Get a meaningful introduction to the atmosphere of an Ayahuasca ceremony guided by a traditional Shipibo family.

An overview

About the ceremony

Our ayahuasca plant medicine journey takes place every second day in complete darkness, in alignment with Shipibo tradition. Guests gather in the Maloca at 18:30, and the ceremony begins at 19:30.

Below, you’ll find an outline of how to prepare, what may happen during the journey, how the Shipibo icaros support the process, and how to move through the hours after the ceremony.

"The ayahuasca ceremonies here were unworldly. The candles go out and the sound of jungle is the only thing you can hear until the icaros begin - then the real journey inside starts.
These ceremonies gave me everything I needed and more. A truly authentic experience."

The journey begins...

Preparing for the ceremony

Around 5 pm, the shamans begin preparing the Maloca to make sure everything is ready for the evening.

There is usually at least one shaman for every two guests, so you can feel reassured that you are in safe hands.

Everything you need...

The essentials

Your sleeping setup for the night includes a pillow and a blanket in case it gets cold. You will also receive mapachos, a lighter, paper towels, a light, and water.

All of these items are provided by the family at the retreat.

Most importantly, you will have your own purge bucket.

Meeting before the ceremony

At 6:30 pm, as night begins to fall, guests and shamans come together in the Maloca to settle in and support one another before the evening starts. The shamans once again check in on your physical and mental state and remind you to ask for help if anything becomes difficult during the journey.

It is important to stay open to whatever is present in you. If you have even mild back pain, we encourage you to mention it rather than saying you are fine. Even a small headache can be helpful to share, as it may give the shamans an opening to support the clearing of a past trauma or injury.

Opening of the ceremony

At 7:30 pm, with only a small candle lighting the darkness inside the Maloca, the maestros open the ceremony and ask you to sit upright at the front of your mat. One maestro opens a connection with Mother Ayahuasca and the plant spirits being dieted by the guests, asking for their support throughout the ceremony. Another maestro clears the Maloca of negative spirits and energy by placing protective layers in the space and directly on each participant.

You will then be called forward as the shamans pour your cup of medicine. At this point, we encourage everyone to speak their intention aloud one final time before drinking. If you do not feel comfortable sharing it, you may say it in your own language or whisper it, as long as you can hear and understand it yourself. After that, return to your mat, lie back, and relax. Once everyone has taken the medicine, the light is extinguished, the Maloca becomes dark, and everyone lies down in silence.

The plant medicine journey

What happens during a plant medicine journey varies from person to person and from ceremony to ceremony, but the general process is as follows. After about 30 to 40 minutes, once the medicine begins to take effect, the maestros start singing their icaros, powerful chants used to communicate with the medicine. Each participant may receive individual singing during the journey.

Guests are asked to remain seated on their mattress, focused on their intention, and not to interact with other participants unless they need assistance from the shamans.

There is always one facilitator who does not drink the medicine and helps with practical support such as bringing paper, mapachos, guiding guests to the toilet, and making sure no one trips. The ceremony may last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on what Mother Ayahuasca asks.

Again, there is generally one shaman for every two guests, so you can trust that you will be cared for and supported throughout the experience.

What to do after the ceremony

The journey ends when it ends. There is no fixed finishing time, and some guests may have a longer experience than others. At times, the maestros’ icaros can be heard until the early morning hours. Before anyone goes to sleep, we make sure each participant is safe and well. After the ceremony, everyone, including participants and shamans, sleeps together in the Maloca for protection and precaution.

When the sun rises, everyone is free to move around. This is usually a good time for silence, meditation, and reflection, as well as writing in your diary and sitting with whatever arose during the journey. Allow things to be as they are and do not force anything that is not there. If you cannot remember something, simply allow that. If you do not understand what you experienced, allow that too. There is no need to pressure the mind for answers; let the unknown remain.

Want to learn more?

Now you have a clearer picture of how our ayahuasca ceremonies are held in the Amazonian Rainforest of Peru. We have shared how to prepare and what you may expect from your plant medicine journey with ayahuasca.

Remember that the shamans are there to assist and support you, and their Shipibo icaros work strongly with the medicine. Always reach out and ask for help whenever you need it.

If you would like to learn more about the ayahuasca ceremonies at our retreat, please book a discovery call or get in touch through the contact us page.

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