Despite the legal status, underground and semi-private ayahuasca ceremonies occur across Canada—in private homes, rented retreat venues, and rural properties. Some operate discreetly; others advertise fairly openly online.

We don't judge people who attend these ceremonies. Many are seeking genuine healing. But compared to legal options (whether in Canada or abroad), underground ceremonies add risk:

• Legal exposure for organisers and potentially participants
• Variable medicine quality without legal import channels
• Facilitator training varies widely — from those with years of traditional apprenticeship to those who attended a few retreats and started leading ceremonies
• Medical screening may be minimal or absent

The exempted churches offer one legal path. Peru offers another.

In the Amazon, ayahuasca exists within healing lineages that have developed over generations. Becoming a curandero in the Mestizo traditions around Iquitos requires years of apprenticeship: extended plant dietas (strict isolation and fasting with specific teacher plants), gradual transmission of icaros (healing songs), and supervised practice passed down through family lineages.

This depth of training creates a different kind of ceremony than what most facilitators—whether in Canadian underground circles or even some South American retreat centres—can offer.

At Hummingbird Healing Centre, Maestro Manain is a fourth-generation Mestizo ayahuascero from the Iquitos area with over 45 years of experience. Lead facilitator Jim Davis has guided more than 1,400 ceremonies since 2010.

If you're comparing retreat centres, we've written a detailed guide on >how to choose an ayahuasca retreat—covering healer experience, safety protocols, and questions to ask before booking.

The exempted Canadian churches typically offer single-ceremony gatherings. You arrive, participate in a ceremony that night, and return home the next day.

Our retreats work differently:

• 9 to 28 days of continuous immersion
• Multiple ceremonies (4-12+ depending on retreat length) allowing deeper layers to emerge over time
• Daily integration circles to process what arises
• Complementary practices: Huachuma (San Pedro) ceremonies, plant baths, jungle walks, meditation
• Preparation and aftercare built into the experience

For some people, single ceremonies within a church community work well. For others, the depth of multi-week immersion allows transformation that single nights can't access.

There's a difference between drinking ayahuasca in an urban community hall and drinking it in the Amazon jungle, surrounded by the sounds of the forest, with the medicine in its home environment.

We're not dismissing urban ceremonies—sacred space can be created anywhere. But many Canadians tell us the jungle setting itself was part of their healing. The separation from daily life, the immersion in nature, the feeling of being far from email and obligations—these create a container that supports letting go in ways that weeknight ceremonies close to home may not.

If you're under the care of a family doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist—whether through provincial health systems or private providers—careful planning is essential before any retreat.

Some medications are contraindicated with ayahuasca due to dangerous interactions (particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and some blood pressure medications). Others require supervised tapering periods. We conduct thorough medical screening and will discuss any concerns before you book.

Provincial health coverage is limited outside Canada—and even outside your home province. For travel to Peru, consider:

• Comprehensive travel medical insurance with adequate coverage limits
• Medical evacuation coverage (repatriation from the Amazon can be expensive)
• Trip interruption/cancellation protection (helpful given long routing and potential weather disruptions)

Read policy exclusions carefully. Some insurers exclude claims related to activities involving controlled substances, even in countries where those substances are legal.

Canada is big. Depending on where you live, getting to Peru may involve:

• East coast (Toronto, Montreal): 10-12 hours to Lima
• West coast (Vancouver): 12-14 hours to Lima
• Central/Prairie provinces: Connections through Toronto, Houston, or LA

Peru is 0-3 hours behind Eastern time depending on daylight saving, so jet lag is minimal for Eastern Canadians. Western Canadians have more adjustment.

Many guests find it helpful to:

• Arrive in Lima with a buffer day to rest and ensure luggage arrives
• Avoid heavy commitments immediately after returning home
• Protect integration time—especially during Canadian winter months when mood and energy may already be affected

The psychedelic integration landscape in Canada is developing. Before you travel, consider lining up:

• A therapist or counsellor you trust (provincial services or private)
• An integration coach with experience in plant medicine contexts
• A supportive community that respects privacy

Several Canadian organisations focus on psychedelic harm reduction and integration. Research these before your retreat so you have support waiting when you return.