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In the Amazon Rainforest :

Cesar Agustin Rivas, (Viejo)

Cesar Agustin Rivas, also known as Viejo, is the son of don Agustin Rivas Vasquez, the famous Amazon Ayahuascuero and renowned former sculptor. Viejo has been trained in the traditions of Amazonian shamanism since he was very young, and now carries on this shamanic work, contributing to the reputation of the Rivas name throughout South America and Europe. In addition to his work in the Amazon, he spends several weeks a year abroad, where he is hosted for teaching engagements and healing work.

Viejos jungle camp, Supaychakra, is located on the outskirts of the village of Tamshiyacu, on the banks of the Amazon River, just upstream from Iquitos, Peru’. Tamshiyacu is the birthplace of his father, don Agustin, who maintains a camp nearby.

There have been many articles and websites featuring Viejo over the years, but in person he is humble, compassionate and of such good humor that you would hardly suspect he is held in such high esteem by so many people.

In addition to studying under his father, Viejo has also worked with and learned from don Ramon Sanchez Rojas, as well as natives of Brazil and Canada. He also maintains close contact with the Shipibo natives of the region. Viejos philosophy is to focus on empowering the self confidence of the individual and to help them release their own dormant self-healing potential.

I have know Viejo since my first days in Peru, as I began learning under his father. We became fast friends and over time became quite close. It is always a great pleasure to visit and work with him and it is my hope to continue to do so as long as I am able. I look forward to each visit like coming home to see a brother.

Andrea Marques, (Nina Caspi)

Nina Caspi is a shaman and healer from Cordoba, Argentina, whom I first met in Iquitos in the company of Viejo. She assists Viejo during the ceremonies of our groups held in Supay Chakra. There, she has always demonstrated herself an accomplished Ayahuascuero in her own right, joining her beautiful voice with Viejos, singing icaros and spirit songs in support of the ceremony.

Long attracted to spirituality and healing, her path has led her to training and working with many teachers and in many disciplines over the years, including Rieki, psychology, yoga, massage and shamanism.

Hearing that Viejo would be visiting Argentina to join in a ceremony there, she took the opportunity to meet one of the famous Rivas shamans and the connection they made was instant and enduring. She now spends much of her time assisting Viejo in his work. She also continues to work independently, as well as supporting the work of other South American healers. Her website is NinaCaspi.com where you can read more about her life and her work.

Our Amazon Translator, Daniel Fricke

Daniel first joined our team in November of 2022 when he proved himself invaluable with his easy command of Spanish and English in addition to his native German. What was most valuable to us though was his warm personality and his deep familiarity with the work we do in the jungle.

Since Daniel was a child, he had a powerful connection with spirits and plants. After finishing his degree work at the University of Bayreuth, he first visited Peru in 2015, deciding to take the plunge and move there in 2018. That’s when he began his spiritual path in earnest, taking on the training of a curendero with don Agustin, dona Marlene and Viejo among others. He regularly enters a dieta with his teaching plants and walks the walk of a healer.

Since beginning his training, Daniel has generously shared his knowledge with others and acted as a guide and curendero himself, adding his music and voice to ceremonies, all the while translating between three languages.

We are delighted that he has joined Shamanic Voyages for our important work there, and look forward to doing so in the future!

In the Sacred Valley of Peru’ :

Lilia Paz Astete (our Andes translator)

Whether in the Andes or in the jungle, our South American experience wouldn’t be the same without Lilia Paz Astete. Not only does she speak English, Spanish and Quechua, but her warm gentle presence makes her a welcome part of every group.

Lilia is an officially authorized guide in Peru and has a thorough knowledge of the culture and history of her people. Over the course of our last several visits, she has made herself indispensable.

Lilia was introduced to me through Rosa Zanetti of Pascana Travel, (see below), in 2017 when I needed a translator on a scouting trip. As a native of Cusco, she was able to help me to decide on the sights to include on the Andes trips that Shamanic Voyages now offers and continues to be a valuable consultant.

In 2020, Lilia joined us for our Amazon adventures, where she expanded her personal knowledge of Peruvian shamanism by experiencing first hand the diversity of the shamanic traditions of her country, making her an even more important asset to Shamanic Voyages.

Carlos Anabel Candia Muriel

Don Carlos is an Altomisayac, or High Lineage Healer in the Andean tradition. He has authored a great deal of work on Inka social history and is active in the affairs of his beloved home of Cusco. He studied Philosophy and Psychology at the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, and has served as a Researcher, or Investagador at the Centro de Estudios Cusquenos Ayni.

Don Carlos is a learned and gentle soul, who has a very deep knowledge of the history of his home and people and an equally deep curiosity about the spiritual practices of other cultures. It has been a great pleasure to come to know him over the past few years, and I look forward to working together with him into the future.

Monica Paredes Flores

Monica is the student and niece of don Carlos. Born in Cusco, Monica studied Psychology and lived for many years in Spain before returning home to Cusco, where she opened her own Psychotherapy practice before beginning her formal mentorship with don Carlos.

Often referring to don Carlos as her “second father”, she now seamlessly assists him during his dispacho ceremonies and shares his interest in the spiritual practices of others. She also operates a small shop that offers herbs and notions for ceremonies.

Monica is a very pleasant person with a good sense of humor that blends nicely with her earnest spirituality.

Patabamba

Our friend Raul grew up in this quiet mountain village located at almost 4000 meters, (13000 ft), above sea level. After attending school in the city where he learned about the tourism trade, Raul decided to see how Rural Tourism might benefit his old home. By maintaining a delicate balance between economic opportunity and maintaining the traditional ways of their people, the village of Patabamba has become a jewel in the mountains.

I have become very fond of the people of this village over the years. They have their hands in the Earth every day and live according to the cycles of the seasons. The men practice agriculture with the tools and according to the traditions of their ancestors. The women are skilled weavers, using the plants, animals and minerals found near their home to craft the most beautiful and colorful textiles. They open their hearts and homes to our groups when we visit and I always look forward to seeing them again. Please read more about Patabamba in our ‘Past Trips’ section.

In the Lake Titicaca Region :

Hermogenes Romero Sanchez

Don Hermogenes, or Hermo as he prefers to be called, is our host, shaman and guide when we visit the Lake Titicaca region. A native of Puno, he knows the traditions and lay of the land on both the Peruvian and Bolivian sides of the lake. Hermo is a soft spoken man with a deep sensitivity for the sacred and extensive knowledge of the Inka and pre-Inka sacred sites on and around Lake Titicaca.

Hermo operates Andean Lake Travels, and posts some great photos of the groups he travels with on Facebook under that name. When we travel with Hermo, we always ask for his wife Berta to accompany us, partly because she speaks English, but mostly because she is such a pleasure to have along, and because they work so well together.

When traveling with Hermo and Berta, the days are full of ceremony, as they take us from site to site to honor the spirits of each place we visit. Their familiarity with the area makes them excellent traveling companions.

Juan Carlos Santander

Juan Carlos is an official Bolivian Guide, and I couldn’t imagine a more cheerful and knowledgeable one than he for our Bolivian travels. His English skills are excellent, as is his ability to explain the historical significance of each site we visit and the imagery we find there.

A native of Copacabana, Bolivia, Juan Carlos was raised listening to the stories and legends of the origins of the first Inka. Though his professional training is in the tourist industry, he is very at home with those whose interest is more aligned with the history and spiritual traditions of his ancestors.

Whether in Copacabana, or out among the islands, it seems that everyone knows and likes Juan Carlos, and why not? He is one of the most open friendly people you will want to meet. Not to mention a great asset to have with you when in Bolivia.

Behind the scenes:

     For our South American destinations, we are greatly indebted to Rosa Vasquez Zanetti and her business, 'Pascana Amazon Services. 
      I met Rosa during my first trip to the Amazon. She served as interpreter during that trip and in no time at all was considered one of the group. We continued our friendship over the years and I still consider her vital to the Shamanic Voyages family.

     Rosas’ family  has been working in tourism for over 30 years, first as Travel Agents in Lima, then eventually moving the family business to Iquitos where they purchased a modest Hostal, called 'Hospedaje La Pascana'.  From there, they operated their travel business and welcomed visitors to Iquitos, including our group.

     Over time, Rosa assumed management of Pascana Amazon Services and began organizing specialized events and travel programs including Canoeing and Motorbike competitions, working with Traditional Medicine Groups, (including don Agustines’), working in partnership with native communities, and working in support of Environmental Conservation Education and Family Health in the communities of the Peruvial Amazon Rainforest.

     Today, Rosa operates her business as a 'Travel Virtual Assistant' from Lima again, but retains close contact with her partners and colleagues throughout Peru. She continues to be invaluable to Shamanic Voyages arranging itineraries, lodging, meals, interpreters and by making introductions to some wonderful people. We count on her for both our Amazon and Andes travel, throughout Peru and Bolivia.

    I consider Rosa a dear friend and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a valuable resource for your individual travel needs when in Peru! You can find her at:

https://pascanaamazonservices.negocio.site/ or https://www.facebook.com/pascanaamazonservices/

In Mongolia and Sami Land

For our Mongolian tours and our planned visit to Northern Sweden to visit the Sami people, Chimegmaa, or Meg, Orsoo of Orso Voyage has provided us with everything we need for an unforgettable experience!

Her staff are the best and she has contacts across the region that provide assistance and wonderful places to stay. Though Orso Voyage caters mostly to a French clientele, English interpreters are also provided.

Their website is in French, but even if you can’t read the text, there are some wonderful photos at www.mongolie-voyage.org

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