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November 21 ~ December 1 (11 days) ~ Ecuador

November 21 @ 5:00 am - December 1 @ 7:00 pm

$2200 – $2700

About this trip

Embark on a jungle adventure at our wilderness camp in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon. Nestled within a Kichwa family homestead, our nature sanctuary, reached after a casual one hour walk, offers stunning views of Napo-Galeras mountain. The location is amazing for nature discovery! We visit caves and waterfalls, crystal clear river and streams and explore the might rainforest and its marvelous plants and birds. The Napo-Galeras isolated limestone massif, teeming with endemic plants, sits proudly on the equator, offering a truly unique experience.

Price

Returning participants: $2,200
First time participants: $2,700

  • You may reserve your space  with a %50 deposit.
  • Min participants: 4 Max participants: 12
  • To sign on email us at: 
  • Rainforest Medicine Council <gatherings@rainforestmedicine.net>

NOTE: We reserve the right to change the itinerary and retreat dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be communicated to participants as soon as possible. Participants will be required to fill in an application form as well as follow a dieta protocol. To see our cancelation policy please see cancelation policy at end of this post. 

At the Heart of Botanical Diversity

Located at the heart of Botanical Diversity, our retreats are accessed after a 4-hour drive from Quito and a scenic one-hour forest walk. Within this Indigenous-owned reserve, discover sacred sites like caves, waterfalls, and crystal-clear creeks amidst lush tropical plants. The area is considered through botanical studies to be the epicenter for botanical diversity, this will leave any plant enthusiast with a much deeper perspective on the this most wondrous subject. 

Guided by

Jonathon Miller Weisberger: Ethnobotanist, Rainforest Guide and Author of Rainforest Medicine – Preserving Indigenous Science and Biodiversity in the Upper Amazon. Is on board as the retreat facilitator as well as coordinator. His presence brings this to a whole another level, to open up a broader vision of life and the rainforest. 

Benjamin Mamallacta Alvarado: Kichwa educator, Ethnobotanist and seed conservationist, is on board as your rainforest guide, ornithologist and storyteller. Benjamin is ancestral steward of Pusuno River, (full day trek from the camp well be visiting at Urku Mayan). Benjamin and his family offer the Ungi ethnobotanical nursery in Tena, where they produce thousands of heirloom fruit, nut and ethnobotanical wonders. 

Walter Grefa Chongo: Kichwa chef and rainforest guide from inner Archidona. Walter will be our chef and companion on the journey. He is also a remarkable jungle guide, story teller, body painter an ally on these wilderness sojourns. 

Also present will be community elders and some local guides: The aromatic plant baths and energy limpias are offered to us by our caring Kichwa village elders to cleanse your aura and strengthen your soul. Rainforest walks through caves and down river sides past waterfalls and through towering rainforest canopies are led by a local Kichwa guide to awaken your perspectives and make your body strong. 

Ceremonial Itinerary

With sunrise renewals were we vomit at 4 am with alkaline rich rainforest medicinal emetics, and two transformative all-night healing ceremonies, we delve deep into the realms of the soul, emerging renewed on every level. 

Day to Day Itinerary

November 21~ December 1: (11 days) ~ Ecuador, Napo-Galeras National Park

Nov 21st Arrival to Quito 

22nd Papallacta hot springs

23rd Travel to Urku Mayan, set up camp

24th Guayusa tea, hike to caves and waterfalls 

25th Sunrise renewal ceremony / limpias and aura baths

26th Fast day, limpias and aura baths / (1st) night ceremony 

27th Rest day, walk nearby rainforest / birdwatching 

28th Fast day, limpias and aura baths / (2nd) night ceremony 

29th Rest day, limpias and aura baths / birdwatching / pack

30th departure day, night at Papallacta hot springs 

Dec 1st international departure day 

Retreat Includes:

  • 7-nights camping
  • Three natural wholesome dieta friendly meals daily, with fresh aromatic teas from the garden: lemongrass, guayusa and cacao.
  • On fasting days in preparation for ceremony, we offer optional simple dieta friendly meal at noon, if need be.
  • Delve deep into ethnobotany and learn local medicinal plants on programmed excursions, to surrounding rainforest, waterfalls, rivers and caves.  
  • Introduction to an ancient ceremonial indigenous plant medicine tradition
  • (2) Sunrise Renewal ceremonies with alkaline rich rainforest medicines
  • (2) overnight Traditional Healing ceremonies with sacred ancestral rainforest plant medicines
  • Aura cleanses with medicinal flowers are offered before ceremony.
  • Rainforest, caves, waterfall and river hikes
  • Epic bird watching
  • Daily free time for integration and relaxation
  • Group integration circles for raising common body of experience
  • One on one council with your group facilitators
  • Pristine, secluded rainforest at the epicenter of botanical diversity.
  • Rich and diverse ethnobotanical gardens for communing with a vast array of potent medicinal plants and beautiful fruit trees
  • Pristine ecological nature sanctuary setting
  • Art and crafts making session
  • Help with local reservations: On route hotel and local transport

Retreat does not Includes:

  • International airline tickets
  • Hotel and meal expenses on route
  • Transportation / transfer fees to and fro international airports
  • Meals on route
  • Hot-spring cabin rental roundtrip
  • Merchant fees or money transfer fees for tuition contribution. 

Cancelation Policy

Please submit your cancellation in writing over email. 60 days before the event start date we issue a 95% refund. up to 30 days before event start days we offer a 45% refund and 50% credit towards a future retreat, with the next two years. 30 days before event we offer 50% credit towards a future retreat, with the next two years.

Dieta protocol required

To prepare your body and mind for this sacred journey, we provide a comprehensive Dieta Protocol, guiding you through the necessary steps for eligibility to join our retreat. The Dieta Protocol is there to orient you in the basic precepts that guide one to more efficaciously embrace the magic of this extraordinary adventure. Click Here to read the Rainforest Medicine Dieta Protocol, acceptance of which will be required for participation

To Learn more about my work in the region read: 

Conservation Adventures at the Epicenter of Botanical Diversity…

Details

Start:
November 21 @ 5:00 am
End:
December 1 @ 7:00 pm
Cost:
$2200 – $2700

Venue

Napo-Galeras National Park
Napo Province, Upper Amazon Ecuador

Organizer

Rainforest Medicine Council
View Organizer Website