We are pleased to present a dedicated programmes in the Andes and the Amazon rainforest, which is focussed on an inner and deep self-exploration and encounter with the spiritual power of the land. This is an adventure into the magical world of the Andes, the Rainforest, and a transformative experience of the ancient mystical rituals of the plant spirit medicines.
Dates
In 2008 we will be holding two Retreat programmes, our dates are;
Retreat Programme 1.
March 8th – 14th incl. – San Pedro, Coca , and the Spiritual Traditions of the Andes.
March 15th – 29th incl. – Amazon Retreat, Ayahuasca, and Plant Spirit Medicines.
Retreat Programme 2.
July 19th – August 2nd incl. – Amazon Retreat, Ayahuasca, and Plant Spirit Medicines.
August 3rd – 9th incl. – Optional Extension week.
Retreat Programme 1. March 8th – 14th incl.
As a prologue to the Amazon retreat this optional week expands on our work with the shamanic tradition of the Andes. Working with San Pedro Maestro Shaman Juan Navarro, and Coca Leaf Diviner & traditional Healer Doris Rivera Lenz. This is an opportunity to experience the rich and powerful spiritual legacy of the Andean civilization which is only now being properly recognised after 500 years of obscurity
The Venue: Santa Eulalia
Santa Eulalia is a tranquil valley lying one hour inland from Lima at around 800 meters. Although surrounded by very dry hills, irrigation enables lush gardens to flourish all the year round and there is usually sun and pleasant temperatures. The valley is 50 Km North of Lima and is regarded as the gateway to the central Andes. The valley is home to many species of birds including endemic varieties, and the area is a highlight for bird-watching tours.
Our Lodge consists of about a dozen bungalows with cooking facilities (so we can make our own teas and coffees etc) set in attractive gardens where we can conduct our meetings and ceremonies. Food is good and largely vegetarian. There are also excursions to visit local caves, and ruins.
The Maestros we will be working with at our Andean Retreat
Doris has lived in Cusco for many years conducting ofrendas and reading coca leaves for dozens of people every week – both local as well as from far flung places. She has worked with many of our Eagles Wing groups on Peru journeys so far.
The coca leaf has been sacred to Andean people since the dawn of pre-Colombian civilization. When asked about the source of the information she divines from them, she says:
“They give me such a powerful awareness it is as though an energy comes into me from just touching them. I invoke Mother Nature and the spirit of the coca, and with just seven leaves, the answer comes, as though through an open doorway.”
Healing diagnosis
An ancient method of diagnosing illness, still common in Peru, is to rub an egg over the body of the patient. Doris is gifted in this tradition and will prescribe remedies which include medicinal herbs.
The ofrenda
After preparation we will take part in a dawn ‘ofrenda’ which is the most important ceremony used by Andean Indians to relate with Mother Earth. There will be talk and discussion about such ideas as Pachacuti (the Andean concept of time), Andean myths, and healing methods, also practical healing and divinatory sessions plus the opportunity of private sessions with Doris.
We will work again with maestro Juan Navarro to meet the spirit of San Pedro, a gentle and powerful healing medicine, which was of central importance to early pre-Colombian civilizations, such as the Chavin, 800BC, and the Mochica, 500AD. To these primordial people the cactus itself was considered the God Achuma.
Juan Navarro was born in the highland village of Somate, department of Piura. He is a descendant of a long lineage of healers and shamans working with the magical powers of Las Huaringas. These Sacred Lakes stand at 3,500 meters and have been revered since earliest Peruvian civilization.
During the all-night sessions Juan works untiringly with his two sons in an intricate sequence of processes, including invocation, diagnosis, divination, and healing with natural objects, or artes. The artes are initially placed on the maestro’s altar or mesa, and are an astonishing and beautiful array of shells, swords, magnets, quartzes, objects resembling sexual organs, rocks which spark when struck together, and stones from animals’ stomachs, which they have swallowed to aid digestion!
SUMMARY ITINERARY & COSTS
Andean & Amazon Retreat Programme – March 8th – 29th incl.
Day 1 Saturday, Arrive in Lima & Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the comfortable 3 Star Hotel La Castillana in the Miraflores district of Lima.
Day 2 Sunday, Private bus to our lodge at Santa Eulalia. Welcome Andean Dinner. Introduction to Maestros, Juan Navarro & Doris Rivera Lenz
Day 3 Monday, Sessions with Maestros. All night San Pedro Cactus Ceremony with Juan Navarro
Day 4 Tuesday, Sessions with Maestros, Sight seeing tour of valley
Day 5 Wednesday, Sessions with Maestros. All night San Pedro Cactus Ceremony with Juan Navarro
Day 6 Thursday, Sessions with Maestros. All night San Pedro Cactus Ceremony with Juan Navarro
Day 7 Friday, Personal time, Sessions with Maestros.
Day 8 Saturday, Bus to Lima airport for flight to Iquitos. Overnight at Three star Hotel Victoria Regia.
Day 9 Sunday, in Iquitos. free time for going to the market to buy jungle plants and products, to sit on the Malecon and dream over a view of the river or write a journal. Alternatively, we can help you arrange optional excursions to visit the botanical gardens and sandy beach for swimming at Quistacocha, or to see the Bora Indians.
Day 10 Monday, Go to Mishana (pick up at Iquitos airport only Amazon Retreat participants), by power boat to the Mishana Private Retreat Centre, introduction, make decision of plant to be dieted. Welcome Jungle Dinner.
Day 11 – 18, Start plant diet with up to seven Ayahuasca sessions.
Day 19 ‘Cut’ the diet for, end to drinking plants but continue with ‘liberal’ diet. Final evening meeting and supper.
Day 20, mid morning departure by power boat to Iquitos for relaxation in luxury Three star Hotel Victoria Regia with swimming pool located near the Malecon overlooking the Amazon.
Day 21, Morning Flight returning to Lima. Time at own disposition. Overnight at Hotel La Castillana.
Day 22, International Return Flights.
COSTS March 8th – 29th 2008 £2,300, US$ & EURO at FXS RATES + International airfare.
AMAZON TWO WEEKS ONLY March 15th – 29th . Costs £1700 ; US$ & EURO at FX RATES.
We can accept Credit Card Payments etc. via PayPal method.
SUMMARY ITINERARY & COSTS – Amazon Retreat: July 19th – August 9th.
Day 1 Saturday, Arrive in Lima & Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the comfortable 3 Star Hotel La Castillana in the Miraflores district of Lima.
Day 2 Sunday, Late morning fly Lima-Iquitos, transfer from the airport to port then by power boat to the Mishana Private Retreat Centre, introduction, make decision of plant to be dieted. Welcome Jungle Dinner. NOTE: Due to changes in flights to Iquitos, we may need to overnight in Iquitos and proceed to Mishana in the morning.
Days 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9 , & 10 Start plant diet with up to seven Ayahuasca sessions.
Day 11 ‘Cut’ the diet for participants on two week programme, end to drinking plants but continue with ‘liberal’ diet. Final evening meeting and supper.
Day 12 Wednesday, mid morning departure for participants on two week programme leave Mishana by power boat to Iquitos for relaxation in luxury Three star Hotel Victoria Regia with swimming pool located near the Malecon overlooking the Amazon. Participants on three week programme enjoy a full week longer at Mishana. At Mishana we take a little break before continuing with the Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions After the break we continue with the Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions with Javier.
Days 13 Thursday, participants on two week programme, free time for going to the market to buy jungle plants and products, to sit on the Malecon and dream over a view of the river or write a journal. Alternatively, we can help you arrange optional excursions to visit the botanical gardens and sandy beach for swimming at Quistacocha, or to see the Bora Indians .
Day 14 Friday, participants on two week programme, morning Flight returning to Lima. Time at own disposition. Overnight at Hotel La Castillana. Mishana resume Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions.
Day 15 Saturday, Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions, International Saturday Return Flights for Participants on two week programme.
Day 16 Sunday, Continue Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions.
Day 17 Monday, Continue Plant Diet and Ayahuasca Sessions.
Day 18 Tuesday, Close Plant Diet.
Day 19 Wednesday, Return to Iquitos. leave Mishana by power boat to Iquitos for relaxation in luxury Three star Hotel Victoria Regia with swimming pool located near the Malecon overlooking the Amazon
Day 20 Thursday, Free time in Iquitos, Farewell Dinner.
Day 21 Friday, Morning Flight returning to Lima. Time at own disposition. Overnight at Hotel La Castillana.
Day 22 International Return Flights.
COSTS July 19th – August 2nd 2008; £1,700, US$ & EURO at FXS RATES + International airfare.
Extension week: August 3rd – 9th . Costs £700 ; US$ & EURO at FX RATES.
We can accept Credit Card Payments etc. via PayPal method.
Howard G. Charing, is an international workshop leader on shamanism. He has worked some of the most respected and extraordinary shamans & healers in the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Philippines. He organises specialist retreats to the Amazon Rainforest. He is the author of the best selling book, Plant Spirit Shamanism.
Visit the website for info about our Andean ,Amazon Ayahuasca, and Yoga Retreats