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Eighteen Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Peru - $4650

Location icon
Chamisal Retreat CenterIquitos, Peru
Date
April 12 - 29, 2026

About this Retreat

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Details of this retreat

A COMPLETE TREATMENT
The Eighteen Day Shipibo Ayahuasca Retreat is an opportunity to receive a complete treatment from an authentic curandero in the Amazon rainforest. Participants spend 18 days at the Ayahuasca Foundation’s Riosbo Retreat and Research Center (plus 2 days in Iquitos), participating in 8 ayahuasca ceremonies led by a Shipibo curandero and the assistant healers. In addition to the ayahuasca ceremonies, participants also receive a wide variety of plant treatments that cleanse the mind, body, and spirit, as well as remedies specific to their afflictions. This retreat is much more than just receiving treatment for physical, mental, and emotional problems, it is also an opportunity to get to know yourself on a much deeper level, connect with nature in a unique and fascinating way, and gain a much greater understanding of reality.

The Shipibo plant medicine tradition allows participants to take greater control of their lives, their thoughts, their actions, and their overall health. The unique qualities of the ayahuasca ceremonies provide participants with the opportunity to play an active role in the healing process, confronting their negativity, past traumas, or possible roots of their illnesses. The plant treatments further enhance this process, working to boost the immune system, balance the digestive system, purify the nervous system, cleanse the circulatory system, and heal the emotional body. The treatment is complete and total, effecting positive changes on all levels and allowing the participants to realize the path to their health and happiness. Further counseling is provided after the retreat to assist with the challenges of integration upon return.

Accompanying the treatment and enhancing the healing process is a diet. Some participants may need to follow an even stricter diet than the others due to their particular issues, like no eggs or fish, for example. The diet is a necessary element of the treatment but it is not a difficult sacrifice, thanks to the wonderful cooks we have at the center. The basic restrictions of the diet are no salt, no sugar, no oil, and no spices. A typical breakfast is oatmeal, hard boiled eggs, and rice with steamed vegetables. A typical lunch is a root vegetable soup with rice or quinoa and a light salad, and dinner is usually similar to lunch.

The plant remedies are typically ingested before meals, but also include a variety of plant baths and include special purgatives to help clean out several systems in the body. The plant baths are very helpful when dealing with afflictions that have roots in the spirit, like traumas or lack of self-love, or if a participant is not having visions in the ayahuasca ceremonies. Vapor baths are used so that participants can absorb the plant medicines in all manner possible. The purgatives may be difficult treatments, for they induce vomiting and diarrhea, but the effects are very positive afterward.

The first week of the retreat is often spent getting to know the curandero and the assistant healers, as well as getting accustomed to the ayahuasca ceremonies and plant treatments. This first week is often when strong emotions begin to come out and the participants begin to discover the root causes of their afflictions. Faith is built during this time and the following week and a half is spent delving deeper into these causes, understanding these roots and working to pull them up to the surface to be dealt with properly in the ayahuasca ceremonies. The curandero and the assistant healers work hard to help each participant find solutions to their issues and realize their total and complete healing of any and all afflictions.

In addition to receiving treatment, retreat participants also have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the healing traditions of the Amazon Rainforest. Several workshops will be held during the retreat to teach various aspects of the tradition, like the use of mapacho and agua florida and singing the sacred healing songs, called icaros. When participants leave our ayahuasca retreats, they not only return home with health and happiness, but also with the knowledge of how it was achieved, which can be invaluable when embarking on a new path in life, the true path meant for each person.

The $4,450 price includes:
ACCOMMODATION
Pre-program counseling session with AyaHelp.com
Gain insights into how best to prepare for the experience

Airport pickup
You'll be met at the Iquitos airport and brought to the hotel

Accommodations for 17 nights at the Retreat Center
Screened in rooms with private bathrooms and electricity

Transportation to and from the Retreat Center
Air conditioned bus (1hr) and an amazing boat ride (1hr)

At least two meals a day, following a healing diet
Fruit, vegetables, quinoa, lentils, grilled fish, eggs, etc.

Translation of entire program when needed
Assistants also add their own experiences and teachings

Access to the Assistants for counseling/guidance
3 assistants will be available throughout the retreat

USB of retreat photos and ceremony recordings
Audio recordings of ceremonies and digital photos

Other gifts and educational items
You’ll receive other gifts and healing tools as well

Post-program counseling session with AyaHelp.com
Enhance the process of integration when you get home
TREATMENT
8 traditional Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Led by an indigenous curandero and the AF assistants

2 private consultations with the curandero
Translated by the assistant healers

Daily Piñon Colorado brain/blood remedy
Taken three times a day for the duration of the retreat

1 Sangre de Grado digestive system cleanse
Reset digestive enzymes and enhance nutrient absorption

6 Vapor Baths with five medicinal plants
Sweat out toxins and replace them with healing medicine

2 Mucura sinus cleanses 
cleanse the sinuses and boost immunity against allergies

6 Plants Baths
Connect further with the plants and soak in the medicine

2 Smoke Baths
Increase energetic defenses and protection from negativity

1 Chiric Sanango nervous system cleanse
Boost the immune system and release emotional blockages

2 Love Baths
For attracting positive energy, good luck, and love

Any additional treatments
Poultices, medicines, massage, or whatever is needed

Retreats take a maximum of 12 participants

Getting Here

Location icon Ayahuasca Foundation, Chamisal Retreat CenterIquitos, Peru

Accommodation

(US)

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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