During the Retreat Guide
During the Retreat: What to Expect in an Ayahuasca Ceremony
During the retreat, guests are guided through preparation, ceremony, rest, and integration inside a calm Amazonian setting near Iquitos, Peru. The experience is not only the ceremony itself; it also includes silence, diet, rest, support, and personal reflection.
This guide explains what usually happens during the retreat, how to behave in ceremony, what to do between ceremonies, and how to move through the process with respect and clarity.
What Happens During the Retreat?
During the retreat, guests usually follow a simple rhythm: rest, eat light food, prepare for ceremony, participate in the ceremony, sleep, recover, and take time to reflect before the next step. This rhythm helps the body and mind enter the experience with more calm.
The retreat is not a party or a casual tourist activity. It is a traditional and personal experience that requires respect, patience, honesty, and willingness to follow guidance.
Guided Ceremony
Ceremonies are guided by the shaman or healer, supported by facilitators and the retreat team.
Rest Between Ceremonies
Between ceremonies, guests rest, eat simply, spend time in nature, and allow the experience to settle.
Small Group Atmosphere
We focus on a more personal retreat environment with private accommodation and respectful support.
Ceremony Guidelines: What to Do
An ayahuasca ceremony is usually held at night in a ceremonial space, often called a maloca. The ceremony can last several hours and is guided by the shaman through icaros, silence, prayer, and traditional care.
| Attitude | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Respect | Listen carefully to the shaman, healer, or facilitator before and during ceremony. | Clear guidance helps keep the ceremony safe, calm, and organized. |
| Silence | Remain quiet unless you need help or are instructed to speak. | Silence helps protect the space and allows others to focus on their process. |
| Surrender | Allow the experience to unfold without trying to control every sensation or vision. | Resistance can make the process more difficult. Patience and trust are important. |
| Focus | Return to your intention if your mind becomes distracted or fearful. | A clear intention can help you stay grounded during intense moments. |
| Care | Use the bucket discreetly if purging happens and ask for help if needed. | Purging may happen during ceremony and is handled calmly and respectfully. |
| Safety | Do not leave the ceremonial space alone without informing the team. | The team needs to know where you are and support you if you feel unstable. |
Recommended During Ceremony
- Follow the instructions of the shaman, healer, or facilitator.
- Stay in your assigned space unless you need assistance.
- Keep silence and respect the process of other participants.
- Return to your breath and intention when the experience becomes intense.
- Ask for help if you feel unsafe, confused, or physically unstable.
- Let the ceremony close before trying to sleep or move around freely.
What to Avoid During Ceremony
- Talking unnecessarily with other participants.
- Leaving the ceremonial space without telling the team.
- Using your phone, taking photos, or recording the ceremony.
- Trying to force visions or compare your experience with others.
- Drinking more medicine without permission from the shaman or facilitator.
- Interrupting the ceremony unless there is a real need for help.
Simple Retreat Rhythm
1
Arrival
Guests arrive, settle into their room, rest, and receive basic orientation from the team.
2
Preparation
Before ceremony, guests eat lightly, hydrate, rest, and prepare mentally and emotionally.
3
Ceremony
The ceremony is guided in a traditional setting with silence, icaros, and support from the team.
4
Integration
After ceremony, guests rest, reflect, journal, and allow the experience to settle naturally.
Between Ceremonies
The time between ceremonies is important. It allows the body to recover and the mind to process what happened. Guests are encouraged to rest, eat simply, spend time in nature, and avoid too much talking or stimulation.
Some guests feel clear and peaceful. Others feel tired, emotional, thoughtful, or confused. Each process is different. The important thing is to move slowly, communicate honestly with the team, and avoid judging the experience too quickly.
Between ceremonies, simplicity is part of the work: rest, silence, nature, journaling, hydration, and respectful communication with the facilitators when needed.
During the Day
- Rest and give the body time to recover.
- Drink water and follow the retreat diet.
- Spend quiet time in nature or near your cabin.
- Write down important feelings, memories, or insights.
- Ask questions to the team when you need support.
- Keep your routine simple and calm.
Key Attitude
- Trust the process without forcing conclusions.
- Be humble and open to learning.
- Be patient with your body and emotions.
- Respect the space and privacy of other guests.
- Allow silence to support your integration.
- Stay honest with the team about how you feel.
Helpful Pages Before and After Your Retreat
Preparation Guide
Learn how to prepare before the retreat with diet, safety, medication screening, and emotional readiness.
Read Preparation GuideAfter Retreat
Learn how to care for yourself after ceremony with integration, diet, rest, and emotional grounding.
Read After Retreat GuideSafety Guidelines
Read our safety information before joining an ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon.
Read Safety GuidelinesChoose Your Retreat Option
4 Days / 3 Nights
A shorter retreat with 3 ayahuasca ceremonies for guests with limited time.
View 4 Days Retreat7 Days / 6 Nights
A balanced retreat with 3 ceremonies, Kambo, and flowering bath included.
View 7 Days Retreat10 Days / 9 Nights
A deeper retreat with 5 ceremonies, Kambo, and flowering bath included.
View 10 Days RetreatAsk About What Happens During the Retreat
If you have questions about ceremony, safety, preparation, retreat rhythm, accommodation, or which retreat option is right for you, contact us directly before booking.