The program consists of three days of rituals and one optional day to rest. There is no age limit and a special menu plan will be provided.

Day 01

We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the pre-inca tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, a feature that marks the beginning of the cloud rainforest and cultural zone. Overnight in the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.

Day 2

Wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird. After breakfast we continue in our overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons to Atalaya. Here we board our motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 15 minutes toward Erika Lodge where we will meet our Shaman.  He will introduce us to mother nature  and will help us connect our senses with the four elements: water, air, earth and fire. Overnight at Erika Lodge.

Day 3

During the morning we will have some alone-time to think about the information received from the Shaman. Midday we will begin the water ceremony and  later at night the Shaman will prepare the “Ayahuasca” (a hallucinogenic drink based on the Ayahuasca, a master plant) The drink is offered to those prepared. During the “highs”, you can see beautiful and colorful visions of long-lost or deceased friends, strange animals and spirits of trees and animals. Under the influence of the Ayahuasca, the Shaman will observe  and diagnose any illnesses in the participants. Chanting, whistling, and purifying the patient with his rhythmic “Shacapa” fan, the Shaman blows organic tobacco smoke onto selected body points of the patient. He may use any of several medicinal herbs at this point, or prescribe them for later use, depending on the diagnosis and prognosis of the patient.

Day 4

During the morning we will reflect upon the Ayahuasca experience with our Shaman, enjoy the jungle and rest.

Day 5

The Shaman provides his last piece of advice and recommendations. After breakfast we board our bus and ride back to Cusco.

The Pusharo Petroglyphs lie on a rock 27 meters long by 2 meters tall filled with different types of native Matshiguenka iconography: symbolic, realistic, geometric, morphologic and abstract. The drawings were carved using stone and humid sand, and painted using “Genipa Americana” (huito) – black/blue colour and with Bixa orellana – (achiote) a reddish colour. Currently, native communities close by still visit the site and re-paint the drawings every now and then as an ancestral tradition, and they prefer not to talk about their meaning.

Day 1

We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the pre-inca tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, a feature that marks the beginning of the cloud rainforest and cultural zone. Overnight in the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.

Day 2

Early wake up call to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) from a platform. After breakfast, we continue in our vehicle (*1) down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Pilcopata (*2) and then to Atalaya Port, where we board our motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 15 minutes toward Erika Lodge where we will spend the next two nights.

*1 Free Option: River Rafting at Pilcopata. (Read more at our Canopy/Rafting page)
*2 Free Option: Canopy Zip Down (Read more at our Canopy/Rafting page)
*3 Free Option: Mammal Licking grounds observation (Read more on our Erika Lodge page)

Day 3

Immediately after breakfast we start exploring the trail system around Erika Lodge. We will spend all day learning more about the fauna and flora endemic to this particular region.

Day 4

Today we take a 2-hour boat ride down the Alto Madre de Dios river toward the native community of Llactapampa. After a brief walk around the community we will continue to where the Alto Madre de Dios River and the Palotoa Rivers meet. We set up camp in a beach nearby and prepare for next day’s morning hike.

Day 5

After an early wake up and breakfast, we pack up camp and start a 9-hour walk along the Palotoa river’s shore. The dense vegetation will force us into walking on the river itself at times.  After the first hour, we arrive at the first Matshiguenka community, ask for permission to enter their territory and meet the rest of the expedition team: native guide and porters (if required). We continue our walk toward the Palotoa Teparo Community, the point of entry for the Petroglifes.

All through the hike we will observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity of the surrounding wild life. After our box lunch, we continue walking into the inner forest until we reach the mysterious Pusharo Petroglifes. Overnight camping.

Day 6

We will observe the icons all day, talk about them with our guide, take pictures and walk around the site to witness the surrounding forest, flora and fauna. Overnight at the base campsite.

Day 7

We pack up site and walk through the trails toward the naturally-occurring river pools, where we will spend some time swimming, relaxing and having lunch. Early afternoon we arrive to the Palotoa native community. Overnight camping.

Day 8

Morning farewell reunion with the native guides and porters. We walk back to the Alto Madre de Dios River where our motor boat will be waiting for us to go up stream toward Atalaya Port and take the bus back to Cusco arriving late that night.

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