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 García, 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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malikamorch
November 23, 2024 at 9:27 amI recommend this retreat. I spent three weeks at Yosi Ocha in October-November 2024, and I feel changed on a very profound but subtle level. Not as much as I had hoped, I suppose there is more work to be done, and wish to go back to Y.O. later to undergo further treatment.
I’ve known about ayahuasca healing practices for about 20 years, and had a little feeling I would end up undergoing them myself eventually.
I did a lot of research for quite some time in order to find the right retreat center, and in the end was left with two options: Yosi Ocha and The Temple of the Way of light, which both seemed serious, with authentic healing practices, run with an ecological respect for the plants, and primarily run, founded or owned by a local curandero, using Ayahuasca which they cook and make themselves and located in the area/country where the plants grow. These were my requirements. I did not want to end up on a retreat that was about tripping in jungle, I wanted help to overcome difficulties I could not fix on my own, I wanted medicine. And that’s what I got at Y.O. I see many other attendees have written here about the ceremonies and so forth, so I’ll leave that be.
What I want to be clear about is that I came, and still come, at this from the perspective of openness to the possibility that this medicine works, not from the perspective of belief. I don’t have any way of proving that it works or that it doesn’t. But what I can say for sure is that something inside me is different. I relate to friends and family in a calmer way, I stopped biting my finger nails (been doing it for 40 years), I have much less anxiety, I don’t feel any depression (had both pretty much all the time , or on and off for almost 30 years), I felt some inner peace that was not there before, I have felt genuine gratitude for the first time. There is still a way to go. I did not fully get an answer from Mother Ayahuasca to my question, my reason for attending the retreat, but these changes have occurred and that’s not to taken lightly.
As a solo female traveler I felt completely safe throughout the whole stay. All the staff at YO are caring, kind, respectful and answer any of your requests. I locked myself out of my bungalow not only once but twice (the last time wearing only a t-shirt and no underwear), and the loving Barbara from the staff solved the situation promptly and without batting an eye. I connected with people working there, the other attendees/patients in a unique way, as we spend time together undergoing our processes side by side. Some of them I’m sure I’ll never completely loose touche with. Maestro Heberto, Eunice and Tía Ercelia have a grounding nature and a very kind disposition. I’m extremely grateful for their work.
Things I wish I brought:
– a proper, powerful lantern to light up my bungalow, it got dark at 6pm
– Rubber boots (if your staying more than 2 weeks and it’s not dry-season)
– long wool underwear for the night (if your cold blooded)
Things I’m glad I brought:
– mouldable silicone ear plugs for sleeping (bugs and birds in the jungle are louder then traffic in the city. And if you’re sensitive or easily overwhelmed, they’re a life saver. Forget about the foam ones, they’re useless, get proper ones that will shape to your ear)
– sleeping mask (the bungalows don’t have curtains/shading, it started getting light at 5am)
…Yes, I’m sensitive.
Tips: If you attend this retreat I would recommend to not be shy about asking questions to the Maestro/Maetras or any of the staff if you need guidance, or just practical info. I stayed for three weeks, and every week has a slightly different structure to it, so info given to some on one week may be passing right by others on another week. Ask! They are more than helpful.
Atreya
November 13, 2024 at 6:30 pmIn Oct-Nov 2024, I had the privilege of attending a 2 week retreat at Yosi Ocha. I can say without being guily of hyperbole that it was the most life changing experience of my life.
The entire retreat was centred on the effective healing of all participants. The frequency of Ceremonies was 3-4 times a week, allowing enough exposure to not only get acquainted but deeply in touch with Mother Ayahuasca.
Yosi Ocha is set IN the amazon jungle which makes it so much more connected to nature and Mother Ayahuasca. The property boasts a beautiful lake with warm water where we would take a daily swim. I still miss this weeks out!
The outer edges of the property is where the master trees are located. Each tree represents a quality of healing, singing, dancing, protection, managing of emotions. We were encouraged to connect with and show gratitude to these spirit trees daily based on our healing needs. They even showed up in one of my Ceremonies which was a remarkable and skepticism killing experience.
The Ayahuasca experience for me was profund! I was able to unveil alot of the trauma and physical pain I was experiencing in the first week, while in the second I dwelled deep into correcting psychological patterns that created suffering. I saw many visions that directed me step by step to what I needed to understand. Holding your intention strongly and knowing when to allow new messages to flood your consciousness is key. I felt a deep sense of gratitude, strength, energy, and clarity, just a few days out from the retreat. It was like I was given a second chance, one I had been desiring for many years.
As healing as Ayahuasca is alone, the people managing Yosi Ocha made the experience far more impactful.
Maestro Herberto was remarkably insightful and very evidently highly spiritually advanced. Starting from the day 1 diagnostics session he was able to identify areas where your energy encountered blocks and designed customized healing plans for each participant. Every participant was given keen attention and was allocated time throughout their stay to discuss experiences and progress with him. He also designed a specific plant Dieta for each participant, based on his insight on what they required.
He protected all our Ceremonies from negative influences and worked on our energy bodies throughout the stay. He’s a truly phenomenal Shaman and his work and wisdom were essential to the healing journey. During Ceremonies he was able to identify participants who needed his support and was effective in curtailing painful trips. I have immense gratitude for what he has done for all of us.
Maestras Eunice and Tia were the perfect support for the Maestro. They facilitated some of the Ceremonies, organized daily plant/mud baths for all of us and made sure we were well looked after throughout. What made them truly special is the immense love and kindness they directed at each of us. They were gentle and full of positive energy. The plant baths which they managed were revitalizing and made us more sensitive to the Ayahuasca Ceremonies. They patiently took the time to educate us on the master trees, on positive intentions through mapacho and interpreted our experiences.
Barbara who facilitates communication via email, is highly responsive, incredibly accommodating and just a wholesome person overall. I had the good fortune of intersecting with her bi-annual retreat at Yosi Ocha and I saw her as a TRUE spiritual solider. She would prioritize the welfare of others in the group over her own in many cases, checking in on everyone, while herself being on the medicine. She had a wealth of experience in Ayahuasca and beyond. She was full of energy and entertained us with her stories and insights about Ayahuasca. An absolutely remarkable person and definitely one of my favorite people in the world.
What made Yosi Ocha additionally amazing, was the great community it drew. In the 2 weeks I stayed, I met with several people who were keen to solve their deep rooted issues but still made sure to connect with others, sharing laughs and learning from each other’s experiences. Something about the place brought put the best in us.
I made many life long friends during the trip and I’m certain you will too.
In summation, Yosi Ocha is an ideal place to undertake your healing Ayahuasca journey. I would recommend it without hesitation to all spiritual seekers.
roryv
July 26, 2024 at 9:50 amYosi Ocha is such a beautiful place for deep healing. I feel blessed to have had my experience at this place. Yosi Ocha felt like magic, overflowing with love and care.
My stay was very profound and meaningful. So much magical things unfolded, both intense and loving.
The ceremonies felt safe and the Maestros and the facilitators were outstanding and let the medicine do it’s work.
The bungalows are basic but very comfortable, surrounded by the majestic nature. The meals were delicious and diverse and as snacks plenty of teas and fruits.
It’s hard to put in words the experience at Yosi Ocha. It deeply resonated with me and I will definitely choose this place again.
Highly recommened Yosi Ocha.
OwlAmazon
July 2, 2024 at 8:00 pmWords will never fully describe my experience at Yosi Ocha over many weeks, but I will try.
Yosi Ocha is first and foremost a place of deep healing. The intentions are always Love, Protection, and Medicine. To this point, while incredible and even supernatural experiences can occur (and have), it is not the primary focus… the focus is healing… healing your heart… quieting your mind… ego… so you can heal your body and soul.
If you trust in the process, the healing will occur. The goal of Maestro Heberto and Eonice is not for you to simply have visions or see aliens… their goal, working deeply in connection with master plants and animals of nature, is for you to look past the illusion of your ego in the spirit of Love so you can heal yourself mentally and physically. The work goes far deeper than just Ayahuasca and can include any number of important plant teachers: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Chacruna, Ayahuma, Aciote, Bobinsana, and more. If you work deeply with these medicines, magic will happen.
For those traveling alone, you are in good hands. I’ve always felt safe at their center, and the integrators, including Inez, Tulia, and Andrea are very experienced and excellent. English and Spanish translations are always available. I met many women traveling alone who felt comfortable in the environment.
Maestro Heberto is the real deal, and this is coming from someone who was initially very skeptical of any ‘spiritual leader’. Most importantly, his intentions are pure and mission-focused. His grandfather was one of the original Merayas of Shipibo lore, and his shamanic training and isolation in the jungle began at a very young age. His sister, Eonice, carries this lineage and training, as well as the most beautiful singing voice. Both make themselves available if you have emergency questions, although the process is meant to be experienced and not talked over like therapy.
The role of the Curandero is to serve as a bridge to the spirit realm facilitating healing while providing the recipient the power to then integrate those lessons and become better human. A good spiritual leader doesn’t lecture you, write books, or go on podcasts out of ego, but rather gives you the tools to walk your path while providing protection (or training wheels) while you do. This is exactly how Heberto and Eonice operate, providing you the Love and Protection to walk the path yourself.
Heberto and Eonice are humble people, and in turn, they teach us to be humble, with each other, and most importantly, with the power of the natural world around us.
After many weeks at Yosi Ocha, I can confidently say that the vast majority of people left glowing and beaming with love. I’ve met many lifelong friends from all over the world. While far in the minority, the one or two who struggled had noticeably huge egos, expectations, or ideas that their spirituality was ‘superior’. The plants themselves have a way of humbling these types. It is possible one day one of these people will write a negative review on Yosi Ocha, if that happens, do yourself a big favor and ignore it.
Make no qualms about it, Yosi Ocha is basic on accommodations, but that is part of the process of healing and communing with nature. The food, despite being part of a restricted aya dieta, is delicious and yummy. The private bungalows are comfortable yet primitive, and situated in the jungle. You feel protected in the mosquito net at night, and there is running water, toilets, and drinking water. You need a flashlight at night. Yes, there is a Starlink wifi connection at central Malacca and basic electricity to charge phones and lights, but if you spend most of your time there you are cheating yourself. The lake is beautiful for swimming and stargazing. A very important part of the experience is connecting with the jungle, and that is what makes this center so special.
The magic and true masters of Yosi Ocha are the Master Trees accessible on a well-maintained Amazon trail: Remo Caspi, Wimba, Chullachaki, Lagarto, Sirena, Pashaka… each of these is a powerful spiritual teacher in their own right and will support you if you take the time to reach out to them. Their lessons are worth more than the temporal discomfort and mosquito bites required to gain comfort in their domain.
If you are serious about healing, Yosi Ocha is the right choice. During my extended stay, I saw many people start with just a week, and extend for two or three more as they saw themselves change for the better. This was not uncommon. I would recommend a minimum of two weeks to go deep. I started with two, and came back for another nine weeks. During that time I saw anxiety, depression, ptsd, sleep problems, and even physical pain overcome by pasajeros. The experience will challenge you, but in the best possible ways, and you will be a better person for it. It is hard, but try not to come in with any expectations, other than Love, Healing, and Protection… and just being a better human.
Yosi Ocha taught me that magic is real if you are brave enough to find it in yourself.
Note: This review was edited for over capitalization, but has otherwise has been left in its original form.
Eric Stolze
June 15, 2024 at 10:08 pmHello Friends,
Yosi Ocha is truly a place of magic and the experiences that take place here are impossible to quantify in simple words. I was honestly a little concerned by the fact that I only saw 5 star reviews for Yosi Ocha … I suppose it seemed too good to be true and that could not have been farther from the truth. Every little thing from our pickup at the airport, to our simple housing accommodations, the food, the facilitators, the ceremonies were expectational. At no point did I feel uncomfortable, scared, worried or confused about what I should be doing next or where I should be going. Every minute of every day and night was filled with love and a sense of protection. I felt comfortable taking long deep walks into the jungle … its hard to explain but I just felt safe. As long as you are mindful of every step you take and respectful of the jungle around you then nothing will hurt, harm or frighten you under the protection of Maestro Humberto and his expert team of friends and family at Yosi Ocha.
I’d like to take a moment to talk about the food … WOW … weeks before my trip I was preparing for the experience with an extremely bland and boring diet. I’d recommend you do the same as it is a great test of will power and a showing of commitment, determination and strength to the Master Plants. That being said I was absolutely blown away by the quality, variety and exceptional tastiness of the food provided by the kitchen staff. Fish, chicken, soups, eggs, amazing vegetables and fruits in great abundance were shared with us. They even served us pancakes one morning for breakfast! Every day plates of fresh apples, oranges and many other healthy snacks were placed out for us to enjoy so we could sustain ourselves during our stay. Folks with special food restrictions were taken VERY seriously and every need was met with passion, care and enthusiasm.
The bungalow housing was incredible. Each visitor gets their own little house with a comfortable shower and toilet along with everything you need to keep your belongings safe from bugs and water damage. I felt safe from the jungle critters and insects inside of my high quality mosquito netting that encased my bed. The pillows, bed and blankets were very comfortable. One of my favorite parts of my days was lighting my provided candle and either swinging in my hammock on the front porch or sitting at my table inside writing in my journal. Each room is also provided with a large container of purified water so you can stay hydrated while enduring your time in the Amazon Jungle.
Next I’ll say a little about the ceremonies themselves without going into too much detail. This was my first time working with The Medicine and I had watched many YouTube videos and read many scary stories about “out of control” ceremonies with people screaming, crying out or running around like mad. The space held by Maestro Humberto is 100% peaceful, under control and felt extremely safe and totally contrary to the scary stuff I had previously read online. There are sober facilitators on hand the entire time to assist you if needed. What a wonderful experience … pure magic.
I’ll close my review by saying that the staff and facilitators on hand at Yosi were friendly, knowledgeable and overall great people. Everyone had a huge smile on their faces and were happy to take time for a quick hello any time they passed by. No worries if you don’t speak Spanish … I only know a few words and phrases but it did not obstruct my experience in any way. Any time that Maestro Humberto is speaking every word is translated for you so that none of his teachings and wisdom is lost in translation.
I could go on and on here and continue to pour praise and gratitude … there just aren’t enough words to describe the experience. 5 stars isn’t enough …. infinity stars MIGHT do the trick but I still wouldn’t feel like it was enough. I highly recommend Yosi Ocha as a safe place to experience the healing and teachings of the Master Plants and I hope you make the choice to select Yosi Ocha as your retreat. I know 100% that I’ll be returning here for years to come.
Light and many blessings from me to you!
Eric