JUAN ANDI VARGAS

Juan Andi Vargas, 52, is the son of Don Luis. He has been working with plant medicines since birth, mentored by his father and other esteemed maestros. A respected leader in the Kichwa Napusamai Community, Juan has dedicated over 30 years to ecotourism and organizing retreats focused on ancestral knowledge and the use of medicinal plants. Together, with wise teachers and yachak healers Don Luis Andi and Don Santiago Grefa, he applies this deep-rooted wisdom and ensures that each participant receives individual attention during retreats. His efforts extend beyond teaching; he also aims to protect biodiversity. Through his initiatives, he has reforested over 30 hectares (~74 acres) with medicinal plants, investing in the preservation and enrichment of the Ecuadorian Amazon.