There’s plenty to do at Sata Khaya, and also a lot of freedom to do nothing. Guided activities will include a walk to the river & beach, and a short hike to the lake where you will have the opportunity to take a swim and cover your body in mud known for its curative powers. The banks of the river are a great place for rock hunting - many Sakha people have knowledge of rocks and you’ll see your trip companions combing the beaches for hours. Red and black currants will likely be in season, and you are welcome to go foraging. This is also a great opportunity to learn about traditional architecture and seasonal living adaptations (people come here in the winter too!), and to participate, if you’d like, in cooking over an open fire and fishing with nets for our meals. The people who are drawn to this place are often healers and artists, so don’t be surprised if you’re invited to join in song and dance, or if you see people trading sessions of bodywork, smoke healing, and divination. Private sessions with Aar Saaryn may be available at an additional cost.

At night we will engage in group fire ceremony and Aar Saaryn will lead us in algys and blessing of personal items. We will have an orientation to this practice and a chance for Q&A before we move into ritual space.

Accommodations: sleeping bags in huts, simple yet cozy

Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Included activities: hikes, mud bathing, ritual.

Special Information: It’s best to go into trance ritual without expectation. For some people, ‘nothing’ may happen; others may experience a powerful mystical experience that expands the limits of what is possible. On a practical level, the ritual space may get extremely hot and we will be there for several hours, so good hydration is necessary. We will begin around midnight on the night of the solstice, and you are welcome to nap beforehand. On a subtle level, this sort of ritual carries some risk. It’s important to follow directions carefully, and to clarify any questions before we begin. This ritual is participatory.