SALTOLUOKTA MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Yoga, meditation and hiking in the Swedish mountains

Welcome to a yoga retreat containing hiking, yoga and meditation at Saltoluokta Mountain lodge. During six days we discover the nature and culture in the mountain and enjoy the light from the midnight sun. Yoga and meditation are weaved through our days; from the morning practice in our fully equipped and cozy yoga room, to qigong and meditation on the top of a mountain and a soothing evening class. We take time to enjoy the sound of the wind and the water together with spectacular mountain views. Together we cook healthy vegan meals but also enjoy delicious dinners in the restaurant at Saltoluokta mountain station. The retreat is a collaboration between Mirja Andersson, experienced mountain guide from Laponia Adventures, and Petra Kalla, Yoga- & physiotherapist.

We invite you to

• Sign out and relax into the simplicity of just being
• Go on an inner journey supported by nature and yogic practices
• Experience yoga, qigong and meditation in the mountains
• Appreciate the simple things in life
• Enjoy a mountain spa in a wood heated sauna, with locally produced ecological products
• Stay overnight in a Sami settlement by a lake in an awe-inspiring valley
• Enjoy nourishing healthy meals
• Dare to take a refreshing dip in the clear water in the lake!
• Experience the midnight sun

This yoga retreat is for you who are longing to experience the unique beauty of the mountains in the north while going on an inner journey through yoga and meditation.

You need no earlier experience from neither yoga nor meditation. All the classes can be adjusted to your level. To be able to take part in all activities you must be able to hike about 10 kilometer per day in terrain with moderate differences in altitude and with a backpack of around 5-10 kg. Recommended age from 16 years old. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding your physical ability or experience level.

Being in nature, and especially the mountains, always evokes a feeling of reverence and gratitude in me. I see myself, my lifeline in a new light; what I feel is so important for me in my everyday life, fades when overlooking the history of this landscape. An inner space opens up, where I meet the simplicity and stillness that characterise pure presence.

Petra Parvati Kalla

About the Yoga

Walking in the magnificent nature is in itself restorative for body and soul. Through therapeutic Hatha yoga, Qigong and meditations, you can invite your whole being to fully attend this nature experience. Every morning we invite an intention from the heart and do exercises that prepare us for the day hike. During the hike, we take shorter yoga, qigong and meditation breaks adapted to the weather and the need of the group. This pause help you to release tensions and become softer, in both body and mind, perhaps gaining access to more energy. In the evening, relaxing exercises and meditation prepare us for a complete recovery and a deep night’s sleep.

The focus will be on both mental and physical recovery to give your mind a welcome break from everyday life. The surrounding nature inspire and help you find presence in the present and gain new perspectives on life. This yoga retreat is led by Petra Kalla from Sacred Spine yoga therapy. Petra was born and raised in Gällivare but now lives in Järna south of Stockholm.

Food and accommodations

The food we prepare during our hikes are a notch above your standard hiking fare, nourishing and delicious! 

During the yoga retreat we stay at Saltoluokta mountain lodge, which was built for over hundred years ago. During the years, the restaurant has served many mountain hikers a generous breakfast and nourishing dinners. Saltoluokta is known for its good food, cozy atmosphere and a fantastic view from the sauna. We eat breakfast in the restaurant and of course try the dinner menu some of the days. Other days we cook our food together, outside if weather permits, and otherwise indoors in the common kitchen. The menu for this hike is based on a vegan diet with the option to add dairy products and local fish and meat products. As long as the weather allows, we will have a longer break during the day to restore our energy with a lighter lunch. 

Petsaure

We will spend one night in small cabins in the calm and quiet of Petsaure Sami settlement, located in a beautiful valley, away from the more busy King’s trail. For those who want there will be a chance to taste locally caught and smoked fish. The cabins are simple but comfortable, and the outhouse is located outside the cabins. There is no electricity or running water and we all help to fetch water in the river and firewood for the stove.

Small groups and authentic experience

You guide from Laponia Adventures will lead the hikes and make sure you get food on the table and a bed to sleep in. We want you to have the best experience possible for a relaxing and energising yoga retreat in the mountain. Therefore, we travel in small groups of maximum 12 guests in total. All our guides live in the area and can tell you stories about the culture and history in Laponia. They are all certified guides trained in wilderness first aid or live up to the same standard or higher.

Itinerary

Included meals marked each day with B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner

DAY 1 ARRIVAL GÄLLIVARE – SALTOLUOKTA (L,D)

We pick you up at Gällivare train station and continue in the minibus to Stora sjöfallet where we will have lunch and look and the well curated exhibition that will introduce you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Laponia and its unique nature and cultural values. We will have time to chance to admire the views of the river valley and get a chance to land in the present after all the traveling. In the afternoon we travel the short distance to Kebnats where the boat takes us across Lake Langas to Saltoluokta mountain lodge. Saltoluokta mountain lodge is located in roadless land and right by the foot of the mountain. We have dinner in the restaurant and end the day with grounding yoga and meditation.

DAY 2 DAY TOUR SALTOLUOKTA (B,L,D)

We start the day with a refreshing yoga class before having breakfast in the restaurant. Today our hike will take us up on Buollamtjåhkkå, a low mountain with a fantastic view of the large valley below. If the weather allows, we practice yoga on the top of the mountain and let our lungs breath in fresh mountain air. Coming back to Saltoluokta, a hot wood-fired sauna awaits us. Maybe you dare to take a dip in the lake? In the evening we cook dinner together before you have time to prepare for the hike to Petsaure.

Hiking distance: 10 km, elevation gain/loss: +350/-350 m, estimated time hiking: ca 4-5h

DAY 3 TO PETSAURE (B,L,D)

In the morning we do yoga before we eat breakfast and start our hike to Petsaure Sami settlement. A 6 kilometer long path leads us up the mountain side and over a pass before it turns down towards Lake Petsaure and the Sami settlement. In the afternoon we enjoy the view, do yoga and then sleep well in cozy mountain cabins.

Hiking distance: 6 km, elevation gain/loss: +400/-100 m, estimated time hiking: ca 3h

DAY 4 BACK TO SALTOLUOKTA (B,L,D)

We start the day with yoga on the beautiful beach with a stunning view towards Sarek National Park. We have breakfast and hike back to Saltoluokta mountain lodge where we take a shower and then cook dinner together.

Hiking distance: 8 km, elevation gain/loss: +50/-350 m, estimated time hiking: ca 4h

DAY 5 DAY TOUR SALTOLUOKTA (B,L,D)

After the morning yoga and breakfast we discover the shoreline and the alpine forest east of Saltoluokta and cook lunch over on the fire. After dinner we make an evening trip up the mountain to enjoy the midnight sun.

DAY 6 DEPARTURE SALTOLUOKTA (B,L)

We sleep in after the late excursion yesterday and enjoy a last yoga class before we take the boat across the lake to Kebnats where the minibus is waiting. The journey continues back to Gällivare where we end the tour in good time for you to board the evening train south.

Travel here

Get on the night train leaving from Stockholm in the evening and wake up in Gällivare the next morning. This is not only the best option for the planet, it is also a cool experience. Book your own private cabin or just a single bed in a cabin with 3 or 6-beds.

You can purchase both the train and the bus ticket online at www.sj.se. Simply enter Stockholm Central to Gällivare train station and it will give you the options. Book your ticket home from Gällivare train station on your reservation.

However you choose to travel here, flexible tickets are recommended. If it is possible for you, it can be a good idea to arrive one day before the retreat starts and have a night overlay in Gällivare. We also recommend you to have a valid travel insurance and check passport and VISA rules for traveling to Sweden.

When and where do we meet?

We will meet you at the train station in Gällivare at 09.00. We arrive in Gällivare around 16:00 on day 6.

Stay warm and happy

In the Swedish mountains we see all kinds of weather. We can experience sunshine and +30 degrees during the day but also +5 degrees with rain and strong winds. Night temperatures can drop down to 0. Our packing list helps you to decide what to bring to stay warm and happy on the tour.

How much will you carry?

Saltoluokta Mountain lodge is located in roadless land and to get to there we take a 10 minute boat ride, followed by a short walk along a trail. We recommend that you travel with a backpack or a bag that can easily be carried when needed. During the day trips you will be carry a few safety items such as rain gear, warmer layer and a water bottle but also part of the common lunch. Expect your backpack to be around 3-5kg including water. On the day when we hike to Pietsaure Sami settlement you will also need the carry a sleeping bag, what you need for the night and part of the food. Expect your backpack to be around 5-7kg including water.

Solo travellers

Many of our guests travel on their own and don’t know anyone else in the group when arriving in Gällivare. It is a great opportunity to find new yoga friends!

Book and pay your tour online

Book by filling in this booking form online. We will manually review your booking to make sure that the tour will suite you and that we still have availability. If everything looks okay we will send you a confirmation by email within shortest possible time. You will be charged a 20% deposit at time of booking and the rest 30 days before your tour starts. You can choose to pay with credit card or bank transfer.

At Laponia Adventures we want you to feel safe when booking and traveling with us.

Tour info

Location: Saltoluokta mountain lodge
Date: 3-8 July 2023
Price: Early Bird 10% discount until new years! 16155 SEK (Regular price 17950 SEK)
Pickup: Gällivare, Swedish Lapland
Group size: Maximum 12 guests

The price includes

• Local English and Swedish speaking guides from Laponia Adventures
• Certified Yoga therapist/physiotherapist guiding 2-3 sessions/day
• Accommodation 5 nights in shared double rooms, down to earth hotel standard.
• Full board with all meals, including 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners at the mountain station restaurant.
• All safety equipment
• Round trip transportation from Gällivare

Options

• Upgrade to single room in Saltoluokta: 2000 SEK/person
• Upgrade to room with private toilet and shower: 2200 SEK/person
• Upgrade to single room with private toilet and shower: 4200 SEK/person.
• Beverage at restaurants

Taxes and fees are included in the price

Last minute:
Online bookings can only be made until 7 days before the tour starts. For last minute bookings please contact us for availability check.

ॐ

Questions? Send us an email or call +4673 058 29 29