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Four Week Ayahuasca Healing Empowerment Course - $5850

Location icon
Ayahuasca Foundation, Iquitos, Peru
Date
July 13 - August 9, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Up to 12 ayahuasca ceremonies led by the Shipibo curandero don Ronor
  • Dieta with Bobinsana, a powerful teacher plant
  • Medicinal plant vapor baths that purify the emotional body and remove physical toxins
  • Smoke baths to purify the spiritual body and provide protection against negative energy
  • Plant baths to purify the physical body and boost the energetic system
  • Love baths to attract positive energy and increase love into the emotional body
  • Purgatives to cleanse the digestive system and increase absorption of vitamins and minerals
  • Respiratory cleanse to remove allergies and boost immune system response
  • Nervous system cleanse to remove emotional blockages and increase immunity
  • Blood purification to increase oxygenation and circulation to improve mental acuity and memory
  • Swimming, hiking, fishing, meditation, yoga, icaro workshops, cultural tradition lectures, counseling, relaxation

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

REPLANT YOUR SPIRIT
Our premiere healing retreat is a four week Healing Empowerment Course, a program designed to provide the right tools to take your healing process into your own hands.  Course participants spend 4 weeks at the Riosbo Ayahuasca Research Center (plus 2 days in Iquitos) and attend 11 ayahuasca ceremonies led by a Shipibo maestro and our assistant healers. What we have discovered after ten years of offering retreats and educational courses is that the more a person can engage and participate in the healing process, the higher the potential for healing benefits.

This healing retreat and educational course is the culmination of our developments in offering the optimal opportunity for healing on all levels. By providing a deep understanding of the methodologies and practices of healing with plant spirits and consciousness enhancement, we feel confident that this course will create a new path of empowerment for each participant to become his/her own healer.  In addition to the ayahuasca ceremonies, participants also receive personalized treatments and practice integrative techniques that enhance the power of the plant medicines by cleansing and purifying the inner environment of perceptions, beliefs, and subconscious messaging.  By blending the sacred ancestral traditions with modern discoveries in holistic health, the healing empowerment course allows you to truly replant your spirit.
Ayahuasca Ceremony
Ayahuasca ceremonies have a unique quality to provide the power to play an active role in the healing process and this course teaches principles and methods to enhance that power. Complementary traditions will also be taught to further enhance the ability to regain and maintain health and happiness on all levels.  Ultimately, we all walk our own paths, we all live our own lives, and we can all take responsibility for how we react to our environments and experiences. The way we react has the greatest influence over our perceptions and it is those perceptions that determine our realities.  By learning to connect with spirit guides and plant allies, understand our true nature, and forgive and love ourselves completely, we create the optimal environment for health and happiness to grow and blossom in our lives.  That is the purpose of the healing empowerment course.

During these courses, participants receive numerous medicinal plant treatments according to the Shipibo healing treadition and the prescription of the Shipibo curandero, don Ronor. Don Ronor also teaches various aspects of the Shipibo tradition, like the use of mapachos and agua florida, healing songs called icaros, techniques like soplando y chupando, and recipes for specific plant based remedies.  The assistant healers describe each treatment, its purpose and effect, translate each discussion and workshop, and lead the integrative practices in between the ayahuasca ceremonies.

Together, the Ayahuasca Foundation's staff provides a complete holistic healing experience combined with an in depth education on Shipibo plant medicine and personal health and happiness.  We feel strongly that this course represents the future of medicine, where we all accept and embrace our role as our own healer and the leader of our own healing process.
Methodologies and Practices
Integrative activities to enhance the healing

> Therapeutic Breathwork: a powerful progression of breathing techniques combined with selected music can expand consciousness and activate an innate healing process towards harmony and wholeness. As a continuation of treatment with plant medicine, this work provides opportunities for deep exploration of the self.

> Epigenetic Reprogramming: an incredible set of practices that target and release deep seated traumas and negative thought patterns.  By enhancing control over our reactions to our internal and external environments, we can better guide the expression of our genetics towards health, harmony, and happiness.

> Guided Meditation: one of the most effective methods for mental discipline and focus, meditation is a practice that demonstrates the true power of the consciousness and its influence on our lives. With guidance in particular thought paths and perspective, inner environments can be upgraded to nourish the healing process.

> Life Coaching: creating intentional change in life helps with knowing who you are and discovering the fullest potential for yourself. Discover new perspectives about yourself, and design your own best ways of living, with inquiry processes and guiding frameworks for an integrative understanding personal choices and life transitions.
Healing Benefits
Participants will have natural plant treatments and therapies every day of this course, accompanied by workshops and discussions covering a wide variety of topics within the Shipibo healing tradition as well as cutting edge integrative practices from other cultures around the world.  After four weeks in the jungle, twelve ayahuasca ceremonies, numerous plant treatments, and a progressive series of workshops, lectures, discussions and activities that demonstrate the path to healing empowerment, participants return to Iquitos feeling refreshed and ready to take their health and life in their own hands.

Once participants return to Iquitos, they will have time to decompress and process their experiences in the jungle, and to enjoy the beauty and culture of the Amazon Rainforest. Our staff will assist with travel plans, shopping trips, advice, and anything else we can provide to make the experience more beneficial.  We continue to stay in contact with all of our retreat participants via email and social media to provide further support and guidance after the retreat.

Schedule

WEEK ONE
SUNDAY: Go to Riosbo center and settle in. The trip from Iquitos takes about 2 hours and includes a gorgeous boat ride.
MONDAY: Wake up to a morning yoga class and then have a discussion on ceremony procedure. CEREMONY #1
TUESDAY: Digestive system cleanse with Sangre de Grado. Private consultations with the curandero. Dieta discussion.
WEDNESDAY: Begin the plant dieta with a two day fast. Talk on plant consciousness/communication. CEREMONY #2
THURSDAY: First day of fast. Mapacho and agua florida soplaying workshop. Introduction to mindfulness meditation.
FRIDAY: Second day of fast. Ceremony preparation workshop. CEREMONY #3
SATURDAY: Vapor baths begin. Workshop on Shipibo healing songs called Icaros. Evening guided meditation session.

WEEK TWO
SUNDAY: Continue vapor baths. Icaros workshop. CEREMONY #4
MONDAY: Continue vapor baths. Counseling sessions continue. Vision navigation discussion. Guided meditation.
TUESDAY: Continue vapor baths. Counseling sessions continue. Soplaying/Prayer/Icaros discussion. CEREMONY #5
WEDNESDAY: Continue vapor baths. Counseling sessions continue. Forgiveness workshop. Guided meditation.
THURSDAY: Final vapor baths. Rest and relax, swimming. CEREMONY #6
FRIDAY: Nervous system cleanse with Chiric Sanango. Icaros workshop. Watch a film in the evening or meditate.
SATURDAY: Plant baths begin. Sinus system cleanse with mucura. Plant spirit guidance discussion. CEREMONY #7

WEEK THREE
SUNDAY: Baths continue. Private consultations/review with the curandero and facilitators. Relax and enjoy the jungle.
MONDAY: Baths continue. Chi Gong session. CEREMONY #8
TUESDAY: Baths continue. Counseling sessions continue. Plant remedies and preparation/administration discussion
WEDNESDAY: Smoke baths begin. Counseling sessions continue. Chi Gong session. Meditation. CEREMONY #9
THURSDAY: Smoke baths continue. Counseling sessions continue. Integration discussion and planning workshop.
FRIDAY: Smoke baths continue. Plant remedies workshop – adaptogens and immune system. CEREMONY #10
SATURDAY: Take a hike into the deep jungle. Language of the plants lecture.

WEEK FOUR
SUNDAY: Love baths begin. Personal work on areas that need attention. Chi Gong. Meditation. CEREMONY #11
MONDAY: Love baths continue. Practice the dieta ending dance and icaro. Integration workshop and discussion.
TUESDAY: Love baths continue. Final ceremony of the course. Receive protective arcanas. CEREMONY #12
WEDNESDAY: Dieta ends with a sacred ceremony. Enjoy delicious food, swim in the river. Evening celebration.
THURSDAY: Review with curandero and assistant healers. Spend one last day relaxing, taking pictures, and packing.
FRIDAY: Head back to town and spend the night in Iquitos. Shopping at plant market, and artisan markets.
SATURDAY: Meet for breakfast. Receive USBs. Say your goodbyes…
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Ayahuasca Foundation, Ayahuasca Foundation, Iquitos, Peru

Directions

Participants fly into Iquitos, Peru airport. Groups leave together in chartered bus to a village along the Nanay river, then travel by boat to the center, located inside the national reserve. It takes approximately two and a half hours to get to the center from the center of Iquitos

Accommodation

Each room is booked as a single unless shared with a traveling companion Rooms feature two twin beds, with mosquito nets, all bedding is provided En suite bathrooms with hot and cold water in the showers, towels are provided Rooms feature night stands, desks and chairs, private porch and shared balcony overlooking the river Each room has ayahuasca inspired art by artist Anderson Debernardi Rooms also feature full electricity from solar panels, lights, and fans

(US)

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Riosbo Ayahuasca Research and Education Center is:
located on the bank of the Nanay river in the heart of a national reserve
surrounded by 130,000 acres of protected land
an off-the-grid facility with full electricity and hot water
a comfortable place with private rooms and en suite bathrooms
a healing center with yoga and meditation facilities, massage room, counseling room, laboratory, and more...

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

A common breakfast includes: Oatmeal, fresh fruit, raisins, prunes, cold pressed juice, eggs, rice, vegetables A common lunch includes: Quinoa, lentils, salad, sweet potatoes, fruit juice, fish, herbal tea A common dunner includes: Rice, split peas, salad, eggs, vegetables, juice, teas

Customer Reviews

4.89 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Immersed in the sacred
What a wonderful experience of the sacredness of all of life. The relationship between the plant world and humans cannot be more appreciated than here. I found a lovely community of seekers being helped by a caring and careful staff. This was indeed a healing experience for the ages. I am so grateful for these ten days with other wonderful women.

5.0
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How my life has changed
It’s been over a year since I completed my initiation course and I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve grown since this amazing experience, so it seems fitting to finally write my review.
The course itself was everything I expected it to be after reading the write up. It was like Jedi training boot camp.
Early mornings, late nights, so much to absorb and learn.
I definitely found some of my edges and expanded through them.
We were challenged and tested and pushed past our comfort zones.
Some handled it better than others and there was a bit of stuffy energy in the group towards the end but I didn’t let that ruin my experience.

I personally loved most of every moment I got to spend in the jungle, although with the amount of learning there was I would’ve loved a bit more down time to really drop in to my diets.
This was my first experience with plant dietas, and I can definitely say it’s not going to be my last.
When I look back at who I was when I started the course and how much I’ve grown in the past year it’s mind blowing.
I really found my voice in the jungle, before I could barely sing in front of people and judged myself so harshly and now I can confidently sing for hours, in Shipibo and I love what I’m hearing, and so does anyone who gets to witness me in ceremony.

I set the intention before the course to understand the energetics of ceremony and now I am blessed to understand the energetics of everything at a whole new level.

Receiving Enrique’s transmission has changed so much for me, I can feel him with me whenever I’m in ceremony, working with me, still teaching me things a year later. What an amazing gift.

The level of awareness that I have these days exceeds my wildest dreams, I feel like I’m in a beautiful calm ocean at all times, even with all the craziness of life that’s happening all around.

Some things I would suggest for peeps considering this course.
Get ready to grow and leave your comfort zone behind
Push through the learnings, the Icaros are challenging to learns but so magical when you get to use them.
Go in with an open mind and an open heart and remember when things get tough, you get to choose your attitude in handling them.
Always light a mosquito coil before sunset. They actually work, but when I left it too late they reminded me quickly that I’d forgotten.
And bring extra cash. There are so many beautiful things that you may want to buy.

5.0
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Retreat of May 25
Hey,

Although I’m super happy with the retreat, I do believe there’s room for improvement—of course, at the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you whether you’d like to consider these suggestions.

1. I only found out in Peru that other participants had 1-on-1 calls with Carlos, but I never received such an invitation.

2. There was a misunderstanding regarding the taxi from the hotel to the airport. I thought it was included, but it turned out I had to pay for it. I eventually sorted this out and transferred the fee to Brian—but it might be helpful to mention on the website that the airport transfer is not included. This was totally my fault, but it did create some inconvenience for Brian.

3. It might also be useful to share approximate food prices near the hotel, so those planning to stay in Iquitos a few extra days can better estimate their budget for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

4. On the second day, after the 1-on-1 consultation with Maestra, I was prescribed a fairly long list of plant-based medicines that was written on the board. However, I received only part of the medicine, and only for two days. If this isn’t included as a consistent part of the program, it may be worth clarifying that, as I assumed I would be taking the prescribed medicine throughout the retreat.

5. I found it difficult to regulate the ayahuasca dosage. I understand it’s a personal choice for each participant, but perhaps after each ceremony, the topic of dosage could be discussed with the facilitators to help determine the appropriate amount for the next session. This could increase participants’ confidence, set clearer expectations, and help them feel better prepared for the following ceremony. In my case, due to uncertainty about how much to take, I had only one great and one decent experience. It took me a while to figure out the right amount, even though Brian did provide guidance.

6. Last but not least, please avoid recommending LATAM Airlines to your future guests. I found out from Brian—only after I had already arrived in Iquitos—that this airline frequently has issues. Unfortunately, I experienced this firsthand on my way back home: my flight to Lima was canceled due to a technical issue with the aircraft, which forced me to reschedule three connecting flights. As a result, I returned to my home country with a one-day delay. LATAM has also rejected my reasonable request to reimburse the costs of the rescheduled flights, even though the disruption was clearly their fault. Moreover, I’m aware that at least two other people from the May 25 retreat also had issues with LATAM. For these reasons, I strongly recommend either not suggesting this airline at all, or clearly warning participants that they fly with LATAM at their own risk.

I’d also like to express my gratitude to Brian, Mariella, and the entire AF staff. They are truly the best at what they do. Most importantly, I feel much better after the retreat. I was in a very dark place before traveling to Peru, and the results of the retreat exceeded my expectations. The sun is shining right on my face now, and I’m excited about what life has to offer. Thank you!

5.0
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May 2025 Retreat
It was beyond my expectations. Brian and Mariella were amazing facilitators, they brought so much love and reverence for plant medicine. I learned so much from them. I had a very difficult first ceremony and everyone (Brian, Mariella, Maestra Anjela, and Pancho) handled it so well, it proved how safe we all were in their capable hands. The activities beyond the ceremonies were great, a walk through the jungle, swimming in the Amazon river, a cacao ceremony, breathwork, it was a nice broad mix of healthful activities. The food was great, I just loved the daily variety of juices. The facility was clean and wonderfully situated on the river. My only complaint was the pillows and bedding--they really need to be replaced/upgraded. Other than that, I would definitely go back.

1.0
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Why I No Longer Feel Safe Recommending the Ayahuasca Foundation
I attended a retreat at the Ayahuasca Foundation and feel a responsibility to share what I experienced. During my time there, I witnessed serious concerns related to facilitator conduct, confidentiality, and how participant concerns were handled. These experiences left me feeling unsafe and deeply unsettled, especially given the vulnerable nature of the retreat environment.

Let me start with what stood out to me. First, participants were required to pay in cash. Carlos stated this was standard practice, but carrying several thousand dollars in physical cash through airports, across borders, and into rural Peru made me extremely uncomfortable. I felt exposed and anxious about what would happen if something went wrong. It added another layer of stress to the experience. Second, after arriving in Iquitos, we were informed that there had been recent break-ins at the retreat center. This was news to us and I felt strongly that this should have been disclosed earlier. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this information had been withheld on purpose, and it left me uneasy. Had I known beforehand, I would have packed differently or reconsidered attending.

Once the retreat began, I observed multiple situations that felt unprofessional. Several facilitators broke my confidentiality by repeating things I had shared in private sharing circles. Some later gossiped about me after I raised concerns about their behavior. I also personally experienced inappropriate flirtation from one facilitator and witnessed even more troubling boundary-crossing behavior from another.

That facilitator openly shared that he was struggling with mental health challenges, which, in this setting, gave me pause. I observed behavior that deeply concerned me, including what felt like inappropriate boundaries with women in the group. He repeatedly spent one-on-one time alone in a female participant’s hut and often gave disproportionate attention to younger, attractive women. In a power-imbalanced, emotionally vulnerable environment, this created a dynamic that did not feel safe.

After the retreat, I raised these concerns in a follow-up call. I was told that staff changes were being made, and an “Ethical Statement” was later published online. But soon after, I learned that the same facilitator was still actively leading retreats. That was deeply disheartening and left me with the impression that concerns were not being taken seriously.

There were also safety-related issues. The medical screening process felt minimal, and I questioned whether all participants had been adequately evaluated beforehand. I remember feeling that at least one participant was not psychologically prepared for the experience, which affected the retreat dynamic. The center is remote, and I did not see basic emergency equipment like epi-pens or defibrillators, nor was I made aware of any staff emergency training. Given how long the center has operated, I was surprised by the apparent lack of standard safety infrastructure.

I’ll end by saying that you don’t need to take my word for things. But if you speak with enough former participants, you may begin to hear similar stories. I truly wish I had read something like this before I signed up. I encourage anyone considering this retreat to do their own research, ask detailed questions, and make informed decisions from there.

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