Wirikuta Desert Excursion - Peyote, Mexico
With Don Modesto Rivera, Eva Evers, Agder Iztacmitl (White Arrow) and Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C
November 3 - 8, 2026
You are invited to partake in an extraordinary excursion to the sacred land of the Wixarika people (Huichol), the Wirikuta desert. We are deeply honored to extend an invitation for you to join us in visiting one of the spiritual leaders of this tribe, Temay “Modesto” Rivera Lemus on his land there for a time of medicine ceremony in this ancient tradition.
Yearly, the Wixarika community embarks on a ten-day pilgrimage to this sacred destination, retracing the footsteps of their ancestors. There they collect precious medicine and make offerings for the health of their businesses, family, water, fire, earth, and the entirety of existence. This unique opportunity will enable you to forge a deeper connection with the plant medicine, the spirits that surround us, and the rich cultural heritage of these land’s custodians.

WHAT TO EXPECT
- Tuesday, Nov 3: We will pick you up at 3 pm from San Luis Potosí airport in Mexico. Our drive to our hotel in the desert, around 4 hours, will conclude with dinner and rest.
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Wednesday, Nov 4: The next morning, we will head into the desert. With Don Modesto’s company, we’ll start a fire to explain our purpose. After that, we will search for the medicine, make offerings, and return to the fire to begin our first ceremony.
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Thursday, Nov 5: A day of rest and enjoying the Wirikuta desert’s serenity awaits. We’ll camp under the stars.
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Friday, Nov 6: Our schedule includes a second ceremony.
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Saturday, Nov 7: We will return to our desert hotel to eat and rest.
- Sunday, Nov 8: After an early breakfast, we will head back to San Luis Potosí airport and drop you off at around 11 am.


The ceremony nights will begin with individual introductions and cleanses with Grandfather Fire, Tatewari, followed by preparing offerings of candles for the water, earth, and fire that will be given following the closing of our ceremonies. Sacred chants and dance will be shared throughout the night. The traditional Wixarika instruments are a small ”canari” guitar and violin that are played together while our Marakame (spiritual guide), Modesto, sings to the spirits of nature. We will give the opportunity at various times throughout the night for those who feel called to share their prayer songs to the medicine. There will also be a beautiful flower/water blessing as well as the traditional candle prayer in which everyone will receive a candle and pray together in the light.
Though Modesto’s native tongue is the language of his people, the Wixarika or Wirarika, he is among the select few fluent in Spanish. We hope that, at some point, he will share his gift of storytelling.


YOUR EXPERIENCE
It is not possible to guarantee what your experience will be like. However, these are some of the common results gained from these ceremonies.

About the Facilitators
Don Modesto Rivera
Modesto Rivera, a renowned medicine man (Marakme) of the Huicholles/Wixarika tribe from Mexico. His tribe has a thousands year old tradition with Peyote and he comes from an unbroken lineage of Marakames. He is not only a medicine man but also a gifted musician and artist. He was born and raised to follow the sacred path. He is a […]
Learn more about Don Modesto Rivera
Eva Evers
Eva is a retreat, excursion, and ceremony facilitator, as well as one of the teachers and the program manager of the Mazatec Apprenticeship Program. She is a certified transformational and integration coach specializing in psychedelic therapies and spiritual development. Eva has worked with clients around the world for over 25 years. Her experience includes personal, […]
Learn more about Eva Evers
Agder Iztacmitl (White Arrow)
Agder Iztacmitl (White Arrow) is a sacred pipe (Canupa) carrier and Sun Dancer from Mexico. He has over 30 years of experience working with the Mazatec mushroom tradition and was initiated more than 25 years ago. His father was a medicine man before him, and Agder was introduced to the medicine path at the age […]
Learn more about Agder Iztacmitl (White Arrow)
Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C
Sunny is a certified physician assistant, combining her expertise in psychiatry and addiction medicine with over a decade of spiritual practices, including meditation, breathwork, Native American sweat lodges, and indigenous earth medicine ceremonies. Her work bridges ancient wisdom and modern healing, fostering personal growth and connection.
Learn more about Kate “Sunny” Ziesenheim, PA-C