Go on a wilderness retreat in Norway,
not to escape, but to meet life fully.
Find yourself in nature -
and return with purpose,
to share your gifts to the world.
What to expect at the retreat
Escape the noise
We will help you to land in the here and now, and to land with yourself.
Immerse yourself in nature
Far off in the unspoiled wilderness of Norway, we will spend all day outdoors, sleep under the stars, drink from mountain streams, cook over open fire: we’ll fully immerse in nature.
We will roam freely yet safely in the wilds with experienced guides by your side.
Sense the power of nature
Nature doesn’t hurry; we will allow things to unfold at their own pace.
Find yourself
With nature as a mirror for your Self, you are allowed to turn inwards to your inner voice and to realise who you really are and what you live for.
You're not alone
This journey is yours, but you will walk your path alongside your fellow travellers. Without having to speak much, you will feel seen, heard and supported.
Around the fire or in shared silence, the group creates a transformative field to the benefit of everyone’s process.
Empower yourself
Connected to the whole, with clarity and trust, you will be empowered to follow your purpose and to contribute to your world for the better, on a smaller or a larger scale.
How it works
The Human-Nature Quest is not just an escape into nature. It’s a return to yourself, a search for the deeper truth of your life. It boils down into two questions:
- Who am I? – What is my human nature?
- What can I do? – What is my gift as a human to the world I live in?
In the stillness of the wild, free from distractions and expectations, space opens up to sense what truly matters. With nature as a mirror, through simplicity, silence, and skilled guidance the answers will come to you.
So you will return with more than just memories. You will return with clarity of purpose and trust in your own path. With the energy and power to change your life according to your self. Committed to make a positive impact on your world.
What you will take home
- A deep sense of connection with yourself, others, and nature
- Clarity about who you are and what truly matters to you
- Renewed energy to make conscious choices in work and life
- Greater self-trust by knowing your weaknesses and discovering your strengths
- The courage to live with intention, guided by your own truth
- The capacity and commitment to contribute to your world
Want to know more?
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Dates and prices
Everything is taken care of
For a fixed price of € 1.775 you get a fully organized and powerful experience in the Norwegian wilderness with a lasting impact. Be part of a small group with experienced guides.
We’ve made it easy for you:
- Just book your flight & train and bring your backpack.
- We’ll take care of the rest.
This is included
- Small group of 4–8 participants
- Team of two facilitators
- Impactful program as described
- Local taxi transfers on arrival and departure days
- 6 nights outdoors, sleeping under weatherproof tarps
- Full board with mostly local, ecological food
- Group equipment for the wilderness camp
To help you prepare as well as possible, we have included an online one-to-one intake session before the retreat.
After the retreat, you will be invited to an online group gathering led by your facilitators, to support you in integrating your experience into your everyday life.
Pick your moment
This wilderness quest is offered just a few times a year, each journey aligned with the rhythm of the seasons. Whether you feel drawn to the vibrant freshness of spring or the abundant richness of summer, choose the timing that fits your path best.
This is your chance to unplug, reconnect, and gain clarity and strength – all in one of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes of Europe.
Upcoming dates
- 7 – 13 June 2026 | Tynset, Norway
- 19 – 25 July 2026 | Vinstra, Norway
Each group is small and spots are limited. If one of these dates speaks to you, we encourage you to secure your place early.
Any questions? - Send a message
Do you have any questions? Feel free to send us a message. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, and help you take the first step toward this unique journey.
Your guides
Thoralf Rumswinkel
With over two decades’ experience as a guide and facilitator, Thoralf has proven expertise in creating safe spaces for reflection and growth.
He founded change wild and initiated The Human-Nature Quest. Over the years, he has brought Manuel Sturm and Leon Nijenhuis on board the team.
Manuel Sturm
An expert in both practical outdoor skills and process facilitation, Manuel founded Wilderness Vision, where he combines hands-on outdoor experiences with facilitating vision quests.
He encourages people to embrace simplicity, reconnect with nature and rediscover themselves.
Leon Nijenhuis
Leon is a wilderness guide and natural-born navigator, devoted to simple living. His skilled talent for listening and reflection helps people find the essence of their inner voices.
A career change and a longer stay in the wilds made him realise the need to bring the lessons of nature back to modern society.
Our invitation to you
Whenever you feel interested in this, we encourage you to get in touch with us.
I explicitly invite you to plan a free informal video call with me, Thoralf.
In this call, you can ask anything: practical questions, talk about personal doubts, or simply share where you are in your journey.
Let’s meet online!
Thoralf
PS: If you don’t feel like calling, feel free to:
You are always welcome!
What participants say
We often ask former participants how they would describe their experiences of the Quest to interested people. Here is a selection of responses from recent years. Feel free to read their reflections:
Retreat 2025
Retreat 2024
An enrichment at the right time.
Retreat 2023
Retreat 2025
Retreat 2024
Retreat 2024
Retreat 2024
Retreat 2023
Retreat 2025
Retreat 2024
Retreat 2023
Good to know
Where is the retreat held?
The 7-day wilderness retreats are held in the unspoilt nature of the Norwegian highlands.
Depending on the date, they take place at two different locations in Norway. The corresponding meeting points are:
- Tynset railway station and
- Vinstra railway station / bus stop
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How do I get to the meeting point?
We recommend travelling to the respective location – Tynset or Vinstra – via the capital Oslo or its airport. There are train/bus connections to both meeting points, each about 4 hours north of the Norwegian capital Oslo and its airport. The retreats start and end according to the respective train or bus timetables.
- You organise 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.
- We arrange transport from the meeting point to the wilderness and back. You don’t need to do anything for these transfers.
How is the retreat organised?
In the afternoon of the arrival day there will be a shared taxi transfer from the meeting point into the wilderness. There we set up our first camp.
The retreats are held as nomadic wilderness camps. This means we’ll be camping outdoors and moving on to new campsites several times over the course of the week. The route is not fixed and depends on the situation, composition and dynamics of each group.
We set up a new camp each time we move, find new spots to sleep, put up tarps for weather protection, and roll out insulating mats and sleeping bags. If needed, we also put up mosquito nets. As part of our daily routines, we will collect water for drinking and cooking, gather firewood and light and tend a campfire. Of course we’ll also cook over the fire.
Living in the wilderness is an integral part of the personal development programme. This framework incorporates nature-related exercises and activities, as well as rest periods, rituals and reflective sessions. Sometimes you’ll work alone, sometimes in pairs or as a whole group, and always under the decent guidance of the team.
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, so relevant trains/buses will be reached.
What food is served?
The retreat includes full board with a large proportion of organic, regionally produced food. As standard, we serve rich porridge/müesli for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and a warm meal for dinner. Additionally there will be snacks.
The food is mainly vegetarian, with some game and fish. On request, we can of course provide completely vegetarian or vegan food, or provide for other diets, with regard to preferences, intolerances, allergies or illnesses.
Who is the retreat for?
The retreat is intended for adults.
Adolescents may attend under the supervision of a responsible adult. We will clear this with you in person prior to booking. Just send a request!
Participants organize camp life collectively. Your active involvement is required.
You want to:
- temporarily leave behind everyday life
- immerse in wilderness living and learn practical wilderness skills
- get closer to yourself (to your Self) and give (more) meaning to your life
- take responsibility for yourself and for the living world around you.
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience?
No prior knowledge is required to join the retreat, no previous outdoor experience or athletic fitness needed.
What is important is your willingness to embark on an extraordinary adventure in nature and your ability to move under your own power in rough terrain.
What do I need to bring?
Any questions? - Send a message
Thank you for your interest, whatever your concern. Feel free to ask or share anything you like. We’re looking forward to your message and we will respond as soon as possible.
© change wild!