🌿 Amazon Jungle Packing List & Dieta Friendly Travel Guide 🌿

Reshin Nika Ayahuasca Retreat Center, near Pucallpa, in Santa Clara Peru

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-dry materials. The climate is humid, and clothes can take time to dry. Laundry service is typically available at the center every three days.

✔ 3 lightweight t-shirts
✔ 2 breathable long-sleeve shirts
✔ 2–3 pairs of thin long pants (Light baggy/loose, fast-dry fabrics)
✔ 1–2 pairs of shorts
✔ 1 very light sweater or layer (for night, the 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)
✔ 1 pair breathable closed shoes (trail runners or sneakers)
✔ Rubber sandals / flip-flops - Crocks are best
✔ Lightweight poncho or rain jacket
✔ Multiple dry bags- to protect / separate clothing and electronics
✔ 2-3 black large garbage bags- to cover suitcase or for other items/clothing in casita (the rain can spray inside a little)
✔ Small waterproof backpack or fanny pack (Ideally with a rain-cover)
✔ Unscented Dr. Bronner’s baby soap (for hand-washing clothing yourself - the center does provide laundry washing every 3 days)

🌿Ceremony Clothing & Sacred Items

For ayahuasca ceremonies, light or 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 (for sitting on or covering body or head with)
✔ Headlamp with red-light mode (red light for ceremony calmness)
✔ A small meaningful grounding item (stone, necklace, small sacred object)
✔ Water bottle (only tiny sips during ceremony)
✔ Bug spray
✔ Mapacho (Amazonian tobacco)
✔ Florida water
✔ Handheld or USB fan + power bank
✔ Unscented baby wipes
✔ 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.
✔ Mosquito and bug protection— screen tent, for extra ceremony comfort (purchase on Amazon)

🌿Sleep & Personal Comfort Items

The jungle is beautiful—and loud. 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.
✔ Handheld or USB fan(s) + power bank(s)
✔ Optional: your own thin sheet or sleep layer / pillowcase
✔ Optional: Battery-powered fairy lights (w/thumbtacks) or nightlight / small motion activated lights (we do provide a candle)
✔ Optional: Sarong or small tarp (w/thumbtacks) (blocks light, rain, or adds privacy in the casita)
✔ Journal + extra pens (stored in a ziplock bag)
✔ Book, creative drawing items (also in ziplock for humidity protection)
✔ 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)

🌿Insect Protection (Amazon/Dieta-Friendly)

Mosquitoes vary by season; they are more abundant at dusk and dawn. be prepared. Wear thin baggy pants and tops, and cover head with a wide light scarf and 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).
✔ Sleeping tent, tightly enclosed for extra mosquito and bug protection (purchase on Amazon)
✔ Loose long-sleeve shirts, to help keep bugs off skin
✔ Long fluffy socks + loose long pants, to help keep bugs off skin ( fluffy socks, or double up, to help repel bites on feet)
✔ Lightweight gloves for hands to repel bites
✔ After-bite / fragrance-free calamine
✔ Wide-brimmed hat - water resistant / made for the jungle
✔ Fine mesh travel pants (if mosquitoes affect you strongly)
✔ Head net

🌿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.

✔ Unscented soap + shampoo
✔ Unscented deodorant
✔ Unscented baby wipes
✔ Natural toothbrush + floss
(coconut oil + baking soda works for dieta-safe toothpaste)
✔ Nail clippers
✔ Razor + unscented shaving soap
✔ Tissues / emergency toilet paper roll
✔ 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 is ideal)
✔ 2–3 packs unscented baby wipes
✔ Small bottle of (preferably unscented) hand sanitizer

🌿Health Basics & Simple First Aid

✔ Electrolytes (unflavored, sugar-free; Trace Minerals, Nature’s Truth brand is good)
✔ Basic first-aid kit:
– Band-Aids
– Gauze
– Antiseptic wipes
✔ Activated charcoal capsules (for nausea and headaches/unpleasant detox symptoms)
✔ Antihistamine (loratadine or cetirizine - only for absolute necessity)
✔ Prescription medications (sealed + labeled)
✔ Extra sea salt (to add a tiny, tiny bit to food for those sensitive to no-salt dieta - some people have “POTS”or autoimmune conditions which make a no salt diet too difficult. Use only if you become too lightheaded and spacey. No-salt is for staying ungrounded, to connect better with the plants)
✔ 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)

🌿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
✔ Extra small backpack + fanny pack (for ceremony + walking around the center)

🌿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 wrinkled or torn bills)
✔ Tipping cash (optional but appreciated, for the cook and for Reshin Nika to give before you leave)

🌿Electronics

We now have electricity in the Casitas, however it may be a good idea to bring these in case it goes out; backup charging options (there is a charging station at Reshin’s house, a 10 minute walk away).

✔ Headlamp with red light mode
✔ 2–4 power banks
✔ USB mini fan (or two)
✔ Charging cables
✔ Travel adapter + universal plug adapters
✔ Keep phone on Airplane Mode most of the time (best for dieta focus)
✔ Download this App for English/Spanish Translation Or Google translate works well. (You may have to pay for offline mode.)

**🌿 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.

🌿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.

• 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 + Dieta

  • Portability & 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.