Ayahuasca $1,800 - $4,800

Hummingbird Healing Center

Varillal, Peru

The Hummingbird Center is a plant-medicine healing center offering ayahuasca retreats including san pedro, with an emphasis on mastering our thoughts and emotions to create the life we desire. It provides a beautiful safe, and supportive environment for your personal journey with ayahuasca. Located near Iquitos, Peru, we offer ayahuasca retreats in Peru of different lengths to meet your personal needs. Our ayahuasca retreats are designed to free you from limiting beliefs, and catalyze healing and transformation. All of our retreats include at least one san pedro ceremony, the visionary cactus of the Andes that is very complementary with ayahuasca. Our longer stays include a master plant dieta with a plant selected by our shaman depending on what you are looking to heal, address or learn. Ayahuasca retreats at the Hummingbird is an opportunity for deep personal and spiritual growth following traditional healing methods with a curandero of exceptional skill and ability.

If you are truly ready to change your life, if you are finally sick and tired of being sick and tired of the morass of your thoughts and emotions, this is the place for you.

Our Programs

We offer retreats of 9 and 12 days, and also have more intensive programs of 2, 3 and 4 weeks that include dietas with master medicine plants. The longer programs are for those looking to go deeper with the medicine, or wanting to address more challenging issues that need more time with ayahuasca and san pedro for significant, lasting change to occur. We strive to match what people are hoping to address with the appropriate length of stay and do not try to push people into a stay longer than our experience indicates is required.

While not overtly spiritual, our work is centered on Mindfulness and guided by the simple precept “Without self awareness, there is no healing.” We emphasize the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of our inner world, of the interplay between our thoughts, our emotions and our body. There is a 25 minute guided meditation before each ayahuasca ceremony, to help set the tone for ceremony and help develop or deepen this practice of Mindfulness.

Emphasis on Changing our Beliefs

Unique to the Hummingbird Center are a couple of talks about our conscious and sub-conscious minds, our belief systems, how they shape our experience of life, and how we can change those beliefs so we naturally attract events into our lives in closer alignment with our wishes, desires, and aspirations. We strive to teach our clients practical and simple skills they can use in their daily lives to shift their perception of the world and themselves so they can respond to life’s events and their own emotions in a more productive and peaceful way. The plant medicines will only take us so far. Ultimately, WE are responsible for our lives, and it is important to have skills to navigate our inner world and respond to life in productive and loving ways. Mindfulness. Transformation begins and ends with being mindful, with being self aware.

It is the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. – Muhammad Ali

Safe For Women

The Hummingbird Center is a family owned business run by Jim Davis and his Peruvian wife Gina. Our son and daughter in law also work at the center and contribute to its smooth operation in a variety of ways. Our family lives at the center, along with our 9 year old grand daughter, the light of our lives!!

We understand that women have different and valid concerns around safety than men, and ensuring women feel physically and emotionally safe at our center is our #1 priority. Gina´s presence and loving heart, and her easy care of women’s occasional special needs, contributes to this sense of safety and security. Many of our female clients have commented about how quickly they felt safe and at ease, knowing they would be well cared for.

Your Role in Working With Ayahuasca

It is important to understand that ayahuasca and san pedro are not cure alls. They are not going to solve all your problems for you. These powerful and loving spirits can only give us what we are open and willing to receive. An individual’s commitment to their own growth, healing and transformation makes a huge difference in the results they receive. You have to do your part, and that is fundamentally being truly committed to change, and being willing to step into unpleasant experiences if that is what is required for the desired change to occur. Trust and surrender are the keys to getting the most from your time with these medicine plants.

What is clear from over 10 years of guiding people through this work is that the medicine spirits know and understand what each individual needs to bring about the change they are looking for. They guide each person through an individualized process. Your journey of growth, transformation and change will not look like another person’s and there is no value in comparing your journey and experience to that of another. It is clear that under the facilitation of a true ayahuasquero, a true healer, the medicine spirits want to help us and know how to do so. Our job is to allow them to.

We wish we could make some guarantees about outcomes, but we cannot. What we can say, is that if one shows up committed to change, with an attitude of “what ever it takes, I am willing”, enormous change is possible within a very short period of time. Your attitude makes all the difference in what you receive!

Reviews (40)

4.9 out of 5
Overall 4.9
  • 1111naturelover
    September 6, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    This is the place you want to go to if you’re seeking deep healing on an energetic, mental, emotional, spiritual level. This is my second ayahuasca retreat — I previously went to a different healing center — and I have to say, the level of deep healing one can experience here at Hummingbird is extraordinary in several ways:

    (1) The quality and experience level of the ayahuasquero is masterful — Manaii and Jim truly were master manipulators of energy and the icaros and rattling were HIGHLY effective at beridding me of that which no longer served me. Literally my subconscious was so open and having such masters literally pull energies out of me — I am so grateful and in awe of the skill level and experience necessary to extract and perform such exorcisms. I felt energetically scrubbed clean. Raw even. The ayahuasquero also performs individualized healings during the ceremony, which I found extremely helpful in letting go and surrendering. This alone is an important reason as to why this retreat center is a good one — all curanderos are not at the same skill level, and the emphasis one stresses varies widely. This one is very focused on healing.

    (2) Emphasis on reflection and quiet time. I really appreciated this. While it’s lovely to have excursions planned, I found it much more healing and helped me integrate what I learned on a deep level by NOT distracting myself with wifi, random excursions out to some adventure spot, all the things we would normally do in our day-to-day lives to stop ourselves from feeling whatever it is we’re feeling. Life is really simple, I’ve found, and I’ve decided to keep it simple. Experience the simple pleasures. The distractions don’t allow us the time and space to actually process what we’re feeling internally. Truly experience the simplicity of watching dogs play in the pond, feeling the breeze on your skin while rocking in a hammock, contemplating your existence.

    (3) The ajo sacha dieta. I’m so glad I did this. Three days of drinking a garlic-flavored tea, in conjunction with no salt, no sugar, no fruit, no chemicals, no electronics, no touching other people, limited interaction with others, limit reading, etc. This allows the body to allow further access to ayahuasca’s healings, without having to work through other energies that might be obstructing. It was very challenging, but I had no idea how effective it would be until the 6th aya ceremony. It was only then that I realized how much extra purging my body was able to do during my 4th-6th ceremonies now that it was more able to release these energies. It’s hard but worth it.

    (4) Your own room. Yes, you can share with a friend if you want to, but I don’t recommend it. We have no idea how much our circuitboards are overloaded with all different kinds of energy, particularly those that are not actually ours. It feels good to come back and have a private, safe space to feel all those feelings we’ve been avoiding. Have quiet space just to be without distractions. Fall apart if you need to. Not feel like you’re bothering anybody when you have to go back and forth to the toilet, which is very common on ayahuasca nights.

    (5) Jungle surroundings + dogs. Healing nature, with healing animals. I can’t say how important this was to my personal journey at the retreat. The dogs were such amazing teachers, particularly this little boy puppy who taught me quite a lot while I was there. They taught me a lot about myself, what kind of love I had to give, my own capacity. There’s also a lovely symphony of jungle noises at night. There’s one bird or other unknown creature who sounds like he’s cackling or laughing at us. It was actually eerie how often it would laugh when I’m having some kind of realization or insight.

    (6) You can stay for as long as necessary as long as there’s space. I was originally signed up for the 12-day retreat that included 6 aya ceremonies and 1 huachuma. I extended my stay by 2 days and included another huachuma ceremony. I LOVE that there’s no set retreat schedule that one needs to adhere to. Healing doesn’t occur by set schedules, and if one feels a month is necessary to work on themselves, then a month is what one needs. I love that this retreat center has the flexibility to do that. The next time I do ayahuasca, I will choose my own healing schedule as well.

    Also, I have personally found for myself that 3 ceremonies was just scratching the surface for me. The deepest healing (also most challenging) I experienced was during my 4th-6th ceremonies, also hand-in-hand with the ajo sacha dieta which helped me release even more. I really do feel that more ceremonies is correlated with deeper levels of healing. Do participate in more ceremonies if your schedule permits. It REALLY makes a difference.

    (7) Huachuma aka San Pedro. Very important master plant energy. Do not pass up on the opportunity to work with this spirit if you can. There are definitely different lessons and releases one experiences on Huachuma, and it is very clear to me that huachuma and ayahuasca work in conjunction with each other.

    I am so very grateful of my experience at this center — from Jim’s extra coaching and insights, to Manaii’s protective prayers, to all the compassionate treatment from the retreat cooks, workers, ceremony helpers who assisted us to the toilets. What a safe container in which to work on ourselves, I felt extremely well-taken care of. Thank you so much, Hummingbird! Much love <3

  • Marxmar
    July 9, 2017 at 8:15 pm

    I am glad that I landed at the right place. There are many unpleasant stories out there about the many centers that have sprung out from nowhere to feed the demands of the multitude seeking to heal from the personal and worldly struggles.
    Hummingbird is the peaceful, beautiful and comfortable healing world that I was looking for to further my intimate journey.
    There I have found in Jim-the owner- and in Manain – the maestro ayawaschero- all the care and kindness as well as the expertise that I needed for such a sensitive process. Jim has been very attentive to facilitate the experiences and to support every one of the guests anytime it was needed. his knowledge and openness made all the better for me. The people working there in maintaining the facilities clean and comfortable were also quite remarkable. The facilities are well maintained and the grounds well kept and well arranged while offering a great view of the forest that it is “just there” in front of you. The food was good and pleasant. Since I was on a “dieta” for most of the time, I had little experience of what was the regular menu, but for what I had and what I could see for the other guest it was quite good. I will not speak about my personal journey with the Mother because that may not be relevant here on this platform. All I will like to add here is my big thanks to Jim and Manain for all they did and for how well they did it. I am very grateful for the gift of meeting them and my fellow travelers that I have met on the journey. Thanks to you all and Namaste.
    Sydney AU-

  • IrisTheOwl
    July 6, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    Words could never picture the life changing experience The Hummingbird Retreat Center has been for me and others I witnessed during my time there. I’ve spent a month there and every second was a healing one, both figuratively and literally. The place is like a little piece of heaven, the staff is friendly and discreet, the food is delicious and most importantly healthy and the organization is impeccable. I felt comfortable and safe; this has become a new home away from home. Jim, the owner, is an exceptional soul, an amazing friend & confider, a tremendous healer and an excellent & competent professional. The Shaman and himself are doing such a hard, tremendous and sacred healing work on people every day that you can’t help but feel an infinite gratitude and respect for them and for what they accomplish. This sacred place is healing in so many ways and worth every penny and more. Besides the sacred medicines that will reset your mind, body and spirit to the healthy state you are born in (and should always be in), the fresh air your lungs breathe from the breathtaking jungle and the healthy foods you intake, this unique, magical & beautiful place enables you to meet the most beautiful, brave & wise souls out there, bond deeply & sincerely with brothers & sisters and make long lasting, life changing new connections with people you wouldn’t never have been able to otherwise.

    That being said, it is very important to remember that this is a place for healing and learning; the process can be hard and needs your total commitment. It is important to remember that it is your openness, your humility and your attitude of sincere gratitude & respect that will define your experience and your outcomes. Don’t expect anything & just surrender. This is a life changing experience and change can be hard and scary, but like life, it is worth it all!

    For those suffering from long lasting depression and anxiety; I was one of you, and for the first time in a very long time I can finally say that I am cured! I didn’t go there with the hopes of healing my depression because I just couldn’t face another failure and yet after a month I was healed; I am healed. And this is not one of those time when you think you’re finally free from it and weeks or months or even years after it comes back because it was never really gone; this is knowing without any doubt nor fear that I am cured from depression and anxiety. I’d forgot how freeing life without depression was and I am just now really fully understanding how strong people suffering from depression are. You are brave souls, please don’t give up and without expecting anything, give this sacred place a chance to do the same healing it did to me, to you.

    Will I go back there? In a heart beat!
    Do I recommend it? Absolutely, without any hesitation nor reservation!

    If you are serious about your healing and learning journey, this is the ideal place to do it!
    I wish you a great journey!

    Jim, words can’t express the magnitude of my gratitude to you nor could I say it enough times; thank you again for being who you are and doing what you do. You are doing such a hard and tremendous healing work. People need you, the world needs you; please don’t ever stop. I am so grateful for you and this sacred place that has become a new home away from home. I feel like I’ll always have an enormous debt to you. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

  • Jamienigel
    July 1, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    Jim and his Hummingbird centre provided everything necessary for me to journey deep into myself. I was taken care of perfectly by everybody during my 12 day stay, which gave me the chance to work and fully focus on myself. The program is set up well to achieve as much as one wants to achieve.

    The ceremonies are sacred activities being led by Maestro Manain and his beautiful Icaros, Macaras and his magical flute. Even Jim participated with some beautiful icaros. During the ceremonies there were several people watching over us which gave a sincere feeling of safety. Fellow travelers who struggled were gently assisted. Equally valuable to the ceremonies were the next morning’s sharing circles where everybody could share his experience and Jim and Maestro really took the time to hear you out and help to understand your experiences. The medicin is really strong, and Jim let everybody start with a mild dose to ensure everybody had a good experience. After the first ceremony you could choose you dose with the advise and supervision of Maestro.
    The locaties of the centre is beautiful and very well maintained. Breathtaking nature which contributed massively in my experience. Staff is extremely humble and friendly. Rooms cleaned everyday. And the food is amazing; never knew Aya dieet food could be this good!

    Finally I would like to express my deepest grattitude towards Jim. A man with a lifelong experience and a sincere pure hearth. I learned so much from this friendly and loving man. His priority during our stay was to ensure everybody was okay and when somebody needed something, Jim would take care of everything.

    What I was looking for was a safe, clean and proper environment where I could work on myself. Jim, Maestro Manain and tThe Hummingbird recreat centre provided me with that and so much more. I’m strongly considering to return here in the future, and can definitely recommend this place for anybody!

    After 6 months I will write another review to share my experiences in my ‘new life’.

  • Infinite_Spirit
    March 6, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    I have been there with my wife Feb 2017. We stayed for 9 days. I came here to face my fears and be a better person. By the end of the retreat, I felt like my life was transformed I got above and beyond of what I expected. I discovered myself, connected with nature, found God, my place in the world and so much more.

    The place itself is really nice, a jam in the jungle. Gina the co-owner Jims wife is responsible for the logistics.The staff is very very nice, Polite, attentive, always greeting and smiling. The food was great, fresh and delicious. It’s nice to see how it all comes down from the top and reflects from the ownership to the staff.
    The accommodation was better than I expected, very clean spacious rooms. Your laundry is taken care of daily by hand, fresh towels every day, sheets changed every other day I believe.

    I enjoyed the isolation very much, having no cell phone, computer, the internet. I could focus on myself, be present in the moment and focus on healing. The place has a very nice library with many different books of various subjects. I read 5 books in 9 days!

    What’s truly unique about this place is the owner Jim. He has an incredible life story, he is very intelligent and has very high emotional intelligence as well. Very intellectual, easy going, very hands off yet very attentive. You can always reach out to him and talk about anything in the world, whether you have a problem or need an advice or just to ask a question.The real surprise for me was when I first heard him sing during the ceremony, it’s like the gate of heaven open up! Tears were coming down my eyes every single ceremony when he was singing!

    I’m forever grateful for a life changing experience!

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