Our Retreats
In our opinion, commercial pressure tends to lead to centres offering ceremonias too close together. To get the most out of a ceremonia it is better to relax beforehand and to take time the following day and night to begin the integration process. We
Program for eight day, seven night retreat;
We advise arriving in Iquitos at least one full day before the retreat; this will give our agent a chance to meet up with you, give you some orientation and help with any necessary purchases, e.g. wellingtons, (about 40Sols), which we recommend (strongly) for use around the site at night, but you may not wish to travel with. The custom is that you write your name in them and leave them with us as a harbinger of return visits, but that, of course, is your choice.
Monday:
8.15 - Assemble at the office in Iquitos to be transported up river to RA. Lunch will be served on arrival, after which you will be taken to your casita. After a period to settle in, there will be a gathering to introduce the other guests and staff, followed by a guided walk around the main areas and general orientation.
A buffet will be served in the dining room except on days when there is a ceremony in the evening.
We have found that a routine which reflects the Circadian Cycle works well for retreats and for life generally out here. We suggest retiring at about 9.00pm and rising shortly after dawn - about 6.00am. Whilst this may seem extreme, the early morning is usually the coolest period of the day and a good night's rest is an integral part of your health regime. It is, however, totally at your discretion, but we request that you respect the wishes of those who choose to do so and keep noise to a minimum after sunset. We do, of course, ask the larks to advance the same courtesy to those who wish to sleep later!
Tuesday: Ceremony
Sunrise - we suggest that each day you soak up the morning Sun to help align your Circadian Rythm, especially if you are from a different time zone . 08.30 Full cooked breakfast.
10.30 General discussion re the ceremonies and a private talk with the Shaman (and Director if he is onsite)
13.30 Lunch. (Bear in mind, it is the ceremony later so don't over eat).
15.30 Flower ceremony.
18.00 Ayahuasca ceremony introduction with guided breathing for balancing ( 3-5 mins ) followed by group meditation or relaxation using parasympathetic breathing.
18.30 Start of ceremony
When the ceremony is over a candle is lit. The Shaman and facilitator will check that everyone is comfortable and the Shaman will leave. The facilitator will stay until everyone is gone. It is important to remember that Ayahuasca affects people differently and not everyone will be ready to finish at this point. Please respect this and move quietly, keeping torches shielded and, if you wish to talk to someone, and they are amenable, keep voices low. You may stay in the Malloca until you wish to go back to your lodgings. If you need help to return, let the facilitator know.
All ceremonial days will follow the same pattern.
Wednesday:
After sunrise a bowl of fruit and a drink will be left outside your casita each day following a ceremony
9.30 Breakfast - followed by group discussion about the ceremony with one on one discussion if requested.
13.30. Lunch
Afternoon -an activity (posted previously)
Evening - buffet in the dining room
Thursday: Ceremony 2 .
Friday: As Wednesday; with Emphasis on integration and relaxation in the morning and an activity after lunch .
Saturday: Ceremony 3
Sunday: As Wednesday, but with the addition of a daytime, silent ceremony at 15.30
Monday: Return to Iquitos. Owing to the time which can be necessary to get back, we recommend that you do not arrange to leave Iquitos on Monday. We cannot be responsible for flights missed due to delays in returning to Iquitos.
Those doing the fourteen day retreat will be free to rest, walk round the site, (please keep strictly to paths), or pursue hobbies. It s suggested, however, that they attend the introductory session to meet the new guests.
Fifteen day, fourteen night retreat.
This will be a repeat of the first seven days, but with different activities where possible.
Long stay Ayahuasca retreats
These are generally for people who have serious chronic health issues or who wish to undertake a Dieta or want a prolonged spiritual experience.
A bespoke program will be designed for each individual. Each person will be tested to ascertain which foods and medicinal plants work best for them using the Neutral Pendulum technique. These bespoke health care retreats are only available when the director (or another medically qualified person) is present, and for a maximum of 3 people and a minimum of 6 weeks. It is not possible to properly treat someone with, for example, advanced Arthritis or Pharmaceutical/Iatrogenic disease and achieve substantive progress in a shorter time. Generally, the longer someone has been suffering the longer it takes the body to heal, and we cannot guarantee healing only treatment.
After the personalised diet, the first ceremony would normally be a Kambo Ceremony. This is to reset the immune system and radically detoxify prior to the Ayahuasca ceremonies. You would normally attend the Ayahuasca ceremonies with the other guests ,but not necessarily each one. This would depend on the feedback from the ceremonies and your own personal choice after consultation with the Shaman and Director. Too many ceremonies without proper integration would be counterproductive.
Please contact the Director directly. He will discuss your situation with you via WhatsApp and would normally wish to do so at least twice.