JOURNEY THROUGH THE THREE WORLDS - RETREAT
The Depths of the Lower World – A Journey Within

Kolin Mattila Guest House, Koli National Park, Finland
Thu–Sun, May 14–17, 2026

Facilitators: Helena Karhu and Eero Peltonen

At the threshold between spring light and darkness, we gather at the idyllic and cozy Kolin Mattila guest house at Koli National Park, Finland. Koli is one of the most sacred shamanic power places of Finland, and perhaps the whole world. It is the nature’s sanctuary, which is mostly white quartz by its base. The beautiful lake Pielinen next to it, create a sacred union of water and mountain.

Koli’s ancient trees, peaks, and caves guide us on a mythical journey—along the paths of ancient stories and songs. The resonance of the drum, shamanic and guided inner journeys, incantations, songs, personal stories, legends, and shared rituals open the way to the depths of the Lower World, creating space for healing, insight, and new growth in life.

The themes of our retreat in the world of the Lower World: the primordial sea and the birth of the world, the internalization of power animals, the wisdom of the wounded healer, and the sprouts of new life waiting to rise to the surface.

This retreat is open to everyone interested in the shamanic and animistic roots of ancient traditions of Finland and the North.

Thursday – RETURN TO THE PRIMORDIAL SEA

5:00 pm Arrival at Kolin Mattila guest house, settling in and introductions
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Guided inner journey to the beginning of time: the primordial sea, the birth of all things, and infinite possibilities

Friday – MEETING THE POWER ANIMALS

8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Guardians of the deep forest: songs and stories of nature and animals
Shamanic drum journey to the Lower World: seeking your power animal
12:00 pm Lunch
Excursion in the landscapes of Koli: sensing and embodying the power animal
Circle of power animals: sharing insights, releasing sounds and energies
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Sauna
Rest and integration

Saturday – THE WOUNDED HEALER

8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Inner sun: morning songs and greeting the sun
Exercise: finding the inner loving figure
12:00 pm Lunch
Break
3:00 pm Guided inner work: life’s trials and the wisdom they carry
Healing spell
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Evening gathering with healing animals, figures, drums, and spells
Sauna

Sunday – A NEW BEGINNING

8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Morning circle: sharing dreams
Exercise: awakening the body and offering oneself words of encouragement
Ceremony for the new sprouts of life
Shared gratitude and closing circle
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Departure home

Facilitators

The retreat is facilitated by:
Eero Peltonen – tradition educator, runo-singer
Helena Karhu – teacher of shamanism, cultural researcher

Retreat Venue

Kolin Mattila, located in the heart of Koli National Park, within walking distance of the Koli peaks and Koli harbor. Kolin Mattila is a place for calming down and quiet reflection, offering beautiful, peaceful, and tradition-rooted surroundings for our course.
More information: https://www.kolinmattila.com/

Please note that the venue is unfortunately not accessible, and normal mobility is required. Accommodation is only available in shared rooms (if you need a single room, there are other accommodation options nearby that can be booked separately).

The course is alcohol-free and substance-free.

How to get there?

It is easiest to plan your journey via Joensuu, where the closest airport and railway station are situated. We will help to coordinate shared carpools/transfers from Joensuu to Koli, if necessary.

Trains: www.vr.fi

Flights: www.finnair.com

Practical Information and Registration

Register by email: info@karhuntalo.com, and let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. Please also include your address and phone number.

Retreat fee: €330

Accommodation and meals: In addition, full-board accommodation (from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch) totals €360 per person (final confirmation pending).

The retreat fee does not include travel costs to and from the retreat center, nor accident or travel insurance.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

All participants must read and understand the booking and cancellation policy before registering:
https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions

Contact

Eero Peltonen – eerope@gmail.com
Helena Karhu – info@karhuntalo.com