Eva MonRo
From the 1st to the 11th September
Did you know that the heart is the first organ to be formed in the body of a human being?
So, when our little body has grown enough and the brain sends its commands, the heart is more than ready to pump nutrients to all our cells.
The same happens with Ecuador.
In its jungle, the first origins of the Ceremonial use of Cacao were discovered.
From the Ecuadorian jungle, their roots have spread to the rest of the warm lands, and when humans have needed to connect with their Heart, Cacao has been there, ready to pump its nutrients to all our cells.
To that Origin we will travel; to the Heart of Cacao
If you're reading this, chances are you've already heard "hundreds and hundreds" of times that Cacao is the medicine of the Heart.
We won’t go on about the alchemy that drinking Ceremonial Cacao works in our bodies.
You already know—and if you don’t, and you’re still here, a great initiation awaits you.
Shall we tell you about the epic journey we’ve prepared for you? Let’s go!
If you're expecting an all-inclusive package where you hop on a bus and get off at a touristy restaurant, a monument, or a carpet shop—#sorrynotsorry—this isn’t it.
This is for you if you have an explorer’s soul, if you love chatting with locals, staying in charming hotels, supporting the local economy, and soaking up the scents and colors of Ecuador—if you want to BE THE JOURNEY, not just watch it through a screen.
And if you’re burning with desire to uncover the origins of Cacao, to pilgrimage to the first ceremonial site ever discovered, to take part in rituals led by native people, to visit a sanctuary filled with hummingbirds, to craft your own Cacao, or to lose yourself in Quito’s vibrant nightlife—then what are you waiting for? Your adventure is calling.
A group of cacao-obsessed souls just like you is waiting!
THE ROUTE
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CACAO
Our journey unfolds across THREE DESTINATIONS within Ecuador.
You won’t find this route in travel agencies or guidebooks—because this PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CACAO is not one that appears on any map.
QUITO
Our gateway to Ecuador, San Francisco de Quito, is the highest capital city in the world, perched at over 2,800 meters above sea level. Surrounded by 12 Andean volcanoes and home to an incredibly preserved historic center, it’s widely considered the most beautiful capital in all of South America.
Dia, one of our guides and a true quiteña (Quito native), will reveal the city’s secrets.
In the mornings, Eva, co-organizer of this journey, will get our bodies moving and ready for the day ahead.
And that’s not all… In Quito, we’ll visit the Cacao Museum, guided by the third member of our team, Tayta Alejandro.
PALANDA: THE ORIGIN OF CACAO
We'll fly from Quito to Palanda, where we'll discover the first traces of humanity's sacred relationship with Cacao. For three days, we'll immerse ourselves in the mysteries of this archaeological site containing the oldest Cacao remains on the entire continent.
We will walk among its altars, relive the rituals once celebrated here, visit ancestral cacao groves, and savor the delicious local cuisine. All in collaboration with native communities, contributing to the development of a region the world has forgotten.
The Santa Ana-La Florida archaeological site reveals key aspects of the ancient Mayo-Chinchipe-Marañón culture, particularly its early use of Cacao. Excavations have uncovered spiral-shaped ceremonial structures and Cacao residue in pottery, making this one of the oldest known sites of interaction with Cacao. This culture, which flourished around 5500-1700 BCE, also participated in long-distance trade, as evidenced by the presence of Spondylus shells.
The murmur of the Valladolid River watering the area will transport us to a time when these Andean-Amazonian communities inhabited the valley and first began cultivating and establishing their connection with the Cacao Tree.
At night, our dreams will rest in a family-run hotel in the village of Vilcabamba, a magical and mystical place surrounded by legends. Like the one that attributes rejuvenating properties to its underground waters, giving the place its nickname as the "Valley of Longevity."
MAGICAL PACTO: ECUADOR'S GREEN LUNG
In Pichincha lies a beautiful oasis far from tourist routes where we can relax while staying at Mama Vitela's home. Three dreamlike days await us.
Mama Vitela will welcome us with a Welcome Ceremony and share the Cacao wisdom of her Yumbo Toltec lineage. The Yumbos, ancient indigenous people of Ecuador's cloud forests, were respected as skilled traders, messengers, and spiritual guardians of the land.
Their ceremonial center in Tulipe, with its sacred pools, reflects their deep connection with nature, the cosmos, and the spiritual power of Cacao. As bearers of Cacao between the Amazon, the coast, and the highlands, they played a vital role in preserving its sacred essence.
Today, their wisdom lives on through elders like Mama Vitelia, a Yumbo guardian of ancestral traditions. On this pilgrimage, we will have the honor of meeting her, immersing ourselves in her rich Cacao heritage, and deepening our connection with the spirit of this sacred being.
From her home, we will venture into the forest in Pacto, part of the Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve.
We will explore the Blue Butterfly Waterfall, visit ancestral Cacao Trees, a Hummingbird Sanctuary, and at the magical river, discover the Yumbos' petroglyphs and other hidden places you won’t find on Google Maps.
With Mama Vitela, we’ll learn to prepare our own Cacao—and more surprises we won’t reveal yet! ;)
From Pacto, we’ll return to Quito, where we’ll spend our last night together before each traveler returns to their nest.
Your guides in this pilgrimage
ORIGEN Price Structure
We believe in transparency.
That’s why we separate our facilitation fees from what you’ll pay directly to local providers
ORIGEN does not charge commissions. What we offer are fair prices that contribute to the local economy and sustain this project.
FACILITATION FEES: €900
Includes the services of Dia, Eva MonRo, and Tayta Alejandro, covering:
• Design, organization, and planning of the Pilgrimage
• Guidance, support, and coordination throughout the journey
• Practices, Wisdom, and Rituals to deepen the experience
• Logistical assistance with flights and travel insurance
• Access to a private WhatsApp group
• Two pre-trip group sessions + one integration session post-trip
• A 500g CacaoAmor ceremonial block for our shared rituals
ON-SITE BUDGET: $900 USD
This is the cash you'll need to pay directly to our local providers. Don't worry, we'll organize the payments. We'll explain everything in our pre-trip meetings.
This is an estimate calculated for a minimum group of 5 people. Includes:
• Accommodations in Quito, Vilcabamba, and Magical Pacto (here with full board)
• Domestic flight between Quito and Palanda, and airport transfers
• Ceremonies, Cacao and Ceramics workshops with Mamá Vitela
• Visits to Cacao groves, Sanctuaries, and Waterfalls
EXCLUDES: Tips, gifts, personal purchases, activities not listed, alcoholic drinks, and unspecified meals.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Depending on your booking dates and departure city, flight prices may range between €800-1,000.
Travel insurance is mandatory - we'll guide you to secure the best policy.
.
Steps to take if your heart is beating for Corazonar
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email dia@cacaoamor.com or message us on WhatsApp +44 7951 815 345
We’re text-only folks (no voice notes please… we might serenade you with a voice reply ✨)
DELIGHTED YOU'RE JOINING THIS PILGRIMAGE
From Our Heart to Yours, guided by Alli kawsay; the Kichwa path of Buen Vivir
Dia, Alejandro & Eva