About This Trip
Join us in the breathtaking Osa Peninsula at Ocean Forest Ecolodge, where the rainforest meets the ocean, for a journey of deep spiritual renewal. The Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings offer a unique opportunity to explore ancestral plant medicine traditions in an inspiring natural sanctuary.
For Spiritual Healing of Body and Soul
Designed for profound healing and renewal, this retreat immerses you in pristine nature and sacred rainforest medicines, prepared with the wisdom of traditional elders. Perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the legendary Caño Island, our ceremonial lodge is nestled within an original forest teeming with tropical life. Abundant birds and animals inhabit this lush landscape, creating the perfect setting for transformative experiences and an unforgettable good time. All this, while enjoying direct beach access and the ocean at our foot step.
Retreat tuition
- Perks for Returning Participants and for Staying on Both Councils
- Free: Private Cabin upgrade*
- $550 off for one council
- $1300 off for both council
- $700 off for first timers staying on both council
- 50% off on three nights in between councils
- 50% off on up to 2 extra night before or after the councils
- Free: Ceremonial Limpia
- Free: I Ching reading
- Free: Special aura cleanse
- Welcomed to participate and learn the sacred art of cooking the yagé
|
Program Duration
|
Returning Participants
|
First-Time Participants
|
|
7 Nights Council
|
$1,550
|
$1,850
|
|
10 Nights Council
|
$2,150
|
$2,450
|
|
Both Councils 23 nights
|
$3,700
|
$4,200
|
Dieta Protocol ~ Required
To ensure an optimal experience, a Dieta Protocol is required for participation, guiding you through the essential preparations for this sacred journey. [Click here] to review and accept the protocol.
Intentions
Since 1994, Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings have provided powerful healing ceremonies in a fully immersive nature experience. Proceeds from these gatherings support rainforest conservation, cultural heritage initiatives, water projects, and land restoration efforts.
What’s Included
- 7 nights or 10 nights in shared accommodations (double or triple rooms)
- (3) Sunrise Renewal ceremonies with alkaline-rich rainforest medicines
- (3) Overnight Traditional Healing ceremonies with sacred rainforest medicines
- On the 6 days option there are (2) of each of the above
- Three wholesome, dieta friendly meals daily, plus herbal teas
- Guayusa and cacao
- Optional light fasting meals on ceremony days
- Ethnobotanical excursions and rainforest walks
- Introduction to indigenous ceremonial plant medicine traditions
- Aura cleanses with medicinal flowers
- Yoga and guided meditation
- Rainforest, beach, and river hikes
- Swimming at our beachfront location
- Art and crafts sessions
- One-on-one council with facilitators
- Assistance with local transfers and hotel reservations
Optional Add-Ons
- Private ocean-view cabins
- Ceremonial healing limpias
- Copal incense cleanse
- I Ching readings for life guidance
Also Included
- Free time for integration and relaxation
- Group integration circles
- Pristine beach within walking distance to San Josecito Bay, ideal for snorkeling
- Extensive trails for beach and rainforest trekking
- On-site birdwatching, monkey viewing, and nature appreciation
- Ethnobotanical gardens with medicinal plants and fruit trees
- Secluded ecological sanctuary setting
What’s Not Included
- Transfers to and from Ocean Forest Ecolodge
- Hotels in San Jose or en-route to the lodge
Ceremonial Itinerary
August 2 – 11, 2025 (10 with a 7 nights option until August 8
- Day 1. Sat 02 Arrival day, orientation
- Day 2. Sun 03 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM, floral aura bath
- Day 3. Mon 04 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM, floral aura bath
- Day 4. Tue 05 First all night ceremony of yagé
- Day 5. Wed 06 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 6. Thu 07 Second ceremony of yagé
- Day 7. Fri 08 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 8. Sat 09 Third ceremony of yagé (departure for early goers)
- Day 9. Sun 10 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 10. Mon 11 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM
- Day 11. Tue 12 Departure day
We look forward to sharing this transformative and magical experience with you!
About This Trip
Join us in the breathtaking Osa Peninsula at Ocean Forest Ecolodge, where the rainforest meets the ocean, for a journey of deep spiritual renewal. The Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings offer a unique opportunity to explore ancestral plant medicine traditions in an inspiring natural sanctuary.
For Spiritual Healing of Body and Soul
Designed for profound healing and renewal, this retreat immerses you in pristine nature and sacred rainforest medicines, prepared with the wisdom of traditional elders. Perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the legendary Caño Island, our ceremonial lodge is nestled within an original forest teeming with tropical life. Abundant birds and animals inhabit this lush landscape, creating the perfect setting for transformative experiences and an unforgettable good time. All this, while enjoying direct beach access and the ocean at our foot step.
Retreat tuition
- Perks for Returning Participants and for Staying on Both Councils
- Free: Private Cabin upgrade*
- $550 off for one council
- $1300 off for both council
- $700 off for first timers staying on both council
- 50% off on three nights in between councils
- 50% off on up to 2 extra night before or after the councils
- Free: Ceremonial Limpia
- Free: I Ching reading
- Free: Special aura cleanse
- Welcomed to participate and learn the sacred art of cooking the yagé
|
Program Duration
|
Returning Participants
|
First-Time Participants
|
|
7 Nights Council
|
$1,550
|
$1,850
|
|
10 Nights Council
|
$2,150
|
$2,450
|
|
23 nights Both Councils
|
$3,700
|
$4,200
|
Dieta Protocol ~ Required
To ensure an optimal experience, a Dieta Protocol is required for participation, guiding you through the essential preparations for this sacred journey. [Click here] to review and accept the protocol.
Intentions
Since 1994, Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings have provided powerful healing ceremonies in a fully immersive nature experience. Proceeds from these gatherings support rainforest conservation, cultural heritage initiatives, water projects, and land restoration efforts.
What’s Included
- 7 nights or 10 nights in shared accommodations (double or triple rooms)
- (3) Sunrise Renewal ceremonies with alkaline-rich rainforest medicines
- (3) Overnight Traditional Healing ceremonies with sacred rainforest medicines
- On the 6 days option there are (2) of each of the above
- Three wholesome, dieta-friendly meals daily, plus herbal teas
- Guayusa and cacao
- Optional light fasting meals on ceremony days
- Ethnobotanical excursions and rainforest walks
- Introduction to indigenous ceremonial plant medicine traditions
- Aura cleanses with medicinal flowers
- Yoga and guided meditation
- Rainforest, beach, and river hikes
- Swimming at our beachfront location
- Art and crafts sessions
- One-on-one council with facilitators
- Assistance with local transfers and hotel reservations
Optional Add-Ons
- Private ocean-view cabins
- Ceremonial healing limpias
- Copal incense cleanse
- I Ching readings for life guidance
Also Included
- Free time for integration and relaxation
- Group integration circles
- Pristine beach within walking distance to San Josecito Bay, ideal for snorkeling
- Extensive trails for beach and rainforest trekking
- On-site birdwatching, monkey viewing, and nature appreciation
- Ethnobotanical gardens with medicinal plants and fruit trees
- Secluded ecological sanctuary setting
What’s Not Included
- Transfers to and from Ocean Forest Ecolodge
- Hotels in San Jose or en-route to the lodge
Ceremonial Itinerary
July 19 – 29, 2025 (10 with a 7 nights option until July 26
- Day 1. Sat 19 Arrival day, orientation
- Day 2. Sun 20 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM, floral aura bath
- Day 3. Mon 21 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM, floral aura bath
- Day 4. Tue 22 First all night ceremony of yagé
- Day 5. Wed 23 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 6. Thu 24 Second ceremony of yagé
- Day 7. Fri 25 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 8. Sat 26 Third ceremony of yagé (departure for early goers)
- Day 9. Sun 27 Breakfast at the ceremonial lodge, rest day
- Day 10. Mon 28 Sunrise renewal ceremony at 4AM
- Day 11. Tue 29 Departure day
We look forward to sharing this transformative and magical experience with you!
Join us for a jungle adventure at our wilderness camp in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon, where we embark on a mystical journey to the Pusuno River, nestled at the base of the holy mountain Napo-Galeras. This expedition is tailored for the fit and adventurous, involving a full day wilderness hike with packs to reach our destination. Porter service will be available for our packs for those who need. The Pusuno River, depicted in the photos, is a breathtaking emerald green rainforest paradise valley, historically visited by pilgrims for prayer and ceremonial rainforest medicine rituals. Situated on the equator, this isolated limestone massif brims with endemic plants, promising a truly unique experience.
Participation fee
Sign on before July 15th for an Early Bird rate:
Returning participants: $2,200. Early Bird: $2,000
First time participants: $2,700. Early Bird: $2,500
- You may reserve your space with a %50 deposit
- Min participants: 4 Max participants: 9
- To sign on email us at:
- Rainforest Medicine Council <gatherings@rainforestmedicine.net>
NOTE: We may change itinerary to visit the homestead of a Siekopai elder and his family for a traditional ceremonial experience. Either trip will be epic beyond measure!
At the Heart of Botanical Diversity
Located at the heart of Botanical Diversity, our retreats are accessed after a 4-hour drive from Quito to where the trail head begins. We hike for several hours to a Kichwa family homestead where we camp for the night. The following day we hike about 8-10 hours to the magnificent Pusuno River, the “River of Bubbles.” Within this Indigenous-owned and stewarded rainforest sanctuary, discover sacred sites like caves, waterfalls, and crystal-clear creeks amidst lush tropical plants. The area is considered to be, based on botanical inventories, to be the epicenter for botanical diversity. A visit here will leave any plant enthusiast with a much deeper perspective on the this most wondrous subject of mega biological diversity.
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.
With the sunrise renewals were we vomit at 4 am using alkaline rich rainforest medicinal emetics to leave each cell in ones body renewed. Then with two transformative all-night healing ceremonies, we delve deep into the realms of the soul, emerging renewed on every possible level. The quiescent stillness and quietude of this wilderness glade is the perfect setting to go as deep as you can imagine.
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 experience. Click Here to read the Rainforest Medicine Dieta Protocol, acceptance of which will be required for participation.
Day to Day Itinerary August 1-9, 2024
- July 30: Arrival to Quito
- August 1st: Papallacta hot springs (first night)
- 8/2 Hike to first camp, sleep at a Kichwa homestead
- 8/3 Arrive to Pusuno, set top camp, hike to river and waterfall
- 8/4 Sunrise renewal ceremony with Guayusa and Piton
- 8/5 Fast day, first ceremony night
- 8/6 Rest and walk and swim to gorgeous spots on the Pusuno River, fast day for second ceremony night.
- 8/7 Sunrise renewal ceremony w/ Guayusa and Piton, rest all day, walk to gorgeous location on Pusuno River, afternoon start packing camp.
- 8/8 departure day, long hike, to bus to arrive to Papallacta hot springs for the night. This day we hike 10 hours.
- 8/9 Rest at the springs, leave for Quito in afternoon.
- 8/10 First day for international departures
To Learn more about my work in the region read:
Conservation Adventures at the Epicenter of Botanical Diversity…
