THE RAIN

FOREST

CAMPUSThe heart and soul of Arkana Peru is its

rainforest campus. Located about three hours

outside of Pucallpa in the district of Huanuco,

Arkana Peru is set in virgin rainforest on a

geological wonder of the world: a boiling

river. Possessing remarkable natural beauty and

a huge abundance of plant and animal life, it is

an ideal environment to germinate creative work.

The region is also home to many local and

indigenous communities. Arkana strives to work

in unison with these communities, offering

economic opportunities for work and cultural

exchange whenever possible.

Known as the Shanay-timpiska, in

Quechua (Heated by the Sun), the

thermal river that passes through the

heart of Arkana is a geological wonder

of the world. Research is still being

done about the origins and properties

of this rare and magical river that

travels over two kilometres at near

boiling point.

The Boiling River

Arkana is situated in one of the most

dramatic and ecologically rich

regions of the Amazon. Set in virgin

rainforest in the river sub-basin of the

Ucayali, a main tributary of the Amazon

river in Peru, here you can find an

astonishing variety of rare medicinal

plants and innumerable species of

animals: birds, monkeys, tapirs, deer,

reptiles, insects, and fish.

The Peruvian Amazon jungle is one of

the most biologically diverse areas on

Earth, possessing the third-largest

number of mammals and the largest

number of bird species in the world.

The site of Arkana Peru is set on 13 hectares

of virgin rainforest along the thermal river. It is

here that will unfold our master plan to build a

fully sustainable and ecological school,

structured on biophilic and natural natural

design principles. The first phase of

construction is pending application for a long-

term concession to secure custodianship of

these lands. Building will begin Summer 2018.

The Site

Arkana Peru Site Plan

Clusters of buildings (in orange) can be

seen along the winding thermal river and

represent the Arkana centre: school and

courtyard, live/work studios treehouses

"tambos," residential buildings and

kitchens, workshops, and a ceremonial

sweatlodge.

Arkana's architecture will feature an

integration of traditional and modern

design influences. The nexus and heart

of the centre is a circular school and

meeting place that is inspired by a

maloca or "house of knowledge"

(ceremonial house) in Amazonian

traditional culture. The centre will also

feature an environmental design that is

shaped by indigenous cosmic geography

that allows for interconnection and

collaboration and solitude in nature.

A distinct feature of the Arkana

master plan is the construction of

treehouse live/work studios or

"tambos" distributed throughout

the rainforest. These buildings

allow for both the concentration

and immersion in nature needed

for creative inspiration.

Tambos

Design Precedents for other buildings at Arkana include residential buildings, dining and kitchen spaces, a ceremonial sweatlodge and workshops and ateliers. (see end page for ref)

S A N T U A R I O H U I S H T I NOur closest rainforest partner and

neighbour is traditional plant medicine

centre, Santuario Huishtin (Sanctuary

of Starlight). Owned and operated by

Maestro Santiago Enrrique Paredes

Melendez, vegetalista (plant spirit

shaman), his wife, Ayme Vargas, and

family, Santuario has been the

pilgrammage destination of countless

visitiors from all over the world.

Until Arkana is built, Santuario will be

the base of our operations and

programming. Maestro Santiago is not

only an excellent host but a primary

mentor. While there, Students can

observe the ancient practices of

Amazonian plant medicine and

participate in shamanic ceremonies.

One of Arkana’s most important

missions is conserving the rainforest

and culture of the surrounding region.

Set in one of the oldest oilfields of

Peru, this area is rich in natural

resources, populated by ancient

species of plants, animals, fossils and

mineral deposits.

Tragically, this region is under

immanent threat by deforestation and

contamination and we are striving to

get this area protected. If our land

concession is approved, Arkana Peru

will become custodian of a small but

vital holding along the boiling river

holding and hopefully protect the area

for future generations. Proceeds from

Arkana programming goes directly to

our NGO ARKANA ARTS and this

conservation project.

An Urgent Conservation Project

GETTING

TO USOur headquarters are located in the

bustling Upper Amazonian city of

Pucallpa, on the border with Brazil. To get

to us, travel to the Jorge Chavez airport in

the Peruvian capital, Lima, and take a

one hour connecting flight to Pucallpa

(Captain Rolden airport).

Angela O'Hara, a Canadian artist,

educator, and social entrepreneur, has

been traveling to the Upper Amazon of

Peru for the past six years. Having

originally come to the Amazon to do

fieldwork for her PhD on indigenous

knowledge and visionary methodologies

in creative research, she has

dedicated her life to conserving the rich

culture and ecology of this region and

helping people achieve their creative

potential.

ANGELA

O 'HARA

WE NEED YOU!Do you want immerse yourself in an environment unlike any other on the planet and

be part of something extraordinary?

Arkana Peru seeks creative people (designers, builders, architects, engineers,

gardeners and landscapers and more) to participate in all stages of the building of the

centre, from the design stage to the construction.

Contact us for more information on our programming and how you can get involved.

info@arkanaperu.org www.arkanaperu.org

SEE YOU IN PERU!