FAQs

• What to do about altitude sickness?

  Usually we recommend to arrive to Cusco one or some days previous to the retreat for acclimation. Once you arrive to Cusco, we recommend to take a rest, to sleep one or two hours, to drink coca leaves tea using a lot of coca leaves.
  
  

• How long are Ayahuasca ceremonies at Sapan Inka?

  According to our model, our Ayahuasca ceremonies are typically 3 to 4 hours long, but they may extend as needed for the healing process to reach its natural conclusion.

   

  At the end of the ceremony, our guides will check in with each participant. If anyone still feels overwhelmed or intensely under the effects of the medicine, they will be invited to remain in the ceremonial temple with our guides for as long as necessary. During this time, our healers will provide support through energetic and spiritual cleansing techniques until the person feels stable and ready. Only after you feel grounded and well will you be invited to continue your process in the comfort of your room.

• What are the facilities like at Sapan Inka? Do the rooms have heating?

  Our facilities are located in a retreat house in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a tranquil and natural environment. All rooms are comfortable and equipped with a private bathroom, 24-hour hot water, and an electric heating system.

• Will I be picked up from my hotel in Cusco?

  Yes. We reccommend to arrive to Cusco one or some days previous to the retreat. We will coordinate a transportation to pick you up from your hotel in Cusco on the first day of the retreat, between 3 and 4 pm, to take you to our retreat house. If you arrive to Cusco the same day of the retreat, depending what time you arrive to the airport, it might be possible to pick you up directly from the airport or to give you an address for picking up. It is 1 hour and 1/2 from Cusco to our house. On the last day, the retreat will finish at 11 am and you will be back in Cusco around 1 pm.
  
  

• Can I volunteer or do work exchange at Sapan Inka Centre?

  Unfortunately it is not possible volunteer or exchange program in our house.
  
  

• Can I participate in a Retreat on my Period?

  Yes. It is possible to do it, however it is very important to let us know whe it is happening, so we will know how to take care of your process and dosage. Some Ayahuasca healers don't allow to do it for some cultural reasons and because some women are sensitive both phisically and energetically.
  
  

• Do you have internet or wifi?

  Because this is a Retreat, it is much better not to use internet during the days of the retreat, but in case of any emergency we have internet and wifi.
  
  

• Do I need to speak Spanish?

  The guides in the retreat centre speak Spanish & English. So if you speak just English it is not necessary a translator.
  
  

• What is reccommended to bring?

  We reccommend to bring with you: sun screen, good shoes for treking, a bottle for water, a note book to write your experiences, a device to hear some music with headphones, raincoat (October to April), comfortable clothes for ceremony, clothes for cold in the night (May to August). 
  
  

• What is included in the retreat?

  It deppends on what retreat you are interested to participate in, but for all retreats prices include to participate in the ceremonies, all meals during the retreat time, accommodations in our retreat house during the days of the retreat, to use spaces for meditation in the gardens of our house, transportation from Cusco to our house and the way back to Cusco.
  
  

• When should I arrive in Cusco?

  We reccommend to arrive to Cusco one or some days before the retreat for acclimation to altitude.
  
  

• What is not included in the retreat?

  It is not included air fare, any personal expense, any meal outside the retreat centre and tips.

  There is no laudry service (Not possible to wash clothes in the retreat house)
  
  

• What plants do you use for Ayahuasca brew?

  We know that plants used in ayahuasca brew can differ from place to place and depending on the Shaman or Centre. We have decided to use only two plants Banisteriopsis caapi (Ayahuasca vine) and Psychotria viridis (The source of DMT).
  
  

• Are there longer retreats?

  With the time we have developed a technique to work with teacher plants and according to our experience we consider that it is the most convenient 2 or 3 ceremonies in a week. So we don't organize longer retreats.