Shamanism & - Natural Healing

"Quito - Avenue of the Volcanoes - Banos - Napo River - Otavalo"

"Ecuador"

Shamanism continues to be an intimate part of the lifestyles of the Ecuadorian indigenous communities, from the high Andean paramos to the lush tropical lowlands of the Amazonian rainforest. Seventy percent of all pharmaceutical products have been found in plants from the tropics, with yet still more life-saving specimens to be discovered. Yet, this is nothing new to the traditional healers. In this extraordinary program, you will have the unique opportunity to go on field trips and participate in healing sessions in the serene checker-board farmlands of the Otavalo Indians and down into the vibrant jungles of the Quechua communities on the Napo River, headwaters of the Amazon.

The Itinerary

DAY 1 (Friday): Arrival in Quito and transfer to the Sebastian, a cosy hotel serving organic grown fruits, vegetables, purified water and ice. It is conveniently located in the modern sector of town, close to banks, restaurants, shopping and cultural activities.

DAY 2: Morning briefing at breakfast, before visiting Colonial Quito. Lunch at a typical restaurant followed by a visit to a private Solar Museum straddling latitude zeros - a great introduction to the ethnographical and natural setting of this unusual country. In the evening, a local healing professional joins us for dinner. Overnight Hotel Sebastian (BLD).

DAY3: Travel the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the weekly Indian market at Salcedo - your first introduction to the most varied array of fruits and vegetables from the coast, highlands and Amazon. En route, we might catch a glimpse of Mount Cotopaxi, at 19700 feet, world's highest active volcano. Later we visit the Salasaca Indians famous for the most exquisite tapestries and travel down to the subtropical world of Baños. Overnight at a local hostel surrounded by steep mountains and nearby thermal springs (BLD).

DAY 4: Descend the Pastaza River Canyon to the end of the road, where we board motor dugouts on the Napo River to reach a hidden trail and begin our hike into the Amazon rainforest. Late afternoon arrival to a forest community. Here we sleep in simple thatch-roofed units with adjacent bathrooms and showers. The night sounds will cradle our sleep (BLD).

DAY 5 & 6: The next two days we spent among several local families from whom we learn about the tropical rainforest, its uses in their traditional medicine and survival. A highlight is the witnessing of some evening healing sessions, in order to study and learn their special methodology through "hands-on" practice. Another important aspect of this portion of our journey is to become familiar with the local handicrafts, cooking and folklore. Your guide will assist you interacting with the local people. By evening, you should have "graduated" on the concepts that are making Amazonian healing one of the important alternatives to a well-balanced, happy and exciting life. You might also find your own "spirit god" to work with for the rest of your life (BDL).

DAY 7: The landscapes and ecosystems change as we depart early in the morning up the river and into the Andes to reach the land of the Otavalo Indians. Again we will be in the presence of snow-capped mountains, such as Mount Cayambe and the sacred Imbabura, one of the "spirit gods" used in their healing sessions. We will be guest at an indigenous complex built by local Indians and have more opportunities to enjoy local country food and hospitality (BLD).

DAY 8: We visit communities engaged in farming and handicrafts as they get ready for market the next day. You will be able to have a first pick at woodcarvings, ponchos, sweaters and leatherwork. A cobblestone path takes us to a home where you can witness weavers using the backstrap loom, just as it was done may hundreds of years ago, before Columbus discovered America. In the evening, we witness healing rites quite different from those experienced in the jungle (BLD).

DAY 9: Today we take you to the world-famous Indian market at the town of Otavalo where you can bargain for more handicrafts, or take pictures of hundreds of natives dressed in multicoloured clothes. After lunch, we return to Quito and enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. We spend our last night at Hotel Sebastian (BDL).

DAY 10: After breakfast, transfer to airport in time for your return flight home or the continuation of your journey (B).

Note:

For those with limited time the shamanistic encounters in the Amazon (Napo region) and Andes (Imbabura region) can be offered separately.

General Information

Rated: Easy

Price per person
No of persons	1	2	3	4-8	9-14
USD	$ 3933	$ 2435	$ 2070	$ 1805	$ 1452
EUR	€ 3264	€ 2021	€ 1718	€ 1498	€ 1205
GBP	£ 2202	£ 1363	£ 1159	£ 1010	£ 813

(*) Price last updated on 21 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Accommodation and meals:
We use the finest hotels in the city and the most comfortable and charming villas and haciendas. All meals are of outstanding quality. Any vegetarian or special dietary requirements will be catered for as we are sensitive to our guests' needs and are pleased to structure special meals in advance so no one feels left out. After all, great meals add to making a trip! (See itinerary for meals included in the price)

Transportation:
Land travel is provided in accordance with the program, type of terrain and number of participants and can be by motor coach, van or 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Guides:
Excursions are conducted by the most experienced multilingual guides. Daily briefings are given on major points of interest as well as ample instructions on how to prepare for the following day.

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