How far in advance of the retreat should I begin the ayahuasca diet, and how important is it?

A vegetarian diet is recommended for 5 days before the retreat begins. We also recommend not eating or bringing food during your stay. Some people, especially those from stressful and polluted environments, and who do not consume a truly healthy diet, will not have a high level of sensitivity to ayahuasca. As a result, the first ceremony or ceremonies will be more about purging and cleansing.

Maintain a diet based on the following foods: Cheese, chicken, eggs, turkey, fish, milk, nuts, peanuts, seeds, soy, tofu, oats, dates, chickpeas, fruits, and vegetables.

Avoid exposure to strong and negative emotions.

In the three days prior to the ceremony, avoid all types of sexual activity to better preserve your personal energy.

We do NOT perform ceremonies in cases of:

- Pregnant women

- People with heart conditions

- People taking psychiatric medications

- People recovering from surgery or infectious diseases

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*If you have a health problem, please consult directly with the organizers to evaluate your case.

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Where is the San Alejandro Jungle Medicine House?

The medicine house is a 90-minute boat ride from the town of San Alejandro. San Alejandro is a 90-minute drive from the city of Pucallpa. The city of Pucallpa is located within the Amazon rainforest, and the best way to get there is to fly 70 minutes from Lima, the capital of Peru. To get to Lima, you need to take a 6-hour flight from Mexico City. Recommended airlines: for travel within Mexico and to Peru (Aeroméxico) / for travel within Peru (LATAM).

When should I arrive in Pucallpa? ​​/ Can I arrive on the same day as the retreat?

We recommend that you arrive in Pucallpa at least one day before the retreat begins and spend one night at Chichi's Hostel in Pucallpa at no extra cost. If you must arrive in Pucallpa on the day the retreat starts, please ensure that your flight arrives in Pucallpa before 1:00 PM on Monday.

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Do you provide transportation from Pucallpa airport upon arrival?

Yes, transportation is included from the airport to Hostal de Chichi in Pucallpa and the following day from Pucallpa to the San Alejandro Jungle retreat to begin the retreat. If you arrive very late for the retreat, please let us know so that a member of the staff can take you directly to the retreat location. Arrival in Pucallpa is Sunday evening, and departure from the jungle is Monday at 1:00 PM.

Can I fly from Pucallpa on the same day the retreat ends?

Yes, our retreats end on Monday. We leave the retreat house around 11:00 AM and arrive back in Pucallpa at 2:00 PM, allowing you to fly from Pucallpa to Lima in the afternoon if needed. However, most people who come to our retreats choose to spend at least one extra night at no additional cost at Chichi's Hostel in Pucallpa to relax after the retreat, or they book tours to explore tourist sites in Peru.

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I'm traveling alone, is it safe?

On average, approximately 90% of the people in our groups come alone, so don't worry about coming by yourself; you'll be in good company. Furthermore, the town and jungle area of ​​San Alejandro is among the safest in all of Peru, and the city of Pucallpa has the lowest crime rate in the country. Peru is a stable and predominantly safe country to travel to.

 

Do you use additives in your ayahuasca?

We don't use additives; we only use the ayahuasca vine and chacruna leaves.

Should I bring a sleeping bag?

It's not necessary; we will provide you with a bed and sheets. We also provide a list of things to bring to your retreat, which is mostly just clothing and a few essentials, such as a flashlight and insect repellent.

What is the group size?

Groups are 10 to 20 people maximum.

Is the San Alejandro Medicine House safe for women?

Yes, it is a safe place for women. Half of the staff are women. We have never had a woman at our retreats express that she didn't feel safe.

What currency is used to pay for the retreat?

US dollars (however, always check this page for the most up-to-date exchange rate in case you are reading an outdated version of this document).

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Where does the water at the medicine house come from?

We provide filtered river water, and for drinking, we use bottled water.

What kind of luggage should I bring?

We recommend you bring a backpack that weighs no more than 10 kilos (22 lbs). Due to the mud from the rainforest rains, we cannot bring large suitcases to the San Alejandro Medicine House.

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Can I smoke marijuana right before the retreat?

For some reason, marijuana and ayahuasca don't mix well. Sometimes, marijuana smokers have difficulty having a strong ayahuasca experience. We strongly recommend that you don't smoke marijuana as long as possible before the retreat. However, there is no danger in smoking marijuana right before the retreat. Bringing marijuana into Peru is illegal; do not bring marijuana or drugs on your trip to Peru, or you will be imprisoned.

Should I stop taking birth control pills during the retreat?

There is no danger in taking birth control pills while drinking ayahuasca.

Can you help me book my flight?

No, we're sorry, we have enough on our plate without getting involved in flight reservations. We'll just send you the flight schedules so you can plan your arrival in Pucallpa on Sunday and we can take you as a group to Chichi's Hostel.

What is the accommodation like at the medicine house?

There are 20 shared sleeping spaces in the medicine house, with two beds per room.

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What's the weather like?

The climate in the jungle around Pucallpa and San Alejandro is hot, averaging above 30°C/85°F year-round. There isn't a distinct dry season and rainy season like in the mountains of Peru. Sometimes there are weeks with hardly any rain, and other weeks can have heavy downpours. However, an average week in the San Alejandro jungle will be mostly dry and sunny with some scattered heavy showers throughout the week. One thing is pretty much guaranteed: whatever the amount of rain, the temperature will be warm and humid most of the time.

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I don't speak Spanish, is that a problem?

The retreats are conducted in both Spanish and English, so don't worry if you don't speak a word of Spanish.

We have English-speaking staff. There will always be at least one English-speaking staff member available to help translate if needed.

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Should I take malaria medication?

Although generally not considered dangerous, mixing ayahuasca with malaria medication can often have adverse effects on your experience and is generally not recommended. The San Alejandro jungle is located in a low-risk area of ​​the rainforest, and the vast majority of people who come to our retreats do not take this medication, nor do the staff or the teachers.

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Do I need any vaccinations?

There are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Peru. However, the most recommended vaccination is for Yellow Fever.

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Is there electricity in the medicine house?

We are not connected to the grid, but we have a generator that is usually turned on for a couple of hours each night before the ceremony begins. Therefore, it is possible to charge things like phones and flashlights throughout the week.

 

Can I bring my laptop and cell phone? Do I need a different adapter/converter?

We recommend that you do not bring laptops because the humidity in the jungle is known to cause problems with electronics; however, phones and cameras are generally fine. Peru uses the same type of plug as Mexico, the United States, and Canada, but it has a higher voltage, so please ensure that your electrical devices are compatible with up to 220 volts.

 

Do you have internet or Wi-Fi?

We do not provide internet or Wi-Fi.

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Can I check my email or receive phone calls or text messages at the medicine house?

There is intermittent cell phone signal, so if you have international roaming on your cell phone, you can send and receive texts or make calls, and you may also have internet access. However, only do this to let loved ones know you are okay. Distractions of any kind will not help you while you are working with the medicine.

 

Is it a good idea to come to your retreat with a partner?

This really depends on the type of relationship you have. If you have been together for a long time, have a strong relationship, and have already worked through most of your issues together, coming to the retreat together could be a good thing and might even help deepen your relationship further. However, if your relationship is volatile, we do not recommend joining together. One couple who came to one of our retreats apparently used the retreat as a kind of couples therapy and frequently had nightly screaming matches that certainly did not have a positive effect on the group's energy. This is not something we would always want to repeat, and in the future, if couples begin to argue excessively, they will be politely asked to be quiet or leave the retreat.

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