Frequently Asked Questions

We offer small-group healing retreats in the Amazon jungle near Iquitos, Peru. Our main programs are:

• 5-Day Ayahuasca Retreat – a shorter but powerful reset.
• 8-Day Ayahuasca & Bobinsana Retreat – deeper emotional healing with master plant work.
• 15-Day Ayahuasca, Bobinsana & Huachuma Retreat – an extended process with multiple plant teachers.
• 7-day and 15-day Master Plant Diets – traditional dietas for those who feel called to a more advanced and committed process.

All our retreats include ceremonies guided by native shamans, psychological integration, plant treatments and support from our team.

Our retreats are for people who feel a genuine call to work with Amazonian medicine in a respectful and responsible way. Many guests come for emotional healing, clarity, spiritual growth or to reconnect with themselves and nature.

You do not need to belong to any specific spiritual path. What we ask is openness, respect for the medicine, and willingness to engage in your own healing process.

Yes. Many people who come to Takinuna are working with ayahuasca for the first time. We keep our groups small, offer careful preparation, and provide close support throughout the process.

If it is your first time, we will take extra time to explain the process, the effects, and how we work with the medicine so that you feel as safe and supported as possible.

In Peru, ayahuasca is recognized as part of the traditional cultural and spiritual heritage of the Amazonian peoples. It is legal when used in a traditional, ceremonial context with experienced facilitators.

At Takinuna, we work with ayahuasca in a traditional way, guided by native healers and with deep respect for the medicine, the land, and the local culture. You can also read more about ayahuasca in general here .

No. Some people choose not to drink ayahuasca and still receive healing through other plant treatments, energetic work, and psychological support.

If you feel called to come but are not sure about drinking, we can talk with you individually and design a process that feels safe and respectful for your needs.

Ayahuasca can be safe when it is served in an appropriate setting, with experienced guides, proper medical screening, and respect for the preparation. At Takinuna we:

• Carefully review your medical and psychological history before accepting you.
• Work with experienced Amazonian shamans who know the plants deeply.
• Keep groups small so that each person is closely supported.
• Have a psychologist on-site to support emotional and psychological safety.

However, ayahuasca is not for everyone. Certain medical and psychological conditions are not compatible with this medicine.

We will ask you about your medical history in detail. Conditions that require special attention or may be incompatible with ayahuasca and other master plants include, for example:

• Heart conditions and serious cardiovascular issues.
• History of psychosis or certain severe psychiatric disorders.
• Epilepsy or seizure disorders.
• Severe liver problems or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

We may ask for a medical letter or further evaluation before confirming your place. Your honesty in the intake process is essential for your safety.

Some medications, especially certain antidepressants (such as SSRIs, MAOIs, and others), can interact dangerously with ayahuasca. For this reason, we will carefully review any medication you are taking.

Never stop medication on your own. Any change in medication must be discussed with your doctor or psychiatrist. Together we can see if there is a safe way and timing to work with the medicine, or if it is not recommended at this time.

We intentionally keep our groups small so that each person can receive personal attention from the shamans, the psychologist, and the support team.

Smaller groups allow for more safety, more care, and a deeper experience for everyone involved.

During ceremonies:

• The shamans and team remain present and attentive all night.
• We talk with you before the first ceremony to explain the process, dosage and how we will take care of you.
• We observe how the medicine works for you and adjust doses carefully when needed.
• We help you physically if you need support to move, go to the bathroom or get more comfortable.

We see safety as a combination of physical, emotional, and spiritual care.

We will send you a detailed preparation guide once your place is confirmed. In general, we recommend:

• Eating light, natural food in the weeks before the retreat.
• Reducing or avoiding alcohol and recreational substances.
• Limiting very heavy, greasy, or processed foods, especially in the days immediately before arrival.

These measures help your body connect more clearly with the plants and reduce physical discomfort during ceremonies.

It can be very helpful to:

• Reflect on your intention: why are you coming to this retreat?
• Spend quiet time journaling, meditating, or simply being present with your feelings.
• Avoid overloading yourself with too much media, stress, or intense stimulation before traveling.

You don’t need to arrive “perfect” or “ready” — the medicine and the process will meet you where you are. What matters most is your honesty and openness.

After your booking is confirmed, we send you a packing list. Typically we recommend:

• Comfortable clothing for warm, humid weather.
• A light sweater or shawl for evenings.
• Rain jacket or poncho and simple walking shoes or sandals.
• Personal hygiene items and any prescribed medication.
• A notebook or journal if you like to write.

You do not need anything luxurious. Simplicity helps you stay connected with the experience.

No. Our team can support you in English and Spanish. Ceremonies are guided by native shamans, and our psychologist also helps bridge language and cultural understanding.

Our ceremonies take place at night in the maloca, guided by native shamans. After a short introduction and intention setting, each person receives their dose of medicine individually.

The shamans sing ícaros (healing songs), work with mapacho (tobacco), and other plants to support your process. You remain on your mattress throughout the night, and the team is present to assist if you need help.

Huachuma is usually taken in the morning. It is a daytime medicine, often spent walking in nature, sitting by the river, or quietly observing the jungle.

Many people experience Huachuma as a medicine of the heart — gentle, clear, and deeply connected to the natural world. It offers another way of understanding your life, relationships, and path.

A master plant diet is a traditional way of entering into a deeper relationship with specific teacher plants. It usually involves:

• Simple food and a restricted diet.
• Time in retreat, with less stimulation and conversation.
• Specific plant preparations given by the shamans.

Dietas are not for everyone and are recommended for those who already have some experience with plant medicine and feel called to a more committed path.

No. While your inner journey is personal, you are not alone. The shamans, the psychologist, and the support team are present throughout the retreat.

We also offer integration circles and individual check-ins so that you can share, ask questions, and receive guidance about your experiences.

Yes. Your body and your intuition are important. If you feel that you need to rest or skip a ceremony, we will talk with you about it and support whatever is most respectful for your process.

Integration is the process of making sense of your experiences and weaving the insights of the medicine into your everyday life. It includes:

• Understanding the messages and lessons you received.
• Recognizing patterns that are ready to change.
• Finding concrete ways to live more aligned with your heart.

Without integration, powerful experiences can remain confusing or feel unfinished. With support, they can become a stable part of your healing and growth.

Yes. A psychologist is part of our team and participates in the retreats. After each ceremony we offer integration sessions where you can:

• Talk about your experience in a safe space.
• Receive therapeutic reflections and tools.
• Connect plant medicine work with your emotional and relational life.

It is normal to feel more open and sensitive after a retreat. Sometimes there is a sense of peace and clarity; other times emotions may continue to move for a while.

We encourage you to give yourself time, rest, and gentle care after the retreat. Staying connected with your intention, your body, and trusted people in your life can support this phase.

We can offer online integration sessions after the retreat for those who feel they need additional support. You can contact us to explore what kind of ongoing support may be most helpful for you.

Most guests fly into Iquitos, Peru. From there, we coordinate pick-up and transport by car and boat to reach the centre in the jungle.

Before your retreat we will send you detailed instructions about arrival times, meeting points, and what to expect on the way.

Takinuna is an eco-centre in the Amazon. Accommodation is simple and comfortable, with shared or single rooms depending on availability and the program.

We are continually improving the space, while keeping it close to nature and aligned with the spirit of the plants.

Retreat prices normally include:

• Accommodation at the centre during the retreat dates.
• All meals during the retreat.
• Ceremonies included in that specific program.
• Consultations with shamans and plant treatments.
• Psychological integration sessions.
• Transport from Iquitos to the centre and back (on specified days).

Please check each retreat page for the exact details.

You can contact us through the website contact form or by email/WhatsApp (listed on the site). We will:

• Talk with you about your intention and needs.
• Review your medical and psychological history.
• Confirm which retreat and dates are the best fit.

Once everything is clear, we will send you payment details and preparation information.

You are welcome to contact us with any questions that are not answered here. We prefer that you feel calm, informed, and in resonance with the work before deciding to come.