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EL SENDERO DE LA ANACONDA
Expedition to the Apaporis River and to the Morroco Tepuys
An invitation to share the sacred dance of the Jaguar Men, of the Yuruparí tradition.
In the department of Vaupés. on the Cananarí river that flows into the great Apaporís; lives this small community of the Yurupary Jaguar Men lineage, whose origins and ancient traditions have been maintained for hundreds of years (Ethnic Groups: Tucanos, Taibanos, Barasanos, Cubeos, Tatuyos, Besanos, Guananos), and they are inviting us to their sacred ceremony.
This millenary sacred dance ceremony, in which the dancers use their power elements such as crowns of feathers, canes, maracas and animals sacrificed to the gods, perform their dance in the Maloca (sacred house, the cosmic mother), directed by Great Spirit and guided by the shaman: Payé.
Sacred medicinal plants accompany the ritual, ñopo (toasted powdered tobacco that is blown through the nose), mambe (toasted coca leave powdered that is put in the mouth and slowly absorbed), smoked tobacco wrapped in plantain leaves, and Capi or Yagé.
The invitation to the party is for all those who feel the call to learn more about the ancient cultures of the Amazon and want to observe with respect (and without obligation to use sacred plants), admiration, transformation, and joy.
Groupal Tours:
5 de Agosto al 10 de Septiembre
10 al 15 de Octubre
7 al 12 de Noviembre
12 al 17 de Diciembre
2 al 7 de Enero
ITINERARY
DAY 1
-Flight from Bogotá to the city of Mitú, in the department of Vaupés.
-We will take a private charter flight from Mitú to the indigenous village of Buenos Aires. This flight lasts approximately 40 minutes.
-Reception in Buenos Aires by the community, a village in the middle of the jungle, whose runway is on grass. Only small planes land there because the runway is not long enough for bigger ones. There is an Army group stationed in this village.
-Lunch
-Navigation on the Cananarí River by slow boat (2 hours through the jungle) to the community of Morroco. In the navigation, we are going to observe the magical reflections that the jungle and the river produce on the water’s surface.
-Visit the Maloka of the Morroco community. Meeting with the traditional wise man and greeting the community. This Maloca is located in front of the Cerros de Morroco, spectacular tepuys that emerge from the jungle.
-Traditional dinner based on fish, farina, and casabe (these two come from wild cassava plant and are very nutritious)
-Delivery of gifts for the community.
-Night of mambeo (sharing circle) and traditional medicines. Taiban myths and stories.
-Night in a tent or hammock under the Communal house, in the community of Morocco.
DAY 2
-Traditional breakfast. (No American breakfast)
-Navigation from the Morroco community to the entrance of Cerros de Morroco.
-3-hour walk (each person carries their camping equipment) to Cerro de Morroco. Visit to “Salto de la Sardina”. Summit on Cerro de Morroco with a view of the majesty of the jungle. In this place is “La Ventana del Mundo”, an incredible place whose view is absolutely beautiful.
-Visit Petroglyphs. Cave Paintings of the ancestors, in whose drawings they left engraved mythological beings of the Taiban cosmogonic cultures.
-Lunch on the way. (Bring your own personal snacks)
-Night camping in the caves of Cerro de Morroco, under the stars, and in the belly of the jungle.
-Dinner at camp.
DAY 3
-Breakfast
-Return from Cerros de Morroco to Morroco community. (3 hours walk plus river navigation)
-Lunch in the community of Morroco
-Visit the Chagras of Morroco, farm plantations where the community sows cassava, pineapple, coca, tobacco, and other plants that they use for their food and traditional sacred medicines.
-Dinner
-Yurupari Ancestral Dance Ceremony. In which the community is ready to talk, dance, and pray to their Gods. They prepare their feathers, carrizos (traditional flutes), and sacred outfits ready to enter in the trance of songs, dance, and joy all night. In an energetic circle, where the Payé (or shaman) directs the party in interconnection with everything and everyone.
-Night in the Maloca of Morroco. The guests can participate in the party or they can be observers. This is a magical event (without a script and spontaneous) in danger of cultural extinction. In addition to being an intangible heritage of humanity declared by UNESCO, it is an activity that the elders of the community have wanted to share with white people (before they did not share it outside their community) because there is a tendency for these dances to disappear since the young people of the tribes (side effect of the technological era of globalization) are no longer interest in participating in these sacred acts. Therefore, with the presence of us as visitors, these dances are recorded in the memory of humanity, in their documentation, and will not be forgotten.
DAY 4
-Breakfast
-Morning of rest and bathe in the river, with a view of the Cerros de Morroco.
-Navigating by boat through the Apaporis River (2 hours)
-Lunch
-Return and setup in the community of Buenos Aires.
-Dinner
-Lodging in Buenos Aires.
DAY 5
-Breakfast
-Charter Flight Buenos Aires - Mitú
-Transfer to the Hotel in Mitú
-Lunch in a restaurant.
-Hike to Cerro Urania on the outskirts of Mitú.
-Dinner
-Accommodation in a hotel in Mitú.
DAY 6
-Breakfast
-Free morning in Mitu.
-Lunch.
-Flight back to Bogota
Included in the plan
-Private Charter Flight: Mitú - Buenos Aires - Mitú
-Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners within the expedition from Mitú
- Sailing motor boat for 5 days.
- Petrol for the navigation boat.
- Contributions to the elders and Payés (shamans)
- Permits and fees for nights of accommodation in the communities of Morroco and Buenos Aires.
- One-night accommodation in a basic hotel in Mitu.
- Expedition Tour Leader
- 2 local guides throughout the Apaporis expedition
- Permits and entry fees for the hike to the sacred Cerros de Morroco and its cave paintings.
- A cook and fisherman for days 2 and 3 of the expedition.
- Contributions and permits for the visit to the Chagra (orchard)
- Contributions and permits for the Yuruparí Ancestral Dance.
- Transfer from the Mitú airport to the Hotel round trip.
- Hike with a local guide to Cerro Urania in Mitú.
- $1,500,000 COP (340 USD aprox) in gifts for the entire community
- Medical Assistance Insurance (not covered in Apaporis. Only in Mitú)
- Life jackets for all the river navigations.
- Air ticket Bogotá - Mitú - Bogotá for Tour Leader.
- Logistics and operation of the entire expedition.
To reserve it is necessary to fill out the Application Form. It is a tool that allows the right people to reach the sacred territories of ancient indigenous cultures.
Not included in the plan
-Airfares with Satena: Bogotá - Mitú - Bogotá (between $600,000 and $900,000 COP, $130 and $210 USD)
-Snacks
- Tourist tax in Mitu $33,000 COP ($8 USD)
-Expenses not stipulated in the included plan
-Airport taxes. ($20,000 COP / $5 USD Approximately)
-Surcharges for delays in flights or itinerary changes that are out of the control of Colombia Oculta.
-Tents, hammocks, mosquito nets, inflatable camping mattress, blankets, sheets.
-Personal food utensils (bowl, cup, personal cutlery)
-In case of being forced to do an air rescue by plane or helicopter (which is not covered by travel insurance) and if the agency team evaluates and decides to call this or any type of rescue, it will be done, even without the patient consent. The user or their relatives must assume the expenses incurred in said rescue. Let's hope it never happens ;)
Additional services that can be acquired
-Satellite phone rental
-Air rescue insurance
-Issuance of air ticket: Bogotá - Mitú – Bogotá
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Follow the tour guide's recommendations, meet the schedules of the itineraries, and on the trip forget about everyday life and let yourself be impregnated by the natural beauty of the place. Connect your mind with the place and ask Mother Nature for permission beforehand to be in these sacred temples. Do not pick up stones or take them with you, as they can alter the spiritual environment of the place. Walk quietly and carry:
-A change of clothes to travel on flights and land trips.
-A change of clothes for walking (long pants that become shorts, a long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt, tennis shoes or walking boots, river sandals)
-Change of clothes for sleeping (cozy and warm).
-Personal hygiene items. (Toilet paper, soap, toothpaste etc)
-If you are a vegetarian/vegan, bring your own food for us to prepare there.
-Rubber boots
-Tennis.
-Flip flops
-Binoculars if you want to see birds. In Mitú we are going to look for the Guianan cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola). We need to walk in silence.
- A form of official ID
-Personal medications
-Swimsuit
-Water bottle
-Sun hat
- Sunscreen, natural without chemicals. Or don't use.
-Insect repellent. (We recommend start taking thiamine a couple of weeks before the trip) (abundant)
-Flashlight and a spare set of batteries.
-Photographic camera
-Solar powerbank (preferably to charge your camera and cell phone batteries)
-Ziploc bags of various sizes to pack electronic elements.
-Everything packed in plastic bags
-Personal food utensils: Bowl and a plastic cup. Spoon, fork, and knife.
-Water purifying filter or purifying tablets. (Optional, we give you boiled water)
-Small towel
-No camouflaged element (cloths, caps, blankets …)
-The nights are spent in native houses. You will sleep on a camping mattress, a tent or a hammock (recommended).
-Personal waterproof dome-type tent that does not need to be stake to the ground. (This is if it is difficult for you to sleep in a hammock)
-Waterproof poncho/raincoat.
-camping or light mattress (for those who prefer to not sleep in a hammock).
-Sleeping bag for 15°C or colder (small compact)
-Be vaccinated against yellow fever and tetanus. (It is not mandatory, we only suggest it)
-35 Lt hands-free backpack for walks and hopefully everything is stored in this backpack.
-In terms of safety, together with the local and environmental authorities, we coordinate with the National Army the permits and the places that can be visited for the tranquility of the visitor.
-The average temperature is 30 degrees centigrade and can reach 35 degrees with high humidity.
-Some routes are carried out on unmarked trails. It is important to wear shoes with good grip and, if possible, a cane.
-Bathrooms are wooden rooms with septic tanks within the communities and in open nature when we are in the mountains.
-Take thiamine 15 days before to prevent mosquito bites.
-Gifts for the communities. IT'S NOT MANDATORY. ONLY IF IT IS BORN FROM THE BOTTOM OF YOUR HEART: school supplies, notebooks, colors, paints, children's stories, fishing nylon, hooks, rubber boots, clothing for children and adults, flashlights or solar energy lamps, etc.
-The community (isolated tribe) lacks some specific elements that can be taken from Bogotá. If we ask them ahead of time, they can tell us their needs and maybe we can bring them those things they need. This is not required.
No Show and Cancellation Policies
1. To cancel the trip, it must be done 5 days prior to the departure date, 90% of the deposit will be returned, less the previously established deductions or penalties that the suppliers make, when the services are not used. This return will be made within 30 calendar days from the date on which the cancellation is made. If it is not canceled 5 days in advance, the money will not be returned.
2. In case of no show of the client to the trip, the money will not be returned.
3. In the event that the user of the touristic services fails to comply by not using the agreed services, whatever the cause, the Agency may demand, at its option, the payment of 20% of the total price or established rate or retain the deposit or payment advance previously received from the client.
4. In fortuitous cases (climatic changes, natural disasters, landslides, mishaps in air, land or river transport) in which the trip has to be canceled, Colombia Oculta will return 90% of the Reserve deposit.
See Terms and Conditions of Colombia Oculta SAS.
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