FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What makes VIDAYA special?

VIDAYA is special because we have a holistic view on healing and transformation. We make sure that all retreats take into consideration that each person is individual. We work a lot on including nature, food as medicine, intention setting, integration, etc., which is essential when working with plant medicine. We also work with two renowned Shamans who are very selective about whom they collaborate with. We are not following any trends, and you will therefore experience completely authentic ceremonies with VIDAYA.

We are deeply committed to protecting sacred lands and honoring ancestral traditions. This respect for the territory and cultural heritage is woven into everything we do, from how we approach the ceremonies to the way we care for the environment and the communities connected to it.

We are doing this out of love for plant medicine, the Shamans, the territory, and the participants who choose to join us.

 

What should I bring? 

  • Clothes for any kind of weather 25°C / 15°C.  Long pants/shirts recommended for mosquitos. 
  • Light raincoat as there will be rain.
  • Personally hygiene items (100% chemical-free and environmental friendly)
  • Comfortable shoes (trekking shoes and wellies/rubberboots). There are a lot of muddy and wet areas. There will be also boots for lending if needed.
  • Swimsuit for getting into the river. 
  • Nontoxic insect repellent and a hat for the sun.
  • A flashlight (very important).
  • Your own reusable water bottle. 481.6 BILLION plastic bottles were used worldwide last year. We do not want to be part of it. 
  • Journal/notebook and something to write for the intentions and afterwork of the ceremonies. (You can also purchase a unique one at VIDAYA)
  • A sleeping bag and a pillow for ceremony day. We have mattresses and a blanket for each.
  • Earplugs (this ensures you sleep well in shared rooms and if you are not comfortable with jungle animal noise)
  • Offerings (this is not required): candles, crystals, white salvia or any home country amulet or present that you consider nice to give to the space holders. 
  • We recommend having cash for artisan souvenirs (USD DOLLARS local currency). Bills larger than $20 are difficult to change. There are no ATM’s close the retreat.
  • For the things sold at the retreat we will accept PayPal (remember there will be an extra fee for making this transactions).

There are towels and linens at the village. Please leave all of your expectations at home 😉 

 

Can this retreat change my life?

According to our last 2 retreats 100% of the participants went on to make a profound life change after participating in a VIDAYA retreat. However, we believe in order to get the full benefit you must go into your experience with the right preparation, intention, and integration.

 

Is there WiFi in the retreat village?

Yes, there is WiFi, for production and coordination purposes, WiFi will be turned on at specific times during the retreat. We encourage all participants to take care of any urgent matters before arriving, so they can be fully present during the experience.

 

Is it okay to come to the retreat alone?

Absolutely! Many of our retreat participants are solo travelers and we welcome you to come on your own. Many participants come with a sense of feeling alone and leave after the retreat with a loving and caring international community and long lasting friendships. 

 

Can I reach out to the team before deciding to join?

Of course! Please feel free to contact us here or through any of our different channels. We love to hear from you and are happy to clarify any questions or concerns you may have.

 

What plant medicines are offered at VIDAYA?

We work with various medicinal plants and not all are served, but the once we give more focus to are: Ayahuasca, Yakukilla (also known as San Pedro), Rapé (a blend of Sacred Tobacco and different ashes from plants) Wayusa and Mama Coca. These are offered during the different retreats to all who are called to explore them. Each retreat is different in terms of focus and offerings.