The itinerary is always similar but always a little different, depending on the group, new ideas I have and so forth. Guests may choose Amazon or Jungle portion of the trip or both, see cost section below.
  Basically, we get two days in Iquitos - during which we take out to some very interesting corners of that place, places gringos who live there probably have never seen - while at the same time getting you to begin shutting down your internal do dialogue (the better to hear the plant medicine spirits), getting you acclimated physically and getting you outfitted with jungle boots and such. We might visit Julio's grave and my friend's animal rescue place; we'll defiinitely spend time in Belen, the largest market on the Amazon all the way to Manaus in Brazil, and really the heart of the heart of Peru's Amazon. And then we'll do some other things as well.
  On Monday we take off on a riverboat and head 212 kilometers up the Amazon. It's an overnight trip that will affect you fiercely: An Amazon sky overhead, the Amazon river at your feet; jungle towns and forest all around you, and if you like, a portion of local magic 'shrooms to make it all just a touch more intense. It's a beautiful night.
  On Tuesday, after a short layover and breakfast in Genero Herrera, a rivertown, we head into the Aucayacu to my friend Juan's house. Juan is my late teacher Julio's son-in-law and his place, rustic (we bathe in the clean water of the river, not showers) is right next to where Julio's was. Juan's wife, Lady, runs our kitchen along with myself and a couple of other of Julio's descendants. The whole team, in fact, is made up of Julio's sons, daughters, grandkids and in laws, all of whom grew up on the river where we're going. Our curandero is Julio's son Jairo.
   During our 6 days in the jungle we'll hike in first growth rainforest, walk in the most mysterious and fascinating swamp I know, swim in a lake populated with pink and gray river dolphins (who generally cooperate and come pretty close), go night canoeing, gather wild foods to add to our fantastic larder of fruits, vegetables, beans, rice and an occasional bit of chicken. We'll have two - three if pushed - ayahuasca ceremonies (you'll help collect the vine with us), have the opportunity to do the magic mushrooms twice and also have a chance to try the Matses' medicines sapo and nu-nu, which my friend Pepe, a Matses' headman, will apply.
   During ceremony you'll be taken care of my myself and my fantastic team. We won't interfere but we will see to it that you get to the loo when you need to, don't wander off in the dark and so forth. When the time comes you'll appreciate it.
   We'll return to Iquitos the following Monday or Tuesday, depending on the wishes of the group, then take a day off. It's generally a day I reserve to give a party to my team for having taken you in and gotten you out of the deep jungle, and you're welcome to join. My team will also be around to see that you know where the internet is, where to get your clothes washed, your photos printed, etc.
  The following day we head out to my friend Don Francisco Montes' place in a different part of the jungle for another ayahuasca ceremony. When we return to the city I'll treat you to Iquitos' only fancy hotel, complete with swimming pool. You'll have earned it.
  Thursday morning, we have one last thing to do to complete the cycle of Iquitos before I'll treat you to lunch prior to the plane headed to Lima.
  In Lima we'll have one day. It's an important day to decompress and we'll do several things there that will connect the jungle to the mountains, much like the Inca did when they rose to power in Peru. Among those things will be a trip to the catacombs beneath the Cathedral of San Francisco, our only official visit to a cathedral in Peru (though you are welcome to visit as many as you like, and if the whole group likes, we can add a few).
  Saturday morning we head to Cuzco where we'll be met by my friends Andy and Maria. Andy will do a coca leaf ceremony for us, giving us an idea of how vital the coca leaf is to the people of the mountains, for physical, spiritual and psychological reasons.
  Our first day in Cuzco, other than the coca leaf ceremony, we go lightly, to avoid anyone having a bout of altitude sickness, which is a wreched thing.
  On our second day in Cuzco we spend the morning at several ruins which I think are vital to get an understanding of the Inca. In the afternoon, shortly before dusk, we'll head up to my favorite ruin, Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks Cuzco. Part religious retreat, part fortress, we'll do a magic mushroom ceremony before the sun sets, then spend a couple of hours walking the ruins in the dark, feeling the stone, until the guards kick us out. When they do we'll head down a stairway through town that will take us back to the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco, a fantastic walk that will take us past some of the most interesting shops and art studios in the city.
  On Monday morning we'll take a private bus to Ollantaytambo, stopping along the way at Pisco, which has one of the best markets in Peru. At Ollantaytambo you'll clambor in the b brilliant ruins and I'll try to arrange for a Pacha Mama ceremony to be done there.
  Tuesday we take a thrilling train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, a touristy town at the base of Machu Picchu. After we get you settled into your hotels we'll send you up to the ruins with my friend, the curandero Don Maliku. He'll act as guide your first day in the ruins; he'll do a San Pedro ceremony on the second. It is, like Ayahuasca, a very sacred plant teacher and in Maliku's hands, a wonderful healer. It's an extraordinary event.
  Thursday we head back to Ollantaytambo and from there to Cuzco. We'll arrive about 8 pm, just in time for a late snack and walk around the plaza before turning in.
  Friday is the last day of the trip; most people will want to spend the day shopping for presents - and it's going to be hard to resist with the amazing things for sale in Cuzco, from affordable alpaca to gold and silver jewelry of the highest quality, to paintings, weavings, carvings. But we'll take a couple of hours to get you over to the witches market where you can pick up some of the things you might want to bring home to do your own Pacha Mama ceremonies.
   Friday night we'll have a celebratory dinner on me, then Saturday morning we'll get you to your flights back to Lima where you'll catch your flights back home. For those who want to stay on longer, no problem. Andy and Maria will be available to anyone who wants to visit some things we didn't get to.
   It's a trip that will affect you deeply, one that will change you, and for the better. And even if you're already a shining star, it's a trip that will polish you up so that you shine even brighter.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: All ground transport, all entrances, all fees, all breakfasts, all food in the jungle, all pay for all staff, all hotels, trains, busses, riverboats, etc. I'll take care of all breakfasts, the first day's lunch and dinner in Iquitos, and the celebratory lunch at my favorite restaurant on the day we leave. You take care of the other meals in Iquitos - though I'll steer you where to go and go with you.
   In Lima I'll treat you to breakfast on Friday and Saturday and one dinner: A fabulous dinner in the Rosa Nautica, a mansion built at the end of a pier in the Pacific. It's flat out the best high end restaurant in the city. You take care of your meal on Thursday night when we arrive and lunch on Friday.
   In Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, I'm responsible for all breakfasts and the goodbye dinner. You take care of lunches and the other dinners.
   I'll outfit all the jungle stuff, including jungle boots. You'll need repellent and a flashlight but if you forget those I'll have them. I'll also have towels and extra toothpaste and a good medical kit. In short, you are responsible for your airfare and some meals and walking around money. I've got the rest.
   Trip insurance is recommended.

COST: "11 1/2 day Jungle Journey" Only - $2400.00, "8 1/2 day Highland Journey" Only - $2000.00 and "21 day Jungle and Highland Journey" is $4,400 per person,  double occupancy in the hotels.
   Deposit is $600 per person; remainder of the fee is due 45-days prior to the trip, about April 15.
   Trip limit is 12 people.
   We start on the first Saturday of June when I pick you up at the airport in Iquitos.
   Once I receive a deposit I will send out a list of things to bring. You are welcome to bring more; my team will handle the baggage, no sweat.
   Deposit should be made via wire transfer or paypal. If paying by paypal please add $40 to each deposit to cover the deduction Paypal makes. If you prefer to pay by wire transfer, please write me at peterg9 at yahoo.com for bank details.