AMAZONIAN GUARDIANS

Jorge Maigua

Jorge Maigua is a guide, protector, and tireless defender of the cultures and ecosystems of the Amazon. Born in Ecuador, he is 57 years old and the father of four children. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and Kichwa, which has allowed him to serve as a bridge between the Indigenous world and national and international visitors for over three decades.

With more than 35 years of experience leading expeditions deep into the rainforest, Jorge has guided travelers through iconic locations such as Yasuní National Park, Cuyabeno, and Limoncocha. He shares not only geographic knowledge but also spiritual and cultural wisdom.

Thanks to his unique connection with nature, he is affectionately known as “Tarzan of the Jungle,” a title honoring his respect, strength, and profound understanding of the Amazon environment.

Jorge is a trusted and respected figure among various Indigenous communities, especially the Waorani peoples of Omere, Babeno, and Cononaco, where he acts as a leader, mediator, and ally in cultural preservation. He actively supports the economic development of these communities by promoting conscious and responsible tourism and facilitating the sale of local crafts as a sustainable source of income.

Beyond his work as a guide, Jorge is a guardian of Mother Earth and her native peoples. He firmly believes in the importance of listening to and respecting Amazonian voices and in preserving the region's spiritual, cultural, and natural wealth. His work goes far beyond tourism: it is a living testimony of service, humility, and deep connection with the rainforest.

Olmedo Payaguaje

Olmedo Payaguaje is a respected spiritual leader from the Aguarico River basin, in the community of Soto Siaya, ancestral territory of the Siona people in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. His native language is Paicoca, which still resonates in the songs and healing rituals he performs.

With 70 years of lived wisdom, Olmedo is a widower and father of six. He lovingly guides his family and community. Recognized by his people as "taita" - a title meaning "wise man" or shaman - Olmedo is a natural healer and guardian of ancestral medicine passed down through
generations. His role is not only curative but also protective: he ensures the spiritual well-being of his community, acting as a bridge between the visible world and the sacred.

With deep respect for Mother Earth, Olmedo uses master plants of the jungle to release negative energies, heal body and soul, and guide those seeking authentic connection with nature’s consciousness. His practice is pure, honest, and deeply rooted in the Siona traditions.

As a guardian of an ancient lineage, his mission is to share not only the physical medicine of the Amazon but also its spiritual dimension - a way of life that honors the interconnectedness of all beings. Through his guidance, visitors can experience true healing, in harmony with the
sacred rhythms of the forest.

Luciano Yiyucuro

Luciano Yiyucuro is one of the oldest and wisest taitas of the Siona community of Soto Siaya in the Amazon rainforest. With 75 years dedicated to healing, preserving ancestral wisdom, and spiritual service, Luciano is a deeply respected figure among his people and among those seeking a genuine connection with jungle medicine.

Luciano's native language is Paicoca, and his legacy has been cultivated through decades of practice and learning directly from nature. He lives with his three children, whom he is also training as heirs of his knowledge, patiently passing down the teachings of ancestral shamanism.

Luciano is a grower and guardian of sacred plants, especially ayahuasca, a spiritual medicine he prepares with great respect and wisdom. He is widely recognized by his community as a
spiritual doctor, sought out by both locals and visitors from around the world in search of healing and guidance.

Through deeply meaningful ceremonies, Luciano offers a space for inner transformation, teaching that the ayahuasca path requires not only physical preparation but also humility and spiritual commitment. His experience has made him a mentor for new generations of practitioners, whom he teaches with discipline and love for his culture.

In addition to his spiritual work, Luciano also supports the economic development of his community, attracting both national and international visitors and sharing with them a genuine experience deeply rooted in the heart of the Amazon.

Isac Yiyucuro

Isac Yiyucuro is a spiritual healer of the Siona people, from the community of Puerto Bolívar, deep in the Amazon rainforest. At 57 years old, Isac embodies a balance between ancestral tradition and present-day commitment, dedicated to both spiritual practice and collective
well-being.

Isac is the father of six children, who have begun to follow the shamanic path, learning from his wisdom and experience in the spiritual world. As a taita or shaman, Isac is deeply respected by his community for his humility, service, and healing abilities through sacred rituals and master plants.

In addition to his spiritual role, Isac is a farmer and hunter—activities he carries out not only to feed his family but also to share his harvests with the community, strengthening the bonds of reciprocity that sustain Amazonian collective life.

In his free time, he gathers natural medicines from the forest, generously sharing their properties and secrets with loved ones and community members. His knowledge has been inherited from past generations, and today he passes it on with patience and devotion.
Isac embodies a quiet yet profound leadership, where service, wisdom, and connection to Mother Earth guide his every step.