Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
The mission of Yosi Ocha, The Peruvian Institute of Shamanism and Natural Medicine, since its foundation in 2014, has been to establish a brand of excellence in the preservation of authentic Shipibo shamanic practices. Maestro Heberto GarcĂa, who is today one of the most recognized shamans among the Shipibo descendants, preserves this indigenous tradition with great rigor. The centre was named after his grandfather and mentor, Yosi Ocha, known as the last Meraya, a title granted to curanderos that attained the highest level of shamanism.
Today we pride ourselves on offering the most complete combination of original Shipibo shamanic treatments available. The centre is the ideal refuge for those who seek deep healing and transformation through a personalised program, or wish to be trained in the fascinating art of shamanism following the ancient Shipibo tradition. Maestro Heberto makes a holistic diagnosis of each guest and designs a tailor-made program taking into account his or her individual objectives.
The passengers are free to choose the starting date and duration of their stay. Many centres offer retreats with fixed start and end dates for cost savings reasons, but in Yosi Ocha we believe that such rigidity does not favour the personalised treatment approach and goes against the central shamanic spirit that values the healing and promotion of integral well-being above any consideration of personal benefit.
Yosi Ocha is located in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, about 20 km southeast of Iquitos, in the Allpahuayo Mishana National Park. The diverse ecosystem in this magnificent part of the jungle includes majestic trees of impressive sizes, streams of reddish water and distinctive white sands that contribute even more to the enchanting beauty of the place.
Once a year, Maestro Heberto travels to Europe (Holland, Spain, etc.) to conduct intensive 3-days healing retreats. These retreats are an excellent opportunity to carry out deep personal work in a safe and loving environment, while discovering his unique approach to the medicine and healing.
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Murt
December 3, 2022 at 10:36 amWords cannot do justice to this place and my experience there. Maestro Heberto is so genuine, caring and skilled, I trusted him immediately. The treatment is about so much more than Ayahuasca, it’s a holistic approach, involving personalised medicines, depending on the patient’s specific needs.
I stayed for 11 days, and by the time I left it was hard to say goodbye, such was the strength of the bonds I formed there in a short time. The entire team contributed to making the stay special, and my fellow travelers were a beautiful group of people. A special mention goes to Ines, translator and Heberto’s assistant, for all her help. I was lucky enough to be there when there was both a kitten and a puppy to cuddle and play with 🙂
It will take months to process my experience, but some of what happened during my retreat goes beyond my understanding. I have been given instructions to continue my healing in the weeks and months following the retreat. If you are looking for a genuine shamanic healing with an unbelievably talented and dedicated curandero, Yosi Ocha is the place to go. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
mo
November 29, 2022 at 4:35 pmIt is hard for me to find the words to describe an experience, a feeling.
Not only my experience at this very special and spiritual slice of heaven, but also my feelings of gratitude for all who played their role so perfectly in order for me to heal and grow in the ways I did.
As you’ve already seen in all the other comments. Herberto is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever encountered. He’s a lot more than a server of the plant. A true and authentic medicine man of the body, mind, spirit and soul. It amazed me how much he has on his plate of constant devotion to healing and helping others, yet he by far has the most calm and present energy that I’ve ever seen.
By working with you, he is able to understand your needs on a deep level and provide you with a tailored healing plan. He has done some intense work for me with lasing results.
During my 3 week stay, I’ve connected with some really awesome people not only the guests but the all the wonderful staff.
Ines, Rada, Tulia, Eunice, Ruben, Barbra and the entire family, I will forever be grateful.
Please keep in mind, the work can be intense and is not meant to be a walk in the park. You might be challenged mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Surender and allow.
josue13
November 25, 2022 at 5:18 pmI had an amazing time here
At 23 years old it was an experience of a lifetime
Being a bit unsure and uncertain I dove right in and at first it was intense but I settled in quickly I made many friends which I will soon not forget.
Herberto, the shaman who guided me and helped me with the many ceremonies was someone who was always calm but joyful
Ruben, the chef who has been with them for over twenty years who I connected with deeply❤️
Eunice, the shamans sister who helped me during a ayuascha ceremony during the day singing an icaro
This place helped me become my own best friend
I also met and made people who I will hold dear to my heart and I plan to come back here soon
Luis
October 18, 2022 at 9:07 amMy name is Luis, from Spain, 49 years old. I spent a wonderful week at Yosi Ocha. The place is not owned by western people, which is a plus. The owner is a Peruvian Shaman, Shipibo. Therefore, everything is genuine, not adulterated, not “ designed” by “business minded” western hippies.
The place is 45 min by car from Iquitos, and it is very quiet. The food is great, the caretakers and facilitators are very experienced and helpful, and the shaman is very knowledgeable and relaxed. I had a superb experience. I believe i will repeat. If you are looking for an authentic Ayahuasca Retreat, it is a very good place. The shaman, Maestro Heberto, also offers San Pedro ceremonies, Toé, Bobinsana, Kambo, and many other things. If you want a true experience, not designed by American Businessmen for American Tourists and Thrill Seekers, this is the place to go. Here, they care about Spirituality and the money stays with the Peruvians. It makes sense.
I was very happy and well cared for all the time. The Shaman is also very good in personalising the treatments and the diets, give options, and he listens very carefully to you. They are also very good with Psychedelic Integration and the after care part. Amazing flower baths and energy cleansing rituals. Great Rapé and Mapacho Rituals, Fire and Smoke Ceremonies, etc.
Guly
September 16, 2022 at 8:39 amReview
Heberto is unlike any other, Shayman, I have ever worked with. He made my tumour disappear, the doctors cannot explain it. He saved my mother’s life.
I have worked with Ayahasca a number of times, it consists of being given the tea and music being played while I journeyed. Herberto does not work like this. He has a deep and profound relationship with the spirits.
At the beginning of 2022, I was diagnosed with a tumour and an urgent operation was arranged to remove it. Herberto did remote healing, the tumour disappeared by the time the operation was to take place. The doctors could not explain it. I then went to work with Herberto at the centre in Peru. There he did another diagnostic on me. He decided I was not ready to work with Ayahasca and for a week I worked with mqpacho and other plants until Herberto believed I was ready, he is the most responsible and safe Shayman I have ever met. I began to work with Ayahasca and it was as if Herberto and the spirit of the plant with one. He would whistle across to guide my journey, and as soon as he stopped whistling, I would return to the room. It was the most deeply healing experience of my life. I found myself able to feel and remember past traumas while at the same time feeling profoundly held in love. There is little electricity and no mobile phone signal at the centre , so I was unaware that my mum is health back in the UK deteriorated significantly. Towards the end of my treatment with Herberto, he called me into the temple and told me that my mother was dying, and I had to return to the UK immediately. He drove me out of the jungle to a point where there was mobile phone reception. I called my mum to find that she was critically ill. Heberto was able to know this, something that western science would say is impossible. He told me he would help my mother to return to the UK to undertake a ritual that Herberto asked me to undertake with her. He then went on to work with her remotely and she not only made a full recovery but became happier and stronger than I’ve seen her in years. I cannot recommend Herberto highly enough. He is a holder of an ancient knowledge. His land is under threat from a construction company. I encourage everyone to go and work with him and to do what they can to ensure this ancient healing modalities is preserved.