A Kambo ceremony is a deeply personal experience held in a safe, respectful, and supportive space. Each ceremony is guided with care, allowing time for preparation, intention setting, the application of Kambo, integration, and rest.
We offer both private one-on-one sessions and small group ceremonies.
The journey can be physically intense, yet it is usually short. Most of the active experience takes place within 20–40 minutes, followed by a period of grounding, relaxation, and gentle integration.
The space is thoughtfully prepared with comfortable seating, calming music, and subtle elements to support a relaxed and safe environment. Group ceremonies are intentionally kept small (up to 6 participants) to ensure each person receives the care, attention, and support they need throughout the process.
Kambo Ceremony
Opening the circle
We begin by gathering together in circle. This creates a shared space of presence, respect, and connection. You will be invited to settle in, ask questions, and share your intention if you feel comfortable.
Your intention does not need to be complicated. It may be as simple as wanting to reset, release, reconnect, gain clarity, or simply be open to the experience.
Before Kambo is served, the facilitator explains what to expect, how the process unfolds, and how you will be supported throughout the ceremony.
Preparation
Once the circle has opened, we begin the preparation.
Small points, often called “gates”, are created on the skin. These are made by lightly removing the very top layer of skin using a small burning stick or traditional Amazon vine called "Tamishi". The Kambo is later applied to these points, allowing it to enter the lymphatic system.
The placement and number of points depends on your experience, your intention, your body, and what feels appropriate on the day. First-time participants are usually guided gently and may receive a small test point first before continuing into the full session. A consultation beforehand allows us to explore where you are currently in your life and your journey, where you would like to go and how Kambo could assist you in getting there.
Traditional placement is often on the upper arm for men and the lower leg for women, although this can vary depending on the person and the intention of the ceremony.
Drinking Water
Before receiving Kambo, you will be asked to drink water. This helps prepare the body for the purge and gives the body something to release.
It is important to drink enough to feel full, but this is always done with guidance. During the ceremony, you may also be encouraged to sip more water if needed.
Receiving Kambo
The Kambo is prepared by mixing the dried secretion with a small amount of water, forming small points that are then applied to the prepared “gates” on the skin.
This method allows the Kambo to enter through the lymphatic system, which is why the effects are felt very quickly. For safety, Kambo is only administered in this way and should not be ingested or introduced directly into the bloodstream.
For those sitting with Kambo for the first time, a single test point is usually applied first. This acts as a gentle introduction, allowing you to begin feeling how your body responds to the medicine. After a short period, once you have had time to settle into the experience, additional points may be applied to continue the process, guided by your response and the facilitator’s observation.
Kambo is a fast-acting medicine. Many people begin to feel changes within minutes — such as warmth, increased heart rate, pressure in the body, or a sense of activation. Each experience is unique, and you are supported throughout the process.
You may notice temporary swelling in the lips or face, as well as a tingling sensation in the skin. At times, certain areas of the body may feel more active, with sensations such as warmth or gentle pulsing that usually pass quickly.
The most important guidance during this stage is to stay present, breathe, and allow your body to move through the experience in its own way.
The Purge and Release
Purging is a common part of Kambo. This may happen through vomiting, using the toilet, sweating, shaking, crying, or simply sitting with strong sensations as the body processes the experience.
You will have a bucket with you, and support will be available throughout. If you need to go to the toilet, you will be assisted for safety, as Kambo can sometimes make people feel light-headed or faint when standing.
The process is not about forcing anything, but about allowing the body to release in its own way.
Support During your Journey
Throughout the ceremony, you are not left alone. The facilitator watches over you, checks in when needed, and helps guide you through the more intense moments.
You may be reminded to breathe, sit upright, drink water, or prepare to purge. These simple actions can help the body move through the experience more easily.
Live music and shamanic drumming are woven into the ceremony to gently guide the journey. The rhythm of the drum can help anchor you in the present moment, support deeper release, and create a sense of connection as you move through the experience.
Kambo is often uncomfortable, but the intensity usually passes quickly. Once the main wave has moved through, many people begin to feel lighter, calmer, and more settled.
Optional Hapé or Sananga
Depending on the ceremony, Hapé or Sananga may be offered towards the end.
Hapé is a traditional Amazonian snuff, usually blown gently into the nostrils using a pipe. It may support grounding, clarity, and completion of the process.
Sananga is a traditional Amazonian eye drop made from the roots and bark of the Tabernaemontana undulata shrub, used to enhance vision, clear mental fog, and cleanse negative energy. It causes intense, brief stinging upon application but is revered for sharpening perception and assisting with focus.
These are always optional and will only be offered with explanation and consent.
Closing and Integration
Once the Kambo points are removed, you will be invited to lie down and rest. This is often supported with sound, live music, silence, or gentle space-holding.
This part of the ceremony allows the body to settle and integrate. A light meal or tea will be offered afterwards, followed by a closing circle where participants can share anything they feel called to express.
After the ceremony, it is recommended to rest, eat gently, stay hydrated, and give yourself space for reflection.
The burn marks are dressed using Peruvian tree sap called "Dragon Blood".
A Respectful Approach
Kambo is a powerful traditional practice from the Amazon. It is held with deep respect for the frog, the indigenous lineages connected to it and the people who have carried this knowledge through generations.
At Viva Kambo, ceremony is approached with care, humility, safety, and respect for each person’s individual journey.
Kambo is not a medical treatment and is not a substitute for professional healthcare. All participants are required to complete a health screening before attending, and certain health conditions or medications may mean Kambo is not suitable.