Peru - Ayahuasca: 18 Days

Itinerary

• Day 1-2   (Lima & Iquitos)
  

  Lima is where we’ll gather and begin our journey together. Take a moment to settle in as we get to know each other and prepare for our trip to the Amazon the next day.

  We’ll fly as a group over the winding Amazon River to Iquitos, the gateway to the rainforest and tribal villages. This is our first glimpse of the world’s largest tropical rainforest and its incredible biodiversity. In Iquitos, we’ll take time to set our intentions and have a group Ayahuasca talk to prepare for the medicine experience. We’ll also visit the biggest market in Iquitos and enjoy a group dinner.

• Day 3   (Amazon Jungle)
  

  A 1.5-hour boat ride on the Amazon River takes us to the heart of the jungle and the reason you came on this adventure. We’ll stay at an off-grid healing center, welcomed by Mother Ayahuasca and local shamans. The rustic jungle setting lets us fully connect with the wild, exotic nature that surrounds us. Our lead shaman, Jose, has a warm heart and over 25 years of experience with Ayahuasca. The local staff is dedicated to ensuring everyone feels safe and supported.

  All meals are included, following a dieta recommended by the Shamans, with delicious whole foods. The center has plenty of cozy spaces where you can relax, read, or enjoy some quiet time in a hammock. You’ll have ample time to reflect, write, rest, and listen to your inner process. Click here for a photo album of our beautiful center, and the meals we’ll enjoy.
  
  We’ll experience a traditional flower bath in the afternoon to prepare for our first ceremony. In the first ceremony, the Shaman will give an introductory dose of medicine to allow for a gentle experience and for the Shamans to get to know each of us better.

• Day 4   (Amazon Jungle)
  

  Each day after a ceremony, our group will gather for a discussion circle where you can share your experience with the shamans. This allows them to understand your process and provide guidance, ensuring the best support in future ceremonies. We're fortunate to have such dedicated shamans who care deeply about us, and a translator is available to assist with these conversations. You'll also have a private session with the shamans to discuss your intentions and anything personal as we prepare for the second ceremony with a larger dose of Ayahuasca.

  After each ceremony, staff members will walk you safely back to your cottage. We are also provided with daily room cleaning by the friendly staff. It’s the little details that make a big difference, and we are truly well taken care of.

• Day 5   (Amazon Jungle)
  

  One of the best parts of our secluded jungle homes is the slow, unhurried pace we can embrace each day. At 7:00am, fruit and hot tea are delivered to your cottage door, giving you time to wake up and reflect on the previous night’s experiences. The bonds within our group grow deeper each day, and one of the most rewarding aspects is sharing the highs and lows we all experience. This strong support gives us the confidence and safety to surrender and connect with the medicine.

  Breakfast is served at 10am, followed by a group discussion that lasts as long as needed. Each afternoon, depending on the weather and the group’s energy, there’s an optional activity, like boat trips to see wildlife, visiting local artisanal markets, interacting with the monkeys, and a few surprises we’d rather keep secret! On ceremony days, we’ll have lunch at 1:00pm and then fast for the rest of the day. At 6:30pm, we gather in the Maloca (the ceremonial space) to sit with the medicine for our 3rd ceremony.

• Day 7   (Amazon Jungle)
  

  Day 6 is our rest day! After three ceremonies—one introductory dose and two larger ones—it's time to unwind. Use the day to process, journal, read, and catch up on sleep. We’ll have a group discussion and an afternoon activity, but you’ll also have plenty of time to reflect on your intentions and relax in your hammock. One of the best parts of rest day is enjoying a tasty dinner and heading to bed early!

  We’ll also have the opportunity to purchase beautiful Shipibo tapestries and artwork from the shamans, often finding pieces that reflect the experiences and visions you’ve had with Ayahuasca.

• Day 7-8   (Amazon Jungle)
  

  In our 4th and 5th ceremonies, we’ll settle back into the evening rituals with the medicine. Often, the first 2-3 ceremonies focus on cleansing and clearing negative energies, delving into challenging emotions. By the 4th and 5th ceremonies, many people experience a blossoming, a surge of creative energy that brings clarity on the path forward.

  Ayahuasca is a remarkable medicine, and we’re fortunate to have such incredible shamans guiding us. Before our final ceremony, the shamans will bless us with another flower bath. The last ceremony, called the ‘Arcana,’ is a special process used by the shamans to seal our energy and provide protection, marking the conclusion of the work we’ve done during the retreat.

• Day 9-10   (Amazon Jungle - Cusco)
  

  After our final ceremony, we’ll have a full day and night to relax and enjoy our beautiful sanctuary in the Amazon. We’ll have a final group discussion, go on an excursion, and take part in the closing traditions with our shamans and staff. We’ll also talk about the next steps for integrating the experience into our daily lives, with ongoing support from our team and community.

  On the last day, we’ll have breakfast, say our goodbyes to the Shamans and staff at the center, and take the boat back to Iquitos. From there, we’ll catch flights back to Lima and onwards to Cusco!

• Day 11-14   (Pisac - Sacred Valley)
  

  In the Sacred Valley, we’ll find ourselves in a peaceful retreat, a perfect place to slow down and integrate after our transformative week in the Amazon with Ayahuasca. This valley, cradled by towering mountains known to Peruvians as the Apus, is revered for its immense spiritual presence. The energy here is something that can only be truly understood by being in its midst. Our time in this serene location allows for deep reflection, providing the space needed to process and recharge before moving forward. We’ll have the opportunity to visit the nearby town of Pisac, known for its vibrant markets and ancient ruins, where you can further connect with the rich culture and spirit of the Andes. This is a time for inner peace and gentle exploration.

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

  Winding through the majestic valleys of the Andes, we’ll take a train to Aguas Calientes. Known for its thermal mineral baths and as the gateway to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes—meaning "hot water" in Spanish—rests in a mystical cloud forest. The rushing Urubamba River and the sacred sites add to its enchanting atmosphere. Most streets are pedestrian-only, perfect for wandering, shopping at local markets, or enjoying a delicious meal.

  Our first night here will help us adjust to the altitude before we hike Machu Picchu the next day.

  Machu Picchu, voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, is truly awe-inspiring. We’ll explore the ruins with a local guide who will share the history and spirit of this ancient site. We’ll take our time to soak in the views and the profound experience. You also have the option to hike to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain for an even more breathtaking perspective. After exploring the ruins, you’ll have the evening free 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. We say our goodbyes to our new dear friends, having truly experienced life-changing experiences with each other. 

More Information

• What's included? (18 days)
  • All accommodations
  • 4 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 guide for Machu Picchu
  • Yoga and Meditation
  • Cacao ceremony 
  • Post-trip integration calls
  • Self-guided workbook
    
    *Payments made through Inward Travel do not include the cost of plant medicine, psychedelics, or similar products. You will pay the local facilitators for the medicine (approx. $10). 
• 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. 

• Accommodation.

  We know how much your surroundings influence your inner journey, so we’ve carefully chosen our accommodations for this experience. Our Ayahuasca center in the Amazon is located on a 400-acre property, surrounded by lush rainforest. The only way to reach this peaceful haven is by a 90-minute boat ride along the Amazon River and its tributaries.

  Each cottage is thoughtfully placed for complete privacy, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the jungle. The cottages are rustic but clean and comfortable, with quality mattresses and bedding. Each person has their own double bed with a mosquito net and their own level in a spacious cottage. (The two largest cottages can accommodate up to two people per level.)

  The Ayahuasca center offers a rustic-luxury experience that fosters a deeper connection to nature. Each cottage features a cozy hammock, screened off from bugs. Cottages are cleaned daily, and fruit and tea are delivered each morning. The center also offers common spaces and a library for relaxing and connecting with the group. Click here to view a photo album of our off-the-grid paradise.

• Your leaders / facilitators

  This trip will have a team of people who are providing this 11-day trip to Gabon.
  Clémence - the Ngnaga (Shaman) will be leading the Iboga (Bio below)
  Curtis Smith - Inward Travel leader and trip manager (Bio below)
  Kay - our translator will be with the group the entire trip
  Stephane Lasme - Gabon host and Trip Manager

  Clémence, also known as Menmence, is the founder of the Diaki Diaki village since 2010. Coming from a lineage practicing the initiatory rites of Gabon, Menmence embraced his spiritual journey from the age of 7, guided by a call from his guardian entities. Initiated by her ancestors, guardians of ancestral traditions, she became a respected initiator of various rites, such as Abandji, Ndjembè, ologho, MBOUMBA Eyano, and many others. Among the traditional rituals in which she initiates, some imply that the candidate for initiation consumes Iboga for an inner journey. As a renowned traditional therapist, she offers her care to an international clientele. With more than a hundred spiritual children trained in his rites, Menmence embodies wisdom and healing rooted in Gabonese traditions.
  
  Curtis has been working with plant medicine for over 25 years and as the founder of multiple travel companies, Curtis has designed and lead hundreds of trips over that time.  Working with plant medicine opened up something real and deep in his life, so much beauty that it could not be contained, and it has been his passion to lead these groups and share transformational experiences with others in authentic settings around the world. 

  Our trip leaders were chosen because of their passion for travel, plant medicine, and sharing their love for what they do with others. They are extremely dedicated to providing the most impactful and supportive experience possible.

• 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 create ayahuasca tea. This brew produces psychotropic effects, with the active ingredient being Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a chemical naturally produced in our pineal gland.

  Ayahuasca is deeply rooted in the spiritual and healing practices of many indigenous Amazonian tribes and is often referred to as "grandmother ayahuasca." Traditionally, shamans would ingest the medicine to connect with the spirit realm and receive healing songs and remedies for those in need. Today, people seeking healing sit in ceremony and take the medicine themselves, awakening the healer within.

  When meeting the grandmother, she listens to our intentions—going beyond words to connect with our soul and reveal our path of healing. Each experience with her is unique, asking us to surrender our expectations and release control. Whether visual, purgative, or neither, the journey is always insightful, offering exactly what you need.

  Ayahuasca teaches us and guides us on our healing journey, but she won’t do the work for us. The ceremony continues when you leave the jungle and start integrating the insights gained, thus creating the changes needed to live the life you truly desire. We understand the importance of integration, and this trip is curated to support you 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.