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 hotel at the edge of the rainforest.

Following breakfast, we will head to the nearby town of Shell where we will take a flight to the Sápara village of Llanchamacocha. Receive a warm welcome with smiles, embraces, followed by an individualized purification ritual. We’ll get settled into our village encampment which we’ll stay at for the next three days on the banks of the Conambo river. We’ll spend time with the leaders and elders discussing their history, customs, and vision for defending their forest for future generations of all life.  After an introduction and orientation to the Naku project and the inspiring vision the Sápara have for the future, we’ll take a refreshing swim in the Conambo river and settle into their community lodge. 

After dinner, we will meet to discuss preparation for the next day's ceremony. 

 Early morning dream-sharing, and purification ceremony using time-tested ancient techniques. After breakfast, we’ll hike through the forest to learn about the Sápara’s unique physical and spiritual connection to the rainforest, visiting a medicinal plant garden in the primary forest followed by a sacred tobacco ritual and solo meditation in preparation for the evening shamanic ceremony. 

After debriefing with Shaman we will have integration time, rest, reflection, and quiet time. In the afternoon there will be time for being on the river followed by a visit to the community for sharing, dancing, and intimate conversation.  

  After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll prepare our belongings and return to the community to say our farewells. Take a 40-minute flight deeper into the Amazon rainforest to the Achuar village of Sharamentsa. A waterfall ceremony in preparation for the evening Shamanic ceremony.  

 Morning debrief session with the shaman. Time for rest, journaling, reflection, etc. After a siesta, we’ll have the chance to float on balsa rafts, taking in the magnificence of the rainforest. In the evening we’ll exchange songs, chants, and dances and enjoy an Achuar feast with locally grown foods.  

After breakfast, we will say our farewells and canoe down the Pastaza river for a beautiful ride to the acclaimed, Achuar-owned, and operated, Kapawi Ecolodge. After settling into the Lodge we will go for a forest hike to learn more about medicinal plants, Achuar spirituality followed by solo meditation around the massive grandfather Kapok Tree.  This evening an elder will invite us to participate in an ancient ceremony he has been conducting for over 50 years.  

 After breakfast, and debrief with the Shaman we’ll canoe up the Capahuari river to visit a remote Achuar village.  After a traditional Achuar greeting and meal,  we will be invited to participate in cultural practices, including weaving, ceramic bowl making, blowgun practice,  exchange of songs, and dances (bring a small instrument!).  After dinner, we’ll set out on a nighttime walk to witness the incredible nocturnal life of the forest.