Spirit of the Wild
Rediscover that you are nature. A programme developed by Princess Irene of the Netherlands, bringing together silence, story and nature's wisdom.
Facilitated by OTRO Elements
- Where
- Alpe Selvaccia, Italian Alps
- How long
- 5 days
- Group
- 8–12 people
- Languages
- English, Dutch
The experience
Spirit of the Wild, a programme developed by Princess Irene of the Netherlands, invites you to reconnect with the living world and brings together silence, story, and nature's wisdom.
Far from daily noise and routine, at Alpe Selvaccia, the days are deliberately simple: cooking together, sleeping close to nature, moving with the rhythm of the day.
Guided valley walks take a different natural kingdom each day — rocks and minerals, plants, animals, humans — with shared reflection, breathwork and yoga, and guided practices aimed at developing a new capacity to listen. There is time in silence, and an optional solo night out in the wild.
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 the quietest, most inward trip on this list
- Long stretches of silence are something you want rather than tolerate
- You are drawn to an optional solo night alone in the wild
- You want a physically demanding expedition
- You would find days of silence difficult
What's included
Included
- Guided nature walks through the kingdoms — rocks and minerals, plants, animals, humans
- Shared reflection sessions
- Guided breathwork and yoga
- Accommodation in the huts at the alpine meadow
- Meals prepared communally
- Optional solo night in the wilderness
Not included
- 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
Alpe Selvaccia, reached on foot from Rassa in the Valsesia. Dates for the next edition are still to be announced.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes for valley paths Warm layers for sitting still outdoors A notebook, if writing helps you think A sleeping bag if you take the optional solo night
Accessibility
Gentler walking than the other expeditions, but the basecamp is still reached on foot and accommodation is in rustic huts. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Cancellation — Flexible
Full refund up to 14 days before the start date.
- More than 14 days before: 100% refund.
- More than 7 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.