AYAHUASCA RETREAT PUCALLPA
What if the answers you’ve been searching for were waiting deep in the Amazon? At our ayahuasca retreat in Pucallpa, you step into a world where the jungle itself becomes your guide. Here, ancient mestizo shamans hold ceremonies with care and integrity, while the untouched rainforest surrounds you with silence, power, and life. For many, this is more than a retreat — it’s the turning point they’ve been seeking.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly rated — with excellent reviews from past participants.
THE AUTHENTIC AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE LIVES IN PUCALLPA
When it comes to ayahuasca retreats in Peru, many travelers first hear about places like Iquitos or Cusco. But those looking for depth, integrity, and fewer distractions often find themselves drawn to Pucallpa — a quieter, more grounded hub for traditional healing.
Located in the heart of the Ucayali region, Pucallpa remains one of the last strongholds of authentic mestizo and Cocama medicine traditions. Here, ayahuasca is not a commercial attraction, but a sacred practice embedded in daily life. It’s in this setting that Madre Selva was founded — a center rooted in lineage, offering small-group retreats where healing unfolds with care, respect, and a deep connection to nature.
PUCALLPA, THE HOME OF MESTIZO AND COCAMA HEALING TRADITIONS
In the modern world, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves — our bodies, our emotions, our purpose. Many who arrive in the Amazon carry a quiet inner longing: not just for answers, but for realignment. Here in the jungle near Pucallpa, healing isn’t something you chase — it’s something you remember.
The facilitators who guide our ceremonies were trained in the old ways: through years of apprenticeship in the forest, in communion with the plants, the silence, and the spirit world. They don’t just treat symptoms — they help you reach into the roots of pain, confusion, or disconnection, gently clearing what no longer serves you.
This is why people return from the jungle changed. Whether you’re carrying trauma, searching for meaning, or simply following an inner pull, the Amazon creates a container where your process is held — raw, real, and alive.
At Madre Selva, we offer more than ceremonies. You step into a journey of transformation that includes rest, integration, plant dietas, and nature immersion. You’re not just drinking ayahuasca — you’re entering into a relationship with the medicine, the forest, and yourself.
AYAHUASCA RETREAT PROGRAMS IN PUCALLPA:
8, 11 AND 15 DAYS TO TRANSFORM
We offer three core ayahuasca retreat programs near Pucallpa, designed to meet you where you are in your healing journey. Whether you’re taking your first steps with ayahuasca or returning to go deeper with master plant dietas, each program provides a safe, grounded, and respectful space for transformation.
You can choose an 8-day retreat for a powerful and accessible introduction to the medicine — ideal for those who want to experience traditional ceremonies without rushing the process. The 11-day retreat includes a master plant dieta alongside additional ceremonies, giving more time for integration and a deeper connection with the plants and the jungle. For those seeking profound healing, the 15-day retreat allows for expanded dieta work, ceremony, rest, and reflection in solitude and nature.
Each program includes multiple traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, guided by experienced mestizo and Cocama curanderos, whose work is rooted in lineage and integrity. You’ll also be supported through integration circles, personal check-ins, and plenty of time in your private tambo to rest, reflect, and process what arises.
Our retreats are small and personal — usually between 6 to 12 participants — so you receive individual attention while benefiting from the shared energy of the group. But our center can host up to 20 people, as we have 20 private casitas. Group sharing, honoring your pace and your process, nature immersion, and tools for post-retreat integration are all part of the experience.
Looking for a more private setting? We also offer 1-on-1 or small private group retreats upon request — with custom scheduling, dedicated guidance, and additional support. If this calls to you, feel free to contact us for availability and options.
Or looking for a retreat center to rent? We also offer our sacred sanctuary as a rent out location including our staff, to organize your own retreat - or possible guided in collaboration with us. If this calls to you, feel free to connect and open up possibilities.
Whichever path you choose, your journey will be held with care — grounded in tradition, guided by the plants, and supported by a team committed to your well-being.
AYAHUASCA EXPLAINED: THE SACRED AMAZONIAN BREW AND ITS PURPOSE
Ayahuasca is a powerful and sacred plant medicine that has been used for centuries — and likely far longer — by indigenous peoples across the Amazon basin. Traditionally brewed from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of Chacruna (Psychotria viridis), it forms a potent tea used in healing ceremonies that aim not to cure symptoms, but to bring the drinker into deeper relationship with themselves, others, and nature.
From a scientific perspective, ayahuasca contains DMT (a powerful psychoactive molecule) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) that allow the DMT to become orally active. But for the peoples who have worked with this brew for generations, these plants are more than chemistry — they are intelligent spirits, capable of teaching, guiding, confronting, and transforming.
Within ceremony, ayahuasca is seen as a conscious ally — often referred to as “la medicina” or “Mother Ayahuasca.” The experience she brings is not always easy or predictable. Some people receive visual imagery, symbolic visions, or ancestral memories. Others feel deep waves of emotion, uncover forgotten trauma, or come into contact with a sense of peace and clarity they haven’t felt in years. You may purge physically or emotionally — not as a side effect, but as part of the healing.
Ayahuasca works differently for everyone, because it works with what’s ready to be seen. It often brings up both your light and your shadow — the parts of you that want to be acknowledged, healed, or released. This process can be challenging, but it’s also what makes the journey so profound. Rather than offering escape, ayahuasca invites you to meet yourself fully, in a safe and sacred container.
For many, the medicine becomes not just a plant, but a teacher and guide — one that helps them reconnect to parts of themselves they’ve lost, buried, or forgotten. And while the visions may fade, the inner shifts often remain, echoing long after the ceremony ends.
Ayahuasca is not a quick fix or a recreational experience. It’s a sacred, intentional encounter — one that calls for preparation, support, and integration. When approached with respect, openness, and care, it can offer insight, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
MADRE SELVA RETREAT CENTER:
A FAMILY-RUN SANCTUARY IN PUCALLPA
Madre Selva is an intimate, family-operated ayahuasca retreat center set several hours outside Pucallpa, deep in the Amazon rainforest. We’re proud to be rooted in mestizo and Cocama healing traditions, and to offer safe, ethical retreats that respect both the medicine and the land.
Our facilities include:
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Private jungle cabins (tambos) with solar light, mosquito nets, and space for solitude
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A ceremonial maloca for sacred gatherings
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Outdoor herbal steam areas
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A natural river pool for cooling and reflection
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Trails through pristine rainforest for silent walks
We also maintain ecological responsibility: tiled Western-style toilets and showers, minimal plastic, and low-impact systems. Our focus is on healing in harmony with nature.
WHO COMES TO PUCALLPA FOR AYAHUASCA RETREATS?
Not everyone who joins us arrives with a clear goal. Some feel an inner pull they can’t explain — others come with deep emotional wounds, questions about life direction, or a desire to reconnect with something beyond the surface of daily life.
We welcome people from all over the world: teachers, artists, caregivers, entrepreneurs, parents, people in transition, and people in pain. Some have tried talk therapy or other healing methods, but sensed there was something more. Others are complete beginners — and that’s okay.
Common reasons guests come include:
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The need to process unresolved grief or loss
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A desire to heal from burnout, stress, or life fatigue
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Major life transitions (divorce, loss, career change)
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A longing to reconnect with nature, spirit, or themselves
Everyone arrives with their own story. And everyone is received with respect, without judgment or pressure. Whether you come with a clear intention or just curiosity, you’ll find yourself in a community that holds space for your process — gently, openly, and with care.
And when it’s time to return home, you’ll notice it in your body, your thoughts, your way of being: You don’t return the same — something has shifted for good.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN AYAHUASCA RETREAT IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE
A retreat here is unlike anything in daily life. Immersed in the rhythms of the rainforest, your days are shaped not by schedules or stress, but by nature, ceremony, and your own inner process. Here’s what you can expect:
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3 to 7 traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, led by experienced mestizo and Cocama facilitators who work in integrity and devoted life study with the plants and the spirit of the medicine
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Integration circles and one-on-one check-ins to help you process insights, emotions, and experiences in a safe, trauma-informed setting
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The opportunity to engage in master plant dietas, such as Bobinsana. Tobacco, or Chiric Sanango, offering deep emotional, spiritual, and energetic healing
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Flower baths, mapacho rituals, and other jungle-based healing practices that connect you to the spirit of the forest
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Your own private tambo — a simple yet comfortable wooden cabin for solitude, journaling, rest, and deep listening
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Clean, nourishing meals that support the ayahuasca dieta, made with local ingredients and prepared with care
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Space for quiet nature walks, a refreshing swim in the natural river pool, and moments of stillness among the trees and sounds of the jungle
Each day is held with intention. There is no pressure to perform or produce — only the invitation to slow down, feel, and allow whatever needs to arise to move through you. Some days are filled with insight, others with emotion, silence, or rest. All are part of the journey.
You’ll be supported not just in ceremony, but before, during, and after — by a team that stays connected to your process with care, presence, and understanding. Whether you’re arriving with pain, curiosity, grief, or hope, this space holds it all. Healing here doesn’t come from fixing — it begins with deep listening, radical honesty, and the wisdom of the jungle itself.
HOW A DAY AT MADRE SELVA CAN LOOK LIKE
Life in the jungle moves at a different pace — slower, quieter, and more attuned to what your body and spirit need. Each day at our retreat near Pucallpa is designed to create space: for healing, for rest, and for deep connection with yourself and the medicine.
Here is a sample rhythm:
Morning: Gentle wake-up, light breakfast, and — after ceremony nights — a sharing circle where guests are invited to speak openly and be witnessed in a safe, supportive space. If it’s a rest day, mornings are for journaling, or silent reflection.
Midday: This is your time. You might take a peaceful walk, nap in your tambo or malice, write in your journal, or dip in the natural river pool. The jungle holds space without pressure — allowing your insights to settle and your body to relax. Optional creative workshops like icaros singing, visionary drawing, or breathwork are sometimes offered on rest days.
Afternoon: You may have a personal check-in with a curandero or facilitator, or join a small group integration moment. On ceremony days, this is the time for quiet preparation, setting your intention, and receiving a flower bath — a cleansing ritual that marks the transition into sacred space.
Evening: As the sun sets and the jungle comes alive, we gather in the maloca for ceremony. After a short opening prayer, the curandero begins singing icaros — healing songs that guide the energetic journey. Ceremonies typically last 4 to 6 hours, and everyone returns to their tambo afterward to rest in silence.
Whether it’s a day of deep medicine work or quiet integration, the rhythm always supports your process. There is structure without rigidity — enough to feel safe, but never rushed. You are gently held by the flow of the jungle, the presence of the team, and the wisdom of the plants.
GOING DEEPER WITH MASTER PLANT DIETAS
Alongside ayahuasca, our retreats near Pucallpa offer the chance to work with master plants through traditional dietas. A dieta is one of the oldest and most respected practices of Amazonian healing. It involves time in solitude, a simplified food protocol, and a deep energetic attunement with a chosen plant. Through this process, the plant itself becomes your teacher — bringing guidance through dreams, emotions, body sensations, and inner insight.
Here are some of the master plants we work with:
Caapi vine (Banisteriopsis caapi): The sacred vine of ayahuasca, known as the “vine of the soul.” It opens pathways to vision and understanding, often used for grounding, spiritual connection, and dream work.
Chacruna (Psychotria viridis): The leaf companion of caapi, offering clarity, light, and visionary insight. Chacruna helps illuminate what is hidden, bringing awareness and understanding.
Bobinsana: A gentle heart-opening plant, often supporting healing from grief, loss, and emotional wounds. Bobinsana is known for helping people reconnect with compassion and self-love.
Ajo Sacha: A cleansing plant that clears confusion, heavy energy, and stagnation. It supports focus, sharper intuition, and stronger boundaries.
Chiric Sanango: A powerful teacher plant for building courage, strengthening the nervous system, and moving through fear or trauma. It brings resilience and inner steadiness.
Chuchuhuasi: Traditionally used to restore vitality and physical strength. Known for supporting the joints and muscles, it is also called the “tree of life” in some communities.
Renaquilla: A subtle but profound plant often connected to emotional healing and deeper alignment in relationships.
Mucura: A plant used for clearing dense energies and protecting against negativity. It is known for its strong, purifying quality.
Lupuna: Considered a highly spiritual tree, lupuna connects you to strength, grounding, and ancestral presence. It is a protective plant often used in advanced dietas.
Uña de Gato (Cat’s Claw): A medicinal vine that supports the immune system and overall vitality, often used for cleansing and strengthening the body.
Tobacco rustica (Mapacho): Sacred jungle tobacco used in ceremony for cleansing, protection, and prayer. It is a bridge plant — carrying intentions and clearing the space for deeper healing.
While optional, master plant dietas are a powerful complement to ayahuasca. They go beyond the ceremonies, offering lessons and transformations that continue long after the retreat. Every dieta is guided by our curanderos and facilitators, ensuring you are supported, safe, and held throughout the process.
For many, ayahuasca is the doorway — but it is the master plants that walk with you afterwards, carrying their wisdom into daily life.
THE UCAYALI REGION:
PUCALLPA’S GATEWAY TO THE AMAZON
Pucallpa is the capital of the Ucayali region — a lush and culturally rich part of the Peruvian Amazon. Known for its spiritual traditions, warm people, and deep connection to nature, this area offers a powerful backdrop for healing.
From here, you’ll journey a few hours by 4×4 and boat into the rainforest, where Madre Selva awaits in quiet, wild beauty. It’s remote — but deeply worth it.
HEALING WITH INTEGRITY:
OUR ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
We believe in healing that respects all life — human and non-human. That’s why we:
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Work directly with indigenous mestizo shamans
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Compensate healers and staff fairly
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Limit group sizes to protect the environment
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Use sustainable harvesting practices
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Are in harmony with the forest around us, and preserve its ways.
Ayahuasca is sacred, and we treat it with deep respect for both tradition and the Earth.
PREPARING FOR YOUR JOURNEY:
DIETA, MINDSET AND WHAT TO PACK
To get the most from your retreat:
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Follow the dieta (no red meat, alcohol, sugar, sex, or strong spices 7+ days prior)
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Reflect on your intention and write it down
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Pack light: natural clothing, journal, flashlight, and eco toiletries
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Reduce screen time before you arrive to calm your nervous system
We’ll send a full guide and support you step by step.
EMOTIONAL RELEASE AND SPIRITUAL INSIGHT:
WHAT AYAHUASCA OFTEN BRINGS
Expect an emotional journey — not always easy, but deeply rewarding. Common experiences include:
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Confronting inner fears or grief
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Letting go of trauma or past patterns
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Receiving guidance or insight from ancestors or plant spirits
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Feeling deep love, forgiveness, or clarity
Even challenging experiences can carry wisdom. With integration, you’ll find your own meaning.
MEET THE VEGETALISTS OF PUCALLPA:
MESTIZO LINEAGE AND SACRED ICAROS
Our team is part of a respected mestizo cocama lineage with decades of experience. They guide each ceremony through the power of icaros — sacred songs received directly from the plants.
These songs shape the journey, offering protection, direction, and healing. Even if you don’t understand the words, your body and spirit will.
Our Western facilitators are also trauma-informed and trained in somatic and psychological support, creating a safe bridge between cultures and helping participants feel held throughout the process.
HOW WE CREATE A SAVE & SECURE AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE
Safety is non-negotiable. That’s why we:
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Screen each participant for medical and psychological suitability
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Maintain small groups and high staff-to-guest ratios
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Train all team members in emergency protocols
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Provide emotional support during and after ceremonies
Your wellbeing comes first. We never pressure anyone to participate.
HOW TO GET TO PUCALLPA:
FLIGHTS, JUNGLE TRAVEL AND LOCAL GUIDANCE
Your journey to Madre Selva begins in Lima, Peru’s capital city, where most international travelers first arrive. From Lima, you’ll take a short domestic flight to Pucallpa — a vibrant jungle city on the banks of the Ucayali River. Several flights operate daily, and the trip takes less than an hour, giving you a first glimpse of the vast Amazon unfolding beneath you.
Upon arrival in Pucallpa, our team will meet you at the airport and accompany you on the final stretch of the journey. This includes a 3-hour ride in a 4×4 vehicle, followed by a short river crossing by boat. With every kilometer, you’ll feel the noise of the modern world fading, replaced by the sounds of birds, flowing water, and the deep stillness of the rainforest. This transition is an important part of the retreat — helping you leave behind distractions and gently arrive in a space of presence.
When you reach Madre Selva, you’ll find yourself in untouched jungle: a sanctuary chosen for its remoteness and beauty.
Our retreat center has been designed to support your healing process, with facilities that are simple yet comfortable:
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Private tambos (jungle cabins) for each guest, equipped with mosquito nets, a bed, solar lighting, and space for solitude and journaling.
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A ceremonial maloca, our round temple space, used exclusively for sacred work and ceremonies.
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Plant and herbal steam baths for cleansing and energetic renewal.
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A communal dining area where we serve fresh, nourishing meals prepared according to the ayahuasca dieta.
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Jungle trails and quiet river spots for reflection, swimming, or silent walks.
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Bathrooms with Western-style toilets and showers, a short walk from your tambo.
Connectivity is limited, but Wi-Fi is available for brief check-ins with family or emergencies. Most guests choose to embrace this as a chance to disconnect from screens and fully immerse themselves in the rhythm of the jungle.
From the moment you arrive, our team takes care of the logistics, so you can focus on what truly matters: your inner work and your healing journey.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT AYAHUASCA RETREATS IN PUCALLPA
Is it safe to travel alone?
Yes — many guests come solo and feel well-supported from start to finish.
Do I need experience with plant medicine?
Not at all. We welcome first-timers and seasoned seekers alike.
Can I skip ceremonies?
Yes. Participation is always voluntary. You can rest or take breaks when needed.
Will I understand the facilitators?
Yes. Most speak fluent English. Translation is provided when needed.
Do you offer private retreats?
Yes. Reach out for custom or 1-on-1 programs. Contact us for more information.
What’s the food like?
We serve simple, nourishing meals that follow ayahuasca dietary guidelines. Mostly plant-based, with vegan options.
How do you handle integration after the retreat?
We offer support during the retreat and provide tools for integration after you return home, and also offer extra coach sessions/traject for an additional fee.
Is there electricity or internet?
Yes — limited solar lighting in tambos, and minimal Wi-Fi for emergencies or short check-ins. We encourage a digital detox.
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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 without any salt, oil and sugars etc.
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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: 8–12 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 traditional languages of the mestizo healers.
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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 flashlight, journal, and biodegradable toiletries.
If you have concerns or special needs, just reach out — we’re here to help you feel prepared and supported.
Your journey begins with a simple step — and the jungle will meet you there.
Apply now or contact us with any questions or a free intake call.
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.
