benefits of this reset last long after you return home.

Your Adventure Day by Day:

Days 1 & 2 Travel Days ~ MO/TU November 9/10: Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland, on an overnight flight, arriving on November 10th.

Day 2 ~ TU November 10 (D): Arrive in Reykjavik no later than 11:00 am. Once we’ve all arrived, we’ll head north with our driver/guide, Murray, to Borgarnes for an overnight stay in a beautiful home. We’ll stop at GUÐLAUG BATHS on the way. We’ll have dinner together in Borgarnes.

Day 3 ~ WE November 11 (B/D): We’ll rise early for meditation and qigong, prepare breakfast together, and then head out for a day filled with geological wonders on the SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA, which boasts a diverse landscape of lava fields, mountains, glaciers, and coastal beauty. Our stops may include a stroll near KIRKJUFELL MOUNTAIN, a walk on the seaside cliffs from ARNARSTAPI to HELLNAR, and a visit to BÚÐAKIRKJA, a picturesque church set in a lava field. After a day of exploring, we’ll have an early dinner in Borgarnes and return to our rental home.

Day 4 ~ TH November 12 (B/D): Rise early for meditation and qigong, prepare breakfast together, and then head out to explore the first half of the GOLDEN CIRCLE. We’ll take a hike in ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK to see the rift between tectonic plates, then visit the GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA to watch active eruptions, then drive on to visit GULLFOSS WATERFALL, one of the most scenic waterfalls in Iceland. We’ll end our day’s travels near the village of Flúðir, at HRUNALAUG HOT SPRING. After our soak, we’ll have dinner at a nearby Ethiopian restaurant, then return to the hotel.

Day 5 ~ FR November 13 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll continue exploring the GOLDEN CIRCLE. Our first stop of the day is KERIÐ, where we’ll walk down into an ancient volcanic crater to admire the aquamarine lake. Next, we’ll visit SELJALANDSFOSS WATERFALL and experience the waterfall’s energetic power as we stand behind it. Our next stop is the SKÓGAFOSS WATERFALL, one of the largest in Iceland. We’ll then check into our hotel in Vik and regroup for afternoon meditation and dinner together.

Day 6 ~ SA November 14 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today is another day of exploring Iceland’s spectacular scenery as we stretch our legs and go for short walks. Our first stop is FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR CANYON, where we’ll take a scenic walk and revel in the views. Next up is the SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL, where water cascades over basaltic columns. We’ll then visit FJALLSÁRLÓN, a glacial lagoon at the foot of Vatnajökull glacier. Our final stop of the day is DIAMOND BEACH, where the icebergs rest on the shore, sparkling against the volcanic black sand. From here, we check into our home for the next three nights.

Day 7 ~ SU November 15 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today is a completely different kind of adventure led by pros in their field! We’ll spend 5-6 hours discovering the breathtaking beauty of VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER. You’ll have a chance to combine an exhilarating SUPER JEEP RIDE with an unforgettable visit to a magical blue ICE CAVE, followed by a scenic GLACIER HIKE past incredible ice formations. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the otherworldly, vibrant blue colors within these natural ice formations. This day trip requires moderate fitness at a minimum. You’ll be provided with a helmet and crampons. If you choose not to join the tour, you may relax at the guesthouse for the day.

Day 8 ~ MO November 16 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. We’ll head farther south along the coast today to the Icelandic fishing village of HÖFN, then hike a 4-mile loop along the black-sand beach near VESTRAHORN. We’ll also meander through a replica VIKING VILLAGE that was created as a movie set but never used. We’ll also have time to wander the town, looking at the fishing harbor and artists’ shops. In the afternoon, we’ll stop at the HOFFELL HOT TUBS before returning to our guesthouse for the evening.

Day 9 ~ TU November 17 (B/D): Rise for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we say goodbye to Iceland’s southern coast and make our way back to Reykjavik. To break up our day’s drive, we’ll stop at REYNISFJARA BEACH, a black sand beach, and take a walk to HALSANEFSHELLIR CAVE. Once we reach our apartment hotels in Reykjavik, we’ll settle in for late-afternoon meditation and qigong, then head out to a local restaurant.

Day 10 ~ WE November 18 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll have a relaxing day exploring Iceland’s capital city. We’ll include sites such as HALLGRIMSKIRKJA CHURCH and the OLD HARBOR. We’ll watch how the day unfolds before us. In the afternoon, we’ll take a final soak in VESTURBÆJARLAUG, a neighborhood pool, where you’ll have one final chance to relax in thermal waters and chat with friendly Icelandic locals.

Day 11 ~ TH November 19 (B): A simple breakfast will be offered at our residence apartment, and then it’s time to say goodbye, and we’ll make our way to the airport for our onward journeys home.

Included in Your Iceland Spiritual Tour:

• Daily instruction and facilitation of meditation, qigong, and conversations about self-acceptance, compassion, and joy. Engaging with this content is an integral part of this spiritual tour. If you are not interested in meditation, heart-opening conversation, and qigong, different tours are available to you via other companies.
• All ground transportation for the duration of the tour.
• Lodging for 9 nights in hotels hand-selected for their ability to support our group experience. Please note that in some cases, we will stay in facilities with shared bathrooms. When this is the case, these shared bathrooms are solely for our group’s use, such as in rental homes or residential apartments. Rooms may be smaller and more simple than what you’re accustomed to in the United States.
• Daily breakfasts and dinners.
• A driver/guide passionate about Icelandic culture, geology, and geography.
• All entrance fees for sites and activities, including the ice-cave tour and all hot springs.
• A guaranteed small group, with 6 travelers maximum, which means a more personalized and intimate tour experience.
• This tour requires moderate fitness and agility including a level of comfort walking over uneven and sometimes slippery ground.
• Luggage size is limited to a standard carry-on bag and an additional small day pack.
• The itinerary is subject to modification based on the weather, site opening hours, and the group’s needs.

The Little Bits Not Included:

• International airfare to and from Reykjavik.
• Transportation to the airport at the end of the tour.
• Lunches and beverages with meals and/or alcohol.
• Gratuity for the driver/guide.

Tour Facilitator Amy Pattee Colvin:

In the fall of 2015, I attended a meditation retreat in Machu Picchu. One day, a local shaman joined us for a blessing ceremony. When it ended, he placed a seed in my hand, told me to bury it where I sat, then gave me a specific directive: “Look for the plant when you bring your own group here.”

For months, that seed of an idea quietly germinated. It eventually sprouted into the international tours I lead today.

Traveling with me is different from a standard vacation. We don’t just look at the landscape; we harmonize with it. You will practice qigong and meditation daily, using the wild beauty of the land to interrupt your stress patterns and help you shift from force to flow.

I guide these journeys with a toolkit built from two worlds: the grounded lineage of over 30 years of Taoist practice, and the rigorous, science-backed protocols of Stanford University’s Compassion Cultivation Training.

Driver/Guide Murray Anderson:

Sharing stories of Iceland with humor and passion is Murray’s specialty. He has an exhaustive knowledge of Iceland’s history, legends, geology, and geography, so each day, he finds something special to share with us.

Some days, he’ll recount Icelandic sagas as if he’d lived with the elves themselves; other days, he’ll tell you the name of every mountain and waterfall we pass. Daily he’ll keep you entertained on the journey with music and stories and help you learn to love Iceland as he does.

From the moment you meet Murray, you’ll feel like you’ve found that long-lost friend you never knew you had.

I look forward to spending time with you! If you have any questions, please email me at .

Investment & Registration:

Investment: USD $5295 per person based on double occupancy.

• Space is limited to 6 guests. Ensure your spot by placing your deposit now.
• A deposit of $1000 is required to reserve your space, with the balance due by September 1, 2026. Payment plans are available. Please contact me for more information.
• You are welcome to register as an individual, and I will match you with a person of the same gender to share a room.

Cancellation Policy:

• Your deposit is fully refundable until June 22nd, 2026. After that date, if you choose to cancel, your deposit is transferable to a future trip.
• I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, which covers emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and trip cancellation.
• Payment Options: I am happy to offer several payment methods for your convenience. Fee-Free Methods (Preferred): Zelle, Venmo, ACH Bank Transfer, Personal Check. I also accept all major credit cards and PayPal. Please note that a 3% processing fee will be applied to these transactions.

To register and place your deposit, please email me at .

Food budget is roughly $550 per person