Basically, we get two days in Iquitos--during which my team and I take you 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 definitely 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. But I don't' want to give up all my secrets, so wait till it's time.

On Monday we take off on a huge flat-bottomed 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 river town, 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.

Monday, Jan 17

We'll return to Iquitos early Monday, 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 following a traditional Shipibo flower bath and then a perfume cleansing.

When we return to the city I'll treat you to Iquitos' only fancy hotel, complete with swimming pool. You'll have earned it. It will be your last full day in Iquitos and my team and I will see to it that everyone gets the chance to return to Belen to pick up whatever they might want to bring home, from kitchen spices to traditional medicines. We'll also see that you get to do whatever it is you've heard was great but that we didn't get to. So you'll be directing us that day.

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.

For those doing just the jungle portion of the trip, this is where we part ways. Those wishing to stay in Iquitos will have several members of my team at their disposal to see that your additional stay is fantastic. For those continuing on to the mountains, this is when that portion of the trip begins.

We will arrive in Lima—from Iquitos—in the early evening, and I'll get us to the hotel from the airport. After an hour or so to clean up, we'll meet for dinner. We will also pick up anyone just joining the trip for the mountain portion.

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). In the evening I will treat you all to dinner at the Rosa Nautica, the best high end restaurant in the city. You will have earned it.

Saturday morning we head to Iquitos 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 wretched thing. We will make a point of getting to the railway market, where there is an amazing array of foodstuff and plant medicines for sale. Plus some of the best cooking chocolate in the world.

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 Pisac, which has one of the best markets in Peru. At Ollantaytambo you'll clamber in the brilliant ruins and I'll try to arrange for a Pachamama ceremony to be done there.

Tuesday, Jan 25

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 Kucho. He'll act as guide your first day in the ruins; he'll be our curandero the second day. He is absolutely brilliant in both roles.

Our second day at Machu Picchu. This one is devoted to the San Pedro ceremony which Kucho will guide. San Pedro, like ayahuasca, is one of the master plant teachers of man, and the ceremony, though simple, will be profound and move you deeply. And Kucho, a wonderful and powerful healer, and in his hands the sacred medicine is a fantastic ally. It's an extraordinary event.

Thursday we head back to Ollantaytambo where you can take more time at the ruins or go shopping. Essentially, we'll take lunch there and then our private bus back to Cuzco. The private buss ensures that we can call for it to stop whenever we want to stop, step out and take photos.

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 railway market again, where you can pick up some of the things you might want to bring home to do your own Pachamama ceremonies. Friday night we'll have a celebratory dinner on me, to close the circle of the trip.

On 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.