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.
Hosted by OTRO Elements
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Location
- Alpe Selvaccia, Italian Alps, Italian Alps
- Group size
- 8–12 people
- Intensity
- Gentle
- Best season
- summer, autumn
- 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.
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 host
OTRO Elements
Netherlands · basecamp at Alpe Selvaccia, Italian Alps6 years hosting
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.
Verified credentials
- Local IFMGA-affiliated mountain guides set and lead every alpine route
- Groups capped at 8–12 people, with several facilitators per expedition
- Winter routes finalised on snow, avalanche and weather conditions shortly before departure
Why you can trust this listing
A person reviewed this listing
Every listing is checked by our curation team against a quality bar before it goes live — the photos are the host's own, the logistics are confirmed, and the credentials are verified. Nothing is published automatically.
We hold your payment until your experience starts
Your payment is taken at booking but stays with NatureTreats. We release it to your host the day after your experience begins. If it doesn't happen, you are refunded in full, automatically.
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: full refund.
- 14–7 days before: 50% refund.
- Less than 7 days before: no refund.