We Are The Medicine

What airport do I fly into?

To get to us, you will have to take an international flight to Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport, LIM), and then a national flight to Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, CUZ), where we will arrange land transportation to the Sacred Valley. We will get in touch regarding the national flight and pick-up from the Cusco airport once your application has been approved. Flights costs are not included in the program.

BOOKING TIP: When booking your flights, book your international flight to Lima first, and then book your round-trip flight from Lima to Cusco separately. It may be cheaper to book 2 separate flights than to book 1 straight to Cusco, so be sure to check!

What is the weather like?

The weather in the Sacred Valley can vary drastically in just one day, and can be unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from a high of 71° F (22° C) to a low of 45° F (7° C). December is on the shoulder of the dry/rainy reason, so expect sporadic rain every few days. When it does rain, it does not rain all day, and it is not uncommon for these storms to be followed by a rainbow. Because of the high altitude of the valley, 71° can often feel much warmer when the sun is out. Our motto is to always be prepared with your sunscreen and your raincoat because you never know which one you’re going to need in one day.

What altitude will we be based in?

We will be based at 9,500 ft (3,000 meters) above sea level, with some excursions taking us up to a 14,000 ft (4,200 meters) elevation. Muña and coca tea will be available throughout the day to help acclimate to the altitude, which usually takes about a day or two. All of our activities requiring a higher elevation gain will be taken at a slow pace to account for the low oxygen levels. Most people doesn’t encounter many issues acclimating to the altitude, but we will have a local medicine woman on staff that can help with any discomforts should they arise. If you have an underlying medical condition that leaves you at risk of complications while being in high altitudes, please contact us.

What do I pack?

The weather tends to be unpredictable in the Sacred Valley, so layers will be your best friend here. It is common to be wearing socks and a beanie in the morning, and shorts and a t-shirt in the afternoon. We will be providing a more detailed packing list after you’ve submitted your application.

Do I need a visa to fly to Peru?

That will depend on where you are flying from. People from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need a tourist visa to enter Peru, and will be granted a 90-day tourist stamp upon arrival at the Lima airport. It is essential to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country when entering Peru. To check if you need a visa, review this document. For more information, visit the peru.travel website.

What type of currency do I need?

The official currency of Peru is the Sol (S/). US dollars are accepted in many places, but you will need to use Soles in smaller communities, specifically for local transportation, at local restaurants, and artisan markets. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices (we recommend you do this in at the Lima airport or in the city of Cusco). You can find ATMs in the Sacred Valley where you can take cash out in US dollars or Soles, but they are not always reliable. If possible, please plan to arrive with plenty of cash for your stay. We recommend bringing bills in good condition, without tears or marks, as most businesses will not accept bills with a lot of wear and tear.

How many women are part of the journey?

We intentionally keep our group sizes small for the intimacy it creates. We cap our groups at 12 people and will not run with less than 8 participants. If the group size does not reach 8 people, we will refund you the full amount of your deposit. We will only cancel a trip up to 60 days before the start of the journey. We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance for any cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Is this only for cis-women?

This retreat is specifically designed to cater to cis-women; although we are open to connecting with women-identified folks who desire to participate to discus if it will be a good fit.

What is Kambo?

Kambo (Sapo), is a powerful medicine from the Amazon jungle used by various indigenous tribes. The medicine comes from skin secretions of a nocturnal frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor. When applied the medicine brings forth a release that can assist with healing and cleansing of the body, physical strength and stamina, spiritual and mental clarity.

How do I prepare for a San Pedro ceremony?

San Pedro (or Huachuma/Wachuma in Quechua) is a cactus native to the Andes, and it has been used for more than 3,000 years in Andean traditional medicine. Containing the psychoactive substance mescaline, it is regarded as a healing plant and a profoundly transformative and visionary plant medicine. Its medicinal use continues into contemporary times here in Peru, where such traditional use is both respected and legal.

San Pedro is known as “the medicine of the heart,” helping us to address imbalances between the head and heart spaces, allowing us to perceive our limitations, and assisting in connecting with the divine inside us.

An intentional preparation before a San Pedro ceremony can support your journey and change the nature and quality of your experience.

Before meeting the medicine of San Pedro it is beneficial to clean your diet. Unlike Ayahuasca, San Pedro does not have as many food restrictions, however it is recommended to prepare yourself with as clean a diet as possible. Avoid pork, alcohol, excessive sweets and fats, processed foods, caffeine and recreational drugs (including cannabis). A clean healthy diet is recommended, with lots of whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Setting an intention can be an important aspect of working with San Pedro. Intention is different from expectation; an intention is an openness and willingness to ask for help in moving towards a certain direction without being anticipatory. Every ceremony is unique to each individual, so it is recommended not to have any expectations but rather being open to receive whatever the medicine brings.

We encourage our guests to take advantage of the time leading up to the ceremony to delve deeper into the retreat preparation process by engaging in any/all of the following: exercise, yoga, journaling, meditation, intention setting, spending time in nature, expression through art, inspirational reading, and doing a “technology” dieta.

We are happy to offer personalized consultations regarding this medicine.

What is your cancellation policy?

A deposit of $700 USD due by October 1st, 2022 is required to reserve your space. This may be paid using Venmo or PayPal. The balance will be due in US Dollars, Euros, or Peruvian Nuevo Soles upon arrival.

If cancelling before October 1st, deposits are refundable minus a $100 processing fee. If cancelling on or after October 1st, we can refund your deposit minus the processing fee only if we are able to fill your space. If we are unable to fill your space, your deposit is not refundable. We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance for any cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

If there is a cancellation due to sudden international travel restrictions related to COVID-19, your deposit may be used for a future retreat.

If you decide to depart early, there will be no refunds or partial refunds given.

What are the COVID-19 restrictions for entering the country?

New international travel guidelines to enter Peru are in flux, currently requiring that inbound international passengers on commercial flights must present proof of being fully vaccinated (3 doses) at least 14 days prior to boarding at their point of origin OR present a molecular test with a negative result (within 48 hours) prior to boarding an incoming flight to Peru for those who are not fully vaccinated.

All passengers must also complete an affidavit of health. These requirements may change, so we advise you to contact your airline days prior your flight to gather the proper documentation and regularly consult the airport website for the latest guidance.