Frequently Asked Questions

Ayahuasca vine and chacruna leaves.

We use just two ingredients in our ayahuasca, the vine and the leaves of chacruna. Visit our ayahuasca information page for more information.

A maximum of 12 participants at Riosbo and a maximum of 15 at Kesten Rono.

For our 10 day, 18 day, and 4 week programs at the Riosbo ayahuasca retreat and research center, we take a maximum of twelve people, but usually we have between 8 and 10 participants in each program.

For the eight week initiation courses at the Kesten Rono plant medicine school, we accept up to 15 students.

Yes.

All of our facilitators are apprentices in the Shipibo tradition.  They help the curanderos lead the ceremonies and follow the same traditions as the curandero, although they also bring complimentary practices into the healing process, like yoga, meditation, breathwork, massage, counseling, and other practices.

Yes.

Obviously, no matter where you go, there will always be certain risks, and like every country and city, there are dangerous places and safe places. Fortunately, Iquitos is a very safe place, with almost no violent crime. There are pickpockets or thieves who may try to seize an opportunity, but areas where tourists visit are well patrolled by police and security. There are hustlers that may greet you on the street to try to sell you something, anything, but they are harmless.

At least one day early.

For our retreats and courses, the latest we recommend you arrive is 2pm on the day before the program begins so that you don’t miss the first meeting at 4pm.
We recommend arriving early, as it helps with getting some rest and acclimating to a new environment.
NOTE: If you arrive earlier than one day prior to the program you will be responsible for paying your own expenses.

The day after the program ends.

For the initiation and empowerment courses, the earliest we recommend booking your return flight is at 2pm on the last day of the program.
For the retreats, we recommend booking your return flight to depart Iquitos after 1pm the day AFTER the retreat.

No.

Traveling from most countries (North & South America, Europe, Australia) you do not need a visa, but if you are not sure I suggest visiting the website of your local embassy for more information. Most likely you do not need a visa. When you enter Peru, you’ll receive 90 days to visit Peru as a tourist. The maximum length of stay is 183 days, so if you plan to travel more than 3 months, you’ll need to extend your visa for another 90 days.

No.

You must book your own flight to Iquitos, Peru. We can help you by suggesting airlines or websites to use but the cost of airfare is not included in the program price.

Your final destination is IQUITOS, PERU.

The airport code is IQT.  When flying from another country, you’ll have to fly to Lima first and then take a connecting flight to Iquitos.  Booking those flights is not complicated, but if you need assistance you can just contact us and we’ll offer advice and guidance.

Yes.

You will be met at the airport in Iquitos and escorted to the hotel where all the participants will be staying the night prior to the program.  Regardless of what day or time you arrive, you will still be picked up at the airport.  We will make hotel reservations for you according to your arrival dates.

No.

Peru does not require any vaccinations and we do not recommend getting any either. However, we understand the desire to be safe and the pressures often felt by others wanting the same, like family, friends, and doctors. If you do feel you would like to get vaccinated, we would then recommend vaccinations for:
1. Yellow Fever – Even though it is extremely rare in the Iquitos area, it does exist elsewhere…
2. Rabies – There are numerous stray dogs in Iquitos…
3. Hepatitis A – Iquitos is not exactly winning any Hygiene awards…

No.

Iquitos is known to be a high-risk area when it comes to Malaria, so it is a concern. However, we do NOT recommend taking anti-malarial medication when drinking ayahuasca, as it has been known to cause complications. It is up to you, of course, but what we offer instead is a natural remedy taken every day of the retreats. We have never had a case of malaria in anyone taking this remedy. For this reason, we don’t feel you should be worried about Malaria.

Our centers are located about 90 minutes away from the nearest medical clinic.

Since 2009, with over two thousand participants, we have had four emergency situations and every time the program participants were brought to a hospital in Iquitos and treated (three for severe dehydration and one for a bad burn).  At our retreat and research center, there is a local clinic just a short walk away with basic first aid available in the case of cuts or sprains.

Yes.

If you arrive early, you will need to pay for your own expenses until the program begins. Once the program has begun, you will not need to pay for anything, except for a meal or two in Iquitos before the group leaves or when they return. For the eight week course, some meals are not included when in Iquitos on the break and at the end.

We do recommend bringing money in Peruvian currency to the center for gifts or souvenirs to take home with you. There are typically Shipibo market-style events to offer embroidered fabrics and clothing, jewelry, and pipes. After a program, participants visit a medicinal plant shop in Iquitos and artisan markets so you may wish to plan to bring or spend some additional money on plant medicines or other items, as well. An amazing painter named Anderson Debernardi often comes to the hotel to show and sell prints of his ayahuasca visionary paintings along with a talented artisan named Roy who offers hand made jewelry.

HOW MUCH?
It’s difficult to say how much you should bring. Items range from 50 soles ($14) for a bracelet all the way up to 1000 soles ($280) for an embroidered tapestry, so it’s really a question of how much you’d like to spend on items to bring home with you.

Yes.

RIOSBO: Totally. Thanks to a complete solar panel system, it is just like home.  Hot water too.
KESTEN RONO: Yes. The rooms have lights and outlets powered by a generator that runs for just a few hours a day.

The outlets in Peru are very similar to those found in the US, although the voltage is different. Peru uses 220V (as opposed to 110V in the US), but nowadays, nearly all electrical devices are designed to use both so there is no need to bring or buy an adapter. If you are unsure, there should be some information printed on the plug or device stating what voltage it can use (110 – 240V is most common). The only adapter you will need is if your device does not have a flat or round two-prong plug. Basically, it will need to fit in here:

Laundry service is provided.

At the Riosbo Retreat Center, laundry is done every other day. It usually comes back the following day, depending on the weather.
At the Kesten Rono Plant Medicine Schoo, laundry is collected every day but usually has a longer turn around, because it is washed by hand.

If you want to do laundry in Iquitos before going to the jungle or after, there is a laundromat just a short distance from the hotel in Iquitos that is fast and reliable, usually taking just four or five hours. It is not open on Sunday, however.

No.

Neither of our centers offers a reliable connection, however…
RIOSBO: While there is no cell service, a location not far from the center does have a satellite wi-fi connection. We advise participants not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary, because removing oneself from the outside world is a central component of the retreat experience.
KESTEN RONO: There is no cell service, but the center has satellite wi-fi for the staff, which can be used for emergencies if necessary. We very strongly advise students not to use wi-fi during their plant dietas, as it could have a detrimental effect on that sacred process.

Yes.

We recommend giving out Carlos Tanner’s contact information to friends and family. They can contact him first and he can relay a message quickly to the center. If a friend or family member is just checking up on a participant, he’ll usually let them know that they’re doing fine without bothering anyone at the center or disturbing anyone’s healing process.