Blue Morpho Introduction:
Established in March of 2002, with the completion of the construction of its first lodge, on the Aucayacu River, Blue Morpho represents the realization of a dream of its founder Hamilton Souther, to open a center for shamanism and base camp deep in the Peruvian Amazon rain forest where traditional shamanic methods and study could be offered in the environment where these techniques developed.
Blue Morpho offers the traveler the opportunity to experience the realities of the mystical world surrounded by untamed wilderness in a safe and well-organized tour. Having already lead over two hundred satisfied tourists to the camp, Blue Morpho is excited about the future to share their love and knowledge of the area.
The history of Blue Morpho began in Iquitos when Hamilton continued his search of Peruvian shamans and a prophesized apprenticeship into the primary Amazon forest. His guide, with 25 years experience leading tourists into the jungle guided Hamilton and two other tourists to the first camp local, an ideal location for shamanic study along the Aucayacu River. This area of the jungle, steeped with traditional belief systems still intact, was home to various shamans actively practicing their traditional healing. After a week of ceremonies, Hamilton and a local shaman agreed to continue the apprenticeship. Thereafter construction began on a camp to live in during the study in this isolated place. As construction continued, it became clear that many people would benefit from similar spiritual work, and greater infrastructure was added to accommodate their needs.
In 2005 Blue Morpho acquired a 200 acre parcel of forest on Km 53 of the Iquitos Nauta road, and began construction of its second lodge and shamanism center. The new center was designed to provide a permanent home for Blue Morpho and to exemplify its dedication to Amazonian shamanism.
Blue Morpho has blended traditional shamanism and shamanic workshops into a tour experience offering the best of the jungle. The tourist can enjoy a great variety of experiences, learning the customs and ways of traditional life. The mission, to provide an excellent jungle experience for the guest, remains their goal and leads the progression of Blue Morpho Tours.
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Hamilton Souther, founder of Blue Morpho and bilingual in English and Spanish. He was given the title of master shaman by Alberto Torres Davila and Julio Llerena Pinedo after completing an apprenticeship under Alberto and Julio. He has studied shamanism in California, Cusco, and the Amazon. Hamilton earned a bachelors degree in Anthropology focusing on cultural anthropology. He leads shamanism workshops, where he teaches a blend of shamanism and transformational techniques.
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Hamilton (Shamanic Guide)
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Don Alberto Torres Davila
(Master Shaman, Vegetalista, Ayahuasquero)
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Alberto Torres Davila: Master Shaman (Medico Vegetalista, Curandero, Ayahuasquero, and Palero) and medicinal plant expert leads ceremonies, shamanic healing, and apprenticeships. He has over 35 years as a spiritual healer and over 1,500 ayahuasca ceremonies in his collective experience. He began his healing path at the age of eight under the constant guidance of his Grandfather. After his grandfather passed away he was taken under the wing of don Julio Llerena Pinedo where they entered into lifetime pact of shamanic medicine. When not working exclusively with Blue Morpho Tours, he continues his healing practice as a curandero his local town. Alberto is considered one of the very best and most powerful healers of the Ucayali River.
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Don Julio Llerena Pinedo: Master Shaman (Medico Vegetalista, Palero, Ayahuasquero, and Maestro de la Ciencia Magica) and medicinal plant expert has recently passed away at the age of 89, but before passing pledged his alliance to the lineage and mesa. Don Alberto received the inheritance of Julio's medicine and guides in accordance to a 35 year pact of medicine between the two and his spirit is still present and supporting in ceremony. Don Julio apprenticed directly under the tutelage of the Doctor Spirits (Genios of the medicinal plants) of the Jungle during isolated diets in the highlands outside of Pucallpa. In his collective experience he has over 1,500 ayahuasca ceremonies and has healed thousands of patients from the Peruvian Amazonian regions and worldwide.
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Don Julio Llerena Pinedo
(Master Curandero, Palero, Vegetalista, Ayahuasquero, Maestro de la Ciencia Magica)
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Jeremy Bleech
(Cultural Advisor, Translator, Webmaster)
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Jeremy Bleech: Jeremy has been visiting the Aucayacu region since 1998, where he first met don Julio Llerena Pinedo and was introduced to the sacred medicines. He has been working with Blue Morpho Tours since 2002 and is dedicated to attending to the needs of guests, making them feel comfortable, providing translation, and cultural insights. He also maintains the bluemorphotours.com web site helps with email correspondence. Jeremy is currently not in Iquitos or able to attend the trips as he is in the states with his wife and newborn baby.
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Mimi Buttacavoli: Mimi is fluent in English, Spanish and Sicilian. She is a licensed nurse trained in Oxford. She studied herbalism in the rainforests of Bolivia until she started her shamanic apprenticeship at Blue Morpho in April of 2005. Her main duties include trip organizer and camp manager.
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Mimi Buttacavoli
(Apprentice, Trip Organizer, Camp Manager)
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Daniel Gartland
(Apprentice, Shamanic Assistant, Guest Support)
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Daniel Gartland: Daniel has been practicing various forms of meditation for over 30 years, and has been trained in bodywork, breath work, energy-based healing, communication skills, and group process work. He was first introduced to shamanic practice in 1993 by Michael Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and he began coming to Peru for training in Amazonian Shamanism in 2001. Daniel has been a full-time apprentice ayahuasquero palero at Blue Morpho since November of 2005. He earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Software Engineering from Seattle University and worked for several years as an engineer and manager for the Microsoft Corporation.
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The Blue Morpho Staff: The Blue Morpho staff is in charge of the kitchen and food, cleaning, laundry, grounds maintenance, and assistance during ceremonies. Teodoro (head foreman), Mirna (head cook), Dora (cleaning and laundry), Dani (bilingual, kitchen manager), and Pancho (gardener, caretaker) are friendly and professional. They work hard during trips to provide excellent service, tasty food and a clean environment. They are also of great assistance during ceremonies by giving support and helping people to the bathroom in times of need.
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Blue Morpho Staff
(Teodoro, Mirna, Dora, Dani, Pancho)
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Blue Morpho Mission Statement
In the immensity of the Amazon Jungle, our journey takes form. We dive into the natural environment and its intrinsic connection to Spirit. We search for the knowledge that the jungle retains and use it to aid others. The jungle guides and teaches us along each step of our work.
Blue Morpho is completely dedicated to the individual experience of each of our guests. As we work, we aim to provide individual attention and care within the amazing field of traditional Amazonian shamanism.
Our dedication to shamanism brings a hope that through mutual interests, this infinite realm of knowledge will be preserved for the generations to come. We desire that are guests return from their stay "new" and free from the confines of suffering, carrying within them the beauty and splendor of life.
We work to bridge the gaps of understanding between the western and mystical worlds, so that we may experience connection to Spirit. The commitment to this unique way of living fills each and every day of our work. As we continue to work with spiritual, energetic, and natural shamanic arts, and transform through these methods, we strive to find the connection between our environment and ourselves.
Blue Morpho illuminates the reality of Amazonian travel and Shamanism to all of our guests. Our commitment to excellence, professionalism, and outstanding quality of service is the benchmark of our operation.
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