Top Rated

4 days Bufo Alvarius Annual Harvest in Sonora Mexico

Name: 4 days Bufo Alvarius Annual Harvest in Sonora Mexico
Start: 2026-07-31
End: 2026-08-03
Location: Xanga Guru Experiences
Rating: 4.86

4.8671 reviews

La Reynalda, Zoila Reyna de Palafox, Coahuila, Hermosillo, Sonora, México

Up to 12 in group

July 31 - August 3, 2026

A preparation course valued at $109 is included with the retreat at no extra cost

Retreat Highlights

The service includes:
Lodging Quarters at historic Villa in Hermosillo
Experience the outing to collect the medicine from Bufo Alvarius toads in the desert at night
Visit to Punta Chueca and Isla Tiburon with Bufo Alvarius session
Also attached some photos of our visit to Isla Tiburon:
Sacred Tribes land
Non inhabited and restricted pristine Natural Reserve
Largest Island in Mexico
Site for the tribal to your Bufo Alvarius session
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
This journey is rooted in presence, simplicity, and participation.
Rather than being served, guests are invited to engage — with the environment, with each other, and with the cultural context we enter.
Part of the experience includes visiting and contributing to the Seri (Comcaac) community, and accessing protected territories and sacred natural spaces under their guidance. This is not a passive tour, but a respectful encounter.
For the excursion to Punta Chueca and Isla Tiburón, a light or fasting morning is recommended, in alignment with the nature of the experience. After completing the visit, on the return route toward Hermosillo, we stop in Bahía de Kino, where there are local restaurants available for lunch.
During outings, we recommend bringing light and healthy snacks. We remain flexible and can stop as needed to replenish supplies.
EXPERIENCE PHILOSOPHY
This program is not designed as a hotel-style, serviced experience, but rather as a participatory and immersive journey.
The house features a fully equipped professional kitchen, suitable for hosting and cooking for medium-sized groups (approx. 8 guests). Instead of predefined meal services, guests are invited into a more autonomous and communal dynamic.
Upon arrival, we organize a supermarket visit to allow guests to purchase all necessary food and supplies for their stay. Additional visits can be arranged during the program if needed. All food and beverage purchases are at the guests’ own expense.
Guests may choose to share grocery costs and cook together
Or maintain full independence in managing their own meals
This flexibility allows everyone to respect their personal rhythms and dietary choices (vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.)
Drinking water is provided at the house and available for refilling bottles before daily excursions.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Ivette

Gabriel

Ivette Del Carmen Ramirez Rojo

Ivette grew up on the coast of the Sonora desert between Guaimas, Bahia de Kino, Desemboque and Punta Chueca. Raised by her father, from young age living as traditional nomadic fisherman, always moving along the shoreline. Ivette received shamanic initiation and teachings from the elder shamans of Punta Chueca, Tata Moises Romero and Raymondo Barnet. She is an active member of the tribe, with extensive knowledge and practice of the rituals and original language of the tribe. Ivette now lives in Hermosillo and has been serving the Bufo Alvarius natural medicine for 8 years. As Secretary of the Council of Elders of the community of Punta Chueca, she is also certified by the Comcaac tribe and Mexican authorities for the seasonal extraction and recollection of the Otac medicine from the wild desert toads. We are proud to underline that the certification guarantees that the Bufo Alvarius medicine used by Xanga Guru Experiences is 100% natural, extracted with the best practice of ethical handling for the toads, without harm to the animals. Ivette has been partner and collaborator of Xanga Guru since 2020, organizing together Etno-cultural visits to the region, to the Seri tribe and to the community of the Triquis that migrated from Oaxaca to the town of Miguel Aleman, Sonora.

Gabriel Clerici Epis

Gabriel is among the rare few non-indigenous persons to be legally authorized from the Pluricultural Governor of Sonora to enter the territories between Hermosillo and Punta Chueca to collect the Bufo Alvarius medicine directly from the wild toads on the territory and authorized and registered as practitioner to serve the medicine in sessions. Bio: Growing up in Central America in the 70's, Gabriel has naturally developed a sense of syncretic practice of spiritual energy and philosophy. 15 years ago he initiated his discovery and learning of plant medicines with hierbatero Lucho Panduro and ayahuasquero Alessio Prefumo in Tamshiyacu (Perù) and then Bolivia, Chile and Italy. After an experience living in Cuba, cooperating with Orisha Yoruba priests of African Santeria, Gabriel lived 10 years in South America, where he continued the deepening of his research by dwelling with indigenous communities in remote mountainous regions, participating to rural development projects and to the ritualistic tradition in the Andes, then moving to Mexico to learn the utilization of Bufo Alvarius. He is interested in the diffusion of diverse instruments for the spirit. His idea is to connect more people to the information, the preparation and basic mindset to approach powerful spiritual tools such as natural plant medicines. His effort is to improve the process, the communication and the experience of the sessions and therapies and render them available to almost everybody. He believes on pulling down the barriers of spiritual elitism. In helping these wonderful "instruments" to face the fascinating modern challenges, as an inside-out revolution. Gabriel aims to contribute for compatibility among and beyond different environments, cultural realities and melting down modern and ancient ideological schisms, the barriers of language and discrimination.

Details of this retreat

SONORA ANCESTRAL EXPERIENCE — ISLA TIBURÓN

4 Days / 3 Nights — Sonora Desert, Northern Mexico

This experience is designed for travelers seeking access to one of the most remote and culturally preserved regions of Northern Mexico.

The journey takes place between desert and sea, in close contact with the Comcaac (Seri) community — custodians of a protected territory that includes Isla Tiburón, the largest island in Mexico.

This is not a conventional trip. It is a simple and participatory experience.

Accommodation is arranged in a beautiful and private historic villa in Hermosillo, offering comfort while maintaining a flexible and independent dynamic. Meals are organized freely by the group with full assistance and structure provided, allowing each participant to follow their own preferences.

THE ANNUAL BUFO ALVARIUS SACRED MEDICINE COLLECTION:
A TRADITIONAL DESERT PRACTICE

One of the most distinctive moments of the journey takes place during a night excursion in the Sonoran desert.

Accompanied by members of the Comcaac community, guests are invited to witness and respectfully take part in a traditional seasonal practice connected to the natural cycles of the desert. This activity is carried out exclusively under the guidance and authorization of the local community.

VISIT ISLA TIBURÓN — PROTECTED TERRITORY
This island has been nominated UNESCO HUMANITY PATRIMONY
and Special Bioshere Natural Reserve. It is the largest island in Mexico, SACRED TERRITORY of the COMCAAC COMMUNITY.

The experience includes access to Punta Chueca and Isla Tiburón, a restricted and non-inhabited natural reserve.

Entry is possible only through the authorization of the Comcaac community, who guide the visit and share elements of their relationship with the land.

Within this context, participants are invited to take part in the bufo alvarius ceremony, held by local practitioners in a simple setting.

AUTHORIZATION & COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK

This experience is conducted in direct collaboration with the Comcaac (Seri) community and operates under their authorization for access to protected territories and participation in traditional practices.

Xanga Guru and its facilitators are recognized within this framework and operate with the corresponding permissions granted by the local authorities responsible for these cultural and natural areas.

This ensures that all activities take place respectfully, within the boundaries established by the community, and with a direct contribution to its continuity and support.

EXPERIENCE STRUCTURE

Day 1 — Arrival in Hermosillo (HMO)
Reception at the airport and transfer to private villa. Introduction and preparation.
This night outing to the desert for the collection and harvest of the bufo alvarius medicine

Day 2 — Desert immersion
Exploration of the Sonoran environment and preparation for the following day.

Day 3 — Isla Tiburón & cultural experience and optional bufo alvarius ceremony
Full-day excursion to Punta Chueca and Isla Tiburón, including guided access and traditional practices.

Day 4 — Departure
Transfer to the airport.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW
This experience is simple, real, and non-touristic.

It is suitable for travelers who:
* are comfortable in remote environments
* value cultural authenticity over comfort
* are open to participating rather than being served

ACCESS:
Access is limited and subject to availability.

This experience is not widely open to the public and takes place only under specific conditions agreed with the local community.

Schedule

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION LOCATION:
HERMOSILLO AIRPORT (HMO)
on the 30th JULY (FRIDAY)
checkout: 3RD AUGUST (MONDAY)

Ceremonies/experiences:
Nocturnal Toad collection and Harvest experience
Visit to Punta Chueca and navigation to Isla Tiburon
1 Bufo session on sacred tribal grounds on Isla Tiburon
by tribesman practitioner

Please note: collecting the wild toads requires scouting areas of the desert and retrieving depends on various factors: weather, terrain conditions, etc.

GUEST PRICE - 4 days and 3 nights experience:
Reception airport and transportation included PICKUP/DROPOFF
(flight to Hermosillo NOT INCLUDED)
3 nights lodging (private room or shared*)
1 Bufo session on Island
Toad collection and Harvest experience
Drinking water included at the house for refills

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Xanga Guru Experiences, La Reynalda, Zoila Reyna de Palafox, Coahuila, Hermosillo, Sonora, México

Directions

MEETING AT HERMOSILLO AIRPORT (HMO) FOR PRIVATE PICKUP AND DROPOFF. To be arranged according to your flights schedule

Accommodation

We offer private accomodation for every guest (or couple/friends) The house has 4 bedrooms: 1) King size bed + single bed (3 guests) with ensuite bath 2) Double bed with ensuite bath 3) Double bed with shared bath 4) Double bed with shared bath

participation per person

per couple with double occupancy room

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Lodging at Historic Villa: the house features a fully equipped professional kitchen, suitable for hosting and cooking for medium-sized groups (approx. 12 guests).
The house has also:
Foyer
Large living room
Large dining room
Outdoor private Patio
Outdoor covered terrace

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Menu will be confirmed directly with participants, according to their preferences

What's Included

The service includes:
Lodging Quarters at historic Villa in Hermosillo
Experience the outing to collect the medicine from Bufo Alvarius toads in the desert at night
Visit to Punta Chueca and Isla Tiburon with Bufo Alvarius session
Also attached some photos of our visit to Isla Tiburon:
Sacred Tribes land
Non inhabited and restricted pristine Natural Reserve
Largest Island in Mexico
Site for the tribal to your Bufo Alvarius session

What's Not Included

Everything not mentioned in inclusions

Customer Reviews

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

Chris • Mar 25, 2026

5.0

Verified

My first Ayahuasca experience

We chose XG for our first experience after much deliberations, however it felt right and was calling to me for whatever reason at the time.

We chose to stay two nights in the Magick house lodging, and had two ceremonies booked.

To say the experience was absolutely perfect, incredible and stunning would not be giving it enough justice.

Everything about our experience with Rene was all I ever wished for, such a magical and transformative journey, the sounds our Shaman Rene played through his many instruments invoked the great spirits and guardians for guidance the entire way, I felt a strong connection to the shaman and can not recommend this place enough.

If you are considering XG, don’t hesitate, you will not leave disappointed.

🙏

Anonymous • Mar 13, 2026

5.0

Verified

Guru Site

Retreat.guru connected us to a great host.

Jack • Mar 06, 2026

5.0

Verified

A powerful experience

The experience was powerful and I learned a lot from it. Gabriel helped me to feel relaxed and comfortable and answered any questions I had before guiding me throughout my journey and then helping me to process it after. I would highly recommend this experience and shaman to others. He was friendly, knowledgable and an excellent guide.

A couple of small things that might be useful to know: Be sure to have your ticket when arriving at the site or a working local phone, as the security men at the gate were reluctant to let me in until Gabriel arrived. It seemed a little unsafe at first as it was far away from the city and there was no one else around but it was fine.

Cyril • Feb 13, 2026

3.0

Verified

Fell short

The location and setting of the ceremony was very nice. The facilitator was great as far as creating a safe space and beautiful ceremony. The issue was the dosage. We did not experience the molecule. 20 mg of sapo will yield 3 to 3.6 MG of 5meo. That is not enough. We were given a second dose but still was very low. If you ask me have you tried 5meo, I would have to say no. We indicated that we did not experience the expected results. Maybe it was because we are older and did not properly explain our previous psychedelic experiences. Still looking

joseph • Jan 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

Sunset Double Birthday Private Ceremony

My partner and I could not have asked for a better 1st time experience! From the process of setting up the ceremony with Gabriel, all the information provided, all questions were answered clearly, the support, flexibility (as our flight was behind which made us late), to the space setting, energy, patience to make us feel welcomed and safe, to the time given to allow the medicine to work it's magic from start to finish.

Augustina is living her true calling. From her voice, her movements, her role in the ceremony, the instuments she played creating powerful healing music and beautiful voice when singing/humming. She knew exactly when the music needed to be changed and when silence was needed. The energy she provides can put anyone at ease (mind you, my partner is an anxious person and she felt safe).

I would definitely plan for a minimum of 2 sessions with an extra day to process. The amazing thing about it is, you have them for support before, during and even long after the ceremony. We plan on going back to take a whole weekend as we only had time for one session. Can't wait to go back!!!

Highly recommended!

4 days Bufo Alvarius Annual Harvest in Sonora Mexico

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Ivette Del Carmen Ramirez Rojo

Gabriel Clerici Epis

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

What's Not Included

My first Ayahuasca experience

Guru Site

A powerful experience

Fell short

Sunset Double Birthday Private Ceremony

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