Jhon and Janneke are a husband and wife team, dedicating their lives to creating a sustainable project at Willkamayu Spirit, where they support and guide people on their personal healing journeys. Their desire is to share their love for each other through the creation of a project that can connect people with their inner nature, as well as feeding back into the local nature in a sustainable way. The idea of community is one that we continue to aim towards. Our intention is to grow as a community of like-minded people and we look to incorporate the services of those around us where we can feel their dedication and motivation is aligned with our own principles. They met while working at a healing centre in Peru. The connection was immediate, and it was clear that their respective energies would merge to create something beautiful in both love and work. Their mission is to walk together on this path and to grow as a couple, as a family, as individuals and ultimately as a community. Jhon and Janneke share a love for nature, Mother Earth, Pachamama, the Mountains and the Andean traditions. They have a passion for and are dedicated to personal development, creating a unique, intimate environment to facilitate work with the Master Plants.Jhon comes from a lineage of Andean heritage, the community of San Pedro de Kacha. The mountainous regions around Cusco and the Sacred Valley are his homeland and his connection to its geography and community is strong within his heart. This interwoven community raised the ancestral traditions that have resonated with Jhon since his childhood, and became more profound when he identified parallels within the Taoist traditions which evolved his understanding of the natural systems that connect us above, below and throughout the universe. With these principles, Jhon experienced a rebirth of interconnected realisation and continues to encourage the roots of ancestral wisdom to ground him in the beautiful web of life. A calling to Ayahuasca and the first connection into process confirmed his inner narrative. And through deep conversation with Mother Ayahuasca he has outwardly portrayed the need to share his confirmed wisdoms, and help others to share the beautiful connections that bind us to spirit. Jhon began learning about ceremony preparation and integration during service at an Integrative Medical Healing Clinic and he fostered the intention to support others through these profound experiences. Combining the traditional values of his childhood, respect of the Andean and Amazon lores and his continued commitment to learn and evolve, Jhon receives and readies guests into their transformative process with the master plants and is honoured to support his brothers and sisters into the beautiful realms that await those who receive the calling.Janneke grew up within the humanistic values of the Netherlands. At a young age her emotional world was already rich and intense. Because of this, she started her own healing journey and became interested in spirituality at the age of 21 and she later pursued a vocation in supporting others through social work. This work brought her into contact with social challenges and she became a support for the homeless, addicts and sex workers; a privilege which she used to connect with and understand the deeper facets of human nature and the challenges that can be experienced. Being highly sensitive and intuitive, with emotionally demanding work, Janneke was directed deeper into her own healing journey again when she was 28 years old. Through introspective processes Janneke found herself in Peru, embraced in the loving arms of Mother Ayahuasca and was directed deeper into her process of healing and growing, the potential of master plants and the importance of connecting to nature, its spirits and traditional wisdoms. It was this intuitive connection and the calling of Mother Ayahuasca that guided Janneke back to Peru and a closer encounter with the healing of Ayahuasca in an established retreat centre where she learnt again to manage human vulnerability and how to maintain stability alongside the sensitivity required for intuitive growth. Healing and spiritual strength became the cornerstones for her commitment in helping others and Willkamayu Spirit owes its core values to the courage and determination that continues to evolve daily in the project space that Janneke brings intuitively into existence. Now that she is a mother, Janneke is with the project in a therapeutic sense, sharing Inner Child work, intuitive coaching, Reiki, preparation and integration. Janneke is forever grateful to the people and spirits who have supported and guided her along this beautiful path.

About Us

There are many aspects to consider when preparing for a ceremony with mother Ayahuasca, here are a few important points to guide you in the days running up to your ceremony.Intention is key when working with Ayahuasca, it’s a useful way to navigate the experience, always returning to a guiding path that can lead you to the answers you are seeking. In preparation for the ceremony we suggest you meditate on your intentions, take time for yourself to deeply connect and reflect. We encourage noble silence so you can really be in your own energy. For your preparation we provide a nurturing family home for you to stay with a comfortable bed and healthy local food. We are surrounded by beautiful, quiet and energetic spaces, where you can connect with yourself, the Mountains, Mother Earth and Pachamama and really get in tune with your intentions. Further days of preparation are available to help you connect with the surroundings and get the most from your retreat. Contact us to book a longer stay. Food: We advise that you start monitoring your diet 7 days prior to your first ceremony. The earlier you start the better. Be conscious of what you are eating, try to eat healthy and light food. Avoid alcohol, chocolate, coffee, spicy food (salt and peppers), meat, and fermented foods, reduce sugar and salt intake and avoid tyramine rich foods. Refrain from smoking tobacco and consuming drugs. Guests are not allowed to take any sort of medication, vitamin or supplement during their preparation process and while at the retreat center, if you foresee a challenge with this requirement we have a medical authority that can give advice and support for you if you have questions about coming off prescription medication. The day of the ceremony will be spent fasting. We will discuss your dietary needs to determine the best form of fasting for you that day.Sexual intercourse: In preparation for an Ayahuasca ceremony it is important to focus on yourself and your own energy. We advise you to not have sexual intercourse at least one day before the ceremony and during your retreat. Lose your expectations: Grandmother Ayahuasca will always give us what we need, it goes beyond the mind, and what we think we want. It’s important not to have expectations and let the healing grandmother Ayahuasca do her work. Ayahuasca has powerful healing benefits, but we should be aware that she is not a wonder that cures everything after one ceremony. She works with different people in different ways, sometimes in a stage by stage, digging and releasing deeper and deeper each time. It is important to have respect and be open and humble to what she wants to show you, often it can be nothing to do with the web of intentions your mind drew up in preparation. Be open, surrender and accept what she wants to teach or heal. Clean your mind! During your retreat and your connection with Ayahuasca it is important to be conscious of your mindset. In preparation we try to nurture such qualities as: Respect, Humbleness, Courage, Trust, Positivity, Honesty to yourself, others, and the medicine. Communication: We encourage open and honest communication at Willkamayu Spirit, it is an important part of the healing process. Authenticity is of high value for us. We also enjoy quiet times of meditation and noble silence. We encourage you not to use your electronic devices during the retreat, this out of respect for your cohabitants, but also as a way of removing distraction from the task of healing and connecting with the plants, this is after all why you are coming to stay with us. Connect to your local nature: It will be of great benefit before your ceremony to find and go into your personal space, and to explore nature around where you are located. Long walks through mountains, along rivers or even sitting in a local park with the trees and flowers will bring you closer to preparation for the ceremony. We also recommend to raise your internal dialog to give acceptance and gratitude to those around you, family members and any entities that come into your attention, including ancestors and Mother Ayahuasca herself. If your intentions are focused towards self-love and trust, then we ask you to concentrate on those blockages that you feel are contributing to the resistance in these spaces. Forgiveness and acceptance are key in these areas.

Preparing for an Ayahuasca Ceremony

There are many aspects to consider when preparing for a ceremony with Grandfather Wachuma, here are a few important points to guide you in the days running up to your ceremony. Intention is key when working with Wachuma, it’s a useful way to navigate the experience, always returning to a guiding path that can lead you to the answers you are seeking. In preparation for the ceremony we suggest you meditate on your intentions, take time for yourself to deeply connect and reflect. For your preparation we provide a nurturing family home for you to stay with a comfortable bed and healthy local food. We are surrounded by beautiful, quiet and energetic spaces, where you can connect with yourself, the Mountains, Mother Earth and Pachamama and really get in tune with what your intentions. Further days of preparation are available to help you connect with the surroundings and get the most from your retreat. Contact us to book a longer stay. What to bring for ceremonial day with Wachuma? It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes and bring different layers with you. In a day we can have sun, clouds and rain here in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. We encourage you to bring a small personal object, something which has a special value or meaning for you. We can place these items on the mesa during the ceremony. If you have a musical instrument, or a song to share please bring it into the ceremony. Music is an important element for the ceremony, so if you have an instrument or a song to share, please bring it. We ask you to bring something edible to share with each other, for example fruits, nuts, water or bread. You can also bring something to offer during the Pachamama ceremony. Food: Three days before the retreat we really try to be more focused on what we consume; no alcohol and coffee, no meat, less sugar…is recommended to get the most out of your experience with Grandfather San Pedro.
 The day before the ceremony, try to eat only vegetables and fruits (no citrus) and not to eat after 8 pm.
 On the day of the ceremony we will fast, so we will eat nothing in the morning. During the day of the ceremony will be spent fasting. We will discuss your dietary needs to determine the best form of fasting for you that day. Medication and Supplements: Guests are not allowed to take any sort of medication, vitamin or supplement during their preparation process and while at the retreat center, if you foresee a challenge with this requirement we have a medical authority that can give advice and support for you if you have questions about coming off prescription medication. Sexual intercourse: In preparation for a Wachuma ceremony it is important to focus on yourself and your own energy. We advise you to not have sexual intercourse one day before the ceremony and during your retreat. Lose your expectations: Grandfather San Pedro will always give us what we need, it goes beyond the mind, and what we think we want. It’s important not to have expectations and let the healing Grandfather do his work. Wachuma has powerful healing benefits, but we should be aware that she is not a wonder that cures everything after one ceremony. He works with different people in different ways, sometimes in a stage by stage, digging and releasing deeper and deeper each time. It is important to have respect and be open and humble to what he wants to show you, often it can be nothing to do with the web of intentions your mind drew up in preparation. Be open, surrender and accept what she wants to teach or heal. ​Clean your mind! During your retreat and your connection with Wachuma it is important to be conscious of your mindset. In preparation we try to nurture such qualities as: Respect, Humbleness, Courage, Trust, Positivity, Honesty to yourself, others, and the medicine. ​Communication: We encourage open and honest communication at Willkamayu, it is an important part of the healing process. Authenticity is of high value for us. We also enjoy quiet times of meditation and an hour of silence each morning. We encourage you not to use your electronic devices during the retreat, this out of respect for your cohabitants, but also as a way of removing distraction from the task of healing and connecting with the plants, this is after all why you are coming to stay with us. Connect to your local nature: It will be of great benefit before your ceremony to find and go into your personal space, and to explore nature around where you are located. Long walks through mountains, along rivers or even sitting in a local park with the trees and flowers will bring you closer to preparation for the ceremony. We also recommend to raise your internal dialog to give acceptance and gratitude to those around you, family members and any entities that come into your attention, including ancestors and Mother Ayahuasca herself. If your intentions are focused towards self-love and trust, then we ask you to concentrate on those blockages that you feel are contributing to the resistance in these spaces. Forgiveness and acceptance are key in these areas. Integration after the Wachuma ceremony: It is advisable to take it slow on the days after the ceremony. You are still open and sensitive, you may feel yourself physically or emotionally weak as things surface for healing. Don’t be alarmed, it is all a natural part of the healing process, integration. Take your time and care for yourself, remain with your intention. You might enjoy writing or creative endeavours, these can be an important way of processing the experience. Grandfather Wachuma is willing to teach you, and heal parts of you, but it is up to you to be proactive about what you are going to do with these messages after a ceremony. To integrate his messages, you must be committed to implementing his teachings on a daily basis. Regularly revisiting the experience and your intentions can lead to further uncovering in the days and weeks after the retreat. Learning and growing is a life time journey. We are here to listen and, where we can, provide advice. We are here to facilitate your healing and we remain available via email if you have any questions or want to share your process following the retreat. Like you, our work continues long after the ceremony, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

Willkamayu Spirit • Retreat Center

About Us

Preparing for an Ayahuasca Ceremony

Preparing for a Wachuma Ceremony

Willkamayu Spirit Retreats