FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that before attending an Ayahuasca retreat or longer process, you may have many questions and some apprehension. On this page, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you have any other inquiries or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help and support you every step of the way.

Retreat Arrival & Practicalities

If you need to cancel your participation, we kindly ask that you do so within 2 weeks of your registration to receive a full refund or to transfer your payment to a future retreat. Cancellations made after 2 weeks are non-refundable, and the payment cannot be applied to a future retreat.

Please keep this in mind to avoid losing both your space and payment.

 

Glad to help! Here’s a refined version of this answer, maintaining clarity and a friendly, helpful tone:

The closest airports to fly into are Seville (Spain) or Faro (Portugal). From there, you'll need to make your way to Huelva bus station, which is accessible by both bus and train with daily connections.

We offer a transfer for all participants from Huelva bus station at 15:00 on the day the retreat begins. The retreat grounds are about 30 minutes from Huelva, and our driver will be waiting at the bus station with a sign that says Sinchi Runa.

On the final day of the retreat, we will provide a transfer back to Huelva bus station at approximately 18:00. You will receive more detailed travel instructions upon registration.

If you plan to arrive by other means, please note that for safety reasons, we do not allow parking on the retreat grounds. You would need to arrive by taxi, ride-share, or other alternative transportation. Exact location details will be shared with you upon completion of your registration.

If you test positive for COVID before your flight, please contact us with proof of the positive test. In this case, we can transfer your payment to a future retreat, minus an €80 administrative fee.

In the spirit of reciprocity, if the Maestro contracts COVID or any other serious illness that prevents him from leading the retreat, the entire retreat will be postponed to a future date. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are unable to offer refunds.

What to Bring:

  • White, comfortable clothing for the ceremonies
  • Clothes for your stay (check the weather and bring outdoor clothing suited to the season)
  • Shoes for walking in high grass, forest, mud, or rain
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Natural toiletries
  • Towel and swimwear
  • Materials for writing or drawing

If you smoke, please bring natural tobacco as only this is allowed during the retreat.

Important Notes:

  • You will be staying at an ecologically sustainable venue in nature, so be prepared for outdoor conditions.
  • There is no internet or use of electronic devices during the retreat. This disconnection, along with immersion in nature and solitude, is a key part of the experience. If you have specific needs or require exceptions, please let us know before the retreat begins.
  • You may bring a camera, but please be respectful of fellow participants who may not wish to be photographed.

Yes, couples are welcome, but you'll have to sleep in separate tents. An essential part of the process involves silence, and it’s natural for partners to fall into familiar patterns of interaction within the comfort of their relationship. We ask that you honestly assess with your partner whether you can maintain this silence and respect each other's individual process, as well as the process of others.

To create a space for deeper introspection and connection, we do not provide Wi-Fi during the retreat. All participants are asked to hand in their electronic devices upon arrival, allowing them to fully immerse in the experience without distractions. Leaving phones and computers behind is an essential part of the process. At the end of the retreat, you will receive your devices back. We do have electricity available for charging devices when needed at the end of the retreat.

We ask that participants leave their Kindles and bring paper books to read during the retreat, since it is beneficial for the work with the plants to be completely absent of electronics and screens because they subtly interrupt the process.

We suggest that you take some time before heading back to work. Our retreats are intense experiences, and having at least a few days after the retreat to rest and digest can help to integrate and process the experience. If possible, we recommend spending the days after your retreat somewhere quiet in nature or by the sea before resuming normal day activities.

Safety, Contraindications & Diet

Ayahuasca is safe when experienced in a ceremonial setting with an authentic shaman and facilitators who have genuine experience and knowledge in working with the medicine. At Sinchi Runa, we have had no serious complications in our 10 years as a healing center.

To ensure your safety during the retreat, there are certain contraindications that we need to be aware of. Please refer to our Preparation & Integration page for more details.

If you are taking medication and do not inform us in advance, you may be putting yourself at risk of both physical and psychological harm. It’s crucial to consult with us beforehand, so we can support you in safely discontinuing the medication and guide you in participating safely in the retreat.

We outline the dietary requirements on our Preparation & Integration page. Be aware that some foods are contraindicative with the plant work, so it is important to follow the preparatory diet. 

You must include all the medicines and supplements you are taking in your registration form. In the case of contraindicated prescriptions, it will be important to have stopped taking them a few weeks before the retreat begins. We can assist you with this process. 

If you are in doubt, please contact us with the details of your medicines and dosages and we’ll be happy to assist you. 

The use of Ayahuasca is not illegal in Spain, provided that all participants take full responsibility for their own cup—from the brewing process to ingestion. We ask that each participant sign an agreement before the retreat, acknowledging this understanding. This is simply to ensure a legally safe environment for all involved.

The payment for the retreat covers accommodation, meals, facilitators, and the team who work to create a transformative and healing experience. Sinchi Runa does not charge for the Ayahuasca itself. Participation in the ceremonies is voluntary and free of charge. We are offering a space where Ayahuasca can be experienced in a safe, therapeutic, and sacred context. Ultimately, each participant is responsible for their own cup of Ayahuasca, from preparation to ingestion.

Retreat Arrival & Practicalities

Day structure of our retreats is explained in detail on our Retreats page.

Our retreats are in complete silence, with exceptions of sharing circles and private consultations with Maestro Sanango. Silence is an absolutely essential part of the deep healing work with master plants, and explained more details about this on our Retreats page. Speaking to the Maestro or facilitators in order to receive assistance in your process is always allowed.

The purge is an initiation ceremony to open the retreat, involving the ingestion of an amazonian plant selected by Maestro Sanango, which induces nausea, vomiting and/or defecation. It is letting go of that which no longer serves us, to open us up to receive the understanding we are seeking.

Purging (via vomiting or other means) is the beginning of healing with Ayahuasca and master plants, and is an integral part of the process. It is the stage of detoxification, cleansing or decodification; of letting go and surrendering. Likewise all genuine spiritual paths must begin with the stage of purification; letting go of beliefs, ego and other limitations to our understanding.

It is common to purge during Ayahuasca ceremonies, and should be seen as part of the healing process, and approached with humility and gratitude for what is being cleansed and let go.

You can click here to see more information about the purge on our website.

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The Gift of the Plants

One of the best ways to get to know Maestro Sanango, and how we work with Ayahuasca and Master Plants at Sinchi Runa, is through our podcast & blog. We are honored to share recordings of Maestro Sanango’s wisdom, where he speaks about awakening through a path of Yoga with the Plants, and the immense gift and opportunity that the plants are for the healing of humanity and our hearts.

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