Fall Peru Trip Herbal Medicine of the Andes

In the land of mystic cultures and ancient traditions, it isn’t surprising to discover that the shamanic healing arts are thriving in Peru. Today, Curanderos (Spanish for “curers”) can be found in almost every small mountain or jungle community, practicing physical and spiritual healing based on knowledge which has been passed down from master to apprentice over millennia.

On this ten-day journey through Peru, we will be living and working in diverse communities with local Curanderos, shamans and traditional healers. The people of the Peruvian Andes and Amazon have become sophisticated chemists by necessity, utilizing plants for every aspect of their lives. Often, the entire knowledge of the tribe resides in the mind of the shaman (the tribe’s doctor and spiritual healer) who also serves as this generation’s link in a long cultural chain that stretches back into pre-history.

This extraordinary journey will take you to the stunning mountain village of Chinchero, as well as the bountiful green jungles of the Southern Amazon. Homestays with families who keep traditional medicine alive will augment the hands-on education facilitated by this trip. Local shamans will serve as daily instructors, teaching the language of health in Peruvian terms. Unlike Western medicine, traditional healers seek to cure the source of illness, not merely the symptoms, requiring a much more intimate and spiritual relation between healer and patient. The five senses guide a Shaman’s intuition into diagnosis, then into choosing a manner of treatment. Observations of the daily workings of the Shaman with his patients will enlighten the mind and inspire the senses. Herb walks will teach you the names and uses of native plants, and how to utilize them as effective treatments. You will have the opportunity to create your own tinctures, potions and serums as the shamans reveal their ancient healing properties.

The cost of the Peru Program is $2625 which includes: all in country transportation (including 3 flights), private vans and train to MP, all meals where listed in itinerary, all accommodations in 3 star guesthouses and homestays, all activities listed in the itinerary, all local guides and translators, one Crooked Trails facilitator to accompany the group. The cost does not include: international flights, international departure taxes ($32.25 per person), and personal items such as internet, laundry and phone calls.

The program is run by Crooked Trails, a non-profit community-based travel organization helping people broaden their understanding of the planet and its diverse cultures through education, community development and responsible travel. Crooked Trails is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization and a portion of your program fees goes to help the villages that you are visiting.

For more info, you can contact ACTCM student, Robin Anderson at robinanderson@students.actcm.edu or www.crookedtrails.com.


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About American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine since 1980. In addition to its graduate curriculum, ACTCM offers continuing education, public education, community outreach and clinical services in acupuncture and herbal medicine. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.