What is an Ayahuasca Retreat?

An Ayahuasca retreat is an opportunity to work closely with an indigenous shaman through a guided journey of healing and self awareness.
The brilliance of the ayahuasca plant medicine tradition provides retreat participants the chance to overcome their fears, resolve their traumas, and achieve true health and happiness.

A Truly Magical Opportunity!
Experience Deep Transformation
at an Ayahuasca Retreat

Ayahuasca Retreats at the Ayahuasca Foundation offer a unique opportunity to discover your inner strength and achieve profound personal transformation. Guided by the ancient wisdom of the rainforest, these retreats provide a pathway to deep healing and renewal.

Participants in our Ayahuasca Retreats experience powerful ayahuasca ceremonies and traditional plant remedies under the care of an authentic indigenous shaman, or curandero. This sacred healing adventure empowers you to reconnect with your true self, free from the mental, emotional, and environmental toxins that have held you back. Achieve your highest goals of health, harmony, and happiness in the nourishing environment of our Ayahuasca Retreat.

Ayahuasca Foundation curandero performs a healing on a retreat participant

All-Inclusive Ayahuasca Retreat in the Amazon Rainforest

10 Day Ayahuasca Retreat

HARMONIZE YOUR HEALTH
Experience a profound transformation at our 10-day ayahuasca retreat in the Amazon Rainforest. Led by a Shipibo shaman, participants engage in five traditional ayahuasca ceremonies at the Riosbo Research & Retreat Center and receive various personalized plant treatments including plant baths, vapor baths, smoke baths, purgatives, inhalants, cleanses, and other plant medicines.  Complimentary healing practices like yoga, meditation, breathwork, art & music therapy, and counseling are also included in the retreat.

$3,450

► 5 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
► Vapor Baths, Plant Baths, & Smoke Baths
► Numerous Plant Medicine Treatments
► Cacao, Dance, & Breathwork Ceremonies
► Meditation, Yoga, Music & Art Therapies

Learn More

Rono and Monica

Life Changing Ayahuasca Retreat for Women

10 Day Women's Retreat

EMBRACE THE DIVINE FEMININE
Plunge into the depths of healing connection at our 10-day women’s ayahuasca retreat in Peru. Led by a Shipiba maestra, participants attend five ayahuasca ceremonies at the Riosbo Retreat Center, take part in plant medicine workshops, and receive various personalized plant treatments including plant baths, vapor baths, smoke baths, purgatives, inhalants, cleanses, and other remedies.  Complimentary healing practices like yoga, meditation, breathwork, art & music therapy, and counseling are also included in the retreat.

$3,450

► 5 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
► Vapor Baths, Plant Baths, & Smoke Baths
► Plant Medicine Workshops & Treatments
► Cacao, Dance, & Breathwork Ceremonies
► Meditation, Yoga, Music & Art Therapies

Learn More

Rono and Monica

Holistic Ayahuasca Retreat and Plant Dieta

18 Day Ayahuasca Retreat

EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE HEALING
The 18 day ayahuasca retreat is an opportunity to receive a complete plant medicine treatment in Shipibo healing tradition. Participants attend eight ayahuasca ceremonies and receive a wide variety of natural plant treatments that cleanse the mind, body, and spirit, as well as remedies specific to their individual afflictions.. Participants also take part in sacred plant dietas with either Noya Rao or Bobinsana to connect and build a relationship with a powerful plant teacher.

$4,650

► 8 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
► Vapor Baths, Plant Baths, & Smoke Baths
► Complete Holistic Plant Medicine Treatments
► Plant Dietas with Noya Rao or Bobinsana

► Cacao, Dance, & Breathwork Ceremonies
► Meditation, Yoga, Music & Art Therapies

Learn More

Rono and Monica

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Retreat and Dieta

18 Day Therapists Retreat

OPEN THE HEART AND MIND
This special ayahuasca retreat is designed for therapists and health care workers to receive healing while learning about the Shipibo tradition. In eight ayahuasca ceremonies and through powerful plant dietas, participants will greatly deepen their understanding of the group ceremony methodologies and the ancestral ideologies of the ayahuasca tradition. This retreat provides an essential experience for psychedelic assisted therapists to enhance their ability to guide others to healing.

$4,650

► 8 Ayahuasca Ceremonies
► Vapor Baths, Plant Baths, & Smoke Baths
► Complete Plant Medicine Treatments
► Plant Dietas with Noya Rao or Bobinsana

► Cacao, Dance, & Breathwork Ceremonies
► Meditation, Yoga, Music & Art Therapies

Learn More

Ayahuasca Foundation Healing Empowerment Course participant enjoying a lesson on medicinal plants

Our Most Comprehensive Healing Program

4 Week Healing Empowerment Course

REVIVE YOUR HEALING POWER
Participate in 11 ayahuasca ceremonies led by a Shipibo maestro. Receive the most personalized healing treatment available while immersing yourself in the plant medicine tradition. Enter into a sacred plant dieta with either Noya Rao or Bobinsana to awaken and enhance your own intuition and healing abilities.

$5,850

► 11 Traditional Ayahuasca Ceremonies
► Plant Dieta with Noya Rao or Bobinsana
► Vapor Baths, Plant Baths & Smoke Baths

► Numerous Plant Medicine Treatments
► Cacao, Dance & Breathwork Ceremonies
► Meditation, Yoga, Music & Art Therapies

Learn More

What’s happened here is healing on such a deep level that I feel completely balanced within my mind and body.
No depression, no mania, whatsoever.
I feel fantastic.

Bradley

Why Choose Our Ayahuasca Retreat?

Safety is our first priority

Ayahuasca Retreats at our center are done within a format that has been developed and practiced since 2009. Our operational model prioritizes participant safety and nearly a decade of research has proven our retreats to be tremendously effective.

Personalized treatments

Our retreats offer numerous plant medicine treatments outside of ceremony. These include cleanses of the digestive system, nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system, and immune system. Individualized treatments are also administered according to specific needs.

Complimentary practices

In addition to the ayahuasca ceremonies, the plant remedies, and personalized treatments, our retreats also offer complimentary practices like guided meditation, yoga, breathwork ceremonies, cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dance, music and art therapy, and Shipibo culture workshops.

Small group sizes

The bonds formed within the group are of great value to the healing experience and the amount of personal interaction with the staff is directly related to the outcomes of the retreat. We keep groups to a maximum of twelve people to ensure each retreat participant receives proper attention.

Family style accommodations

We designed our lodge to be like a home, fostering the level of support for one another that exists in family. So much of the healing work involves our family experiences and memories, and the environment of our retreat center enhances the healing potential of each group and individual.

Community support

Our retreat center is located inside the Mishana jungle community, inside a national reserve, and nearly all of the staff are from that community. Participants can see the benefits of their financial contributions in the community when they walk around and interact with the community members.

A paradise location

The center sits on the bank of the Nanay river, which is great for swimming, and is surrounded by over 100,000 acres of pristine forest. The center itself is completely off the grid yet offers electricity for fans in the rooms, hot water in the showers, and a level of comfort that is rare to find in the jungle.

Rainforest preservation

In collaboration with the organization One Million Acres, a portion of the cost of the ayahuasca retreat goes to support the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and the indigenous cultures, as well.

Retreat Guru article on choosing an ayahuasca retreat center

Check out an Article on the Retreat Guru blog:
How to Choose an Ayahuasca Retreat Center

written by Carlos Tanner

Shipibo curandero blows smoke for protection on the hands of an ayahuasca retreat participant

Enhanced Healing Beyond Ayahuasca Ceremonies

Our retreats extend far beyond the ayahuasca ceremonies, encompassing a comprehensive array of treatments such as plant baths, vapor baths, smoke baths, inhalants, purgatives, poultices, massage, counseling, and tailored medical interventions. These offerings are designed to provide holistic care and promote deep healing for participants. We are committed to delivering optimal care and treatment to address specific illnesses and enhance overall well-being during your transformative retreat experience.

Shipibo Tradition

What happens on an ayahuasca retreat at the ayahuasca foundation

What Happens on an Ayahuasca Retreat

Each retreat follows a healing process with distinct phases. It starts by bringing buried issues to the surface, which can be a challenging experience filled with dark emotions, negative thoughts, and difficult energies. The first part of the retreat often involves this deep dive into the darkness, allowing for the release of negativity and the cleansing of the soul. After this, the process shifts towards embracing light and positive energies, fostering affirmations of truth and goodness, and cultivating a sense of self-love and compassion.

What Happens on a Retreat

Receiving Treatment in the Ayahuasca Tradition

In the ayahuasca healing tradition, the core of treatment is the ayahuasca ceremonies, but the process also includes several other important elements. Some treatments are designed to enhance the ceremony experiences, while others help cleanse the physical, emotional, and mental systems. There are also treatments that introduce positive energies and help solidify the healing work. Additionally, some treatments target specific ailments or organs, while others are general remedies that promote overall well-being.

Receiving Treatment

Shipibo Healers Lead Our Retreats

Our ayahuasca retreats are guided by two extraordinary Shipibo healers, don Ronor and doña Angela, whose deep connection to their ancestral traditions and mastery of plant medicine create a truly transformative experience. On every retreat, they share their wisdom, compassion, and traditional medicine to help you achieve the highest states of health and well being.

Ayahuasca Foundation retreat leader Shipibo curandero don Rono Lopez

Don Ronor

Don Ronor, a gifted Shipibo curandero, learned the sacred healing practices of his lineage from his father and grandfather, both accomplished healers. With extensive plant dietas, including noya rao,  chullachaqui, and other master plants, he embodies a profound connection to plant spirits. Known for his humility and calm presence, don Ronor continually expands his knowledge and dietas, ensuring his methods provide the highest level of healing during every ayahuasca retreat. He leads our eighteen day retreats and empowerment courses.

Ayahuasca Foundation retreat leader Shipibo curandera dona Angela Lopez

Doña Angela

Doña Angela, don Ronor’s sister, brings years of dedicated training and deep connection to the Shipibo healing tradition. With powerful ties to noya rao, bobinsana, and other ancestral plants, she leads our ten-day ayahuasca retreats and women’s retreats with grace and care. Her ceremonies are imbued with compassion, nurturing guests with her motherly spirit and unwavering commitment to their healing journeys. Always approachable and supportive, she creates a safe space for profound transformation, embodying the true essence of a maestra.

A Jungle Paradise

The Ayahuasca Foundation’s retreat center is located deep within a national reserve and is part of the native Mishana community. Surrounded by over one hundred thousand acres of pristine rainforest, ayahuasca retreat participants are immersed in the power and harmony of the plants and animals of the Amazon rainforest. Located on the bank of a gorgeous river, the location and accommodations are truly a paradise.

The Mishana Community

Ayahuasca Foundation Riosbo ayahuasca retreat and research center in Peru

Comfortable Jungle Accommodations

Riosbo Ayahuasca Retreat Center

At Riosbo, we provide unparalleled comfort to enhance your ayahuasca retreat experience. Enjoy private, fully equipped rooms featuring:

✓ Full electricity with reliable lights and convenient outlets

✓ En suite bathrooms with refreshing hot and cold water

✓ Personal cooling fans and protective mosquito nets

✓ Cozy meditation nooks overlooking the rainforest

✓ Balconies overlooking the gorgeous Nanay river

Our facilities also include a yoga & meditation studio, massage room, hammock lounge, ceremony maloca, treatment area, consultation space, and activity room to support your healing journey.

Riosbo Retreat Center

Doña Angela shares a special moment with an ayahuasca retreat participant during a retreat

We Focus on Care

Spiritual Growth

Our aim is to provide you with the optimal environment for you to replant your spirit. All treatments and activities are optional, so you can go at your own pace. An ayahuasca retreat is not the final solution to your problems, it’s a new beginning, a foundation on which to build over time, providing inspiration for your spiritual growth.

What we have found is that people who take responsibility for their own healing, put their trust and faith, let go of expectations, and truly commit themselves to the process, get exactly what they need and more. They are then gratefully ready to continue the work of integrating their healing experiences for the rest of their lives.

Regardless of which retreat you choose, the Ayahuasca Foundation ensures that the highest level of care possible will be provided to you. Our curanderos and facilitators are all dedicated students, always striving to learn more, do more, and be more. There is no end to the depth of the ayahuasca healing tradition. It is truly limitless.

Optimizing the Healing

What Can Be Treated on a Retreat

While ayahuasca is renowned for healing anxiety and depression, combining the ceremonies with various other plant treatments and natural remedies enables ayahuasca retreats to address virtually any condition. Below is a list of conditions and the effectiveness of treatment.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS

Depression

Depression is the most common condition we treat, and it’s also where we see the greatest success. In our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve achieved a tremendous success rate in improving depression. However, lasting improvement depends on making lifestyle changes after the retreat. We provide integration methods and practices during our programs, along with individual post-retreat counseling.

Anxiety

We frequently treat anxiety and consistently see incredibly positive results. The tradition’s treatment methods are highly effective for both anxiety and depression, as well as other conditions. In our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve achieved a 100% success rate in improving anxiety. However, lasting change depends on each individual’s commitment to making and maintaining lifestyle changes after the retreat.

PTSD

PTSD and the negative effects of emotional trauma are greatly alleviated by the indigenous healing practices we use during our ayahuasca retreats in the Amazon. Through a series of remedies that release suppressed emotions, unlock buried memories, and rewire unhealthy neural pathways, this tradition offers a path to acceptance, self-love, and renewed optimism for the future.

Addiction

Our ayahuasca retreats have been successful in helping people overcome addiction, though it can be more challenging due to the complex causes of addiction, often tied to emotional trauma and a lack of self-love. For addiction treatment to be effective, integrating the experience and committing to lasting lifestyle changes are crucial. We provide full support to help with these critical steps.

ADD & OCD

When treating ADD, OCD, and similar disorders, the goal isn’t just to eliminate the condition but to develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving, along with embracing unconditional self-love. Self-acceptance is key to any healing process, especially for these conditions. The Ayahuasca Foundation’s retreats in Peru provide valuable support in this journey.

Insomnia

Our ayahuasca retreats have a high success rate in treating insomnia, as it is often linked to depression, anxiety, and emotional trauma. On a chemical level, ayahuasca’s impact on serotonin production in the brain is beneficial, but true healing comes from addressing the underlying causes. This is often achieved through a combination of various treatment methods.

Eating Disorders

When treating eating disorders, the focus is on more than just addressing the symptoms. It’s about fostering a healthier relationship with oneself and developing new patterns of thought and behavior. The Ayahuasca Foundation’s retreats in Peru offer powerful support in this process, helping individuals reconnect with their true selves and find a path to lasting recovery.

DIGESTIVE ISSUES

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common issue now, often caused by poor diet and stress. These factors lead to enzyme imbalances that are challenging to address without making the appropriate lifestyle changes. Our natural plant-based treatments and disciplined diet can offer significant and lasting relief. Our ayahuasca retreats have shown great success in treating acid reflux.

Leaky Gut

Leaky gut is a digestive issue described as increased permeability of the intestines. It is most likely due to inflammation caused by toxins in the diet and stress. Our treatment is with plant remedies and a regimented diet. We have had very good success on our ayahuasca retreats helping people who suffer from leaky gut, and many other related digestive issues.

Candida

Candida, or candidiasis, is often caused by the use of antibiotics, steroids, or birth control pills, along with stress and poor diet. Regaining harmony within the microbiome is the key to treating conditions like candida. On the retreat, specific plant remedies, along with a stress free environment and a healthy diet, provide a great opportunity to achieve balance and harmony.

 

Ulcers

Treating ulcers involves more than addressing the physical symptoms. While the causes are similar to other digestive conditions, the emotional factors often run deeper. Our ayahuasca retreats have yielded promising results in treating ulcers, but lasting success depends on important lifestyle changes. We support participants in maintaining these changes long-term.

Parasites

Many people in the Western world don’t consider parasites unless they’ve traveled abroad, but parasites are everywhere. They often go undetected due to inadequate testing and are misdiagnosed as digestive issues. Our ayahuasca retreats have had tremendous success treating parasites, often times when retreat participants did not know they had them.

Celiac Disease

Food allergies indicate an underlying issue; people aren’t naturally allergic to common foods. Celiac disease is worsened by the food industry’s modifications of gluten, especially in mass-produced bread, but a weakened immune system also plays a role. Though we’ve had only a few cases at our ayahuasca retreats, we have had great success with the treatment of all of them.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease, like many digestive issues, is often tied to emotional trauma, stress, and poor diet. At our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve successfully treated a handful of cases, including one participant who was healed after 35 years of suffering. All the individuals, after years of chronic diarrhea and related symptoms, regained normal digestion and relief from their symptoms.

OTHER CONDITIONS

Allergies

Allergies are nearly as prevalent as depression and anxiety, although most cases are not serious. Our immune systems should naturally be able to defend against natural elements of our environment, but when compromised by toxicity, trauma, stress, and diet, there are obstacles in the way of achieving health. We have had very good results treating allergies at our ayahuasca retreats.

Arthritis

At our ayahuasca retreats we have treated numerous cases of arthritis with good success. Only in the most extreme cases were we not able to achieve significant improvements, but even in those few cases, there was obvious improvement. A number of treatments are involved, and there are some fantastic natural remedies employed in the healing process.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is often caused by an injury, nerve damage, arthritis, or conditions like fibromyalgia. Emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and past trauma also contribute. The treatment we provide includes specific plant remedies and addressing emotional trauma in the ayahuasca ceremonies. Complimentary practices like breathwork and mindfulness can also provide relief.

Migraines

Migraines can have a variety of causes, including stress, hormonal changes, dehydration, diet, and sensory stimuli. The treatment provided during our ayahuasca retreats address hormonal imbalances and the response network. We’ve had great success treating migraines, which also includes improving sleep patterns and improving stress management and mindfulness practices.

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue can be a complicated condition to treat, for it is most likely a combination of various factors, including toxic environmental influences, emotional stress, trauma, depression, energy blockages, and lifestyle. The treatment during our ayahuasca retreats involves heavy cleansing and addressing deep seated traumas in a supportive and stress free environment.

Obesity

The cleansing process involved in treatment coupled with the disciplined diet during ayahuasca retreats make for a successful weight loss plan. It is very common to lose weight during a program, especially excess weight. Because the digestive system is rebalanced and the emotional issues at the core of the condition are addressed, weight usually continues to drop and stay off.

Diabetes

While we have not had great success with treating type 1 Diabetes, we have been able to help nearly every participant treated for type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes is largely influenced by lifestyle and diet, the treatments we provide on our retreats are highly effective. It’s important to maintain the healthy habits learned during the ayahuasca retreat afterward.

Additional Activities to Enrich Your Ayahuasca Retreat Experience

Beyond the powerful ayahuasca ceremonies, daily plant medicine treatments, and complementary healing practices, our ayahuasca retreats offer additional activities. Participants enjoy free time each day to relax, reflect, and engage in optional activities designed to enhance the healing journey. These additional offerings are thoughtfully designed to optimize your potential for growth, transformation, and connection during your time with us.

Swimming in the River

Enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful Nanay River, a highlight of our retreat center. Swimming is a refreshing way to relax and soak in the stunning natural beauty. During the dry season, a sandy clay beach appears, perfect for detoxifying mud baths. You may also join a short boat trip to a secluded beach, and with a bit of luck, you might spot a majestic pink river dolphin.

Hiking in the Jungle

Reconnect with nature on our scenic hiking trails around the retreat center. Jungle walks are encouraged throughout your stay, as immersing yourself in nature often deepens the effects of the ayahuasca ceremonies. Toward the end of the retreat, enjoy a guided trek into the reserve, where an expert guide will introduce you to medicinal plants and the wonders of the rainforest.

Reading from our Library

Immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge and inspiration with our curated library, available to all participants during the ayahuasca retreat. Our collection features books on healing, empowerment, spiritual growth, and plant medicine. Reading can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, making it a meaningful addition to your healing journey.

Relaxing in a Hammock

Relaxation is an essential part of the healing process. Spend time swaying in a hammock, reflecting between ceremonies and treatments. For those who find it hard to slow down, a hammock might become your perfect space for introspection. Journaling, reading, or just watching the river go by, listening to the birds and the breeze, can be an important element of your healing.

Arts and Crafts Projects

Engage your creativity and tap into the healing power of artistic expression during your retreat. Our arts and crafts sessions provide a therapeutic outlet for self-discovery and reflection. These hands-on activities offer a unique way to process your experiences and express emotions. Arts and crafts provide a soothing and joyful complement to your healing journey.

Fishing on a Boat Trip

Experience a slice of local culture with a sunrise fishing trip on the Nanay River. Guided by a Mishana community member, these excursions often take place toward the end of the retreat. With hundreds of fish species in the river, you might catch a canary bass or even a piranha. Whether you catch a fish or not, the experience is a memorable jungle experience.

Transform Your Life at our Ayahuasca Retreat

Experience deep healing and personal transformation at our Ayahuasca Retreat. Located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, our retreats harness the ancient wisdom of the ancestral plant medicine tradition to guide you toward true harmony, health, and self-discovery.

Embark on a transformative journey where indigenous healers help you connect with the healing energies of nature and the spirits of plants. At our Ayahuasca Retreat, you’ll find the answers to life’s most challenging questions and rediscover self-love and inner peace.

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Ayahuasca retreat at the Ayahuasca Foundation in Peru

10 Day Rejuvenation Ayahuasca Retreat:
$3450

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Women's ayahuasca retreat at the Ayahuasca Foundation in Peru

10 Day Women’s Ayahuasca Retreat:
$3450

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Ayahuasca Foundation Eighteen Day Ayahuasca Retreat and Plant Dieta

18 Day Ayahuasca Retreat & Dieta:
$4,650

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18 Day Therapist Retreat & Dieta:
$4650

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You should come.
Absolutely, hands down, yes please.
It’ll make you whole again and a big part of it is the other plant treatments,
not just the ayahuasca.
Absolutely do it.

Heidi