7 Day "The Human-Nature Quest" Wilderness Retreat in Norway
7 Day "The Human-Nature Quest" Wilderness Retreat in Norway
Tynset, Norway
Up to 12 in group
June 8 - 14, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Unplug from the virtual, connect to real life and get present in the here and now
- Gain a clearer understanding of your life’s direction and the values that matter most to you
- Clarify your purpose and your gifts to the world
- Learn to navigate uncertainty and challenges with greater confidence and perspective
- Immerse yourelf in a pristine natural environment, connect to the spirit of place
- Discover your true self in the encounter with outer and inner nature
- Explore your impact on the world and embrace your ability to create meaningful change
- Get to know or deepen your wilderness living skills
About this Retreat
Thoralf has lived in Nord-Østerdalen, Norway, amid extensive wilderness lands for many years. The rough Norwegian nature is his omnipresent companion, teacher, challenger and healer in everyday life.
Nature in all its facets is ‘good medicine’ to him, a good he has rarely found again since his childhood at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. It is his aim to share these benefits and to pass them on to others: to immerse into a fresh natural world, to connect with nature, to experience true community and to grow personally.
After ten years of freelance work as a nature tour guide, Thoralf became self-employed in 2012. Today he works under the seal of change wild! The knowledge gained from a wide range of training courses and many years of work experience with people in nature are incorporated into his work as a wilderness guide, nature mentor and outdoor trainer as well as into the lead of change wild!
Qualifications
- Personal experience, independent study and many years of professional experience in leading and facilitating:
- Vision Quests according to John P. Milton
- Personal Transformation Processes according to Otto Scharmer
- Self-Development Processes according to Bill Plotkin
- Empowerment Processes according to Joanna Macy
- Resonance Processes according to Hartmut Rosa
- Long-term mentoring by Jon Young, 8 Shields Institute, Santa Cruz (CA), USA
- Mulitple courses by Jon Young about Nature Connection, Deep Nature Connection and the Art of Mentoring
- Wilderness Immersions, Wild Moon Europe, Sweden, accordance with Teaching Drum Outdoor School, Three Lakes (WI), USA
- Kamana Naturalist Training Program, Wilderness Awareness School, Duvall (WA), USA
- Courses ‘friluftsliv sommer’ und ‘friluftsliv vinter’, by Nils Faarlund / Norges Høgfjellskole, Hemsedal, Norway
- Training in experiential education, Outward Bound Academy, Schongau, Germany
- Qualified Wilderness Guide, International Association of Wilderness Guides (IWV), Germany
- Tour Guide for nature- and activity-based tours
- Instructor for activity-based class outings
- Dipl.-Ing. (Arch.), Technische Universität Berlin, Germany
Manuel empowers individuals with the skills and mindset necessary to live harmoniously with the natural world, while focusing on authentic connections with oneself, others, and the earth. He lives in a small log-cabin in the mountains of Norway with his partner and young daughter.
Details of this retreat
Get away from it all and leave media, phones and time behind. Immerse yourself in pristine Nordic nature.
Step into the here and now. Be yourself, vibrantly connected with the living world. Explore the unknown outer wilds, and embark on a journey of self-discovery into your unexplored inner life, your 'inner wilderness'.
Facilitated transformational activities will guide you in exploring what your values, life's purpose, responsibility, potential and your gift to the world might be.
It’s time to retreat for personal growth. Time to change your life.
What are you waiting for? Join in, we'd love to meet you!
- - -
This retreat is for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, personal growth and clarity about their role in the world. It's an invitation to embrace change and discover how these things work together to transform your life and make a difference in the world. What makes our retreat stand out is a triple focus on:
Connecting with nature
During this week-long immersion in nature, we'll practice wilderness living under the guidance of experienced outdoorsmen. The retreat is designed to foster a deep connection with nature and a clear sense of what it really means to live on earth.
Personal Growth
Allowing yourself to be touched by living nature will help you grow into the unique person you are meant to be. The facilitators create a safe space for you to explore outer and inner nature and use the right tools to support your emerging transformation process.
Service to the World
This process is also about a balance between what you get and what you can give back. As the world co-creates your unique personal gifts, these talents are likely to be needed. The retreat is designed to help you find ways to share those gifts and to make a difference in the real world.
- - -
Our retreat offers a rare chance to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with yourself and nature. Located in a peaceful wilderness, it provides the space and time to step away from distractions and explore what truly matters.
The retreat combines nature immersion and wilderness living practice with personal development through self-reflection and facilitated transformational activities.
This way, we create a safe yet vibrant space to help you explore what your values, life's purpose, responsibility, potential and your gift to the world might be. You’ll gain a lot of clarity in this calm, supportive setting.
Following the idea of a nature immersion, we'll spend the whole week outdoors. The retreat is nomadic, meaning we’ll move on to new campsites several times.
Often we will hike off-track, sometimes we will use existing patterns. The route is not fixed and depends on the situation, composition, and dynamics of each group.
As an integral part of our wilderness living practice, we set up a new camp each time we move, looking for new places to sleep, putting up tarps for shelter, and rolling out insulating mats and sleeping bags. If necessary, we also put up mosquito nets.
Our daily wilderness living routine includes fetching water for drinking and cooking, collecting firewood, and lighting and maintaining a campfire. Of course, we also cook on the fire.
With a small group and personalized guidance, you’ll engage in facilitated transformational activities such as bodywork, sensory exercises, meditation, symbol work, personal reflection and group conversation.
The intimate environment ensures you’ll receive the support you need to make meaningful changes in your life.
In addition to program activities, you’ll have time to relax and recharge through nature walks, hikes, and outdoor meditation.
Fresh, nourishing meals prepared jointly in the group will help you stay grounded and focused throughout the retreat.
- - -
Weather information
The inland of southern Norway has a northern, boreal, subalpine and fairly continental climate. Expect temperatures between 0-25 Celsius (32-77 Fahrenheit) at this time of the year. We're protected from the North Atlantic Ocean by high mountain ranges. It's quite a dry climate, but it's still wise to be prepared for some rain.
Seasonal information
The retreats are held in spring season, in the month of June. Due to the high latitude, nights won't get dark at this time of year.
Electricity and outlets
This is a wilderness retreat. No electricity available during the whole event.
Vaccinations requirements
Scandinavia is rather harmless. A standard tetanus vaccination should do. Please check with the Norwegian embassy in your country of origin if there are special entry requirements.
Travel insurance suggestions
We recommend that you take out personal travel and accident insurance according to your needs.
Visa stuff
Norway is part of the Schengen area, so travellers from this part of Europe only need their identity card or passport, not a visa. For other countries of origin, please enquire at the competent Norwegian embassy.
What to bring
You will need to bring personal outdoor clothing suitable for the northern climate, including hiking boots, warm woollen clothing and rainwear; a 3-seasons sleeping bag and a trekking rucksack for your personal belongings. You will receive a detailed equipment list after booking.
Step into the here and now. Be yourself, vibrantly connected with the living world. Explore the unknown outer wilds, and embark on a journey of self-discovery into your unexplored inner life, your 'inner wilderness'.
Facilitated transformational activities will guide you in exploring what your values, life's purpose, responsibility, potential and your gift to the world might be.
It’s time to retreat for personal growth. Time to change your life.
What are you waiting for? Join in, we'd love to meet you!
- - -
This retreat is for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, personal growth and clarity about their role in the world. It's an invitation to embrace change and discover how these things work together to transform your life and make a difference in the world. What makes our retreat stand out is a triple focus on:
Connecting with nature
During this week-long immersion in nature, we'll practice wilderness living under the guidance of experienced outdoorsmen. The retreat is designed to foster a deep connection with nature and a clear sense of what it really means to live on earth.
Personal Growth
Allowing yourself to be touched by living nature will help you grow into the unique person you are meant to be. The facilitators create a safe space for you to explore outer and inner nature and use the right tools to support your emerging transformation process.
Service to the World
This process is also about a balance between what you get and what you can give back. As the world co-creates your unique personal gifts, these talents are likely to be needed. The retreat is designed to help you find ways to share those gifts and to make a difference in the real world.
- - -
Our retreat offers a rare chance to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with yourself and nature. Located in a peaceful wilderness, it provides the space and time to step away from distractions and explore what truly matters.
The retreat combines nature immersion and wilderness living practice with personal development through self-reflection and facilitated transformational activities.
This way, we create a safe yet vibrant space to help you explore what your values, life's purpose, responsibility, potential and your gift to the world might be. You’ll gain a lot of clarity in this calm, supportive setting.
Following the idea of a nature immersion, we'll spend the whole week outdoors. The retreat is nomadic, meaning we’ll move on to new campsites several times.
Often we will hike off-track, sometimes we will use existing patterns. The route is not fixed and depends on the situation, composition, and dynamics of each group.
As an integral part of our wilderness living practice, we set up a new camp each time we move, looking for new places to sleep, putting up tarps for shelter, and rolling out insulating mats and sleeping bags. If necessary, we also put up mosquito nets.
Our daily wilderness living routine includes fetching water for drinking and cooking, collecting firewood, and lighting and maintaining a campfire. Of course, we also cook on the fire.
With a small group and personalized guidance, you’ll engage in facilitated transformational activities such as bodywork, sensory exercises, meditation, symbol work, personal reflection and group conversation.
The intimate environment ensures you’ll receive the support you need to make meaningful changes in your life.
In addition to program activities, you’ll have time to relax and recharge through nature walks, hikes, and outdoor meditation.
Fresh, nourishing meals prepared jointly in the group will help you stay grounded and focused throughout the retreat.
- - -
Weather information
The inland of southern Norway has a northern, boreal, subalpine and fairly continental climate. Expect temperatures between 0-25 Celsius (32-77 Fahrenheit) at this time of the year. We're protected from the North Atlantic Ocean by high mountain ranges. It's quite a dry climate, but it's still wise to be prepared for some rain.
Seasonal information
The retreats are held in spring season, in the month of June. Due to the high latitude, nights won't get dark at this time of year.
Electricity and outlets
This is a wilderness retreat. No electricity available during the whole event.
Vaccinations requirements
Scandinavia is rather harmless. A standard tetanus vaccination should do. Please check with the Norwegian embassy in your country of origin if there are special entry requirements.
Travel insurance suggestions
We recommend that you take out personal travel and accident insurance according to your needs.
Visa stuff
Norway is part of the Schengen area, so travellers from this part of Europe only need their identity card or passport, not a visa. For other countries of origin, please enquire at the competent Norwegian embassy.
What to bring
You will need to bring personal outdoor clothing suitable for the northern climate, including hiking boots, warm woollen clothing and rainwear; a 3-seasons sleeping bag and a trekking rucksack for your personal belongings. You will receive a detailed equipment list after booking.
Schedule
- The retreat takes place in the municipality of Tynset, Norway.
- The group will meet at Tynset railway station in the afternoon on arrival day.
- Detailed travel information will be provided after booking.
- A shared taxi transfer will take us from the meeting point in Tynset into the wilderness.
- Here we set up our first camp.
- As an integral part of our wilderness living routines, we’ll move on to new campsites several times during the retreat.
- These routines provide the framework for our facilitated transformational activities. Together they form the integral - core of the program.
- On departure day, we’ll take down the last camp and erase our traces.
- Still in the morning, a taxi will take us back to the starting point in Tynset.
- The group will meet at Tynset railway station in the afternoon on arrival day.
- Detailed travel information will be provided after booking.
- A shared taxi transfer will take us from the meeting point in Tynset into the wilderness.
- Here we set up our first camp.
- As an integral part of our wilderness living routines, we’ll move on to new campsites several times during the retreat.
- These routines provide the framework for our facilitated transformational activities. Together they form the integral - core of the program.
- On departure day, we’ll take down the last camp and erase our traces.
- Still in the morning, a taxi will take us back to the starting point in Tynset.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Thoralf Rumswinkel, Tynset, Norway
Directions
We recommend travelling to Tynset via the Norwegian capital Oslo or its airport.
There are trains running directly from Oslo city via the airport to Tynset with a change at the city of Hamar. The retreat starts and ends according to the train timetable to/from Tynset.
Travel time from Oslo airport to Tynset is 4 hrs, from Oslo city half an hour more.
You organize the trip to and from the meeting point on your own so that you are free to choose what fits you best.
After booking, you will receive detailed travel information with many travel options.
If you wish, we will also send this information in advance. We can also advise on other itineraries on request.
Transport from the meeting point to the wilderness and back will be arranged by the organizers.
You don’t need to do anything for these transfers.
There are trains running directly from Oslo city via the airport to Tynset with a change at the city of Hamar. The retreat starts and ends according to the train timetable to/from Tynset.
Travel time from Oslo airport to Tynset is 4 hrs, from Oslo city half an hour more.
You organize the trip to and from the meeting point on your own so that you are free to choose what fits you best.
After booking, you will receive detailed travel information with many travel options.
If you wish, we will also send this information in advance. We can also advise on other itineraries on request.
Transport from the meeting point to the wilderness and back will be arranged by the organizers.
You don’t need to do anything for these transfers.
Accommodation
We'll spend the whole week outdoors, moving several times to a new campsite. On each site, there will be a fireplace sheltered by a tarp as a meeting place for the whole group, and each person will choose their individual spot for resting and sleeping in the surroundings. Individual tarps and sleeping pads will be provided. Please note: This is a digital detox by nature. There's no electricity or Wi-Fi available. We leave media, mobile phones and time behind. Yet there will be an emergency number available at a certain time each day to take contact with in case of emergencies.
Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The retreat will take place as a wilderness camp on the outskirts of Tynset municipality, Norway.
We'll immerse in pristine Nordic nature amidst large boreal forests with crystal clear lakes and babbling streams and vast open tundra landscapes with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
A rough yet beautiful landscape, the presence of the wild, fresh air, open skies and the sound of silence create a deep sense of calm, belonging and connection with nature.
We'll immerse in pristine Nordic nature amidst large boreal forests with crystal clear lakes and babbling streams and vast open tundra landscapes with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
A rough yet beautiful landscape, the presence of the wild, fresh air, open skies and the sound of silence create a deep sense of calm, belonging and connection with nature.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
We serve regional, organic food, creating simple, seasonal meals that support sustainability. Dietary needs like vegan or gluten-free can be accommodated with notice. The group cooks together.
What's Included
- 6 nights outdoors accommodation, weatherproof tarps, underlay mats and sleeping pads included
- Full board provisions for 6 x breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks, consisting of mainly regional, ecological food
- Drinking water from natural sources. Tea or coffee as long as the fire's burning.
- Daily program consisting of facilitated transformational activities engaging body, mind, heart, the Earth and Spirit
- Full-time support from the facilitating/hosting team - Thoralf Rumswinkel (change wild!) and Manuel Sturm (Wilderness Vision)
- 3 half-day backpack hikes, 1 half-day nature hike, mostly in silence
- Group equipment for the wilderness camp
- Local taxi transfers on arrival and departure days
- Detailed travel and packing advice upfront and support if needed
What's Not Included
- Flights costs
- Airport transfer (travel advice and support is given)
- Travel insurance