Men-Only Expedition
A raw and honest journey into the wild — for men ready to step out of the rush and (re)discover the strength of presence, silence, laughter and playful brotherhood.
Facilitated by OTRO Elements
- Where
- Rassa → Alpe Selvaccia, Italian Alps
- How long
- 5 days
- Group
- 8–12 people
- Languages
- English, Dutch
The experience
Five days in the Italian Alps for men who want to step out of the rush and back into presence.
The days are hikes through wild valleys, moments of solitude in nature, wood chopping and fire making, and evenings shared by the campfire.
Cold-water plunges and a traditional sweat lodge sit alongside honest conversations, in a setting that is deliberately offline — no phones. The basecamp is 22 hectares of alpine meadow with a fire circle, a tipi and a yoga platform overlooking Monte Rosa.
The character of this experience
What the facilitator has told us about their own trip. Anything they have not said is simply not here.
- Depth of the experience
- Next level inner journeyThis is not a treat trip. In many cases this is transformative: you look at parts of yourself that are not always pretty or pleasant. That brings uncomfortable moments and often brings up grief you may look at and let go of. It makes contact with deeper layers in you, and so with your heart. It lets you sink towards your true essence, towards what you have to bring to this world.
Who this is for
Said plainly, so you can rule it out as easily as rule it in.
- You want a men-only group and are willing to speak honestly in it
- You are ready to be offline for five days
- Cold water, sweat lodge and long silences appeal rather than deter
- You need to stay reachable for work
- You want a guided hiking holiday without the group work
What's included
Included
- Mountain hut accommodation on 22 hectares with a fire circle, tipi and yoga platform
- Guided hikes through mountain trails and valleys
- Meals prepared by the local Italian hosts
- Yoga and breathwork sessions
- Cold-water immersion
- Traditional sweat lodge ceremony
- Evening campfire gatherings
- Facilitation by Tjeerd and Benny
Not included
- VAT — the price is quoted excluding it
- Travel to and from Rassa, Valsesia
- Personal and travel insurance
Meet your facilitator
OTRO Elements
6 years running experiences
OTRO Elements run “nature-based expeditions designed for reflection, deep connection, and the art of letting go”. Their basecamp is Alpe Selvaccia — 22 hectares of alpine meadow and pine forest above Rassa in the Valsesia, with rustic huts, a fire circle, a tipi and a yoga platform looking out at Monte Rosa. They call the facilitator team the Tribe: Quirine, Fenneke, Tjeerd, Marit, Kalijn, Fernanda, Raymond, Robert-Jan, Benny and others, working alongside local Italian hosts and mountain guides.
Why you can trust this listing
- A person read this listing against a checklist before it went live. It carries the quality stamp only because it passed.
- Every photo above was confirmed as this experience, not stock photography.
- Your money is held in a third-party client account and released to the facilitator 1 day after the experience starts.
Practical details
Including the cancellation terms — visible before you book, not buried at checkout.
Meeting point
Rassa village, Valsesia. The group walks up to Alpe Selvaccia from there on day one.
What to bring
Walking boots you have already broken in Warm layers and a rain shell Swimwear and a quick-dry towel for the cold-water plunges Work gloves for the wood and fire work
Accessibility
The basecamp is reached on foot with no vehicle access, and accommodation is in rustic huts. Full days of hiking on mountain terrain. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Cancellation — Moderate
Full refund up to 30 days before the start date.
- More than 30 days before: 100% refund.
- More than 14 days before: 50% refund.
- Inside the last window: 0% refund.
Insurance to consider
Worked out from where this trip goes, how long it lasts and what the terrain is like. Insurance is yours to arrange.
Cancellation cover
Pays back what you cannot get refunded if you have to cancel or cut the trip short, for example through illness.
a.s.r. annuleringsverzekering(opens in a new tab)Medical costs abroad
Pays for a doctor or hospital outside the Netherlands. Your Dutch health insurance may not cover everything abroad.
a.s.r. reisverzekering (via Mountain Beat)(opens in a new tab)Rescue and repatriation
Pays for search, rescue and the journey home after an accident or illness. In remote or mountain areas a helicopter rescue can cost tens of thousands of euros.
NKBV Expeditieverzekering (membership required)(opens in a new tab)
The facilitator has not described the terrain yet, so this is based on the region and length only.
The insurance you actually need depends on your own circumstances, such as the cover you already have. Naturetreats does not sell or recommend insurance: check any policy against your own situation before you travel.