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Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions

Noord Ark AB, company registration number 559546-8348 · Version 3 · Effective 19 August 2026

English is the master version. If a version in another language is published and the two conflict, the English version applies.

1. General

1.1 These general terms and conditions (the "Terms") apply between Noord Ark AB, company registration number 559546-8348, Mailbox 2347, 111 75 Stockholm, Sweden ("Noord") and each person ("the Participant") who books and takes part in a retreat arranged by Noord Darkness Retreats (a "Retreat"). The Terms apply to current and future Retreats. Noord and the Participant are together referred to as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party".

1.2 Section 8 (Noord Companion) applies to anyone who uses the Noord Companion on Noord's website, whether or not they book a Retreat. In that section, "you" means the user of the Companion.

2. Applicability

2.1 After booking, the Participant must complete a health declaration containing information relating to conduct, suitability and safety (the "Health Declaration"). Together with these Terms it constitutes the entire agreement between the Participant and Noord for participation in a Retreat and for other dealings between the Parties. The Terms are accepted at the time of booking through Noord's website, where the Participant also confirms that they have read and agree to their content.

2.2 Noord reserves the right to refuse participation if the information in the Health Declaration, or provided on any other occasion, shows that the Retreat is not physically or psychologically suitable for the Participant. The same applies where the Participant withholds relevant information. In such cases the participation fee is refunded, but no further compensation is payable.

2.3 In the event of conflict between documents, the following order of priority applies to their interpretation:

  • special terms;

  • the Health Declaration;

  • these Terms.

2.4 How Noord processes personal data — including information in the Health Declaration and messages sent to the Noord Companion — is described in Noord's Privacy Policy at www.noorddarkness.com/privacy-policy. The Privacy Policy is information, not part of this contract, and accepting these Terms is not consent to the processing of personal data.

2.5 Age. Retreats are open to people aged 18 or over. By making a booking the Participant confirms that they are at least 18 years old.

3. Content and structure of the Retreat

3.1 The Retreat consists of accommodation in complete darkness for the stated period, daily service of warm meals through a serving hatch, and an introduction conversation held on arrival — see further section 4. The Retreat takes place in silence and seclusion. The Retreat is a form of recovery and personal development within the scope of wellness (friskvård) and is not to be regarded as healthcare or therapy. Coaching conversations may be offered as an optional extra.

3.2 Noord is entitled to make organisational changes such as a change of retreat host, adjustment of meals, equipment or practical details, without this constituting a defect or giving rise to a right to compensation. The Participant will be informed in advance of material changes.

3.3 The Participant is responsible for arriving at the retreat centre at the stated time. Noord is not responsible for transport costs, delays or other consequential costs relating to the Participant's journey. Participants are encouraged to book travel with generous margins.

3.4 Noord guarantees a private, darkened retreat room with a bed, toilet and washing facilities. Room standard and facilities are described in the digital welcome material sent after a confirmed booking.

3.5 Noord will do its best to adapt meals to notified allergies or dietary preferences, provided the information is given at least 14 days before the start of the Retreat. If particular requests cannot be accommodated, the Participant will be informed. No price reduction is given.

3.6 The retreat rooms are equipped with technology for environmental monitoring, for example measurement of temperature, air quality and other basic parameters. The purpose is to ensure a safe and stable retreat environment. These measurements are taken automatically in all rooms and are not linked to individual participants; they reflect the environment as a whole.

3.7 The Participant may also select an optional biometric and psychometric package, which may include non-visual, body-adjacent data collection — for example movement patterns, rest positions and self-reports. The purpose is to enable biofeedback, self-regulation and measurement of effect in connection with the Retreat. The data is handled strictly confidentially and may be used by Noord or by trusted partners for research and development in accordance with applicable rules. Use of this data for research requires the Participant's separate, informed consent, which is voluntary and may be withdrawn. The option is selected at the time of booking and is not included in the basic price of the Retreat. Further information on how this data is handled is set out in the Privacy Policy.

4. Introduction conversation and preparation

4.1 An introduction conversation between Noord and the Participant is held before the Retreat. Its purpose is to create a sense of security and clarify expectations of the process. It is mandatory for all participants.

4.2 Voluntary additional services may be offered, such as a preparatory wellness conversation and a follow-up coaching conversation. These conversations are optional, booked separately and not included in the basic price of the Retreat. The preparatory conversation is intended to help the Participant prepare for the Retreat; the coaching conversation is offered after the Retreat and focuses on integrating the experience and continued self-regulation. Information about optional extras is provided with the booking confirmation.

4.3 Participants who book a premium package receive a starter kit containing selected products intended to support recovery and self-regulation. The starter kit is personal and may be kept by the Participant after the Retreat.

5. Prices and payment

5.1 Prices for Noord's retreat programmes and events are stated at the time of booking and include VAT where applicable. Prices may be updated by Noord at any time before a booking is made, but not after the Participant has completed a booking.

5.2 Payment is made in full at the time of booking through Noord's digital booking system. The booking is binding from the time payment has been made. By completing payment the Participant also accepts these Terms.

5.3 Additional charges apply to certain optional extras, such as the biometric and psychometric package, extended wellness conversations, additional coaching sessions or other optional services. These are specified before booking, are invoiced or paid separately through the booking system, and are not included in the basic price of the Retreat.

5.4 Noord does not normally issue invoices to private individuals. Invoicing may be offered to organisations and companies falling within Noord's areas of activity by separate agreement. The booking is confirmed only when the invoice has been paid. By paying the invoice the Participant accepts these Terms.

5.5 Payment is handled through external payment services, currently Adyen and Stripe for card payments and Klarna where offered. The Participant is aware that each such provider has its own terms of use and privacy policy, which the Participant is responsible for reading and accepting before payment. Noord is not responsible for transaction costs, exchange fees or other additional charges arising through these third-party services. Payment details are not processed or stored by Noord but are handled by the relevant payment service provider under its own security procedures. Only the information necessary to complete the transaction is transferred. Refunds are made, where applicable, through the same payment service used for the purchase and in accordance with that provider's procedures. In the event of a dispute or technical problem relating to payment, the Participant is referred in the first instance to the customer support of the payment service concerned.

5.6 Noord is entitled, on making a refund, to deduct reasonable administrative costs actually incurred in connection with handling the refund.

5.7 Confirmation of booking and any participant information is sent by email to the address given by the Participant at the time of booking. The Participant is responsible for ensuring that access to that email works and for notifying Noord immediately of any error. The Participant should check that the content of the confirmation matches the booking made.

5.8 Gift vouchers issued by Noord may be used as a means of payment for available retreat programmes, as stated on Noord's website. Gift vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash, and a lost or mislaid gift voucher is not replaced.

5.9 Noord reserves the right to correct obvious pricing errors on the website or booking page before a booking is completed. Where an incorrect price obviously deviates from the market price and has arisen through a technical fault or mistake, a booking may be refused with a full refund.

6. Cancellation, rebooking and transfer

6.1 Private individuals (consumers)

6.1.1 The Participant has no right of withdrawal under the Swedish Distance Contracts Act (2005:59) once the booking has been made and payment has been completed, by virtue of the exception in Chapter 2, section 11, point 12, since the Retreat concerns a leisure activity with a specified date and scope.

6.1.2 The Participant is however offered the opportunity, free of charge and on one (1) occasion, to rebook to another Retreat within Noord's range. This requires that:

  • the rebooking request is made at least 60 days before the first day of the Retreat; and

  • the alternative retreat place is available and approved by Noord.

6.1.3 The Participant is responsible for ensuring that the rebooking is made in time. A rebooking cannot be made to a Retreat with a higher cost without payment of the difference, and no refund is given if the new Retreat has a lower price. Non-attendance ("no-show") does not entitle the Participant to rebooking or a refund. There is no right to any further rebooking.

6.1.4 Campaign bookings and early-bird offers are binding and cannot be rebooked or refunded, regardless of when the request is made.

6.1.5 The ticket may however be transferred to another person up to 7 days before the start of the Retreat, provided that:

  • the new participant completes the Health Declaration; and

  • the new participant is approved by Noord on the same conditions as apply to an ordinary booking.

6.2 Corporate bookings

6.2.1 For corporate bookings, the booking is binding on payment of the invoice. No right of withdrawal or rebooking applies. All costs are final and non-refundable.

6.3 Cancelled Retreats

6.3.1 Noord reserves the right to cancel a Retreat for reasons including, but not limited to, force majeure, illness among staff, decisions of public authorities, an insufficient number of participants, or other circumstances meaning that the Retreat cannot reasonably be carried out as planned.

6.3.2 If a Retreat is cancelled, the Participant is offered in the first instance the opportunity to rebook free of charge to another equivalent Retreat. If such a rebooking is not possible or not wanted, the fee paid is refunded in full. No further compensation is payable. Noord is not responsible for costs incurred by participants for travel, accommodation outside the Retreat or other ancillary costs.

7. Conduct, safety and environment

7.1 Personal responsibility and respectful conduct. The Participant undertakes to behave in a respectful and considerate manner towards other participants, staff and the retreat surroundings, and is expected to follow the instructions and guidelines given by Noord before, during and after the Retreat in order to maintain safety and a secure community.

7.2 Disruptive behaviour. Noord is entitled to refuse or terminate the Participant's participation, without any obligation to refund the participation fee, if the Participant displays behaviour assessed as destructive, seriously disruptive, threatening or otherwise incompatible with the purpose or conduct of the Retreat. Any additional costs arising in that connection, including the journey home, are borne by the Participant.

7.3 Alcohol and drugs. During the Retreat it is not permitted to consume alcohol, narcotics, other intoxicants or medication without prior agreement with Noord. A breach results in immediate termination of participation without any right to a refund.

7.4 Care of premises and surroundings. The Participant is responsible for treating the Retreat's premises, equipment and surroundings with care. Damage arising from negligence may give rise to liability to compensate.

7.5 Car-sharing and activities outside the retreat programme. If the Participant takes part in car-sharing or other activities outside the retreat programme, this is entirely at the Participant's own risk. Noord is not responsible for injury or loss in connection with such activities.

7.6 Photography, audio and video — marketing. Photographs, audio or video may be collected for use in marketing in Noord's digital channels. Such documentation takes place only after separate, informed consent from the Participant. Consent is voluntary and does not affect the Participant's ability to take part in the Retreat. Consent may be withdrawn at any time; on withdrawal Noord will remove the material from its own channels without undue delay.

8. Noord Companion (AI assistant)

8.1 What the Companion is

8.1.1 The Noord Companion (the "Companion") is an artificial intelligence system made available on Noord's website. It answers questions about Noord's retreats and services by generating responses automatically.

8.1.2 You are interacting with an AI system, not with a human being. The Companion is not a member of Noord's staff.

8.1.3 The Companion is provided free of charge, is optional, and is not part of the retreat service you pay for. You can always contact Noord at hello@noorddarkness.com instead and receive an answer from a person.

8.2 What the Companion is not

8.2.1 The Companion may generate responses that are incorrect, incomplete, out of date or inappropriate to your situation. AI systems can state inaccurate information confidently.

8.2.2 The Companion does not provide, and must not be relied on as:

  • medical care, therapy, psychological treatment, diagnosis or clinical assessment;

  • emergency, crisis or suicide-prevention assistance;

  • legal, financial, insurance or other professional advice;

  • a binding statement of Noord's prices, availability, terms or the suitability of a Retreat for you.

8.2.3 In case of an emergency, contact the emergency services. For health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare provider.

8.2.4 If anything the Companion says conflicts with these Terms, your booking confirmation or information given to you by Noord's staff, those prevail. Nothing the Companion generates alters your agreement with Noord or creates an offer capable of acceptance.

8.3 Your responsibility

8.3.1 You remain responsible for any decision you take on the basis of the Companion's output. Before relying on it for anything that matters — a booking, travel arrangements, or whether a Retreat is suitable for you — check it with Noord.

8.3.2 You confirm that you have the right to submit whatever you enter into the Companion, and that doing so does not infringe anyone else's rights.

8.4 Age

8.4.1 The Companion is intended for people aged 18 or over. Do not use it if you are under 18.

8.5 Acceptable use

8.5.1 You must not:

  • submit unlawful, threatening, harassing, defamatory or infringing content;

  • submit passwords, login credentials, access codes, payment card or bank details;

  • submit another person's confidential information, or personal data about another person without their authority;

  • submit health information or other sensitive personal data — the Companion is not designed to receive it (see the Privacy Policy, section 7.6);

  • attempt to circumvent the Companion's restrictions or safety instructions, extract its underlying instructions, or induce it to generate unlawful or harmful content;

  • use the Companion for automated, bulk or high-volume querying, scraping, benchmarking or resale;

  • use the Companion in a way that interferes with its availability for others, or for any unlawful purpose.

8.5.2 Noord may apply usage limits — for example a limit on the number or length of messages in a session — in order to keep the service available and affordable.

8.5.3 Noord may block or suspend access to the Companion, temporarily or permanently, where use is abusive, unlawful, or in breach of section 8.5.1. Where the user is also a Participant, blocking access to the Companion does not affect their Retreat booking.

8.6 Availability and changes

8.6.1 The Companion is provided on an "as available" basis. Noord does not guarantee that it will be available at any particular time or free from interruption or error.

8.6.2 Noord may at any time change, suspend or discontinue the Companion or any part of it, including changing the underlying AI model, model provider or configuration, and may take it offline for maintenance. Because the Companion is free and optional, no compensation is payable in respect of unavailability or discontinuation.

8.7 Input and output

8.7.1 Noord does not claim ownership of the text you enter.

8.7.2 You may use the responses generated for you for your own information purposes. Responses are generated automatically and are not unique — comparable responses may be generated for other users — and Noord gives no warranty as to their accuracy, completeness or fitness for any purpose.

8.7.3 How your messages and the generated responses are processed as personal data, who receives them, how long they are kept and how you can exercise your rights are described in section 7 of the Privacy Policy. Please read it before using the Companion.

8.8 Liability for the Companion

8.8.1 Because the Companion is a free, optional information tool, Noord is not liable for loss arising from reliance on its output, except where liability cannot be excluded or limited under mandatory law — see section 11.6.

8.8.2 Nothing in this section 8 limits any right you have under mandatory Swedish consumer legislation.

9. Force majeure

9.1 Noord is released from liability for failure to perform its obligations under these Terms where such failure is caused by circumstances beyond Noord's control which could not reasonably have been foreseen, avoided or overcome. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, pandemics, war, strikes, decisions of public authorities, fire, power failure, technical breakdown, or other comparable events.

9.2 If a force majeure situation arises, Noord will notify the Participant without delay. If the situation persists for more than 30 days, either Party is entitled to terminate the agreement, in which case any fee paid for a service that could not be delivered is refunded to the Participant. No further compensation is payable.

10. Complaints

10.1 Participants who experience shortcomings in the retreat experience, or who wish to raise views or complaints, are asked in the first instance to contact Noord by email at hello@noorddarkness.com or by another stated contact route as soon as possible. This is so that Noord has the opportunity to address and remedy any shortcomings during or immediately after the Retreat.

10.2 A complaint should be made without undue delay and at the latest within 14 days after the end of the Retreat. This is a request to enable prompt handling; it does not shorten any statutory period within which a consumer may bring a claim.

10.3 In the event of a complaint or dispute, a Participant who is a consumer may also refer the matter to the Swedish National Board for Consumer Disputes (Allmänna reklamationsnämnden, "ARN"), provided the matter falls within its remit. A consumer resident in another EU country may contact the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in their country of residence for assistance.

10.4 This right of complaint does not apply to changes clearly communicated before the start of the Retreat, or to deviations falling within what can reasonably be expected in a retreat environment.

11. Limitations of liability

11.1 Noord is not responsible for physical, psychological or emotional effects experienced by the Participant during or after the Retreat, provided these have not arisen as a result of gross negligence on Noord's part. The purpose of the Retreat is recovery and self-regulation, but it does not replace medical care or therapy.

11.2 Noord is not liable for indirect loss, such as loss of income, loss of expected benefit, or similar consequential costs, whatever the cause.

11.3 The Participant is responsible for giving correct information in the Health Declaration and for not participating where there is a medical impediment. Noord is not responsible for the consequences of incorrect or incomplete information.

11.4 Noord's liability towards each individual Participant is in all cases limited to the amount the Participant has paid for their place on the Retreat concerned.

11.5 Noord holds business insurance which includes liability insurance for personal injury and damage to property, including product liability. Participation in Noord's retreat programmes is otherwise at the Participant's own risk. The Participant is responsible for:

  • assessing their own physical and psychological ability to take part;

  • providing complete and correct information in the Health Declaration;

  • holding their own valid accident insurance and any travel insurance covering participation in the Retreat, including travel, activities and illness.

11.6 Mandatory law. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits Noord's liability where such exclusion or limitation is not permitted by mandatory law. This applies in particular to liability for death or personal injury caused by Noord's negligence, liability for intentional acts or gross negligence, and any right a consumer has under mandatory Swedish consumer legislation. Where a provision of these Terms would otherwise be unenforceable against a consumer, it applies only to the extent permitted.

12. Communication

12.1 Communication from Noord takes place primarily by email to the address given by the Participant at the time of booking. The Participant is responsible for ensuring that the details are correct and for checking their inbox, including the spam folder, ahead of the Retreat.

12.2 Material information such as booking confirmation, welcome material, check-in instructions and other preparatory communication is sent digitally. It is the Participant's responsibility to read this information.

12.3 Where changes affect the arrangement, date, time or content of the Retreat, Noord will contact the Participant by email without undue delay.

12.4 The Participant may contact Noord using the contact details at www.noorddarkness.com or by email at hello@noorddarkness.com.

13. Applicable law and disputes

13.1 These Terms are governed by Swedish law.

13.2 Disputes arising in connection with these Terms or participation in a Retreat shall in the first instance be resolved through dialogue between the Parties.

13.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, a Participant who is a consumer may refer the matter to the Swedish National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN). Noord undertakes to take part in ARN proceedings where the matter falls within the Board's competence.

13.4 In other cases, disputes shall be determined by the Swedish general courts, with Stockholm District Court as the court of first instance.

13.5 A consumer resident in the EU always retains the right to bring proceedings in the courts of their place of residence where mandatory rules so provide.

14. Changes to these Terms

14.1 The Terms that apply to a booking are those published on Noord's website at the time the booking is completed. A later version does not change a booking already made, unless the change is required by law or is to the Participant's advantage.

14.2 The current version and its effective date are shown at the top of these Terms. Earlier versions are available from Noord on request at hello@noorddarkness.com.