Yagé (Ayahuasca) Renewal Ceremony

Traditional ceremony with the Sieko'pai (Secoya) in Ecuador

Date TBD Late July/Early August 2025

see below for trip outline and costs

Call Michael with questions (406) 360-6111

See a video preview of this years trip!

Join us for a unique and powerful trip to Ecuador for traditional healing ceremonies and some hands-on work to help Basilio, his family and the Sieko'pai community. Connect deeper than mere financial exchange to bring our hearts and nurture cross-cultural relationships for long term solutions and change.

Our destination is in the upper Amazon in NE Ecuador. This is not a commercial resort. We begin our journey in Quito. We will work with the Huachuma (San Pedro) medicine in the highlands and then travel down into the Amazon to spend some amazing time in the jungle. You will get to see some of the most biodiverse land in the world as we travel down from the highlands. The weather will change from quite cool at 14,000 elevation and become quite warm as we enter the rainforest, eventually arriving by canoe to our destination. We will stay with the family of Basilio, the last true elder 'Yagé drinker' (Shaman) of the Seiko'pai people. This is a rare opportunity to be served the sacred medicine Yagé (Ayahuasca) by a true elder, free of unnecessary theatrics and ego. It is a simple and profound communing with nature, supported by some of the most humble, gifted and loving people you will meet. For over 80 years, Basilio has been quietly living his jungle life, making the traditional hammocks, and serving the sacred Yagé as he learned from the age of eight.

As much as we will benefit from this trip and bring back into our lives and communities, this trip is about creating an exchange, not just financial but on many levels. We will provide finances to do improvements on the land and support the family, but by creating deeper personal connections we develop partnerships and cultural exchange that results in a sustainable future, not just for them but for us as well. It's vitally important that we go deeper than mere financial exchange for the experience of ceremonies and healing.

We help them to carry the traditions forward by invigorating the traditional ways with our interest and support. Petroleum and palm industries create constant pressure for them to give in. The youth are forced to take jobs, leaving their families and traditions behind for modern life. Through the efforts of many individuals there is hope, including the recent recovery of their traditional homelands, but the work is far from done. By participating in this trip, you help provide much needed resources. Thanks to prior efforts from there have been many improvements including a new ceremony lodge, perhaps the only traditional lodge built entirely from materials from the land, in all of Ecuador. This is a huge boost for the community and youth. There is a resurgence of interest in the youth to learn the traditional ways but there are many challenges, and the support we provide in this trip helps on many levels.

There will also be hiking to sacred locations and waking every day to the jungle orchestra of birds, insects, frogs and other inhabitants that make this a true paradise. All of the plants used in the ceremonies grow nearby as a part of the 'jungle garden'. It is this integrity to the old ways, location far removed from roads and modern life, and unique style of running the ceremonies that makes it here so special. If you feel called to join us, I have no doubt it will change your life as it has mine. Group size is limited to 6 with a just couple of spots still available.

What we will do...

Power Walk in the Highlands

Begin our journey with a Wachuma (San Pedro) walk in the highlands at around 14,000 elevation. We will walk 'el sendero de oso", "the path of the Bear", where we have seen Andean spectacled bears. Wachuma is a gentle plant medicine, opening the heart to the land and our time together. This is a traditional way of working with the medicine and a great way to begin our trip, preparing to enter the sanctuary of the jungle. After our walk leads us to soak in the luxurious healing waters at the Papallacta hot springs.

Yagé Renewal Ceremony

Yagé is the name used locally for Ayahuasca, though the brew itself and the way the ceremonies are run are both very unique. This Yagé is made using three plants; Banisteriopsis Caapi (Ayahuasca vine) chaliponga, one two 5meo DMT containing leaves that grow next to the lodge. It's the setting, meticulous integrity in preparation of the medicine and a unique 'renewal' ceremony days prior to drinking the yagé that makes the experience so unique and profound.

Jungle Hikes and Projects

In days preceding the ceremonies there will be opportunities to connect with the family through various activities and assist in projects where extra hands are helpful. We will take day trips, visiting the Mother Tree, sacred sites and learning local plants to connect more deeply with the land and traditions. For those interested we can go deeper into the jungle for hunting and fishing. Activities will be gentle to honor personal limitations and group energy as we prepare for the ceremonies.

About the Sieko'pai

In their traditional language, Sieko'pai means 'The multi-colored people', referring to stories of multi-colored luminous beings who came to live in the jungle paradise. For millennia they have lived in harmony with the natural world. Their traditional lands encompassing what is now Peru and Ecuador was lost during the Ecuador and Peruvian war, forcing them into the lands they live in today along the Aguarico river. Recently, in historic court decision, due to decades of organized efforts, the Seikopai have been given back their traditional land. This infuses hope for good things to come.

Basilio is the only true elder left in the Siekopai lineage of 'Yagé Drinkers'. The elder "shaman' is given the title 'Yagé Drinker' after extensive, intensive training lasting many years. Basilio is in his 80's and, true to tradition, has been drinking since he was 8 years old. He is the only one left carrying the knowledge of making the traditional hammocks out of palm leaves. They are absolutely stunning, with one in the Smithsonian. Their traditional pottery, beadwork is beautiful and the knowledge of medicine is astounding. Many of the youth want to learn the traditional ways but are pressured to get jobs, forcing them to leave the jungle ways they love. Supporting them in these trips empowers them to continue the traditional ways for future generations.

the Yagé Ceremonies

Yagé (pronounced Ya-hay) is a type of Ayahuasca but as Josep explains, the experience of drinking Yagé is different than Ayahuasca. Two unique plants used create a distinctly powerful, feminine and in-the-body experiences. Another key difference is the way the ceremony is held. There is one or more 'Renewal' ceremonies to cleanse and prepare for when we drink the Yagé. The ceremony is held over several days with special diet and fasting.

the San Pedro (Wachuma) walk

A power hike is an experience where we connect with the natural environment alongside the medicine of San Pedro or hauancolla, an Andean medicine that opens our hearts, clarifies our vision, and provides us with the strength to walk through the stunning Paramo, high mountain environment .

We walk along an ancestral route used by ancient inhabitants who engaged in cultural and goods exchanges between Amazonian and Andean communities. We'll see various lakes, pure flowing water, beautiful silent landscapes, and a possibility of encountering wildlife such as deer, eagles, rabbits, and spectacled bears. It's a silent and intimate walk where we can listen to the purposes and needs of our hearts and the silent messages from the heights—a moving meditation.

We begin the walk at an altitude of approximately 4000 meters on the edges of the Cayambe-Coca National Park. The route is known as the Bear's Path. We end the day with a soak in the hot waters while we integrate the experience..

This walk will serve too connect us as a group, open our hearts to the people and land and prepare us to enter the jungle and home of Basilio.

Apply Now, just a few spots available

Meet Your Guides

Michael 'Heartsong' Cutter
trip coordinator

For many years Michael has dedicated his life to learning the traditional healing arts. He has spent time with elders and wisdom keepers from al over the world, traveling to Africa and South America and within North America. He travels frequently to Ecuador for training and ceremonies in the traditions of the Andes and Amazon. During his first Yagé ceremony Michael found a spiritual home with Basilio and family.. He is honored to be invited to organize these trips and share with you the beauty of the Yagé, people and their jungle paradise.

In addition to his full time healing and coaching practice, Michael is a passionate artist, drum maker and incense maker. He lives in Denver, CO

Josep Rosas & Marcela Camacho
Guides & translators

Josep is a native of Catalonia. He was invited as a young man to live with Basilio and his family. His relaxed nature and ever present smile conceal his extensive knowledge and intensive training with plant medicine and traditional ways. A true medicine man himself, he will be our guide, meeting us in the highlands and taking us into the jungle. He speaks Spanish, Catalan, English and Paikopa the language of the Seiko'pai.

Marcela will be supporting in many ways, behind the scenes with food prep, in the ceremonies and logistics. She is a passionate force of nature, gifted musician and medicine woman.

We could not be in better hands, you will fall in love with them both.

Basilio Payaguaje
Seiko'pai elder
Yagé Drinker

Basilio Payaguaje is the last remaining true elder Yagé Drinker of the Seikopai people. My first encounter with Basilio was waiting to be picked up at the river during a trip with Itzhak Beery. It was Basilio who arrived in the canoe. Soft spoken, unassuming and smiling he took us back to climb the mud stairs leading up the riverbank to the house and land where would be staying.

Though the property is relatively undeveloped, it has been a destination for famous musicians and royalty who come for the powerful healing ceremonies. Basilio has never sought to be in the spotlight, quietly living in the jungle, but is well known and highly respected as one of the last living elders with knowledge of the old ways.

Trip Outline*

It is best to arrive a day or so early to acclimate before we begin the trip. The following is an outline of the trip.

We will meet and begin the trip with a Wachuma (San Pedro) walk in the Highlands - Drop in and open our hearts to the highlands. Soak in the Healing waters at Papallacta Hot Springs.

Travel to the Amazon, arriving by canoe to be greeted by Basilio and the family. Sleeping (under mosquito nets) to the sounds of the jungle in simple but very comfortable and safe accommodations.

Waking to the orchestra of birds, tree frogs and insects. Begin light duty project work, building the new ceremony lodge, etc. Experiencing the stunning natural world of the jungle. (Work will be light duty and various physical conditions will be honored to not over-extend ourselves as we prepare for the ceremonies. All while experiencing the stunning natural world of the jungle.

Renewal Ceremony (part of the Yagé ceremony) to prepare for Yagé ceremony and arrive home in the jungle.

Jungle walk to the Mother Tree, visiting the hunting grounds, waking to the orchestra of tree frogs, birds, cicadas, monkeys, and all of the inhabitants that make this place so special. We will enjoy simple wholesome traditional foods, harvesting bananas, 'jungle grapes', cacao and other foods from the jungle.

Yagé Ceremony. In the evening we will walk to the ceremony lodge, find our places in our hammocks and settle in for the night. You will be held by the jungle and the supporters as the medicine works its wonders.

Integration meeting, resting, eating nourishing foods, discussions, etc.

Travel back into the highlands to bathe and relax in the stunning hot sulphur springs at Pappalacta Hot Spring resort in the high Andes before returning home. Spa services available including chocolate massage.

*Due to weather and other variables, itinerary may adjust. It is important to bring an attitude of flexibility when traveling in Ecuador and the jungle.

Trip cost $3250

Includes trip activities, ground transportation, food and board, does not include airfare, pre/post trip expenses or personal purchases made on the trip. A $1000 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Full payment required by June 28.

Call Michael with questions (406) 360-6111

Apply Now and reserve your spot