13-day Sacred Plant Journey with Ayahuasca and San Pedro
13-day Sacred Plant Journey with Ayahuasca and San Pedro
-
A6 Calle San Martin, Cusco 08004, 2178, 13-day Sacred Plant Journey with Ayahuasca and San Pedro, MX, 77673
5/5
Group Size
Location
$2750
Overview
Retreat Highlights
- Ayahuasca ceremonies in the jungle
- San Pedro ceremony in Sacred Valley
- Despacho ceremony in Sacred Valley
- Guidance and support during the rituals
- Shared and private integration and guidance
- Amazon jungle excursion
- Visit of Maras salt mines, Moray terraces, Ollantaytambo archaeological site, Pisac Intiwatana temple (Sacred Valley)
- Excursion to Condors refuge
- Excursion to Cusco
Details of this retreat
The retreat is located in the Sacred Valley of the Inka, near Cusco, which is considered the Andean capital city. This region hosts a unique culture with a significantly different history than that of the Amazon basin or the coastal regions. It also has its own unique master plant tradition with the use of San Pedro cactus, or Wachuma, as it is known to the Quechua people.
During the 13 days, participants will take part in three Ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon. In the Andes, our ceremony experiences with San Pedro and Despacho will be dedicated to sharing and integration. During the remaining six days in the mountains, we will visit archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley, including Moray terraces, Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo temple, and Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary. We will also travel to Cusco to see the magnificent Andean capital in person. In between the excursions, there will be plenty of time to spend in Pisac village, visit the local handicrafts market, and walk local mountain trails.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
There are a total of three Ayahuasca sessions, starting in the evening at 6 PM. The rituals are accompanied by traditional chants and medicine songs from different traditions. Moments of silent prayer and contemplation also play an important role in working with Ayahuasca. During the night sessions, participants are free to leave for the bathroom at any time, though it is recommended to stay inside the session space most of the time until the ritual concludes around 3 AM. We use only traditional, high-quality Peruvian Ayahuasca brew (consisting of Banisteriopsis Caapi and Chacruna) for our rituals. Additionally, during the night sessions, there’s a dedicated moment to receive two other traditional Amazonian medicines—rapé and sananga. Rapé is a snuff made from medicinal plant ash and sometimes tobacco, allowing for deeper levels of connection and cleansing. Sananga is a drop applied to the eyes that provides clarity to perception.
San Pedro Ceremony
The concluding experience with San Pedro is a peaceful day by the river, beginning in the early morning with the sacred plant medicine. After a short walk from the village to a serene riverside spot, we will spend the day along the riverbanks, immersed in the soothing sounds of nature. San Pedro (Huachuma) gently reconnects the body and mind, offering clarity and a return to a primordial state of awareness. This final day is one of reflection and deep integration, guided by the mountain spirit and the grandfather energy of San Pedro. Under the care of Don Kucho and the retreat facilitators, this slow, mindful journey deepens the understanding and integration of the retreat’s transformative experiences.
Despacho Ritual
The Andean Despacho ritual is a sacred offering ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (mountain spirits). It involves creating a bundle of symbolic offerings—such as flowers, coca leaves, and grains—arranged with prayers and intentions for balance, gratitude, and healing. Once completed, the bundle is either buried, burned, or offered to a river to send the prayers to the spirit world, symbolizing harmony between humans and nature. The ritual reflects the Andean principle of *ayni* (sacred reciprocity), fostering connection with the universe.
The Integration
Processes brought up in the ceremonies are essential elements of the retreat, serving as pointers on our map of inner healing. Another important part of the retreat is feedback from one’s experience, which may occur in group sharing the day after a ceremony and individually as well. Sharing is caring. Our ability to articulate what emerges provides a map for our inner journey.
Participants receive personal attention during group and individual interactions that ultimately help ground their ceremony experiences. The shared group experiences create a family-like environment for a safe and confidential personal process, with support and guidance.
Schedule
– March 12: Before lunch, we will hold a sharing circle, looking into each other’s eyes and allowing space for the night’s experience to settle. In the afternoon, we will take a guided walk through the Amazon.
– March 13: After breakfast, we will gather to listen to a talk led by Maestro Don Bechin. In the afternoon, we will rest and prepare for the second ceremony.
– March 14: Before lunch, we will hold a sharing circle. In the afternoon, we will visit the tropical orchard.
– March 15: We will take an excursion to Lake Sandoval. Third night ceremony.
– March 16: A day of rest and reflection in the afternoon on the experiences and teachings received in the first part of the journey.
– March 17: Departure from the Amazon and arrival at Cusco airport. From here, we will take our van to the town of Pisac, located at 2972 meters above sea level. Pisac is a flourishing center in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, rich in attractions and known for its beautiful handicraft market. Time for rest and acclimatisation.
– March 18: After breakfast, we will depart for a full-day excursion. We will visit the archaeological site of Moray, composed of three terraced amphitheaters, built by the Incas, probably as agricultural laboratories. Here, we will meditate and connect with the ancient wisdom of the place. After lunch (in Urubamba), we will head towards Ollantaytambo, the town that best preserves the atmosphere of the Inca period. We will visit the archaeological area, where, among many ruins, lies the Temple of the Sun, a center for astronomical observation. Return to Pisac.
– March 19: After breakfast, we will visit the artisanal community of Chawaytiri. We will witness their work and be shown the entire process of creating their fine handicrafts. We will have lunch with the community, enjoying their traditional soup, and those who wish can purchase some pieces. After our farewells, we will visit the Intiwatana Temple in Pisac, used by the Incas for astronomical observations. Here, we will meditate together and then walk down through the scenic landscape to our hotel.
– March 20: After breakfast, we will have the honor of meeting Maestro Don Kucho, who will guide us in the Despacho experience, a traditional Andean ceremony of offering to Pachamama. In the afternoon, we will visit the rescued animal sanctuary at Ccochahuasi, located 20 minutes by bus from Pisac.
– March 21: We will spend the entire day guided by Maestro Don Kucho, experiencing a deep connection with ourselves and celebrating nature with Andean medicine. We will walk along the river, feel the strength and energy of Mother Earth, and learn about the spirit of Mapacho. We will close the ceremony with songs around the fire.
– March 22: After breakfast, we will calmly move toward Cusco, the “navel of the world,” the beating heart of the ancient Inca empire, which still fascinates visitors from around the globe. We will start at the Temple of the Moon, a mystical place dedicated to female energy and fertility. Here, we will meditate together and connect with the energies of the place, then walk to the center of Cusco, where we will visit the characteristic neighbourhoods of San Blas and San Ana, the cyclopean walls, and the traditional San Pedro Magic Market. After dinner, we will hold a sharing circle and close the retreat.
– March 23: After breakfast, we will visit the traditional market of Pisac, where every Sunday the Quechua communities from the mountains parade through the streets, bringing their products to the square. After farewells, we will depart.