This chapter provides a critical overview of the ayahuasca phenomenon within the context of global psychedelic tourism. It begins by exploring the terminological and psychopharmacological details of ayahuasca, then surveys key interdisciplinary literature on its use in both indigenous and Western contexts. The chapter critiques the problematic application of the term ‘shamanism’, revealing its colonial roots, and highlights how its contemporary use in tourism perpetuates reductive and romanticised notions of indigenous cultures. It categorises three types of ayahuasca consumption sites—retreats, trip add-ons, and independent sessions—and outlines typical retreat structures, including ceremonies and integration practices. The chapter emphasises the socio-cultural tensions and commodification inherent in ayahuasca tourism, providing critical context for the interpretive analysis that follows in subsequent chapters.