Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
We are an ayahuasca retreat healing center, operating as a lodge in the Amazon rainforest. We are located 90 minutes outside of Iquitos, Peru near the small village of Llanchama along the Nanay River.
We provide traditional Shipibo medicine services wich includes: healing and learning diets, master plant medicine, and traditional Shipibo ayahuasca ceremonies.
Once you are here, you will meet with our shaman master healer Ricardo Amaringo, and with the asistance of a profesional translator, you can explain him your intention for the healing procces.
Your treatment will then be tailored to your personal needs, often including further treatment with a master plant. Furthermore, in traditional style, you will then adhere to a strict healing diet developed to promote the healing work of the curanderos and our medicinal plants.
Once on the diet, you will be invited to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies four times a week, for further ceremonial healing under the guidance of Ricardo and his assistants shamans. In ceremony, you will be further treated by the curanderos through the traditional healing song, called icaros.
The day after every ayahuasca ceremony, with the exception of Fridays, there is a group discussion led by Ricardo to review experiences in the ceremony and the progress of all of our participants, apprentices and visitors.
In some cases, further treatment techniques are also indicated, including healing plant preparations for bathing and vapor treatment, or cataplasm.
Traditional treatment requires time, so visitors are encouraged to visit us for one week or more. Group programs are often designed for 10 days or 2 weeks and more advanced treatment can take one/two months or longer.
For particular individuals, we also offer traditional diets for learning under the guidance of Ricardo. This level of training is best discussed in person with Ricardo himself.
We charge an all-inclusive daily fee for our services, which covers transport from the Iquitos airport, private room, modern bathrooms and showers, diet meals, laundry service, electricity, wifi internet, traditional medicine and experienced international facilitator staff support.
If you are interested in visiting, please email us to establish contact and verify availability at our center. From that point, we can plan your visit!
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Birkenstock
November 15, 2017 at 1:00 pmEveryone at Nihue Rao Spiritual Center was so amazing. You feel very welcome and safe from the moment you arrive. I can’t believe that there are people in the world that are so incredibly giving, so incredibly loving and selfless. They give so completely to people they don’t even know.
This week was one of the most transformational experiences I have ever had. It was definitely one of the most difficult and intense weeks I have ever had. Ayahuasca doesn’t let you off the hook easy. She takes you to the heart of your “crap” and if you are ready for it you can experience profound healing. I can’t say I would recommend it for everyone. I would say you have to be ready to be confronted with your deepest darkest issues. There were times I felt completely broken down to my core. If you are not in a place in your life that you are ready to do that then don’t go. If you do go, I can’t say enough good things about Nihue Rao. I’m sure there must be other great places to do Ayahuasca but after seeing how this group works together to support every person that walks through their doors I would not trust anyone else.
The Ricardo was amazing. He was a true healer. He is completely committed to helping everyone.
The Shamans assistants and helpers gave and gave. I don’t think I have ever been in an environment where people were being supported with so much love as I felt from them. This 10 day trip felt like you got the equivalent amount of deep insight and healing of going to see a therapist every week for 20 years.
Thank you so much! I will be back!
deyannyc
November 11, 2017 at 10:23 amI wanted to thank everyone at Nihue Rao for helping me with my addiction to cigarettes, alcohol and a very popular treacherous over-the-counter nose decongestant (OXYMETAZOLINE CHIDROCHLORIDE).
OXIMETAZOLINE CHIDROCHLORIDE is a highly addictive substance accessible in every convenience store or drug store across the USA. There are more than 7.5 million people who are suffering from addiction to it in the continental US alone. I got hooked up soon after I noticed a minor congestion that I wanted to eliminate. Afrin is one of the most popular brands. It helped me a lot but I was never able to stop using it.
I sought the help of various doctors but no one was able to help me, or to prescribe a treatment. Most of them said that I needed to quit “cold turkey” or stop using it in one nostril until it heals and then stop using it in the other.
I was addicted to Afrin for more than 5 years spraying it in my nose 4-6 times a day. I had Afrin bottles in my car, in my house and in my office. I was suffering.
Ayahuaska,
I have been truly fascinated by Ayahuasca since the first time I came across information about it. This was around 2007 when I read an article about the Upper Amazon and the Peruvian Jungle and its people.
I have researched it and I always felt drawn to it. When my friend George mentioned that he would be going down to the Amazon to a retreat I became really intrigued, although I didn’t share much with him.
George came back quite transformed. He was off of drugs and seemed somewhat focused, centered and easy to communicate with. He shared his experience with some close friends and I instantly knew that I’d soon follow his steps.
In the late Summer of 2017 me, George, and another close friend (Kosta) booked a 10 days retreat in Nihue Rao, starting around the end of Oct.
My experience.
The minute I entered Nihue rao I felt safe and calm. The Ayahuasca diet seemed to be a challenge to some people coming from the Western World, but it was quite natural and easy to handle for me and my friends.
I was scared. I had heard stories of people who had seen demons and have had terrible trips on Ayahuasca. I think that along whit those stories I had disregarded the ones telling how intelligent, rich and beautiful the world of Ayahuasca was. I had also done some “Youtube research” on my own.
Now I realize that all of these videos in night vision showing people twitching, crying or purging are in fact, rather detrimental to the true aspect of the healing power of Ayahuasca.
And so, I had 6 ceremonies while dieting on Pinon Blanco (it does indeed sound like a bottle of white wine).
Ayahuasca was very gentle with me. I purged a lot but I was not shown any demons or any terrible things whatsoever. She showed me the beauty of her world with its amazing colors and flow of energies.
After the 4th ceremony I felt no need to use Afrin and I did not feel the urge to light a cigarette.
It’s been almost 3 weeks now, and I have not smoked or used that spray or drank any alcohol.
I felt that I wanted to share this with you since you are rather intimate with the world of Ayahuasca and you are also a Medical Doctor.
I believe that more than 7.5 million people can find a solution to their addiction through this medical plant.
I realize that this acquaintance with the Spirit of La Madre has had a profound effect on my mind and my soul.
Nihue Rao accepted me and became home for me and my friends.
Maestro Ricardo Amaringo, Jan, Benoit, Alexandra, Martina and everyone there is family now. I am grateful and thankful for their support and understanding.
I will be back to Nihue Rao very soon.
Thank you again for your book and for showing me a path to healing my addictions.
Warm Regards,
jwvdpoll
October 24, 2017 at 3:57 pmIn 2014 I was in deep trouble and figured I needed to spend a longer time at some centre to focus on healing myself. I had heard about centres in Peru, so I went online to do some research. Thats when I found a presentation from Dr. Joe [last name removed by request]. He was at that time part owner of the centre together with Canadian artist Cvita Mamic and Ricardo Amaringo a Shipibo Shaman. The centre is now fully owned by Ricardo. The two weeks did me really good. The centre runs like a charm and the energies are so amazing. You can see everyday that people arrive and just within hours feel totally at home and ready to share their stories. Thats the real strength of this centre. There are 4 ceremonies per week 52 weeks of the year, with Ricardo the head shaman being there every single night. He is absolutely the hardest working man I have ever seen. He sings all night long, since he is so dedicated, diligent and committed to healing his passajeros. He does not miss a beat. This centre recommends you to stay for 10 days, as this has proven to be the most effective in getting your work done. On top of this, your will receive a plant dieta, which means the shaman will connect you with a master plant that will help you with your healing. The plant diets are so effective and beautiful in the sense you can really connect to them and commune with them. Ask them, and you will receive. After a year at home I got burned out at work, I quit and went back to Nihue Rao for two months. This really got the job done and did me so good, I added another month. Then, I got so excited that I wanted to learn the path of the medicine and learn the singing of Icaros to help others, that I decided to complete the 3 months with 9 more to make it a year. These were to most tough but rewarding months of my life. Ricardo really cleaned me out and so did the diet. My verdict is, that if you want to do serious healing or learning work I can highly recommend to come to Nihue Rao since this is really the focus here.
KOoakland
October 14, 2017 at 4:33 pmMy stay at Nihue Rao was one of the best things that I’ve ever done for myself. I would HIGHLY recommend this center to anyone, and am hoping to come back soon with friends and stay for 10 or 14 days. The ceremonies are incredibly powerful, as three or four shamans are often singing at once. The brew is stong, and the grounds are tranquil and beautiful. This center draws a wonderful group of people who are kind, mature and deeply focused on healing. Great conversations had be had in the common areas, or you can simply lounge in a hammock and read a book or write in your journal. You will have a lot think think about, so its nice to not have too many things to do.
Before coming here, I was a bit apprehensive. It seemed that Nihue Rao was focused on people with medical issues (which I don’t really have), and the fact that they only accept cash payment seemed difficult. I found that it is true that Nihue Rao accepts “tough cases”, people with serious illnesses that Western medicine has given up on, but that does not mean that people who are simply looking to grow spiritually will not get just as much out of the experience. I learned so much about myself, and saw many incredible things in my visions. I have come back to the US feeling light, refreshed, and motivated to do my “homework” on myself.
On thing that sets Nihue Rao apart from other retreat centers is that it’s owned and operated by the Shipibo people. I saw very clearly in my visions how much colonialism has damaged the Amazon and its people, and how structures of colonialism continue to be perpetuated, even at Ayahuasca retreat centers. It is so incredibly important to start dismantling colonialism, and Nihua Rao provides a model. The Shipibo are sharing their culture and healing traditions with the Western world, and we desperately need to heal ourselves if we are going to save the earth. The least we, as westerners, can do is to support indigenous owned centers, where the money stays local instead of being sent back to America or Europe. This is why they only accept cash, because things don’t run on credit cards in the Amazon.
If mama Ayahuasca is calling you, this center would be a perfect place to answer that call. Ricardo, the head Shaman, is great in ceremony and is able to focus his songs on those who need them. There is a general atmosphere of love and kindness that pervades the space. I was lucky enough to be there while Joe, one of the original founders, was there. As a doctor, he bring a deep knowledge of medicine and ability to translate some of the indigenous knowledge into more western concepts. I’d highly recommend reading his book “The Fellowship of the River”, especially for those who are more rational minded. The book talks about his experience co-founding the center, and some of their more difficult cases over the years. He is no longer a part owner, but continues to be involved and help with the center.
Overall, I’m so happy that I came here, and so happy to have been able to learn from the Shipibo people and mother Ayahuasca. If you get the chance, go!
Loughlin
October 12, 2017 at 6:38 amI flew to Iquitos with the intention to find a center to experience Ayahuasca and heal my mind, body, and spirit. I was referred to Nihue by another center. I knew little about Ayahuasca ceremonies, and the rituals behind it. Nihue’s staff is phenomenal. Such kind loving individuals with big hearts who are there to help guide you and give information when needed. The medicine has so much knowledge and healing power but it takes good Shamans and assistance throughout the process to really dig deep and do the work. I highly recommend Nihue. Especially speaking about other centeres with visitors at Nihue I realized I was brought there for a reason. Not only do you have the opportunity to do ceremonies but the dieta with master plants is very beneficial. A lot of other centers do not offer this. I learned so much during my month at Nihue Rao and it changed my life in so many positive ways. I have a great amount of grattitude and love for the entire center. I hope to go back sometime in the future and know that the work that is being done there will continue to grow and help other people. If you’re looking for a spiritual journey and connection with Ayahuasca in a safe loving environment Nihue Rao is the center for you.