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 boutique 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 and 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 elder grandmother 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. 

 Morning dream-sharing and purification ceremony using time-tested ancient techniques followed by a river outing to experience the lush rainforest along the Conambo River.  We will stop to picnic on a sandbar along the river, followed by an exploratory rainforest hike back to our encampment. Afternoon rest and relaxation time.  

Early morning dream sharing followed by breakfast, then a hike through the primary 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. 

Following lunch, we will meet with the community, have intimate conversations with our Sapara friends, partake in traditional foods and music, and experience Sumak Kawsay (Good Living) together.

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll prepare our belongings and return to the community to say our farewells. Take a 50-minute flight deeper into the Amazon rainforest to the Achuar village of Sharamentsa.    

Early morning Guayusa dream-sharing ritual with Achuar families followed by a hike with our Achuar guide to learn about this pristine rainforest's extensive flora and fauna. Witness how the Achuar live in an interconnected way with their environment, including the use of medicinal plants, natural building materials, and small-scale, sustainable farming. We’ll visit a sacred waterfall and learn about the Achuar cosmo-vision and spiritual practices. Here we will enjoy some quiet and contemplative time to connect with the forest and ourselves, taking in the innumerable forms of life all around us, followed by an evening shamanic ceremony. 

Morning debrief session with the shaman. After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll prepare our belongings and return to the community to say our farewells and take a beautiful canoe ride down the mighty Pastaza River and up the Capahauri River to the acclaimed, Achuar-owned and operated Kapawi Ecolodge. 

Early morning Guayusa dream-sharing ritual followed by morning bird and animal watching.  After breakfast, we’ll set out on a hike to learn more about medicinal plants and Achuar spirituality, followed by solo meditation around the sacred Kapok tree.  

In the afternoon, we’ll go out on the river to swim and float in kayaks or canoes - mingling with the legendary pink river dolphin if we’re lucky.  Free time for journaling, swimming, exploring the area around Kapawi. After dinner, we’ll set out on a nighttime walk to witness the incredible nocturnal life of the forest.