Our January 2024 journey to the Sacred Headwaters of the Amazon is now completed! Dates for future journeys (with similar itineraries) will soon be announced at the bottom of my newsletters — please subscribe here. Stay tuned for more opportunities later in the year.
Soar into the beauty, power and mystery of these magnificent mountains and ancient forests and their plants, animals, and native people. Join John Perkins, NY Times bestselling author and leading expert on indigenous cultures and shamanism and Daniel Koupermann, expedition guide and environmentalist, and local indigenous guides and shamans on this life-changing adventure to one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important areas of the planet.
The Sacred Headwaters begin in Andean glaciers and lakes and feed the entire Amazon region, an area about the size of the contiguous US. Nearly one fifth of the world’s freshwater flows through its rivers and five times that amount rises from the canopy to create the “flying rivers” that impact weather in many countries. Here, you will have the opportunity to feel the magic (the “spirit of Pachamama” according to the shamans), experience higher states of consciousness, receive personal healings from Amazonian and Andean shamans, and transform yourself and the world around you.
Your guides, John and Daniel, have known each other since 1969 when John, a Peace Corps volunteer in the Ecuadorian Amazon, was befriended by Daniel’s father. They have studied and worked with the Shuar, Achuar, Quichua, Sapara, Maya, Kogi, and other indigenous groups and have organized and led trips together since the 1980s.
An invitation from nature and indigenous people to create a sustainable and just world.
Itinerary —
Day 1 – January 6th: Arrive to Quito, transfer to a EB Hotel, 8 minutes from the airport
Day 2 – January 7th: Quito-Puyo:
We will travel south through the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” If the weather is clear, we will see the volcanoes: Antisana at 18,874 ft. (5,753mts.), Sincholagua at 16,069 ft. (4,898 mts.), Pasochoa 13,776 ft. (4,199mts.), Rumiñahui at 15,459 ft. (4,712mts.) and Cotopaxi National Park, the home of the tallest active volcano in the world at 19,347 ft. (5,897mts). This route allows us to see and learn firsthand about the Andean volcanoes.
We will arrive in Baños at the base of Tungurahua volcano and the beginning of the gorges, to access to the Amazon forest from the Andes Mountains, we will keep descending through a lush Cloud Tropical Forest until 3000 feet above sea level. We will stay in Hotel El Jardin for a good rest. At 5 pm we will participate in a cleansing ceremony with Maria Juana and Tarquino, mother and son, healers from the North Ecuador Andean tradition. The purpose of this is release anything we will not need for a deep and sincere experience in the Amazon.
Day 3 – January 8th: Puyo-Kapawi
We will fly in a small aircraft over the Amazon forest, and have the opportunity to contemplate the immensity of one of the most pristine primary forests on the planet. Landing on the airstrip in the Achuar community of Kuzutkau which is located on the shore of the Capawari River, we will then travel downstream in a motorized canoe to Kapawi Eco-Lodge.
After getting settled we will do an introductory hike in the rainforest visiting a giant Kapok tree to meditate and introduce our self to this grandfather and to the Amazon forest.
Kapawi Eco-Lodge
Due to the isolation and lack of hunting in this area, there are wonderful possibilities for viewing wild life: howler monkeys, macaws, marmosets, tamarin monkeys, an incredible variety of bird life, and possibly, the pink dolphin. Kapawi Lodge is a project that now belongs to the Achuar Nation. It was built through an alliance with a private tourism corporation in Ecuador. The corporation invested $1.7 million US dollars, without buying the land, and with the obligation to give back the lodge (and the business of the lodge) to the Achuar after 15 years. This happened in 2011, now the Achuar are the owners and operators of this community-based tourism project.
Day 4 – January 9th: Kapawi
The Lodge offers many varied options: jungle hikes (for all levels), night hikes, bird watching (every morning), and wildlife viewing, cultural experiences with the Achuar, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and swimming. Most activities include an Achuar guide who will provide information about the wildlife, plants and trees of the forest. The system of trails open for hiking offers a variety of ecosystems: terra firma forest (small hills that have never flooded); varzea (forest which floods seasonally); igapos (forest which is always flooded). We will explore the river/lake system and small tributaries of the Capahuari River, a beautiful river where the lodge is located. Here it is possible to see pink dolphins (fresh water river dolphins), and float with the easy current near the lodge.
Today we will hike in primary forest (easy 3 hour hike) and learn about palm trees and medicinal plants. We will have lunch in the forest. Then we will kayak in the Capahuari River back to the lodge.
Day 5 – January 10th: Kapawi
We will participate in a Wayusa tea ceremony at 4:00 am in the river hut in the lodge with our Achuar friends, to share dreams. The Achuar people have a “dream sharing” culture. For them their dreams rule their daily life. They do the Wuayusa ceremony every morning their whole life. It is a moment to share dreams among each other, also to transmit the oral tradition, to teach the children how to make baskets, fishing nets, and ceramics, and to relate stories and ensure that their customs and rituals are carried on.
Another important function of the Wuayusa ceremony is to provide the time and space for important negotiations, solution of conflicts, decisions about alliances, political arrangements, and other important issues that affect the entire community. The Achuar people were pacified at the end of the sixties. They continue to be strong in their ancestral traditions and way of life which they maintain with determination and courage.
After breakfast, we will fast all day and prepare ourselves for the NATEM ceremony with an Achuar Uwishin (Medicine Man).
We will visit an Achuar community to learn about their environment, their culture, gastronomy and their everyday life. In addition, they are very curious people and will want to hear all about us.
Then we will hike (easy) in the forest to a waterfall, for a purification bath and as part of the preparation for tonight NATEM ceremony. Sumpa, an old Achuar Shaman will offer a tobacco ceremony as a cleansing to receive the benefit and energy of the waterfall and the inspiration from the forest and its beings. Back to the lodge to rest. Around 7pm in the river hut in the lodge we will have our ceremony with the medicine plant of power. (Optional to ingest the medicinal plant).
Day 6 – January 11th: Kapawi
Today we will have the time and space to integrate our experience. We also will have the opportunity to swim and float down stream in the river - very relaxing! There are a good possibilities to swim with the pink dolphins.
Day 7 – January 12th: Kapawi – Shell – Finca Heimatlos
We will fly again over the pristine Amazon forest for 45 to 55 minutes to Shell. Then we will drive for 40 minutes to Finca Heimatlos a lodge in a very quiet place at 3000 feet above sea level, surrounded by a nice forest and views. Rest, laundry, and spa. It is a good place for the transition to reintroduce ourselves into the noisy world.
Day 8 — January 13th: Finca Heimatlos
In the morning will have an integration drumming session with John. After lunch we will offer optional activities or just time to write, contemplate, and enjoy our last day in the forest.
Day 9 — January 14th: Finca Heimatlos — Quito:
From the Finca, we will start climbing again in the Andes Mountains for about 5 hours, heading back to the EB Hotel which is very close to Quito´s airport. You will be able to connect with an international flight after 5:00pm this day if you prefer. Note: If any travelers would like to stay a couple of nights to visit Quito, we will drop them in the hotel of their choosing.
Day 10 — January 15th: Transfer to the Quito Airport for international flights home
Making your reservation —
Price per person:
From 8 to 12 persons: $5850 per person (double occupancy)
From 13 to 15 persons $4450 per person (double occupancy)
A deposit of $2000 will reserve your space.
Second payment of $2850 or $1450 is due Sept. 5, 2023.
The balance of $1000 is due Nov. 5, 2023.
Reservations: All reservations are subject to availability. For information about how to reserve your space and make your deposit for the journey, please contact Linda Leyerle at lleyerle@aol.com. In Ecuador it is not possible to reserve rooms, flights, etc. without a copy of the traveler’s passport. Linda will give you details about how to send a copy to us. Time is of the essence so please respond as soon as possible if you are interested in this journey.
Cost includes: Private Aircrafts in the Amazon, private tour bus or van for travel during the journey, all meals, hotels, tips for restaurants and hotels, water during meals, local guide and/or community leaders to share history and cultural information. John Perkins and Daniel Koupermann will provide assistance during all the journey.
Cost does NOT include: Roundtrip airfare to Quito, Ecuador, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, healing with the shaman, tips for the local guides, and private bus driver, personal items, souvenirs.
This journey is for individuals ready to have an educational/experiential experience. Persons with physical or psychiatric challenges may find this journey too difficult or uncomfortable. We recommend a visit with your doctor at least 6 weeks in advance of departure. No immunizations are required unless you will be entering Ecuador from a country with Yellow Fever – in which case you will need a Yellow Fever immunization certificate and be prepared to show proof.
No visas are required for most people entering Ecuador (US, Canadian, UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand citizens). If you have questions about this, please let Linda know. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of your departure from Ecuador (15 July, 2024). Once you have reserved your space, we will send you more information – packing lists, info about the country, etc. You will be fully prepared for the journey. Also, Linda is always available by email for any questions or concerns – whatever they may be.
Cancellations & Refunds:
Due to availability of space on our journey and the time required to process trip reservations, payments will not be refundable after Sept. 5, 2023.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in order to protect yourself in case extenuating circumstances force you to cancel your trip. There are many different options available online.
Responsibilities: ANDEAN PATHS reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a participant at any time, and to make changes in the itinerary whenever deemed necessary for the comfort, convenience, and safety of our participants, and to cancel a journey at any time. In the event a journey is cancelled, ANDEAN PATHS shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid to it by program participants as listed. By registering, the participant agrees that neither ANDEAN PATHS nor their affiliates shall be liable for any damages, loss or expense occasioned by any act or omission by any supplier providing services to any program participant. Reasons that Andean Paths might cancel a program include, but are not limited to, issues around safety due to impassable roads, protests in Ecuador, or similar unforeseen events.
We are available to address any questions, concerns or comments.
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