Amazonian Wilderness Immersion Nov. 21-28 Ecuador

To the pulsating Heart of Botanical Diversity

November 21-28, 2023, Amazonian Ecuador

• 8 nights wilderness journey to Napo-Galeras National Park
• Rejuvenate at hot springs in the Tropical Andes
• 2 strong ceremonies with Ancestral Rainforest Plant Medicine
• 2 sunrise renewal ceremonies with powerful alkaline rich  rainforest emetics
• 2 plant baths with magnificent aura cleaning herbs

An off the beaten path wilderness sojourn into the pulsating heart of the Upper Amazon, to the mystical Napo
Galeras mountain. I wrote extensively about this place in chapter 8 of my book, Rainforest Medicine – Preserving Indigenous Science and Biological Diversity in the Upper Amazon, considered to be the epicenter for botanical diversity. A land rich in mythology, enshrouded with mist and ladden in biological diversity.

In the early 90’s I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate and direct an initiative that accomplished the physical demarcation of the Napo-Galeras protectorate forest reserve, an isolated limestone massif jutting out of the low land rainforest 80 kilometers east of the Andean range. Our work led to the inclusion of Napo-Galeras massif into the recently being created Sumaco Napo Galeras National Park. This is when I got to know the region. The majestic oil bird filled caves at its summit and the the dazzling mega-biological diversity here found. To this day I have continued  to focus efforts with the Mamallacta family towards the conservation of the region. In the fall of 2021, we accomplished the demarcation of 1000 acres of rainforest land bordering Napo-Galeras western slopes. This being the Mamallacta family’s ancestral grounds, their Purina Tambu, a “place that is walked to,” to learn and uphold the original ways. This initiative set in motion a process among local community organizations to enact greater protection to a region some 15,000 acres in size at the mountains western slopes. And back in 2010 I spearheaded an initiative that granted higher protection to a 10,000 acre region of rare and vanishing tropical wet forest, known as Wairachina Sacha, the “Rainforest of the Healing Winds,” on Napo-Galeras eastern slopes.

On this sojourn we will be visiting a special place called Urku Mayan, that in the Kichwa dialect of the people of this region means, “Foot of the Mountain,” a spectacular mega-biological diversity ecological location bordering the Napo-Galeras isolated limestone massif. Here we find a beautiful local initiative. An ecological and cultural tourism project run by a local Kichwa family who have homesteaded the region for generations. The camp site’s infrastructure is  modest, consisting of a regular size roof over a floor, with no walls, and sleeping is in a camping arrangement. They have a basic kitchen set up and composting toilet, and that’s about it other than the omnipotency of the rainforest that is everywhere! The exquisite rainforest that we now find ourselves in, is beyond measure and this is the theme of our setting. To top it off our camp site at Urku Mayan over looks the rainforest cloaked sacred mountain of Napo-Galeras. We will have private use of the camp, and we set up hammocks at a forest camp site nearby for ceremonial activity. Here we can enjoy and explore the beautiful wonder of mega biological diversity at its peak, as the region is considered to be, based on botanical inventories accomplished by the Missouri Botanical Gardens, planet earth’s epicenter for botanical diversity. Also thanks to the region being up in altitude some 900 meters above sea level its chilly at night and there are hardly any mosquitos to pester us, nor is malaria or other tropical illness found in this region. It is a pristine and clean environment, perfect for the activities we are set to embark on. The rainforest here is a also unique, in that here there are many caves. We spend our days hiking and visiting the waterfalls, caves, rivers and Galeras mountain, meeting and seeing and learning about the regions rare and potent plants.

NOTE: For this experience participants will need a tent, sleeping pad and hammock, besides personal items.

To learn more about Napo Galeras mountain and the educational and conservation efforts I have focused on towards safeguarding this biodiversity hotspot, be so kind to read of the following articles.

Conservation Adventures at the Epicenter of Botanical Diversity

Protecting Wairachina Sacha, the “Rainforest of the Purifying Winds”

Cacao ~ The World Tree and Her Planetary Mission

And I very much look forward to being your guide on this unique wilderness sojourn,

Yours sincerely,

Jonathon Miller Weisberger

Ethnobotanist & Author of the book “Rainforest Medicine”

Wilderness Adventure to Napo Galeras, November 21-28, 2022

Travel Itinerary

Arrival to Quito on Sunday or Monday, Nov 19th or 20th, 2023 ~ Arrival to Quito on November 14th, 2022. We will arrange hotel and airport pick up.

Day 1 ~ Tuesday  11/21   ~ Departure after breakfast to Papallacta hot springs, (1.5 hours drive) for a soak at the hot springs, and to hike, see amazing plants and landscapes and feel the energy of high Andes and paramo. We spend one night here to soak and rest by the side of a private hot spring at Termas de Papallacta.

Day 2 ~ Wednesday  11/22  ~ Departure is after an early breakfast. We travel by land for 4-5 hours taxi transfer stopping on route for lunch. The scenery as we travel the Andes is breathtaking. We pass through marvelous ecosystems from cloud forest to premontane rainforest, stopping to see plants and scenery, to then arrive at our destination, a place called. Here we set up tents and camp, where our hammocks will most appreciated. Being that the family is waiting for us, they will have a hot chicken soup ready and the house cleaned to receive
us.

Day 3 ~ Thursday  11/23  ~ Early morning Guayusa tea and story time followed by an aura cleansing steam bath. After the steam bath and a hearty breakfast we hike for the day, bringing a packed lunch, to visit the confluence of the Pucuno and Lupino rivers. We visit caves and waterfalls.

Note on the Special Steam Baths: The early dawn ritual steam bath with a plant called the “powerful Guayusa of the mountains,” is a potent booster for ones spiritual and physical renewal and vitality. This plant is not the same as your regular Guayusa, its a rare endemic of this region. From this plant, that is charged from the energy of the Napo-Galeras wilderness, we receive steam baths as aura cleanse’s to prepare ourselves to meet the rainforest wilderness, caves and rivers of this place. It is believed these baths ensure good weather and safety to the pilgrims coming to the rainforest to seek solace, purification and vitality. The property steward, a good hearted Kichwa elder is adept to the cultural ways of the steam baths. He came to live and settle in this specific spot many years back given this large and rare grove found here, that otherwise is very rare.

Day 4 ~ Friday 11/24  ~ 1st all-night Ceremony  ~ Our day starts with an early Guayusa tea drinking session. Copious amounts of tea are drunk to puke as a renewal, followed by a gourd of the bark of boiled Tzicta (Tabernaemontana sananho). This has one puking good and from the core, and we cleanse this way to be closer to nature and have strength.  The sunrise renewal ceremony helps rid acidity form the body. At dawn we do our second healing steam bath. Today we also walk to nearby wilderness areas. This evening, we have our 1st Ceremony with Rainforest Medicine. Note: On ceremony days we can a modest meal at lunch.

Day 5 ~ Saturday 11/25  ~ Hike to Galeras summit  ~ After a hearty breakfast, we have an epic full day hike to Galeras summit (approx. 1300 meters above sea level and our base camp is approx. 800 meters above sea level.) We will have been purified and ready for the expedition. We bring a packed lunch and return by sunset or possibly even after dark for a robust dinner. Fireside stories and legends.

Day 6 ~ Sunday 11/26  ~ 2nd all-night Ceremony  ~ Near dawn we have another sunrise renewal ceremony, to cleanse even more in preparation for the night. We walk casually to nearby rainforest wilderness. By day we walk to local wilderness to be close to nature and at evening we will participate in our 2nd Plant Medicine ceremony.

Day 7 ~ Monday  11/27  ~ Departure to Papallacta hot springs  ~ After a hearty breakfast, we rest or walk to forest and visit caves and rivers. We have a hearty lunch, and depart to our taxi for an hour walk to board our taxi ride to the Papallacta hot springs. Arriving there by early evening, we spend the night at the hot springs, where we can soak all night in our private pool reserved with our lodging.

Day 8 ~ Tuesday  11/28  ~ Depart for Quito after some more soaking. By late afternoon we are back at the Quito hotel. Today participant can depart from Quitos International airport late afternoon or evening international flight.

Departure ~ Tuesday 11/29  ~ International departure from Quito.

About the Medicine

The sacred ancestral rainforest plant medicine used for our ceremonies is prepared before the trip. The medicine is obtained by cooking three plants according to traditional standards.  These being Yagé, specifically the yellow variety of (Banisteriopsis caapi), Yagé-ocó (Diplopterys cabrerana) and Amiruka panga (Psychotria viridis)

Guides

Jonathon Miller Weisberger: Ethnobotanist, Rainforest Guide and Author of Rainforest Medicine – Preserving Indigenous Science and Biodiversity in the Upper Amazon.

Benjamin Mamallacta Alvarado: Kichwa educator, Ethnobotanist and seed conservationist, rainforest guide and storyteller, ancestral steward of Pusuno River, and owner of the Ungi ethnobotanical nursery in Tena.

Walter Grefa Chongo: Kichwa chef and rainforest guide from inner Archidona. Walter will be our chef and companion on the journey.

Local guides from Urku Mayan

To Register

Registration and payment is made through following the link on this page, via our Retreat Guru secure booking and payment portal. After filling in a health and cultural etiquette questionnaire you will be able to secure your spot with a 20% deposit. The remaining deposit will be accredited 2 weeks before arrival. You will receive a “What to Pack” list after registration. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Trip Includes: Transportation, wilderness guides, meals once in the wilderness, ceremonies, and all that is detailed in the itinerary. As well as reservations for Quito hotel and airport pick up at Quito’s (UIO) International airport.

Trip does not Include: Hotels, taxi cost of airport pick up, personal expenses, hot springs entrance fee and room rental, meals at restaurants on route to and from Napo Galeras wilderness.

Packing list

• tropical tent
• sleeping pad
• hammock with mosquito net
• sleeping bag
• personal items, cloths and biodegradable toiletries

Terms and Conditions

The itinerary may vary due to unforeseen weather or unforeseen circumstances. If we are obliged to cancel for unforeseen circumstances due to political conditions in Ecuador, you will receive the choice to receive 100% refund and/or your tuition will apply to the rescheduled journey dates. To join, participants agree to uphold the Dieta Protocol, as well as our Hold Harmless Agreement. And here is to view our Cancelation Policy.