Peru - Ayahuasca: 18 Days

Itinerary

• Day 1-2   (Lima & Iquitos)
  

  Lima is our gathering place, where our journey together begins. Allow yourself to land down, become acquainted with one another, and rest as we prepare for our journey to the Amazon the following day. 

  As a group, we will fly over the serpentine Amazonian river into Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon and the tribal villages. This is our introduction to the world's largest tropical rainforest and the abundance of life that calls it home. Here we will have time to be with our intentions, settle and share in the preparation of the medicine experience we begin the following day. 

• Day 3-10   (Amazon Jungle)

  A boat ride on the Amazon river brings us to our next destination and the thing that called you to this adventure. We immerse ourselves in the heart of the Amazon Jungle at an ‘off-grid' healing centre. Welcomed by the medicine, the spirit of Mother Ayahuasca, and local Shamans, the rustic jungle living allows us the opportunity to be fully immersed in the exotic wildness while exploring the wildness that lives within each of us. With over 25 years of working with Ayahuasca, this center provides immense support, ensuring everyone is safe and receiving what they need. 

  Your home in the Amazon is far from towns or villages, and the jungle all around calls for connection. There are many relaxing shared spaces where you can read, relax, and enjoy a hammock in solitude. You’ll have ample time to be with your process, to write, reflect, rest, and listen. There will also be activities and discussion circles. We will experience a traditional flower bath and sauna, and visit a traditional Shipibo village to meet the locals and see their artisanal art and crafts. All meals are included, and we follow a dieta as recommended by the shamans. 

• Day 10-14   (Pisac - Sacred Valley)
  

  A time to integrate.

  This one-of-a-kind geodesic dome boutique hotel is located at 10,500 ft on a sacred mountain, providing vast views of the mountain valley and star filled skies. The luxury rooms are the perfect place to land down and rest, with the space to tuck away and have solitude processing or gather on the yoga deck with 360 views to share in group embodiment practices and sharing circles. Here we build a solid foundation for our integration of the medicine experience, and begin the process.

  We are fully taken care of by the local community, with all of the meals provided, cooked with love and care to support the continued work of Ayahuasca on the system. 

  The Peruvians call these mountains the Apu's, because of the immense spirit they have, to be in their presence is the only way to comprehend why. 

• Day 15-16   (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu)
  

  Winding through the valleys lines by the wisdom of the Andes, we take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes. In Spanish, Aguas Calientes means hot water, this town is known for its thermal mineral baths and for being the access point to the ancient ruins of Machu Pichu. The cloud forest that this town sits in provides a mysticism of its own, adding to the energy is the gushing Urubamba river and the palpable wonder of the sacred sites. Cars are very minimal here with most of the streets being pedestrian-only making it ideal for wandering the town to shop at the local mercados or enjoy a delicious meal. 

  Our first night at Aguas Calientes helps to acclimatize us to the altitude in preparation to hike the ruins of Machu Picchu the following day. 

  Machu Picchu, known by many as a must-see in Peru, has been voted one of the new seven wonders of the world. Awe and wonder are common reactions to visiting this 'Lost City of the Incas' built atop the mountains. We will have the day to explore the ruins along with a local guide who will share on the history and spirit of this place and what is known of the culture which habited it.  Hiking Machu Picchu mountain is optional. 

  After our day exploring the ruins, we have the evening to rest or visit the hot springs.

• Day 17-18   (Cusco)
  

  Located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes this ancient city is vibrant with the culture of the Inca Civilization. The city holds a mystical remembrance filled with cosmopolitan travelers exploring the cobbled streets, terracotta tile roofs, and its unique colonial architecture. We will have time here for exploring restaurants for all tastes, cacao leaf readings, textile shops, and markets with a maze of trinkets finding items from alpaca sweaters to fresh fruit smoothies and everything in-between. With ancestral customs that are kept alive thanks to its people; the vibrancy of this culture is expressed in religious celebrations, dances, and art and is apparent throughout the city streets. 
  
  We will conclude our journey by flying back to Lima to connect with our various international flights home.

More Information

• Who is this for?
  • Truly anyone who hears the call. If you feel disconnected from your body, living on autopilot, or restrained in the life you are living and desiring to step into a more expansive version of yourself; this medicine can help in miraculous ways.
  • You may be burning with curiosity and seeking direction, or wanting to get to the deeper meaning of life and how you can show up in the highest expression of your purpose; Ayahuasca can help with all of this and so much more.
  • The call may come through health concerns, be it mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual; aspects of ourselves that are asking for our attention, for transformation, and to break through. It may come as an inner craving to experience a self-blossoming of our gifts.
  • Anyone dealing with grief or negative emotional patterns and looking for guidance to work through and release them
  • Those who want to improve their performance, well-being, or the relationships they have with alcohol, recreational drugs, and other addictive habits.
  • Those who want to heal from challenging relationships.
  • Those who are at a transitional time in their lives and seeking clarity and direction
  • Anyone who wants to learn more about how to safely use altered states of consciousness to improve their quality of life.
  • If you are ready to take responsibility for yourself, your dreams, and for manifesting them - this is for you.
  • If you are ready for initiation, awakening, and liberation - this is for you. 
• Your group

  For this adventure, our maximum group size is 12 people. It is important to us that everyone receives the support they need in this experience and that everyone feels welcome. Keeping our groups more intimate helps us to do that and is the perfect formula for cultivating impactful relationships within the group dynamic. 

• Your leaders / facilitators

  All of our trip leaders were chosen because of their passion for life, health, and love for what they do. Our trip leaders are extremely knowledgeable about the places that we go and are there to make sure your trip is as amazing as it can be.

  Both facilitators for your Peru trip have experienced profound impacts working with plant medicine and are passionate about bridging this world with others who are called to experience it. They have each been guiding trips for over 10 years. They know the importance of support and place it as the utmost priority with: preparation, during the trip, and with integration afterwards. 

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  For Cheyenne Felker and Curtis Smith, the two Peru leaders, working with this medicine opened up something real and deep in their lives; so much beauty that it could not be contained or controlled, only shared. 

  Their passion has grown to the point of now being a bridge for others to the Amazon; to alter perspectives, and to curate a safe space for others to explore the depth of understanding that can be experienced with Ayahuasca. These two are an open book and an open heart. They are both a student to all life brings, and a teacher imparting the wisdom they have come to remember.

  Taking people to connect with Ayahuasca is truly some of the most rewarding work for them and this energy and commitment helps create deep bonds and safety amongst the rest of the group to become like family after only days of being together. 

• Accommodation.

  We know how much our external environment impacts our internal experience and have curated our accommodations with great care. Our Ayahuasca center in the Amazon is on an 800-acre property, surrounded by lush rainforest.  The only way to get there is by boat, and we travel 90 minutes along the Amazon River as well as up tributaries to land at our peaceful home. Each cottage is strategically placed so that no other cottage is in view, and you can feel truly immersed in the jungle. They are rustic, but clean, and very comfortable with quality mattresses and bedding! Each person will have their own double bed with mosquito net, and each person will have their own floor of a large cottage to themselves. (2 extra large cottages allow for max 2 people per level.)  It's truly a rustic-luxury experience, with cozy hammock inside the cottage, so you can enjoy it while being screened off from bugs.  There is daily cleaning of the cottages, and fruit and tea are delivered each morning.  Our centre also provides common space and a library to relax and connect with others in the group. Click here to view a photo album of our off-the-grid paradise. 

• What's included? (18 days)
  • All accommodations
  • 2 flights within Peru 
  • All transportation
  • 5 traditional Ayahuasca ceremonies
  • Ayahuasca 101 introduction circle 
  • 1 or 2 experienced trip leaders/guides
  • All meals included for 7-nights in the Amazon
  • 2 Traditional Flower Baths
  • Daily sharing circles with Shamans
  • Wildlife excursion and boat tour
  • Tour of how Ayahuasca is made on-site
  • Visit to traditional Shipibo market
  • Local guide and translator at our center
  • Daily room cleaning in Amazon
  • Laundry included in the Amazon
  • Integration workshop
  • Unwavering support
  • Pre-trip calls and preparation  
  • Machu Picchu experience and entry fee
  • Local guides 
  • Yoga and Meditation
  • Breathwork
  • Cacao ceremony 
  • Post-trip integration calls
  • Self-guided workbook 
    
    Not included: We do not include the cost of the medicine for these ceremonies. You can pay directly to the Shamans for this. The cost is very reasonable, but this is a transaction Inward Travel doesn't play a part in. 
• What is Ayahuasca

  Ayahuasca is a plant teacher native to the Amazon in South America. The ancient vine, Banisteriopsis caapi, is slow-brewed with Chacruna (Psychotria Viridis) leaves, and sometimes other plants to produce the ayahuasca tea. The brew produces psychotropic effects in the body with the active ingredient being Dimethyltryptamine, DMT, which is a chemical we naturally produce in the pineal gland.

  Ayahuasca is a medicine woven into the spiritual and healing practices of many indigenous tribes in the Amazon, often referred to as the grandmother ayahuasca. Traditionally, when someone in the village was sick, the shaman would ingest the medicine to connect with the spirit realm and receive healing songs and remedies for the person. In more modern times, those seeking the medicine sit in ceremony and ingest the medicine themselves, awakening the healer within. 

  When meeting the grandmother, she listens to our intentions, and hears them, beyond the words that are conscious, tuning into the soul to heal that within the subconscious, the unconscious, revealing our path of healing. She teaches in many ways, each person, each time sitting, is a brand new experience, asking us to surrender to our expectations and release control. Some experiences may be visual, purgative, or neither, all will be insightful and provide you with exactly what you need. 

  Ayahuasca is here to teach us, to help us on our journey of healing but she won’t do the work for you. The real ceremony begins when you leave the jungle and begin to process the insights gained and create the change and therefore the life you truly desire to live. We understand the importance of integration and have curated this trip to support you in the best way we can through your transformation. 

• Ayahuasca Ceremony

  We have the opportunity to sit with a local Ayahuascero in 4 traditional Shipibo Ayahuasca ceremonies during our week encouraging great depth in our healing journey. In the evening we gather in the ceremonial space and make ourselves comfortable, sitting or lying down, and drop into our breath, into our presence. The first night we sit with the medicine, a small dose will be offered to acclimatize ourselves to the trace-like state Ayahuasca invites. The Ayahuascero adjusts the dosage as necessary on an individual basis during that evening and all future sits. 

  First, the shaman calls in the spirits of the jungle and sets the energy of the space. They then take their dose, followed by each participant one by one. As we settle back into our spaces, a prayer is said and the candle is blown out. The shaman will begin singing beautiful icaros and the effects of the medicine will begin. Icaros will be sung throughout and the shaman will interact with each participant guiding the journey and clearing any energetic blockages. In the event of needing to purge or use the bathroom, you will be safely guided by the shaman or support staff. 

  In closing the ceremony, a candle is lit and the spirit allies are dismissed. At this time you are welcome to return to your bed or remain in the ceremony space. The full potency of the medicine will last for around 4-5 hours and will continue to work with you for longer. As it starts to wain, the jungle sounds invite the assimilation of the healing and illumination the experience provided. 

  The shamans and our facilitators will be available outside of the ceremony to ensure that you are receiving what you need and support in the processing.  

• Food

  When working with Ayahuasca it is recommended to adhere to a dieta to prepare the body for the medicine journey. Pre-trip info will be sent out for further information about dieta. 

  For the first portion of our journey, we will be partaking in dieta as a group, all meals will be included in the Amazon. 

  All meals are included during our stay in Ollantaytambo and Pisac, vegetarian cuisine will be prepared with local, farm-to-table ingredients. 

  Traditional Peruvian cuisine is based on what is available in the local agriculture and environment, beans, corn, and ancient grains. In modern-day, there is a colorful fusion that has made a diverse menu more accessible. 

• People / Culture

  Peru has preserved much of its traditional culture, with strong roots in the Inca way of living. The beautiful mix of Hispanics and Natives is what creates such vibrancy in the Peruvian culture. The ways of life are passed on through generations with great integrity and respect, Peruvians truly make the mundane extraordinary and emit such deep wisdom that being in their presence is a true gift.

• Climate

  Peru offers incredibly varied climate regions, from the Amazon jungle that is at sea level and a tropical climate, up to Machu Picchu and Cusco at over 10,000 feet above sea level! 
  
  May is a beautiful time to visit Peru after the rainy season has passed. Temperature ranges from highs of 32C in the Amazon to lows of 15C, and at Machu Picchu the average daily high is 23C, and lows of around 4C at night.
  
  We can expect a lot of sunshine, but also good to have additional layers for cool evenings, and of course it can always rain in the Amazon! 

• Packing

  We recommend bringing a backpack about 50-70 liters in size, or a suitcase. Although your trip may seem like a long time our best packing advice to you is to bring about half of what you plan to or just the essentials. Less is more when packing to save room for treasures along the way and allowing yourself to be with minimal material possessions creates more space for the healing journey you're embarking on. 

  Laundry will be available along the way and if you forget anything it can likely be purchased in Peru. 

  Further details on packing will be provided in a pre-trip email. 

• Money / tipping

  Much of this experience is included and minimal money will be required during the adventure. Tips in our destinations are not obligatory though always appreciated by the local staff when given. Most restaurants and bars include a 10% gratuity and it is customary to add an extra tip if the service is excellent. The local currency is Soles and many places do accept USD. 

• Solo Travellers

  You are welcome, you are a part of our family!

  Whether you choose to take this journey solo or with a friend, what you are embarking on is a soul journey and is highly likely to be a life-changing experience. Traveling solo can create more of an edge for growth and potentially greater depth. This is an intimate healing experience we will share that creates bonds that can’t be compared, we are, and will be family here. So if you chose to take this journey solo, know that it doesn’t mean alone. 

• Flights

  Lima is our meeting place to start the journey and where is close our journey together. 

  There is an international airport in Lima with many airlines offering flights. You book your own flights, or we can book them through our travel agent and add the cost to your trip. 

• Digital detox

  We understand the importance of staying connected to loved ones and sharing your experience, with that being said we highly encourage refraining from the use of your devices (ie. smartphones, laptops). Unplugging from the noise of the world and distractions provides the space to be completely present with your journey, with the moment, and to truly get in touch with your soul. This is a healing journey as well as an adventure and we want you to get the most out of your experience.

• Disclaimer

  Working with ayahuasca is not to be taken lightly, this is a sacred and potent medicine that needs to be respected. We are not doctors or medical professionals and are not licensed to diagnose or prescribe. While we will have a medical screening process before the trip, it is your responsibility to consult your doctor or health care practitioner to determine if ayahuasca is suitable for you.