Suggested Items to Bring:

-Journal(s) and pens

-Headlamp and/or flashlight (with red light feature)

-Batteries for headlamps/fans etc. (bring 3 extra sets for each item that isn’t USB-chargeable)

-Refillable water bottle

-Raincoat or poncho

-Hat

-Sunglasses

-Hiking Boots or Rubber Boots (rubber boots can be purchased at the Belen market for about 40 soles)

-Sandals or flip flops (you may want to use them as shower shoes; avoid leather since it can mold easily in the Jungle)

-3 pairs of long, lightweight pants, dresses, or sarongs

-3 pairs of shorts or skirts

-3-5 short sleeve shirts

-2 lightweight long sleeve shirts

-1 hooded sweatshirt

-6 pairs of underwear

-6 pairs of socks

-2-3 bathing suits + cover-up/sarong

-Bathroom items- natural toothbrush, floss, travel shampoo, etc

-Towel (quick drying microfiber towel highly recommended)

-Ziplock bags

-Silica gel packets

-2 Lighters

-Personal items

-Spending money: pipe 300 soles, embroidery 100-800 soles, extra pomada 40 soles, meals/gifts from Iquitos 300 soles, beadwork/jewelry 50-300 soles

Additional items that can increase comfort:

-Small battery powered or USB-rechargeable fan

-USB wall charger

-Backjack/back support

-Folding hand fan or grass fan (can be purchased at the Belen market)

-Earplugs

-Small first aid kit to include: bandaids, bandages, Moleskin/ blister bandages, alcohol wipes, tweezers, Pedialyte powder/ electrolyte tablets, small scissors, nail clippers

-Small umbrella

-Handkerchief /bandana/ or neck gaiter

-Solar powered charger

-Art supplies

-Yoga mat

-Fairy lights

-Altar items

-Travel pillow

-Extra backpack/ bag to carry items around camp with you, (can also be used as an extra carry on when bringing items back home with you)

-Slippers for walking around indoors

Ayahuasca is generally extremely safe when worked with responsibly, however it is important to be aware of potential contraindications. The information below is a guide, and specific cases should be discussed with our staff before the retreat begins. This is by no means an exhaustive list, rather guidelines to help ensure your safety.

Medications that can be unsafe with ayahuasca:

-Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

-Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants (and sleeping pills)

-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

-Anti-hypertensives (blood pressure medications)

-Other Anti-Depressants

-Antibiotics

Recreational drugs:

-Cannabis

-Amphetamines

-Cocaine

-Ecstasy

-Any psychedelic drugs

Other medications that should be discontinued:

-Decongestants, cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines (including Adderall), some hypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine), carbamazipine, methylphemidate (Ritalin), macromerine, phenelanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asarone/calamus, some asthma inhalers, and diet pills.

If you suffer from any of the following psychological conditions, please discuss this with our staff before the retreat begins:

-Borderline disorders

-Bipolar disorders

-Psychosis

-Schizophrenia

-Family history of mental health problems

Physiological conditions that should be discussed with staff:

-Chronic high blood pressure

-Heart conditions

-Diabetes

The central pillar of the Shipibo-Konibo plant medicine tradition is the plant dieta, which is essentially a contract between the human dietero and the spirit of the plant. In the contract, the human being makes certain commitments for a set period of time, including fasting, eliminating salt, sugar, oil, meats and spices from their diet, abstaining from sexual activity, and remaining in relative isolation. These commitments tend the soil of the dietero’s being, so that he or she is ready to receive the medicine and teachings of the dieta plant.

In the spirit of reciprocity, the dietero asks the dieta plant for assistance in healing and/or learning on the physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual levels. During the dieta, the dietero consumes the plant in extract form and engages in various ways with the dieta plant, including meditation, singing icaros (medicine songs), spending time in physical proximity to the plant and participating in regular Ayahuasca ceremonies.

After a dieta concludes, the relationship between the human dieter and spirit of the plant continues. If the human being tends to the soil of his/her being and cultivates the relationship, the plant becomes a powerful teacher and ally for life.

Ayahuasca is legal in the country of Peru.

The duration of the effects can range from a few hours to an entire night. The length of time an individual experiences the effects of ayahuasca can be quite variable, influenced by the person themselves and the specific ceremony. Even after the immediate conscious effects have faded, ayahuasca continues to interact with the body and energetic fields in ways that may not be immediately noticeable. Ayahuasca is a medicine that operates on a level far beyond conscious experience.

During the initial phase, the primary focus is on detoxifying and purifying your physical body in preparation for the subsequent stages. A reasonable expectation during this process is the occurrence of a potent cleanse, which is why ayahuasca is sometimes referred to as "La Purga." The purge, often taking the form of vomiting but occasionally as diarrhea, holds significance within the ceremony as it contributes to the overall experience. It's worth noting that not everyone experiences a purge in their initial ceremonies. This purging process serves as an energetic cleansing, addressing vibrational imprints, emotional barriers, and physical toxins. Many individuals undergo significant purging in their initial ceremony, leading to deeper experiences as these obstructions are removed. Conversely, some individuals may not experience purging early on but may encounter cleansing purges in subsequent ceremonies.

Ayahuasca is non-addictive and, in fact, is considered a medicinal tool that can assist in addressing the underlying causes of addiction.

Although visions (combinations of light, color, and shapes not typically perceived in ordinary states of consciousness) are a frequent occurrence during ayahuasca ceremonies, they are not universal for all participants. The presence or absence of visions during an ayahuasca session does not determine the extent of healing an individual receives from the medicine. Profound healing can occur with or without visions, as many people undergo transformative experiences through insights, somatic sensations, and emotional releases during the ceremony.