FAQs

Without a doubt, many people feel nervous before drinking ayahuasca. You are not alone! To the contrary, it would be way less common to not feel nervous. Drinking ayahuasca is a serious undertaking, and feeling nervous before doing something with potentially life-changing implications is not only normal, it is quite rational.

That being said, there are many things you can do to help with the nerves. Refer to our Preparation page for helpful suggestions. This is a great place to start.

Our preparation page is a good place to start for suggestions on ways to get ready for the experience. Also, as part of the booking process, we will send you a comprehensive Preparation Guide, which includes the dietary and medical guidelines as well as more information on what you can do to get ready.

The plant dieta is a period of time where a person undergoes a specialized diet while consuming a remedy made from one or more medicinal plants. It is the foundation of Amazonian plant medicine traditions and functions as a complement to ayahuasca practices. Plant dietas are one of the primary methods by which shamans and apprentices undergo training in order to learn plant spirit medicine. Diets are also administered to treat certain conditions, as a means to achieve deeper healing, and advance one's work with plant medicine.

In our tradition, we diet with a variety of tree medicines, plants from the Sanango family, and mapacho tobacco. The simple process consists of ingesting the plant remedy for up to four consecutive days while following a series of behavioral and dietary restrictions. These restrictions allow for the plant medicine to enter the body cleanly, without energetic interruption.

The dietary restrictions include limited food consumption with foods that are bland, without salt, oils, or spices. Dieters are served a few types of small river fish, plain chicken, eggs, yucca, and cucumber. Additionally, hygiene products like soap, toothpaste and deodorant are not permitted for a period of time. Essentially, nothing on or in the body that is not part of the prescribed dieta.

Behavioral restrictions include abstinence from sexual activity leading up to the diet, during, and for 30 days after. Drugs, alcohol and other plant medicines are also prohibited during the diet and for 30 days afterwards. All of these restrictions support the process in vital energetic ways, helping to create the optimum environment in order to effectively and safely receive the plant medicine and its spirit into one’s body and consciousness.

For more information on the plant dieta, please see our plant dieta and medicine pages.

In general, we recommend eating clean, whole foods leading up to your retreat. The medicine can be more effective and take you deeper the cleaner your body is. All of our dietary recommendations can be found here, and you can read more about why pork is specifically restricted here.

1 week prior to your retreat, limit the following:

• Avoid all types of pork and pork products

• Overly processed foods

• Foods high in salt

• Foods high in processed sugar (fruit is okay)

• Overly ripe or fermented foods

• Overly spicy foods (moderate spice is okay)

A note on caffeine consumption:

If you regularly consume caffeine it is recommended that you wean yourself down to a moderate level before arriving. While we have some caffeinated beverages available for those who will NOT be doing the plant diet, ayahuasca can make you more sensitive to caffeine. Plan to consume less than what you normally would, before and during the retreat.

Yes! In order to work best with ayahuasca, it is ideal that your system is clean and clear of all other substances including alcohol, recreational drugs, and other plant medicines. This will allow ayahuasca to work with you with less physical and energetic interference.

At least 2 weeks prior to your retreat:

• Avoid drinking alcohol

• Avoid taking ANY recreational drugs (some are required for 30 days; please make sure to read through the Preparation Guide for more details)

• Avoid ALL other plant medicines including cannabis, psychedelics and other ayahuasca (better if you can refrain for one month)

For more details on these and other pre-retreat guidelines, visit our dietary guidelines page.

This is true. We ask that each guest refrain from sexual activity of any kind, including masturbation:

• At least 3 days prior to your retreat

• For the duration of the retreat

• For 7 days after your last ayahuasca ceremony

• If you are doing the plant medicine dieta, abstain for 30 days after the dieta is “cut”

For more information on why sexual activity is prohibited with ayahuasca, please see this page.

We maintain a “no medications” policy while consuming ayahuasca at Casa Del Maestro. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements.

Certain medications and health supplements—particularly SSRI’s or anything that affects the serotonergic system—can be dangerous and potentially fatal when consumed with ayahuasca, which has an MAO-inhibitor as one of its primary ingredients.

It is really important to follow the guidelines outlined in the Preparation Guide in order to work with the medicine safely, as well as to consult with your doctor if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals so you can be appropriately informed on how to best proceed. It is equally important that you accurately disclose all medical information when filling out the Pre-Retreat Health Form so we can work together safely and informed.

Here is a list that covers the majority of medications and substances to be avoided. This is not an exhaustive list. Our Preparation Guide expands on this in more detail, so make sure to read through that carefully. You can also find this information on our medical guidelines page. In all cases, please refer to your doctor’s advice when making any decisions.

• Amphetamines and derivatives

• Analgesics

• Antidepressants/mood stabilizers

• MAO-I’s

• SSRI’s

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

• Serotonin 2A receptor blockers

• St. John's wort

• Blood pressure medication

• Vasodilators

• Appetite suppressants, diet pills

• Anti-migraine drugs

• Ergot alkaloids

• Triptans

• ALL recreational drugs: opiates, cocaine, MDMA, mescaline

• Other plant medicines: mushrooms, LSD, DMT, San Pedro, peyote, iboga, cannabis, kratom, kava, etc.

• Barbiturates

• Cough suppressants, cold, and flu medications

• L-tryptophan

• 5-HTP

• Sleeping pills (including melatonin and valerian)

We permit two exceptions to the above medication exclusions (as long as you are not doing the plant medicine dieta). The two exceptions are birth control and malaria medication, which should be taken in the morning with breakfast.

In some cases, we can make additional exclusions. These are special cases and will be agreed upon on an individual basis in conjunction with a medical professional. If you have any concerns, please contact us.

All of our ayahuasca is made fresh on-site. Maestro Alberto and his family grow some of the plants we utilize on their own land (e.g. ayahuasca vine and chacruna). Additional medicine plants are harvested by our team from the local rainforest. When we prepare our ayahuasca, guests are invited to participate in and learn about the process. See our medicine page for more information.

When used responsibly and under proper guidance, ayahuasca is a very safe plant medicine. It has been consumed by Amazonian peoples for potentially thousands of years, and foreigners have been drinking ayahuasca in the Amazon and abroad for at least a couple hundred years. Based on the number of reported incidents, when compared to, for instance, drinking alcohol, ayahuasca is much safer.

That being said, there are important health and safety considerations. The most important elements regarding safety have to do with proper dietary and medical protocols. Because one of the main ingredients in ayahuasca is an MAO-inhibitor, certain foods, medications, supplements, and other substances can adversely react with ayahuasca and cause potentially harmful results.

We provide preparation materials that cover these dietary and medical protocols that each person is required to follow in order to participate. These cover what is and what is not safe to consume before the retreat, and for how long. These are not guidelines; rather they are necessary in order to ensure safety as well as to help create the best opportunity for getting the most out of the experience.

Additionally, there are some cases where ayahuasca is not a suitable medicine. This can include people with psychiatric illness, those with heart health problems, or other medical or health conditions that make the consumption of ayahuasca unsafe.

In order to be accepted to one of our programs, each person will need to first pass a health screening so that we can assess suitability. In all cases, it is important to be honest, especially if you fall into one of the above categories. Each individual situation is unique and we assess every applicant as such. In many cases, there are ways to make the medicine available safely to most people.

Lastly, drinking ayahuasca with untrained ceremony leaders, in a setting that is not safe or properly managed, or with people who don’t represent one’s best intentions can be risky, at best, and possibly lead to lasting, negative repercussions on one’s health and well-being. We always recommend working with ayahuasca responsibly, in a professional setting, and with Maestros and facilitators who have significant experience and track records of integrity.

If you have any questions about these matters, feel free to contact us.

Yes. Many of our guests are solo travelers and Peru is a safe place and well-established country for all kinds of visitors. We have had plenty of solo female guests, first time international travelers, people who don’t speak any Spanish, and of all ages. We have accommodated and assisted each one on a successful journey.

Our medicine team is very experienced and professional, and we have worked with a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds, cultures, ages, genders, beliefs and interests. We hold a safe, respectful space and carry the medicine equally for each individual without judgment.

If you have any concerns at any time, you can always contact us.

Good question! The post-ayahuasca journey is equally important as the experience. Just like in ceremonies, there can be ups and downs, challenges and successes. Casa Del Maestro has a dedicated team, and we offer continued support to each guest.

First, open and direct communication with our facilitation team is available at any time and for any purpose. We are here to help and leaving our doors open to support you after the retreat is a priority for us.

Second, if you should need more in-depth support, you can book integration sessions with our facilitation team.

Third, each retreat group will receive a series of emails that has tailored content related to going home and integrating your experience into daily life. Emails will be sent at regular intervals for 90 days after your retreat.

Lastly, we are in the process of developing a custom community platform for all Casa Del Maestro guests. This aims to be a comprehensive, community-led integration space. It will include a general community group, retreat-specific groups, specialized content related to medicine work and integration, virtual integration sessions, as well as additional resources that will not only enrich your medicine experience, but your life as a human being seeking connection, meaning, and fulfillment. We aim to have the first version by Q1 2024. Stay tuned!

As one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, Peru is well-accustomed to foreigners and generally a very safe place to travel. Machu Picchu regularly ranks high on the list of most-visited places worldwide, and Peru is recognized as one of the safest places in South America. For instance, it carries a “Level 2” advisory from the US Department of State, which is an equivalent rating given to the UK.

Iquitos, as well as the surrounding village near Casa Del Maestro, is particularly safe. The most pressing thing to be aware of is petty theft, which is rare, and often happens as a result of uninformed travel etiquette.

Intelligent, culturally-aware travel is always recommended no matter where you are going internationally. Be smart, do some research, educate yourself on the culture, and lastly, make sure not to drink the water, and you’ll fall in love with this country in no time!

Not a problem! We have a translator available on every program, and the majority of our discussions and activities are conducted with English as the primary language. Maestro Alberto is interactive with guests, so at any time you need to communicate with him or his team, you will have the opportunity to do so via translation.

We don't have Wi-Fi at the center (not yet!), though there is a reliable mobile data connection that works well, considering we are essentially on the frontier of civilization! For anyone who needs to stay connected during the retreat, we recommend getting setup with an international data plan or purchasing a local sim for either Bitel or Claro carriers before you arrive to Herrera.

Here are the essentials. The Travel Guide, which you will receive upon registering, covers additional detail on what to bring. You can also see the travel page.

• Headlamp/small flashlight with red light function

• Bug repellent, after bite care

• Sun protection

• Water bottle

• Sandals or flipflops

• Boots or sneakers you don’t mind getting muddy

• Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops

• Lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts

• Light jacket or sweatshirt (for cool nights and boat rides)

• Comfy clothes/lightweight layers for ceremonies

• Bathing suit

• Rain poncho or rain jacket

• Socks to wear with jungle shoes

• Reading material, journal, pens/pencils

• Portable charger or power bank

• Eye mask and earplugs (early mornings!)

• Portable fan (hot days!)

As of October 12th, 2022, it is no longer necessary to fill out the Peruvian Declaration of Health form. Please ignore any previous communications referring to this requirement.

As of November 1st, 2022, the Peruvian Government has lifted all travel requirements related to Covid. It is no longer necessary to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test to enter the country. Facemasks are no longer required on flights to Peru, within airports, or inside buildings.

This, of course, can change so we advise that you keep yourself informed as best as you can as you prepare to join us in Peru!

We recommend arriving in Iquitos the night before your retreat begins. This provides some leeway in case of travel delays, and also awards the opportunity to take care of last minute errands and get a good rest before traveling to Herrera.

The latest you should arrive is via an early morning flight the day the retreat begins, no later than 8:00 am. We meet at 10:30 am at one of the transport company offices to begin the bus and boat ride to Casa Del Maestro. This is the only boat, so should you be late, you'll have to catch the boat the following morning.

Casa Del Maestro is located outside of Genaro Herrera, Peru, a small village along the Ucayali River. By the time you arrive, you will be fully in Amazonia! And unless you are taking a small private plane, the only way to get here is via the river.

The first step is to fly to Lima, Peru where virtually all international flights arrive. From Lima, take a domestic flight to Iquitos, Peru.

On the morning of the first day of the retreat the group will meet at our designated meeting point, check-in, and board the bus to Nauta, which takes about 1.5-2 hours.

In Nauta we’ll get off the bus at the port and get on a passenger speed boat (called a rápido). The boat takes us up the Ucayali until we land at the port in Genaro Herrera. We will be greeted there by the Casa Del Maestro family and then make our way to the center just a short distance outside the village.

For more information on our location and the journey to get here, please see this page.

Absolutely. We have vegetarians or vegans join us on almost every retreat. While we are limited based on what is available in the village, we have access to a selection of fruits and veggies and can order specific items from Iquitos when possible. When you fill out the Pre-Retreat Health Form, you will have the opportunity to disclose your dietary needs ahead of time and we will prepare accordingly.

Great! The booking process is simple. Go to our upcoming retreats page and click the corresponding “Book Now” button for the dates you’ll be joining us.

You will be taken to a separate page on our booking platform. Fill in the required information, select your retreat type, and make the deposit. You can pay using your credit card or with a US bank account.

Once payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email. Follow the link in that email that directs you to fill out the Pre-Retreat Health Form. Once we receive the health form and approve it, you will get an approval email directly from us. This will contain our Travel Guide and Preparation Guide, both essential documents for helping you get oriented on the next steps as your trip approaches.

We typically take a deposit via our online booking system. If you prefer to pay the remaining portion in cash, you may do so. Once you register and pay the deposit, please let us know you’d like to make a cash payment and we will arrange this for you. If you have further questions about paying in cash, just let us know.

If you have a balance due and have arranged to pay in cash, please have clean, crisp bills in USD or Peruvian Soles.

Otherwise, we offer bottled water for purchase for 3 Soles (less than $1) and most guests like to leave a tip for the staff and the medicine team at the conclusion of the retreat. Additionally, guests sometimes need incidental items from the village or like to purchase crafts from local artisans.

That is up to you! It is certainly not required, though most people do. It is common in Peru for service industry workers, like our retreat center staff, to accept tips in exchange for a job well done. We generally take tips on the last day of the retreat to be distributed to our team. People often ask, "How much?!" Also, totally personal! It ranges widely though the average is between $100-$200.

We understand that things happen and we do our best to work with you to find a tenable solution. In most cases, we will move your deposit to another retreat. Please see our cancellation policy.