Top 16 Things to Bring to an Ayahuasca Retreat

Packing for an Ayahuasca retreat is more than just bringing essentials—it’s about setting the right energetic foundation for your journey. Every item you carry should support your comfort, grounding, and integration. Rather than overpacking, focus on what truly enhances your experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 16 things to bring to an ayahuasca retreat, some often overlooked, that will help you navigate your retreat with clarity, presence, and ease.

Preparing for a Life-Changing Experience

Packing for an Ayahuasca retreat is not just about bringing the right physical items—it’s about preparing your entire being for a profound journey of transformation. Many people focus on what to bring but overlook why they are bringing it. Every object you pack should have intention, supporting your comfort, spiritual process, and ability to integrate what you experience.
Let’s deep into the top 16 things to bring to an ayahuasca retreat.

Unlike a typical vacation, this is not about convenience or luxury; it’s about creating a container where you feel safe enough to surrender. The items you choose to bring can either ground you in presence or serve as distractions. This is why it’s essential to be selective and mindful.

Another crucial aspect that few discuss is the energetic imprint of your belongings. Objects carry energy. Bringing something with emotional significance—a small token from a loved one, a personal talisman, or even a piece of clothing that makes you feel protected—can help you stay connected to yourself when the medicine takes you deep into the unknown.

With this in mind, let’s explore the Top 16 most important things to bring to an Ayahuasca retreat and why they matter in ways that most people don’t consider.

1. Comfortable Clothing: Dress for the Journey

The right clothing is more than just comfort—it can shape your experience. Soft, loose-fitting clothes allow your body to relax, while synthetic fabrics can feel constricting during deep states of awareness. Choose natural fibers like cotton or linen to stay in harmony with nature. White or light-colored clothing is often recommended because it symbolizes clarity and openness, but ultimately, wear what makes you feel safe and grounded.

Light, Natural Fabrics
Your body temperature may fluctuate during ceremony, and synthetic fabrics can trap heat and moisture. Natural materials allow your skin to breathe and feel more connected to the earth.

Layers for Temperature Changes
Even in the jungle, nights can be cool. Bring a light sweater or shawl to wrap yourself in post-ceremony, when your body might feel sensitive or chilled from the deep work.

2. A Blanket or Shawl: Your Comfort Cocoon

3. A Headlamp or Flashlight: Navigating the Night

During deep ceremonies, having something warm and familiar to wrap around yourself can provide a sense of security. When the medicine takes you into unknown spaces, this simple piece of fabric can serve as an anchor to the physical world. Choose something soft and meaningful to you—one that will feel like home when you need it mosGetting up to use the bathroom in the middle of a ceremony can feel like a surreal experience. A red-light mode on your headlamp ensures you can see without disrupting others. If you’ve ever struggled with finding your way back to your mat in a dark ceremonial space, you’ll understand why this is a must-have.

4. A Water Bottle: Stay Hydrated with Intention

Water carries memory. Bringing your own bottle allows you to set an intention with every sip. Some participants even whisper affirmations into their water before drinking. Choose a lightweight, leak-proof bottle that you can keep near your mat, ensuring easy hydration without unnecessary noise or fumbling.

5. A Journal and Pen: Capturing Insights and Visions

Your Ayahuasca journey is filled with fleeting moments of wisdom that often dissolve like dreams upon waking. A journal is not just for note-taking—it’s a portal to self-integration. Some people find that writing helps them process emotions that arise long after the ceremony has ended. Waterproof notebooks are ideal for jungle retreats where humidity can ruin paper.

6. Personal Sacred Items: Anchors for Your Ayahuasca Retreat

A small object with deep meaning can provide spiritual grounding when Ayahuasca takes you into unknown territories. Whether it’s a crystal, a pendant from a loved one, or a piece of fabric infused with a special memory, this item can serve as an energetic tether when navigating deep spaces.

7. A Small Towel and Personal Hygiene Items

Sweating, purging, and emotional releases are common during ceremonies. Having a small towel nearby ensures you can wipe your face or hands without disrupting your process. Stick to unscented, natural products—artificial scents can feel overwhelming when your senses are heightened.

8. Lip Balm: A Small but Crucial Comfort

This is an overlooked essential. Dehydration from purging, deep breathing, or dry air can leave your lips painfully chapped. A simple, unscented lip balm can make all the difference in maintaining comfort throughout the night.

9. Swimwear: For Cleansing Rituals and Relaxation

Many Ayahuasca retreats include river or waterfall purifications, where water is used to cleanse negative energy before or after ceremonies. A swimsuit ensures you can fully embrace these rituals without hesitation.

10. Rapé, Tobacco, or Mambe (If You Work with These Medicines)

If you already have a practice with sacred plant medicines like Rapé (a shamanic snuff) or Mambe (a coca leaf preparation), bringing your own ensures continuity in your spiritual work. However, if you’re new to these medicines, it’s best to consult the facilitators before introducing them into your experience.

11. Earplugs or Sleep Mask: Rest Between Ceremonies

Some retreats are held in open-air spaces where the sounds of nature, other participants, or early morning jungle life can make it difficult to rest. A sleep mask and earplugs can help you fully recharge for the next night’s ceremony.

12. A Phone Charger (for Emergencies or Post-Retreat Integration)

While many choose to disconnect completely, having a charged phone is still necessary for travel logistics, emergencies, or post-retreat reflection. A portable charger ensures you have power when you need it.

13. Musical Instruments (Optional but Powerful)

Music is a bridge between dimensions in Ayahuasca ceremonies. If you play an instrument—such as a drum, flute, or rattle—bringing it along can allow you to contribute to the ceremonial energy or to your own personal integration. Even a small instrument can help you reconnect with your experience later.

14. Offerings for the Shamans or the Land

Many participants bring a small gift of gratitude to the shamans, facilitators, or the land itself. This could be tobacco, cacao, handmade crafts, or even a heartfelt letter. A genuine offering carries energetic reciprocity, reinforcing your intention of respect for the lineage and spirits guiding the ceremony.

15. Crystals and Essential Oils

Crystals and essential oils can serve as powerful allies in your Ayahuasca journey, offering energetic grounding, emotional stability, and spiritual connection. While the medicine itself is transformative, these tools can help you navigate its depths with greater ease.

16. An Open Heart and a Clear Intention

Beyond everything physical, the most crucial thing to bring is your willingness to surrender. The medicine works best when you approach it with humility, trust, and an open heart. Having a clear intention—whether for healing, clarity, or expansion—will guide your journey and deepen your transformation.

Conclusion: Travel Light, but Prepare Well

Packing for an Ayahuasca retreat is not just a checklist—it’s an energetic preparation for one of the most profound journeys of your life. Every item you bring carries an intention, whether for comfort, grounding, or integration. The key is to pack with purpose, not excess, and now you know the Top 16 Things to Bring to an Ayahuasca Retreat.

Many first-time participants overpack, fearing discomfort, while seasoned travelers often learn that the most valuable things are not the physical items but the mindset you bring. What you leave behind is just as important as what you carry. Old expectations, rigid beliefs, and the need for control—these take up more space than any item in your bag.

Instead of bringing distractions, pack items that help you surrender, embrace vulnerability, and open up to transformation. A small object with deep meaning can serve as a reminder of your strength. A well-chosen piece of clothing can feel like an armor of comfort. A simple journal can become a bridge between your Ayahuasca experience and your daily life.

The less you need to worry about during the retreat, the more present you can be. Approach packing as an act of devotion to your journey, ensuring that everything you bring serves your highest purpose. And remember: the most valuable thing you can bring is an open heart, a clear intention, and the courage to let go.

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you soon!