Amazon Yoga Adventure Retreat
Ecuador 28th September to 5th October 2018

Join us for a life-changing journey as we guide you into the heart and soul of Ecuador – one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. It is for those who love yoga, want to deepen their connection with the earth, to take time out to reflect, reassess, recharge, to learn about them selves and indigenous cultures and have a great deal of fun while doing it!

From the heights of the Andes Mountains to the species-rich jungle floors of the Amazon Basin, discover Ecuador's natural treasures, swim in its waterways, hike with indigenous guides, canoe down mystical rivers deep in the Amazon, take part in ceremonies with Sapara shaman, experience tribal culture, worldview and hospitality, enjoy traditional cuisine, and relax and recuperate in a volcanic thermal spa in the shadow of Ecuador's magnificent volcanoes.

You will hardly believe that this trip is only 7 nights/8 days long – it will feel like three incredible weeks! Due to Ecuador's small size and its diversity (it contains all the ecosystems of South America except the Argentine Pampas) we are able to have a number of experiences in a short space of time, without feeling rushed.

For those who have more time we have a couple of possible additions to your trip - a 5 day, 4 night journey to galapagos or an extended three night hacienda experience in Ecuador's finest haciendas. Please contact us if you are interested in either of these two options and if we can help you plan travels before or after your jungle experience!

ITINERARY

Day One
Arrive and stay at San Jose de Puembo Hotel near the airport.


Day Two
Early morning Yoga in the garden, then drive down to the Amazon stopping in Banos, lunch, shopping (I have a few great spots for people to buy cool original things) visit church and also sacred springs. drive down to Puyo, staying at the delightful El Jardin, yoga in the garden and then dinner and hot tubs!



Day Three
Day three - up early, breakfast at El jardin, drive to Shell and fly into Llanchamacocha community of the Sapara people who are on the verge of extinction and are choosing to share with us their wisdom and healing before they disappear. We will stay in their medicinal plant healing centre Naku. The Sapara have great knowledge of plant medicine and will be sharing with us and healing us during our stay. We will arrive and have a welcoming/ cleansing ceremony which is utterly beautiful. Using plants and incantations will have our bodies and spirits cleansed of any negative energies and thoughts we bring from the outside world.

We will each be given a Sapara name and paint our faces with the seeds of the achiote (annatto) plant denoting our new names. We will take a short canoe ride downriver (or those who are brave can swim - really fun!) and arrive at the camp where we'll be stay for the next few days and relax and settle in before dinner. Afternoon yoga and bathing in the river.


Day Four
Naku Our second day begins early at around 7 am. Before breakfast we will have another cleansing, this time with the ash from the chonta palm and tobacco. This is to further cleanse our bodies and minds to allow us to better connect with the rainforest and ourselves. Then we'll be bathed in water boiled with medicinal plants. After washing off, we will have breakfast and then talk about dreams.

Dreams are very important to the Sapara people. They believe that when we sleep our spirit leaves our body and explores the spirit world, bringing us back information and sometimes warning us of danger. Our local guide will explain this further and interpret our dreams. Not only is this important for us individually, but also will help guide the group.

After the dream interpretation we will prepare our things and travel by canoe downriver deep into the forest, the sounds of the forest and the water lapping gently against the canoe is utterly heavenly and a great chance to see bird and animal life.



Day Five
We will wake up deep in the jungle, to the songs of the birds and surrounded by beautiful rainforest. Yoga on the banks of the river. After breakfast we will do a shorter dream sharing to help orient our day. Those who are interested can go on a several-hour hike through the jungle to get back to camp. Along the way our guides will teach us about medicinal plants, share some Sapara stories, and we will stop to meditate in the forest with tobacco.

Those who wish to can ride back to camp in the canoe.

Once we are back at camp we can swim in the river and cool off. A sunset yoga in the ceremonial house. In the evening we will have a shamanic ceremony, so whoever wants to participate must fast the rest of the day. For those not participating we will have lunch and dinner. The rest of the afternoon will be for relaxing and reflecting.


Day Six
After breakfast we will share our dreams and experiences from the ceremony the night before. Our guide will help interpret our experiences. Then a gentle yoga class. This day is mostly about relaxing and reflecting on our experiences so far. After lunch we will go up to the community for a cultural exchange, where the community will present some traditional dances and games and we will share something from our culture as well. Then we will have the opportunity to purchase crafts made by the community. We will share a yoga class with the community in the village. Then we will head back to camp for dinner and to enjoy our last night in the rainforest.



Day Seven
In the morning we will have breakfast, pack up our things and say our goodbyes. Depending on the weather, the plane will arrive around 10 am to take us back to Shell. We will then drive directly up to Papallacta - a volcanic spa - about a four hour drive, we will stop for lunch along the way for famous trout, the drive is stunning as we head up into the Andes mountains. Depending upon arrival time, there maybe time to luxuriate in the volcanic hot pools before dinner.


Day Eight
time for massages, pampering treatments in the spa, beautiful walks, or more relaxing in the hot pools, lunch relax and then we will drive to Quito to have dinner before catching the night flight back to the US (or people can stay on in the city or go to Galapagos or the beaches!

If you would like more information, or to book your trip please contact us using the form below, we would also be delighted to arrange a call with you if you would like to discuss the trip further.