Ayahuasca also called Yage is an Amazonian plant mixture that is capable of inducing altered states of consciousness, usually lasting between 4 to 8 hours after ingestion. Ranging from mildly stimulating to extremely visionary, Ayahuasca is used primarily as a medicine and as a shamanic means of communication, typically in a ceremonial session under the guidance of an experienced drinker.
One effect of ayahuasca is that it makes a lot of people vomit and many drinkers get diarrhea. One tribe calls ayahuasca ‘kamarampi’, which stems from ‘kamarank’: to vomit. It is also called ‘la purga’, as it purges the body through this physical effect, and purifies the mind through the meaningful psychological experiences or visions. You usually feel totally refreshed and reborn after a strong experience.
The ayahuasca drink is sometimes, but rarely, made from the ayahuasca vine alone; almost invariably other plants are added. These additional ingredients are most often the leaves of any of three compañeros, companion plants — the shrub chacruna, Psychotria viridis; the closely related shrub sameruca, Psychotria carthaginensis; or a vine variously called ocoyagé, chalipanga, chagraponga, and huambisa, Diplopterys cabrerana.
The ritual use of ayahuasca is a common thread linking the religion and spirituality of almost all the indigenous peoples of the Upper Amazon, including the mestizo population; it seems probable that the shamanic practices of most of the Upper Amazon — Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia — form a single religious culture area.
Every day, hundreds of tourists arrive in Iquitos – Peru or Leticia – Colombia, seeking spiritual catharsis or just to trip their heads off. But increasingly often their trip becomes a nightmare, and some of them don’t go home at all.
Read: British backpacker dies after taking hallucinogenic brew in Colombia
Personal recommendation
Ayahuasca is not a check list attraction, this can be really tough and can turn into your death or serious mental illness. Don’t take Yage or Ayahuasca if you are not ready. I do not encourage people doing this cause it’s not a game.
Where to have an Ayahuasca Ritual in Leticia Amazonas
Personally, i have done a couple of times Ayahuasca in Leticia Amazonas and there is only 2 people that I can recommend you: “Profe Armando” and “William”.
Profe Armando from Puerto Nariño – Amazonas (Paraiso Ayahuasca)
He is a teacher that lives in Puerto Nariño and has a beautiful hostel called “Paraiso Ayahuasca”. If it’s your first time, i would recommend him due that his dosis is suitable for tourist and newbies.
How to find profe armando? you have to take a speed boat to Puerto Nariño and ask for his hostel “Paraiso Ayahuasca”.
William from Leticia’s km 7
He is basically one of the best shaman on this region but his dosis are a little bit strong, I have taken with him and had a great experience but really though. In other words, its not for pussies.
How to find William? you have to take a taxi to the kilometer 7 and ask in the community for “William”.
