Retreat Preparation Guide

Blue Morpho Retreat Preparation Guide

Blue Morpho’s Retreat Center is located at Heliconia Lodge outside of Iquitos, Peru.

Check out Heliconia’s Website here.

This page contains relevant and helpful suggestions for organizing travel arrangements to and from Blue Morpho.

We cover here the key elements to help make a comfortable, informed and safe trip:

Covid Travel Requirements

Traveling to and within Peru

Traveling Since COVID has finally normalized. Recent travelers have shared the ease they experience going through immigration and traveling within Peru. We recommend that you follow your airlines guidelines and Peru’s national guidelines. Review Peru’s travel requirements here.

Blue Morpho Requirements

Blue Morpho requires that you have comprehensive travel insurance (covering the loss or cancelation of your Blue Morpho retreat) and COVID medical travel insurance to participate in a retreat. Blue Morpho will not refund your retreat fee for any reason including COVID related complications or cancelations to Fore Majeure. Here are some recommendations

Flights

All Blue Morpho retreats begin and end in Iquitos, Peru. Incoming international flights will first fly through Lima, Peru before transiting into Iquitos via one of the Peruvian domestic carriers. For international flights, we recommend checking aggregate search engines such as Kayak, Skyscanner and Mobissimo in addition to more common search engines like Priceline, Orbitz or Expedia.

It is best to arrive to Iquitos at least 1 day before the retreat begins. This extra day can help buffer any potential flight delays or cancellations, which do happen on a regular basis when traveling through Peru and South America. You are free to book return flights for any time after 3 pm on the final day of the retreat though it is recommended to spend at least one day in Iquitos or Lima before flying home.

Early Departure

Your retreat will depart Heliconia Lodge for Iquitos around 9:00 am. There are no early departures from Heliconia Lodge on the return day from the retreat. You may schedule to leave the retreat early, but you will need private travel from Heliconia to Iquitos (Cost $200 paid to Heliconia Lodge).

Domestic Flights

There are several airlines that fly to Iquitos from Lima, so you will have some options for planning a schedule that works for you. Make sure to confirm your flights with your airline before you depart, especially your Lima – Iquitos flights! The main domestic carrier in Peru is LATAM. If you book with LATAM you may be able to get a cheaper ticket all the way to Iquitos from your departure destination; otherwise it is often cheaper to buy one flight into Lima and a separate domestic ticket from Lima to Iquitos.
Latam

Travel Insurance

Please check with your airline, travel correspondent, agent, or other provider for information on obtaining travel insurance. We strongly advise taking out travel insurance at the time of booking that will cover any financial losses incurred should you have to cancel your visit for any reason; or in case of any unforeseen incidents while in Peru. Here are a few websites we recommend for guests who prefer to shop online for travel insurance: Travel Insurancere View
Insure My Trip

Important Notes

Always pick up your bags at the baggage claim in Lima and re-check them at the ticket counter after passing through customs. No matter what the airlines tell you, pick up your luggage at the baggage claim in Lima and re-check them with the appropriate airline. We have had several guests arrive in Iquitos without their luggage because they didn’t pick up their bags in Lima.
Make sure that your passport does not expire within 6 months of your departure date. Peruvian immigration may require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan on leaving Peru. Please check online or with your domestic government for information regarding your Peruvian visa requirements.

What To Bring

Iquitos and the surrounding area are typical of a tropical jungle climate: hot and wet most of the year, so pack accordingly. The average high temperature is around 90ºF (32ºC) and average low is around 70ºF (21 ºC), although it can get colder in the evenings. It is a good idea to bring some layers, as body temperature can fluctuate considerably during the ceremonies. Here are some necessary items to bring and a few others that are recommended:

Retreat Commencement

On the morning the retreat begins, we will meet at the Victoria Regia Hotel in the city of Iquitos at 8:30 a.m. Once oriented and all together, we will head out to the retreat center by bus and then boat. Transportation from the meeting point to the center and back to the city on the last day is included in the retreat price.

Please note that it is best to be in Iquitos the evening before the retreat begins at the latest. Morning flights into Iquitos are often delayed or canceled by weather. If you do arrive late or after the buses leave, you will have to arrange for transport directly to the retreat center via Heliconia. This typically costs $200 USD.

Our retreat center’s is Heliconia Lodge. All transportation to and from Heliconia Lodge will start at The Victoria Regia Hotel

Please contact Blue Morpho via email at [email protected] if you won’t be in Iquitos the evening before the retreat begins or as soon as you know that you’re going to arrive late.

Hotels In Iquitos

Be sure to book a hotel for your stay in Iquitos, both before and after the retreat. You will be fully accommodated for the duration of the retreat at Blue Morpho. There are many hotels and hostels to choose from in Iquitos. Sites like Tripadvisor and Lonelyplanet offer reviews from previous travelers as well as booking options. Below are 2 hotels that we recommend.

Victoria Regia Hotel (our recommendation): www.victoriaregiahotel.com

Nativa Apartments (great value with kitchenettes): www.nativaapartments.com

Transportation is included from the Iquitos Airport to your Hotel.

Iquitos & The Local Area

Iquitos is a bustling jungle city located on the left bank of the Amazon River in northern Peru. Situated between the Rio Nanay to the north and the Rio Itaya to the south, Iquitos is built on a land formation known as a fluvial island. Both rivers flow into the Amazon, and this geography creates a natural boundary containing the expansion of the city. It is reported that Iquitos now has more than 400,000 inhabitants, but a large part of this population is spread outside the city center.

Iquitos was initially established as a Jesuit mission in the 18th century. As the northern most Peruvian city, Iquitos was originally a remote outpost to the indigenous people living in the area. Over time the settlement began to grow and was eventually named the capital of the Loreto Region of Peru. During the 19th century rubber boom, Iquitos was a sought after destination for foreigners seeking to make a fortune. Many of these newcomers settled here and Iquitos grew considerably.

The Amazon River system remains the city’s lifeblood. To this day, there are no roads leading into Iquitos and the only way for goods or people to reach the city is by air or boat.

Transportation
Mototaxis – three-wheeled, open air rickshaws – are plentiful in the city and are the main mode of transportation to get around town. Relatively safe, but seemingly “crazy” driving is inescapable. This is of course part of the adventure of visiting a place like Iquitos.
For going to and from places in the center of town, fares shouldn’t be more than S./3-4 (3 or 4 Peruvian Soles). Fares to the airport from the center of town typically cost S./10-15. If you are going to walk around the city, take note of where you are as many intersections do not have street signs and buildings can look very similar. The city is generally safe, though going in pairs is advisable!
Exchanging Money
Exchange money at Interbank on the corner of Prospero and Sgto. Lorens
DO NOT EXCHANGE MONEY ON THE STREETS OF IQUITOS

Blue Morpho Ayahausca Ceremonies

The Blue Morpho ayahuasca experience is designed to address all aspects of your life at the same time (Health, Spirit, Relationships and Decisions). It is an experience that generates life improvement.

Our intentions with ayahuasca are to help you fulfill your personal intentions. We are here to help guide every step of the way including a ceremonial orientation and daily group discussions. The following information outlines some basics in order to prepare you for ceremony. This covers everything from the setup of the space, to what you should do if you need help, to working with the ayahuasca and ceremonial tools.

The Logistics

Your Ceremonial Space

At Blue Morpho, ayahuasca ceremonies are usually performed sitting up in a comfortable rocking chair, however; we do have mats available if you are not able to sit for long periods of time or you can no longer sit and need to lie down.

The Beginning of Ceremony

Maestro Hamilton will come into the ceremony house around 5:30 p.m.
He will begin the ceremony by whistling an icaro into the ayahuasca bottle (for more information on icaros, please see the Appendix “Traditional Icaros”)
You will be guided through the serving process.
Once everyone drinks, the lights will be turned off and the ceremony will begin.
Once you drink the ayahuasca, it is your job to relax as much as you can and let the ayahuasca do its work.
Everyone reacts to the experience differently, so you want to give yourself and ayahuasca the time and space to become acquainted. It can take between 20-60 minutes for the ayahuasca to take effect, so the best thing to do during this time is relax and ease yourself into the experience.

Your Ayahuasca Experience

Everyone experiences ayahuasca differently.
Regardless of what you have heard or read, your ayahuasca experience is going to be entirely unique and personal to you.
People experience ayahuasca visions in a variety of ways, not just visually. The visions are only one small part of the ayahuasca experience.
Every ceremony is different. You will never have the same experience from ceremony to ceremony. You are 100% unique and different every time you come to ayahuasca.
No matter what your experience is, everyone is still receiving a tremendous amount of healing, transformation and medicine.

Conduct During the Ceremony

There are at least four trained helpers in the ceremonial house who do not drink ayahuasca. They are there to change your buckets, help you to the bathroom or shower, or pour water on your head if needed.
If you need a bucket change, call out “bucket” or “bandeja”
If you need help to the bathroom, call out “bathroom” or “baño”
If you need a shower, call out “shower” or “ducha”
If you still feel like you need more help, call out “help” or “ayuda” and one of the shamans will come help you.
Flashlight or headlamp – keep it on the low or red setting, point it down, cover it with your fingers when in use, and only use when necessary.
Please do not leave the ceremonial house until the ceremony is formally concluded.
Please refrain from touching other guests during the ceremony.
Please stay in your individual spot during ceremony, either in your chair or on your mat. You may of course get up to use the bathroom area during ceremony but please, no wandering around the space.
The moment you feel like you have to use the toilet, do so immediately, no matter how many times you have to go.
Please do not throw toilet paper in the toilet. Please discard all toilet paper or hygiene products in the waste bins next to the toilet due to the septic system.
Do not drink anything caffeinated after lunch.
Do not drink water after 6 p.m., and please do not drink water during ceremony (only washing and rinsing your mouth out).
Comfortable, loose fitting, and easy-to-maneuver clothing is best for ceremony.

Purging

Ayahuasca is a purgative, which means that it helps you purge or expel unwanted or afflicting energies. This includes emotional, mental and physical energy.
There are many different kinds of purging in ayahuasca, and all are completely normal and part of the process. The most talked about purges are the physical purges like vomiting and diarrhea, but these are just one part of the purging process.
If anything negative comes up, that is the purge working; that is what is coming up and out of you. The experience of these energies is the release. Let them go and relax with the breath.
Types of purging include: energetic, yawning, crying, laughing, bodily sensations, bodily movements/shaking, intense emotions, mental turbulence, sweating, getting really hot or cold.
When we purge, we are purging to love.
Do your best to focus on releasing to love, rather than focusing on the negative elements of your experience.
During this experience, the more you relax and focus on the icaros and your heart, the easier it is to release.
Blue Morpho holds a space where fight, triumph, and struggle are no longer necessary; you can easily and effortlessly release anything back to love.
If you experience a problem and need help or just need someone to talk to, please come to one of the shamans – we are available 24/7.

Tools to Use While in Ceremony

Relax – let the ayahuasca and the experience do what it needs to do. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is.
Breathing – long, slow, deep breaths.
Focus on the icaros – simply bring your mind to the shaman’s icaro, like you would a song, and follow its energies.
Water – water is an amazing healing spirit/energy. If you feel like the effects of ayahuasca are getting too intense, call out “agua” or “water” and our helpers will slowly pour water over your head. We also highly recommend taking a shower to calm the experience.
Movement –it can be helpful to move your body with the rhythm of the shakapas and icaros – tap your finger on your thigh, bob your head, etc.; this can be helpful for keeping the energies flowing freely.
We are always here to serve and help guide you during your stay with us– do not hesitate to come to us for help.

End of Ceremony

Ceremony goes from 6:00pm until 9:30pm when the lights are turned on.

The shamans will stay for a period of time after ceremony to help settle the space and bring it to a calm end.
After the ceremony is formally concluded, you are welcome to go back to your room, have a swim, sit outside the ceremony house and look at the stars, or stay in the ceremony house and rest.
You are welcome to sleep in the ceremony house– many people do – it is a nice space to sleep in after a ceremony.
If you are still strongly feeling the effects of ayahuasca, stay in the ceremonial house until you are feeling stable and grounded.
We ask that all new guests check in with one of the shamans before going to bed.
It is okay to drink water and non-caffeinated tea when the ceremony is over. There is a tea and water outside of the ceremony house.