Frequently Asked Question
I have never done psychedelics or any plant medicine. Can I lose my mind?
That is fine. You do not need to have any previous experience with psychoactive substances or plant medicines to benefit from the healing work we do with Huachuma. In this case, the medicine served to you will be lighter and the amount smaller. You will be gently guided through fear toward confidence and trust. After the first ceremony, and often even during it, your fears will begin to dissipate like a fog and eventually disappear as you move deeper into the medicine journey.
You will be guided every step of the way. We carefully control your experience through the type and amount of medicine served, and we always discuss it with you beforehand. As we gradually build people’s strength, we usually let them decide how deep they want to go in the next ceremony. We take it easy, but we take it.
Please read the following article by Sergey written on this subject here.
How do I book a retreat?
To book a retreat, you must fill out the retreat information form on the website. After your submission is approved, you will receive all the details. We will get back to you within 24 hours of your application.
Why are there no prices on the website?
Prices are not displayed on the website because we would like you to read all the information carefully, reflect on it, and decide whether you resonate with the written material. If you do, you can contact us and start the conversation. Details will follow your submission of the retreat information form.
Can I choose a room? Is there a difference in the retreat cost depending on the room?
It depends on the time of your visit and how full we are during that period. We have many rooms, some of which have a private kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are usually booked in advance, but if one is available at the time of your visit, you are welcome to have it. The price for each type of room is indicated in the price list that will be sent to you after your submission is approved.
Can I accompany my spouse to support their journey but not participate in a ceremony?
You cannot stay with us unless you participate in our ceremonies. When we take the medicine, we create an energy field that flows through each person, forming a shared container. If someone does not take the medicine, it creates an energetic gap within the group, which is not helpful to anyone. In other words, all guests must be on the same wavelength.
I have never been to the mountains. Will the altitude be a problem?
It depends on your age and physical condition. Generally speaking, our guests feel comfortable here and adjust to the altitude within the first few days. For most people, it is not an issue at all. There have been a few cases where guests had a harder time adjusting.
In the event of an emergency, which has happened only twice in 16 years, a woman aged 67 and a man in his 50s were taken to a local clinic for oxygen upon arrival. In the woman’s case, it was a real emergency. Her oxygen level dropped into the mid-80s, and we took her to the hospital to receive oxygen. She was the only guest whose stay had to be terminated due to altitude sickness, and she was asked to leave the mountains immediately for a lower altitude.
The other man, in our view, experienced an anxiety attack combined with mild shortness of breath. Nevertheless, after spending 20 minutes with an oxygen mask at the local clinic, he was released and began his healing journey the following day. He had no further issues. After a few days in the mountains, most people begin to feel at ease and enjoy the clean mountain air.
We have also had a guest in his 60s who suffered from chronic asthma his entire life and used steroids several times a day. He did incredibly well here, and I share his healing story in some of my books.
We live at 10,000 feet above sea level (3 km), but we are lower than Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco, our driver meets you at the airport and brings you to us within an hour, so your acclimatization begins at a lower altitude and, for 99 percent of our guests, goes smoothly without problems. Upon arrival, we teach you how to properly chew coca leaves and make coca tea to help with adjustment. Coca is a good medicine.
If you are concerned about the altitude, you may bring Cordyceps mushrooms in capsule form, which you can find at a local health store at home or order online. Cordyceps mushrooms can help improve oxygen intake within minutes.
If you are reasonably healthy and not overweight, you should not have any problem with the altitude.
How the ceremonies are conducted?
We start the ceremony in the morning at our place at 9:00 am and go out for the day to connect with nature. We spend the day in silence and contemplation, sitting apart from one another. It is a time for you to sit with yourself in silence and look within, to better understand and heal yourself with clarity and connection. Silence is the door to understanding.
At 4:00 pm, we provide transportation back to Huachuma Wasi in our vehicle. We close the ceremony at 5:00 pm. After that, guests relax at the main house, eat dinner, and may join a sharing circle by the fireplace, which serves as an immediate form of integration. Joining the sharing circle is optional. You do not have to participate if you prefer not to. You may choose to sit in the garden, listen to the crickets and stargaze, or go to your room and rest.
While joining the sharing circle is recommended, as it helps process the experience and fosters connection among guests, it is never an obligation. At Huachuma Wasi, nothing is obligatory except respecting the house rules. You will continue to feel the medicine until you go to bed, but after the closing of the ceremony, the experience becomes much calmer.
All our ceremonies are conducted in the same place by the river, where we feel deeply connected to Mother Nature. The sound of the water is our music and serves as a powerful conduit for inner peace and healing. It is our magical place, protected by the mountains. Here is a one-minute video of our river.
What are the House Rules?
The first rule: You are not allowed to drink alcohol or use any substances, legal or illegal, during your stay with us, including cannabis. At Huachuma Wasi, we work only with Huachuma, Ayahuasca, Bobinsana, Sananga, Rapeh, Coca, Cacao, and Mapacho. That is all. These are the teacher healer and ally plants we work with. If this is not enough for you, we may not be the right place for you.
The second rule: You must respect others and treat them as you would like to be treated. You do not have to like everyone or become friends with all guests. This is a natural process that may or may not happen. However, you must remain respectful and help maintain the sense of safety, trust, and openness that exists in our space.
If you violate either of these rules, your participation in our retreats will be terminated immediately without a refund.
Arrivals and Departures: Airport Transfer, Check-in & Check-out
To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, please review the following policies carefully:
Check-in: from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Check-out: by 9:00 am
These times allow our team enough time to properly clean and prepare rooms for arriving guests.
If you arrive before check-in or depart after check-out, you are welcome to relax in the common area of the main house. However, rooms must be vacated on time so our staff can prepare for incoming guests.
Airport transport can be arranged upon request and should be confirmed in advance. Please send your flight details as early as possible so we can coordinate smoothly. The cost for airport transfer is $30 one way, paid directly to the driver.
Important notes:
Check-out time is firm due to scheduled arrivals and staff availability.
Late check-out cannot be guaranteed and must be approved in advance.
Arriving guests traveling long distances depend on rooms being ready on time, and we appreciate your cooperation.
Are these medicines safe to consume?
Huachuma is very safe and is not known to have any contraindications. However, you do need to be careful with Ayahuasca. If you choose to disregard the preparation requirements for Ayahuasca, you can experience serious problems. Please visit our Ayahuasca page for full details.
How long should I stay at Huachuma Wasi?
Generally speaking, the more time you spend with the medicine, the deeper you can see inside and better understand yourself. Huachuma can help you peel off layers of fear, confusion, and self-deception. Huachuma is a truth serum. It allows you to see yourself as you are and the world as it is, without a mask.
Some guests stay for many months, while others stay only for a few weeks. Commit for as long as you feel called, and follow it through. You will be rewarded with clarity, joy, and a strong sense of connection. It often happens that guests decide to extend their stay, in which case we simply talk about it and make it happen.
You can stay legally in Peru for up to six months per year. If you work remotely, you can continue your online work from here on the days between ceremonies. Our ceremonies are conducted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
All other days are free for you to do whatever you wish. We have a reliable Wi-Fi connection for video calls and online work. You will be given your own key, allowing you to come and go freely. We do not believe in isolation. Free days are yours to explore the local culture.
What is the best time of the year to visit?
The best time to visit is from April through October. This is our dry season, with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. During this period, we use the river for spiritual cleansing, which is not possible during the rainy season. The river is not safe to enter during the rainy months, so the connection to it is more aesthetic than physical. It still works, but there is naturally more joy during the sunny months. Huachuma and the sun are good friends. They work very well together.
How should I prepare myself before coming?
The preparation for Huachuma is mental. Simply reflect on your intention, the questions you carry, and the issues you are seeking to understand or resolve. Huachuma does not require a diet. You may eat whatever you like. If you come with a partner or spouse, intimacy between you is completely fine. Ayahuasca, however, is a different matter. Please visit the Ayahuasca page for details.
Even though we do not impose any restrictions on eating habits, we respect your personal choices if you practice vegetarianism or veganism. It is your life and your body, and you decide what to put into it. At the same time, you are expected to respect others who make different choices and follow a different diet. Remember, you are coming here for healing and self-understanding, not to argue about food.
As part of your preparation, we recommend reading Sergey’s books before coming, or at least as many as you can. Through reading, in addition to mental preparation, we also establish a connection across distance that can later be deepened in person.
I'm drawn to Huachuma but I'm also curious about Ayahuasca.
You come here for Huachuma, and if during the course of our work there is a need or a strong calling to meet Ayahuasca, and the energy feels right within the group, we can arrange that. We need at least four people to do so. First, we need to see you in the Huachuma medicine and make sure you are mentally fit for Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is not for everyone.
We can talk about it in person as we move through the Huachuma journey. Generally speaking, we work with Ayahuasca about once a month, unless our local ayahuascero is traveling or otherwise unavailable.
What should I expect in terms of healing?
Expect nothing, accept everything. This is your mantra. Expectations can become a barrier to your experience. Instead, come as empty as you can, become a blank sheet of paper, and allow the medicine to make the drawing for you. This image might be more beautiful and meaningful than the one you try to create with your mind.
That said, you do need to form an intention for this work, which serves as your guide. However, do not become too focused on it. Leave room for the medicine to show you whatever it feels you need to see and understand.
Can Huachuma help with alcohol and drug addictions?
Yes, Huachuma can help, but it is up to you to maintain a new lifestyle after the shift. Huachuma can show you the way, but it is up to you to walk it. Although the process differs from person to person, our experience shows that staying with us for several months is needed to work on drug and alcohol addictions. A longer stay is more beneficial. It takes time to reset mindset and behavior patterns.
It is important to understand that you are responsible for your healing and for maintaining it after the work you do in Peru. If you relapse into old habits, that responsibility lies with you. The medicine offers an opportunity and a fresh start. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you.
How do I get to Huachuma Wasi?
You will need to fly to Lima and then take a short, one-hour domestic flight to Cusco. We can organize your airport pickup for $30. Our driver will bring you safely home. We are located in the Sacred Valley, about a one-hour drive from Cusco.
For your return, we will arrange your ride to the Cusco airport in the same way and at the same cost.
Do not exchange dollars at the airport, as the rate there is unfavorable. Our driver can help you exchange money at a proper exchange office on your way out of Cusco.
How far is Machu Picchu from Huachuma Wasi?
Machu Picchu is a day trip from Huachuma Wasi. Guests who wish to visit the Seventh Wonder of the World, an ancient archaeological site declared a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, usually leave in the morning and return the same evening. It takes about one hour by car to reach the Ollantaytambo train station from Huachuma Wasi, followed by a one and a half hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town from which you take a 20 minute bus ride up to the site.
The Sacred Valley is rich in ancient architecture and sightseeing opportunities, and Machu Picchu is one of the experiences guests often choose to enjoy on their free days.
We work with a local tour agency and are happy to help you organize all your touristic activities at no additional cost, courtesy of Huachuma Wasi. You only pay the tour agency for their services. A trip to Machu Picchu must be booked well in advance to ensure availability.
What is included and what is not included in the price
Included:
When you make a payment for your stay at Huachuma Wasi, it covers lodging and three Huachuma ceremonies per week. We provide towels for use during your stay, as well as toilet paper and hand soap. Firewood for the sharing circles is also included.
Not included:
Food is not included. Most guests buy fresh food at the local market and prepare meals at home. Our place is fully equipped for cooking. If cooking is not something you would like to do, we can order good food from restaurants in town and have it delivered to you. This is how many guests choose to eat after ceremonies.
Laundry service is not included. If you wish to do laundry, please give us your clothes before 9:00 am, Monday through Friday, and you will receive them clean and dry the following day. The cost is six soles per kilo.
We do not provide shampoo or hair dryers.
Airport pickup from and transfer to Cusco are not included.
The cost is $30 each way. We will arrange this for you upon arrival and for your return.
Tourist activities are not included in the price.
For details regarding the cost of the Huachuma retreat, please fill out the retreat form, which is a required part of the screening process. We will get back to you within 24 hours.
Generally speaking, if you are reasonably healthy, both physically and mentally, you have nothing to worry about. You will be taken care of and guided through a profound healing journey that you will remember for the rest of your life.
What we do here is legal and part of the ancient Peruvian shamanic culture. Huachuma Wasi is a registered retreat center.
What is your policy on sex and romantic relationship during the stay at Huachuma Wasi?
Huachuma Wasi is a sanctuary where we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to spiritual healing. This is not just a mission; it is our purpose. People from all walks of life come here seeking to work through the various challenges they face on their personal journeys.
Respecting the house rules is essential to our mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for healing at Huachuma Wasi. Each guest is given a private space that serves as a sanctuary for personal reflection and for processing their experiences with the medicine. The communal space in the main house is intended for post-ceremony interaction and activities on non-ceremony days.
Spiritual healing is a delicate process that requires full attention. It is important to understand that romantic involvement, while a natural part of life, can often interfere with this process. For this reason, we encourage our visitors to direct their sexual energy toward spiritual matters rather than expressing it through the lower chakras. This is not a judgment, but guidance intended to support the depth and effectiveness of the healing work.
Due to several difficulties we have encountered in the past, we have come to the conclusion that sexual and romantic abstinence is necessary for everyone during their stay with us.
While we promote openness and the free expression of feelings, physical closeness between individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, is not encouraged during the stay. We do, however, make an exception for married couples, recognizing the unique dynamics of their relationship.
What is your policy on refunds?
We do not offer refunds once payment is accepted, whether partially as a deposit or in full. However, your deposit may be kept as credit for a later date in the event of changes to your travel plans due to emergencies, with appropriate documentation, or due to travel restrictions, including potential future lockdowns. In such cases, the credit will remain valid and may be used once travel becomes possible again.
What is the voltage used in Peru?
Please read the following article that explains this subject. We do not provide adapters.
Electricity in Peru: Outlets and Voltage
Should I read your books before I have the experience or better later upon returning home?
Yes. Reading some or all of Sergey’s books before your arrival will give you a sense of familiarity and trust, and may answer many of your questions, allowing you more time for pure connection and contemplation.
If I am interested in exploring the area on free days, will you help organize tourist activities?
Yes, we will be happy to assist you in organizing local trips to archaeological sites at no additional cost. In the case of Machu Picchu, all arrangements must be booked in advance due to limited availability. We work with a tour agency that handles these bookings for our guests. We are happy to help you organize all tourist activities at no cost; you only pay the agency for their services.
Is Peru safe to travel?
Generally speaking, yes, Peru is a tourist country and traveling is safe. The area where we live, in the Sacred Valley, is especially safe. As in any country, there are places that are better avoided, but these are mostly in Lima, which you do not usually visit on your way to Cusco. In most cases, you will remain at the airport waiting for your connecting flight, or, if the layover is long, stay at one of the nearby hotels that provide shuttle service.
“I know you're tired but come, this is the way.”
― Jalalu'l-din Rumi