EXPERIENCE LIFE!

Travel not to escape life 

but so life doesn’t escape you.

I am full of gratitude and appreciation for the unbelievably extraordinary experiences you gave us in the magical jungle of the Achuar. The thought, organisation and energy you put in was above and beyond. Thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart 

AMAZON 10-DAY CULTURAL AND PERSONAL JOURNEY

This is a truly unique experience to travel deep into the heart of a spiritual goldmine; one of the last remaining natural wonderlands we have on planet earth. We travel hundreds of miles into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon Forest and stay with an ancient Achuar community.

This community is a dream nation with a daily shamanic practice at the root of their lives, with the most diverse ecosystem surrounding them.

THIS IS TRULY A JOURNEY FOR THE SOUL.

Having experienced being in this magical environment now three times I can assure you of it’s true wealth. Craig x

Watch the highlights from the most recent trip in August 2022.

Day 1 - Arrival to Quito-Ecuador
Arrival to Quito-Ecuador. Transfer to your hotel in the city. Welcome Dinner with the group and accommodations at Hotel Cultura Manor. www.culturamanor.com
Day 2 Quito-Baños-Puyo/ Avenue of the volcanoes and Avenue of Waterfalls
After Breakfast and an introductory meeting with the group, we will depart to the city of Puyo. This ride takes approximately 4-5 hours. On the way, we will have the opportunity to spot the volcanoes of the Ecuadorian Andes, such as the Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, and more. On the way, we will stop at the Quichua town of Salasaca. Visit the local artisan Alonso Pilla and maybe take part in a cleansing ritual with the woman shaman Julita. Enjoy a traditional Andean lunch before continuing to Puyo. We will make One last Visit to the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall before arriving in Puyo. Arrive at Hostal El Jardin for dinner and accommodations. www.eljardinpuyo.com
Day 3 Flight into the Amazon rainforest-Welcome to Achuar territory!
Early breakfast at the hotel. Drive for 15 minutes to the local airport located in the town of Shell. Take the 1-hour flight deep into the Amazon Basin and the Achuar Territory. Arrival to the community of Sharamentsa in Achuar territory. Visit one of the chief houses for welcoming and conversation. Sharamentsa is a very well organized community with an ecotourism project, solar electricity in each house and amazing hosts! Depending on the time of arrival to the community, we can have an extra activity in the afternoon before having dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Explore and learn about a new culture and the rainforest
Early morning (4h30 am), Wayusa Tea Ceremony. This is the moment of the day where families share their dreams, worries and plan about the future. Bath in the river with sunrise. Breakfast. Hike for a couple of hours to the Ikiam Village. Return to Sharamentsa after lunch. Dinner. Overnight Sharamentsa.
Day 5 Indigenous cosmovision/ Ceremony
Breakfast Visit the sacred waterfall. Experience a Tabaco Ceremony. Refresh in the waterfall before lunch. In the afternoon, learn about the Cosmovision of the Achuar culture and visit the ancient Kapok tree. Visit the Shaman and have a cleansing with him. (This activity can be done with the medicinal plant)
Day 6 Boat ride to the Kapawi Lodge
Morning debrief with the Shaman. Farewell with the community and visit to the handicrafts shop. Board the motorized canoe to the Kapawi Lodge. Arrive at the lodge for lunch. Learn about the Kapawi tourism project. In the afternoon, enjoy the sunset from the river banks of the Pastaza river. Dinner and accommodations at Kapawi.
Day 7 Kayak at the Kusutkao/Capahuari river
Start your day with early birdwatching in the Capahuari River. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Full-morning kayak expedition to the Kusutkao river; this activity includes a hike, wildlife watching, and swimming. Return to the lodge for lunch and for one last activity such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, etc. Dinner in Kapawi. Night hike or Caiman spotting.
Day 8 Community visit/ River activities
Start your day with early birdwatching in the Pastaza River, visiting the parrot's clay lick. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Enjoy the morning, Kayaking in the Capahuari River, swimming, and spotting wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit one of the close communities for a soccer game between locals and visitors. Farewell dinner in Kapawi. Night hike or Caiman spotting.
Day 9 Farewell Rainforest
After breakfast, prepare for departure and farewell. Begin the journey out of the rainforest traveling by small plane back to the town of Shell. We will take the car from Shell and drive to Papallacta Spa and Resort - approx 4 hour drive. On the way, we will stop for lunch. Dinner and accommodations at Papallacta Resort and Spa.
Day 10 Papallacta Hot Springs - Back to Quito
Enjoy the morning in the natural hot spring pools or get a well-deserved massage at the Spa. After lunch and a short hike around the paramo of Papallacta, begin the journey back to Quito. Farewell Dinner will be in a restaurant located in the city's old town. Accommodations at Hotel Cultura Manor.
Day 11 City Tour of Quito - Transfer to the airport//Flights back home
Enjoy the morning by visiting one of the colonial churches in the old town, continue to the chocolate tasting and enjoy bargaining at the handicrafts market. Return to the hotel for lunch. Pack and get ready for departure. Take your transfer to the airport for your flights back home.
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What's included

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is an invitation only, cultural immersion experience for a maximum of 16 guests where you can truly disconnect from the hectic world and be surrounded by the most inspiring nature and people.

We will be able to truly connect to ourselves and nature to deep dive into who we are, our purpose and how we want to live our lives in the best possible way.  

We will practice yoga, meditation and/or have time to ourselves for reflection and to truly BREATH! 

View the itinerary and brochure here.