Day 01 LIMA
Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Day 02: LIMA-IQUITOS-MANITI ECO LODGE
Transfer to the airport in Lima for your flight to Iquitos. Arrival in Iquitos and departure via auto to arrive in the port town of Nanay (Bellavista), where the Rio Nanay meets the Rio Amazonas. After departing by boat we will travel downriver 70 KM (about 2 hours). During the riverboat trip we will have a great possibility of seeing caimans, turtles, herons, pink river dolphins, snakes, and many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank.
Monkey Island – a small island about 15 minutes from the Maniti Lodge, which shelters a large number of monkeys in their natural habitat. During your visit on the island you will have the unique opportunity to observe and interact with a wide variety of monkeys that include: Sloth, Goeldi’s monkey, Tamarin monkey, Capuchin monkey, Yellow-Handed Titi monkey, Masked Titi monkey, Cebidae monkey, Wooly monkey, Squirrel monkey, Spider monkey, South American Coati monkey, and many more! Along with the various species of monkeys you will have to opportunity to hold very large Anacondas, Boas and interact with the very unique and rare Amazonian mata-mata turtle. At Monkey Island we will also see alligators, turtles, toucans, macaws, parrots, etc.
Dolphin watching session at the camp where we will have the unique opportunity to see the pink freshwater dolphin. If we are lucky we will also have the chance to swim with them on the main Amazon River. In the evening we will go on a nocturnal nature hike to see what types of species can be seen (lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys). Overnight at Maniti Eco-Lodge
Day 03: MANITI ECO LODGE
We will begin our day early, waking up in time to see the sunrise over the Amazon River, and then we will leave the camp to go on a animal observation excursion (via boat) where will have the opportunity to see pairs various types of flora and fauna.
Afternoon fishing excursion via boat with opportunity to catch piranha, catfish & other species of fish. Viewing of Victoria Regia – the largest freshwater aquatic plant in the world.
After sunset we will go on an excursion via canoe to spot and catch caiman, we will have the opportunity to hold, touch, and take photos with the caiman.
10 pm, beginning of the Ayahuasca ritual in a special place selected for this event. The ritual may last until sunrise depending on the number of persons. Overnight at the Lodge.
Meet with the Master Shaman who will explain the Ayahuasca ceremony.
* The ceremony of Ayahuasca is an ancestral traditional ceremony that was practiced in different parts of the country for many years mainly by the teachers or priests. For many years, Shamans have used the ¨Ayahuasca ritual¨ as a doorway into the soul. The rite that they preach can heal any spell or any illness from the patient.
Actually, the Ayahuasca ceremonies are being developing in many places around Peru. Mostly of them frequently are given in the jungle of Peru; in cities like Pucallpa, Madre de Dios and Puerto Maldonado. The favorite place for Ayahuasca tourists is Iquitos. Another famous location (but one that does not have lodgings) is the jungle Shipibo town of San Francisco. It is famous because it has a huge banner at its entrance that says, “Ceremonial Center of Ayahuasca.” In this peculiar town it is common to see at least a couple of ayahuasqueros in each Shipibo family (settlers of the jungle). Many of these people are able to give housing services in their own houses for local people and for foreign visitors since Ayahuasca is very popular among the indigenous jungle people.
The ability that the shamans have to visualize the evil, illness or spell troubling the patient during the trance is called ¨Arcaneada.¨ Applying their ¨Arcaneada,¨ the shaman locates and identifies the damage and inhales it to cure the patient.
The shamans always try to take precautions to prevent problems with foreign people because they don’t have the same ability to communicate their emotions and feelings before, during and after the ceremonies.
This kind of natural medicine is very different than conventional western medicine. Therefore, the shamans ignore warnings about some adverse interactions between the ¨Ayahuasca¨ concoction with some prescription medicines, mainly those which are used to treat AIDS, psychiatric disorders and depression. The Ayahuasca tourists have to be careful about this and always try to prevent negative consequences.
In conclusion, The Ayahuasca festival is an important part of Peruvian history, Peruvian culture, and Peruvian spiritual and economic life. The Ayahuasca tour is sponsored by government ¨Promperu¨ promoting Peruvian jungle tours.
The Ayahuasca ceremony is a ritual that consists of different steps. First, the shaman (healer or wizard) goes alone into the forest to prepare the Ayahuasca concoction. This concoction is a special drink made from four basic plants stirred together; “Chacruna,” “Toé,” “Tabacco” and “Chiric Sanango.” After that, the shaman keeps the concoction to macerate for twelve hours in a bowl. The drink is taken between 9pm and 10pm at night. Then the Shaman turns off the lights, and everyone whom is participating in the ceremony lies down on the jungle floor to wait for the initial effect.
After taking the Ayahuasca concoction, the shaman sings some strange songs in “Quechua” or “Aymara” dialects. These medicinal songs called ¨Icaros¨ allow him to communicate with the plant soul. These songs come directly from the plant spirits, according to the needs and personal problems of the people who are participating in the ceremony. The duration of the trance takes approximately two hours depending on the spiritual state, concentration and physical situation of the participant. The effect of the Ayahuasca concoction consists essentially of transporting the person on a trip outside this physical world. The only thing that maintains the person tied to his body is a small invisible power rope. This power is one that is not seen but felt, like hot air.
The effects of Ayahuasca vary between one ceremony to the next, but often cause emotional acts; vomiting, seeing weird visions of the plant spirits, or figuring out some understanding about your own life. After approximately 4-5 hours the effect decreases, and then it is possible to sleep deeply until the next morning.
The trance allows you to see your past, present, and future life. Although only the shaman can detect what is happening with his patient. The ritual is useful for self-knowledge and when you begin the trip outside your own body, you feel strange and surprised since you notice new things that you had never realized before about your life
Day 04: MANITI ECO LODGE
Morning jungle hike (30-45 minutes) with destination “Palo Alto”.
The unique attraction “Palo Alto Mirador” is a lookout point that has 3 different observation deck levels. Here guests have a birds-eye view of the lowland Peruvian Amazon from 5, 10, and 15 meters above ground. Here we will have the opportunity to spend the night with excellent opportunities to observe various species of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Daytime exploration of the area that includes hiking, canoe ride in lagoon, fishing (depending on request from passenger).
In the evening we will go on a night time nature walk to see what types of species can be seen (reptiles, spiders, monkeys).
Overnight at top observation deck of Palo Alto (setting up a tent or in hammocks).
Day 05: MANITI ECO LODGE – IQUITOS AIRPORT-LIMA
Early morning jungle hike where we will have the unique opportunity to see a vast number of monkeys, birds, and many other wildlife in their natural habitat. We will also see and learn about various types of Amazonian plants.
Departure from Maniti Lodge with destination Iquitos City. Visit with a local native Indian tribe to learn and observe about history and their customs. Transfer to airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to the hotel.
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