One of the best ways to experience San Pedro cactus, also known as wachuma, huachuma, or aguacolla, is in movement (hiking) and in nature.
In this San Pedro cactus day hike, you’ll spend entire day in the Andean páramo, surrounded by nature to gently introduce you to the beautiful, glimmering world of San Pedro. At the end of the day, you’ll soak in the exquisite Papallacta hotsprings.
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Location: Departing from Tumbaco, about 30 minutes from Quito and the hike and soak takes place near Papallacta, 45 minute drive from departure point.
Duration: Full day (9am-5pm, roughly)
Price: Private Solo = $350, Couple = $200 pp, Small Group (min. 3) = $150pp
# Participants: 1-15
Includes: meals, transportation (Quito area-Papallacta-Quito area), medicine and accompaniment
Weather: Andes Paramo weather, can be bright a sunny and/or rainy, cold.
General Information about the Wachuma - San Pedro cactus experience near Quito, Ecuador
Note: We do not have set dates for these San Pedro experiences! Let us know your desired dates and we’ll coordinate with the guides.
Included:
– Transportation from Quito area to start of hike, about 45 minutes drive away, near Papallacta in the Andean páramo.
– Spanish to English interpretation
– San Pedro medicine and experienced guidance
– Meals
– Unbelievably delicious soak in the thermal baths / hotsprings of Papallacta after the hike
– Return to Tumbaco/Cumbaya area (we can recommend a few hostals nearby, if needed)
Not included:
– Transportation to Quito or Airport Pick-up or Drop-off (can be organized, however!)
– Accommodation
– Snacks (always recommended to bring some!)
– Airfare
– Additional therapeutic offerings like massage
Dates for Wachuma - San Pedro cactus experience (Quito area-Papallacta)
As mentioned earlier, we do not have set dates for these San Pedro experiences. Let us know your desired dates and we’ll coordinate with the guides. For the most part, they are available during the week and weekends.
Schedule for San Pedro cactus experience (starts in Quito area, Ecuador)
9-10am Meet up in Tumbaco, 30 minute Uber/Taxi from Quito. After introductions and explanations, we will open the ceremony and share an initial dose of San Pedro. Please make sure you arrive after breakfast (this breakfast is not included). During drive, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, though specific and/or personal questions. An additional dose of San Pedro will be shared once on the trail.
11am Arrive to Papallacta, adjust to altitude and begin walking on the designated trail, observing plant and bird life, stopping to sing songs and connect with the drum, and sharing more medicine along the way.
9am-3pm This is not a strenuous hike, there are many stops to be still, observe nature and share songs, however please note that the altitude can make it challenging for some so we like to take our time!
1pm Circle back to end at thermal springs / natural hot springs of Papallacta for a delicious soak.
3pm A healthy lunch to help in grounding and energy (vegetarian options available)
5pm Head back to Tumbaco to close the ceremony and then return to your respective hotels/accommodation.
Price for San Pedro cactus experience (starts in Quito area, Ecuador)
Note that the medicine of San Pedro / Wachuma lasts all day and sometimes into the evening. You will be with the facilitators from the morning to the late afternoon. Prices also include entrance fees to the thermal baths and lunch.
For larger groups, please get in touch. Prices will depend on numbers since this will affect transportation costs, food etc.
- Private Solo: $350
- Couple: $250 per person
- Small Group (minimum 3-5 people): $150 per person
Important considerations for this San Pedro cactus experience / what not to expect
Altitude: During the hike, the starting altitude is 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) above sea level. You should not come on this hike if you have just landed from sea level. Please acclimatize for a couple of days to avoid getting altitude sickness. Make sure you are also well-hydrated (with electrolytes, preferably) in the days before.
Physical condition: These hikes are not difficult, but depending on your condition, you may run out of breath easily because of the altitude. Participants should be in good health and enjoy walking/hiking and being in nature. Individuals that are significantly overweight or in bad physical shape should reconsider joining.
Weather: The páramos is a unique ecosystem that only exists in South America. Since it is high altitude, a slight change in clouds and wind can drastically change the weather. When the clouds move out of the way, it can get very sunny and hot quite suddenly. If clouds start moving in, there may be constant moisture and drizzle in the air, as well as heavy rain. It won’t snow, but there is the possibility it gets very wet! Or it might a a perfectly sunny day with blue skies, you just never know 🙂
Length of hike: Once it begins to work, San Pedro medicine lasts a long time, that is simply the nature of the medicine. That’s why we set aside an entire day to be in nature, followed by thermal baths.
Packing list: Closely review the packing list! Hiking shoes are ideal for this hike. In bad weather, you do not want to deal with wet socks!
After the San Pedro experience: Please do not plan to travel the same night of the San Pedro experience. Make sure you can rest that night before continuing travels.
This is a very authentic space and group. Expect simplicity, honesty and a home environment where everything is done with loving intention.
How to reserve a spot for the San pedro cactus experience?
To reserve, you will need to:
- Get in touch [email protected] (or click the Whatsapp button on this page) to check about availability/dates.
- We will send you a questionnaire so we know more about your health and medications. This is for your own safety.
- 50% deposit + fees. Payment options include Paypal, Wise, EU bank transfer, Western Union, or cash (no fees!)
- We do not accept minors, you must be over 18+
- The deposit is only reimbursed if the retreat is cancelled on our part.
Retreat Photos
Location - Quito area to Papallacta to Quito area
This excursion begins about 30 minutes from the center of Quito. You will meet them there to drive up to the trailhead (beginning of the hike) together, 45 minutes from Quito and close to Papallacta.
The route is pictured above, note that the trailhead begins before Papallacta and ends in Papallacta.
Depending on the schedule you choose, you may return to the Quito are at the end of the same day or you may stay in Papallacta for the night, returning the next morning.
What to Pack for San Pedro hike
For the hike:
- Warm and comfortable clothing, consider wearing layers (lycra under pants), if you tend to get cold. Or pack just in case.
- Warm socks
- Rainproof jacket
- Hiking boots (not shoes), trails can get muddy
- Bring a change of clothes for after the thermal baths, your original clothing might feel too wet/cold
- Water bottle
- Hat (when it’s sunny, the sun can burn!), also helps if wind is cold
- Sunglasses (especially with San Pedro medicine, you might appreciate having shades)
For the thermal baths:
- Bathing suit
- Travel towel
Other general items:
- Flip flops or sandals to walk to/from thermal baths
- Toothbrush and toothpaste, other toiletries
- Fruit or snacks
If you are traveling light and don’t have one or more of the above items, let us know and we will do our best to find something you can use.
Frequently Asked Questions about this San Pedro cactus experience
Is this the same a San Pedro ceremony?
The simplest answer is: No, this experience would not be considered a San Pedro ceremony, at least not a “regular” or “traditional” one.
The spiritual answer is: Yes, any experience involving San Pedro medicine in nature where the medicine is treated with respect and recognition of its spirit, is a ceremony. Drinking this medicine then spending the next 7 hours in heart-opening communion with nature and friends is what ceremonies are meant to do – to help us connect with the divine.
So what is a traditional San Pedro ceremony?
This is a tricky question because it depends on where you’re drinking San Pedro and the various schools of thoughts and traditions that exist.
Generally speaking, there are two types of more traditional San Pedro ceremonies practiced in the Ecuadorian Andes, both are generally nocturnal.
1. The first type of ceremony is carried out similar to Peyote ceremonies of the north called a Four Tobacco Ceremony during which a large fire is kept going all night and rounds of singing take place between each Tobacco (prayer) and is accompanied by a water drum and shaker.
2. The second type of ceremony is less structured and involves sharing more Andean songs with the hand drum (not the water drum) and shaker (as well as other instruments), jokes, stories, lots of laughter and the cosmic theater that this medicine incites.
Both of the previous two ceremonies begin late in the evening and close at dawn with the final prayers. The San Pedro medicine will continue working and active until later that morning or afternoon (depending on how much you drank!)
3. There is also the San Pedro and temazcal ceremony, a 5 hour ceremony (the medicine continues strong afterwards, as is typical!) in a four-door temazcal ceremony.
Why there are these differences between San Pedro ceremonies involves a lot of history – it’s fascinating for sure but too much to include here!
What is the difference between San Pedro, wachuma, huachuma and aguacolla?
There is no difference, they are all the same plant (Trichocereus/Echinopsis pachanoi), however the name wachuma or huachuma is more commonly used in Peru, while San Pedro is more commonly used in Ecuador. Other names include hahuacollay, pachanoi, achuma, andachuma and of course aguacolla (ahuacoya or awacoya).
