Real transformation begins with building inner capacity

Auka designs immersive experiences that regenerate our relationship with ourselves, others, and the living world — cultivating a way of being rooted in connection and care.

An invitation to slow down…

Auka creates the space to reconnect, and remember what truly matters. We design regenerative journeys to increase the capacity to navigate uncertainty, process grief, hold contradictions and embrace complexity.

Step into a experience designed not to fix you, but to remind you of what’s already alive within. This is not a retreat from life—but a return to it, slower, wiser, and more rooted.

  • Clarity that begins inside
    Guided sessions to slow down your thoughts, reconnect with what matters, and see your path with new eyes.

  • Practices that last
    Embodied, nature-based and systemic approaches you can integrate into your relationships, work, and everyday choices.

  • A deeper sense of belonging
    To yourself, to the land, and to a circle that sees and supports your journey.

  • Connection with place
    Let ancient forests, rivers and mountains mirror your inner rhythms and awaken your presence.

  • Energy for what’s next
    Leave not just inspired—but nourished, supported, and realigned with a way of being you can carry home.

What Awaits You at Auka

Multi-story wooden building surrounded by green trees with sunlight shining through

Wild South Experience

From 8th to 13th of December 2025

Join us for a 6-day immersive journey into the heart of Chile’s awe-inspiring Northern Patagonia, at the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve. This experience blends regenerative tourism, indigenous cultural wisdom, botanical walks, systems thinking, and embodiment practices—all held in an intimate group setting and an extraordinary natural sanctuary.

Huilo-Huilo logo with a stylized bird illustration and text in Spanish.

Official Auka Partner for Regenerative Tourism

Interior view looking up through the atrium of a multi-story building with a tall, leafless tree in the center and spiraling balconies on each floor.

A Glimpse Into Our Journey

  • 5 nights in a luxury eco-lodge, daily workshops and guided practices, botanical walks, Mapuche cultural connection, 3 meals a day from local producers, and return shuttle from Temuco airport.

    You’ll need to get yourself to Temuco Airport on December 8th and be there at 2pm when the shuttle will pick us up.

  • We’ll balance structured mornings of group dynamics facilitated by Auka’s founder, Dani Elster, with spacious afternoons to hike, reflect, journal, or rest—letting nature set the rhythm, and we'll reconvene to close the day before dinner.

  • We will travel to South America, to Chile, and we will stay in Huilo-Huilo, a pioneering eco-lodge inside a Biological Reserve, surrounded by waterfalls, native forest, and the magic of Northern Patagonia.

  • Systems thinking, regenerative development, nature-based practices, energy and body awareness, and your own evolving sense of purpose and potential.

  • A small, intentional group of fellow travelers who are also asking deeper questions and seeking more aligned ways of living and leading.

  • More clarity, renewed vitality, and tools to continue your regenerative journey long after the experience ends.

  • The early bird contribution is €2,800 per person (VAT included) until August 1st.
    This includes:

    • 5 nights in a luxury eco-lodge (standard single room)

    • 3 nourishing meals per day

    • 3 guided excursions in the reserve

    • Round-trip shuttle from Temuco Airport to Huilo-Huilo

    • Facilitation of the program

    Everything is designed to support your journey—so you can fully arrive, reconnect, and realign.

    *Importat note: Flight tickets to Santiago de Chile and Temuco Airport are NOT included.

  • A lush green forest with a waterfall cascading into a river, framed by trees under a partly cloudy sky.

  • Cozy bedroom with wooden walls, large window overlooking a forest, bed with multiple pillows, bed throw, lamps, and two armchairs with cushions.

  • Snow-covered mountain with a clear blue sky above and green trees in the foreground.

  • Tall, moss-covered trees in a dense forest with a dirt path in the foreground and a partly cloudy sky visible through the branches.

  • Interior of a rustic lodge with wooden walls and ceilings, vintage armchairs, and mounted antlers and fish decor.

  • A river with small islands surrounded by forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

  • Indoor pool area with a hot tub in the foreground, a large swimming pool in the background, wooden beams on the ceiling, and lounge chairs along the sides.

  • Tall, mountain-like house covered in green plants and trees, with a cobblestone pathway leading to the entrance, surrounded by forested area.

A woman sitting on rocks in a shallow creek surrounded by green trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.

Walking Beside You

Hi! I’m Daniela Elster Rifo, but you can call me Dani. I’m the founder of Auka and the steward of this experience. I’ll be walking this path with you, facilitating our time together in the South of Chile. I’ve spent the last decade exploring what it means to truly realign with life, from navigating deep grief and illness to building community and working across continents.

My work has spanned from travel journalism and leading social innovation projects to coaching and offering embodiment sessions. I have a Master's degree in Sustainable Development, I am a Regenerative Practitioner from Regenesis Institute and I have been doing Reiki for more than ten years, reaching Mastery in 2019.

I don’t offer magic formulas—I bring presence, joy, practice, and a deep belief in your capacity to transform.

Rooted in the Journey

Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Daniela Elster, founder of Auka. This is a space to connect, ask questions, and explore whether the upcoming regenerative experience in Patagonia resonates with where you are in your life. No pressure, no commitments—just an honest conversation to feel into the alignment.

Curious if this journey is for you?

Is Auka right for you?

  • You feel the pull to pause and listen more deeply.

  • You want to slow down and reconnect—with yourself, with nature, with what truly matters.

  • You’re ready to evolve your way of thinking and how you show up in the world.

  • You long to make space for grief, complexity, and aliveness—not just productivity.

  • You’re seeking a regenerative way of being that nourishes clarity, resilience, and realignment.

  • You know change begins within—and you’re willing to walk that path.

Tree trunks and green leaves with a modern, multi-story house visible through the trees.

At a Glance

A 6-day immersive experience in a living, breathing forest of Southern Chile. Blending regenerative travel, indigenous wisdom, systems thinking, and embodiment in intimate community. Designed to help you slow down, realign, and be inspired by a place that lives what it teaches.

How Much
€2,800 - early bird

Why
Regenerative Being

What
6-day journey

Where
Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, South of Chile

In Their Own Words

  • "I have been fortunate to be part of a couple of (inner & outer) journeys with Dani. Her embodiment practice offering, much like herself, is truly one-of-a-kind. Dani pulses with life. And that very pulse is what she infuses into every session, every exchange, and every journey she embarks upon. Revitalization is her nature, community and connection her path. Walking/working with her is a treat for the senses, a respite for the body, and an awakening for the mind. She is generous with her wisdom and with her time; a most caring friend and humble resource on the winding journey (back and forward) to wholeness."

    — Hillarie Cania

  • "Dani has a way—her way. A unique way of listening that reaches into your soul and gently brings you back to yourself. She reshapes you, not into someone else, but into who you truly are. That’s the beauty of her work: she restores your balance, your energy. And over the course of days, she helps you reassemble— with your own pieces, your own essence. She reminds you of your joy, of who you are. And what it means to feel safe, centred, and whole again. The tool you didn’t know you were missing, she helps you find it. Because with her guidance, you’ll reach an inner destination— often a goal you didn’t know you were seeking, a journey you didn’t know you needed. At least, this is what Dani has been for me."

    — Caro Rossi

  • "Dani's magic and gentle wisdom came just at the right time when I needed a restoration of energy, hope and agency. Through her wonderful presence and connection that make you feel immediately in safe, caring hands, Dani guides you towards love for yourself, appreciation of the beauty around and a reconnection with your personal agency. Working together with Dani is an experience beyond time and space with a dear friend, with laughter, compassion and energetic transformation. Following our series of sessions, a fog lifted inside me, my body revitalised with energy and I came to clarity in what I want and need to do as next steps in life. Steps I have started and feel extremely fulfilled with. I'm so grateful to have Dani's presence in this complex world.”

    — Assia Kassabova

Some places don’t just welcome you—they awaken you. Step into the extraordinary, and remember what it feels like to wonder.

 FAQs

Here you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Auka and our experiences. If you want to know more, we can schedule a call.

  • Auka is a collaborative platform for regenerative being. We curate immersive travel experiences designed to restore our relationship with ourselves, others, and the living world. Rooted in systems thinking, embodiment, and nature-based connection, Auka invites realignment and meaningful change through intentional presence.

  • The name Auka came to Dani, Auka’s founder, in a moment of playful exploration. After years of searching for the right name, she began combining sounds and letters that resonated with her. When Auka emerged, it was an immediate, full-body yes—something clicked deeply, without knowing why.

    To her surprise, a quick search revealed that Auka has rich meanings across indigenous and ancestral languages. In Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche people of southern Chile, it means wild, rebellious, warrior, against the rules. In the Yamana community, it’s a greeting: “may the light shine on you.” And in Old Norse, it means to grow.

    A name born of intuition, aligned with purpose.

  • Our journeys are not retreats or escapes — they are invitations to slow down, remember what matters, and meet life from a different place. We blend regenerative tourism, indigenous cultural wisdom, systemic tools, and embodiment practices in awe-inspiring places that speak for themselves.

  • Each journey is intentionally designed for small, intimate groups of maximum 10-15 people, to cultivate trust, depth, and meaningful connection.

  • Our first journey will unfold in Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, a stunning ecological sanctuary in the southern Andes of Chile. Surrounded by ancient forests, waterfalls, and volcanoes, this place naturally invites presence and wonder.

  • The early bird investment of €2800 (VAT included) covers:

    • 5 nights in a luxury eco-lodge (single room)

    • 3 nourishing meals per day

    • 3 curated excursions in the reserve

    • Shuttle transfer from Temuco airport to Huilo-Huilo and return

    • All facilitation, practices, and materials

  • Yes — families are welcome, and Huilo-Huilo is a truly magical place for children, with endless opportunities for wonder. If you plan to bring kids, please let us know in advance so we can adapt the experience accordingly.

    Room rates may vary depending on the family setup, and if your child is 10 years or older and comfortable in English, they are welcome to join as participants in the experience. We’ll do our best to create a space where all generations feel included and supported.

  • December marks the beginning of summer in southern Chile, with longer days and a mix of sunshine, mild warmth, and occasional rain. Temperatures usually range between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) — perfect for hiking, exploring, and connecting with nature.
    We recommend packing layers, including:

    • A light waterproof jacket

    • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

    • Warm sweater or fleece

    • Breathable clothes for daytime

    • Swimsuit (for hot tubs or waterfalls!)

    • A hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
      Even in summer, the forest can feel fresh and alive — so come prepared for nature in all her beauty and unpredictability.

  • No, flights to/from Santiago and Temuco, Chile, are not included. We’re happy to advise on travel options and timing.

  • The experience will be facilitated in English, with a possibility of integrating Spanish depending on the group composition.

  • Yes. Auka honors deep human experience without requiring belief systems or woo-woo. We work with presence, embodiment, and nature — accessible to anyone willing to listen more deeply.

  • We believe in continuity. After the journey, you’ll be invited into a supportive online community to continue integrating your insights, share reflections, and stay connected with others walking this path.

Let’s connect!

Send your questions by mail to dani@aukaexperience.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn