San Pedro, scientifically known as Echinopsis pachanoi, is a revered cactus from the vast Cactaceae family. Also called gigantón or aguacolla in its Andean roots, this remarkable plant contains mescaline and other phenylethylamine compounds known for their powerful hallucinogenic effects.
Andean archaeology has confirmed its ancestral use, with botanical remains revealing its historical importance throughout the Andes. Alongside tobacco, it stands as one of the oldest sacred plants in South America, honored for centuries as a true master plant.
Its lineage reaches back more than 3,500 years to the Chavín culture, and it was later used by successive civilizations such as the Mochicas, Chimúes, Nasca, and Tiahuanaco. During the Inka Empire, the sacred medicine Huachuma played a central role in ritual beverages that helped truth seekers gain vision, understand the worldview, and connect deeply with the universe.
The current name, San Pedro, comes from the colonial era and is linked to the Christian saint who carries the keys to heaven, symbolizing a bridge between traditions.
Our retreat house opens at 9:00 am to welcome you with warmth. Before we begin, the teacher will take time to speak with you and listen to your personal situation, so the ceremony can be guided and set with your intentions for revelation.
The guide will explain the process in detail, including the possible effects and symptoms, so you can feel fully safe and informed.
Once the dialogue between the shaman and the participant is established, the ceremony begins with a purification using floral waters and aromatic lotions, designed to cleanse the space of impurities according to the intention of the day.
After that, we carry out a tobacco ritual to protect the spiritual field and activate the connection with the energetic body. The shaman prays to the medicine, asking for respect and opening the path to good intentions.
The Huachuma is then taken in liquid form. Immediately afterward, we move to the mountain and the nearby river to continue the process in a sacred setting.
We stop at three strategic points, offering you sacred time to rest and connect with the power of the medicine beneath the vastness of nature. The teacher will accompany and care for you throughout, respecting your pace and supporting your safety outside, while helping with whatever you may need during your process.
The walk and the effects of the medicine usually come to an end at the same time. We return to the house when you feel ready, which is the ideal moment to share your experience with the shaman while enjoying fresh seasonal fruit.
To receive the help of San Pedro, proper preparation is essential:
Important note: Pregnant people cannot consume Huachuma.
If you feel the call of sacred plants and are seeking deep healing therapy, we invite you to explore our personalized therapeutic retreats, designed to support you for days or weeks.
Spiritual Retreats
Ayahuasca Spiritual Center Cusco
Price
On request
Please contact the organizer directly for pricing information