Return to Source Amazon Expedition

Location icon
Guests will meet by 9am at Wakaya Ecolodge
Users icon
Up to 15 in group
Date
Open Dates

Retreat Highlights

  • The Eight Day Amazon Expedition is a cultural intensive that explores Amazon perspectives of Well Being and where guests can experience authentic traditions, take unique workshops and field trips off the beaten track.
  • Stay with a Shipibo-Conibo host family at Santa Clara
  • Learn about Shipibo Spirituality and a radically different view of living on the planet.
  • Participate in everyday activities and learn new skills such as Amazon traditional cooking, and net fishing.
  • Learn about Amazon Medicine in the Shipibo Tradition
  • Visit the permaculture gardens at Santa Clara, learn to identify Amazon medicinal plants, and how to prepare many essential remedies (including those used during the pandemic) to cleanse, kill viruses, and build resilience and immunity with the Rao Banabo project.
  • Relieve stress and remove negative toxins with Amazon therapies and receive protection from Baños de florecimientos (floral baths).
  • Take a special workshops in Shipibo-Conibo arts and learn the meaning behind the mysterious kené design patterns.  
  • Receive a very unique free E-book!
  • Learn about the ancient Shipibo language and useful phrases that you can practice with the community.
  • Take an eco tour of the mighty Ucayali, the largest  tributary of the Amazon river. Visit river communities and wildlife in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.
  • Part Two: Visit the Rainforest
  • Relax and regenerate in the peaceful enclave of  Santuario Huishtin Traditional Amazon Lodge, situated on a rainforest reserve about three hours outside of Pucallpa in the province of Huanúco (by car, boat, and jungle hike.)
  • Discover the enchanting world of Vegetalismo. Learn how to harvest and prepare plant medicines with Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes Melendez. Take rainforest walks to identify important medical plants and trees on the reserve and the botanical gardens at Santuario Huishtin.
  • Hike through the reserve and and encounter many fascinating geological phenomena such as the famous "Boiling River of the Amazon," a geothermal phenomena considered sacred to local communities. Visit thermal waterfalls, geysers, and an unusual salt water river. Discover the huge variety of species of flora and fauna: rare and unusual trees and flowers and melodious birds, giant insects, and many species of monkeys.
  • Explore Pucallpa
  • Visit Pucallpa, a bustling Amazonian frontier city, with fascinating local culture. Explore city markets and sites and sample Amazonian regional foods and markets.
  • Visit the studio of master visionary artist, Dimas Paredes Armas and the Uskar Ayar Gallery, the former school of his teacher, the famous visionary artist and shaman, Pablo Amaringo.
  • Proceeds from our Retreats are directed to our Community Projects.
  • Visit our website: www.amazonmedicineinstitute.com for more information.

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Return to Source Amazon Expedition
Discover the Amazon View of Happiness
Embark to the Ucayali, the indigenous heartland of Peru on this one-of-a kind cultural intensive that goes to the source  of "Buen Vivir" or Amazon perspectives on happiness and well being. Visit Shipibo Communities, natural wonders, take fascinating workshops in ancestral arts, cuisine, and Amazon medicine.



Stay with a Shipibo-Conibo host family 

Travel to Santa Clara, a Shipibo community dedicated to revitalizing their ancestral traditions on the Ucayali river. Stay with a Shipibo host family and experience daily life, take fascinating workshops, and discover the meaning of the good life from a Shipibo perspective.

Learn about Shipibo Spirituality.

Learn about the rich ecological cosmovision of the Shipibo and its teachings on harmony and reciprocity under the mentorship of Onaya Chonon Benxo.

Enjoy Community Life

Participate in everyday activities and learn new skills such as Amazon traditional cooking, net fishing for river fish, gardening, and arts and crafts.   Make life long connections around the fire and exchange stories.

Learn about Amazon Medicine in the Shipibo Tradition

Visit the permaculture gardens at Santa Clara, learn to identify Amazon medicinal plants, and take a workshop on how to prepare many essential remedies (including those used during the pandemic) to cleanse, kill viruses, and build resilience and immunity with the Rao Banabo project.

Take Floral Baths and Drink Cleansing Teas

Relieve stress and remove negative toxins with Amazon therapies. Drink restorative teas made from fragrant Amazon flowers and receive protection from Baños de florecimientos (floral baths).

Discover  Shipibo Ancestral Arts 

The Shipibo Conibo of the Ucayali have become globally recognized for their rich culture and art practice. Take a special workshops in Shipibo-Conibo arts and learn the meaning behind the mysterious kené design patterns.  Receive a very unique free E-book!



Take a Language Lesson in Shipibo

Learn about the ancient Shipibo language and useful phrases that you can practice with the community.

Tour the Ucayali

Take an eco-tour of the mighty Ucayali, the largest  tributary of the Amazon river. Visit river communities and wildlife in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.



Part Two: Visit the Rainforest


Enjoy Deep Tranquility at the Aguas Thermales Reserve

Relax and regenerate in the peaceful enclave of  Santuario Huishtin Traditional Amazon Lodge, situated on a rainforest reserve three hours outside of Pucallpa in the province of Huanúco (by car, boat, and jungle hike.)



Immerse Yourself in Vegetalismo

Discover the enchanting world of Vegetalismo. Learn how to harvest and prepare plant medicines with Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes Melendez. Take rainforest walks to identify important medical plants and trees on the reserve and the botanical gardens at Santuario Huishtin.



 

Explore the Aguas Thermales Reserve

Hike through the reserve and and encounter many fascinating geological phenomena such as the famous "Boiling River of the Amazon," a geothermal phenomena considered sacred to local communities. Visit thermal waterfalls, geysers, and an unusual salt water river. Discover the huge variety of species of flora and fauna: rare and unusual trees and flowers and melodious birds, giant insects, and many species of monkeys.



Part Three: Explore Pucallpa
Visit Pucallpa, a bustling Amazonian frontier city, with fascinating local culture. Explore city markets and sites and sample Amazonian regional foods and markets.

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from our Retreats are directed to our Community Projects.


Visit our website: www.amazonmedicineinstitute.com for more information.

Schedule

*Everyday, we'll gather for optional reflection exercises on the meaning of happiness. Exact topic, exercise, and timing will shared in our detailed itinerary included in our registration package.


Days 1-2   

Pucallpa, a Vibrant Amazonian City​

Begin your adventure in Pucallpa, a bustling rainforest frontier city on the Amazon frontier that is becoming the place to to experience authentic Amazon culture and traditions. 

Day One:    We will meet at Wakaya Eco lodge for our orientation session. From there, we will venture on a walking tour of the city. After lunch, we will visit the studios of renown Amazonian visionary artists.

Day Two:  We'll head to Tayuya for lunch and then to Madre Selva,  for a special workshop in Amazon gastronomy with famous regional chef, Blanca Perez. 


Days 3-4   

Visit Santa Clara​

What is the meaning of a life well lived? Day Three, we'll visit Santa Clara, stay with a Shipibo-Conibo community, and learn about "Buen Vivir," a radical perspective on happiness that will change your view of life.

Day Three:    Embark on a fascinating eco-tour of the Ucayali River, the Amazon's largest tributary, en route to Santa Clara. Attend presentations on Shipibo culture (art, language, and traditions) and learn about their unique spirituality with Shipiba Maestra Chono Benxo. Take baños de floricimientos (floral baths) and special herbal teas to purify the mind and body.  Participate in a sacred Pachamama ceremony.

Day Four:  Delve into Amazon permaculture with Marcos Urquía and to prepare traditional remedies that were used during the pandemic with Rao Banabo.  Visit the neighbouring village of San Francisco for a hands-on workshop on the ancient art of  Shipibo Kené designs and their mysterious meaning.


Days 5-7  

Explore A Magical Rainforest Reserve.​

Head off on an exciting trip by road and river to visit Santuario Huishtín and the Aguas Thermales Reserve, an ancient region rich in flora, fauna, and unusual natural phenomena including a "Boiling River of the Amazon," that travels seven kilometres through the rainforest.  

Day Five:   We leave early for the a trip by road and river to Santuario Huishtín eco-lodge where we meet with Maestro Santiago Enrrique for a tour of the "boiling river."  Depending on weather, we'll immerse ourselves in a star-gazing session to observe the incredibly clear and unique night sky over Santuario.

Day Six: Discover the magical world of vegetalismo (Peruvian mestizo plant shamanism) in a presentation with Maestro vegetalista, Santiago Enrrique Paredes Melendez.  Following, we will take a hike through the surrounding rainforest and learn to identify rare medicinal plants and trees.  Take by Nature Photography workshop with Patrick.


Days 7-8 

Return to Pucallpa.​

Day Seven:  Return to Pucallpa for an evening of relaxation at Wakaya. That evening, we'll connect for our final gathering and reflect on the journey taken. 

Day Eight: Continue your journey or return home.


Your Support

Funds from your participation in our programmes go directly to our projects to conserve Amazon ancestral culture and traditions. Help us build the first institute dedicated to Amazon medicine and culture.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Amazon Medicine Institute, Guests will meet by 9am at Wakaya Ecolodge

Directions

Guests are met at a location in Pucallpa depending on their retreat by their facilitator and then escorted to the locations as per their itinerary. Guests are expected to be in good physical condition as the itinerary can be challenging and may include some hikes.

Accommodation

Accommodation
Eight Day Amazon Expedition Program Price

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Delicious Amazon cuisine which features a diverse offering of rainforest fruit, river fish, rice, plantains, soups, and grilled meats. Vegetarian options are available.

What's Included

  • Three Nights Accommodation with included breakfast at Wakaya Ecolodge.
  • Two nights at Santa Clara Shipibo community (all meals included)
  • Two nights stay at Santuario Huishtin Traditional Plant Medicine Centre on the famous "Boiling river of the Amazon" (all meals included)
  • Travel to all locations in the tour.
  • Floral baths at Santa Clara and Santuario Huishtin
  • Pachamama ceremony
  • Shipibo art "Kene" workshop
  • Shipibo language workshop
  • Workshop in Amazon plant medicine preparation with RAO BANABO
  • Workshop of Amazon "Vegetalismo" (plant spirit shamanism) with Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes Melendez
  • Botanical walk to visit Boiling river and medicinal plants at the Aguas Thermales Reserve
  • Visit to a Visionary Art Studio
  • Pucallpa city tour
  • Workshop in Amazon Gastronomy with Blanca Perez at Madre Selva.
  • Ucayali River tour and visit to river communities
  • Free E-book on Shipibo Kene Art

What's Not Included

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