ADVENTURE TO THE ECUADORIAN HIGH ANDES AND SACRED HEADWATERS OF THE AMAZON
An invitation from nature and indigenous people to create a sustainable and just world.
With John Perkins and Daniel Koupermann
Our 2025 journey to the sacred headwaters of the Amazon is now sold out - but there is still space available on my March 2025 trip to the lands of the Maya.
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 business consultant on ways to transform the degenerative
Death Economy to a regenerative Life Economy, and expert on indigenous cultures and
shamanism, Daniel Koupermann, expedition guide and environmentalist, and local
indigenous shamans and teachers on this life-changing adventure to one of the most
biodiverse and ecologically important areas of the planet.
(For more information, see: johnperkins.org and andeanpathsjourneys.com)
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 rainforest, was befriended by Daniel’s
father. They have lived, 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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Jan 4th Quito:
Arrive to Quito, transfer to the Eb Hotel, 8 minutes from the airport.
Day 2: Jan 5th 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
at Cotopaxi National Park, 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
and cultures.
We will arrive in Baños at the base of the very active Tungurahua volcano and the
beginning of one of the main river gorges into the Amazon Basin. Here the Pastaza
River cuts through the Andes Mountains and provides access to this vast rainforest that
reaches more than 4,000 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. We will continue to Puyo one of
the last villages before the Amazon basin.
After a delicious meal, we will have time to socialize and get a good night’s rest.
Day 3: Jan 6th Puyo-Kapawi
Flying in a small aircraft over the Amazon forest, we will have the opportunity to
contemplate the immensity of the largest and 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. We are likely to see fresh water (“pink”) dolphins, parrots
and other birds including the hoatzin which is considered the link between reptiles and
birds.
After settling in at the lodge, we will take an introductory hike in the rainforest including
a visit to a giant Kapok tree that is sacred to the Achuar. Our Achuar guide will give a
talk about the traditions and ceremonies of his people. We will have the opportunity to
meditate and introduce ourselves to this grandparent tree and learn to hear, smell,
taste, feel, as well as see, the 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, tamarind monkeys, an
incredible variety of bird life, pink dolphins, wild boars, and even – if we are lucky – a
jaguar.
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 for 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. Photos and more at https://www.kapawi.com.
Day 4: Jan 7th Kapawi
The Lodge offers many 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 animals, plants, spirits, 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 and
float with the easy current – and the dolphins if they choose to join us – near the Lodge.
In the morning we will have a Psyconavigation, drumming session with John.
Then we will take a hike through the forest and learn about this magical place and its
medicinal plants. The hike will end with lunch in the forest. At the end, we will take
kayaks on the Capahuari River back to the lodge.
Day 5: Jan 8th Kapawi
We will partake in a Wayusa tea ceremony early in the morning in the river hut in the
lodge with our Achuar friends, to share dreams. After a light breakfast we will fast the
rest of the day, navigate in boats up the river for about one and a half hours to pick up
the famous Achuar Shaman Taish with whom we will hike for about two hours to the
hummingbird waterfall to do a purification bath and tobacco ceremony. Ee will hike
back through a different trail where we will make a solo meditation to explore our
intention for the Ayahuasca ceremony. Then we will visit the Achuar community of the
shaman where we will rest in our own comfortable camp and prepare ourselves for the
medicinal plant ceremony.
People who choose not to take the Ayahuasca may participate in the ceremony by
feeling the spirit of the plant, listening to the chanting of the shaman, and receiving
healings from the shaman.
The Achuar
The Achuar are a “dream” culture. Their dreams determine their daily lives. They do
the Wuayusa ceremony every morning. It is a moment to share dreams with each
other, transmit oral traditions, teach the children how to make baskets, fishing nets, and
ceramics, and recount stories that carry on their customs and rituals.
Another important function of the Wuayusa ceremony is to provide the time and space
for important negotiations, solution of conflicts, decisions about alliances and political
arrangements, and other issues that affect the entire community. Officially
“uncontacted” until the early 1970s, the Achuar continue their ancestral traditions and
ways of life with determination and courage.
Day 6: Jan 9th Kapawi
We will canoe on the river back to the lodge and have the remainder of the day to
ourselves – to journal, meditate, swim, rest. Today, we will have personal time and
space to process our experiences so far. We will have lunch in the lodge and at
midafternoon we can float downstream, wearing a device that allows us to float without
any physical effort, with the distinct possibility of being joined by pink dolphins.
Day 7: Jan 10th Kapawi – Shell – Hacienda Jimenita
We will fly again over the pristine Amazon forest for nearly an hour, taking in the
vastness of nature, to the town of Shell. From there, we will meet our bus, climb into the
Andes Mountains, and head to hacienda Jimenita, located in Puembo, close to Quito´s
airport. It is a colonial hacienda, in the midst of a beautiful natural environment with a
wildlife reserve that will offer a restful space to reintegrate with “civilization.”
Before dinner we will meet for a shamanic workshop with John (he prefers to call it a
“dreamshop”) to integrate our experiences with Wayusa, Ayahuasca, the forests, and
the people, and to deepen our understanding of how all our experiences relate to our
own personal and collective futures.
Day 8: Jan 11th Hacienda La Jimenita
After breakfast we will have time to meditate, journal, practice yoga, or meet for
conversations.
In the midafternoon, we will receive a special and revered woman who has been a
friend of John and Daniel for many years: Maria Juana Yamberla and her 2 sons and
daughter-in-law. Maria Juana is a Quichua Yachak (high level Quichua shaman) who
follows the ancient Andean traditions. She and her family will conduct communal and
personal healing and cleansing ceremonies that will facilitate our return to our world with
the energy and balance that will assist us in fulfilling our missions in life.
Day 9: Jan 12th Hacienda Jimenita - Quito airport:
It takes about 30 minutes from the Hotel to the airport to transfer 2-3 hours before your
flight.
Or
We encourage you to extend for a few days and spend time in Ecuador’s colonial
capital city, Quito, with its splendid museums, parks, churches, and handicrafts markets
of sweaters, ponchos, tapestries, jewelry, and many other items that are sold by the
families who make them. You could also visit the Equator, Otavalo, and other areas
within a few hours’ drive from Quito. We can help you select hotels, restaurants, and
ideas if you decide to do this.
Price per person: $5970 (double occupancy). There is very limited space with a
maximum of 15 people.
A deposit of $1000 will reserve your space on a first-come basis.
Second payment of $2970 is due Aug. 10th 2024.
The balance of $2000 is due Nov 10th 2024.
No single occupancy
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, and John
Perkins and Daniel Koupermann assistance during the journey.
Cost does NOT include: Roundtrip airfare to Quito, Ecuador, soft drinks and alcoholic
beverages, healing with the shaman in the jungle $70, tips for the local guides and staff
in Kapawi lodge, and tip for private bus driver, personal items, souvenirs.
Please be aware that internet and other communications will not be available from the
Amazon. In cases of emergency, Kapawi has the ability to communicate outside. Planes
are generally available in emergencies, except at night or in inclement weather.
This journey is for individuals ready to have an educational/experiential adventure.
People with physical or psychiatric challenges may find this journey 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 (27th July, 2025).
Once you have reserved your space, we will send you more information – packing lists,
info about the country, etc. 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 are nonrefundable.
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 on-line.
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.
By Andean Paths ©