Top 10 Most Popular Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru

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Peru is a naturally beautiful land with different land formations. Here you will find mountains, beaches, deserts and rainforests. Peru has a rich culture whose roots can be found in the shamanic tradition. It is known for its Inca remains and the mysterious Nazca Lines. Of late, it has also become the ultimate destination to experience the magic of Ayahuasca. The country is home to almost 25 Ayahuasca retreats, making it a global hub for this shamanic practice. In this article, we bring to you an unbiased and honest list of the top 10 Ayahuasca retreats in Peru. Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru are sorted in descending order of online popularity. All of these Ayahuasca retreats provide a safe and supportive environment for the ceremony.

1. Soltara Healing Center

Location - Tarapoto, Peru

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 6-Day Peruvian Shipibo Healers and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Tarapoto

The word Soltara finds its origin in the Spanish verb ‘Soltar’, meaning to release or let go. Soltara Healing Center is the place where people come to experience healing from within in a safe and caring environment. This journey is undertaken under the watchful eyes of the local Shipibo healers. It is a combination of plant medicine ceremony and supportive embodiment practices that are accompanied by an integration program. The whole aim of the experience is to learn the tools through which you can get rid of things that are negative and serve no purpose in your life. With this knowledge, you can bring about a positive change and be true to yourself. The humble, compassionate and ever-present team of Soltara Healing Center is laser-focused on the customer experience before anything else. The facilitators are endlessly attentive and provide a safe container in which you can place complete trust. The communication, education, and wealth of resources made available are invaluable.

In Peru, Soltara Healing Center is located in the Cordillera Escalera National Park. This high-protection zone is also an ecological preserve and is merely 20 minutes away from Tarapoto City. The retreat center is surrounded by untouched Amazonian rainforest, completely off-grid and deploys solar-powered lights. Free of technology, no pollution and spring-fed water systems, you will experience simple and conscious living. Soltara is not only faithful to its ecological duties but also provides sustainable modern comforts to all guests. Accommodations are simple yet elegant and range from private to shared rooms and traditional jungle huts. The kitchen serves delicious Peruvian and Shipibo cuisine, which is ayahuasca-friendly.

The 6-Day Peruvian Shipibo Healers and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Tarapoto will be a life-changing experience. This 5-night and 6-day package is focussed on immersion in a supportive environment. The group sizes are typically small so that you get individual attention from the healers. The retreat package includes - 

  • Comfortable accommodation and freshly prepared food for the period of your stay.
  • 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies with experienced Shipibo healers.
  • Sharing circles and integration workshops onsite.
  • Yoga classes throughout your stay with Pranayama and meditation sessions.
  • Floral bath with medicinal plants, nature immersions and consultation with healers. 
  • Pick and drop facility from a pick-up location near SJO airport.

Price per day USD 645

2. Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat

Location - Iquitos, Peru

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 8-Days Traditional Healing Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Iquitos

The Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat Center is a world of its own. It takes an hour-long boat ride into the heart of the Amazonian rainforest to reach the Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat. Here you will find tranquility and enchantment. They skillfully crafted a safe and supportive environment where you feel secure and at ease. The staff members are attentive, nurturing, and always available to address any concerns or questions. The setting itself is pretty magical. Surrounded by greenery and natural beauty, the retreat center delivers a soothing and harmonious backdrop for the journey. The attention to detail in creating sacred spaces like the ceremonial maloca and meditation areas only enhances the overall ambiance. At Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat you will find an incredible team of shamans whose expertise, wisdom, and compassionate guidance truly set them apart.

William James Menech is the owner, director and primary facilitator at Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreat. He was born in 1969 in New York and has been on a spiritual journey since an early age. Over the years he has explored both scientific and spiritual perspectives. In his 30s, William was introduced to the healing modalities of the shamans. This was when he realized that his path was to alleviate the suffering of others. He generated interest in herbalism and became quite skilled in using plant-based medicines to treat ailments. In 2005, he decided to dive deeper and assimilate more traditional wisdom of the Amazon through Ayahuasca and Huachuma. William’s training is constant and so far he has conducted well over 300 insightful Ayahuasca ceremonies.

The aim of the 8-Days Traditional Healing Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Iquitos is to provide maximum shamanic healing within a week. The retreat is quite intense but the outcomes are profound. The retreat package features - 

  • 4 Ayahuasca ceremonies with 24 personal shamanic treatments.
  • Introduction to San Pedro Cactus or Huachuma. This is exclusively conducted by William.
  • 4 Pulsario treatments to free emotional energy trapped in the stomach area and 3 energetic cleansing plant Baños to cleanse lingering negative energies that come to the surface post the Ayahuasca ceremony.
  • 1 flower bath, plant vapor saunas.
  • Numerous excursions including a boat trip, 4 meetings with the shamans, tailored shamanic therapies and after-care & retreat aid.
  • Lodging (in tambos) and meals with free laundry service. The tambos are quite spacious with amenities that make your stay comfortable.

Price per day USD 288

3. Naturalia

Location - Iquitos, Peru

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 7-Day Meditation, Yoga and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Iquitos

Naturalia is a Yoga, Ayahuasca and Meditation retreat center with a calm and peaceful feel. This handcrafted facility is located in the middle of an Amazon jungle and makes you feel one with nature. There’s plenty of wildlife for you to admire. You can see monkeys, butterflies, lizards and even snakes. The accommodations and facilities are thoughtfully planned and built. They are true to the location but with enough luxury, that you feel well looked after. The team of Naturalia Retreat Center is very open-hearted and warm. They make you feel welcome instantly. The shamans are experienced and committed to your well-being in a caring atmosphere. Above all, in this magical place, you not only get to partake in Ayahuasca ceremonies but also expand your knowledge of Yoga practices and meditative techniques. 

Emmanuel Groult aka Manu and Paula Danti are the owners of Naturalia Retreat Center. This dynamic duo has very lovingly and with great care and help from the local community built the retreat center. Manu came to Peru for the very first time in 2010 and the magic of Amazon kept calling him again and again. Manu is committed to preserving the beauty of the local forest and is extremely supportive of the local communities. He respects and is committed to following the traditional ways of healing. Paula is also a nature enthusiast and has strong faith in the healing power of nature. She shares with people the hidden beauty of the wild Amazon and also shares with them the wisdom of the jungle.

The 7-Day Meditation, Yoga and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Iquitos is designed keeping in mind the comfort of the guests and their safety and happiness as well. It is a well-being retreat for the mind and body where you will come out transformed and renewed. The key aspects of this retreat are - 

  • 9 Yoga classes, 3 sessions of meditation, 3 shamanic ceremonies and 4 painting workshops.
  • For energy cleansing there will be flower and mud baths, 2 sessions of integration and 2 nature walks in the jungle.
  • 6 nights of private accommodation in bungalows made entirely of wood. These are equipped with furniture, a mosquito net, a hammock and a toilet.
  • Food is also a part of the package. You will get all 3 meals with unlimited fruits, water, regular and herbal tea and coffee.

Price per day USD 442

4. Munay Sonqo

Location - Cusco, Peru

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 7-Day Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru

Munay Sonqo means a ‘Loving Heart.’ Inspired by nature, Munay Sonqo is a beautiful space for yogis, spiritual seekers, people who believe in plant medicine and those who want to become one with nature. This tastefully built and landscaped establishment holds yoga, plant medicine, meditation, personal healing & self-reflection and many other retreats. It suffices to say, that Munay Sonqo is an impressive project in deep connection with nature. The garden is a heaven on earth and the rooms and food are of top level. The staff is completely professional and they go above and beyond to make sure a retreat runs smoothly. The center is gorgeous and continues to add new amenities to provide an incredible experience to all.

The campus of Munay Sonqo consists of Munay Sonqo Mesa, Qualilla Spa, a restaurant, Sach’a Munay Jardin and Santuario. Munay Sonqo Mesa houses the Yoga temple and the living accommodations consisting of 4 beautiful bungalows - Qente, Kan Kan, Sawasiray and Pitusiray. Each bungalow has 2-4 aesthetically done-up rooms with separate entrances. The spa is close to Munay Sonqo Mesa. The restaurant has 2 floors and provides delicious meals. It also has a conference space and an outdoor terrace. Sach’a Munay Jardin houses the Temazcal, floral baths area and living accommodations - Pacha, Inti, Killa, Chaska and Chullpas. It is just a short distance from the Yogashala. Santuario is a private campus that has a Maloka, Temazcal, massage rooms, sauna, firepit, plunge pool and 4 houses - Misky, Casa Piscina, Casablanca and massage house. Notably, all buildings are made using natural and local materials. Hot water and heating systems on the property are solar powered and due to the scarcity of potable water they have a waste-water treatment system and bio-digestor that feeds the plants at the center.

Denise Cooper & Cesar Eret are a husband-wife team with a combined experience of over 20 years. Together they have been leading Ayahuasca retreats since 2013 and independently since 2011. They have traveled extensively from the Andes to the Amazon, garnering knowledge and learning from masters from different lineages and walks of life. Their relationship with the master plant Ayahuasca is deep and sacred. Together they create a nurturing and supportive ambiance in which your personal healing is guaranteed.

The 7-Day Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru is all about opening your heart and peeling away the layers of protection around it. This retreat is solely for those who come with humility and respect for Mother Ayahuasca to seek spiritual self-realization. Included in this package deal are the following - 

  • All meals and accommodation for 7 nights on a sharing basis with a roommate of the same gender or spouse/friend/partner.
  • 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies, 2 breathwork circles,3 sharing circles and a coca ceremony that honors our Earth.
  • Gentle yoga or some other form of movement.
  • Airport pick and drop facility.

Price per day USD 667

5. Psychonauta

Location - Nauta, Perú

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 7 Day Women Only Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru

Psychonauta is a wordplay on the name of their home base, a town called Nauta. The word ‘nauta’ in Latin means ‘navigator,’ so Psychonauta means voyager into infinite depths of own soul. Psychonauta is a rustic place that aims to bring sacred plants and psychedelic therapy within reach of all. They use medicinal and psychoactive plants for personal development, spiritual practices and therapy. Psychonauta has a solid foundation of years spent on a spiritual path exploring the transformation of consciousness, trance and shaman practices. Their applications are rooted in ancient local practices and applied for the betterment of modern humans. The off-grid settlement of Psychonauta is based in a jungle 100 km (2 hours drive) from Iquitos. It is designed with safety in mind and complete immersion in nature. The establishment is spread over 25 hectares of land which they have promised to keep as such.

All buildings at Psychonauta are completely screened to keep away insects and mosquitos. There is no access to the camp by road due to which the last 20 mins distance is covered on foot. They are located 30 minutes away from the nearest local clinic. The accommodations are in individual Tambos and are surrounded by plenty of nature and wildlife.

The 7 Day Women Only Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru is some of the most challenging and transformational time you will be spending. Ayahuasca helps break psychological defenses that one builds to protect themselves. Coming to terms is not easy, it is a draining process, beyond which you find healing. This therapeutic process is what you will undergo during the retreat. The highlights of the Ayahuasca Retreat are - 

  • 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies conducted by Western facilitators in conjunction with Shipibo female curandera. These are followed by integration or sharing circles. Private consultations are optional.
  • A trek into the wild Amazonian forest. The trip to Pacaya Samiria National Park is optional.
  • Comfortable living quarters in Tambos with all meals keeping Ayahuasca in mind.
  • Round-trip transfers from and to Iquitos.

Price per day USD 158

6. Psychonauta

Location - Nauta, Perú

Ayahuasca Retreat Name - 10 Day Xmas San Pedro and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Nauta

If you want a radical breakthrough, you need to look for radical solutions and that’s precisely what you get at Psychonauta. This retreat center gives you just what you need, and not a thing more and that is precisely the charm and learning of the place. You are stripped here of all luxuries of electronics & companionship and the food is also limited (per dieta). The days are pretty long and hot and the night seems even longer. But it is here that you learn to embrace all that nature has to offer and place your faith in it. Psychonauta is a sustainable setup that is built with a lot of care and compassion for the humans, the jungle itself and its inhabitants. The staff and shamans have a genuine dedication to providing guests with a once-in-a-lifetime healing opportunity. They take great care and are especially attentive to safety during all ceremonies. 

Tata Mundo and Błażej Czwojdziński "Blez" are the creators of Psychonauta based in the Amazon forest. Tata Mundo is a traveler, writer, guide and photographer. He has been walking along and twisted path for over 20 years learning and exploring primordial beliefs, shamanism, healing with trance, transformative Sufi rites, mysticism of the Indian subcontinent and lots more. He has worked endlessly with shamans in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. On the other hand, Blez is a psychologist, traveler and guardian of the Amazon jungle. Fascinated with the psychedelic properties of plants, his work involves helping people safely pass the Ayahuasca ceremony. Blez supports this entire experience with tools from modern psychotherapy.

The 10 Day Xmas San Pedro and Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru Nauta is a social retreat where the focus is on healing and growth. Here you will get a chance to break free from trauma, face your fear and embrace it for all it is worth and from there move forward towards a better tomorrow. This retreat provides - 

  • Accommodation in a comfortable house watch is shared by 2 people. Food is diverse, tasty and Ayahuasca friendly.
  • There are a total of 4 ceremonies - 3 Ayahuasca and 1 San Pedro. These are performed with a lot of care by Shipibo shamans and Western therapists.
  • There will be jungle explorations, private consultations (if required) and group sharing or integration sessions.
  • Pick-and-drop facilities from Iquitos to Psychonauta and vice-versa are also available.

Price per day USD 133