6 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru

Looking for a different, more profound travel experience in Peru or South America? A sacred plant medicine retreat could be what you’re looking for. These are the best ayahuasca retreats Peru has to offer. 

Peru, with its rich heritage, ancient traditions, and breathtaking landscapes, is the quintessential destination for those seeking transformation through ayahuasca. 

In the heart of Peru, ayahuasca serves as a bridge to ancestral wisdom, offering seekers a profound connection to the spiritual realm and an opportunity for profound personal transformation within the lush landscapes of the Amazon.

There are many authentic and wholesome Ayahuasca retreats in Peru but our top choices would be Temple of the Way of Light and Blue Morpho. While for us, these were the best experiences, make sure to do your research properly since Ayahuasca is such a personal experience, especially if it’s your first time. 

Keep reading to find out more about ayahuasca and the top ayahuasca retreats in Peru we’d recommend for you to look into further.

*This ‘ best ayahuasca retreat peru’ guide might contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality content for free.

Disclaimer: Before doing ayahuasca in Peru, individuals on prescription medications must consult healthcare professionals for safety evaluations. Ayahuasca may interact dangerously with certain drugs and medications. Prioritize your health and safety by seeking professional medical advice before engaging in any new healing practices.

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a potent, psychoactive brew that has been used for centuries by Indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin for spiritual and healing purposes.

This traditional concoction is made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, rich in monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

It is believed that the DMT component facilitates access to deeply spiritual states, often described as vision quests, by activating the pineal gland—referred to as the “third eye” in various spiritual traditions.

Participants often experience profound visions, emotional insights, and encounters with symbolic entities, believed to facilitate deep psychological and spiritual healing.

Ayahuasca ceremonies are traditionally led by a shaman or curandero/a, who guides participants through their journey with songs, prayers, and icaros—sacred chants that are thought to enhance the healing process.

In recent years, the interest in ayahuasca has expanded beyond its Indigenous roots, attracting seekers from around the globe who are looking for alternative methods to address a range of physical, mental, and emotional ailments. 

Despite its growing popularity, ayahuasca remains a complex and powerful experience that can vary widely among individuals. As such, it is crucial to approach it with respect – they are not recreational drugs-, proper preparation, and under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

Legal Aspects of Ayahuasca

As ayahuasca contains DMT, it’s important to note that ayahuasca is illegal in the United States and several other countries around the world, including the UK and many European countries. 

However, ayahuasca in Peru is legal, making ayahuasca retreats in Peru perfectly lawful. This is also the case in Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. It’s important to be aware of this when traveling for a retreat to avoid any potential issues. 

Ayahuasca Origins

The ancestral roots of ayahuasca stretch deep into the heart of Indigenous people traditions, where it has been revered as a sacred medicine for centuries. 

This profound respect underscores the importance of engaging with ayahuasca in a manner that honors its spiritual and healing dimensions, rather than treating it as a means for recreational exploration.

The brew originates from the Amazon region, particularly in countries like Peru, Colombia, and Mexico, where its use is intertwined with the cultural fabric and legal frameworks supportive of its ceremonial consumption.

As the tradition originates from the Amazon, it is in these lush regions that you’ll find most of the best ayahuasca retreats in Peru. 

How Does an Ayahuasca Ceremony Work?

An ayahuasca ceremony is a deeply spiritual event that typically unfolds over several hours, often taking place at night under the guidance of an experienced shaman or curandero. T

he ceremony begins with the preparation of the sacred space, where participants gather in a maloca or similar setting, designed to foster a communal yet introspective experience. 

The shaman blesses the ayahuasca brew before it is shared with participants, setting intentions for healing and spiritual exploration.

As the ayahuasca takes effect, individuals may experience a wide range of visions, emotions, and physical sensations, from profound insights and euphoria to challenging confrontations with personal fears and traumas.

Throughout this journey, the shaman plays a crucial role, guiding participants with icaros—sacred songs that are believed to navigate and intensify the healing process. 

These ceremonies are not only about personal transformation but also about connecting with the energies of the Earth and the universe, fostering a sense of unity and understanding beyond the self.

What to Look for in an Ayahuasca Retreat Peru

Before choosing the right Ayahuasca retreat here are Some key considerations to ask about, research, and consider before booking an ayahuasca retreat in Peru. 

Considering these and making the right choice based on your personal needs, will ultimately contribute to a positive experience rather than a mediocre or negative one. 

Health and Safety Standards: Prioritizing your well-being is essential. Opt for retreats that conduct thorough health screenings and psychological assessments to ensure participants’ readiness for the ayahuasca experience. 

Group Dynamics: The group size significantly shapes your experience. Smaller retreats (up to 15) offer a more personalized and serene setting, allowing for deeper connection and attention from the facilitators. Aim for small group Ayahuasca retreats. 

Duration and Depth: For a meaningful ayahuasca journey, longer retreats are advisable. A week-long stay, at a minimum, offers ample time for introspection, ceremonies, and integration, facilitating profound personal growth.

Comfort and Privacy: Comfort enhances transformative experiences. Investing in a retreat that offers private accommodations can significantly impact your ability to process and integrate the experience, especially for first-timers. Having a comfortable environment is key to a good experience. 

Philosophical Alignment: The ethos and worldview of the retreat and its leaders can greatly influence your journey. Choose a setting that resonates with your personal beliefs and values for a more harmonious experience.

Holistic Healing Approach: Look for retreats that adopt a comprehensive approach to a healing journey, incorporating support for mental, emotional, and spiritual development. A holistic perspective acknowledges the complexity of healing beyond the ayahuasca experience itself.

Facilitator Expertise: Experienced and compassionate facilitators are crucial. Their depth of knowledge, grounding, and dedication to healing can significantly influence your journey’s outcome. The same goes for the retreat center itself. Make sure to dive deep into reviews from past participants.  

The Best Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru

Temple of the Way of Light

Temple of the Way of Light is the best ayahuasca retreat Peru has to offer. Located in the Peruvian Amazon, it’s a traditional retreat center specializing in traditional plant-medicine shamanic healing.

With a deep commitment to authentic Shipibo healing traditions, this center offers a bridge to the profound wisdom and practices of Indigenous Shipibo maestro healers.

They have a a strong emphasis on safety, ethical practices, and the integration of traditional wisdom with modern understandings of psychotherapy and holistic healing, the Temple provides a supportive environment for deep emotional and spiritual growth.

The retreats at the Temple of the Way of Light are designed to foster personal transformation within a framework of community and shared experience.

Participants are invited into a series of ayahuasca ceremonies conducted in a sacred, ceremonial maloca, where Shipibo indigenous healers guide the journey with icaros—traditional healing songs believed to facilitate healing and spiritual communication. 

The size of the groups is carefully managed to ensure a personalized approach, allowing the healers to attend closely to the needs of each participant.

They also have women’s ayahuasca retreats, LGBTQI retreats as well as longer intergration retreats. With the minimum retreat duration being 12 days, they ensure a deep immersion and plenty of support. 

Blue Morpho

Blue Morpho Ayahuasca Retreat, located in the lush Amazon rainforest of Peru, offers a distinctive blend of traditional and modern shamanic wisdom and modern comfort to individuals seeking transformation and healing.

Founded on the expertise of master shaman, Hamilton Souther, whose experience and skill at guiding ayahuasca makes this one of the best ayahuasca retreats in Peru. The retreat emphasizes the sacred and ceremonial use of ayahuasca to facilitate profound spiritual journeys. 

With an intimate setting, Blue Morpho ensures personalized attention, fostering an environment where participants can explore their inner landscapes safely and constructively.

With the use of ayahuasca, perfected over 7 generations, you sure are in good hands here. Not only that, they also offer pretty luxurious accommodations, local, farm-to-table food, and professional guides with which to explore the area. 

Intikhana Medicina

Along the vibrant Ucayali River, in the town of Pucallpa, within the Amazon jungle, you’ll find Intikhana Medicina Ayahuasca Retreat. 

Guided by the skilled Indigenous Mexican healer, Daniela Riojas, the retreat is a confluence of ancient wisdom and personal exploration, offering ayahuasca ceremonies in collaboration with the revered Onanya—local master healers of the region.

Riojas dedicated herself to mastering the intricate knowledge of this sacred plant through rigorous apprenticeships, including intensive master plant dietas, under the tutelage of master healers. She’s one of the best ayahuasca guides today with years of experience. 

At Intikhana Medicina, ceremonies are crafted to foster a deep inward journey, facilitated through the night in a traditionally built maloca. Riojas, leveraging her artistic and musical talents, enriches these ceremonies with icaros—sacred chants that invoke the healing spirits of the Amazon’s rich flora and fauna.

Entheogens Peru

Entheogens Peru is a unique retreat that offers immersive experiences with sacred plants like DMT, WILLCA/YOPO, WASHUMA, PSILOCYBES, and CHANGA, renowned for their spiritual and healing capabilities. 

This center provides insightful teachings on the correct usage and pharmacological aspects of these entheogens, allowing guests to safely engage in ceremonies aimed at fostering spiritual connections. 

Beyond plant-based ceremonies, Entheogens Peru invites guests to delve into the mysteries of ancient wisdom through visits to megalithic sites and sacred Andean journeys. Here, participants can traverse the earth’s ley lines and embrace higher states of consciousness under the guidance of Andean Inca shamanism. 

For those seeking a blend of spiritual growth and learning about sacred entheogens, Entheogens Peru offers a comprehensive and enlightening ayahuasca retreat in Peru.

Etnikas

For those wanting to participate in an authentic ayahuasca retreat without having to travel out to the Amazon, Etnikas, provides a safe environment to do so. Located in San Salvador near Cusco Peru (and also Machu Picchu), Peru, Etnikas creates a genuine and secure setting for participants to explore their inner selves.

This renowned ayahuasca retreat, Cusco offers various programs, including 3, 5, and 7-day experiences, complemented by the opportunity to engage in volunteer work through their affiliated charity, Human Actions.

Recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Health and acclaimed as the world’s premier and safest Ayahuasca retreat, Etnikas is dedicated to preserving traditional healing rituals with the guidance of esteemed Shipibo and Qero practitioners, drawing on Inca spiritual beliefs.

The retreat emphasizes the well-being of its guests by incorporating professional healthcare services into their programs, ensuring a safe space and nurturing environment.

Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreats

Tucked away deep in the Amazon, on the banks of the Amazon River is Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreats. 

Since its inception in 2008, Kawsay Ayahuasca Retreats has been a beacon of healing and spiritual practice, offering insights and newfound clarity on life’s journey. 

Through their carefully curated Ayahuasca and San Pedro Cactus ceremonies, participants are ushered into heightened states of self-awareness, facilitating profound healing across all dimensions of being. 

The retreat’s holistic approach encompasses mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual healing outside the physical body, complemented by traditional limpiezas or cleansing medicinal plant baths. 

Guests can also engage in enriching activities such as cultural exchanges with the Yagua indigenous groups, wildlife encounters on Monkey Island, exploratory jungle treks, and adventurous piranha fishing, enriching their transformative experience.

We hope this guide helps you when deciding on the best ayahuasca retreat Peru has to offer you. Let me know all your questions and comments below. I always love hearing from you!

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