FAQs

Indigenous communities in Acre have strong dietary traditions within their cultures. There are diets involving Kambo, the frog’s secretion, which typically last one to two weeks or even longer, depending on the ethnicity. The Hapé (Rapé) diet lasts for one week. The Yawanawa people have a distinctive approach to dieting; they are known for having a very strict and extended dietary practice compared to other ethnic groups. The Yawanawa offer the Mamma diet (caicuma diet), which is the first diet that a novice shaman (paje) should undertake. This diet involves spending 30 days isolated in the forest, without consuming natural water. Instead, participants drink a beverage made from the macaheira plant called caicuma, consuming one liter per day with two meals. The diet includes ceremonies with Ayahuasca and imparts other teachings from Yawanawa culture. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to get in touch.

Communication in Indigenous Villages Language Diversity in the Heart of Acre When we venture into indigenous villages in Acre, you’ll encounter natives who may not speak Portuguese fluently; they communicate in their natural language. As organizers, we act as more than guides—we are stewards serving the shaman and village leaders. While the entire community converses in Portuguese, our role is to relay to travelers all the wisdom and knowledge that the shaman imparts during their stay in the village. This goes beyond being mere translators; we see ourselves as conduits, ensuring that the richness of the shaman’s teachings is fully understood by those embarking on this transformative journey. Our commitment is to bridge the linguistic gap, allowing you to absorb the profound insights shared by the shaman and community leaders. Thank you for your understanding as we facilitate this cross-cultural exchange.

This is a very special journey for special individuals. Only those who are on this spiritual journey and seek profound experiences decide to undertake it. The groups are typically moderate in size, ranging from 8 to 12 people, sometimes even fewer. The group size depends on the number of interested individuals. A very large group would be challenging to manage, as this work demands careful attention to the well-being of the visitors. It’s not just a tourist trip; it’s a spiritual calling.

Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the form of harmine and harmaline. We recommend that you check with your medical advisor if you are taking medications which may affect your serotonin levels (known as serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitors or SSRIs). If you are taking antibiotics or anti-depressives, or undergoing any kind of medical treatment it is advisable to see your doctor and ask his advice about the effects of your medication in combination with Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca and the diet that goes with it are not always ideal in combination with certain medical conditions (e.g. some stomach, heart and colon conditions, as well as mental health issues, etc), so check with your doctor and take his or her advice about the risks. Medication such as sedatives and tranquilizers, antihistamines, amphetamines, asarone/calamus, tryptophan (large doses), tyrosine (large doses), phenelanine (large doses), macromerine, decongestants, allergy medications, cold medications, diet pills, methylphemidate, asthma inhalers, meperidine, levopoda, dopamine, carbamazipine, some antihypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (acting directly and/or indirectly), including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, dietary aids and their derivatives and some herbal remedies (e.g. those containing ephedrine, high levels of caffeine or other stimulants) should be discontinued for at least 4 weeks prior the journey to Brazil. Check with your doctor, herbalist or homeopath if you are taking any of these substances and whether such discontinuation is possible. Abstain from all chemically based recreational drugs, in particular MDMA (ecstasy), cocaine, LSD, speed and others. If you are a user of any of the above-mentioned substances, or take any prescription drugs, inform us before the journey, confirming that your doctor has allowed your participation in the ceremonies. Let us know if you have suffered or are still suffering psychiatric problems or any kind of mental disorder.

Financial Responsibility: In the event of emergencies or personal circumstances, the Participant is accountable for all associated costs. Special Requests: While the Organizers strive to assist with special requests, they are not obligated to do so. Any additional services or arrangements beyond the program may incur extra charges. The Participant is responsible for covering these costs and making independent arrangements if necessary.

Indigenous leaders have decided to open their doors to welcome visitors, but they also determine how long a visitor can stay in the community. This decision is influenced by their daily routine, filled with numerous activities in the village where they may not have time to attend to a visitor. They are responsible for tending to the fields, managing travel, overseeing the school, handling projects, and many other daily tasks. Therefore, a 5-day experience is generally sufficient for a first visit. Subsequently, for participants in specific diets, the visit can extend to 30 days, and in some cases, up to 60 days. However, after this period, the visitor must return to their home. If someone wishes to stay longer, the indigenous people need to understand why. They want to know the visitor’s needs so they can assess whether an extension is feasible or not. It is crucial to have a clear reason for wanting to stay longer. The indigenous community admires and enjoys assisting visitors, but they require a significant reason to consider an extended stay. It is not advisable to be in an indigenous village without a clear purpose or necessity. Indigenous people appreciate visitors, but the reason for an extended stay should be substantial and understandable from their perspective.

The Participant has the option of joining any, all, or none of the activities planned for the Retreat and taking any, all or none of the plants available, and does so voluntarily, taking full responsibility for his or her own actions.

Indigenous people reside in the forest and have not traditionally been open to receiving visitors spontaneously in their homes, referring to them as “NAWA” or “white people.” After many years of living in their communities, they decided to open their doors to visitors, allowing them to learn about their traditions. This is a way to revive and keep alive their ancestral heritage, not only for their people but also for visitors who often find themselves disconnected from nature and traditions. However, you can only visit an indigenous community if you receive an invitation. This invitation may come from indigenous leadership, a chief (cacique), or a shaman (paje), as they have the right to extend invitations and inform the community. Another way is through a guided experience, where the chief collaborates with organizers, and the organizers extend invitations for the scheduled experience. If you appear in a village without an invitation, the residents will be alarmed, and they may report the situation to FUNAI, the organization that protects indigenous rights. In such a case, you might be asked to leave. In more remote villages, it would be nearly impossible to arrive unannounced, as no boatman would take you without the chief’s consent. Therefore, it’s essential to plan your journey through an organizer to ensure your safety and a warm welcome in an indigenous community.