Our Healing & Learning Retreats

Traditional Ayahuasca Retreats in the Peruvian Amazon

Experience authentic Shipibo plant medicine ceremonies guided by Maestro Ricardo Amaringo and his family at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual, located near Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon.

Our ayahuasca retreats combine traditional Shipibo ceremonies with îcaros, master plant dietas for healing and learning, alongside integration conversations and personal guidance. Whether you stay with us for a week or a month, our mode of work is intended to help you get to where you need to be next—mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Our healing retreats

7-Day Ayahuasca Retreat (Starter Retreat)

4 ceremonies

with Ayahuasca diet

Meet Mother Ayahuasca and experience her power.

Great for a first contact with the medicine and the spirit world, and for a general energetic cleaning of your body and mind. 

11-21 Day Retreat
(Healing Retreat)

6-12 ceremonies

with Master Plant diet

Work on your goals and lighten the spiritual load you carry.

Perfect for making a leap in your healing, an 11 to 21 day stay allows Ayahuasca and your Master Plant dieta the time to guide you to deeper insights and healing.

Select retreat length to start booking:

1-2 Month Retreat
(Deep Healing Retreat)

16-32 ceremonies

with Master Plant or Tree diet

Get to the root of your issues and change your life.

Ideal for experiencing deep healing and spiritual transformation, and for overcoming strong addictions and other severe diseases.

Select retreat length to start booking:

All of our retreats include: an individual room or tambo, full-board diet food, flower baths (twice weekly), a purgative, an individual meeting with Maestro Ricardo, integration conversations and 24-hour support.

Our Learning Retreat

3+ Month Retreat (Learning Retreat)

48+ ceremonies

with one or more Master Plant or Tree diets

Acquire medicine and become a light in this world.

For those looking to learn shamanism or deepen in the spiritual medicine, Maestro Ricardo offers long-term apprenticeships.

These 3 to 12 month diets involve isolation and stricter food restrictions, and are recommended for experienced dieters who feel called to the medicine path.

For more information about pricing and availability for our learning retreat, please contact us. We offer discounted rates for longer stays.

Nihue Rao School of Ancestral Knowledge

Shamanic Apprenticeship

We offer an immersive, 1-year apprenticeship to learn Amazonian plant medicine within the Shipibo healing tradition.

The Nihue Rao School of Ancestral Knowledge offers a path for those called to study traditional shamanism through direct experience in the Amazon. Students learn through master plant dietas, ceremonial practice, and mentorship with experienced healers. This program is designed for those who wish to deepen their relationship with plant medicine and walk the path of healing in service to others.

What is an Ayahuasca Retreat?

An ayahuasca retreat is an immersive healing experience where participants work with the traditional Amazonian plant medicine ayahuasca under the guidance of experienced shamans.

At Nihue Rao, retreats are led by Shipibo healers who guide ceremonies through traditional healing songs known as ícaros, working with the energetic intelligence of the plants to support deep emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. Each retreat includes multiple ceremonies, opportunities for master plant dietas, and integration conversations to help participants reflect on and understand their experiences.

Between ceremonies, guests are supported through rest, nature immersion, and personal guidance from the healers and facilitators, allowing the healing process to unfold gradually and with care. The retreat environment is designed to create a safe and respectful container for working with plant medicine in alignment with the Amazonian healing tradition.

Group Retreats

At Nihue Rao, we’re happy to host group retreats of all sizes. We welcome tour groups, groups of family and friends, or shamanic students who want to travel together and share the experience and spiritual healing at Nihue Rao.

If you are interested in hosting a group at Nihue Rao, please contact us for more details. We offer a discounted rate in accordance with the size of your group.

Retreat Schedule

Here is a sample schedule for what an 11-day retreat could look like with us.

9:00 AM      Pickup from Iquitos airport or hotel

10:00 AM     Arrive at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual

10:30 AM      Center grounds tour and room assignment

12:00 PM     Lunch

1:00 PM       Intentions questionnaire

3:00 PM      Meet with Maestro Ricardo to discuss your goals

5:00 PM      Dinner

8:00 AM      Breakfast

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Orientation

5:00 PM      Dinner

6:00 PM      Movie Night

8:30 AM      Vomitivo (purgative)

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Introduction to Ayahuasca

3:00 PM      Drink plant medicine

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      First ceremony (open plant diet)

8:00 AM      Breakfast

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Integration conversation

4:30 PM      Flower bath

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      Ceremony

8:00 AM      Breakfast

9:00 AM      Massage (optional)

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Integration conversation

5:00 PM      Dinner

8:00 AM      Breakfast

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Sharing circle

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      Ceremony

8:00 AM      Breakfast

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Integration conversation

4:30 PM     Flower bath

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      Ceremony

8:00 AM      Breakfast

9:00 AM      Group meditation

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

1:00 PM       Massage (optional)

5:00 PM      Dinner

6:00 PM      Game night

8:00 AM      Breakfast

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Sharing circle

5:00 PM      Dinner

6:00 PM      Movie night

8:00 AM      Breakfast

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine     

11:00 AM      Meet to set intentions for ceremony

12:00 PM      Lunch

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      Ceremony

8:00 AM      Breakfast

10:00 AM     Drink plant medicine

12:00 PM     Lunch

2:00 PM      Integration conversation

4:30 PM      Flower bath

7:30 PM       Arrive to maloca for ceremony

8:00 PM      Ceremony (close plant diet)

8:00 AM      Breakfast

9:00 AM      Massage (optional)

12:00 PM     Lunch

1:00 PM       Departure to Iquitos airport or hotel

Why Choose Nihue Rao

Authentic Shipibo Tradition
Led by Maestro Ricardo Amaringo with more than 45+ years of experience working with ayahuasca.

Deep Plant Dieta Work
Longer retreats include master plant diets prescribed for healing and spiritual development.

Frequent Ceremonies
Ceremonies are held four times per week with individual healing songs (ícaros).

Immersive Amazon Setting
Our center is surrounded by jungle and built in traditional Shipibo style.

The Heart of Ayahuasca Is Here

Mother Ayahuasca is calling you...

Join us for a retreat and experience the true medicine.

Ayahuasca is legal in Peru. The Peruvian government declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation, “the traditional knowledge and use of the ayahuasca practiced by the indigenous native communities of the Amazon…”

941 Calle Los Angeles Asent. Modelo San Juan Bautista Maynas Iquitos – Peru  ::  WhatsApp / Phone: +51 910 316 715 ::  E-mail: nihuerao@gmail.com

© 2025 Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual