Preparing for Your Retreat: Essential Items
The jungle climate is seldom cold but always humid. Opt for comfortable clothing made from lightweight, quick-drying materials.
- Lightweight pants, shorts, t-shirts, dresses, and sundresses
- Swimwear
- A hat or cap for sun protection
- Flip-flops, slides, or sandals for easy wear
- A warm jacket and socks for cooler nights
- An optional light jacket or raincoat
- A flashlight for navigating in the dark
- Personal hygiene items (natural hygiene products will be provided, so soap and shampoo are not necessary)
Avoid bringing items made from leather or synthetic leather to prevent mold and mildew growth, as these materials quickly attract jungle microorganisms and can become moldy in a few days.
Upon arrival, you will be provided with an umbrella and clean rubber boots in your size.
Vaccinations are not mandatory to visit the Amazon jungle in Peru. But you can consult your doctor.
Dietary Preparations Before the Retreat
Starting 10-14 days prior to the retreat, it’s recommended to adjust your diet by avoiding the following:
- Alcohol and drugs
- All meats except for chicken
- Smoked and pickled foods
- Legumes, including soy products (pay close attention to sauces)
- Dairy products
- Citrus fruits
- Coffee (try to reduce consumption) and chocolate
- Onions and garlic
- Try to minimize or completely eliminate spices
- Refrain from sexual activities
Dietary Preparations Before the Retreat
Starting 10-14 days prior to the retreat, it’s recommended to adjust your diet by avoiding the following:
- Alcohol and drugs
- All meats except for chicken
- Smoked and pickled foods
- Legumes, including soy products (pay close attention to sauces)
- Dairy products
- Citrus fruits
- Coffee (try to reduce consumption) and chocolate
- Onions and garlic
- Try to minimize or completely eliminate spices
- Refrain from sexual activities
During the Retreat Diet
To ensure a safe and profound connection with the plant medicines, adhering to a specific diet is crucial. Certain plants may have strong preferences against most common foods or their preparation methods.
The diet during the retreat can vary from strict (“white” diet) to more lenient, depending on your objectives, the retreat’s length, and the specific plants involved.
For retreats involving Chiric Sanango or Camalonga, a “white” diet is necessary. This consists of a single type of river fish grilled over charcoal and one type of boiled vegetable, often an unsweetened boiled banana. This traditional shamanic diet provides all essential nutrients and elements needed for the body’s healthy functioning.
For an Ayahuasca retreat, a less restrictive diet is permitted:
- River non-predatory fish
- Boiled vegetables, such as unsweetened bananas, yucca, and potatoes
- Boiled rice
- The addition of carrots, beets, and 1-2 types of fruit is acceptable
- Herbal teas
- The diet excludes salt, sugar, and spices
There may be exceptions to these dietary guidelines, but they are highly individual and cannot be easily generalized.
Rules for Your Stay at the Retreat Center
The Home of Ayahuasca is not a conventional tourist spot; it is situated close to a village but within the jungle itself. The fundamental principle here is to embrace change—stepping out of your comfort zone to examine, diminish, and possibly eliminate the influence of habitual behaviors. It’s essential to leave all preconceived notions and expectations at the edge of the camp to remain open to new experiences.
During your time at the retreat, the following are strictly prohibited:
- The use of any gadgets (phones, music players, computers, e-readers, etc.).
- Any contact with the outside world (family, work, friends). You’ll have a chance to communicate with your family upon arrival, but during the retreat, all external communication is forbidden.
- Leaving the designated retreat area. The boundaries will be defined by either the campsite or your hut and its immediate surroundings. Jungle walks may be organized if they fit within the program.
- Consuming any food outside of the prescribed diet.
- The consumption of alcohol, drugs, coffee, and cigarettes (natural tobacco may be provided for smoking during the retreat).
Violating the retreat’s rules may result in the termination of your stay and your transfer to the city within 24 hours. Should you break any of the listed rules or leave the retreat without permission, the amount paid will not be refunded, in accordance with our Public Offer.
Living Conditions at the Camp:
- Accommodation in a single hut equipped with all necessary amenities: a bed, table, chair, and hammock. The hut has mosquito nets instead of walls, ensuring you are protected while remaining connected to nature.
- Provision of clean bed linen and towels.
- Access to a comfortable area for washing, mud treatments, and herbal baths in the creek.
- Meals prepared using firewood and charcoal.
- Availability of fresh vegetables and fruits, where permitted.
- Minimal interaction with staff to ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted experience.
Adhering to the dietary and camp rules significantly enhances the effectiveness of your interaction with plant medicines and ensures your safety while in the jungle.
During the Retreat Diet
To ensure a safe and profound connection with the plant medicines, adhering to a specific diet is crucial. Certain plants may have strong preferences against most common foods or their preparation methods.
The diet during the retreat can vary from strict (“white” diet) to more lenient, depending on your objectives, the retreat’s length, and the specific plants involved.
For retreats involving Chiric Sanango or Camalonga, a “white” diet is necessary. This consists of a single type of river fish grilled over charcoal and one type of boiled vegetable, often an unsweetened boiled banana. This traditional shamanic diet provides all essential nutrients and elements needed for the body’s healthy functioning.
For an Ayahuasca retreat, a less restrictive diet is permitted:
- River non-predatory fish
- Boiled vegetables, such as unsweetened bananas, yucca, and potatoes
- Boiled rice
- The addition of carrots, beets, and 1-2 types of fruit is acceptable
- Herbal teas
- The diet excludes salt, sugar, and spices
There may be exceptions to these dietary guidelines, but they are highly individual and cannot be easily generalized.
Rules for Your Stay at the Retreat Center
The Home of Ayahuasca is not a conventional tourist spot; it is situated close to a village but within the jungle itself. The fundamental principle here is to embrace change—stepping out of your comfort zone to examine, diminish, and possibly eliminate the influence of habitual behaviors. It’s essential to leave all preconceived notions and expectations at the edge of the camp to remain open to new experiences.
During your time at the retreat, the following are strictly prohibited:
- The use of any gadgets (phones, music players, computers, e-readers, etc.).
- Any contact with the outside world (family, work, friends). You’ll have a chance to communicate with your family upon arrival, but during the retreat, all external communication is forbidden.
- Leaving the designated retreat area. The boundaries will be defined by either the campsite or your hut and its immediate surroundings. Jungle walks may be organized if they fit within the program.
- Consuming any food outside of the prescribed diet.
- The consumption of alcohol, drugs, coffee, and cigarettes (natural tobacco may be provided for smoking during the retreat).
Violating the retreat’s rules may result in the termination of your stay and your transfer to the city within 24 hours. Should you break any of the listed rules or leave the retreat without permission, the amount paid will not be refunded, in accordance with our Public Offer.
Living Conditions at the Camp:
- Accommodation in a single hut equipped with all necessary amenities: a bed, table, chair, and hammock. The hut has mosquito nets instead of walls, ensuring you are protected while remaining connected to nature.
- Provision of clean bed linen and towels.
- Access to a comfortable area for washing, mud treatments, and herbal baths in the creek.
- Meals prepared using firewood and charcoal.
- Availability of fresh vegetables and fruits, where permitted.
- Minimal interaction with staff to ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted experience.
Adhering to the dietary and camp rules significantly enhances the effectiveness of your interaction with plant medicines and ensures your safety while in the jungle.
If you are interested in an Ayahuasca retreat, please submit a request. We will review your information and contact you to select the optimal duration and form of the retreat.