What you live there
For ten days, you live in the village of Boa Vista, a community with about twenty-five years of history, on the Kaxinawá Indigenous territory of the Humaitá river.
This is the first gathering organised and led by the women of the village, in honour of their ancestral knowledge. Neighbouring villages are also invited to come together to welcome the group.
You take part, in a practical way, in preparing and using Huni Kuin traditional medicines, and you talk each day with the village's spiritual guides.
In the village there is a small kupixawa, the traditional place for gatherings and rituals, and a house of art, where the traditions, art and beauty of the Huni Kuin people are expressed.
The days bring together forest walks, body painting, songs, dances, crafts, traditional games, collective fishing and time by the river. There are also free moments, to take in what you are living and to rest.
You reconnect with nature, and live at a rhythm closer to our biology, for the body, the mind, the emotions and the soul.
The day-by-day programme
11 January, arrival
- Evening The participants are welcomed. Arrival at the village is expected in the early evening.
12 January
- Morning A forest walk to prepare a traditional bath.
- Afternoon Body painting and rest.
- Evening Traditional ceremony.
13 January
- Morning Traditional ceremony.
- Afternoon Traditional songs and sharing.
- Evening Free time, to take things in and rest.
14 January
- Morning A walk on the jiboia trail, and a bath under the waterfall.
- Afternoon Free time, to take things in and rest.
- Evening Free time, to take things in and rest.
15 January
- Morning Preparation of traditional medicines.
- Afternoon Free time.
- Evening A gathering on the village square.
16 January
- Day Traditional games: spear games, archery, tug of war, football and caxim.
17 January
- Day Artistic and cultural work with straw, fibres, lianas, wood and roots.
- Evening Traditional songs and dances in the sacred maloca.
18 January
- Day An exchange and exhibition of work and objects made during the stay. A free day to rest and spend time together.
19 January
- Morning Cotton work with the women of the village.
- Afternoon Free time.
- Evening Traditional ceremony.
20 January
- Morning Collective fishing in the river.
- Afternoon Free time.
- Evening Traditional Katska Nawá Tau Pustu dances.
21 January, closing
- Day Closing of the retreat.
The activities in the village are not a programme to be followed to the letter. They may change with the local rhythm of the community and with the time of the forest.
Practical information
Arrival and departure
The stay in the village runs from 11 to 21 January 2027. Travel starts earlier, and the return to Tarauacá takes place after leaving the village.
- 8 January: arrive in Rio Branco by the morning at the latest, to take transport to Tarauacá (bus, minibus or Uber). You should arrive in Tarauacá by the evening of 8 January at the latest, so you can rest. The trip from Rio Branco to Tarauacá takes about ten hours. This timing is provisional and may change with the condition of the road.
- 9 January: boarding the boat.
- 11 January: arrival at the village expected in the early evening.
- 21 January: departure from the village. Arrival in Tarauacá expected on 23 January.
Boat travel times are approximate. They can vary with the weather and the flow of the Humaitá river.
Flights to Rio Branco, the transfer between Rio Branco airport and Tarauacá, meals in Rio Branco and Tarauacá, and accommodation outside the village are not included.
Details of the transport options between Rio Branco and Tarauacá are given after booking, or on WhatsApp.
Accommodation
Nights in the village are spent in cabins and large collective huts reserved for visitors. You need to bring a new hammock and mosquito net, or a camping tent. Nights can be cool, so also bring a blanket, warmer clothes and a sleeping bag.
Meals
The meals the village offers visitors are simple. They are generally made of manioc, corn, green bananas, flour, game and fish. Whether there is fish depends on the weather.
As a complement, it is suggested that you bring dried fruit, toast, nuts, sardines, tuna, or other food if you have particular preferences, or if you are concerned about adapting to the local cooking.
Bathing
Baths are generally taken in the river and are often collective. You wear a swimsuit (one-piece suits, bikinis with a T-shirt, and swim shorts). Prefer biodegradable soaps, shampoos and products.
What is included
- Ten days of retreat in the village.
- The traditional ceremonies.
- The other planned activities, including the preparation of traditional medicines, the weaving workshop, the traditional bath, and the activities described in the programme.
- Collective accommodation in the village.
- Translation by Marc, day and night.
What is not included
- Flights for an arrival in Rio Branco (Acre).
- Meals in Rio Branco and Tarauacá.
- Crafts and personal purchases.
- The transfer between Rio Branco airport and Tarauacá.
- Accommodation outside the village.
- Travel or health insurance.
What to bring
- Light clothes for daily use, at night, on walks and for swimming in the river. For better protection from the sun and insects, bring long-sleeved shirts and light trousers.
- Swimwear (one-piece suits, bikinis and swim shorts).
- Shoes: flip-flops and forest hiking shoes.
- A hat, a raincoat and sunglasses.
- A camping tent, for more privacy.
- A new hammock and mosquito net, or the tent mentioned above.
- A blanket or sleeping bag.
- A rechargeable torch.
- Insect repellent and sun cream.
- Your personal medication.
- A waterproof bag for documents and electronic devices.
- A hiking backpack for the excursions.
- A plate or bowl, cutlery and a cup, preferably plastic.
- A small water bottle with a filter.
- A sarong and a towel.
- A beach or camping chair, for more comfort.
A collection of donated materials and tools for the craft activities is being organised. Let me know if you would like to take part.
Documents requested when you register
- A waiver.
- A copy of a civil identity document with a photo (identity card or passport).
- A copy of the vaccination record showing yellow fever vaccination.
Health recommendations
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Indigenous territories. Get vaccinated at least fifteen days before you arrive. Proof may be requested.
This retreat takes place in Acre, in a region of the Amazon considered a malaria risk area. If you plan to travel around Brazil before or after the retreat, a preventive treatment can be relevant. This is your decision.
The retreat takes place in a remote place, with limited access to medical care. If needed, I organise help on site, transport to the nearest medical facility, and I help with the logistics of evacuation. Travel and health insurance are strongly recommended.
Health contraindications are assessed through the questionnaire and the one-to-one conversation, before booking. No traditional medicine is mandatory. You can take part in the retreat even if a health condition prevents you from joining certain activities.
Health questionnaire
Before booking, you receive a health pre-questionnaire, then you have a one-to-one conversation with me. This is to check that you are fit to take part, before any deposit is paid. The questionnaire is not filled in on this page.
Precautions
This retreat takes place in a living village, in a remote place. It asks for respect toward the community that hosts you, toward the forest, and toward the rhythm of the place.
The logistics of transport, food and accommodation are planned carefully, to limit setbacks. Unforeseen events can still happen. We will be at the mercy of the rhythms of the forest.
The activities described above may change with the local rhythm of the community and with the time of the forest.
Baths in the river are often collective.
Price and booking
Price: $1,850 per person, flights not included.
What is included, and what is not, is listed above, in the practical information.
To book, we start with a discovery call, then the health questionnaire and the one-to-one conversation, then the deposit. There is no booking form on this page.
A 20-minute call to talk about the retreat and see if it is right for you.