BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE AYAHUASCA CEREMONY

The ceremony starts at 10:00 pm. and is directed by a master shaman, all the participants will be seated in a circle.
The special place built and designed for this ceremony will be semi-dark and quiet. The shaman will explain the ritual.
He starts the ceremony “ICARANDO”(blowing Mapacho cigar smoke on the ayahuasca brew) asking for permission to the almighty and spirits of the plants to start the ritual.
After 20-30 minutes of drinking the ayahuasca brew the participants will start feeling its hallucinogenic that last for approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Day 1: Lima / Iquitos / Heliconia Amazon River Lodge Reception at the luggage claim area of the Iquitos Int’l Airport, where our staff will be waiting for you. Then we will take you to our operative offices in Iquitos where we will give you an orientation of our services in accord with your program. Afterwards, we will take you to the Bellavista Port, where we will use one of our speedboats to take you to the Heliconia Lodge along the Amazon River. During this boat ride you will have the opportunity to observe the convergence of the brown turbid waters of the Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. You will enjoy the impressive jungle landscapes with the rustic small houses of the riverside towns. A visit to a native community is also scheduled in this part of the boat ride to the Lodge. In this community we will have the opportunity to hear about their way of life and to see their customs, dances and handcrafts. After 1:30 hrs. boat ride we will arrive to the Lodge where our staff will welcome you with a complimentary and exotic jungle drink. Lunch. In the afternoon we will start with our first excursion: a jungle hike into the Yanamono Reserve, which is a primary rainforest reserve, for approximately 2 hours accompanied by our expert guides, they will be able to identify several botanical species such as heliconia flowers, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree (Ceiba Pentandra) whose dimensions are so big that 25 persons can circle it holding their hands. During this excursion you will also see several birds species such as the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Black Fronted Nanbird (Monasa-Atia), etc., and with a little luck you will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets (saguinus fusicollis) , and the Titi Monkey (Callicebus Mollock Mollock) and the squirrel monkey (Saimiri Boliviense). Return to the lodge for rest. Free time. After observing the Amazon Sunset, we will take a night boat ride to a stream , if the river is high enough, or along the Amazon River where you will enjoy the magical sounds of the jungle, the light of the moon or, if it is a clear night, you will observe the stars and constellations. At a scheduled time we will Meet the Shaman who will explain us the Ayahuasca Ceremony and its effects on persons. Dinner. Day 02: Heliconia Amazon River Lodge Early birdwatching. We will start very early going by boat to one of the several streams (if the water level allows us ). We will be looking for birds such as the Tuki (Jacana Jacana), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle-Torquata), Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis), etc. Return to the lodge, where a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you. After a little rest we will take a small fishing trip into small tributaries of the Amazon River. The most daring can try for fishing Piranhas. During this excursion you can also have the opportunity to look for the famous Pink River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis). Return to the Lodge for lunch In the afternoon, you will also be able to see the very impressive giant Victoria Regia plant (Giant Water Lily) on the lakes inside the Yanamono Island (if the water allows us). At night the adventurers can take a hike around the perimeter of the Lodge to look for tarantulas, fire flies, bats and other jungle nocturnal animals. Dinner – Our customers participating in the Ayahuasca Ritual will have a special dinner. 10:00 p.m. Beginning of the Ayahuasca Ritual: In a specially selected place for this event. The ritual may last until sunrise depending on the number of persons. Day 03: Visit to a Riverside Town After breakfast, we will visit a native village where we will have the opportunity to hear and see their way of life. During this excursion we can also have again the opportunity to look out for the Pink Amazon River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis) and fish piranhas. Return to the Lodge and rest. Dinner (Persons making the Ritual will have a special dinner) 10:00 p.m. 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. Day 04: Iquitos / Lima After breakfast, we will visit a place where we will have the chance to taste the different drinks made from the sugarcane using rustic techniques. Return to the lodge. After lunch, we will check out and then go to Iquitos for the Hotels or Airport. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR JUNGLE TRIP: For your trip to the Lodge and for the jungle hike we recommend that you take a backpack or small suitcase with only essential items. Big luggage can be stored in our offices for your convenience. IMPORTANT NOTE Program may vary according to flight arrival or weather conditions. For this program we recommend to take your flight to Iquitos in the morning and your returning flight to Lima in the afternoon. Departures from Iquitos to Heliconia Lodge are at 08:30 a.m. Departures from Heliconia Lodge to Iquitos qre at 14:00 p.m. The program includes: 03 nights at Heliconia Amazon River Lodge with all the meals included (03 breakfasts, 04 lunches and 03 dinners). Hiking excursions into the jungle. Night boat ride along one of the several streams of Yanamono or the Amazon River. Pink Amazon River Dolphin’s watching tour. Victoria Regia flower watching tour. Bird watching tour. Rustic Fishing tour (No proffesional) Excursion to see how sugarcane rum is made. Visit to a riverside town. Ayahuasca Ceremony All ground an river transportation. This program does not include: Beverages: juices, sodas, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Flight tickets Lima/Iquitos/Lima and airport taxes. Tips.