6
Maximum participants
A small group supports closer attention and clearer communication.
Clear responsibilities. Practical safeguards.
Preparation and safety
A remote Amazon journey requires honest preparation, small groups and a plan that reflects the conditions of each departure. Here is what participants can expect from us—and what we ask from them.
This is not medical or psychological care
Into The Amazon does not diagnose, treat or promise healing. Traditional plant practices are optional cultural practices. Speak with an independent qualified clinician before travel about your health, medication, vaccinations and malaria prevention.
24h
Operational contact
A team contact is available during the program, including overnight.
Optional
Every traditional practice
A participant may decline or stop without pressure.
2 routes
Emergency transfer planning
A primary and backup route are identified for each departure.
Before you travel
Screening is a safety conversation, not a diagnosis. Acceptance for the journey never guarantees participation in a ceremony.
- 1
Read the participant pack
Review the agreement, risks, conduct rules and privacy information before signing.
- 2
Complete confidential screening
Disclose relevant conditions, medicines, supplements, allergies and previous adverse reactions accurately.
- 3
Seek independent medical advice
When a health concern or medicine requires clinical assessment, eligibility remains undecided until independent advice is received.
- 4
Confirm insurance
Travel and medical insurance must be suitable for remote travel and include emergency evacuation and repatriation.
- 5
Receive departure details
Before leaving Iquitos you receive the final route, team coverage, transport plan and emergency briefing.
Responsibilities during the journey
Safety depends on the team and participants acting early, communicating clearly and respecting changing river and forest conditions.
Our team commits to
- Maicol Ahuite Garcia coordinates general safety and remains sober during ceremonies.
- Don Rono decides whether participation in a traditional practice is appropriate after screening.
- A motor vehicle and motorboat are planned to remain available throughout the program.
- Unsafe activities may be changed, postponed or stopped when weather, river, transport or health conditions require it.
- Someone from the team will be available overnight; the named person is confirmed for each departure.
Participants agree to
- Provide complete and accurate information relevant to safe participation.
- Follow instructions concerning boats, vehicles, fire, water, wildlife, hygiene and ceremonies.
- Report illness, injury, distress, unsafe conditions or a personal-boundary concern promptly.
- Avoid unauthorized drugs and never change prescribed medication without advice from their clinician.
- Respect other participants, local communities, cultural knowledge and the environment.
Emergency readiness for each departure
Medical services around Iquitos include fixed facilities and mobile river services. Their location and availability can change, so naming one hospital for every journey would be misleading. The operational plan is completed against current conditions.
Confirmed approach
- Primary motor transport and a motorboat are available for the program.
- The team identifies the currently reachable medical option and estimated transfer time.
- A primary communication method, backup method and alternative evacuation route are recorded.
- The participant’s insurer, policy number, assistance line and emergency contact are recorded before departure.
Must be named and checked before departure
- The responsible first-aid person and their current qualification.
- The sober overnight contact for the specific group.
- Vehicle, driver and boat licences, insurance and safety equipment.
- Any additional nurse or support person contracted for that departure.
- The trigger for observation, escalation and emergency transport if someone becomes unwell.
Consent, boundaries and conduct
No pressure
Participation in a ceremony is optional. Refusing does not remove a participant from the rest of the journey.
No physical contact
The confirmed rule is no physical contact during traditional practices. Contact required to prevent immediate harm must be limited, proportionate and recorded.
No sexual or romantic conduct
Staff must not begin a sexual or romantic relationship with a participant during the journey. Harassment, coercion and exploitation are prohibited.
Privacy
No one must disclose private ceremonial experiences. Health information and personal disclosures remain confidential except where safety or law requires otherwise.
Images require consent
No ceremony or identifiable person may be photographed or recorded without express permission. Media consent is optional and separate.
If something feels wrong
Tell Maicol or Don Rono as soon as it is safe to do so. Before every departure, participants must also receive the name and contact details of an independent safeguarding contact who is not subordinate to either person, together with the formal complaint channel. Immediate danger should be reported to emergency services or the competent authority.
Read the full participant pack
The downloadable pack contains the agreement, detailed risk information, health screening, privacy consent, emergency form, conduct rules and signature sections.
Open documents and downloads