Gertrud Niehaus guides dark retreats in the village of Barskamp, which belongs to the town of Bleckede in the Lüneburg district of Lower Saxony, not far from the Elbe. The retreat takes place in a log cabin she built for this purpose in the garden by her house; according to participants‘ accounts, beyond an entrance hallway the cabin has two separate, completely blacked-out rooms with a bathroom, shower and WC. The surroundings offer forests and places where Gertrud takes guests for a walk after the retreat, for example to prehistoric graves.
Gertrud is a graduate sociologist who previously taught sociology and psychology; she founded the Institut für Naturtherapie and has been guiding dark retreats since 2003 (the website mentions more than 25 years). The approach is spiritual and focused on self-discovery, drawing on the traditions of “night yoga” and initiatory retreats in darkness. She comes every day for a conversation in which she discusses your experiences, dreams and mental states with you and, where appropriate, deepens them with exercises. The food takes the form of an alkaline fast according to Hildegard of Bingen (vegetable broths, juices, herbal teas). It suits those who want personal and intensive guidance from an experienced guide in a small, homely setting, all year round by arrangement.
Dark retreat: €196/night (incl. daily conversation and meals)
From 12 nights: €187/night
One-week retreat: €1,372/7 nights
Deposit on registration: €200
Price includes
accommodation in a blacked-out room in the cabin (bed, towels, yoga mat, meditation cushion, small table and armchair)
introductory conversation
alkaline fast according to Hildegard of Bingen (vegetable broths, juices, herbal teas, spring water – all Demeter)
daily conversation with the guide
final cleaning of the room and bathroom; for longer stays, interim cleaning by arrangement
closing ritual: conversation and a walk to places of power near the forest
Meals
included, alkaline fast (vegetarian organic soups, juices, teas), according to participants in the morning and evening
Demeter juices, herbal teas, spring water and vegetarian organic soups are served.
On longer stays also easily digestible food, e.g. rice with vegetables.
According to participants' accounts, the guide brings tea and soup to the door or into the room in the morning and evening.
Length of stay
The website does not state a minimum length of stay; ask before booking.
Dates all year round by individual arrangement.
Published participant accounts are from stays of 5 to 27 nights, most often 7–10 nights.
Lower price per night from 12 nights.
Deposit and payment
€200 in advance by bank transfer
Registration is valid once the €200 deposit has been received.
Registration by phone or e-mail.
The website does not say when and how the balance is paid.
Cancellation
The website does not state cancellation terms; ask before booking.
Early departure: the website does not say; ask before booking.
Health restrictions
The method is not a substitute for professional medical care; people with illnesses based on mental or emotional disorders should consult a specialist or therapist.
According to one participant's account, before the retreat you sign a declaration that you are undertaking it at your own risk.
Other conditions
A week before the start you need to cleanse your bowels and switch to a vegetarian diet.
The retreat begins with an introductory conversation and a small ritual; you start the darkness by blowing out a candle (according to participants' accounts).
You can air the room through a window while wearing an eye mask (according to one participant's account).
End of the retreat: the guide opens the blackout, followed by breakfast in her house, a conversation and a walk to places of power.
Couples: according to one participant's account, partners can do the retreat at the same time, each in their own room of the cabin – check before booking.
Guide
Gertrud Niehaus – graduate sociologist, former lecturer in sociology and psychology, trained nurse, training in personal and transpersonal psychology, founder of the Institut für Naturtherapie (2000), author of books.
She has been guiding dark retreats since 2003 and has done a dark retreat herself; the website cites over 45 years of experience in nature therapy and consciousness work.
A conversation every day in which experiences, dreams and mental states are discussed and, where appropriate, deepened with exercises (according to participants, in the morning or evening).
She also offers individual sessions (intuitive counselling, “soul reading”) for €95/hour.
Information taken from the operator's website naturtherapie-rituale.de, last checked 9. 10. 2026. Prices and conditions may change; please confirm them with the operator before booking.. Texts are translated from Czech.
Getting to Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp:
Location: wooden log cabin in the garden by the guide's house in a village Train: 10 km Bus: 0,1 km
Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp on the map:
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Gertrud Niehaus BarskampDELocation: wooden log cabin in the garden by the guide's house in a villageTrain: 10 kmBus: 0,1 kmPrice: ≈ 4,776 CZK/night€196/night incl. meals (fasting soups, juices, teas) and daily conversation; from 12 nights €187/night
Gertrud Niehaus BarskampDELocation: wooden log cabin in the garden by the guide's house in a villageTrain: 10 kmBus: 0,1 kmPrice: ≈ 4,776 CZK/night€196/night incl. meals (fasting soups, juices, teas) and daily conversation; from 12 nights €187/night
How to book Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp
Book directly with the operator: website naturtherapie-rituale.de, phone +49 5854 969977, e-mail naturtherapie@gmx.info.
If they are fully booked, you can use these free dates at Léčba tmou near Kutná Hora. These are not dates of Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp, but of the centre in Lomec near Kutná Hora (Czechia):
Svatyně klidu is available from 17.10.2026 Book 3 nights
Svatyně zdraví is available from 17.10.2026 Book 3 nights