Transform your life with a Journey to the Amazon rainforest

The cost of the trip includes meals, lodging, transportation, guides, and equipment within Ecuador. It does not include international air travel to and from Quito, gratuities, or optional activities such as shamanic experiences. Dates, prices, and itineraries are subject to change.

Please note that your Journey fee is priced to cover program expenses alone. It does not include a donation to help finance the overall work of the Pachamama Alliance, and there will be an opportunity toward the end of your Journey to continue your partnership with the Pachamama Alliance and our partners in Ecuador.

If you are ready to book your Journey, simply select the the trip from our upcoming dates. 

Your experience with Pachamama Alliance will begin and end in Quito, Ecuador and participants make their own flight arrangements. The dates of your journey include travel dates both into and out of Quito – for example, if your journey is scheduled for May 6 – 17, you should plan on arriving at the designated hotel (included in trip fee) by midnight on May 6. There will not be any group activities planned for the 17th and you will be free to begin your travel back home that morning. While it is fine to arrive and depart on the specific travel days, we do recommend that you arrive one or more days early to rest and acclimate to the altitude of the Andes. It also ensures that possible travel delays do not hold you up from joining the group on time. After the journey is complete, participants often find it helpful to have a day or two to integrate the experience before heading back home.

Our trips have included travelers from age 8 to over 80. Children and teens are welcome and, in our experience, have made great additions to groups, adding a multi-generational touch and perspective.

While the Center for Disease Control recommends certain vaccinations, neither Ecuador nor Pachamama Journeys require any vaccinations to enter the country. Some of our participants choose to pursue the full spectrum of vaccinations, while others choose not to have any. Please consult with your personal physician or local travel clinic for advice on your specific needs.

Since the rainforest region where we travel does have a history of malaria, we recommend you consult with your personal physician for advice on what preventative measures you should take.

While gift giving is a generous and common practice throughout the world, we are trying to minimize our impact on the cultures and territories we visit. And due to the shared nature of Achuar society, giving gifts to individuals can disrupt the balance of the community. Certain unplanned acts of generosity that emerge organically on the journey are natural, but please do not burden yourself or our Indigenous partners with lots of ‘stuff’. The biggest gift for them is your presence and partnership.

The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador and a fascinating place to visit. The area of Vilcabamba in the southern part of the country is beautiful and well prepared for visitors as well. For a very relaxing stay following your journey, the Termas Papallacta hotel and hot springs is just 1.5 hours outside of Quito.

A complete packing list will be provided to you to guide you as you prepare everything you need. We suggest layering your clothes for warmth/coolness and changing climate conditions.

The weather in Ecuador is fairly consistent year-round since it straddles the equator. In the mountains, temperatures can reach the upper 60′s to low 70′s during the day and drop to the low 50′s to 40′s at night. In the rainforest, the daytime temperature is typically in the upper 70′s to low 80′s with humidity and in the evenings it can drop to the low 60′s. Because we are in a primary forest with lots of canopy and rivers, the heat is less intense than most expect. In our experience, rainy seasons are highly unpredictable and don’t necessarily correlate with accuracy to a specific time of year. As we will be entering the rainforest, you can expect some rain and it will not adversely impact activities on the trip.

We generally have from 10-15 participants on our journeys, with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 18 to maintain intimacy. While some participants have experience with group travel, for many this is their first time. And a consistent highlight for most participants is the connections and experiences they share with their fellow travelers.

For North American or European travelers, a visa is not necessary to enter Ecuador, though you will need a passport that is current for six months following your date of entry into Ecuador (VERY IMPORTANT). If it is not, you must renew it before departure or otherwise be denied entry. For travelers from other countries, please check with your embassy.

Though air travel is a fairly carbon-intensive mode of transportation, Pachamama Alliance Journeys offer participants the unique opportunity to live in harmony with nature during their trip. A key component of this is Kapawi Ecolodge, where Journeys participants stay during their time in the Amazon. Kapawi Ecolodge, which is owned and operated by the Achuar, was built sustainably using materials from the forest and is powered by solar energy. The food offered at Kapawi is locally sourced, and the many activities offered during the trip, such as guided rainforest hikes, have relatively little to no carbon outputs. Another unique aspect of Pachamama Alliance Journeys is an invitation to support the efforts of our Indigenous partners to preserve the Amazon rainforest. Community-based ecotourism is a key alternative to oil development and mining in this region, and our Indigenous partners invite allies from around the world so that they can share the message and power of the Amazon. Your visit helps forward the important work of preserving 86 million acres of primary rainforest and the many Indigenous groups that live there.

Yes, there will be electricity in all locations except for the time spent in the Achuar village. There is no need for conversion for the type of electricity or the plugs if you are coming from North America. Ecuador operates on 110v electricity. Check with currentsolutions.com for your specific needs if you are traveling from outside North America.

We trust that people are called to this experience and go when the time is right. If you would like support in looking to see if this is the right experience and timing, please contact Pachamama Journeys Director, Steve Torneten, who has been leading groups for over 8 years. He is very familiar with the unique opportunity of the journey and the potential it has to offer. He can also support you as you prepare logistically for this experience and is available to offer any assistance. Most importantly, trust your heart.

The Ecuadorian capital, Quito, is the highest elevation of the itinerary. For people particularly sensitive to altitude, an altitude sickness remedy may be helpful. Below is a chart indicating the various altitude points on our itinerary:

• Quito: 9,500 feet, 3,000 meters
• Banos: 5,905 feet, 1,820 meters
• Otavalo: 8,641 feet, 2,633 meters
• Achuar Territory (Rainforest): 900 feet, 295 meters

A deposit is required to hold your reservation. In the event you cancel:

Pachamama Journeys reserves the right to cancel a scheduled journey at any time. In the event that Pachamama Alliance must cancel the Journey you have joined, your full payment will be refunded to you. In the event that your Journey is cancelled due to factors outside of Pachamama Alliance's control such as natural disaster, political unrest, etc., we will issue refunds where possible. We encourage all travelers to obtain travel insurance including trip cancellation or delay, loss of luggage, etc. to protect your purchase.