Our journey into the Amazon begins with a flight to a remote village deep in Achuar territory, where we’ll be greeted with a traditional welcome. From there, we spend seven days immersed in the heart of the lush rainforest with our Achuar hosts—living, learning, and sharing in the rhythm of daily life.

Guided by Achuar leaders, we explore the rainforest by canoe and on foot, discovering the intricate web of life that sustains both the forest and its people. We’ll learn about traditional plant medicines, be welcomed into Achuar homes for intimate conversations about life in the Amazon, and take part in day-to-day cultural activities that offer a rare and authentic Indigenous experience.

Throughout our time together, we’ll swim in pristine jungle rivers, meditate beneath a mighty Kapok tree, and participate in sacred waterfall ceremonies—moments of cleansing, renewal, and connection to the spirit of the water. With luck, we may encounter monkeys, tapirs, macaws, and the elusive pink river dolphins.

Mornings begin with guayusa tea ceremonies and dream sharing; evenings bring an invitation to move into deeper connection with the wisdom of this incredible land during the darkness of dreamtime, with one evening offering an opportunity to take part in an ancient plant medicine ceremony to open a deeper dialogue with the living forest.

This is more than a journey—it’s an invitation to step beyond the patterns of modern life and reconnect with a life-centered way of being, guided by the wisdom and generosity of the Achuar people. An invitation to actively remember what so many have forgotten. During our time together with the Achuar we activate the seed of medicine that lives within you, your unique gift you are here to bring to the world.

We’ll review the itineraries, meet the journey leaders, and answer all your questions. Schedule Here

Our Wild Hope Journeys are experiences that hold the inner and outer work in one incredible adventure. Together we explore what it looks and feels like to reconnect with the wisdom of nature for each of us individually. We explore communities and regions of the world, guided by those who have never lost their connection to the healing power of the more-than-human world.

This is a time of activation, and we need to make sure we move into action in a way that honors the gifts that we are here to share. Activation that best aligns with our own health and well-being alongside the health and well-being of all life.

Our journeys into the Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains are not vacations—they are living invitations to remember who you are and how you belong to this Earth. In partnership with Indigenous communities who have welcomed us into their sacred lands and life ways, we co-create immersive experiences rooted in trust, reciprocity, and reverence. Every step of the way is guided by relationship—relationships with elders, healers, rivers, jaguars, mountain spirits, and the unseen intelligence of the natural world. These are not curated performances for outsiders—they are real, raw, and rooted in the wisdom of people who still live in harmony with the living Earth.

You’ll hike ancient paths, sit in ceremony with plant teachers, share meals in remote villages, and hear stories passed down for generations. But more than that, you’ll slow down. You’ll listen. You’ll begin to remember a way of being that is both deeply human and profoundly connected. This is a journey that will ask something of you: your presence, your humility, your willingness to be changed. And in return, it will offer you something rare: a glimpse into a way of life centered in relationship, where every choice ripples out into the whole. These journeys are not just about where we go—they are about what awakens in us when we finally arrive.

Laurie Benson is the founder of the Center for Wild Hope, focused on amplifying nature’s wisdom through story and experience. She is an adventurer who has traveled the world and is now focused on leading groups into the Andes of Peru and the Ecuadorian Amazon with lots of adventures in between. As an author and speaker, she has had the honor of supporting and working within Indigenous communities around the world. Her first book, Leading From the Feminine has won many awards and is acknowledged as a go to guide for embodiment and somatic awareness work. Her newest book, Resilient Activism: Igniting Wild Hope in Uncertain Times is here to serve us all in this moment of deep transformation.

Juan Fernando Duran has guided Journeys into South America for over 30 years. His expertise spans South American history and wildlife, from the Galapagos Islands to the Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest. His passion for nature preservation, and fostering bonds with indigenous groups shines through.  His journeys let people authentically connect with the land, its inhabitants, and the spirit of nature itself.

"My journey through Peru was nothing short of transformative—a soulful pilgrimage across sacred mountains, ancient temples, and luminous lakes. Each step brought me closer to something I had been quietly seeking: a deeper sense of who I am, and the courage to live from that place." Caroline C

"Fabulous journey! Loved the entire experience! Highlights for me were the San Pedro ceremony and time at Lake Titicaca. Loved all the hikes and being off the beaten track! Juan Fernando was totally professional, personal, and caring the entire time. Special kudos to him! I am recommending Travels With Steve and Juan to others." Christina L

"Another trip of a lifetime with Steve and Juan! It couldn't have been better: great off-the-beaten-path itinerary, great food, people, accommodations." Anne R

"A rich, intense, and awe-inspiring adventure into the jungle and into our hearts. The journey leader, Steve, and our interpreter, were trustworthy, kind, and highly capable. All of our accommodations and journeys were excellent. Best of all was the experience of being held as we swam in ancient waterfalls, connected with the locals, and experienced the deep wilderness. Life-changing!"  Joseph A 

"First off I'll say the preparation of this journey was thoughtful..  They anticipate your needs, so you always feel fully supported in everything; bathroom comfort, food restrictions, physical and emotional needs. The complete unplug that you experience on this journey gives you tremendous clarity.  And then there's one more element....the difference you can make by taking time to bare witness to the lives of the indigenous tribes so you can truly hear and understand them.  Just sign up.  You won't be disappointed and you're in loving hands."   Debbie L 

"This journey was superb with really amazing guides who supported and allowed a transformative spiritual experience to unfold individually and collectively. The itinerary was really beautifully curated as a journey in and of itself."  Anya W 

"This was truly a once in a lifetime experience - I learned so much, felt so connected, and was pushed to have new perspectives and understanding of the world. I would go again in a heartbeat if I could!"  Sara H 

"I knew this trip would be transformative, but couldn't have imagined the gifts. I will be forever grateful for the container created for all of us to have incredible, life changing experiences."  Sara T. 

"The Journey was a powerful experience of learning about different people, connecting with nature, and personal spiritual growth. I appreciated the structure as a partnership - learning from and supporting each other. The insights from other group members strengthened my learning and made it an enjoyable time together. I am glad I could bring my young adult daughters - it was a connecting experience for us and important for young people who will help our culture change to a new dream."  Diana H 

"My Journey is hard to describe in words. The visitations, experiences and engagement we were part of were profound, beautiful and awe-inspiring on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The trip was a finely woven tapestry created from a place of deep love and reverence. I am awakened and changed forever in ways that will continue to unfold over time. I feel the deepest respect for their work, vision and integrity." Andrea N 

"I loved the experience and learnings I had with these docile distant brothers that I had the opportunity to embrace on this journey. The pure relationship that the Indigenous people have with the earth on the physical and spiritual plane, captivated me forever"  Ruth B 

"The Self that I identified as “me”, that left for the Journey was not the sane Self that returned.  Amidst the stillness and silence of the jungle and welcoming spirit of our indigenous brothers and sisters, I discovered my Self, as a self rooted in being,  blissful and serene."  Mark F 

"I was so impressed with the organization and care of the leaders and guides of the entire journey. The care of all parties involved helped create a safe space to wholeheartedly experience the present moment. I remained in a state of presence for such a long period of time that returning back to society has been a challenge. I recommend this for anyone seeking to come face to face with the jaguar and smile."  Michael A 

"The organization was exceptional, people were amazing, including group and the indigenous people.  One of the best experiences ever.  Very grateful."   Diana D 

 Group meets at 5 pm at the beatiful Sierra Alisos Hacienda, for a welcome and orientation followed by a group dinner together. Accommodations at Sierra Alisos Hotel

After a gourmet breakfast and an orientation meeting , 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 territory at a cozy boutique hotel at the edge of the rainforest

For seven days, you’ll be deeply embedded in the lush Amazon rainforest, hosted by our Indigenous brothers and sisters, the Achuar. This is an immersion into a life-centered way of being—guided by elders and enriched through daily rituals, sacred ceremonies, and meaningful cultural exchanges.

Together, we’ll share in the rhythm of Achuar life: learning to use traditional blow dart guns, crafting Indigenous art by hand, swimming in sacred waterfalls, joining medicine walks through the forest, and meditating beneath the majestic Grandfather Kapok tree. One evening will bring the invitation to participate in ancient shamanic plant medicine ceremonies—an opening to the wisdom and spirit of the living forest.

After breakfast, weather permitting, we’ll fly back to Shell, where our bus will take us to Papallacta Hot Springs, nestled high in the lush Andean cloud forest. There, rest and relaxation await—surrounded by fertile mountain slopes, vibrant hummingbirds, and tropical flowers. In the evening, we’ll gather for a powerful reflection, deepening the global context and meaning of our journey after so many days shared with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

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

 After breakfast and our final goodbyes, the group departs.   

End of Journey.