Living Spirit in the Amazon
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For hundreds of years, the natives of the Amazon Rainforest have used a highly potent, hallucinogenic mixture known as “Ayahuasca”, which is supposed to cleanse your body and soul, heal you from illness or ill luck. This trip revolves around the Ceremony of the Ayahuasca. For hundreds of years, the natives of the Amazonian Rainforest have used a highly potent, hallucinogenic mixture knows as the Ayahuasca. Some people also use it to unite their male and female selves. The Ceremony will be undertaken in two night sessions, and will be conducted by a Master Shaman in the Heliconia Lodge.
The excursion starts in the city of Iquitos, and takes us to the heart of the Amazon Jungle to the Heliconia Lodge, which is where the ceremony will take place. The ceremony starts at 10:00 pm. and it is directed by the master shaman who takes a sit with the participants making a circle. The place has to be semi-dark and silent. The shaman starts the ceremony Icarando (smoking and blowing), the beverage with the smoke of Mapacho (Nicotina specie) asking for permission to the Almighty and the spirits of the plants to start the ritual. The effect of the hallucinogenic beverage is shown 20 to 30 minutes after drinking and the trance lasts approximately from 2 ˝ to 3 hours.
Day 1
Iquitos-Heliconia Amazon River Lodge
Flight from Lima to Iquitos. Upon arrival, transfer to the Port of Bellavista Nanay, where we will board a speed boat to the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge via the Amazon River. During this ride, we will be able to observe the convergence of the brown turbid Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. We will enjoy the impressive jungle landscape and the small, rustic houses of the riverside towns. Arrival at the Lodge and a complimentary jungle drink. Allocation of rooms, and lunch. In the afternoon, we will start a jungle hike into the Yanamono Reserve, which is a primary rainforest reserve, for approximately two hours accompanied by expert guides, where they will identify various botanical species such as the Heliconia plant, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree, whose dimensions are so large that 25 persons can circle it. During this time, we will also see various birds such as the Turkey Vulture and Black Fronted Nanbird, and with a little luck we will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets, the Titi Monkey and the Frailes Monkey. Return to the lodge and rest. Free time. After observing the Amazonia sunset, we will take a night boat ride to the Manco Gulch, if the river is high enough, or along the Amazon River where we will enjoy the magical sounds of the jungle and the light of the moon. Or, if it is a clear night, we can observe the constellations. Return to the Lodge. Meet with a Shaman who will explain the Ayahuasca ceremony. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 2
Heliconia Amazon River Lodge
Early bird watching. We will start off very early and go by boat to Cáceres Gulch or a similar gulch (if it’s high water). We will be looking out for birds such as the Tuki, Ringed Kingfisher and Black-Collared Hawk. We will also be able to see the very impressive Victoria Regia (Giant Water Lily) located inside the lakes that are on Yanamono Island (again, if the water level permits). Return to the lodge where a tasty, delicious breakfast will be waiting. After a brief rest, we will visit a Yagua village where we will have an opportunity to hear about the people’s way of life. On the return trip to the lodge, we will stop by a sugar cane still where we will have a chance to taste the different drinks they make with the sugar cane rum. Return to the lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a fishing trip into small tributaries of the Amazon River. The most daring can try for Piranhas. During this time we can also look out for the Pink Amazon River Dolphin, which can be very shy. Return to the Lodge. Dinner (people making the ritual will have a special dinner). 10 pm, beginning of the Ayahuasca ritual in a special place selected for this event. The ritual may last until sunrise depending on the number of persons. Overnight at the Lodge.
Brief description of the Ayahuasca ceremony
The ceremony starts at 10 pm and is directed by the master shaman who sits with the participants making a circle. The place has to be semi-dark and silent. The shaman starts the ceremony “icarando” (smoking and blowing) the beverage with the smoke of Mapacho asking the Almighty for permission and that of the spirits of the plants to start the ritual. The effect of the hallucinogenic beverage is shown 20 to 30 minutes after drinking, and the trance lasts from 2 ˝ to 3 hours.
Day 3
Visit to a riverside town
Breakfast in the Lodge. Full day in a riverside town; where we’ll be able to see the unique way of life of the people who live in this community. Return to the Lodge and rest. In the afternoon, we will take a trip to the Tahuampas (flooded jungle) by canoe for an hour where we will enjoy the marvelous landscape of the jungle. Dinner (those making the ritual will have a special dinner). At 10 pm, beginning of the Ayahuasca ritual in a special place selected for this event. The ritual may last until sunrise depending on the number of persons. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 4
Lodge-Iquitos
Breakfast. Relax, swimming and recovering in the hammock house. Transfer to the Iquitos airport to take the flight to Lima and choose from other optional side trips.
4 days , from £1166
| Occupancy Type |
Standard |
| Double | £1166 |
| Single | £1376 |
Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).
Peru
Peruvian Ceremony
Amazon River at sunset
Monkey in the Amazon Jungle
