An increasing number of people come to Peru for a spiritual or mystical experience. Many of these experiences involve the psychoactive concoctions of ayahuasca or wachuma. Wachuma is also called San Pedro because it’s made with the San Pedro cactus. Both are plant-based “medicines” which involve drinking the concoction under the supervision of a shaman. Ayahuasca retreats can last up to two weeks.

Spiritual practices in Peru don’t always involve psychedelics. Many ceremonies use other plant medicine, including cacao. While everybody is familiar with chocolate, few have experienced a cacao ceremony. (Author’s note: I love cacao ceremonies and have not tried ayahuasca).

An important step in preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony is a baño de florecimiento (above), which both cleanses you and opens you up to the experience. This was at Sachakuna.

Destinations