If you are wondering what to bring to an Ayahuasca ceremony, this article is for you. We know how much you have probably invested in planning your trip and researching a place that resonates with your current journey. Fortunately, when it comes to what to pack for an Ayahuasca retreat, we can assure you it will be simple and, more importantly, won’t break the bank.
We will shortly address your questions regarding what to wear and what to pack to an Ayahuasca retreat, but before that, we would like to remind you that preparation for meeting Ayahuasca doesn’t start with your backpack; it begins with yourself. It’s easy to fill your time searching for “the perfect” white dress, but remember – this journey is primarily within, and the essential preparation is for the mind and body. If you haven’t already, find out how to prepare for Ayahuasca in our blog.
What to wear to an Ayahuasca ceremony?
Depending on where the ceremonies happen, it is recommended to wear light-coloured clothing—ideally white. That’s because of the nature of these ceremonies. Ayahuasca is, in most cases, served at night under dim lights. White clothes make it easier to be perceived in the room, and that’s helpful to both the guardians and shamans as it is for the participants.
Regarding the clothing design, when joining a ceremony where the temperature is controlled, feel free to dress to impress. Not the crowd, but yourself. At our retreats, we invite our participants to see the ceremonies as celebrations, a rebirth of the self and how it relates to the world.
You must bring extra warm and comfortable clothes: ideally, loose designs and natural materials. An oversized sweater and slip-on shoes can come in handy when transitioning indoors to outdoors, which is common during ceremonies and daily activities.
When attending retreats in the Amazon, particularly outdoor ones, it is recommended that you bring lightweight T-shirts and shorts, long-sleeved shirts, a lightweight rain jacket, or a poncho.
P.S. Bring extra underwear. You probably didn’t expect this when reading “What to bring to an Ayahuasca ceremony”, but if the retreat you’re joining doesn’t provide laundry services, having extra clean underwear is handy. This way, you don’t have to worry about how purging will affect your stay.
What to pack for an Ayahuasca retreat?
Here are a series of things we recommend you bring along so that your stay becomes as comfortable as possible and your focus can be purely on healing.
Reusable water bottle
Some like it with straw. You must stay hydrated, so this is a must to bring into a ceremony. Choose one you can easily drink from any position you might find yourself in during the ceremony and a shape you can easily hold with one hand.
Notebook, pen, and colours
Words and drawings seem to be flowing freely during retreats. Even those who have never been into journaling find their flow as lines, dots, and colours become yet another way of letting go and letting in.
Toiletries
Ideally, they should be as natural as possible and have neutral scents. The sensitivity of your nose will increase during the retreat, and the strong scent might lead to discomfort and even headaches.
Objects for the altar
In most cases, Ayahuasca is served in a designated space within the room, and that’s what we refer to as an altar. It is usually adorned with sacred objects of shamans, but it’s also a space that could hold an object you might want to participate in the ceremony with you. Something you can share your intention with during the ceremonies and take back with you when returning to daily life. Their role is to keep your commitment alive as you walk through your days, and it can be just about anything. They are usually small objects such as a necklace, a crystal, or a totem.
Offerings
You might develop strong feelings of gratitude towards some of the participants and team. In this case, sharing books or things like crystals or little notes with “power messages” could initiate long-life connections and allow you to act upon your feelings, which can be liberating. Check out our list of top 10 shamanic gifts for more inspiration and a better understanding of what these gifts represent.
Crystals, meditation beads, and natural oils: for grounding
Holding a physical object in your hands can ground you during ceremonies, and so do soft natural essences. Some journeys can take you far away from your current dimension, and it’s safe to know you can return to the ceremonial space through objects from the same dimension.
Music instruments: that you play
If you’re a musician, don’t hesitate to bring along your instruments. It will undoubtedly help you integrate your journey and connect with other participants. If allowed by the leading shaman, you could also sing within the ceremony.
Rapé: if you work with this medicine
For those already familiar with this tobacco-based medicine, bringing the rapé you’ve been working with could enhance your Ayahuasca journey.
Lip Balm: to hydrate the lips
Because of its purging nature, Ayahuasca can lead to dehydration, and while we strive to remind everyone to drink water and tea, a lip balm can come in handy.
Ear plugs
For the morning after Ayahuasca. If you end up sharing bedrooms or sleeping in the ceremony room, you’ll need all the silence you can get.
A super absorbent piece of cloth
Ceremonies can get wet, whether we’re talking tears or sweat, and staying dry can make a difference in how your experience evolves through the night.
Headlamp: in case you wander around
Lighting your path in the dark is handy if you decide to walk outdoors during the night, all while your hands are free to dance.
Photo camera: for photo journaling
In most cases, Ayahuasca ceremonies are held in gorgeous places where nature is lush and vibrant. As plant medicine re-enables a connection with nature, many participants keep a photo journal throughout the retreat. Although phones these days come equipped with great cameras, we recommend an actual photo camera, as disconnecting from the everyday world can be very refreshing and, on its own, healing.
Swimming suit: for sunbathing and swimming
Water and the Sun are two elements that offer excellent recovery after ceremonies. That’s why most Ayahuasca retreats have pools or access to rivers and ponds.
Other items to consider
Depending on the location, the list of things to bring to an Ayahuasca ceremony can amplify. If you head for the Amazon, you need to consider packing the following:
- Sleeping bag
- Mosquito net
- Bug spray
- Rain jacket
- Water boots
- Sandals
- Sun hat and natural sunscreen
- Ziploc bags
- Extra batteries for the headlamp
Preparing for Ayahuasca? Take a look at our complete Ayahuasca diet guide to align your body and mind for the experience ahead.
What attitude should you bring to an Ayahuasca ceremony?
As you prepare for your Ayahuasca ceremony, we recommend familiarising yourself with the concept of “humbleness”. It might not be an object, but it’s a must-have in Ayahuasca ceremonies. If you are sincere in receiving the wisdom of Mother Ayahuasca, then you should seriously connect with this attitude. You can do that by:
- Remembering someone you’ve encountered with this quality – Do I know someone humble?
- Remembering an event that moved you into it – What event initiated a sense of humbleness in my life?
- Leaving behind things like expectations.
- Inviting curiosity and reverence for what you don’t know.
Before you dive into the actual packing, we recommend you check with the organising team what basics they provide for the ceremonies. Buckets, blankets, pillows, drinking water, mats or mattresses, and towels are usually handed in upon arrival.
Thank you for reading our article on what to bring to an Ayahuasca ceremony. We hope you’ve found our article helpful and feel more prepared to take on this incredible journey. Here are Avalon’s Ayahuasca retreats in Europe if you’re still looking for the best fit.
