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San Jorge Eco-Lodge
A natural paradise in Quito's foothills
Quito, Ecuador |
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SHAMANISM
PRACTICES IN ECUADOR: 10 DAY
SHAMANIC JOURNEY
- Day One -
Upon your evening arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met by
your escort and transferred to the beautiful San Jorge Eco-Lodge &
Botanical Reserve. Our 18th Century Ecuadorian farm with its own 200
acre Botanical Reserve will be your primary base for this expedition.
Lodging: San
Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Two -
City Tour of Old Colonial Quito, the Capital of Ecuador; considered
part of The Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. During our visit
we will learn about the colonial art in the churches, history, archaeology
and folklore in the museums. Your specialized bilingual guide will
provide complete information on the Baroque Colonial Art. Visit the
Middle of the World Solar Museum. Tour around the city visiting the
most important areas: Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco,
Plaza Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Compania and Penecillo. Visit the
Virgin of Quito perched on a hill overlooking Quito. Stop at an Indian
vegetable market to experience a traditional herbal pharmacy. Ask
for your own personal potion. Herbal explanations will be given of
how each herb works.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner, Live Andes music.
Lodging: San Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Three
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Medicinal Plant and Sacred Waterfalls Tour.
Within the San Jorge Botanical Reserve, we will trek to the highland
tropical rain forest, visiting about 5 sacred waterfalls. Here, we
will learn about the medicinal attributes of the native plants, containing
up to 250 varieties in the region. The chemically rich and diverse
plant life of the forest - the secrets of which could one day yield
cures for our many troubling illnesses. At the same time you will
take in fabulous panoramic views of Quito, its valleys and mountains
along with views of the volcano peaks of Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa,
Pululahua, Pichincha and Ilalo. We can observe 11 mountains from various
points of San Jorge Botanical Reserve.
Relax at the Lodge for the remainder of the afternoon and enjoy the
swimming pool, sauna, Turkish Bath or Jacuzzi.
Spend the evening
at San Jorge Botanical Reserve. This will be your first contact
with an Andes highland Shaman. Learn more about medicinal plants
and the Shamanic usage of them. He will discuss his experiences,
ancestral beliefs and secrets which are traditionally passed down
from generation to generation. Participate in "cleansing" rituals
performed by this mystic native man in a basic back mountain introduction
of Shamanism. Open questions and an incredible, unique experience.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: San Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Four
- Pack light for the Amazon adventure that you are heading for.
After a delicious full breakfast, we will head to Tena, crossing Cumbaya,
Tumbaco, the Pifo Valleys and climb the Central Andes Chain (Coco
Cayambe Reserve). There, we will stop for a botanical explanation
of the area. Then, we will descend to Lake Papallacta to enjoy the
Papallacta Hot Springs medicinal waters. After continuing our journey
to the Jumandy Caverns in the tropical forest area, we will visit
the depths of the Earth, and walk by the Subterranean River.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Tena
- Day Five
- As we continue further into the jungle, we will arrive at the
Ahuano River by car. Meet your guide for this expedition, a native
who knows the Amazon ways and cultures. Take in all of the wonderful
scenery on the river as we Travel by dug out canoe to the Napo Runa
Community. We will then hike about 2 hours into the subtropical primary
Amazon Basin Forest, through trails and rivers. Here you will witness
beautiful birds and butterflies, along with the unusual flora and
insects that live within. This will be your first contact with the
native culture. You will be given explanations of medicinal plants
found within this jungle. Expect a warm welcome and genuine hospitality
at this lodge. The food is traditional to the area and the bungalows
for lodging are simple. You will find the evenings of the Amazon,
alive and vibrating.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Native Lodge
- Day Six -
After breakfast, we will trek into the jungle
a little further. Visit a local Amazonian family who will share their
culture and knowledge with you. Accept a customary Chicha drink, make
from yucca roots - which are dug, replanted, cleaned, cooked, chopped,
and strained as you watch the preparation made for your arrival. Paddle
by dug out canoe on the Ahuano River and enjoy the amazing scenery
downstream. Walk by candlelight to the Shamans house tonight. You
will be part of his ritual, as he performs his cleansings.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Native Lodge
- Day Seven
- Today we will leave the jungle by canoe and come back through
Tena. Beautiful photography and gorgeous sights to be seen along the
river. Return to San Jorge Eco-Lodge later in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: San Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Eight
- Visit Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world.
When in Cotopaxi National Park, we will visit Limpiopungo Lake and
do soft hiking around the area. Visit and take in breathtaking sights
from the garage of the refuge (4,500 mt o.s.l.).
You will be within the sacred Indian areas surrounded by the mountains
of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, Pasochoa, and Ruminahui. Enjoy a traditional
lunch in Lutacunga.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: San Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Nine
- Visit the famous Otavalo Indian Market. We will have the opportunity
to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products. We will
stop at Cotacachi leather village, San Pablo Lake, Cuicocha (sacred
Indian lagoon) and take a boat trip around an active volcano. Visit
a local Shamans house in this area. His behavior is spontaneous, there
is no itinerary. He is known to cure the spirits within. This tour
will allow you to compare the Shaman activities from all three regions
that have been visited.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: San Jorge Eco-Lodge
- Day Ten -
AM transfer
to Quito Airport
Note:
Itinerary subject to change
Return
to the Shamans In Ecuador Tour Page
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