OUR NGO PARTNER

The Pachamama Alliance works tirelessly with the Aboriginal people of the Amazon to help save their environment and way of life. Their "programs integrate indigenous wisdom with modern knowledge to support personal and collective transformation that is the catalyst in bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet."

ITINERARY

(sample itinerary, subject to slight changes)

Travel Day
Roundtrip airport:  Quito, Ecuador
Accommodations:   Boutique Cafe Cultura

(Day 1: Quito to San Clemente)
Orientation meeting before heading north to the scenic Andean region of Otavalo. Artisan market displaying the crafts and culture of the Otavalan Quichua people. On to San Clemente,  an Indigenous-owned community-based project on the flanks of the Imbabura volcano. 
Accommodations: Host Family

(Day 2:  San Clemente )
Explore this unique community’s approach to agriculture.
We will hike a mountain forest hike to learn about native medicinal plants, 
the Andean cosmo-vision, a bonfire, followed by a cave cleansing ceremony!
Accommodations: Host Family

(Day 3: San Clemente to Puyo)
We leave the Andes and travel through the avenue of the volcanoes and the cloud forest
until we reach the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.
Accommodations: El Jardin

(Day 4:  Achuar territory in the ecolodge of Ti’inkias, deep in the rainforest)
We fly deep into the Amazon rainforest to the Achuar village of Chichirat and walk to the Bobanaza River for a beautiful canoe ride down to the village of Ti’inkias. Then we hike to the simple encampment built in traditional Achuar style that will be our home for the next three days and nights.
Accommodations: Open-walled structure, wooden platform bed, comfortable mat and mosquito nets.

(Day 5:  Achuar territory in the ecolodge of Ti’inkias)
Early morning dream sharing ritual with Achuar families followed by time in the village. Here they weave, make ceramic bowls etc.  In the afternoon, we’ll explore a beautiful black water lagoon in dugout canoes, swim in the natural pool close by the community, and have an Achuar feast from local foods!
Accommodations: same

(Day 6: Achuar territory in the village of Ti’inkias)
Morning class and then out on jungle walk to learn about medicinal plants, traditional forest
uses and the Achuar cosmology and spirituality. Later, a traditional ceremony
with an elder Achuar shaman. 
Accommodations: same

(Day 7:  Ti’inkias ecolodge to Kapawi ecolodge)
Then we head, by river, to the Kapawi Lodge. Great photo opportunities...but
the experience alone, is truly magical. Cocktail Critiques
Accommodations: Kapawi Lodge

(Day 8: Kapawi Ecolodge) 
Morning Class and then relax and edit, soak up the serenity of Kapawi. Then we head out onto the river to swim, float in kayaks or canoes with the option of fishing and mingling with the legendary pink
river dolphin if we’re lucky. Evening night walk.
Accommodations: Kapawi Ecolodge

(Day 9 : Kapawi to Llanganates , Ecuador)  
Fly to the small town of Shell and bus to Hacienda Manteles in the Patate valley of the Andes, 
with a view to the Tungurahua volcano. Cocktail Critiques
Accommodations: Hacienda Manteles

(Day 10:  Llanganates, Ecuador)
We hike into the nearby Llanganates National Park, cloud forest and waterfalls!
Accommodations: Hacienda Manteles

(Day 11:  Llanganates to Quito, Ecuador )
After lunch at Hacienda Manteles, we’ll drive back through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Quito.

FINAL EXHIBIT of your PHOTOGRAPHY
Accommodations: TBD

TRAVEL DAY  
Farewell…we’ll miss you…Safe Journey!