Cost: $2,995
With stays at both the award-winning Kapawi Lodge and the simpler Ti’inkias community lodge, this journey offers powerful complementary immersive experiences while in the rainforest with the Achuar.
Saturday, October 27th
Arrival in Quito. Group stays at the charming hotel, Café Cultura.
Sunday, October 28th
After breakfast and an orientation meeting at Café Cultura, we’ll head north to the scenic Andean region of Otavalo where we’ll explore the open-aired indigenous artisan market displaying the crafts and culture of the Otavalan Quichua people. Next, we’ll visit with a Quichua elder shaman for a healing and purification ceremony, before arriving at San Clemente, an indigenous-owned community-based project situated on the flanks of the sacred Imbabura volcano. Dinner and accommodations with our gracious host families.
Monday, October 29th
Breakfast with families followed by activities in the community, including agricultural practices (oxen plow, planting/harvesting crops, grinding corn, etc.), forest hike to learn about native medicinal plants, discussions about the Andean cosmo-vision, and a traditional feast with local foods grown in the community. Evening dinner with families followed by cultural sharing and celebration, including traditional Andean music.
Tuesday, October 30th
After breakfast and farewells with our indigenous families, we’ll embark on a beautiful drive, visiting the center of the world (equator) along the way – descending the Andes through the avenue of the volcanoes and the mysterious cloud forests until we reach the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and evening discussion about entering the rainforest and the Achuar territory at your quaint hotel, El Jardin, located on the outskirts of Puyo.
Wednesday, October 31st
Head to the nearby town of Shell where we’ll take a 45-minute flight deep into the Amazon rainforest to the Achuar village of Chichirat. After a traditional Achuar greeting, we’ll walk to the Bobanaza river for a beautiful motorized canoe ride down to the village of Ti’inkias, where the community will welcome us with their traditional beverage, nijaamanch (known as chicha). Then we’ll walk to the nearby simple encampment built in traditional Achuar style that will be our home for two days and nights.
Thursday, November 1st
Early morning dream sharing ritual with Achuar families, followed by time in the village participating in cultural practices and activities. Return to encampment for rest and solo time. In the afternoon, we’ll hike through the forest to a beautiful black water lagoon, which we’ll explore in dugout canoes and kayaks. On the way back, we’ll stop by the village to play games with the Achuar and take a refreshing swim in the oasis-like natural pool close by the community.
Friday, November 2nd
After breakfast, we’ll return to the village for more interaction, including a cultural exchange (feel free to bring small instruments, songs and dances for sharing), a traditional Achuar feast and an attractive display of Achuar hand-made artisan items. Then, we’ll say our goodbyes and head to the river for a 4-hour relaxing boat journey to the acclaimed Kapawi Ecolodge, taking in the magnificence of the forest from the water.
Saturday, November 3
Enjoy some free time to reflect on experiences in the village, rest in the hammocks, explore the self-guided trail or simply enjoy the peaceful environment of Kapawi. Afternoon hike with our Achuar guide to learn about medicinal plants and the Achuar cosmo-vision. We’ll spend some quiet and contemplative time in the rainforest and be hosted by another Achuar village for the night where we may be invited to participate in a traditional ceremony with an elder Achuar shaman.
Sunday, November 4th
After breakfast and conversation about our experiences in the village, we’ll return to Kapawi Lodge for rest and free time. In the afternoon, we’ll go out on the river to swim and float in kayaks or canoes with the option of fishing – mingling with the legendary pink river dolphin if we’re lucky. Evening hike to explore the unique nocturnal forest life with Achuar guide, before sleeping at Kapawi Lodge.
Monday, November 5th
Morning bird and animal watching. Depart Kapawi and fly to the small town of Shell where our bus will take us to the cozy and inviting Hacienda Manteles in the Patate valley of the Andes, with sweeping vistas of the magnificent Tungurahua volcano. Free time for rest, reflection, hiking to nearby waterfalls; immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the enchanting Llanganates National Park.
Tuesday, November 6th
Relax and enjoy the verdant cloud forest surroundings and gourmet food. Later in the afternoon and evening, we’ll participate in an Awakening the Dreamer Symposium – a powerful inquiry and discussion that will deepen the context and meaning of our journey, having just been with the indigenous people who inspired the Symposium’s creation and purpose.
Wednesday, November 7th
I Group gathers for a journey completion circle. We drive back through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Quito and Hotel Café Cultura and enjoy our final celebration dinner together. Stay at Café Cultura.
Thursday, November 8th
Departures.
Itinerary is subject to change
We recommend arriving a day or two in advance of the formal itinerary to acclimate, rest, and see Quito if you wish. Those personal reservations for hotel and airport transfer can be made through www.CafeCultura.com. Pachamama Journeys will arrange lodging at Café Cultura for Saturday night.
