Darkness, the realm of mystery, inspires introspection, rest, and renewal. It connects us to the night sky, fostering a deeper understanding of and respect for nature’s rhythms and bringing people together through shared moments of quiet reflection.

Our DARKNESS experience range is inspired by the polar night, we as experienced Arctic tourism professionals beyond the Danish borders are all in deep awe of. Being immersed in natural darkness is a sensational nature connecting experience that way too few people get to have on a regular basis given the amount of light pollution we are surrounded by. Our offers consist of experiences of real natural darkness, away from urban areas and built environments.

STAR

Description

STAR gazing is an almost magical experience. Nothing connects you more by putting you into the greater context, as one tiny part of the whole that we call our Universe.

By allowing sufficient time, by seeking areas with minimal or no light pollution, and by adding new levels to your experiences of the night sky, this experience often leaves participants in awe and inner peace.

STAR is of course about watching and enjoying the night sky of the Northern Hemisphere, but it is also about getting to know more about it. By storytelling and interpretation from our guide staff, the sky comes alive and connects you to your surroundings, your ancestors, and yourself at a new and deeper level.

Practicalities

Our STAR experiences often include a short walking distance. But please bring good walking shoes and dress weather appropriately.

Our guide staff are knowledgeable night sky interpreters, and will help you point out various star signs and planets.

Please do not bring your own lamps or flashlights. We will provide all possible sources of light needed during the experience.

Our STAR experiences are weather dependent, and the content is subject to change if overcast. Our guide staff are skilled interpreters, and will always be able to inform you about the Northern Hemisphere sky, and our cultural connection to stars and star signs, no matter the weather conditions.

Duration

2-3 hours

Time of day

Late afternoon / evening

Season

September-April

Capacity

2-75 people

Catering

Organic vegan snack + Hot homemade berry juice

GOODNIGHT

Description

GOODNIGHT is a nature connecting sensory awakening slow silent walk in the dark. When reducing the human vision due to the dark surroundings, your other senses are reinforced and you will get to experience nature in ways you rarely do. At the same time, walking slowly, causes you to actively sense and notice surfaces, placement and proximity of other species – human or more than human – not just with your mind, but with your body. Further, slow walking releases feel-calm and feel-good hormones that provides you an inner peace and tranquility, few people give themselves before bedtime.

We walk in a group, but stay silent. Your guide may give short instructions, and prompts during the walk. The walking distance differs, is usually very short, and is always decided to match both group and place.

Practicalities

Our GOODNIGHT walks are short. But please bring good walking shoes and dress weather appropriately.

Please do not bring your own lamps or flashlights. We will provide all possible sources of light needed during the experience.

The GOODNIGHT experiences relies on the aspects of silence and slow pace. We kindly ask you you co-create this experience with respect for both yourself and your fellow participants by accepting the terms set by the National Park Experiences Guide.

Duration

2-3 hours

Time of day

Late afternoon / evening

Season

September-April

Capacity

5-60 people

Catering

Organic vegan snack + Hot homemade berry juice

NIGHT OWL

Description

NIGHT OWL is a co-creating taste experience focusing on connecting with our surroundings through connecting with nature through the food we eat. NIGHTOWS can be both adult and young children. Bringing your families to this event often unlocks new potential in relationships, and children get to demonstrate how brave and skilled they are in handling raw food, fire and darkness.

Using only fresh seasonal local groceries from our National Park Partner colleagues, we ensure that nothing has traveled far, and that everything we serve is fresh out of the ground, down from the branch, out of the ocean or field. In smaller family based groups you prepare a multi course meal and aesthetically arrange this on the beautiful buffet table we co-create, as we know that cooking for fellow humans is always a great way of showing compassion.

Practicalities

Children of all ages are welcome at NIGHTOWL.

We bring all groceries, kitchen supplies, water, firewood etc. needed for your meal preparations. You will, in smaller groups, be given responsibility for your own bon-fire pit.

We instruct and facilitate the group experience, have the overall plan – and timeplan, but urge you to enjoy the process trusting that what you cook over your bon-fire, is going to fit beautifully into the common meal everyone around you is preparing simultaneously.

We are around you, available to help out whenever you have questions about a recipe, the bon-fire, the groceries or the concept of Nature Connectedness.


Duration

2-4 hours

Time of day

Day / Evening

Season

All

Capacity

5-70 people incl. children

Catering

Full meal. Organic, Local, Allergens + vegan optional. + Drinks of choice

SIT

Description

SIT is a very special experience of solace, community and connection at the same time.

Our Nature Connectedness experience SIT is a sit-spot experience of being in your own company in the dark. We facilitate an introduction to the urban human’s relationship with inner and outer darkness, and together we embark on a hike through a dark nature area, often a forest. One by one you are dropped off at your own sit spots on the route, as the group carries on.

Even though you spend the majority of the time on this experience in solace, the sense of belonging known to foster Nature Connectedness is extremely deep, both in terms of your surrounding nature, but also in terms of your connection to the fellow human beings sitting in their sit spots around you in the distance.

Our guide continues the circular route, and picks you up one by one as you silently join the line of hikers as they pass by.

Practicalities

The route and duration of the SIT experience varies as per agreement.

If lights are needed we will provide you with lanterns, and we kindly ask you to refrain from using any artificial light sources, as well as mobile devices during the SIT experience.

Often, going into a SIT experience with an intention or a purpose can help strengthen the experience of deep thought or transformational clarity in the participant. Whether to add intention-exercises can be arranged with the guide staff prior to the route.

Duration

2-3 hours

Time of day

Late afternoon / evening

Season

September-April

Capacity

5-60 people

Catering

Organic vegan snack + Hot homemade berry juice

HANG

Description

HANG is our hammock experience. Imagine just leaning back for a while, enjoying beautiful National Park scenery, soundscapes and smells. Being tucked into a hammock allows you to get off ground for a while. An experience the busy human life often does not allow us while awake.

After a short hike to our relaxation place of choice, you are instructed in putting up your hammocks. Our hammocks offer the opportunity of being supported while hanging, yet open to your surroundings, or you can choose to wrap yourself in a cocoon like cozy experience of you-time and undisturbed relaxation.

You are always catered for in terms of snacks and drinks. Upon departure for the hike, the group agrees whether the experience should have a main focus on the solace or the social side, and you decide on whether you do a social snack meal gathering, or just enjoy a self compassion moment to yourself in your hammock.

Practicalities

We provide you with lightweight hammocks.

Our guide staff instruct you in how, and are always ready to help you in the process of creating your own cozy self-compassion nest for a while.

HANG can be an experience of a few hours relaxation time, and a full overnight in nature.

We chose various nature types depending on season and experience aim..

Duration

2-3 hours

Time of day

Day/Evening

CAPACITY

5-30 PEOPLE

Season

All (if Darkness wish: September-April)

Catering

Organic vegan snack + Hot homemade berry juice. Option of adding bon-fire meal if you chose overnight stay

What Our Guests Say

“Visiting Naturterapeutisk Refugie was truly transformative. The peaceful surroundings and thoughtful activities allowed me to reconnect with myself and find inner peace.”

Sarah M

“The place you have here! Oh my! This was just what we needed after a stressfull week of travel and workshops – combined with long morning walks in the beech forest, we are now both back in balance. We’d love to come back – but in the meantime, come visit in California!”

Peter & Nancy

“I loved spending an intense writing retreat week with my post-doc colleagues at the Refuge so much, that I had to come back with my family! I love the flexibility you guys have created here. Thank you!”

Thomas