Hrpiii,
as always, your answers have me in stitches, is that because you work in a hospital?
Now let's see each center is different, I chose mine because the guy who runs it, Rory specializes in helping veterans.
Generally, the center Arutam Cusco, allows 4 people at a time, but their was only one other guy booked when I went, and he was in the hospital with food poisoning, so it was me and the guide for the whole 10 days.
When you first get there, you do a Tobacco purge, then the next day you do the first St. Pedro Cactus Ceremonies. This is very similar to Peyote.
The effects last all day, and blend into the twilight for a pleasant dinner.
You take the next day off to recuperate and meditate on what you learned in the spirit world (sorry, that is the best way I can explain it.)
The next day you begin the Ayahuasca.
It is a small bowl, about the size of a large double shot glass. I recommend don't mess with it just shoot it back, don't even be in the same room with it, it is really gross.
Nothing happens for about 45 minutes to an hour, but then you begin to vibrate at the right frequency for "The Others" to come and chat with you, which requires a visceral purging- you puke and blow out your O-ring for a while, then when you are done, there they are waiting, ready to show you the secrets of the universe; light-speed, hyper drive, perpetual motion, world peace without bigotry, etc. it is really awesome... Unfortunately your puny monkey brain (mine too) does not retain this knowledge once it comes back to this side of the veil.
At the center I was at, Arutam Cusco, you do the St. Pedro Cactus ceremony first, followed by 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies, each spaced a day apart, followed by a final St. Pedro Ceremony.
Additionally, for an extra $40, you can do "Sapo" which is frog poison-
That was interesting because it hits you immediately, your heart races, you begin to sweat, I honestly thought I would die. Then after about 5 minutes of purging, your feel better than you have ever felt in your life.
Seriously, all joking aside, this was a spiritual journey that I did need to go on.
I cannot tell you what you will or will not need, just that you are going to a far a way place to take a brew from someone that you do not know.
That is how I got hooked up with Rory, and Arutam Cusco-
Ryan LeCompt, is an Ex-US Marine who founded Veterans for Entheogenic Therapy, basically, helping veterans with severe PTSD deal with it by using this therapy.
Google Lisa Ling "This Is Life," Episode 5, for more information,
Also, feel free to PM me and I will get back to you.
Total cost was $800 for all 5 ceremonies, meals, transportation, laundry.
Sapo was extra,
flight tickets were extra.
I apologize if this one is a little bit off, it was my first time using the "Panoramic" feature on the iPhone 5.