After a gourmet breakfast and an orientation meeting at Cultura Manor, we’ll head south on a beautiful drive descending the Andes through the Avenue of the Volcanoes stopping in the town of Salasaca for a traditional Andean meal with our indigenous hosts and a purification ritual with a Salasacan elder. Continue through the waterfall-laden Pastaza River canyon to the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and evening discussion about entering the rainforest and the Achuar and Sápara territories at a cozy boutique hotel at the edge of rainforest.

 Take 50-minute flight deep into the Amazon rainforest to the Achuar village of Chichirat. After a traditional Achuar greeting, we will hike to the Bobanaza river for a beautiful boat ride to the village of Ti’inkias. A 30-minute hike will bring us to the simple forest encampment built in traditional Achuar design that will be our home for the next 3 days and nights.  

 Early morning dream sharing ritual with Achuar families followed by time in the village participating in cultural practices, including weaving, ceramic bowl making, blowgun practice, etc. After lunch and a siesta, we’ll set out on a hike to learn about medicinal plants and traditional uses of the forest. Evening story-telling around fire. 

 Dream sharing followed by a hike to a beautiful black water lagoon, which we’ll explore in kayaks. We’ll visit a massive Kapok tree where our Achuar guide will explain the spiritual life and cosmo-vision of their people. Solo time to experience the power of the forest in silence. On the return, we’ll take a refreshing swim in the oasis-like natural pool close by the community followed by a cultural exchange where the Achuar will share ancestral chants, music, and traditions - inviting us to share as well (please bring your small instruments, songs, and dances). We’ll end with a traditional Achuar feast from local foods. 

 Community farewells, local artisan market, and hike to river to embark on a 4-hour relaxing boat journey down the Bobanaza and up the Pastaza River, taking in the magnificence of the forest from the water. We’ll arrive at the acclaimed Kapawi Lodge where we’ll be for three nights.  

 Early morning bird and animal watching.  After breakfast, we’ll set out on a hike to learn more about medicinal plants, Achuar spirituality followed by solo meditation in the forest. Early afternoon we’ll head down the Capahuari river to the far banks of the Pastaza River where we will be greeted by an Achuar Shaman. He will take us to a sacred waterfall for a purification ceremony before inviting us to participate in an ancient ritual that evening.   

Debrief sharing with the shaman before saying our farewells and heading back to the Kapawi Lodge for some quiet time to reflect and take in the forest. In the afternoon we’ll go out on the river to swim and float in kayaks or canoes - mingling with the legendary pink river dolphin if we’re lucky.  Free time for journaling, swimming, exploring the area around Kapawi. After dinner, we’ll set out on a nighttime walk to witness the incredible nocturnal life of the forest. 

After breakfast, we’ll canoe up the Capahuari river to head to a local Achuar community for a 60-minute flight to the small town of Shell where our bus will take us to a cozy boutique hotel in the charming community of Banos. Free time for rest, reflection, and enjoyment of the gourmet food and comfortable environment. 

 Later in the evening, we’ll take time to celebrate with a powerful inquiry and discussion that will deepen the context and meaning of our journey, having just been with the indigenous people who inspired the work of the Pachamama Alliance. 

After breakfast, our group departs by charter bus for Quito. Check-in at the Cultura Manor then free time for shopping or exploring historic Quito. Evening farewell celebratory gourmet dinner. 

 After breakfast and our final goodbyes group departs.