🌿 Amazon Jungle Packing List & Dieta Friendly Travel Guide 🌿
Reshin Nika Ayahuasca Retreat Center, one hour northwest of Pucallpa
Preparing thoughtfully helps create a smoother, safer, and more comfortable experience in the Amazon rainforest. Below is a comprehensive packing list carefully tailored to the jungle climate, Master Plant Dieta requirements, and the ceremonial environment.
🌿Clothing & Essentials for the Amazon Jungle
Bring lightweight, breathable, quick-drying - beige, tan or white colored clothing (best colors for repelling bugs). Polyester clothing is the best material for the jungle! The Amazon climate is warm and humid, and clothing may take longer to dry, especially during rainy periods. Laundry service is available at the retreat center approximately every three days— during periods of rain, laundry may take additional time to wash and dry naturally.
✔ 3 lightweight t-shirts
✔ 2 breathable long-sleeve shirts
✔ 2–3 pairs of thin long pants, polyester hiking pants; Light baggy/loose, fast-dry fabrics, polyester is best.
✔ 1–2 pairs of shorts
✔ 1 very light sweater or poncho; for the night, for the cold Airport! or cold snaps between May–August.
✔ 7–8 pairs of underwear
✔ 5–6 pairs of socks; mix long + short; long socks for insects - fluffy socks, or double up, to help repel bites on feet during ceremony.
✔ 1 pair closed shoes; comfortable hiking boots or shoes with good support for the airport/travel.
✔ Rubber Sandals / Crocs; We recommend bringing Crocs to wear around the retreat center. Crocs are ideal because the ground can become muddy after rain, and flip-flops tend to slip off easily. Please wear footwear as much as possible while walking around the property. We have free-ranging chickens, and their droppings can carry bacteria such as Salmonella. Wearing shoes—or washing your feet thoroughly if you choose to go barefoot—helps reduce the risk of exposure.
✔ Lightweight rain poncho
✔ Multiple dry bags; to protect / separate clothing and electronics
✔ 2-3 black large garbage bags; to cover suitcase or for other items/clothing/dirty laundry bag (the rain can spray inside the casita a little during heavy downpours)
✔ Small waterproof backpack or fanny pack
✔ Unscented Dr. Bronner's Baby Castile Soap; (Highly Recommended) This is a safe versatile item with many uses. Because it is highly concentrated, a little goes a long way. We recommend bringing a small 3 oz. travel bottle filled with the soap, along with a larger empty bottle to dilute it in along with water. This will make it last much longer. The soap can be used for bathing, handwashing clothing inside your casita in the shower, and other personal cleaning needs. If you prefer to wash items yourself outside your casita; laundry soap, water and large plastic wash bins are available at the center outside the kitchen hall.
✔ We will provide you with a shower towel
🌿Ceremony Clothing, Sacred Items & essentials
For ayahuasca ceremonies, white clothing is traditionally preferred, but not a must.
✔ 1–2 white or light-colored ceremony outfits; loose long sleeve shirt + pants.
✔ Sarong or lightweight scarf or poncho; for sitting on or covering body or head with.
✔ Necklamp with red-light mode; To keep around your neck; much better than looking for your headlamp in ceremony and best for reading under your mosquito netting at night. Has a red light option for ceremony calmness.
✔ A small meaningful grounding item; stone, necklace, small sacred object, stuffed animal.
✔ Water bottle; only tiny sips during ceremony.
✔ Simply peppermint; put one mint in your mouth before drinking the medicine, then rinse out mouth with water after drinking. These mints are pure, no harmful additives.
✔ Mapacho; Amazonian tobacco.
✔ Florida Water (Sacred Flower Water) Florida Water is a traditional spiritual cleansing water made with aromatic botanicals and flowers. It has been used in many ceremonial and spiritual practices for generations. During ceremonies and meditation, Florida Water is often used as a form of energetic cleansing, grounding, and protection. It’s applied to the body, used as an offering, or incorporated into personal rituals to help create a sacred and focused space.
✔ Fanny pack or small backpack to keep ceremony items together
✔ Rape’—Please don’t use Rape’ during your master plant dieta or before ceremonies, however, you can use this when you leave.
🌿Sleep & Personal Comfort Items
Comfort items help you rest better.
✔ Earplugs; swimmer’s earplugs work best.
✔ Headphones for music, or occasional audible books.
✔ Eye mask
✔ Quick-dry towel
✔ Lightweight sleeping clothes
✔ Extra unscented baby wipes; to have near or on the bed, helps refresh face and body from heat or sweating.
✔ Essential! Handheld & USB fan(s) + power bank(s)to use under your mosquito net— the fan outside the net in the casita wont reach you through the net, so it will get very hot under that net. You will be thankful to have this in order to sleep and stay comfortable. And extra powerbank is essential, always keep one charged in case there is a power outage.
✔ Extra light for inside/outside your casita; Your casita has an overhead light in the main room, but the bathroom can be darker at night. Its essential to bring Battery-powered fairy lights, Flashlight or/and small motion activated lightsfor bathroom area at night. Stay aware and vigilant of snakes, spiders and scorpions in dark spaces in your casita and outside at night at all times. Its rare to see them, but they can appear at any time.
✔ Optional: Sarong or small tarp (w/thumbtacks); blocks light, rain, or extra privacy in the casita.
✔ Lightweight plastic bed-pan for at night, if you don’t want to leave your bed and face creepy crawlers, or for outside the ceremony space; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Optional: your own soft thin sheet and/or pillowcase, or stuffed animal; to bring some comfort from home.
🌿Insect Protection (Amazon/Dieta-Friendly)
Mosquitoes vary by season; they are more abundant at dusk and dawn. be prepared. Wear beige, tan, or white colored clothing (best colors for repelling bugs). Thin breathable baggy pants and tops, and cover head with a wide brimmed jungle hat as much as possible.
✔ Low-odor Picaridin or DEET repellent; (Apply on top of clothing, try to avoid skin with these products. Picaridin is more safe, less harmful chemicals).
✔ Sleeping tent, tightly enclosed for extra mosquito and bug protection if you wish to have extra protection in ceremony; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Loose long-sleeve shirts, to help keep bugs off skin and hands; (pull over hands in ceremony, spray shirts worn in ceremony with Permethrin spray)
✔ Long fluffy socks + loose long pants, to help keep bugs off ankles; ( fluffy socks, or double up, to help repel bites on ankles and feet)
✔ Lightweight gloves for hands to repel bites; Sprayed with bug spray before hand to avoid getting on skin.
✔ No-Bite salve works amazing for skin that has any bites, and to prevent bites, and also is an effective all natural skin moisturizer.
✔ Wide-brimmed hat; water resistant / made for the jungle
✔ Fine mesh travel pants
✔ This lightwieght mosquito proof jacket is highly effective for getting NO bites in ceremony. Its not too hot to wear, it has mesh breathable sides, and I found it work perfectly in multiple ceremonies. Spray this with the Permethrin spray before you come to Peru with some Poleyester hiking pants and you will be thankful you did this!
✔ The most effective way to prevent mosquito bites; is totreat your ceremony clothing (long-sleeved shirts, or mosquito jacket , and pants) with Permethrin spray before coming to your retreat. Permethrin bonds to the fabric and provides long-lasting protection- you will need to saturate your clothing with this, then dry. It lasts for many washes after.
Before each ceremony, apply Picaridin spray to any exposed skin and areas not protected by Permethrin-treated clothing. Spray it into your hands first, then apply it to your body and on any item of clothing not treated with Permethrin. Wearing long sleeves, and covering your hands as much as possible will provide additional protection.
This combination of treated clothing and skin protection is highly effective and greatly reduces the chance of any mosquito bites.
Mosquito activity is usually highest around dusk and dawn, so we recommend staying inside your mosquito net during these times. Mosquitoes are rarely a concern during the daytime, so your main focus for protection will be during ceremonies and early morning/evening hours.
🌿Dieta-Safe Hygiene Items
Scent-free hygiene is required during a master plant dieta, as fragrances can disrupt the plant-spirit connection and attract insects.
✔ Natural as possible/unscented soap + shampoo; (lightly scented is ok)
✔ Unscented bar of soap; If you don’t bring a checked suitcase, and have limited liquid items to bring, its best to bring a solid bar or soap to use.
✔ Natural as possible/unscented deodorant; (lightly scented is ok)
✔ Natural as possible/unscented baby wipes; for sweating, in ceremony, or a quick handy clean up (lightly scented is ok)
✔ Natural toothpaste + floss; you can make your own with coconut oil + baking soda works for dieta-safe toothpaste
✔ Nail clippers
✔ Razor + unscented shaving soap
✔ Portable tissues
✔ Coconut oil; (skin + hair)
✔ Hairbrush/comb
✔ Powdered bentonite clay; (Aztec Secret Healing Clay — great for a mini detox in your casita, mix with water and spread on body/face, let dry- in sun if possible, wash off, 2-3x weekly; bring a small Tupperware container w/lid and fork for mixing, and keeping excess remaining mud for use)
✔ Dry skin brush; (Another great easy to do detox- Brush skin before showering, once daily)
✔ Natural mineral sunscreen; (free from Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, etc.)
✔ Lip balm / rash balm; (Aquaphor + coconut oil mix, or used separately is ideal)
✔ Small bottle of unscented hand sanitizer
🌿Health Basics & Simple First Aid
✔ Electrolytes; (unflavored, sugar-free; Trace Minerals, Nature’s Truth brand is good)
✔ Basic first-aid kit
✔ Activated charcoal capsules; (for nausea and headaches/unpleasant detox symptoms)
✔ Antihistamine (loratadine or cetirizine - only for absolute necessity)
✔ Prescription medications; (sealed + labeled)
✔ Filtered-straw water bottle; We have filtered water at the center, however this is essential for airports/transport/hotel, anywhere you may have unfiltered water. Don’t even brush your teeth in Peru with unfiltered water. (I recommend the Survimate 5-Stage water bottle)
✔ Filtered water bottle; Protect Yourself from Waterborne Illness. When traveling to Peru, it's best to put any tap water or any untreated water in your filtered water bottle. At the retreat center, the water supply comes from a community well. While it is considered safe for local use, visitors may not be accustomed to the microorganisms naturally present in the area. To help reduce the risk of stomach illness, avoid swallowing water while brushing your teeth or showering. For drinking, use only boiled water used for tea, or water that has been filtered with your water bottle. A 5-gallon container of water from the local community well is provided in your casita.
🌿Luggage & Mold Protection
Humidity is high in the Amazon—prepare to keep belongings dry.
✔ Hard-shell suitcase (prevents mold) & Solid Waterproof Luggage ID Tags; (so your luggage doesn’t get lost by the airline)
✔ 3–5 desiccant silica gel packs
✔ 8–10 ziplock bags; (ALL sizes — essential for electronics, cash, toiletries)
✔ 2–3 large garbage bags; (ground cover, or rain protection)
✔ Microfiber cloth; (wipe humidity/sweat from body or items)
✔ Breathable dry bags or mesh laundry bags
✔ Avoid leather or heavy materials—they mold easily
🌿Electronics
We have electricity with standard American outlets in 5 of the 6 the Casitas, and kitchen hall.
✔ Headlamp with red light mode
✔ 2–4 power banks
✔ USB mini fan (or two)
✔ Charging cables
✔ Travel adapter + universal plug adapters; for outside the center if you are staying at a hotel or traveling to other places in Peru
✔ Keep phone on Airplane Mode most of the time; (best for dieta focus). If you don’t have a SIM card activated, be sure to keep your phone in airplane mode while you are in Peru or you will be charged daily international travel fees by your phone provider, which are typically around $12 a day.
✔ Download this App for English/Spanish Translationor Google translate works well. (You may have to pay for offline translation mode on most apps.)
🌿Tools To support healing
Its helpful to have some spiritually supportive reading, or audible healing books (a couple of hours a day - not too much) and use supportive tools for your nervous system to remove blocks such as EFT Tapping, journaling, painting or drawing, along with meditation and restorative yoga during the day. Some suggestions below..
✔ Journal + extra pens; (stored in a ziplock bag)
✔ Book / Audible books, creative drawing items; (also in ziplock for humidity protection)
✔ Ayahuasca Coloring Book; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Shadow Work Journal & Workbook; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ The Body Keeps The Score; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Feeding Your Demons; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Transcending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart; (purchase on Amazon)
✔ The Tapping Solution's Daily Guidance: 52-Card Deck and Guidebook; (purchase on Amazon)
🌿Important Documents + Cash (store in sealed ziplocks)
✔ *Passport; (with at least 6 months left before expiration date)
✔ Printed flight details + emergency contact info
✔ Printed travel insurance
✔ Photocopy of your passport; (kept all these things together in your backpack)
✔ Cash for deposit (USD or send through Wise @Reshinnika) or remaining retreat fees
✔ Extra cash for:
– Handmade clothing/jewelry from Reshin Nika’s wife
– Items in town
✔ CRISP bills only; (Peru does not accept torn bills)
✔ Tipping cash; (optional but appreciated, for the cook and for Reshin Nika to give before you leave)
**🌿 Note:Jungle Sounds & Environment:
Life in the jungle is rich with sound. At night, you’ll hear crickets, insects, birds, and other natural rhythms of the forest. Occasionally, distant neighbors may play music in the early evening; this typically ends by around 8–9 pm. During the day, you may also hear community announcements made over loudspeakers—this is a common and practical way people communicate in jungle regions. These sounds are part of daily life here and tend to fade into the background as guests settle in. However we recommend bringing earplugs if you are sensitive to noise, or are a light sleeper. As we are immersed in a natural jungle environment, it is possible for wildlife—such as tarantulas or snakes—to occasionally wander into living spaces. We ask guests to remain aware, keep a flashlight with them after dark, and use a stick to gently guide any creatures back outside if needed, or contact staff for assistance. Awareness and mindfulness are part of living safely and respectfully in the jungle.
***🌿 Note:Passport info:
Peruvian immigration regulations require travelers to have proof of onward travel, such as a return or onward bus ticket, to demonstrate intent to leave the country. Currently you are only allowed to be in Peru 3 months of the year. It used to be where you could leave and come back another 3 months, but it just changed so that now you can only be in Peru 3 months for the entire year. If you stay longer they charge you $2 a day, every day you stay past this date when you leave, and you may not re-enter the country again.
🌿What to Eat / Pack for Travel + On-the-go (Dieta-Friendly Snacks)
Here are snack / travel-food ideas that are generally compatible with dieta guidelines — easy to carry, simple on digestion, and avoid problematic ingredients. When you arrive at the center, you can no longer eat the nuts or have these things in your casita. They will attract ants and will break your dieta, please only eat what is given to you once you arrive.
Fresh fruits (non-citrus/acidic, not overly ripe) — apples, pears, firm fruits, etc. (be sure to eat or dispose of all fruit before landing in Peru, they do not allow any fruit coming into their country and even have “fruit sniffing dogs” which can smell any fruit in your bags or luggage, and will force you to remove them).
Plain rice cakes or plain (unsalted, unflavored) whole-grain crackers / rice cakes.
Raw nuts and seeds (unsalted, unflavored) — almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Homemade “energy balls” or simple homemade trail-mix (nuts + seeds, with a bit of plain nut butter) — good for protein and stable energy.
Plain cooked grains (if you can prepare or to purchase at airport) — e.g. plain rice, quinoa, oatmeal — light, easy to digest.
Light cooked vegetables or fresh salads with non-canned chicken or fish (steamed or boiled) at airport.
Herbal teas or plain water — stay hydrated, and avoid stimulants (caffeine, sugary drinks).
Plain nut butter in small sealed containers.
Helpful Teas & Calming Remedies: Reshin Nika approves the use of chamomile tea during the retreat. In the days leading up to your journey, and while traveling, calming herbal teas such as passionflower and mint may be helpful. Passionflower is commonly used to support relaxation and restful sleep, while mint can ease mild digestive discomfort.
Some guests also choose to bring activated charcoal capsules for travel-related discomforts such as headaches, stomach upset, or detox-related reactions, as well as mild altitude-related symptoms. These can act quickly for some people. As always, please listen to your body and use any remedies mindfully.
🌿 Why These Snacks Work for Plane / Travel + DietaPortability & Shelf-Stability: Many of these — nuts, seeds, rice cakes, nut butter — travel well and don’t require refrigeration.
Digestive Gentleness: Whole grains, plain produce, and lightly prepared veggies or grains are easy on the digestive system, especially before ceremonies.
Avoid Conflict with Ayahuasca MAOI Effects: By avoiding tyramine-rich foods, fermented or processed items, caffeine, alcohol, and heavy foods, you reduce risk of negative interactions.
Energy & Sustenance Without Overload: Nuts, seeds, plain grains give sustained energy — helpful for travel days and the physical demands of arriving at a jungle retreat with limited food options.
🌿What to Avoid (on the Plane/Travel) for a Dieta
To minimize digestive load, tyramine-risk, and energetic interference, it’s wise to avoid:
Processed, packaged, or highly processed snacks or anything canned (chips, cookies, candy, processed meats)
Foods with added salt, sugar, or artificial flavorings
Aged or fermented foods (cheese, cured/smoked meats, fermented soy products) — due to tyramine risk.
Strong hot spices, oils, fried foods, or rich fatty foods
Caffeine, chocolate, stimulants, alcohol
Dairy products and heavy meats (pork, red meat)
🌿Sample “Travel Snack Kit” for an Ayahuasca Retreat Trip
Apples or other firm fruits (pack securely in a zip-lock bag) – Easy to digest and refreshing.
Plain rice cakes or whole-grain crackers – A light carbohydrate source with no additives.
Small bag of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds – Simple protein and sustained energy.
Small jar of plain nut butter – Nourishing and easy to pair with fruit or rice cakes.
Herbal tea bags + an empty water bottle – Helpful for hydration and calming the nervous system during travel.
Plain cooked rice, oats, or quinoa (sealed) – A grounding, filling option during long travel days.
Carrot sticks or lightly cooked vegetables (if available) – Gentle fiber and easy on digestion.
Water (and optional coconut water) – Hydration is essential; avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.
🌿Travel information for Reshin Nika Ayahuasca Retreat
The center is located deep in the jungle, about 1 hour northwest of Pucallpa Airport.
Transportation to and from the airport or hotel, to the retreat is included.
Morning or early afternoon arrivals are recommended.
Late arrivals may require an overnight stay in Pucallpa. I have some suggestions here of safe economic places to stay in Lima and Pucallpa.
