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PROGRAMME 2021



ACCOMMODATION & MEALS





  • 6 nights / 7 days accommodation at the Saanewald Lodge at 1'400m above sea level. Check-In: 2-4pm Check-Out: until 11pm
  • bright private bedroom with bathroom and shower including linen, towels, hairdryer. Either view to the valley or to the forest
  • all family-style meals are included: breakfast, lunch and dinner cooked by our plant-based chef as well as coffee & tea station with fruits and nuts during the day.
  • transfer from and to local train station on arrival and departure days (walking distance ca. 15min) as well as transport to nearby forests as part of the Shinrin-Yoku programme


PROGRAMME





  • 5 days 2-4 hours of guided Shinrin-Yoku to the most beautiful areas of the region. The programme builds up throughout the week, thus guidance will be more detailed in the beginning, preparing you to incorporate different practices independently by the end of the week and after your return back home.
  • 6 guided meditations, usually before breakfast
  • 6 yoga classes, usually before dinner
  • 2 workshops: an introduction to (Self) Hypnosis with Romain and an interactive debate on transformation & change. And plenty of time to be actively lazy!

​



SOCIAL IMPACT





  • every participant receives a lifelong passive Friends of Saanenwald membership

FREE STAY

We follow a social business concept: next to paying participants we are able to invite up to 36 less fortunate participants this year (1 out of 3 participants).

If you know of anyone who is going through a truly challenging time in his or her life and would benefit from a break and participation at SAANENWALD, contact us through the link below.



PRICE





  • The value of the week is CHF 1'900 per person. Reservation & Cancellation Policy: A deposit of 50% is required to secure your place, paid within 1 week after confirmation of your booking. The balance is due 14 days prior to arrival. In case of cancellation, a full refund is issued only if a replacement can be found. We will also try to fill the places, but sometimes it is not possible, especially in short notice cancellations.

COVID-19 information: We are happy to announce that with strong optimism we will run our nature programme in 2021. All sanitary rules of the Federal Council and of the Hotel Associations will be applied to ensure a safe and relaxed stay for you at SAANENWALD.

​In case of new, more restrictive measures set by the Federal Council preventing us to carry on our programme, you will receive a full refund of your booking.



DATES 2021



Week 1



12.06. - 18.06.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Week 2



19.06. - 25.06.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Week 3



03.07. - 09.07.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

ALUMNI Week 4



10.07. - 16.07.2021



SAT - FRI


More info below

Week 5



24.07. - 30.07.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Alumni Week 6



31.07. - 06.08.2021



SAT - FRI


FULLY BOOKED

Week 7



28.08. - 03.09.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Week 8



04.09. - 10.09.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Week 9



18.09. - 24.09.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

Week 10



02.10. - 08.10.2021



SAT - FRI


BOOK

SAANENWALD
FIRST ALUMNI WEEKS 2021



Alumni Week 4



10.07. - 16.07.2021



SAT - FRI


For all Friends of Saanenwald members who already participated in our programme in previous years.


Join an advanced programme of Shinrin-Yoku, Yoga and Meditation, discover new forests in Saanenland and take part in new workshops.


First come - first serve.


Minimum of 9 participants / max 12

Book until 31.04.2021


BOOK
(7 spaces left)

Alumni Week 6



31.07. - 06.08.2021



SAT - FRI


For all Friends of Saanenwald members who already participated in our programme in previous years.


Join an advanced programme of Shinrin-Yoku, Yoga and Meditation, discover new forests in Saanenland and take part in new workshops.


First come - first serve.


Minimum of 9 participants / max 12

Book until 31.04.2021


FULLY BOOKED

BECOME A
FRIEND OF SAANENWALD



JOIN THE TEAM





We work at eye level, share the same vision, love nature and care about a healthy and conscious society.
Retreat Chefs, Shinrin-Yoku Guides, Yoga & Meditation Teachers, Ambassadors and many more - we love to work with like-minded, enthusiastic people.


APPLY

BE A VOLUNTEER




We are a non-profit association and have a mix of employees and volunteers to make the structure of having paying and supported participants possible.
Each week we would like to invite one volunteer helping with some operational tasks but still enjoy some of the activities at SAANENWALD.

Contact us for more detailed information via e-mail.


VOLUNTEER

HOLD A WORKSHOP






Landscape Art, Essential Oils, Photography, Herbal Walks, Hypnosis - anything related to nature or health!
We are always looking for contributions in form of workshops.


JOIN

SPONSORED STAY



Know somebody who may need a break and recharge but is not able to pay for the participation? Are you approaching a time of your life where you feel empty, overwhelmed or extremely stressed and could make use of a break? Are you recovering from a past disease?

This year we are able to support 29 participants in return of a voluntary donation based on personal circumstances.


GET IN TOUCH

BECOME A MEMBER




We offer passive memberships. Your member fee contributes to making the SAANENWALD experience available to everyone.
Benefit from newsletters, the Friends of Saanenwald handbook and a network of like-minded people.

CHF 100,- per year
or donation based


SIGN UP

PARTNER UP




Does your company nourish the well-being of your employees? Does your association support preventive or restorative activities of your network? Is your institution interested in the effects of nature on our well-being and health? Do you conduct scientific research on nature and health?
Let's discuss a possible partnership!


GET IN TOUCH

FRIENDS OF SAANENWALD



Hornbergstrasse 22
3777 Saanenmöser
SWITZERLAND


contact

FAQ



I am still not sure what exactly we are doing during Shinrin-Yoku. Do we also need to hug trees?

There are many forms of Shinrin-Yoku. We are going through the forest and our guide helps you to activate your senses through different practices and activities (e.g. meditation, visual exercises). We do not promote any spiritual approaches, but will leave room for it if you wish to personally explore it. Hugging tree is not a must of course, but it is surprisingly enjoyable! :)


Is the programme in English or German?

The programme is in English due to the different languages of participants. We are located right at the so called 'Rösti-Graben', where the French and German part of Switzerland meet. Throughout the last 2 years participants came from different areas in Switzerland and we rather enjoyed the mix of different people and languages but agreed, that English would be the common ground. Understanding English is essential to follow the programme but be assured that throughout the week you probably also hear German, French and even other languages.


What do I need to bring for Shinrin-Yoku?

Ankle-high trekking shoes are necessary, as well as water proof trousers and jackets. Also bring a fleece just in case. We hope for sunny days - but… no rain, no flowers!


Do you provide vegetarian meals?

Yes, we mostly eat plant based food, but also give the chance to taste local meat during the week. If you are vegetarian or have any food allergies, please let us know during your booking.


Are mobile phones forbidden?

Yes, but we are aware that you may need to have mobile access. We kindly ask you to leave your mobile phones inside the room, so if you really need to check e-mails, talk to your friends or family you are welcome to do it from there.


You are a non-profit association but are charging people to participate at SAANENWALD - how exactly does this work?

With your stay, you are supporting the stays of less fortunate people. The profits of the nature weeks as well as donations and membership fees enable stays of participants who are facing a difficult time in their lives, suffer from a sickness and need some time off, or simply need to slow down from their hectic lives but don’t have the financial means for it.

To support this model and to support the participation of somebody in a similar situation in the future, invited participants are welcome to make a voluntary donation of any value - to keep the SAANENWALD spirit alive. In 2021 we have about 36 spaces for these kind of participations.


Can I bring my dog?


We love dogs and in general the location is ideal to bring your companion to the mountains. Due to the programme's intensity, mindfulness practices and fellow participants, we do not recommend to bring your dog. However, there is a nearby dog-hotel if your dog needs to be taken care of during the week.





PREVENTION. RECOVERY.

TOGETHER IN NATURE.

FOR EVERYONE.



© Friends of Saanenwald 2021



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