First Stop: Aguas Calientes

"You're crazy, you will be flying for two days, just to spend a week in Peru" - was the reaction from most people after I told them I had decided to go to Peru for a week. For the record, it would be five days of annual leave, three days of flying/transiting, six days in Peru and 36 hours in Los Angeles. I couldn't think of a better way to spend ten days away from work.

Friday 29th - 12:55 pm: I board the flight in Hong Kong and start the 14 hour leg to LAX. Here. We. Go.

Friday 29th - 10:50 am: Arrive in LA, I didn't really sleep on the flight. Mental note, do not order the Oriental Vegetarian meal again. I check the clock, it's currently 4:50 am in Hong Kong, I've been awake for 21 hours. Is my timezone math even correct? I retrieve my luggage, grab a burrito and wait for my flight to Lima.

Friday 29th - 14:00 pm: I have been awake for 24 hours, I board the LATAM flight in LAX and start the 8 hour and 30 min flight to Lima. Drats. Middle seat, I finally dooze off.

Saturday 30th - 00:45 am: Arrive in Lima, retrieve my luggage and check into the connecting flight, charge my phone, waiting for the last leg.

Saturday 30th - 05:00 am: Board the flight to Cusco

Saturday 30th - 06:10 am: Cusco. I can't believe I'm here.

Touchdown! I retrieve my luggage (for the last time) and find myself exiting the arrival area only to be met by a sea of tour operators waving signs in my face.I scan the ocean of signs looking for my name. "Derek?" I see a Peruvian lady motion towards me. I wonder how she knows that it's me. Oh right, I'm the only Asian guy in the arrivals area.

We hop into a car and she gives me a run down of the next 48 hours. She leaves me with the driver and I start my adventure from Cusco, through to Urubamba, finally at Ollantaytambo. There's a lot of awkward Spanish/English conversation. Immediately I'm floored by the beauty of the country side, as we stop along the way for the odd commentary and photo opportunity. The driver bids farewell and I wait for the train to Aquas Calientes. Not being able to communicate with the driver makes you feel, this big. Next time I do this, I need to make sure I take a one month crash course in Spanish.

I think I've been sitting down for too long - my lower back hurts. Actually, now that I think about it, in the last 48 hours I've probably been sitting down for at least 45 of those hours. Meanwhile, the train ride is absolutely stunning, snow capped peaks, lush greenery, I am really growing found of trains. Choo Choo!

Saturday 30th - 5 pm: First destination. Aguas Calientes, I have an early dinner followed by a much needed massage.

Saturday 30th - 7 pm: I sleep. My hotel room has a Jacuzzi.

Pre-ceremony Prep

If you take pills, recreational drugs, or medications (including asthma inhalers or other non-oral medications) of any kind, please stop taking them at least 3 days before your Ayahuasca retreat starts. If you are on prescription medication (including over the counter medications like allergy pills, cold medication, pain relievers or fever reducers), anti-altitude sickness pills, or herbal supplements please advise us immediately of the names and doses so that we can determine if they are required to be stopped more than 3 days in advance. More details you can find in the dietary information sheet.

In addition to the different ceremonies we also provide a complementary medical volcanic water cleanse (detox), the day before your retreat starts, at your Cusco hostel/hotel normally in the morning at around 9:30 am. and you will be fasting from all food and liquids other than water and herbal teas until after your cleanse has completed. You may drink herbal teas and water up to the time of your cleanse to help with any hunger pangs but try not to drink too much as performing the cleanse on a stomach full of liquid can be uncomfortable and could lengthen the amount of time required for your cleanse.

The volcanic water is special from the local region of Cusco, and is sourced from volcanoes in the Andes. Aside from the health benefits renowned in the region, this cleanse has proven to be very effective for flushing out additional toxins prior to the ceremony. This in turn reduces the amount of usual purging required during an Ayahuasca ceremony, therefore giving everyone a more connected, focused ceremony.

- Healing Tree