🌿 Packing List & Peru Travel Guide

Ayahuasca Retreat at Reshin Nika Center Outside Pucallpa, Peru

Preparing well ensures a smoother, more comfortable experience during your stay in the Amazon rainforest. Below is your complete packing list, designed specifically for the climate, dieta requirements, and ceremony environment.

1. Clothing Essentials for the Amazon Jungle

Bring lightweight, breathable, quick-dry materials. The climate is humid, and clothes can take time to dry.

✔ 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 friaje cold snaps between May–August)
✔ 7–8 pairs of underwear
✔ 5–6 pairs of socks (mix long + short; long socks for insects - fluffy socks are best to repel bites)
✔ 1 pair breathable closed shoes (trail runners or sneakers)
✔ Rubber sandals / flip-flops - Crocks are best
✔ Lightweight poncho or rain jacket
✔ Small waterproof backpack or fanny pack
✔ Unscented Dr. Bronner’s baby soap (for hand-washing clothing yourself - the center does provide laundry washing every 3 days)

2. Ceremony Clothing & Sacred Items

For ayahuasca ceremonies and Shipibo master plant dietas, light or white clothing is traditionally preferred.

✔ 1–2 white or light-colored ceremony outfits (loose long sleeve shirt + pants)
✔ Sarong or lightweight scarf (for sitting on or covering 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 (or two) + power bank
✔ Unscented baby wipes
✔ Fanny pack or small backpack to keep ceremony items together

3. Sleep & Personal Comfort Items

The jungle is beautiful—and loud. Comfort items help you rest deeply.

✔ Earplugs (swimmer’s earplugs work best)
✔ Eye mask
✔ Quick-dry towel
✔ Lightweight sleeping clothes
✔ Optional: your own thin sheet or sleep layer / pillowcase
✔ Optional: Battery-powered fairy lights or nightlight / small motion activated lights (we do provide candles)
✔ Sarong or small tarp (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)

4. Insect Protection (Amazon/Dieta-Friendly)

Mosquitoes vary by season; be prepared.

✔ Low-odor picaridin or DEET repellent (use outside only; on clothing)
✔ Loose long-sleeve shirts
✔ Long fluffy socks + loose long pants
✔ Lightweight gloves for hands
✔ After-bite / fragrance-free calamine
✔ Wide-brimmed hat - water resistant / made for the jungle
✔ Head net
✔ Fine mesh travel pants (if mosquitoes affect you strongly)

5. 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
✔ 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 clay mask (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 glass bowl 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

6. 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)
✔ 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)

7. Luggage & Mold Protection

Humidity is high in the Amazon—prepare to keep belongings dry.

✔ Hard-shell suitcase
✔ 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)

8. Important Documents + Cash (store in sealed ziplocks)

✔ Passport
✔ Printed flight details + emergency contact info
✔ Printed travel insurance
✔ Photocopy of your passport (kept all these things together in your backpack)
✔ Cash for deposit 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)

9. Electronics

Electricity for charging items is near Reshin’s house, a 10 min walk from your Casita; bring backup charging options.

✔ 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)

✅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 — carrots, squash, etc.

  • Herbal teas or plain water — stay hydrated, and avoid stimulants (caffeine, sugary drinks).

  • Plain nut butter in small sealed containers — good protein/healthy fat if allowed by your dieta restrictions.

  • Helpful Teas & Calming Remedies: Reshin Nika approves of Chamomile tea during the retreat. To help with sleep and nerves beforehand, I recommend also drinking Passion Flower and Mint Tea, to drink before hand and to bring on the plane. Passionflower tea is great for relaxing, mint tea is good for stomach upset. Also Activated charcoal pills are good for traveling for unpleasant detox reactions (headaches, stomach upset, etc..) and altitude sickness, and they work FAST.

  • 🎯 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 (Even on the Plane / Travel) If You Follow 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 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 firm fruits (pack everything in a zip-lock) Easy to digest, refreshing Plain rice cakes / whole-grain crackers. Light carb source, no additives, Small bag of raw, unsalted nuts + seeds. Protein and energy, Small jar of plain nut butter. Great for spreading on rice cakes or fruit. Herbal tea bags + empty water bottle, For hydration and calm during travel. Plain cooked rice, oats or quinoa (in sealed bag) Good if you’re traveling and need a filling meal. Carrot sticks or lightly boiled veggies (if possible) Good fiber and gentle on digestion. Water + maybe coconut water. Hydration is essential — avoid sugary / caffeinated drinks

Travel Tips for the Ayahuasca Retreat Outside Pucallpa

  • 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.