This 6-day forest retreat combines Christiana’s yoga, meditation, and community rhythm at Shambala Gatherings with Marcus’ wilderness guiding and bushcraft skills. It’s not just a retreat-center week — you head out into the forest every day for wildlife time, quiet walks, and simple outdoor living. The week ends with two nights wild camping by a lake in wolf territory — a chance to feel more awake, grounded, and connected to nature.
WHEN
14–19 July, 2026
RATE
From 17,500 SEK ≈ €1,635
MEETING POINT / WHERE
Shambala Gatherings, Skinnskatteberg
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 guests
DURATION
6 days / 5 nights
ACCOMMODATION
Retreat center & wild camping
ACTIVITY LEVEL / DIFFICULTY
Easy — no previous experience needed
FOR WHO
18+ solo travellers, couples, and friends
HIGHLIGHTS
Nature connection
Deepen your connection to nature — and bring a wilder, calmer rhythm back home.
Yoga & meditation
Wake up body and mind with yoga and meditation led by Christiana — no previous experience needed.
Wildlife days, wolf nights
Head out with Marcus to look for moose and beavers, and listen for wolves at night.
Campfire community
Share meals, stories, and quiet moments together — like a pack around the fire.
Sauna & lake dips
Heat up in a wood-heated sauna and cool down in secluded forest lakes.
Two nights in wolf territory
Sleep in tents by a lake for two nights — a real forest camp in wolf territory.
“Humans are wild animals, we belong in nature. I have come to realize that my true home is by a campfire in the forest under the stars.”
Book your spot
Limited to 14 guests. Click Book now to book your place. Your booking is confirmed instantly.
Pay a 20% deposit at booking. The balance is due 30 days before arrival.
Cancellations up to 30 days before: 80% refund. You can add Cancellation Protection for extra flexibility.
🛡Full financial protection: Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
Retreat leaders
This retreat is led by Marcus Eldh (founder of WildSweden) and Christiana Diamesi — a combination of wilderness guiding, yoga and meditation, that creates a strong retreat rhythm.
“Combine this with Christianas beautiful presence, amazing food and grounding yoga practice and you'll have an unforgettable experience… I can honestly say that this has been life changing.”
— Nanna, participant from Denmark
Christiana
Christiana is a yoga teacher trained in India and has taught yoga since 2010. Her teaching is grounded and accessible, blending classical principles with body awareness, free movement, and self-love. Throughout the week she helps set the inner rhythm — creating space to arrive, settle, and connect. She also prepares vibrant vegan meals and supports a calm, welcoming group atmosphere.
Marcus
Marcus grew up in these forests and has spent time outdoors here since childhood. He has worked full time as a nature guide since founding WildSweden in 2003.
He leads the outdoor days with a steady pace and a respectful approach to wildlife and the forest. You spend real time outdoors — walking, learning, watching, and settling into a simpler rhythm. His focus is presence and knowledge in the field: reading the landscape, understanding animal behaviour, and helping you feel comfortable outside in all conditions.
Their shared approach
Together, they combine a retreat-center rhythm at Shambala with real wilderness time — including daily time out in the forest and two nights wild camping in wolf territory.
Accommodation
Shambala gatherings (3 nights)
You stay three nights at Shambala Gatherings, one of Sweden’s leading retreat centers. It’s a calm base for the week, with comfortable indoor spaces, shared meals, and easy access to sauna and the lake. Rooms are shared, with a limited number of single rooms available.
Wild camping in wolf territory (2 nights)
You spend two nights camping by a forest lake in a known wolf territory. You sleep in individual tents and live simply outdoors, with campfire meals and long evenings outside. The camp is set up to feel safe and comfortable, even if you’re new to camping.
Retreat overview
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You arrive at Shambala Gatherings and settle in. We start the week around the fire, share a welcome dinner, and ease into the retreat rhythm with sauna and a first swim in the lake.
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You begin the day with a one-hour yoga class plus meditation led by Christiana. No previous experience is needed. Then we head out into the forest and spend the afternoon outdoors.
As evening comes, we slow down for wildlife time — watching and listening in the calm of late summer.
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You begin with a one-hour yoga class plus meditation led by Christiana, then settle into a slower day at Shambala with time to rest, swim, and enjoy the sauna.
In the evening we head to quiet waters to look for beavers and other wildlife, ending the day with dinner outdoors.
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After yoga and a final lunch at Shambala, we leave the retreat center behind and travel into a known wolf territory. We set up camp by a forest lake, cook over the fire, and spend the evening out in the dark — listening, learning, and settling into the wilderness rhythm.
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You start with forest yoga and natural movement in camp, followed by a slow brunch outdoors. Then we head out for a longer forest walk — foraging for berries and mushrooms while looking for wildlife.
The afternoon is flexible: wild swimming, sauna bathing, hiking, wood carving, or resting in hammocks by the lake. In the evening, we cook dinner over the fire and gather in a circle to reflect on the day, then settle in for your second night in tents.
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We pack down camp and return to Shambala. We share a sauna, a closing circle and a final meal together before departure.
LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE
Meeting point: Shambala Gatherings, Skinnskatteberg — 15:00 on Day 1.
Address: Borntorpet 1, Skinnskatteberg >> Link to Google Maps
At the end of the retreat we take you back to Shambala for a concluding lunch together. You are free to leave after 13:00 on the last day (but if you leave early you might miss our final lunch together).
Travel options: Take a train or bus to Skinnskatteberg. Get your tickets at www.sj.se. Please arrive at 15:00 since the hosts at Shambala may be busy with other guests until then. Let us know if you arrive at Skinnskatteberg station — Shambala staff will pick you up for the short (5 minute) transfer. If you arrive by bus, ask to be dropped off at Borntorpet bus stop and walk about 1 km to Shambala.
What's included
Guides: English-speaking, local, expert wildlife and yoga guides
Accommodation: 3 nights at Shambala Gatherings + 2 nights in tent
Sheets and towels for the nights at Shambala Gatherings
Meals: all meals vegetarian (some cooked over open fire)
Transfers: from the bus station and back
Equipment: camping equipment, headlamps, rain poncho, seat pad, binoculars, hammocks
What to bring
>> See our full packing list here
For who
Age: 18+
Who joins: solo travellers, couples, and friends
Activity level: easy overall, but you’ll be outdoors daily
This retreat is for you if you want:
a calm pace, with time to reflect and reset
small-group community without a packed schedule
real time outdoors every day, not just around the retreat center
yoga, meditation, and two nights camping in wolf territory
You’ll likely enjoy this week if you:
feel worn down by a fast, screen-heavy everyday life and want a clean reset
want to sharpen your senses — in the forest and in your own body
miss a more natural rhythm and want to feel at home outdoors again
prefer simplicity and presence over pressure and performance
What our participants are saying
Besides, the complement between Markus's wild-nature wisdom and Christiana's meditation and yoga's knowledge it's perfect to clear the way into a much more profound experience. Totally recomendable!
Frequently asked questions
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You meet at Shambala Gatherings in Skinnskatteberg. Most guests arrive by train or bus from Stockholm (about 2 hours). We can pick you up for the short transfer from the station/bus stop — see Location & how to get here for the full details.
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That’s the intention. We do several wildlife-focused outings looking for moose, beavers, and signs of wolves, and we spend two nights camping in a known wolf territory. These are wild animals, so encounters can never be guaranteed — but being out there is a big part of what makes the week special.
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Yes. Wolves in Sweden are extremely shy and avoid people. We follow a calm, respectful approach in the field and keep a well-supported camp setup. The risk is very low.
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Yes. The camping setup is beginner-friendly. We provide a tent with a floor, an inflatable mattress, a pillow, and a warm sleeping bag. You’ll stay warm and dry, and your tent is close to the others. There is a dry toilet nearby.
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At Shambala you have access to indoor bathrooms, showers, and shared retreat facilities. During the forest camp there’s a simple outdoor setup (dry toilet), and you live with a more “wilderness” rhythm for those two nights.
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Yes. You can bring your own tent and sleeping equipment and camp in the Shambala garden while still having access to bathrooms, showers, and indoor relax areas.
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No. The morning sessions are accessible for beginners, and you can always adapt the practice to your body. If you already practice yoga, you’ll still enjoy the retreat — but it’s not designed as an advanced training week.
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That’s fine. Meditation is offered in an accessible way, and you can always opt out. You’re welcome to rest, take a quiet walk, or spend time in a hammock instead.
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Overall it’s an easy retreat, but you’ll be outdoors every day and spend two nights camping. You don’t need special skills — just a normal level of mobility and comfort being outside.
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There may be a few, but at this time of year they’re rarely a major issue. Long sleeves and trousers help, and you can bring bug spray for extra protection.
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Meals are vegetarian throughout the week. At Shambala, the food is wholesome, vegan, and often gluten-free. In the forest, we cook and eat together over an open fire. Please let us know in advance about any allergies or dietary needs.
In our shared, remote camp kitchen, we can accommodate Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free/Lactose-free, Pork-free, and Gluten-free diets.
For safety reasons, this trip is not suitable for strict coeliac/celiac, halal-only diets requiring certified ingredients, or severe nut/peanut allergies that need zero-trace handling.
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You need to understand and hold basic conversations in English so you can communicate with the leaders and the group. That’s important for both safety and group flow.
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It’s a small group (up to 14 participants). Many guests join solo, and couples and friends join as well. The retreat format makes it easy to connect without pressure.
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Please see our packing list for weather guidance and recommendations on what to bring and how to dress for summer in Sweden.
