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IQUITOS - PERU

Shamanic Initiation Peru

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Overview

In the heart of Peru, we invite you on a transformative journey unlike any other. Over the course of 26 days, our apprenticeship offers a profound exploration into the sacred healing practices of the venerable Shipibo lineage. Under the nurturing guidance of a celebrated Shaman, you will embark on an immersive Master Plant Dieta, a rite that fosters a deep, personal connection with the natural world and its unseen spirits. This is not just an education; it’s an odyssey into the very soul of plant healing. You will engage with Master Plants in a setting of reverence and solitude, forging a bond that will guide and support you for the rest of your life. This bond is the cornerstone of the shamanic path, an indispensable ally in the intricate dance with Ayahuasca.

Our program is meticulously designed to honor the integrity and depth of this ancient tradition. Through a balanced blend of lectures, workshops, and communal sharing, you will gain a profound understanding of these sacred practices. Yet, it is in the silence, in the quiet moments of self-reflection and solitude, that the deepest learning occurs.

We are committed to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of this spiritual work. It is important to understand that this apprenticeship, while deeply enlightening, does not confer the title of Shaman. The path to becoming a Shaman is a lifelong journey, one of continuous learning and personal growth. Join us on this extraordinary journey to unlock the secrets of ancient wisdom, to discover your own inner truths, and to experience the healing power of the Amazon’s sacred plants. This is more than an education—it’s a passage to the heart of spiritual awakening.

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26 DAYS - SHAMANIC INITIATION

$ 4900 From
  • 26 Days Private Accomodation, 2-3 Meals Per Day
  • 10 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
  • Plant Baths, Icaros, Sacred Tobacco
  • 1 or 2 Master Plant Dieta
  • Full Training Program
  • Preparation Session
  • Integration Session
  • World Class Safety Standards
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Interested in our payment plan options? Speak to our program coordinator today or email info@ayahealingretreats.com

*Prices are in USD.

The Dieta Experience
  • Participate in 10 guided Ayahuasca Ceremonies.
  • Choose between one or two Master Plant Dietas for deep healing.
  • Receive a private coaching session before the retreat and ongoing personalized guidance from Don Miguel.
  • Engage in a comprehensive training program tailored to your spiritual journey.
Comfort and Accommodation
  • Enjoy daily nutritious meals served 2-3 times a day.
  • Reside in a private jungle bungalow, your home for the full 26 days, complete with 24-hour electricity powered by solar panels.
  • Stay connected with WiFi available on selected days, thoughtfully limited to preserve the tranquility of the retreat.
  • Drink clean, high-filtered water with a pH of 8.5, ensuring your hydration is as revitalizing as your journey.
  • Benefit from included laundry services and transportation to and from Iquitos.
Spiritual Grounding
  • Experience purifying floral and vapor baths by the riverside.
  • Learn and practice Icaros under the guidance of the Curandero.
  • Delve into the use of Mapacho and ceremonial pipe as tools for navigating Ayahuasca journeys.
  • Participate in enlightening group lectures on Shipibo traditions and practices.
Integration and Learning
  • Share and learn in dedicated Integration Groups.
  • Attend an Integration Workshop designed for deeper understanding.
  • Work with practitioners trained in Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Facilitation before and after the retreat. 
  • Benefit from full translations from Spanish or Shipibo to English and private post-retreat integration sessions.
Optional Activities
  • Explore the Amazon with guided hikes and learn about local flora and fauna.
  • Relax and swim in the nearby river.
  • Discover local crafts at the Shipibo market.
  • Express yourself with available musical instruments and art materials.

Experience

Discover Your Spiritual Guide: Choosing Your Master Plant

Embarking on a Master Plant dieta is a journey into the heart of the forest and the soul. The choice of which Master Plant to partner with is typically guided by the Maestro or Maestra, drawing on centuries of wisdom and insight. However, the call of a Master Plant can resonate deeply within you, emerging through dreams or visions, an ethereal invitation beckoning your spirit. At AYA Healing, we welcome you to explore connections with sacred plants like Noya Rao, Bobinsana, Chiric Sanango, Ayahuma, Marusa, and Chullachaqui.

The core mission of your Shamanic Initiation is to forge a bond with your chosen plant spirit, a relationship meant to endure a lifetime.

Like any deep and meaningful connection, the depth of this relationship is sculpted by the dedication and sincerity you bring to this union. Engaging wholeheartedly with your Plant Spirit, you immerse yourself in a spiritual dialogue, unlocking ancient wisdom and transformative energies. This journey is about uncovering truths and receiving insights, guiding you towards profound healing and understanding.

Upon the completion of your dieta, the spiritual safeguards are meticulously set in place by your curandero or teacher. This ceremonial act is crucial, ensuring the preservation of the transformative insights and healing you have achieved.

Who Should Embark on This Sacred Plant Dieta?

Our Shamanic Initiation Plant Dieta beckons to those drawn to the ancient paths of Shipibo Shamanism, whether you’re seasoned in the practice of Master Plants dietas or eager to begin this sacred journey. This training is an invitation to those prepared to commit to the profound, respecting the dietary and lifestyle strictures that frame this spiritual expedition.

The dieta is not just a retreat; it’s a pledge to transformation, requiring you to step away from everyday indulgences and distractions. This act of renunciation signals to the plant spirit your readiness for change, your openness to receive its powerful gifts of healing, guidance, and even new abilities. It’s a testament to your resolve, a declaration that you are ready to embark on a path of healing, growth, and profound spiritual discovery.

Embracing Authentic Traditions: The Heart of Our Retreats

Our retreats are deeply rooted in the rich shamanic traditions of Peruvian healers, offering a comprehensive journey beyond the realms of Ayahuasca plant medicine. Through workshops on Icaros, Master Plants, and various plant treatments, we provide an immersive educational experience grounded in ancient wisdom. Our holistic approach extends beyond Ayahuasca to include personalized treatments, embracing the full spectrum of traditional shamanic natural medicine. This ensures a transformative journey, not just through Ayahuasca, but through the profound healing power of nature’s offerings.

What's not included?
Shamanic

Schedule Initiation Porgram

Embark on a transformative 26-day journey within the nurturing embrace of El Encanto de Chullachaqui under the guidance of Don Miguel from the Shipibo tribe and his family. This program invites you to walk the Shamanic path of the Shipibo people, engaging deeply with plant medicine for profound healing and self-discovery. Are you ready to explore the depths of your being and unlock new realms of understanding?

The Initiation Program is meticulously structured into three blocks, each crafted to provide an immersive learning experience in the rich traditions of the Shipibo culture and the Shamanic way.

Program Schedule:

Note: While we maintain a flexible approach to each day, allowing for the natural flow of individual and group energies, here’s what you can typically expect:

* Welcome and orientation to immerse you into our community and the healing journey ahead.

* Personal consultations with Don Miguel to tailor your individual healing experience.

* 5 Ayahuasca ceremonies to initiate the opening and cleansing of your spiritual pathways.

* Beginning of your Master Plant dieta.

* Daily integrative activities tailored to enhance your healing process, including:

* Icaros Classes: Dive deep into the heart of Shipibo healing with these sacred songs, learning their meanings and how they are used in ceremonies for healing and protection.

* Workshops on working with Ayahuasca, exploring the ceremonial use, history, and preparation of this sacred medicine.

* Practical workshops on the use of shamanic tools, including mapacho (sacred tobacco) and the ceremonial pipe.

* A comprehensive workshop on how to become a facilitator, covering the essentials of leading and supporting Ayahuasca ceremonies.

* Group sharing circles to foster community, understanding, and mutual support among participants.

* Detailed workshops on Shipibo culture, offering insights into the traditions and practices of plant medicine.

* Plant treatments, including the use of purgative plants and Mocura treatment, to cleanse the body and spirit.

* Traditional saunas and purgative plant treatments to aid in the detoxification and cleansing process.

* Fascinating group lectures on the Shipibo’s traditions, Master Plants, and their roles in the healing journey.

By integrating these elements into the first block, you’ll start your journey with a strong foundation in both the practical and spiritual aspects of the Shamanic path, preparing you for deeper exploration and connection in the subsequent phases.

* A period of silence for reflection, focusing on inner healing and self-discovery.

* Traditional Shipibo culinary experiences, with two meals a day to align with dietary cleanses.

* Continued individual healing sessions and plant baths for deep detoxification.

* Ongoing personal consultations with Don Miguel to guide your spiritual journey.

* Expansive workshops aimed at understanding visions, deepening connections, and emotional healing.

* Integration sessions featuring art therapy, journaling, and guided reflections.

* Additional Icaros classes to deepen your understanding of sacred songs and their healing powers.

In Block Two, you delve deeper, aligning closely with your Master Plant dieta, fostering a profound bond with nature and spiritual realms, and preparing for the practical application of your learning.

* Welcome and orientation to immerse you into our community and the healing journey ahead.

* Personal consultations with Don Miguel to tailor your individual healing experience.

* 5 Ayahuasca ceremonies to initiate the opening and cleansing of your spiritual pathways.

* Beginning of your Master Plant dieta.

* Daily integrative activities tailored to enhance your healing process, including:

* Icaros Classes: Dive deep into the heart of Shipibo healing with these sacred songs, learning their meanings and how they are used in ceremonies for healing and protection.

* Workshops on working with Ayahuasca, exploring the ceremonial use, history, and preparation of this sacred medicine.

* Practical workshops on the use of shamanic tools, including mapacho (sacred tobacco) and the ceremonial pipe.

* A comprehensive workshop on how to become a facilitator, covering the essentials of leading and supporting Ayahuasca ceremonies.

* Group sharing circles to foster community, understanding, and mutual support among participants.

* Detailed workshops on Shipibo culture, offering insights into the traditions and practices of plant medicine.

* Plant treatments, including the use of purgative plants and Mocura treatment, to cleanse the body and spirit.

* Traditional saunas and purgative plant treatments to aid in the detoxification and cleansing process.

* Fascinating group lectures on the Shipibo’s traditions, Master Plants, and their roles in the healing journey.

By integrating these elements into the first block, you’ll start your journey with a strong foundation in both the practical and spiritual aspects of the Shamanic path, preparing you for deeper exploration and connection in the subsequent phases.

Team

Legendary Shipibo Healers, Caring Facilitators

AYA March 12 April 6 2025

Don Miguel

Shipibo Curandero

facilitator kris portrait

Kris

Lead Facilitator

woman with a guitar in nature

Mariri

Facilitator

Immersion in authentic tradition is at the heart of our work

Our retreats focus on education in the shamanic traditions of the Peruvian healers with classes and workshops on Icaros, Master Plants, and a variety of plant treatments. We are rooted in ancient traditions and we provide a fully immersive experience that includes much more than simply Ayahuasca plant medicine!

The holistic approach of traditional shamanic natural medicine is not only centered on Ayahuasca but also on personalized plant treatments.

Support

support

Comprehensive Support Before and After Your Journey with Us

Your transformative journey is fully supported with dedicated guidance before and after your retreat. Begin with a personalized preparation session, designed to help you mentally, emotionally, and physically prepare for the deep work ahead. This session provides essential tools, practices, and insights to ensure you step into the experience with clarity and readiness, allowing for a more profound and meaningful retreat.

After your retreat, continue your journey of integration with a one-hour personalized session, helping you ground and embody the experiences and insights gained. Using somatic-based approaches, this session supports you in applying your healing and transformation to everyday life, ensuring lasting impact and continued personal growth.

This holistic approach, from preparation to integration, ensures you feel fully supported at every stage of your journey.

Testimonials

Elio Geusa

Director of AYA Healing Retreats

Not Included

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turtle
  • Personal accommodation in Iquitos before/after the retreat
  • Your airfares
  • Your travel insurance
  • Your Peruvian visa (if necessary)
  • Personal expenses and meals in Iquitos before/after the retreat
maestro dom miguel dressed in traditional Shipibo clothing

Don Miguel

ayahuasca vine

Shipibo Curandero

AKA Senen Yoi - 'Speaking the Truth'

Don Miguel was born into a Shipibo community called Roaboya on the River Ucayali. When Don Miguel was a child, Angel Sanchez Vargas, his grandfather was the community’s curandero. Vargas was an expert in sacred plant medicines and was frequently called upon to heal and share his spiritual wisdom with members of Roaboya. The school built some years later was named after Vargas and Roaboya went on to be recognised as the first indigenous community 114 years ago. Don Miguel grew up surrounded by the Shipibo wisdom and possess intimate knowledge of the sacred plant medicines. At a very young age he began his apprenticeship as a curandero through plant dietas under the supportive guidance of his grandfather. Miguel is also a trained literature professor and thoroughly enjoys teaching the Shipibo language and culture. Since 2012, Don Miguel has spent the bulk of his time leading lectures, workshops, initiation courses and retreats. Don Miguel will lead our Ayahuasca ceremonies, circle discussions and be available for personal consultations whilst on retreat.

maestro dom miguel dressed in traditional Shipibo clothing

Don Miguel

ayahuasca vine

Shipibo Curandero

AKA Senen Yoi - 'Speaking the Truth'

Don Miguel was born into a Shipibo community called Roaboya on the River Ucayali. When Don Miguel was a child, Angel Sanchez Vargas, his grandfather was the community’s curandero. Vargas was an expert in sacred plant medicines and was frequently called upon to heal and share his spiritual wisdom with members of Roaboya. The school built some years later was named after Vargas and Roaboya went on to be recognised as the first indigenous community 114 years ago. Don Miguel grew up surrounded by the Shipibo wisdom and possess intimate knowledge of the sacred plant medicines. At a very young age he began his apprenticeship as a curandero through plant dietas under the supportive guidance of his grandfather. Miguel is also a trained literature professor and thoroughly enjoys teaching the Shipibo language and culture. Since 2012, Don Miguel has spent the bulk of his time leading lectures, workshops, initiation courses and retreats. Don Miguel will lead our Ayahuasca ceremonies, circle discussions and be available for personal consultations whilst on retreat.

facilitator kris portrait

Kris

ayahuasca vine

Facilitator

Kris has been living for seven years in the Peruvian Amazon. Originally from Barcelona, she followed a calling to be of service to the indigenous elders. As soon as she arrived, Kris deeply immersed herself in the traditional knowledge of the rainforest.

She was an on-site facilitator and administrator for an Ayahuasca retreat center for five years. Her role enabled Kris to work closely with Ayahuasca and other plant medicines, facilitating Ayahuasca retreats and plant medicine dietas. She helped participants integrate and process their experiences and made sure the retreats ran smoothly.

For the past six years, Kris has forged a deep and very close relationship with the Matses tribe, who initiated and taught her how to work traditionally with Kambo.
During her time in the rainforest, Kris has worked and collaborated with many powerful curanderos from different lineages and tribes, giving her a broad depth of knowledge about Amazonian plant medicines.

Those experiences ignited a passionate love for Amazonian herbalism, and she has dived deep into plant medicine alchemy for the past seven years.

Kris currently works at Aya Healing Retreats, facilitating the groups and establishing a deep connection with the local Shipibo community.
She also offers Amazonian Herbalism training courses and has started her apothecary creating pure essences from these Amazonian plants and Master Plants.

Kris is a solid bridge keeper between the indigenous cultures and practices of the Amazon, and the West, bringing a unique perspective from her direct experience.
Kris is a strong jungle medicine woman with a kind heart that is always ready to help those in need; she is a faithful caretaker of the forest and the indigenous traditions.

facilitator kris portrait

Kris

ayahuasca vine

Facilitator

Kris has been living for seven years in the Peruvian Amazon. Originally from Barcelona, she followed a calling to be of service to the indigenous elders. As soon as she arrived, Kris deeply immersed herself in the traditional knowledge of the rainforest.

She was an on-site facilitator and administrator for an Ayahuasca retreat center for five years. Her role enabled Kris to work closely with Ayahuasca and other plant medicines, facilitating Ayahuasca retreats and plant medicine dietas. She helped participants integrate and process their experiences and made sure the retreats ran smoothly.

For the past six years, Kris has forged a deep and very close relationship with the Matses tribe, who initiated and taught her how to work traditionally with Kambo.
During her time in the rainforest, Kris has worked and collaborated with many powerful curanderos from different lineages and tribes, giving her a broad depth of knowledge about Amazonian plant medicines.

Those experiences ignited a passionate love for Amazonian herbalism, and she has dived deep into plant medicine alchemy for the past seven years.

Kris currently works at Aya Healing Retreats, facilitating the groups and establishing a deep connection with the local Shipibo community.
She also offers Amazonian Herbalism training courses and has started her apothecary creating pure essences from these Amazonian plants and Master Plants.

Kris is a solid bridge keeper between the indigenous cultures and practices of the Amazon, and the West, bringing a unique perspective from her direct experience.
Kris is a strong jungle medicine woman with a kind heart that is always ready to help those in need; she is a faithful caretaker of the forest and the indigenous traditions.

woman with a guitar in nature

Mariri

ayahuasca vine

Lead Facilitator

Mariana Gutierrez (Mariri) is a trauma-informed plant medicine and kambo facilitator, sound healer, herbalist, yoga instructor, and sound engineer. She is passionate about guiding individuals in connecting to their voices as a powerful tool for healing and enhancing plant communication through improvisational, intentional, and somatic sounding.
She hosts and co-hosts various healing and wellness retreats assisting participants on their healing journeys by safely guiding them through expanded states of consciousness. Her ultimate goal is to help individuals tap into their empowered selves, find their true voices, and discover the healing power that lies within themselves.

woman with a guitar in nature

Mariri

ayahuasca vine

Lead Facilitator

Mariana Gutierrez (Mariri) is a trauma-informed plant medicine and kambo facilitator, sound healer, herbalist, yoga instructor, and sound engineer. She is passionate about guiding individuals in connecting to their voices as a powerful tool for healing and enhancing plant communication through improvisational, intentional, and somatic sounding.
She hosts and co-hosts various healing and wellness retreats assisting participants on their healing journeys by safely guiding them through expanded states of consciousness. Her ultimate goal is to help individuals tap into their empowered selves, find their true voices, and discover the healing power that lies within themselves.

atira tan

Atira Tan

ayahuasca vine

Trauma Specialist - Mentor

Hailing from her native Singapore, has over 15 years of experience healing trauma through yoga, mindfulness, art, and counseling. Atira holds a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and has been featured on TEDx. She is also the founder of Art to Healing and the international Yogathon event, Yoga for Freedom. Her work is dedicated to trauma recovery, supporting individuals and communities through therapeutic and healing practices.

Atira has worked extensively throughout Asia and Australia, spearheading programs that empower women and girls who have survived sexual abuse and exploitation in the sex trafficking industry. Since 2004, she has designed and implemented trauma-informed art therapy, somatic healing, and mindfulness programs for vulnerable populations, partnering with international organizations to bring these modalities to refugee camps in Burma, war zones in Cambodia, the brothels of Kathmandu, post-earthquake recovery efforts in Nepal, and remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

Mentorship at AYA Healing Retreats

Atira now serves as Mentor for Facilitators and Practitioners at AYA Healing Retreats, playing a pivotal role in the development and training of trauma-informed facilitators and healers. Through structured mentorship, supervision, and guidance, she ensures that the AYA Healing team maintains the highest ethical, professional, and trauma-sensitive standards in their work with plant medicine. Her mentorship program provides practitioners with ongoing support, reflective practices, and skills refinement, fostering a safe and integrity-driven healing environment for all participants.

In addition, she has trained extensively in trauma recovery approaches, including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Neuroaffective Touch, and Polyvagal Theory, and is currently training as a Womb Surround Facilitator.

As the Founder and Clinical Director of Art to Healing, Atira has developed groundbreaking trauma recovery programs for sex-trafficked survivors in Asia, pioneering research on the efficacy of Somatic Experiencing, Creative Art Therapies, and Reproductive Health Education in empowering BIPOC survivors of gender-based violence and complex trauma. She also co-developed and delivered the first-ever Somatic Experiencing Trauma Resolution training for sex-trafficked survivors in collaboration with SETI and Lotus Circle International.

Atira is deeply committed to fostering transformative healing experiences, integrating cutting-edge trauma therapies with ancient wisdom traditions to support practitioners, facilitators, and participants on their healing paths.

atira

Atira Tan

ayahuasca vine

Trauma Specialist - Mentor

Hailing from her native Singapore, has over 15 years of experience healing trauma through yoga, mindfulness, art, and counseling. Atira holds a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and has been featured on TEDx. She is also the founder of Art to Healing and the international Yogathon event, Yoga for Freedom. Her work is dedicated to trauma recovery, supporting individuals and communities through therapeutic and healing practices.

Atira has worked extensively throughout Asia and Australia, spearheading programs that empower women and girls who have survived sexual abuse and exploitation in the sex trafficking industry. Since 2004, she has designed and implemented trauma-informed art therapy, somatic healing, and mindfulness programs for vulnerable populations, partnering with international organizations to bring these modalities to refugee camps in Burma, war zones in Cambodia, the brothels of Kathmandu, post-earthquake recovery efforts in Nepal, and remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

Mentorship at AYA Healing Retreats

Atira now serves as Mentor for Facilitators and Practitioners at AYA Healing Retreats, playing a pivotal role in the development and training of trauma-informed facilitators and healers. Through structured mentorship, supervision, and guidance, she ensures that the AYA Healing team maintains the highest ethical, professional, and trauma-sensitive standards in their work with plant medicine. Her mentorship program provides practitioners with ongoing support, reflective practices, and skills refinement, fostering a safe and integrity-driven healing environment for all participants.

In addition, she has trained extensively in trauma recovery approaches, including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Neuroaffective Touch, and Polyvagal Theory, and is currently training as a Womb Surround Facilitator.

As the Founder and Clinical Director of Art to Healing, Atira has developed groundbreaking trauma recovery programs for sex-trafficked survivors in Asia, pioneering research on the efficacy of Somatic Experiencing, Creative Art Therapies, and Reproductive Health Education in empowering BIPOC survivors of gender-based violence and complex trauma. She also co-developed and delivered the first-ever Somatic Experiencing Trauma Resolution training for sex-trafficked survivors in collaboration with SETI and Lotus Circle International.

Atira is deeply committed to fostering transformative healing experiences, integrating cutting-edge trauma therapies with ancient wisdom traditions to support practitioners, facilitators, and participants on their healing paths.