Kambo Ceremony
The cleansing is intense. The after is where it settles.
A traditional cleansing ritual held at Ekumal, near Tulum. Kambo is non-psychoactive, physically demanding, and typically over within a short, focused session. What comes after is often quieter: rest, reflection, and time to let the experience settle.
“Everyone warned me it would be brutal. Nobody mentioned how clean I'd feel an hour later.” — Carina
What is Kambo?
Kambo is the secretion of the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the western Amazon. The secretion is applied to a small number of superficial points on the skin, producing an intense but non-psychoactive physical experience. Unlike Ayahuasca or Bufo, Kambo does not produce a psychedelic or visionary state.
The practice has deep roots among several Indigenous Amazonian communities, including the Matsés, Katukina, and Yawanawá. Traditional accounts describe Kambo as a practice associated with cleansing, strength, endurance, and preparation for hunting, although traditions and meanings vary between communities.
A physical experience, held with care
The experience is physical and can be intense, commonly involving sweating, nausea, vomiting, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, and other short-lived effects. At Lumina, Kambo is treated as its own practice — with dedicated preparation, experienced practitioners, and careful attention throughout the session — rather than as an addition to an Ayahuasca ceremony.
It is not about chasing a vision. It is about being present with a powerful physical experience, and giving yourself time to recover afterward.
What you may experience
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An intense but brief physical response, followed by a sense of clarity as it passes.
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A feeling of physical release or reset, rather than a psychedelic experience.
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Often chosen by those seeking a cleansing practice without psychoactive effects.
We don't promise transformation. We promise thoughtful preparation, experienced support, and a process held with care.
How the session unfolds
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Arrival: Meet your guide, settle in, and ask any final questions.
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Application: A small number of superficial skin points are prepared, and the Kambo is carefully applied.
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Acute phase: Intense physical effects can include nausea, sweating, flushing, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
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Recovery: The strongest effects typically subside within 20–45 minutes.
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Afterward: Time to rest, rehydrate, and talk with your guide before leaving.
The People Behind Lumina
Behind every ceremony, retreat, and conversation at Lumina are real people who care deeply about how this work is approached. Our team brings together practitioners and guides with different backgrounds, experiences, and roles, united by a shared commitment to care, respect, preparation, and responsible practice. Get to know the people behind the work.
Priyananda Shaktipat
Priyananda began his spiritual journey in India and brings more than 35 years of experience in holistic practices including yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, tantra, and shamanic traditions. He is the creator of Conscious Touch Therapy and Kundalini Activation and has extensive experience working with traditional plant medicine ceremonies across Latin America, including Indigenous communities in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico.
Kala Shakti
Kala Shakti has more than 10 years of experience guiding personal growth and wellbeing through yoga, meditation, bodywork, and ancestral practices. A yoga and meditation teacher and bodywork therapist, she focuses much of her work on helping women reconnect with their sensuality, vitality, and inner strength. She is also a facilitator of mushroom, Ayahuasca, peyote, and San Pedro ceremonies.
Important info
Duration: 60–90 minutes (session plus settling time)
Format: Standalone — $3,800 MXN, or alongside another ceremony
Preparation: None
Psychoactive: No
Minimum age: 18 NO EXCEPTIONS
