Visit to Sarayaku territory in the Amazon jungle
A small group of people from the Western Civilization who care about the awakening of the Planet's Consciousness, will visit this land of brave guardians of Mother Earth.
November 10-15, 2024
February 16 - 21, 2024
There are some Amazonian communities that retain their original wisdom throughout the millennia, and have many things to teach the Western curious mind. And I am talking not only about their integrity at the moment of protecting Mother Earth. We can learn from these cultures a lot about the way their democracy works, their priorities in life, and their close relationship with plants of power.
Sarayaku is the name of a Kichwa people who live in the deep Amazon jungle. They pride on and have retained their original lifestyle, in spiritual harmony with Mother Earth.
Their unique love and responsibility towards Mother Earth has kept Sarayaku people in the forefront of Nature's defense from oil extraction. In 2012 they won a court case against the Ecuadorian government. The USD 1.4 Million they received as compensation was used for community projects, like the creation of the first Community Indigenous airline of the World.
In this visit to Sarayaku territory, you will:
- Get to know first hand one of the first indigenous peoples in Ecuador that have sustained a strong, organized stance against extractivism
- Taste their incredible traditional food, using natural ingredients and produces from their gardens.
- Get in contact with a jungle preserved as in nowhere else. A walk in the jungle with its original inhabitants can be a life changing experience
- Help these amazing people stand strong in their convictions and their respect for Nature. You can show support by widespreading their unique story through your social media.
- You can support them also with trips like this. Ecotourism is identified by them as a positive alternative to extractive industries, because it generates well paid jobs.
- Learn about their plants of power and their important role for their culture's deep respect towards Mother Earth.
- Have the guarantee that all activities you will be part in, are Real. And by no means crafted with the intention to entertain or do "shows" for tourists. The way Ecuadorian grassroots organizations who make community tourism possible understand tourism is like a cultural exchange in which both parties learn and nourish mutually.
- Be part of conversations with elders about world problems and their historical responsibility as stewards of the jungle.
- Live unforgettable night canoe expeditions in one of the few remaining oil-free, mining-free, industrial agriculture-free areas of the Amazon jungle.
- Be part of relaxing collective journaling sessions in carefully chosen selected places.
- Get to know the Sarayaku's people declaration "Living Forest", in which their vision is put in plain English so the World understands it (Kawsaksacha.org/en)
5 facts about the Sarayaku People
Fact 1
Unlike other indigenous peoples, where there is division between those who want to protect nature and those who want the jobs of the oil companies, Sarayakus are almost unanimously against oil exploitation.
Fact 2
Historically, they have been an important actor in Ecuador's National Indigenous movement. Thanks to the organization of the Indigenous movement Nature has rights in Ecuador, Food Sovereignty is recognized in its Constitution, and GMOs are banned.
Fact 3
Among their Community projects, they have a Social bank, and the community constantly supports young people to have their own entrepreneurship, to do businesses in a responsible and sustainable way.
Fact 4
Their territory is 333,000 Acres wide (a bit more than Houston Metro area), and 95% of it is primary jungle. Their construction materials are native and, unlike some indigenous peoples, Sarayakus highly value their traditional architecture.
Fact 5
To protect their territory from illegal logging and other threats to Nature they have a team of "Kaskirunas" (forest guardians) who are usually way less corrupt than the Forest rangers of the Ecuadorian Government.
"The natural balance of the universe, the harmony of life, the cultural perpetuity, the existence of living beings and the continuity of the Kawsak Sacha (Living Jungle), depend on the permanence and transmission of the powers of the Jungle Protector Beings. It is also up to these Beings and the Yachak to maintain a relationship of respect and balance between humans and the living jungle."
From the Declaration "Living Jungle" by the Sarayaku People
About me
There is a whole section in this website about me. What is relevant right now is that I have been more than 20 times in the Amazon jungle, and have had many experiences with ayahuasca.
Much of my writer's career has been related to indigenous / conservation travel, and I have developed travel circuits involving communities in rural areas. I was born in Ecuador and studied in the US.
Itinerary
6 days - 5 nights
The way this itinerary is crafted is to seek a balance between your own space and liberty, and community activities with the rest of the group. All activities are recommended but optional. You will always have the option to stay in the cabins playing with the kids or helping the women of the community, or meditating. the purpose of the itinerary is to maximize the experience, but always be at your own pace. No pressure.
Day 1
Arrival to Puyo, the gateway to the Amazon, after lunch. Near Puyo, we'll stay in a kichwa village with a beautiful community tourism project. One hour slow educational trekking to a nearby waterfall. Dinner in the community. Puyo is a big town, where you will be able to buy almost anything that you forgot to bring. Depending on the weather, in the night we might do a canoe ride under the stars. Puyo is an extremely humid area. D
Day 2
Departure to Tzasapi, the last port where cars can reach. There we start a boat trip that will take us down current to Sarayaku territory (2.5 hours). The journey is in itself an adventure, with some stops at certain points with jungle indigenous communities. We will have lunch in Huktu Rumi beach. Arrival to Sarayaku territory around 4pm. Accommodation in rustic cabins. After dinner, conversation with the local leaders about the purpose of the trip. B/L/D
Day 3
Trekking into the jungle with Sarayaku guides. Get to know God's pharmacy in the Amazon jungle and the many uses that they give to each vegatable species. Visit to the Botanical center Sacharuya, where they obtain all their medicinal plants. Demonstration of weaving of bags with palma fabrics. Visit to the Cerro del Mono, where we will have a panoramic view of their territory, and they will show their project Frontera de vida (Frontier of Life). Lunch at the community. Visit to their food gardens, harvesting for dinner. Dinner at the community. Tonight we'll go to bed early because tomorrow starts before sunrise. B/L/D
Day 4
At 4:30 am those of us who want to, can join a Guayusa ceremony. This is their traditional way to start the day around the fire before sunrise, talking about their dreams and their activities for the day. They will explain how guayusa was great to prevent Covid. River bath at sunrise. Breakfast. Motorboat to Sarayakillo beach, to visit their sacred Ceiba tree that's more than 200 years old. Swim in small crystalline rivers, with local birds and animals. Demonstration of traditional fishing. Lunch at the community. Afternoon of journaling. We will walk to a very special jungle spot chosen by the locals for contemplation. Take out your journal and let's share the old art of writing. Alternatively, during the afternoon there will be a demonstration / teaching of their traditional tools, of elaboration of ceramics, and traditional face painting with jungle natural pigments. Dinner at the Community. Conversation with the local leaders to evaluate the visit and reach conclusions.. B/L/D
Day 5
After breakfast, we will visit the main square in Sarayaku, known as the Midday palace, in allusion to the prophecy that says that the Sarakaku people will resist till the end of times. We will visit their main buildings and the Tayak Wasi, Ancestral wisdom center and School. Lunch at the community. After lunch we depart. Arrival at Puyo at sunset. We will stay in the same community center of three days ago. Dinner at the community house. Conversation to assimilate the experiences. B/L/D
Day 6
In the morning, we'll have breakfast in this beautiful community and head out to Puyo. We will stop in a Research center for Amazonian herbs, Florasana. They produce a wide variety of natural products for personal use. The creator of Florasana will share with us his story. From Puyo, each one departs to their home town. B
Itinerary is subject to changes due it weather or circumstances out of our control. Please be flexible, as we will everything to make the best of every moment.
About Comfort
Apart from the first night in Papallacta, expect rustic accommodations. Rustic means that there might be spaces between the woods where insects can get it. What I will make sure is that all beds have mosquito nets, and that we have at least a toilet, a wash basin and a shower. I cannot guarantee hot water in the jungle, nor mirrors. We might have it in some places but it is not a standard. If you don't want to miss your self esteem morning rituals, bring your own little mirror. The last night in Quito is in a 4-star guesthouse with character.
About Plants of Power
Ayahuasca (=yahé) is a traditional plant of power found in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. It is a very powerful endogenic plant that helps the human mind transcend to other dimensions. Its consumption has been extremely commercialized in the Amazon, and the serious yachaks (=shamans) do not support its use as a recreational tool. Ayahuasca is a living entity that has always helped the Amazonian cultures retain their original vision of unity with Nature. For people coming from the outside World I recommend that you stay for more than a week in the jungle, so you and your diet can adapt to the environment. That way you will not only avoid any type of bad trip but also you can get the full benefit from the experience. If you can't resist the idea to visit the Amazon jungle and not try ayahuasca, I will guide you to express your intention to the shaman, and he is the one who will determine if ingesting this plant can be good for you during this trip.
Who else will be in this group?
This is not a commercial tour that is being publicized openly. Those coming to this trip are either invited by me or referred by someone I know. Or were informed about this in a community page. In the questionnaire to sign in I make questions to understand more about everybody's intentions before accepting them in the group. The idea is that the group is aligned in their intentions and their respect for this unique sanctuary of life and its brave inhabitants.
Costs
- US$1,350 per person includes: All transportation inside Ecuador (in some occasional cases public transportation), all meals for 5 nights/6 days, water, lodging and excursions during the 5 nights and 6 days. Lodging is in shared rooms (2 people).
- Special introductory rate for November trip: US$850 (Take $500 off from $1,350)
- If you come from outside of Ecuador, your port of entry is Quito and there will be an extra $350 for two extra nights in Quito on your way in your way out. The additional fee covers all meals, airport transfers and transportation.
- Not included: International air ticket, tips, snacks, handcrafts.
- In the Amazon, bathrooms may be shared.
- Single room supplement: US$200.
- To buy your international ticket, your port of entry is Quito.
Steps to reserve
1- I will ask you to fill out a form.
2- After two working days you will receive a confirmation that your space is confirmed.
3- A non refundable $500 deposit will be required one week after your space is confirmed.
4- Balance will be required by October 16th.
Cancellation Policy
1- After full payment has been made, the deadline to request a refund is October 23rd. $500 Initial deposit is non refundable.
2- In case of major natural disasters, worldwide major crisis or any other circumstance that does not allow the trip to happen, you will receive a 100% refund.
3- Remember that it's your responsibility to find out about immigration requirements and passport validity to enter Ecuador. For a list of requirements per country, check the official information here Ministeriodegobierno.gob.ec/requisitos-para-ingresar-a-ecuador/
If you are ready to travel click here and fill out the reservation form.
If you have questions or if you want a zoom call with me, click here.
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This is a unique opportunity to experience the Real Amazon Jungle with the locals, while supporting people who protect a landmark of Humanity.
I can show
you the Real Ecuador
Ecuador is a World leader in Community-managed travel. Ecuador, boasts a Special Law to supervise the quality of the services offered by communities and, more importantly, there is a National Grassroots Organization conformed mainly by indigenous leaders, that ensures that Community-based travel in Ecuador contributes to the Conservation of Nature, to Cultural strengthening and to the empowerment of people. Their real problem is marketing. This kind of travel continues to be alternative and very little known. Its potential to transform consciousness is huge. But until that happens, you are invited to be one of the few ones to discover one of South America's best kept secret.
I do excursions with small groups to some of the most extraordinary places in Ecuador, for people who want to have an unforgettable holiday, with real people and real places, while supporting directly communities and their conservation efforts.