The Apprenticeship Program is a six month course composed of two 12-week semesters. Because visitors are allowed to stay in Peru for only 13 weeks, after the first semester, apprentices will then decide to either pay $95 to Peruvian immigration for another 90-day visa, or to leave the country and return either right away or at a later date.
The second semester takes place out at the Curandero's Jungle Camps. Apprentices will live on their own for ten weeks, dieting with plants, brewing their own ayahuasca, and leading their own ceremonies. They will be assisted by the jungle staff, who live right next door to the camp, and will prepare meals and basically help with anything and everything, including going into town for specific items or supplies.
At this point, each apprentice will discuss with Carlos and don Juan what the appropriate course would be for each apprentice.. The length of the diets, the plants with which to diet, and daily activities will be decided by each apprentice. The curanderos will lead the apprenticeships according to their own traditions. The last two weeks of the semester are spent working with actual patients from the local communitity, and reviewing everything with the teachers and Carlos before leaving. An extra week of shopping and just enjoying Iquitos follows the second semester. Apprentices return home with the skills to begin treating patients.