Culture & Adventure
CREATING AUTHENTIC TOURS IN PERU
Taking part in this 5 days Ayahuasca Retreat you can participate in a deep process of healing, cleansing, purification; and physical, psychological and spiritual detoxification. This retreat includes 3 ayahuasca ceremonies in our retreat house, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas plus 5 Ancient Inca rituals, done by professional Masters and healers from the Amazon jungle and Andean Shamans.
We operate safely and responsibly with a professional team of Shamans, assistants, translators and spiritual guides for your 100% personal care on the spiritual retreat. Our expert Amazonian Shamans conduct an Ayahuasca retreat which will liberate you from childhood traumas, addictions, depression, anxiety and more by working on your unconscious mind, allowing deep, lasting healing. The retreat will also open or increase spiritual paths and commitment.
This ayahuasca retreat will also include hikes to the sacred mountains of the Incas, such as Ausangate, where an Andean priest will open your energy fields, and you will also be able to submerge yourself in the crystal-clear waters to purify your body. Then we will hike to the energetic portal of Perolniyoq, where we will strengthen ourselves with the energy of our great universe.
To give thanks for all the good things you will receive, we will go to thank an indigenous community in the Andes, where the inhabitants will be happy to receive you, there you will learn about their cults, traditions and ancestral medicine.
We required you to arrive at least 2 days before your retreat so you have a chance to acclimatise to the altitude of Cusco. Many people feel the effects of the altitude. If you arrive the day of your retreat, we will not be able to give you Ayahuasca and you will have to change your retreat for the next available date. Unfortunately a refund will not be possible. We want to prevent people getting altitude sickness while under the effect of Ayahuasca as this is a serious health risk.
As Ayahuasca is a potent form of medicine it can occasionally have interactions with other medications or drugs. We therefore recommend that you find a natural way to detoxify your system at least two weeks before the start of the retreat. If you have any physical or psycological medical conditions or are under any medication treatment, please let us know before you book your retreat.
Please you must send by email (scan) and bring to Cusco a letter from your doctor outlining your good health or general health status. This document is mandatory for you to be able to participate in the retreat. If you cannot bring the letter, you will have to make a check up in Cusco with our doctor onsite on the day of the retreat. This check up will be for an extra cost of $50 US, If you require to do this please contact our staff so they can help you to organise this for you
Family Home Stay: 04 nights
Our Ayahuasca retreat itinerary includes two nights in rooms shared by two people; if you want a private room (you must add $ 100 for a private room for 2 nights). We have bathrooms which are shared by all Ayahuasca lovers. The bathrooms are constantly cleaned and disinfected.
Our staff will come to pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 pm, then we will transfer by private transportation to the sacred valley of the Incas, our ceremony will take place in the Town of Pisac, there we will meet Master Alberto, who will give us a warm welcome. The ayahuasca ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. with the prior permission ceremonies performed by the ayahuasca shaman with different rituals that include tobacco rituals and Iqaros. The dose that is provided to people depends on the energy level and mental strength; the shaman does not provide the same dose for all people.
During the ceremony, you will take a place on one of the mattresses lined up around the room. A bucket and toilet paper next to each one. Then you will sit and watch the shaman prepare the Ayahuasca and perform the ritual of blessing the medicine. The shaman will also drink the medicine. During the purge you will cry, urinate, vomit, defecate, wince, or yawn. We will be aware of all these reactions that are coming and we will be able to act to guide you at all times.
After a vegan breakfast, we will take the transport to the town of Chinchero where we will begin a short walk to the Poc Poc waterfalls area. This route is surrounded by a very diverse landscape with Queuña, Chachacomo, and Lambran trees. There, our local guide will explain to us about the different uses of medicinal plants, which are used by indigenous communities.
After 1 hour, we arrive at the Poc Poc waterfalls area. This space is considered very sacred by the communities, since it is the origin of the water resource, which is used to grow different fruits, vegetables, and cereals in the Urquillos valley.
We continue our walk along the ancient Inca trail that crosses the eucalyptus forests and ravines of capuli trees, where you can hear the melodies of the songs of birds, parrots, and pigeons. At noon we will arrive at the town of Urquillos, which was the favorite place of the Inca emperors, since it has a very unique climate. There we will visit the corn museum, since this site is the only one where the best giant corn in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is produced.
After enjoying a vegan lunch, we return by private transport to the retreat house where we will have our second Ayahuasca ceremony.
Today will be a very special day as you will visit one of the most important magical and sacred spaces of the Andes of Cusco, we refer to the powerful Ausangate mountain. We leave at 6:00 am towards the town of Pacchanta, the trip by car will be approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, the Andean priests of the Q’eros nation will be waiting for you, they are considered the last descendants of the Inca culture. From this place, we will ascend on horseback to the foothills of the Ausangate mountain, where you can meditate and spiritually connect your entire body.
The Andean priests will organize an offering to the sacred mother earth, where they will ask for the best wishes for your health, work, and love. They will also perform a ceremony to cleanse you of the bad energies that are blocking your chakras, this whole ritual is accompanied by prayers and sacred music. Finally, a Karpay ritual is organized, which consists of protection for your daily life. Those who wish to do so can take a ritual bath in the sacred waters of the blue lake.
At 3:00 pm we return to Pacchanta, where you can enjoy a comforting bath in the thermal waters. In the evening we will be back at our retreat house where we will spend the night.
Today we will visit the Markuray community, a town far from Cusco, where we will bring some gifts to the children, who will be happy to welcome us along with their teachers and give us a tour of their classrooms and organic gardens. As part of giving back and sharing with our brothers in this community, our agency works on the Happy Children project.
To do this we will bring some notebooks, colored pencils, clothes, food, backpacks, and everything you want to share with the Markhuray families. Of course, all that you give with much love and respect for the less fortunate will be appreciated.
After sharing lunch with the children of Markhuray, you will descend with your guide to the archaeological site of Perolniyoq, this is a ceremonial temple that the Incas used as an astronomical observer, and for worship of water. There we will invoke our sacred mountains for the good omen of everything you are going to do in your daily activities. Finally we will take a walk down to the town of Socma, where our transport will pick us up, which will bring us back to the retreat house, and we will prepare for our third Ayahuasca ceremony.
After breakfast we will have a meeting with our spiritual guides, where we will share the teachings learned during these wonderful days. If you want to expand on a particular topic you can go deeper with our wise Andeans. On this day we say goodbye to all our friends with whom you will have shared pleasant moments. Afterwards we will go to the typical market of Pisac, where you can buy some crafts. At noon we will be returning to the city of Cusco, the final point will be the address of your hotel.
If you are thinking of going to the citadel of Machu Picchu, do not hesitate to coordinate with your travel agent, who will organize this excursion before or after the Ayahuasca retreat. It is recommended to schedule tours to Machu Picchu months in advance, they usually sell out up to 6 months in advance, for the months of (March to October).
warm jackets
Hydration bladder
wool socks
camera
scarf
first aid kit
hiking shoes
Dry bags
Trekking Poles
sun cream
Snack
sun hat
bathing suite
rain coat
Sandals
insect repellent
Passport
Down Jackets
toilet paper
daypack
Wool cap
head lamp
gloves
sun glasses
cap
extra cash
Trekking pants
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip InformationThe best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
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To book this tour, a minimum of $ 200 USD per person is required, the remaining balance will be paid upon arrival in Peru, at the Cusco office.
Any other additional information, please coordinate with your travel agent.
Feel the restorative power of nature, relax your mind in a place full of energy and life, disconnect from the fast-paced frenzy of everyday life.
Vaccines recommended for travelers to the Amazon often include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and yellow fever. Visit your doctor four to six weeks before your trip for the latest recommendations and requirements for your destination. You may be advised to start taking malaria pills around this time.
The US Center for Disease Control is an excellent resource for detailed information on preventing travel related illnesses.
To stay safe in the Amazon, travelers should eat sensibly, dress appropriately and apply repellent to minimize the chance of getting bitten by mosquitos, and take the necessary vaccinations, medication and precautions as recommended by your doctor.
When hiking, canoeing, and enjoying other jungle activities you should always stay with your group and follow your guide’s advice. We also recommend that you leave valuable jewelry, watches and electronics at home, and where possible use a money belt and any room safes at your disposal to store passports and important documents.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, light-weight long pants, and long-sleeved tops, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, extra socks, mosquito repellent with DEET, bathing suits and of course, waterproof ponchos with hoods to protect against rain your camera, with charger and extra batteries on excursions. Binoculars are very important to enjoy the wildlife. Do not forget to include some items that you can give away to the locals (t-shirts, pens, and paper are especially prized, and perhaps some chocolates or candies for little kids). During meals in the dining room, we ask our guests to wear casual clothing and shoes. We provide rubber boots for wetland excursions and wet landings, and recommend taking comfortable walking shoes.
Travelers are strongly advised to purchase trip cancellation insurance which will reimburse the cost of air tickets and other non-refundable trip payments. International medical, baggage loss, and delay insurance are also recommended. Unfortunately, if you miss the Amazon tour because of a weather-related flight cancellation, we will not reimburse the cost of the reservation since flight cancellations are beyond our control and we have to comply with our schedules.
To enter the countries in the Amazon Rainforest, you will need a valid passport. However, visitors from most countries do not need a visa, provided their visit will be shorter than 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to request a visa in your home country.
Yes. The food is simply world class. Our guests enjoy a menu of fresh, delicious Peruvian fare (with a bit of continental influence). Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day promises to be a culinary feast for the senses, paired with select South American wines or perhaps a freshly pressed juice. If you have special dietary requests, please inform Andean Great Treks at the time of booking, or at least by 30 days prior to start the Amazon Tours, because some items may have to be ordered from local markets in advance. Every effort will be made to cater to special dietary needs and to accommodate special requests, subject to a given products’ availability in Peru.
Amazon wildlife is abundant, but you have to know where to look. Many creatures are weary of humans and often camouflaged. Our expert naturalist guides will help you spot and identify animals with their local knowledge, tracking experience, and remarkable eagle-eyesight and trained ears.
Many can even mimic bird and monkey calls to attract them! In general, the longer you spend in the region and deeper you can travel into the rainforest, the more chance of spotting wildlife you see. A decent set of binoculars will also go a long way to help.
Taking vitamin B12 is a more natural way to gain some resistance to mosquitoes. It can be ingested as vitamin pills or found in some foods with high levels of B12 such as shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels), fish, crustaceans (crabs), soy products (milk, tofu), bran cereals, red meat (lamb, beef), low fat milk, select cheeses, and eggs. We suggest taking B12 supplements around 2-3 weeks before arriving in Amazon Rainforest.
Yes. We warmly welcome families with children aged 7 or older. Our lodges are comfortable to receive families with their children. Additional accommodation for one child is available in some Lodges. Our naturalist guides are very friendly with kids and all of our staff will provide the necessary care for your family. We also have survivor jungle trails, piranha catch-and-release fishing experiences in Iquitos, and meal menus for kids.
Every Andean Great Treks holiday has been thoughtfully planned and crafted by our specialists. They draw on their own extensive travel experience and the guidance and expertise of our local partners to create superb holidays. Our specialists are committed to making every aspect smooth and enjoyable; they genuinely want to ensure that the holidays they create leave you with wonderful lasting memories.
Every Andean Great Treks traveller is accompanied by an experienced tour guide, you will be immersed in Historic cities, ancient ruins and unfamiliar landscapes are all brought to life by our carefully selected local guides. They want to share their expertise and help you make your own discoveries too; their sole mission is to ensure you enjoy every moment.
Giving you the freedom to make your holiday even more memorable. We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday and we pride ourselves on the choice and flexibility that we offer to enhance every aspect of your experience. Whether it’s getting to the airport, upgrading your room or booking an additional excursion, we can help.
Our guides are the stars of the show; it is their unrivalled knowledge, passion and expertise that will transform your tour experience from good to truly extraordinary!
Because the have grown up in the area and know it like the back of their hand, so they can help you experience whichever aspects most interest you. They’re passionate about sharing their corner of the world with you, and as you explore together, they’ll open your eyes to the intricate details, provide background to enhance your understanding of what you’re seeing, and share stories that will bring everything to life.
“Your inspiration for a trip can be a single word or a highly evolved outline, but it’s the conversations we have that help us understand the experience you’re looking for. Meanwhile, I’m looking back on the time I spent at the destination.
‘The great thing about working with a specialist at Andean Great Treks is how they take your complete jumble of ideas and turn them into something absolutely spectacular.’
As you begin to share your ideas with your specialist, it will connect them immediately back to a time in their own travels. Conjuring a picture of the rest time they made that same discovery, reminding them how it felt.
Your specialist understands that, when the journey is right, it has the power to excite your emotions in the most profound ways after all, that was the effect on them.
They carry a treasure box of moments, captured over many journeys, into every suggestion they’ll share with you, as they ask you how you want to feel on your trip.
EXPERIENCES THAT CALL TO YOU
It’s what you do in a destination that helps bring it to life. It’s why we strive to choose experiences that help you connect to a place, absorbing a little of its complex character. Wherever your passions lie, we’ll recommend experiences that speak to you, and we’ll recommend the guide or local expert who’s most qualified to help you explore. Packing your holiday full of special experiences means some early starts and long days, but you can be sure that you’ll return home with many incredible memories! Read our Tours and check the Physical Ratings to see if the pace and activity levels are right for you.
STAYS WITH DIFFERENCE
We know that where you stay is a cherished part of your travels. So, we go to great lengths to find places to stay that exceed expectations, or go above and beyond the ordinary, whether in their character, hospitality, or location. Over the years, we’ve discovered the very best properties, trying and testing them, so we can choose the right one for you. We’ve nourished long-standing relationships with these establishments and the people who founded them, and we’ve stayed there many times often, we’ll even know which rooms have the best views (and reserve them for you).
Our style of travel — authentic, thoughtful, and focused on building meaningful connections to the people and places you visit — is inherently respectful and considerate of the destinations we love. We design each aspect of your trip exactly as you want it, which includes its sustainability. That might mean choosing a train journey instead of a flight, staying at eco-friendly wildlife lodges, or opting for experiences that give back to the communities you’re visiting. The choice is yours.
Responsible travel has always been at the heart of what we do. First and foremost, because it gives you the best experience, but, also because it helps to preserve the communities and landscapes you visit. This isn’t new for us we collaborated with local communities and outside experts so we can grow to be better ambassadors.
The most authentic and interesting experiences often directly benefit the local people. We prefer to buy local products that are produced in the organic farms, we also have alliances with local artisan organizations who provide us with souvenir items for our clients, your money directly benefits the local economy.
Our style of travel — authentic, thoughtful, and focused on building meaningful connections to the people and places you visit — is inherently respectful and considerate of the destinations we love. We design each aspect of your trip exactly as you want it, which includes its sustainability. That might mean choosing a train journey instead of a flight, staying at eco-friendly wildlife lodges, or opting for experiences that give back to the communities you’re visiting. The choice is yours.
Responsible travel has always been at the heart of what we do. First and foremost, because it gives you the best experience, but, also because it helps to preserve the communities and landscapes you visit. This isn’t new for us we collaborated with local communities and outside experts so we can grow to be better ambassadors.
The most authentic and interesting experiences often directly benefit the local people. We prefer to buy local products that are produced in the organic farms, we also have alliances with local artisan organizations who provide us with souvenir items for our clients, your money directly benefits the local economy.
‘There’s a saying: we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. When we show you our country, this philosophy guides everything we do. It’s our responsibility to preserve the environment and wildlife, and support communities. That means using slower modes of transport, like cycling, employing local people, and working with communities who’ll benefit directly from your visit. This also gives you the best, most authentic impression of the places we want to share with you.
We prefer to buy local products in ecological bags, to avoid the use of plastic bags, likewise we teach the use of soaps and ecological products in each tour that we organize. We also work on reforestation projects with local communities who take care of landscape resources such as communal reserves, national parks.
‘There’s a saying: we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. When we show you our country, this philosophy guides everything we do. It’s our responsibility to preserve the environment and wildlife, and support communities. That means using slower modes of transport, like cycling, employing local people, and working with communities who’ll benefit directly from your visit. This also gives you the best, most authentic impression of the places we want to share with you.
We prefer to buy local products in ecological bags, to avoid the use of plastic bags, likewise we teach the use of soaps and ecological products in each tour that we organize. We also work on reforestation projects with local communities who take care of landscape resources such as communal reserves, national parks.
This trip allows you to have one of the best experiences in the Manu National Park which includes the Reserved Zone in only 7 days. It is an ideal way to experience the culture and traditions of local communities and see the distinct species of animals and birds that inhabit here.
Your journey to the Tambopata National Reserve offers a great opportunity to discover a lively biodiversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and trees. Record-setting numbers of animal species are concentrated within small areas, and the variety of plant life is greater than almost anywhere in the world.
Manu National Park is located in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. This attraction is one of the few places on the planet that still maintains its great biodiversity of birds, mammals, reptiles and many medicinal plants.
