I have fallen in love with Kawsak Sacha—Kichwa for "the Living Forest"—and in no small part thanks to the people who inhabit it. I am quite confident you’ll experience a similar sense of wonderment when you join me on this journey I have tailored for you.

We’ll visit two of the most emblematic ancestral Peoples of the region, whose entire existence has been shaped by their relationship with the natural environment for thousands of years.

We’ll first visit the Original Kichwa People of Sarayaku, internationally recognized for their unrelenting defense of their territory against extractive industries and for articulating their vision of a living forest. Their kindness, along with their determination to preserve their culture, governance system, and conscious adaptation strategies, have driven me to visit them as often as I can.

We’ll then fly over the jungle close to the Peruvian border to the Achuar community of Wayusentsa. The Achuar are one of the last Amazonian Peoples to have been contacted (in the mid-20th century) and arguably one of the last to live fully according to ancestral beliefs. They have successfully resisted the acculturation that their relatives, the Shuar, have undergone. Here, traditional rituals such as dream sharing are still practiced in their purest form.

My goal is to offer you a human adventure: to experience the transformative power of the Living Forest and to gain insight into the lives of those who protect and tend to the most biodiverse ecosystem on our planet.

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

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 lifeways, we co-create immersive experiences rooted in trust, reciprocity, and reverence. Every step of the way is guided by relationship—connections 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, and your willingness to be changed. And in return, it will offer you something rare: a glimpse into a life-centered way of being, 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.

Marc Thibault

I am privileged to call many of these communities’ inhabitants my friends. At first they called me Marquitos and now I go by Marco. I guess I grew up a bit. Upon my first visit to the Amazon in 2012, I knew I would go back, but I wanted to have a purpose and since I was already “into” medicinal plants and have had this triple bottom line entrepreneurial spirit, it wasn’t very long before the opportunity to bring my dream into fusion presented itself. It has been much more challenging than expected, but as it should be. The Living Pharmacies is what has been bringing me back here no matter what I choose to do. The use of medicinal plants is universal. The traditional knowledge, not only their properties but also their personalities, less so. As my relationships here grew closer I heard again and again “why don’t you bring people here, they need to experience what you have, they need to hear us as well”.

My fifth time in the jungle I spent time with a Kichwa family who would become my adopted family. We were far away from the community they live in, in the land of their ancestors as they name it. Untouched, lush, energetically packed. They gathered every day before dawn to share their dreams and plan the day accordingly and after dusk to report on the day. Every evening they’d ask me, I’d share the transformation - physical and mental - I was experiencing. After the fourth day, the eldest son said: “Marco, what you are experiencing is the creation of the world”. I learned later Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Rainforest don’t call it “the lung of the planet” but Pachamama’s heart.

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 5:00 PM at the beautiful Sierra Alisos Hacienda for a warm welcome and orientation, followed by our first group dinner together. Accommodations for the night will be at the Hacienda Sierra Alisos, a tranquil countryside estate nestled in the Andean foothills, offering the perfect peaceful setting to rest and bond before our journey begins.

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. We will then continue through the waterfall-laden Pastaza River canyon to the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. In the evening, we will settle into a cozy boutique hotel at the edge of the jungle for dinner and an important discussion about entering the rainforest and Indigenous territory.

Welcome to Sarayaku, a vibrant Amazonian territory along the Bobonaza River where primary rainforest remains untouched by highways and modern development. Your journey into this ancestral Kichwa nation, accessible only by a scenic river boat ride or a small charter flight, offers a rare immersion into one of the most culturally intact regions of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

During your visit, your group will experience firsthand the philosophy of Kawsak Sacha (the Living Forest), learning from a community that treats the jungle as a conscious, rights-bearing being. You will engage with international leaders who successfully defended their lands from oil extraction, share in traditional chicha welcome rituals, and witness how ancestral traditions seamlessly blend with a powerful global vision for conservation.

Welcome to the ancestral territory of the Achuar, a deeply spiritual Indigenous nation living in the remote, roadless rainforests stretching across the border of Ecuador and Peru. Your journey begins with a thrilling flight in a small aircraft over an endless canopy of green, landing on an isolated airstrip in a land untouched by modern industries.

Over the course of an extraordinary three-night stay, you will reside directly within the community at the Centro Achuar Wayusentsa—a community-run tourism center where "Wayusentsa" fittingly translates to "river of wayus". Immersed in their ancient spiritual practices, you will be invited to pariticate in sacred plant medicine ceremonies to connect deeply with the rainforest, and journey into the jungle for profound waterfall cleansing ceremonies. These powerful practices, paired with dawn wayusa dream interpretations, will provide your group with an authentic, life-changing encounter with the sacred world of the Achuar.

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 a restful morning soaking in the therapeutic hot springs, our group departs for Quito. Upon arrival, you will check into the elegant Cultura Manor Hotel, a beautiful boutique oasis blending historic charm with modern comfort. The afternoon is yours to enjoy, offering free time to shop for authentic Ecuadorian crafts. To close out this life-changing journey, we will gather in the evening for a special farewell celebratory gourmet dinner, sharing memories and celebrating the deep connections made with the spirits and people of the rainforest.  

 After breakfast and our final goodbyes, the group departs.   

End of Journey.