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Epicenter Ayahuasca Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Peru

Epicenter Ayahuasca is an authentic ayahuasca retreat in the heart of the Amazon outside Pucallpa Peru, run by Shipibo shamans who invite guests to embark on healing journeys using ancient practices with teacher plants, founded by Mama Olinda, Padre Esteban and Urban in 2022. The retreat is located just outside Pahoyan, a Shipibo village up the Amazonian river from Pucallpa, Peru, with the family carrying centuries of experience and tradition in using Ayahuasca and master plant dietas as healing methods.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: The retreat is accessed after a 3-hour speedboat ride from Pucallpa to Pahoyan, followed by another 15-minute trip by Amazon boat through areas with bird migrations. Guests live amongst the plants used in ceremony, deep in the Shipibo center of the Amazon rainforest.
• Approach: The center has a maximum capacity of 6 guests, often with 3 shamans present in each ceremony to provide individualized attention. They invite people to 10+ day retreats at their center, starting with a discovery call before making reservations.
• Suitable For: The people who come to their retreat are seeking a deeply personal and authentic healing experience, away from the modern world.
• Costs: They offer 1-month retreats with 14 ayahuasca ceremonies and 9 teacher plant ceremonies, and 20-day retreats with 9 ayahuasca ceremonies and 6 teacher plant ceremonies, both all-inclusive with private bungalows, meals, and various activities.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B- (notable for authentic Shipibo lineage and intimate setting, flagged for website inconsistencies and limited verifiable reviews).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Limited guest reviews were found across major platforms during research. The retreat appears relatively new, having opened in 2022, which may explain the sparse review landscape. No specific guest testimonials or detailed experience reports were located on TripAdvisor, Retreat Guru, or other major review platforms. The absence of substantial guest feedback makes it difficult to assess participant satisfaction or identify common themes in guest experiences.

We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no specific safety incidents were found.

• Theft: No reports of theft found across checked platforms.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct found across checked platforms.
• Crime: No criminal activity reports found across checked platforms.

The retreat’s recent establishment in 2022 means there is limited historical data available for comprehensive safety assessment.

New update as of March 2026: No new incidents reported.

🔍 Critical Notes

The founders, Maestro Esteban and Maestra Olinda, started as healers in their communities and spent over 15 years working at various westernized retreats in Pucallpa and Iquitos, but found these retreats didn’t follow the Shipibo way and had trouble getting their voices heard. This background suggests authentic cultural grounding and motivation to preserve traditional practices. However, there are concerning inconsistencies in the retreat’s online presence. The website epicenterayahuasca.com appears to be associated with a different operation called “Kene Nete Healing Center” at kenenete.com, which shares the same founders and location but presents different branding and potentially different pricing structures. Additionally, some sources indicate the retreat opened in April 2021 while others state 2022, creating confusion about operational timeline. Peru’s ayahuasca retreats operate in a legal gray area with minimal government oversight, requiring extra due diligence from potential participants.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

No specific mental health screening process was documented in available sources. The retreat mentions starting with a “discovery call” before making reservations, but details about medical or psychological screening procedures are not provided. Given the intensive nature of their programs involving multiple ayahuasca ceremonies and master plant dietas, the absence of clearly stated screening protocols raises concerns. Anyone considering this retreat should inquire directly about their medical screening requirements and always consult with healthcare providers familiar with psychedelic contraindications before participating.

🧪 Brew Substance

The retreat uses traditional ayahuasca prepared by Shipibo shamans as part of their ancient practices with teacher plants. Their programs include ayahuasca ceremonies alongside teacher plant ceremonies, cleansing ceremonies, sauna sessions, and flower baths. The use of additional “master plants” and “teacher plants” in dieta format suggests they follow traditional Shipibo practices, though specific plant combinations are not detailed in available sources.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Peru: Located in Peru’s Amazon rainforest region near Pucallpa, in the traditional territory of the Shipibo people, known for their geometric art and deep ayahuasca traditions.
• Setting: The retreat provides private bungalows (tambos) with bedding, towels, laundry service, meals and drinks. Guests live amongst the plants used in ceremony, deep in the Shipibo center of the Amazon rainforest.
• Style: A typical program includes daily consultations with shamans, multiple ceremony types, plant teacher tours in the Amazon, fishing trips, and visits to the Shipibo village of Pahoyan.

Practical guidance: Access requires a 3-hour speedboat ride from Pucallpa to Pahoyan, followed by additional boat transport. The remote location requires significant travel planning and coordination with the retreat for transportation arrangements.

Should You Book?

This retreat may appeal to those seeking an authentic, intimate Shipibo experience in a traditional Amazon setting with experienced indigenous healers. However, potential guests should proceed with caution due to website inconsistencies, limited verifiable reviews, and unclear screening procedures. The remote location and intensive dieta programs require participants to be in good physical and mental health. Those preferring established retreats with extensive documentation and reviews should look elsewhere.

The Team & Story

Maestra Olinda (59) grew up in the remote Amazon and from age 16 worked jointly with her mother holding ayahuasca ceremonies. Maestro Esteban (62) grew up in a remote Amazon community and was initiated at 17 to conduct ayahuasca ceremonies jointly with his grandfather. Urban (32) was born in Sweden and works as a coach, co-leading the retreat with the family to connect the western world to ancient medicine. In 2020, Olinda and Esteban crossed paths with Urban and shared their vision of creating an affordable ayahuasca retreat in the epicenter of ancient healing traditions, welcoming their first guest in April 2021.

Prep & Integration Tips

No specific preparation or integration protocols were detailed in available sources. Participants should inquire directly about dietary requirements, what to bring, and post-retreat support. The retreat mentions daily consultations with shamans, suggesting some level of ongoing guidance during the program.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings start with a discovery call before making reservations at their center. Programs are all-inclusive with accommodation, meals, ceremonies, and various activities included.