TUESDAY 19TH
Group meets at 5 pm at the historic Quito hotel, Cultura Manor, for a welcome and orientation, followed by a group dinner together.
WEDNESDAY 20TH
After an early morning gourmet breakfast and an orientation meeting at Cultura Manor, we’ll head south on a beautiful drive descending the Andes through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the town of Shell. From here, we’ll take a flight into the Achuar village of Charapacocha. Receive a warm welcome, community introductions, settle into our village encampment, followed by a race briefing.
THURSDAY 21tH
After breakfast, we’ll prepare our belongings, say our farewell to the community, and start the race. A 4-mile foot race through the Jungle to the banks of the mighty Pastaza River, where you will pair up and begin the 17 km kayak journey downriver to the community of Sharamentsa. Arrival times will be noted before moving you into the forest encampment. Evening meal and community introductions followed by a briefing for the next day’s run through the Amazon.
FRIDAY 22ND
After breakfast and a quick briefing, the 12,5 km foot race through the most bio-diverse rainforest in the world will begin. Halfway you will be greeted in the community of Ikiam, then on to the final destination of Wayunsentsa where we will spend the night.
SATURDAY 23RD
We will begin the race after breakfast. This competition will take you through the remote Capahuari River in a challenging 25 km downriver paddle full of wild life. The final destination will be Kapawi where we will be surrounded by the lush Amazon rainforest. Afternoon free time followed by presentations by Achuar elders and learning about their history, customs, and vision for defending their forest for future life.
SUNDAY 24TH.
We will start a 9 km trail & swim competition around Kapawi after breakfast. Free time in the afternoon followed by a celebratory dinner with optional night hike or evening canoe ride looking for caiman and other nocturnal life of the forest.
MONDAY 25TH.
After breakfast, weather pending, we’ll canoe up the Capahuari river for our flight back to Shell, where our bus will take us to Papallacta Hot Springs, high in the lush, beautiful cloud forest of the Andes. Rest & relax in the Hot Springs surrounded by verdant mountain slopes, hummingbirds, and tropical flowers. We will be invited to participate in cultural practices, including weaving, ceramic bowl making, tree climbing and blowgun practice.
Final dinner and appreciation.
TUESDAY 26TH
Breakfast, goodbyes, and departure.
