admin - Cordillera Escalera

We have already wrote about the reptiles and fish of the Amazon. This time it was the turn of the feathered inhabitants of the selva. Recently, our guests said that at dawn they went out for a walk through the territory of our Ecolodge and saw on a tree a very beautiful fiery red bird with black wings and a tail. They were delighted and amazed at its bright color and unusual tuft shape, which resembled a large disc! What a miracle was it?

«The Golden Cockerel» of the Amazonian Jungle

Nature has awarded the male Gallito de Las Rocas with a bright color and an unusual tuft in the form of a large disc.

Our guests were lucky enough to see a very rare species of birds – Gallito de Las Rocas (Lat. Rupicola peruvianus) from the Cotingidae family. It was for the first time described by the famous German traveler and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). Together with his French colleague Bonpland, he explored the flora and fauna of Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, Mexico… By the way, it is interesting that in 1829 Humboldt, at the invitation of the Russian government and at his expense, made a trip to the Urals and Siberia to explore the local ore deposits…

Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland exploring the Amazonian jungle.

In fact, Gallito de Las Rocas (or Andean cock-of-the-rock) was known in the pre-Columbian era, before the Spanish colonization. Images of this bird are found on ancient pottery from various South American cultures. Due to its bright red plumage, Gallito de Las Rocas was declared the National Bird of Peru by presidential decree in 1941, during the reign of Manuel Prado y Ugarteche (1889-1967)! By the way, this president is also known for starting the nationalization of the oil industry, as well as under him, as a result of the 1941-1942 war between Peru and Ecuador, the first country gained control of about 200,000 square km of the Amazonian selva. The conflict escalated in 1981 and 1995, until in 1998 Ecuador finally recognized the transfer of disputed territories to Peru.

Map of the living area of the Andean cock-of-the-rock in South America.

A striking feature of the Andean cock-of-the-rock is the so-called sexual dimorphism. Nature has awarded the males with a bright color, including the mentioned tuft, while the females of this species, as a rule, are inconspicuous and painted in gray-brown shades. The mating season is in the spring months – October-November. At this time, males gather in special glades hidden in the thickets of the upper Amazon jungle. Mating competitions can include up to 50 males and last for several days.

Females of the Rupicola peruvianus species are usually nondescript and tinted gray-brown.

At this time, the competitors dance and sing, dissolve their beautiful plumage, trying to charm the female, which sits imperceptibly in the bushes. At such a moment, males are at great risk: they demonstrate themselves with their singing and can become easy prey for predators such as hawks, snakes, ferrets and coais. The female chooses the male, who, ignoring the danger, comes to the competition and performs a bright dance and sings loudly. Alas, not all males reach the final of the competition. And then a «happy family» is not formed: after mating, the female alone builds a nest of clay in a protected place on a rock or in a small cave and incubates eggs.

Because of its bright red plumage, Gallito da Las Rocas has been declared the National Bird of Peru!

The beauty of the Andean cock-of-the-rock not only helps birds in mating games, but also became the reason for this species becoming in great demand among exotic lovers all over the world. The demand for this bird is so high that the price per bird on the black market ranges from $ 5,000 to $ 7,000. On the other hand, representatives of Gallito da Las Rocas are spread over a total area of 260,000 square km in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and are not considered endangered. The Andean cock-of-the-rock usually lives at an altitude of 500-2500 m above sea level, preferring wooded streams and rivers or gorges.

Gallito de Las Rocas is just one of the rare and exotic bird species. In fact, the Peruvian Amazon is home to a huge number of unique bird species. Among them are huge, mysterious Harpies (Lat. Harpia harpia), and miniature hummingbirds, and a huge variety of parrots, storks, owls, and even one of the most ancient species of birds – Hoazins, or Shansho (Lat. Opisthocomus hoazin).

The Hoazin (or Shansho, as it is called in the Amazon) is one of the most ancient birds on Earth.

By diversity of birds Peru is ranked third in the world. There are 1,858 species in the country, of which 100 are endemic. Geographical location, climatic conditions, special evolutionary factors – all this makes Peru the best place for bird watching. Moreover, 70% of the biological diversity of the entire planet is concentrated in this country.

The South American Harpia is a large hawk that lives in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Ecolodge Cordillera Escalera is located at the foot of the mountain range of the same name. The unique geographical and climatic conditions allow our guests to fully enjoy the acquaintance with the magical world of the jungle! We are waiting for you in our Amazon!

Rare birds of Peru can be seen without even leaving the territory of the Ecolodge Cordillera Escalera.

PS. Talking about birds in Peru, it is unforgivable to say nothing about a person who has devoted his whole life to studying and saving birds. Jose Antonio Otero is the owner of the largest bird zoo in Peru, El Huayco, and the founder and partner of the CORBIDI Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity. Since January 27, 2007, this national scientific institution is keeping the most complete catalog of birds in Peru. At the zoo, birdwatchers and veterinary students from all over the world practice and conduct scientific research. Ecolodge Cordillera Escalera is very proud of its friendship with Jose Antonio. It was he who helped us acquire a pair of Indian peacocks for our friendly Ecolodge UNI RAO. They successfully gave birth to offspring, and recently a couple of beautiful peacocks arrived from Pucallpa – the descendants of the birds purchased from Jose.

Dear guests!

Finally, with great joy and an open heart, we announce: Peruvian selva is opened after lockdown and is waiting for you!!! COVID-19 infection rates in the Amazon and in general in Peru have dropped significantly! Mass vaccination against coronavirus is in full swing! Since mid-March 2021, the previously mandatory 2-week quarantine upon arrival has been abolished for foreign tourists! Since the beginning of June, air routes have opened through Spain, France, the Netherlands, the USA and Mexico!

Welcome to the Amazon! International flights to Peru are resumed

We understand that in our difficult times everyone fought and survived as best they could: isolation, quarantine, the Iron Curtain… Our Ecolodge was no exception, we also went through all this. During the lockdown, we gained strength and now, completely renewed, are ready to welcome you, our dear guests! We are open again and have already managed to receive visitors from Russia, Europe and the USA!

After a long period of lockdown, what could be better than relaxing in the fresh air in the middle of a real tropical jungle? Amazonian Natural Medicine offers a variety of remedies to INCREASE IMMUNITY and prevent coronavirus! And local organic products will enhance the positive effect!

Peruvian selva is waiting for you! With her invaluable and generous gifts, we will help you forget about stress and fatigue!
We are waiting for you in our Ecolodge!

With respect,
Administration of Ecolodge “Cordillera Escalera”.

PS. Please pay attention!
Foreign guests, regardless of their nationality, must still provide a negative PCR test for coronavirus upon arrival in Peru, which must be done no earlier than 72 hours before departure. You also need to fill out a special online form in advance on the website about your health status (in English or Spanish). Upon arrival, you will need to show the corresponding QR code. Passengers bound for Peru should also download the Pre-Register of Migratory Control (Pre Registro de Control Migratorio Virtual) app within 48 hours of departure. Citizens of Brazil, South Africa and India cannot enter Peru until July 11, 2021.

In previous news, we have already mentioned that we planned to open a bar on the terrace at the Museum of Ayahuasca, which is being created on the territory of our Ecolodge. Despite the difficulties associated with the quarantine, we have almost finished the work on its registration. The opening of this small but cozy place called “Taste of Peru” is planned for the near future.

How not to rip your pants?

Peruvian selva is famous for its infusions (or liqueurs) on medicinal plants based on sugarcane moonshine. Our bar will present the products of the best regional producers, both the liqueurs themselves and the original snacks. There are a large number of original recipes for liqueurs and cocktails based on them, which, according to local residents, get rid of any diseases and problems and help to raise everything that should be at its best. And first of all – the mood! Only the listing of the titles of these wonderful drinks is guaranteed to raise the level of positiveness.

For example, RC liqueur (Spanish Rompe Calzon – “Ripping pants”) owes its name to a composition of aphrodisiacs and blood-dispersing plants such as Chuchuhuasi, Fiero Caspi, Cumaseba, Clavo Huasca. The most experienced producers add the penis bone of the local animal Achuni to the drink to give even more magical power. Drinking such a tincture in its pure form, you risk at least your pants (local joke, nothing superfluous). 😊 But there are also more “gentle options” of use, for example, in the form of cocktails. Perhaps the most popular RC cocktail is Almost Virgin.

Another good example of the Amazonian tinctures with an easy to remember name is “7 Roots” (Spanish 7 Raices). It is made from the roots and juices of 7 plants, the composition of which varies depending on the manufacturer. Classic composition: Uña de Gato, Murare, Icoja, Chuchuhuasi, Fiero Caspi, Sangre de Grado and Cumaseba. This healing potion, according to local curanderos-“natural healers”, should be taken after waking up and before going to bed, so that life is filled with health and joy. Well, if you wanted to combine business with pleasure, then a light cocktail called “Selva Libre” was invented on the basis of this medicinal tincture. Drink and be free!

Among the special Amazonian tinctures, which are called here “macerados”, there are quite exotic options: for example, on the Suri palm caterpillars and on the Mamaco ants. And if you’re lucky, you can find unique tinctures on snakes, turtles and caimans! They say that they give strength not only in love pleasures, but also in work and study. The main thing is not to be afraid to try!

We don`t drink, but we are healed…

Let’s take a closer look at some of the Peruvian “specialties”. They really are not only alcoholic drinks and aphrodisiacs, but also medicinal agents. Liqueurs Siete Raíces (“Seven Roots”), R.C. – Rompe Calzón (or Raíces Completas), Para-Para, Levántate Lázaro (Risen Lazarus), Chuchuhuasi (natural Viagra), Uña de Gato (Cat’s claw), Uvachado, Kiruma, Aguaje serve as aphrodisiacs for both men and women.

R.C. (alcohol content – 22%) is used to obtain sexual arousal and as a measure against frigidity and infertility by stimulating the central nervous system. In traditional medicine, liqueur is used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, an antidepressant and an immune system modulator. Helps women with menstrual cramps and uterine bleeding.

Chuchuhuasi (28%) increases libido and sexual satisfaction, as well as the strength of the reproductive organs. Helps against female frigidity and improves the hormonal system by regulating the menstrual cycle. Stimulates the functioning of the nervous and immune systems. It is also used to relieve abdominal pain, relax muscles, treat arthritis and rheumatism, prevent high blood pressure, malaria, pneumonia, etc.

7 Raices (36%) helps to increase the duration of intercourse, is used as a remedy against premature ejaculation and impotence.

Uña de Gato (38%) helps to strengthen the immune system, is used in folk medicine as a remedy for back pain, to cleanse the gastric tract and to prevent cancer. Tribes such as Ashaninca have used it from time immemorial to treat dysentery, restore the hormonal balance of the female body after childbirth.

Welcome to our bar!

In general, in Tarapoto, cocktails based on tinctures on edible Suri caterpillars and giant Mamaco ants are very popular, since it is believed that eating Suri is good for the health of the bronchi, and Mamakos are rich in vitamins and calcium. Although more common alcoholic drinks based on passionfruit, grapes, camu-camu berries, aguaje fruit, cocoa, coconut and coffee are also common. The alcohol content in local liqueurs starts at around 13% volume. Aphrodisiac liqueurs are usually infused with traditional ingredients for a long time during the preparation process. All components are of natural origin. Most drinks are based on condensed milk, fruit pulp and brandy (moonshine aged in barrels made from valuable Amazon wood). Local honey is often added.

As many of the local liqueurs and cocktails are designed to stimulate love desires, and in all corners of the globe since ancient times, the phallus has served as a symbol of fertility, we decided to decorate our bar accordingly. Indeed, in Peru, images of the phallus are present in the form of ceramic vessels and wooden objects both in pre-Columbian civilizations and in the colonial period. At our bar there will be a small but memorable exposition, for which we have collected “symbols” from all over the world. So, at the entrance, guests are greeted by a statue of Chuyachaki, an Amazonian goblin, a “brother” of a satyr from European mythology, about which we have already written in detail.

The Amazon is a unique place where you can find solutions to many questions and problems. The most important thing is to trust nature and try to get closer to it. Our bar is a place that continues the theme of the Museum of Ayahuasca and Medicinal Plants, where we would like to show and tell our guests about the unique culture of the Amazon, based primarily on an understanding of nature.

Autumn in the Amazonian selva is not only the time of a decrease in precipitation and a drop in water levels in reservoirs, but also the breeding season for reptiles and fish. Taking advantage of the moment, the staff of our Ecolodge cleared from silt one of the reservoirs for breeding fry. We have agreed in advance with the Instituto de Investigacion Amazonica to purchase 250 tilapia fry. We released them into our pond, into which water comes from a mountain spring higher up the slope.

Tilapia was appreciated by the ancient Egyptians very much.

Tilapia was introduced to South America by European colonists. This is one of the most unpretentious and easy-to-breed fish (it also grows quickly under natural conditions). In fact, hundreds of species of fish in the family of Cichlidae, originally from tropical latitudes, are referred to as tilapia. Be that as it may, in the Amazon there is a very popular dish of tilapia, wrapped in bihao leaves and cooked over coals. In addition, this fish is considered an assistant in the fight against Dengue fever, which is widespread in the topical regions: tilapia loves to eat the larvae of mosquitoes, which are Dengue virus carriers and multiply in water reservoirs. Another interesting feature of this fish is that the female hides eggs and even fry in her mouth from the dangers, making it impossible to eat for up to a week!

Arapaima gigas is a living fossil.

But there are in the Peruvian jungle many other prominent representatives of «water vertebrates» that deserve attention. The largest river fish in the Amazon and the second largest river fish in the world (after the Russian beluga) is paiche (lat. Arapaima gigas). This tropical freshwater ray fish grows up to 3 m in length and gains weight up to 250 kg. The uniqueness of this animal lies in the fact that it has survived to this day practically unchanged since the Miocene epoch. Proof of this are the fossils found during excavations in the Villavieja Valley in Colombia, which date back 5-23 million years. In fact, arapaima is a living fossil. In the Amazon, paiche is considered a symbol of household prosperity, so you can often find images of a fisherman carrying this huge colossus.

Miniature candiru catfish is a dangerous parasite.

One of the most dangerous and most famous among the locals is the candiru parasite fish (lat. Vandellia cirrhosa). Sometimes you can hear how parents frighten their children: «Don’t pee in the water, otherwise a candiru will get into you». And there is some truth in this horror story. According to local residents, there were cases when a miniature parasite penetrated the vagina, penis or anus to people while bathing. To gain a foothold, the candiru opens its gills with needles, after which it is almost impossible to pull it out without surgical intervention… And this is if there is a surgeon in the settlement! Because local doctors, as a rule, to save the lives of fellow tribesmen, resort to radical methods that involve cutting off some limbs to remove harmful fish from the body. Fortunately, 100% proven cases of penetration of this parasite into the human urethra are still unknown.

Manatees – «sea cows».

In addition, the Amazonian waters are home to many unique and amazing animals. Among them are pink dolphins, and mustache-striped catfish, also known as tiger pseudoplastomas (lat. Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum), and lower-mouth chain-mail catfish, similar to armored knights, also known locally as carachama (lat. Pseudorinelepis genibarbis), charming manatees (or «sea cows»), as well as a huge variety of so-called aquarium fish. Nevertheless, the most famous Amazonian fish was and remains the piranha (lat. Serrasalmus). There were about it that most of the legends, horror stories and even films have been made. This amazing inhabitant of the Amazon is the most important orderly, saving the reservoirs of South America from sick, injured or dead animals. Cases of piranha attacks on humans are quite rare and are associated either with the presence of a bleeding wound or with abnormal changes in water temperature.

Usually piranhas do not attack humans.

With the onset of the dry season (the so-called winter), the fishing season begins in the Amazon. It is in June that the water reservoirs become shallow, fish often seeks to get out of its shelters. And it is at this time that sports fishing enthusiasts come to Latin America in search of a successful bite.

Patarashka is one of the traditional Peruvian dishes that can be tasted at the «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge. It is a charcoal-grilled, spiced fish wrapped in bihao leaves and served with boiled or fried bananas.

Returning to the beginning of this post, the staff of the «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge have already released the first trial batch of tilapia fry into our natural reservoir. If everything goes well, then, having trained on an unpretentious fish, we will continue the experiment and deal with larger species, namely the paiche. Already, work is underway to prepare a large reservoir called «Lago Lindo» for breeding the royal fish of the Amazon, which we will tell about in the following news.

(Autumn in South America is wedding time… for snakes)

April-May in the Amazon is not only the end of the autumn rainy season, but also the mating time for tropical snakes, including giant anacondas. So a rather large snake has recently crawled to the territory of «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge. It’s time to remember which reptiles live in the Peruvian jungle, which of them can be dangerous for humans, and what precautions are recommended to be taken.

What a wedding without rings, what a jungle without snakes...

Not so long ago, a small brown snake, painted with large white rings, crawled to the door of one of the bungalows where the guests of our Ecolodge rested. They saw her through the mosquito net, which is used to cover the front door, and immediately called the guard Lauro. With his inherent calmness, our night specialist finished smoking a cigarette with natural mapacho tobacco (its smoke scare away evil spirits), thought a little and picked up the snake.

After he took the uninvited visitor away into the jungle, he was bombarded with questions: – How often can you find snakes here? And was it a poisonous snake or not, and what is it called?.. In fact, although the jungle is a home for snakes, they are rare guests in our Ecolodge: we regularly mow the grass on our territory where reptiles can hide, and carry out fumigation (disinfection). Moreover, snakes usually do not like places inhabited by humans. The exception is the territories where mice are found, serving as food for reptiles. That is why we kindly ask all our guests not to eat in the bungalows, and even more so not to leave unsealed food products. They attract ants, which mice and frogs begin to hunt, and they in turn are the favorite food for snakes.

So what was the name of the visitor who surprised our guests? It was a non-venomous snake – a Catesby’s snail-eater (Lat. Dipsas Catesbyi) from the family of Colubridae. This is a harmless representative of the Amazonian jungle, the main food of which is tree snails – in their search the snail-eater can get into foreign territory. Interestingly, because of its bright color, this reptile is often confused with the most poisonous snake in the Amazon – the deadly coral snake (Lat. Micrurus Corallinus), which the locals call Naca Naca. This reptile has a very secret lifestyle, trying to settle away from the territories inhabited by humans, hiding in the ground or in the heaps of leaves. Naca Naca go outside mainly during the rain or the mating season. According to our staff, they were never met on the territory of our Ecolodge.

In general, many legends and superstitions are devoted to Amazonian snakes. So, one of the main magical creatures in the folklore of the Peruvian Indians is Yacumama, which means in Quechua «Mother of Water». It is believed that every river or lake has such a «Mother» and without her the reservoir will inevitably dry up. According to one of the legends, such a huge snake lived in Lake Tuytuycocha near the Lamas settlement, which protected it from poachers. But one day people decided to expel her and began to throw stones and sticks at the lake, trying to get to Yacumama. In response, she crawled out of the lake, dragging along its waters and causing a flood. After that, she went to the selva, and the water never appeared in this place again.

Also, the story of the famous Spanish conquistador and chronicler named Pedro Cieza De Leon (1518-1554) from his work «Crónicas del Perú» («Chronicles of Peru») got very popular. During the reign of the Inca Yupanqui, a detachment of warriors went on reconnaissance to the upper part of the Amazon, where they were attacked by huge snakes, which ate most of them. After that, the Inca turned to a witch with a request to defeat these snakes. The sorceress enchanted them, so that the next squad found that all the huge snakes had become sedentary and sleepy and were no more dangerous.

Also, here one cannot fail to mention the largest representative of the Amazonian poisonous snakes – the Southern American bushmaster (Lat. Lachesis Muta), which belongs to the Viper family. Locals call this reptile Shushupe – this word alone makes them turn around and causes fear. And not in vain. She can reach a length of 4 m, and her poisonous teeth are 2.5 cm. These snakes are very aggressive and never forgive those who enter their territory. It is known from the stories of local lumberjacks that Shushupe can chase an intruder until he bites him. And these reptiles crawl very quickly and, when attacked, try to bite 3-4 times in order to inject as much poison as possible. Fortunately, in our region of Tarapoto, there have been no cases of meeting with these dangerous representatives of the Amazonian jungle for a long time.

However, it should be remembered that our Ecolodge is located in the middle of the Amazonian forest. We do our best to make the guests’ stay comfortable. In the folder with living conditions, you can find information on how to act when meeting a snake and how to avoid attracting reptiles to your bungalow. Our local staff know how to deal with a variety of local fauna and have many interesting stories to tell.

For example, the legendary inhabitants of the Amazon – anacondas (Lat. Eunectes Murinus) are not poisonous, but they can bite painfully. Most of their lives they keep alone, but during the mating season (April-May) they gather in groups. Above-mentioned Pedro Cieza de Leon in his chronicles describes how the Spaniards stumbled upon a huge fat snake (apparently an anaconda) more than 6 m long in the jungle. When the conquistadors killed it, they found a whole fawn in its belly, which they fried and ate.

Important! Going to the Peruvian jungle, be sure to take a repellent with you and use it throughout the trip. In Peru, there are insects, the bites of which are not dangerous to humans, but they are unpleasant and take a long time to pass. Never touch unfamiliar animals and insects, many snakes and frogs are deadly poisonous. In case of a bite, it is necessary to remember the appearance of the animal and immediately contact the hospital or the nearest doctor.

By the way.

Recently, the Peruvian National System of Natural State Protected Areas reported that a new species of marsupial frog belonging to the genus Gastrotheca was discovered in the jungle of the Amazon. This reptile was first recorded in the «Cordillera de Colan» National Reserve in the north of the country, near the border with Ecuador. Let us recall in this regard that our Ecolodge is named after the «Cordillera Escalera» Protected Area, formed more than 15 years ago (read more here). The location of our eco-hotel on the border of this area allows guests to explore the diversity of tropical flora and fauna, taking advantage of all the benefits of civilization and the delights of comfortable accommodation.

And there is very much to study: the fauna of Peru has more than 1,850 species of birds (of which 130 are endemic), more than 1,100 species of butterflies, more than 250 species of mammals (cougars, jaguars, Andean bears, antelopes, sloths, tapirs, armadillos, monkeys, llamas, alpacas and guanacos) and of course many species of reptiles including various snakes, frogs and alligators. Our Ecolodge is located in the jungle area, where a rich tropical fauna is represented: peccaries, tapirs, antelopes, cougars, sloths, armadillos, possums, a huge number of monkeys and birds (toucans, parrots, hummingbirds). Welcome to the Amazonian selva!

In 2019, the team of the Cordillera Escalera Ecolodge translated from Spanish to Russian the book «Yo soy Ayahuasca» («I am Ayahuasca») by the famous Peruvian psychologist and shaman – Jorge Gonzalez. Many of our Ecolodge’s guests and friends know very well this specialist in traditional Peruvian medicine, Ph.D., Rector of the National University of San Martín (and they also took part in his ceremonies). Dr. Gonzales was one of the first to visit our maloca and planted near the entrance an Ayahuasca vine from his garden.

Unfortunately, due to lockdown restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have temporarily lost the opportunity to visit Peru. Therefore, our guests from abroad often ask us the question: «How is Jorge doing? ». We decided to talk to him, find out the latest news and tell you about how one of the oldest and most authoritative Peruvian curanderos lives now. After the usual greetings and discussion of the weather in Tarapoto, a interesting conversation took place.

«We have an inner doctor, and often we don't know him»

– Dr. Jorge, many people are wondering: are you currently holding ceremonies?

– Now I conduct ceremonies with Ayahuasca, but alone, without patients, since all types of gatherings are temporarily prohibited in Peru. My private office and the SONCCO WASI («House of the Heart») center are now closed.

– I don`t believe that you have stopped working! How do you spend your time during the lockdown period when it is impossible to admit patients?

– I support my Peruvian and foreign patients by phone. In addition, I conduct online conferences on topics of Amazonian traditional medicine, I talk about scientific experiments that have been carried out by the Complutense University of Madrid (Sp. Univercidad Complutense de Madrid) for several years. In their course, it was found that Ayahuasca promotes the creation of new neural connections in laboratory animals. (Amazonian shamans have known this for a long time!).

Earlier, Dr. Gonzales was contacted by the staff of the Faculty of Biology of the Complutense University of Madrid (founded in 1499 by Cardinal Cisneros) to report on the results of their research on the effects of Ayahuasca on laboratory mice and to learn about his own conclusions based on the results of many years of practice. An article about these studies was published in Translational Psychiatry. It is a scientific medical journal published by Nature Publishing Group, which also publishes materials on molecular psychiatry. NPG’s main and best-known edition is Nature, a weekly interdisciplinary scientific journal published since 1869.

I also do meditation and self-psychoanalysis, write articles on Amazonian traditional medicine, study the development of Covid-19, Dengue fever and other diseases.

– By the way, what is the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic in Peru in general and in Tarapoto in particular?

– Unfortunately, the Peruvian authorities have not made additional investments in health, education and social security since the beginning of this pandemic. The Covid-19 situation in Tarapoto is not so good, with the death toll hovering between 4 and 5 people a day.

– Jorge, now all over the world they are actively discussing the need for vaccination. What do you think about that?

– I believe that vaccination has a positive effect because it is the result of scientific research conducted many years ago. Shamanism is not against science, I think the main problem is that the commercialization of vaccines has caused a lot of competition and struggle for profit.

– Of course, it is difficult to predict when this all will end up, but still, what will you do first after the lockdown in Peru is cancelled?

– When the lockdown is over, I will return to my usual activities: caring for patients using traditional medicine, experimenting with botanical essences and group ceremonies with Ayahuasca (its effectiveness, as I have said many times, is to heal both body, mind and spirit at once). I want to finish writing a book with recipes and procedures. Of course, it would also be great to get out to Russia to present my book translated into Russian language. 🙂

– So you are planning to visit Russia to present your book?

– Yes. If everything goes well, I will go to Moscow in the summer of 2021 to present officially my book. Perhaps my son, Paris Gonzales Quinteros, will accompany me. He is a surgeon, and he understands my mission very well, so together we can tell a lot about the integration of shamanic and conventional medicine.

– Since the publication of your book «Yo soy Ayahuasca» have passed more than two years. What feedback did you get?

– I have received numerous congratulatory messages and wishes to continue practicing traditional medicine in the Amazon.

– Jorge, we have known each other for a long time, so we are very often asked: do you have a successor?

– I have several successors. For example, in the USA, these are Dr. Maximilian Erdélyi and Dr. Rene Erdélyi, who, after 36 years of study and practice, hold Ayahuasca ceremonies with me in their country. There is also a group of 12 persons from Russia who have been coming for 10 years to study at my SONCCO WASI international center. I often have online conferences with them.

Maximilian Erdélyi was born in Paris in a family of Russian immigrants (his ancestors were Hungarian nobles who converted to Orthodoxy and moved to Russia in the 18th century). When Maximilian was 6 years old, his family moved to Argentina, and after another 9 years – to the United States, where he studied at the Faculty of Biology at the University of California. Maximilian Erdélyi has been researching shamanism in South America for over 20 years, including Peru. He is the founder of the Santa Fe International Institute (USA, New Mexico) and a Doctor of Alternative Medicine. Maximilian is fluent in four European languages, including Russian.

– In conclusion, we would like to know what can you recommend to our guests and your patients in order to survive this epidemic?

– I have always recommended it and now I recommend it in the first place – to strive for a natural life. One must always remember the great words: «We are what we eat!». We have an internal doctor, and often we do not know him … Of course, we need to lead an active and positive life, take sun baths (this is vitamin D), constantly maintain the correct balance of water in the body, engage in meditation and self-psychoanalysis, combine rest and daily physical exercise.

The conversation ended on a very positive note. 🙂 We thanked Jorge for their time, wished each other good health, a speedy completion of quarantine and a world victory over the virus! And in the end, as is customary in Peru, we exchanged a phrase that set us up for further communication: – Estamos en contacto! («In touch!»).

In one of our news, we talked about strong winds blowing in December, when many trees fell on the territory of the Cordillera Escalera Ecolodge. The rainy season has arrived and it’s time to restore the balance! Since February of this year, our Ecolodge`s staff have begun planting valuable Quinilla trees, Ayahuasca vines, Sacha Inchi and other plants. In the rainy season, young seedlings are best accepted: all representatives of the Amazonian flora begin to grow and reproduce.

– But why are Quinilla saplings planted out of all the variety of plants in this part of the upper selva? – you may ask. To do this, you need to learn a little more about this interesting plant and about its connection with our Ecolodge. First of all, it must be said that this tree is considered the best building material in the Amazon. Furniture, pillars and house frames made from Quinilla (Latin Manilkara bidentata) will last for decades, despite the scorching South American sun, heavy rains, termite and other harmful insects. This tree is so dense and heavy that it sinks in water. Its main drawback can only be considered that it is not so easy to hammer a nail into it!

Local craftsmen call Quinilla with respect “Madera” (Spanish for wood). This plant has a very viscous resin that is used to make golf ball coatings. The tree itself looks very beautiful – dark green juicy oval-shaped leaves form a lush crown, giving a dense shadow. In our Ecolodge, all lighting masts, terrace columns, structural elements of Maloka and the Ayahuasca Museum are made of this wood, which gives us confidence that these structures will last for many decades.

It is interesting that we found Quinilla saplings on our own plot. Last year our gardeners Jonas and Johnny noticed a lot of this breed in the cleared area behind the upper bungalows. Just a couple of months before that, work was carried out in the upper part of the Ecolodge to clean up rough vegetation – lianas, bushes and grass. It was then that a huge Quinilla tree was discovered on the uppermost slope. It was from this “mother-tree” that the seeds were blown away by the wind, which quickly began to sprout. This breed grows quickly enough, gaining 60-70 cm in height per year. This means that in a couple of years these will already be trees as large as an adult human, and in a couple of years they will give a very good shade.

That is, while some trees fall, new ones grow in their place! Thanks to the staff of our Ecolodge, this process is under control, so we can maintain the territory of the eco-hotel in a form suitable for an Amazonian resort – with lush but well-groomed vegetation. The rain continues and our staff have already planted more than 20 Quinilla trees and other plants on this opportunity. These representatives of the Amazonian flora give the hotel that unique and lively look that our guests appreciate very much!

On January 26, president of Peru Francisco Sagasti signed yet another decree on new measures to curb a second surge in COVID-19 cases, which will be in effect from January 31 to February 12, 2021. An important feature is that the new measures would remain in effect only in regions where the number of new cases and deaths is greatest. For this, all regions of Peru are divided into 3 different categories.

Regions with the most critical situation (Spanish NIVEL EXTREMO): Ancash, Pasco, Huanuco, Junin, Huancavelica, Ica, Apurimac, Lima, Lima Metropolitana.
Regions with a very high level of infection (Spanish: NIVEL MUY ALTO): Tumbes, Amazonas, Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Cuzco, Puno, Arequipa, Mokegua, Tacna.
Regions with a high level of infection (Spanish NIVEL ALTO): Piura, Loreto, Lambayeque, La Libertad, San Martin, Ucayali, Madre De Dios.

Valentine's Day in Peru: The holiday will take place, despite the quarantine

Recall that the «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge is located in the San Martin region with the least critical situation, which allows us to work calmly, as before the new decree was issued.

What lockdown measures are in effect from January 31? First of all, the restrictions affected air transportation. In the case of local flights, all flights from the Huanuco and Jauja regions are prohibited. For passengers on local routes, it has been compulsory to provide the airline with the results of a PCR test made no later than 72 hours before departure. Peru will keep restrictions for international flights from Brazil, as well as countries of the entire European continent (including Russian Federation). For passengers arriving from other countries, it is mandatory to undergo an express test for COVID-19 at the Lima airport, as well as observe a 2-week quarantine at the hotel or at the address, which must be indicated in a special declaration.

Also, restrictions were imposed on the work of private and public organizations. They are displayed using a metric equal to the percentage of possible occupancy by visitors. For regions with a critical situation, the indicators are as follows:

Organization type	Occupancy rate
Casinos, game rooms, cinemas, gyms, theaters. Open air theaters. Commercial centers, malls, shops (only takeout orders are allowed). Restaurants (only takeout orders are allowed). Churches. Libraries, museums, exhibitions, archaeological monuments. Sports clubs.	0%
Grocery stores, markets, pharmacies.	40%

For regions with a risk level, like San Martin, where our Ecolodge is located, the indicators look like this:

Organization type	Occupancy rate
Churches.	20%
Casinos, game rooms, cinemas, gyms, theaters.	30%
Commercial centers, malls, shops (only takeout orders are allowed). Sports clubs.	40%
Open air theaters. Grocery stores, markets, pharmacies. Libraries, museums, exhibitions, archaeological monuments. Restaurants (premises).	50%
Restaurants (outdoor areas).	60%

In addition, a curfew has been introduced. The time at which it is forbidden to go outside also varies depending on the level of spread of the coronavirus by region. Compliance with the isolation regime is monitored by the police. If the conditions of the curfew are not met, the offenders face detention for 24 hours and an administrative fine of 379 soles (around 105 US dollars).

The curfew will be in effect as follows:

In regions with a critical situation: from 6.00 to 18.00.
In regions with a very high level of infection: from 8.000 to 16.00.
In the regions with the most favorable situation (including the San Martin region, where the «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge is located): from 9.00 to 16.00.

We hope sincerely that these lockdown measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic`s second wave will not last long. The «Cordillera Escalera» Ecolodge continues to work as usual, and we want to believe that by February 14, Valentine’s Day, guests from various regions of Peru and, possibly, even tourists from abroad will be able to visit us.

In the Peruvian jungle, one more seasonal transition from winter to summer (or from dry season to rainy one) has taken place! The arrival of the new season was marked by torrential rains and hurricane winds with collapsing trees. These weather cataclysms have not spared the Cordillera Escalera Ecolodge. A couple of days ago, a huge tree fell on our territory. Sharp gusts of wind, the crackle of breaking large and small branches, the screams of flying birds and scattering Pichikos monkeys (of the Saguinus family) and a few moments later a sound similar to the growing peals of thunder! A huge tree more than 15 meters high and about 1 meter in diameter was spread out on the ground. Fortunately, nobody and nothing was hurt. Local residents respectfully call such hurricane winds with the sonorous and memorable word venteron. They usually say like this: – What a kind of venteron happened yesterday!

But everything that does not happen in the Amazon has not only its own explanation, but also finds application in the economy. What has fallen can be lifted and put to use. Do you know why such huge trees fall at all? The Amazonian selva is a very active biological environment, in which there is a constant struggle for water, solar account and food. Some tree species, in search of water, try to spread the root system as wide as possible, without going deep into the soil. This results in the roots being close to the surface. And if the soil is wet and rocky, with strong gusts of wind, large trees with a wide crown sway and fall. In some cases, trees are eaten by insects such as termites, saw beetles, and others. And even with mild gusts of wind, the tree can crack in the very place where it was gnawed in order to build housing and eat in one. 🙂

Often trees break in half for no apparent reason. It usually means that insects have worked there. But if you observe such trees, they soon enough sprout with new shoots at the fracture site, because the plant activity in the Amazon is very high. By the way, there are tree species that are too tough for even these insects. Such trees have a fairly hard fiber and a strong-smelling resin, which scares off intruders. These characteristics make it impossible for insects to enjoy their wood and, in addition, make them valuable in terms of their use for building materials and for the manufacture of furniture.

Local residents distinguish all trees in terms of their suitability as building material into two types. Some of them call respectfully – Madeira (Spanish for a tree), which means that this type of wood is hard, resistant to moisture and will not be eaten by termites. Such a tree is suitable for housing. All other trees are classified as unsuitable for construction and they are called by the lengthy word qual-quera, which means whatever/any in translation.

As for the first, referred to as Madeira. Among such species in the San Martin region, the most common are: Huayruro with a density of 0.77 g/cm3, Mohena – 0.56 g/cm3, Cedro – 0.53 g/cm3, Capirona – 0.76 g/cm3. By the way, most of the furniture in our Ecolodge is made of Mohena wood. Our terrace and the floors of the museum are made of very hard Uairuro wood, the seeds of which deserve special attention. In Peru, they firmly believe that the Uairuro`s seeds bring good luck. That is why they are the most popular material for making souvenirs. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings are made from bright red seeds with a black dot, and they are even added to jewelry of precious materials. It is difficult to meet a tourist who has departed from Peru without a bracelet with Uairuro`s seeds carrying good luck.

The mentioned tree fell on the 13th of December – this is the beginning of a new cycle of life for this representative of the Amazonian flora. This means that something creative and useful will be made from this tree in our Ecolodge. Perhaps it will be a bench, or maybe even a sculptural composition, because the ecohotel Cordillera Escalera has always been famous among its guests for original and interesting ideas, which find their embodiment on our territory.

December 25 marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of the first Regional Conservation Area in Peru – Cordillera Escalera (Spanish ACR – Area de Conservación Regional Cordillera Escalera), after which our Ecolodge is named. The Decree on the creation of this reserve was signed by the President of Peru Alejandro Toledo – as a result of the initiative of local fighters for the preservation of the environment and with the participation of the Directorate of the San Martin Region. Our ecohotel is located on the border of this protected area.

The reserve Cordillera Escalera celebrates its 15th birthday!

The mountain ranges, buried in evergreen forests with an area of almost 150,000 hectares, belong to the so-called Foggy Forest (Spanish Bosque nublado) category and play a vital role in the life of the region. Two rivers – Shilkayo and Cumbaza, feeding the cities of Tarapoto and Lamas, originate on the slopes of the Cordillera Escalera ridge. The climate in the region, temperature and humidity fluctuations are completely dependent on the ecological situation in this natural zone.

Unfortunately, in the pursuit of profit, many do not appreciate these treasures, given to us by nature. This is especially true of illegal lumberjacks: they leave empty areas, which take dozens of years to restore. Hunters exterminate rare animals and birds in their selfish interests, violating the integrity of the region’s ecosystem. A lot of rare and endangered species of representatives of the local fauna have been registered in our nature protection zone. Among them are such unique species as the Humboldt woolly monkey (lat. Lagothrix lagotricha), plain tapir (lat. Tapirus terrestris), blue andigena (lat. Andigema hypoglauca), puma (lat. Puma concolor), spectacled bear (lat. Tremarctos ornatus).

The Decree on the creation of the Cordillera Escalera Nature Reserve does not ignore the tourism sector, which occupies an important place in the economy of the San Martin region. Every year thousands of tourists come to Tarapoto to see with their own eyes the unique beauty of local waterfalls located in a protected area and therefore preserved in good condition. Among them: Ahuashiyacu, Bride`s Tears (Spanish Lágrimas de la Novia), Huacamaillo, Turuntunumba and Shanusi. Some of these waterfalls are on the hiking trails that start right outside the gate of our Ecolodge. In addition, many travelers are attracted to these lands by the mysterious drawings on the stones – Polish, which in the local dialect means «Clear plain». According to one version, they were left by the first inhabitants of the region, according to another, these drawings belong to the Chachapoyas culture.

By 2020, there are 25 Regional Conservation Areas in Peru. However, the reserve Cordillera Escalera was and remains the first of them. Our Ecolodge proudly bears this beautiful name. Happy birthday to our beloved reserve!

«The Golden Cockerel» of the Amazonian Jungle

Welcome to the Amazon! International flights to Peru are resumed