Phoenix Trips
The Phoenix trip is not a holiday you come back from with just a tan and a few photos. It is a three-week journey into the heart of the Amazon jungle — and into yourself. All with the support of an experienced guide. The trip is meant for those who feel they need a change, a return to themselves, and a transformative experience that doesn't end when they fly back home.
„We have been working with the healing power of the Amazon since 2016. In practice, we have seen the incredible transformation people undergo. All it takes is to listen to your soul and allow your body — physical, emotional, mental and energetic — to draw from the rainforest.“
When you will appreciate the trip the most
Everyday stress, a demanding pace of work and constant pressure to perform pull us away from what truly matters in life. And caught in the whirl, we often forget how we actually wanted to live our lives. Sooner or later, the body or the soul speaks up.
How do you know it's time for the Phoenix trip?
you are exhausted, losing motivation, and want to rediscover the meaning of what you do
you need relief from stress and feel the time is ripe for a change
you want to grow and expand your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual capacity
you feel something is missing in your life — you are looking for direction, inspiration, a deeper connection
you long to step out of all your roles for a while and experience a sense of true freedom
What you will experience in the jungle
The Phoenix programme draws on the traditions of South America's indigenous peoples and on the wisdom of the jungle and the mountains. It combines proven techniques for working with the body, mind and emotions to create space for inner transformation. Without pressure or any need to “perform”.
you will quiet your mind and create space for intuition and your own inner voice
you will step out of your comfort zone and experience the healing power of the jungle within a safe framework
you will begin to perceive what is happening within you on the level of body, emotions, mind and soul
you will gain a new perspective on your life and concrete steps for what to do with it after you return
you will move closer to inner balance through a process whose pace you set yourself
Do you need a restart, or just a break?
A short questionnaire will help you find out whether the Phoenix trip is exactly what you need right now. Answer honestly — we will send the result to your e-mail.
Otázka 1 / 15
I feel that joy is fading from my life.
The four phases of the trip
Phase 1
Letting goIn a safe environment, you gradually grow quiet and disconnect from the noise of everyday life.
Simple exercises help you free your head from the constant stream of thoughts and tension. You begin to tune in to yourself, your body, emotions and intuition. Part of this phase is journalling: writing down dreams, feelings, realisations — what you are missing and what you no longer want to carry.
Phase 2
ObservationYou look at yourself from the position of an observer.
The exercises in this phase guide you to perceive the individual layers of your experience — the physical body, emotions, thoughts, energy. Connections begin to emerge that often escape us in everyday mode.
Phase 3
BecomingYou enter different states of perceiving reality.
Gently, without psychedelics or demanding breathing techniques. A space opens for a deeper perception of yourself: you begin to recognise needs that have long been suppressed and wishes you had pushed aside. With the guide's support, you symbolically enter the “chambers of old contracts” (beliefs, roles, expectations) and explore which of them you want to keep living — and which you no longer do.
Phase 4
Self-sufficiencyThe final phase is about anchoring.
You look for ways to care for yourself after your return, how not to get ground down by the pace, and how to stay connected to yourself in everyday life. You will get to know self-healing practices and creative techniques such as art therapy, playful singing and relaxing movement.
The techniques and exercises we use
- yoga
- qigong
- meditation
- conscious breathwork
- art therapy
- sharing circles
- vision work
- time in silence
- fasting (at varying intensity, according to individual capacity)
- conscious energy work
- prioritising and reviewing your life areas
- …and other techniques chosen according to the needs of each group
What should I take with me?
If we had to share one piece of advice with explorers, it would be to keep an open mind and a sense of adventure. The second piece of advice would be to pack light.
How safe is Ecuador?
Ecuador is relatively safe, by the standards of any poor country.
What will we eat during the expedition?
During the expedition, we encourage our explorers to perhaps reflect on their usual approach to life. This also includes the food we eat.
Physical difficulty
🌿🌿Expect walking in the terrain and physical exercise in “jungle” conditions. Be prepared for higher humidity and alternating heat and cold. A normally active person will manage just fine, though.
Mental difficulty
🌿🌿🌿Phoenix works in depth. You confront yourself, your own experience, emotions and inner processes. All in a safe environment, with the support of the guide and the group.
It is an intensive, guided programme combining work in the jungle, inner processes, accompaniment and individual support.
3300 USD
The price includes:
full board
accommodation
transport within Ecuador during the trip
the cost of excursions (visiting a Shuar community, cave expeditions, etc.)
all workshops, exercises and processes, including materials
The price does not include:
your flights or transport to Ecuador
transport between your arrival airport and Gualaquiza
travel insurance
Flights
Participants buy their own flight tickets, but we are happy to advise you on choosing dates and connections. Prague → Guayaquil tickets usually start at around CZK 15,500, depending on the season. Flying to Quito is also an option, but it tends to be somewhat more expensive, with a longer journey south.
After arrival
From Guayaquil airport it is easy to take a taxi to the bus terminal. From there you can continue either to Cuenca (we recommend staying overnight at Hotel Orquídea, where our coordinator will pick you up) or go straight to Gualaquiza and stay overnight at the El Paraíso hostel.
Tip: A long journey from the airport is normal — the Amazon begins far from the cities. We are happy to help you with planning; just drop us a line.
Frequently asked questions
Travelling around Ecuador calls for a certain degree of caution, but mainly in the big cities. It always depends on the current political situation, which we monitor continuously. For most of the stay, however, we will be in the safe base of our eco-station El Refugio and working with local communities. An experienced coordinator is present on every expedition, taking care of your safety, navigation in the field and handling any situations that may arise.
If you stay within the area of our expedition and travel according to our instructions, you do not need any vaccinations. If you plan to explore other parts of Ecuador, consider vaccinations as recommended by a travel vaccination centre.
The Amazon is home to many fascinating species. During the stay we will teach you how to move around the environment safely. The animals are naturally shy and avoid people. Insects are a normal part of life in the jungle — we use natural repellents and preventive measures.
A basic level of fitness is an advantage, but not a requirement. You can expect walking over terrain, working with tools and life in the jungle — nothing an ordinarily active person couldn't handle. We lead each group at a pace that matches its abilities.
You will fly into Guayaquil. From there you will take a bus to Cuenca (the recommended option), where our coordinator will pick you up, and together you will continue to Gualaquiza and the eco-station. We will help you plan the route and recommend reliable connections.
No. There is a multilingual team on site and you can get by in English as well. Spanish is a nice advantage, but by no means a requirement.
Yes — most participants come on their own. The group bonds quickly and friendships for life are often formed here. We send you all the practical information before departure and are happy to answer anything else you need.
Besides an open mind, we have a few recommendations. Nothing is mandatory and most items can be bought in town.
- Sleeping bag (comfort temperature 0 °C or lower)
- Headlamp / torch
- Reusable water bottle
- Earplugs
- Towel
- Adapter (US-type sockets)
- Eco-friendly toiletries
- Natural repellent (DEET-free — not available for purchase locally)
- Personal medication (we recommend antihistamines, something for insect bites, stomach issues…)
- Vitamin B12 and supplements, if you take them
- Power bank
- Waterproof bags / dry bag
- Small backpack for day trips
- Clothing preferably in natural colours that doesn't attract the animals' attention
- Lightweight hiking trousers
- Short- and long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts
- Warm layers (hoodie, poncho, jacket) — at an altitude of 1,700 m the nights can be cooler
- Thermal underwear
- Swimwear
- Scarf or hat
- Several pairs of hiking socks
- Comfortable shoes or sandals
- Rubber boots (available at the station or can be bought in town)
- Sturdy raincoat
At the eco-station we cook for ourselves most of the time. We eat a mostly plant-based diet with vegetarian options available. On trips to town we eat in local restaurants, where typical local dishes are widely available (rice, fish, beans, vegetables, plantains…).
We recommend bringing vitamin supplements (especially B12) and your favourite energy bars or snacks.
Hesitating?
We understand. The Phoenix trip can be a big step — perhaps even a life-changing one. We would be happy to get in touch and find out together whether it is the right choice for you right now.
Write to us
Schedule a call with the trip guide
For the Phoenix trip we do not hold public info sessions. Instead, you can schedule a short, no-obligation call with the trip guide right away — together you will find out whether Phoenix is exactly what you need right now.
Schedule a callPractical tips before departure
- Pack light — most things can be bought in town.
- The rainforest is humid — dry bags are your best friends.
- Temperatures can change quickly (by as much as 10–15 °C). Ecuador has many microclimates — be prepared for both heat and cold.
- A mosquito net is not necessary.
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