AYAHUASCA IN PERU
Looking for a deeply authentic ayahuasca retreat in Peru? Experience ancestral Cocama/Mestizo ceremonies, profound healing, and creative expression at Madre Selva — a jungle sanctuary near Pucallpa dedicated to genuine inner transformation.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly rated — with excellent reviews from past participants.
WHY CHOOSE AN AYAHUASCA RETREAT IN PERU?
Peru is the ancestral home of ayahuasca — and there’s no better place to experience its deep healing potential than in the heart of the Amazon jungle. While many travelers seek retreats in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, Madre Selva offers something far more rooted: ceremonies guided by experienced healers from the Cocama and mestizo lineage, in the very land where ayahuasca has been used for generations.
Our retreat center is located near Pucallpa, surrounded by untouched rainforest, medicinal plants, and the vibrant energy of the jungle. This setting allows you to connect directly with the spirit of the ayahuasca vine and the traditional healing practices of the Peruvian Amazon.
You don’t need any previous experience with ayahuasca, meditation, or spiritual work. Many of our guests come with curiosity and a bit of nervousness — and that’s completely okay. We guide you gently, at your own pace, with full respect for your boundaries.
WHY PEOPLE SEEK HEALING IN THE JUNGLE
Modern life often disconnects us from our bodies, our emotions, and the natural world. Many who arrive at our ayahuasca retreat in Peru carry a deep inner longing — not just for answers, but for reconnection. The jungle offers a place where healing doesn’t come from quick fixes, but from slowing down, listening deeply, and allowing nature and ancient plant medicines to do their work.
The Amazon rainforest has been home to shamanic healing traditions for thousands of years. The plants that grow here — including ayahuasca and many other medicinal plants — are used not to suppress symptoms, but to help you uncover the roots of suffering, pain, and emotional blockages. This is what makes the process so profound: it doesn’t just offer temporary relief, but invites true transformation.
People seek ayahuasca healing in the jungle because they sense there’s something more — something deeper than what the modern world can offer. Whether you’re working through trauma, seeking purpose, navigating life transitions, or simply feeling called by the medicine, the jungle creates the perfect container: raw, alive, and deeply supportive.
At Madre Selva, this healing unfolds through carefully designed retreat programs, where you’re not just drinking ayahuasca — you’re stepping into a journey that includes ceremony, rest, integration, and nature connection. In this space, transformation becomes not only possible, but natural.
OUR AYAHUASCA RETREAT PERU PROGRAMS: 8, 11 OR 15 DAYS OF DEEP TRANSFORMATION
At our ayahuasca retreat center in Peru, we offer several days ayahuasca retreat programs — each designed to meet you where you are in your healing journey. Whether you’re seeking a first introduction to ayahuasca or returning to go deeper with master plant dietas, there’s a program that matches your intention.
You can choose an 8-day ayahuasca retreat for a profound yet accessible experience, or opt for an 11-day retreat or 15-day retreat to allow more space for ceremonies, rest, integration, and connection with the jungle. Every program is carefully structured to support emotional healing, spiritual insight, and deep energetic work.
Each retreat includes multiple traditional ayahuasca ceremonies guided by experienced indigenous healers from a mestizo lineage — Experienced shamans with generations of knowledge working with ancestral plant medicine. Integration circles, personal check-ins, and quiet time in nature create the space for lasting transformation.
Looking for something more personal? We also offer private and VIP retreat programs (currently available on request), tailored to your needs — with one-on-one guidance, flexible scheduling, and extra support from our healing team. If you’re interested in a more exclusive format (1:1 or private group), contact us for custom pricing and options.
Whichever path you choose, your experience is held with integrity, safety, and deep respect for the plants, the land, and you.
WHAT IS AYAHUASCA AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Ayahuasca is a sacred Amazonian brew made from two plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Chacruna leaves (Psychotria viridis). The combination of these plants creates a powerful visionary medicine that works on multiple levels — emotional, physical, energetic, and spiritual.
Scientifically, ayahuasca contains DMT, a natural psychoactive compound, and MAO inhibitors that allow the DMT to be orally active. But beyond the chemistry, indigenous traditions understand ayahuasca as a conscious spirit — a wise teacher who helps us see truth, heal wounds, and align with our path.
It’s not a recreational drug. It’s not a shortcut. It’s a mirror — one that shows you both your light and your shadows. And when held in a safe ceremonial space, it can open profound doors of understanding and release.
WHAT MAKES MADRE SELVA RESORT IN PERU DIFFERENT?
Madre Selva is a small, family‑run ayahuasca retreat center tucked into the pristine rainforest near Pucallpa. Unlike large commercial centers, we host intimate groups to ensure deeply personal care, emotional safety, and true connection.
Our ayahuasca ceremonies are facilitated by Cocama and mestizo lineage shaman — supported by Western guide and local staff. With decades of combined experience and trauma‑informed support, we create a stable container for both first‑timers and experienced seekers to safely explore the medicine.
Deep healing takes time. That’s why every retreat includes space for integration, nature connection, and (optionally) master plant dietas. These potent plants complement your ayahuasca journey, supporting emotional release, physical cleansing, and energetic alignment.
Prefer a more private setting? We also offer custom-tailored and VIP ayahuasca retreats for individuals, couples, or small groups. These include one-on-one support, personalized ceremony timing, and a healing experience designed around your specific intentions.
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and local Amazonian dialect.. All facilitators and most support staff speak fluent English, so you’ll be fully supported and clearly understood throughout your stay — no need to worry if you don’t speak Spanish.
IS MADRE SELVA RIGHT FOR YOU?
Whether you’re navigating a difficult life transition, seeking spiritual healing, or simply feeling the call of the jungle, Madre Selva may be the right place for your journey. You don’t need prior experience with ayahuasca, self-discovery work, or sacred plant medicine — and if you do have experience, you’ll find the depth and authenticity here both grounding and expansive.
We welcome people from all walks of life: individuals dealing with emotional pain, burnout, trauma, grief, or those simply searching for clarity and connection. Some guests come with specific intentions; others arrive open to what the plant spirit of ayahuasca wants to show them. Whatever brings you here, you’ll be met with respect, care, and guidance — never pressure or dogma.
Healing at Madre Selva is not a performance. It’s a process. One that unfolds through ceremony, stillness, community, and honest reflection. If you’re ready to step into the unknown with humility and courage, you might find that Madre Selva isn’t just a retreat center — it’s a turning point.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL MADRE SELVA AYAHUASCA RETREAT LIKE?
Every journey with ayahuasca is personal — and no two retreats are the same. Still, there are key elements that make a Madre Selva experience feel both safe and transformative. Here’s what you can typically expect during your time with us:
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3 to 7 ayahuasca ceremonies, guided by experienced facilitators from respected Amazonian practice
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Daily sharing and integration circles, held in a safe, judgment-free space
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One-on-one check-ins with a healer or trauma-informed facilitator
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The optional use of master plants through traditional dieta, for deeper energetic and emotional work
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Plant baths, mapacho (jungle tobacco), and sacred rituals rooted in ancient Amazonian tradition
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Nourishing meals and peaceful accommodation in your own private tambo — a simple wooden jungle cabin designed for rest, solitude, and reflection
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Plenty of space for journaling, stillness, nature walks, or a plunge in our natural river pool.
Whether you arrive with grief, questions, resistance, or hope — we hold space for all of it. The tears, the silence, the joy, the breakthroughs. Healing here doesn’t begin with solutions, but with deep listening, radical honesty, and the support of plants, people, and place.
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT MADRE SELVA
We follow the flow of the group and the jungle, so each day is spacious and attuned.
Non-ceremony days: 3 light, fresh meals, integration circles, optional creative workshops (e.g., icaros singing or visionary art), and unstructured time to rest in your private tambo or walk in nature.
Ceremony days: 2 light, fresh meals, a flower bath, quiet rest in the tambo, preparation & intention-setting, and gathering in the maloca at night. Ceremonies are guided by icaros and typically last 4–6 hours. On non-ceremony days 3 light meals.
The morning after a ceremony is for rest and integration — with sharing circles and gentle support. You’re never alone in your process.
WORKING WITH MASTER PLANTS
Beyond ayahuasca, Madre Selva offers the rare opportunity to enter a plant dieta — a traditional way of working with the spirits of master plants like Bobinsana, Chiric Sanango, or Ajo Sacha. These plants each carry unique healing properties:
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Bobinsana: Opens the heart and supports emotional healing, especially around grief and relationships.
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Chiric Sanango: Strengthens the nervous system, calms fear, and boosts resilience.
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Ajo Sacha: Clears energetic stagnation, confusion, and brings focus and clarity.
A dieta involves quiet time in solitude, a specific food protocol, and deep listening to the plant. These dietas are optional, but for those seeking long-term transformation, they offer profound inner shifts. Ayahuasca may open the door, but master plants can walk with you far beyond it.
We also work with many other master plants, chosen according to your needs and the guidance of our healers. If you’d like to dive deeper, visit our Master Plants page where we share detailed descriptions of each plant and its unique healing gifts.
LOCATION: DEEP IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON
Madre Selva is located in the Ucayali region of Peru, several hours outside Pucallpa. Reaching the center involves a 3-hour 4×4 drive (including a short river crossing) into pristine rainforest, far from noise and distraction, so you can focus deeply on your process.
What you’ll find on-site:
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Private tambos (jungle cabins) for each guest, with mosquito nets, beds, solar lighting, and basic furnishings
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A ceremonial maloka (round temple) used exclusively for sacred work
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Herbal steam baths and plant baths for energetic cleansing
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A communal dining and relax area serving fresh, nourishing meals
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Jungle trails and quiet river spots for reflection or swimming
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Tiled bathrooms with Western-style flush toilets and showers, a short walk from your casita.
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available for brief family check-ins or emergencies. We encourage a digital pause during your retreat.
We’ve designed every element to support your process — to help you go inward, to detox from modern stress, and to remember what truly matters.
ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY AT MADRE SELVA
We believe that true healing respects not only the human spirit, but also the Earth and her traditions. At Madre Selva, we:
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Studied directly with indigenous healers from a respected lineages such as Shipibo, HuniKuin, but mainly Mestizo.
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Use sustainable harvesting practices for all plant medicines
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Limit group sizes to reduce environmental impact
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Working in harmony with the forest around us and preserve.
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Encourage guests to come with respect, openness, and humility
Ayahuasca is not a trend or quick fix. It’s a sacred practice with deep roots. We honor that lineage every day.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR AYAHUASCA RETREAT PERU
Preparing well for your retreat helps you get the most out of it. Here’s what we suggest:
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Follow a traditional dieta: Avoid red meat, alcohol, processed food, sugar, dairy, and sexual activity for at least 7 days before the retreat.
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Reflect on your intention: Ask yourself why you’re coming and what you’re hoping to release, discover, or heal.
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Pack light, but wisely: Bring natural clothes, insect repellent, a flashlight, journal, and any medications (which we’ll discuss beforehand).
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Limit media input: Disconnecting a few days before helps calm your mind and prepare emotionally.
►Here you read all about How to prepare for an Ayahuasca retreat
Our team provides a full guide to help you prepare and is available for any questions along the way, this health questionare and packing list we will send you to prior the retreat. You aswel can find on our website the required information.
WHAT TO EXPECT EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY
Ayahuasca is known for its powerful emotional and spiritual effects. People often report:
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Facing fears and unresolved trauma
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Deep emotional release
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Connection with spiritual guides or ancestors
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Profound insights into relationships or life direction
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Experiences of oneness, love, and forgiveness
Not every journey is beautiful or easy. Some ceremonies can feel challenging or confusing. But everything that arises is part of your healing — and we are here to support you before, during, and after.
We also know that integration is key. That’s why we offer tools, conversation, and guidance so you can carry your insights back into your daily life.
OUR TEAM AND TRADITION
At Madre Selva, we work within the mestizo lineage — one of the oldest and most respected ayahuasca lineages in the Amazon. Our Cocama Mestizo Maestro Moisés come from generations of plant doctors and vegetelists who understand the spirit and medicine of the amazonian master plants, such as traditional practice with ayahuasca. Our Maestra Naomi bridges the worlds studying and now carries the different lineages such as Shipibo and HuniKuin into her medicine.
Their sacred songs, called icaros, are sung during ceremony to guide, protect, and open your process. Each icaros is unique, often received directly from the plants. You don’t need to understand the words — the energy speaks directly to your body and soul.
Our facilitators are also trauma-informed and grounded in psychological safety. We understand the Western psyche and walk the bridge between worlds.
IS AN AYAHUASCA RETREAT SAFE?
Yes — when approached with respect and proper guidance. At Madre Selva:
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We screen all guests thoroughly
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We provide a safe ceremonial environment with experienced staff
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We limit group sizes for personal attention
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We are trained in medical emergencies and emotional support
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We help you prepare, navigate, and integrate each step of the journey
That said, ayahuasca is not for everyone. If you have certain medical conditions or take medications that are contraindicated, we may advise against participation. Your safety is always our priority.
Feel free to contact us!
PRACTICAL INFO
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Closest city: Pucallpa, Peru — reachable by daily flights from Lima.
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Transportation: We’ll guide you step by step — from airport pickup in Pucallpa to a scenic 3-hour 4×4 ride through the jungle (including a brief river crossing) that’s an adventure in itself, giving you a first taste of the wild beauty that surrounds our center.
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Meals: Simple, healthy food prepared by our kitchen team, aligned with the ayahuasca dieta. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
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Accommodation: Private jungle huts (tambos) with beds, mosquito nets, solar lights, and space for rest.
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Group size: 8–18 people per group retreat. Private and VIP retreats with your own group, partner, or individually (1 on 1) are also possible — contact us for a custom program.
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Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and dutch.
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Minimum age: 21 years. We do not accept participants under this age for safety and maturity reasons.
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Duration: Retreats typically last 8, 11, or 15 days, depending on the program.
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Packing tips: We’ll send a full packing list after booking, but essentials include lightweight clothing, a red-white flashlight, journal, and biodegradable organic toiletries.
If you have concerns or special needs, just reach out — we’re here to help you feel prepared and supported.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it okay to come alone?
Absolutely. Many people come solo and find a deep sense of connection in the group.
Will I be safe in the jungle?
Yes. Our center is secure, and our team is experienced. You’ll be well looked after.
Do I have to drink ayahuasca every night?
No. Participation is always optional. Some guests skip ceremonies or take breaks based on how they feel.
Do you help with flights or travel logistics?
Yes, we offer guidance and can help you plan your trip with tips how to securely come to Pucallpa.
►Read more FAQ’s here
THE CENTERS SIGNATURE
MASTER PLANT RETREATS
ON REQUEST
Ignite your inner fire with this week-long retreat. Through three Ayahuasca ceremonies, cleansing plant medicines, flower baths, and shamanic workshops, you'll connect with your inner strength, clarity, and purpose. Perfect for those seeking a powerful yet focused introduction to plant medicine in a sacred jungle setting.
8-DAY MEDICINE & ART RETREAT
Apply for our 8-day Art & Ayahuasca Immersion – a transformative creative retreat, guided by a heart-led team, in the sacred setting of our center! We offer a program that transforms visions into art, supported by the healing wisdom of jungle medicines.
3 ayahuasca ceremonies, 1 cleanse vomotivo, Flower plant baths, Integration circles, Private consultations & 6 painting workshops.
ON REQUEST
Achieve harmony and alignment in this transformative retreat. With five Ayahuasca ceremonies, master plant dieta, and shamanic teachings, you'll uncover deeper layers of your spiritual journey. Integration workshops, visionary art, and sacred rituals guide you toward balance and personal growth.
Dive into profound transformation with this comprehensive program. Seven Ayahuasca ceremonies, a personalized master plant dieta, cleansing rituals, and shamanic coaching empower you to unlock your highest potential. Experience deep healing, alignment, and connection to your life's purpose in a supportive jungle environment.
1-2 MONTHS: THE MASTER PATH
Embark on a powerful 1-2 month Ayahuasca retreat, designed for those ready to experience deep healing and self-discovery. Under the guidance of an experienced team, you will journey through purification, awakening, and spiritual growth. This transformative experience invites you to reconnect with your essence, shed the past, and unlock the wisdom within. Step onto The Master Path and emerge reborn.
