Katari Center
Atmosphere
Features
💬 Guests Say
- Soul-Stirring Rituals: Guests marvel at the ayahuasca ceremonies, describing them as “deeply cleansing” under Maestro Chakaruna’s wise guidance.
- Amazon Embrace: The pristine jungle near Tarapoto enchants visitors, offering a “sacred cocoon” for personal renewal.
- Gentle Support: Attendees feel uplifted by the staff’s warmth, likening it to a “homecoming” in a caring community.
🚩 Incident Report
-
Theft: No guest reports or public posts on forums, social media, ICEERS data, or news sources mention stolen valuables or items at Katari Center.
-
Sexual Misconduct: There are no documented allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Katari Center’s staff or facilitators in online discussions (Reddit, Facebook), news archives, or ICEERS resources. While sexual misconduct is a noted risk in the broader ayahuasca retreat community, no specific cases tie to Katari Center.
-
Crime: No evidence of police reports, arrests, or violent incidents associated with Katari Center surfaced in Google News, Peruvian media, retreat forums, or ICEERS findings.
🔍 Research Notes
Katari Center
Katari is a healing center, located 20 minutes from the Tarapoto airport in Peru. We host retreats that cater to people in search of deep personal growth at a physical, mental, and spiritual level.
Many of our guests have experienced:
-
purification, regeneration and harmonization on corporal and mental dispositions
-
clarity about life pathways and new perspectives on personal issues
-
emotional liberation and renovation of vital energies
-
healing of sub-acute or chronic diseases
-
awakening of own spiritual strength
-
connection with nature inside and outside
-
facing fears or clearing of other types of blockages
-
a new sense of peace and happiness to their life.
Everybody is a collection of different values, experiences and societal programing (his or her own nature). The medicine works with each individual to give them exactly what they need and there is no general result of the retreat. The results are as various and colorful as the people that attend the retreats!
Love . Shanti . Katari
History Of
Katari Center
Katari (which means snake in indigenous Aymara language) first opened its doors to humanity 20 Years ago. Since then, guests and volunteers from all over the world have enjoyed the abundance of life, sounds, and smells of this incredible virgin rainforest…“animals singing their way from day to night, and a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors and heart warming smells that fill even the smallest space“
Little by little a botanical garden of healing plants is being set up and the Katari family is giving joyful life to the site. With the help of many generous and pure hearts Maestro Chakaruna has been leading the creation of this authentic, sheltered space of virgin rainforest which evolves with every group we hold in the space.
Our Vision
We offer a platform to people, regardless of race, up-bringing or believes, that allows for individual growth at a physical, spiritual and emotional level.
Our philosophy is all inclusive and we wish to spread peace, love and happiness around the world through our work with the Universal Forces. The intention is to develop a new consciousness, through the use of traditional medicinal plants including ayahuasca as the primary teaching plant.
As a base and a bridge we appreciate and apply the traditional instruments, knowledge and medicines of indigenous people of the Amazon. Knowledge that has been acquired and developed over thousands of years. Their cosmovision (and ours) is tightly connected to the environment in a big circle of life.
We believe in the concept of Ayni (giving and receiving in balance) and we practice this by taking care of Mother Earth (Sachamama in Quechua language). That’s why it is one of our tasks to reforest using the traditional medicinal plants. For the sustainability of this work in future generations.
Service Description
This 7 day / 6 night retreat expands your consciousness through focused work with the plant medicine ayahuasca. Through embracing the Quechua tradition of using ayahuasca ceremonies to explore your consciousness and learning about the cosmovisión amazónico (jungle philosophy on life). Experience living in the jungle and true connection to nature through plant medicine. This 7 day retreat includes 3 ayahuasca ceremonies performed as ritual with a group and one or more facilitators. Plus ayahuasca specific menu and stay in your own private rustic room with bathroom. We will do 2 evening ceremonies beginning around 5pm and 1 day ceremony beginning in the morning around 8am. The ceremonies are approximately 5-6 hours depending on how long the medicine lasts in the participants. Within this retreat we will visit Ahuashiyacu waterfall which is the water fall that flows into the river that runs through our center. The retreat also includes one plant bath, one educational plant walk, consultations with the facilitators to guide you through your experience and a group sharing circle to begin your integration process. The retreat includes 3 macrobiotic meals a day (only 2 on ceremony days). Each meal is prepared specific to the traditional diet required for the medicine including no sugar, no red meat or pork, no spicy foods, no condiments and no fried foods. You will stay in a beautiful private bungalow made of organic materials with a private bathroom and shower. Please note there is no electricity on the property and to charge electronics we have limited solar energy and limited rechargeable batteries. The bungalows are simple and authentic to how these types of retreats have been performed for hundreds of years while giving a few extra comforts for the modern participant. In between the ceremonies and included activities you will have lots of time to rest, walk on the property, swim in the river or meditate in the maloca (medicine temple). Our retreats are structured in a way that allows for maximum time for integration in order to make the most of your plant medicine experience. To register please fill out our medical form and waiver and wait for approval. Upon approval you may participate in the ceremony. Ayahuasca is not for everyone, when you hear the calling of the plants it will be clear that not is your time to connect with the plants and connect with yourself. Additional tours and activities available at an extra charge.
Madre Ayahuasca
The term Ayahuasca is derived from the Quechua words “aya ” meaning soul or spirit and “huasca” meaning rope or vine. This is translated as the vine of the soul and is considered to be a drink used by the initiated ones to communicate with the world of the spirits for more than 5,000 years by the shamans of the Amazon as a way to reach amplified states of consciousness.
Ayahuasca is a blend of two plants – the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the leaves of a shrub called chacruna (Psychotria viridis), which contains the dimethyltryptamine (The Spirit Molecule). The effects of Ayahuasca can be attributed to Dimethyltryptamine , a substance that is produced by our Pineal Gland and is responsible for our nocturnal dreams. According to various healers Chacruna is in charge of “painting the visions” whereas the Ayahuasca is the one teaching beyond those visions.
Working with Ayahuasca is an intense, profound, and almost always a highly transformative experience that can facilitate deep healing on all levels of your being – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. An ayahuasca purge releases you of unhealthy mental and emotional energies that you may have been carrying that were initially caused by difficult experiences in your life such as emotional wounds, abuse, relationship difficulties and depression. Ayahuasca is a doorway to inner worlds that allows us access higher states of consciousness and the experience of spiritual awakening. To many people it reveals the multi-dimensional nature of reality and ourselves and it leads us back to who we truly are.
The effects induce a modified state of consciousness, which is experienced as expanding and allows us to observe deep-rooted problems and open the censoring of the human unconscious mind. The Ayahuasca experience can lead to different results, such as the surprising and ecstatic meeting with one’s “Self”, the identification of a true “Me”, not recognized and seemingly rediscovered.
Ayahuasca is a sacred medicine consumed in a ritual ceremony. The consumption of Ayahuasca within a controlled context shows no side-effects, nor any symptom of abstinence when you stop consuming it.
Pre-Ayahuasca Detox
& Healing Retreat Diet
What not to eat before your Retreat
In order to pass through your retreat successfully, clients are required to follow a special pre-Ayahuasca diet before their detox and healing retreat. In the Amazon the word ‘diet or dietas’ is used to refer to a period of fasting from certain foods, so that one can experience a more powerful detox and healing with La Madre Ayahuasca.
All retreat participants are advised to abstain from the following food items 3 days before and after your Ayahuasca Detox & Healing Retreat:
Fruits
– Fruits that are bruised or overripe including raisins, prunes
or other dried fruits – Bananas
– Avocados
– Canned figs
– Red plums – Pineapple
– Raspberries
Vegetables
– Sauerkraut
– Broad beans and pods
(lima, fava beans, lentils, snow peas and soya beans
Other Food Items
– Tofu
– Nuts
– Yeast extracts/ brewer’s yeast (Marmite) – Soy sauce
Animal Products
– All meat, fish and eggs which are not fresh
– Red meat
– Pork (please abstain for a minimum of two weeks before and after ceremony)
– Dry and fermented sausage (bologna, salami, pepperoni, corned beef, and liver) – Pickled herring and salted dried fish
– Meat extracts
Spices and Herbs
– Salt
– Pepper
– Spices
– Chillies or other hot peppers
– Ginger
– Ginseng
– St. John’s wort
– Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA) found in Morning Glory and Baby Hawaiian Woodrose seeds MDA related herbs (nutmeg, sweet flag)
Drinks
– Alcohol – You should abstain from drinking alcohol for a minimum of one week before and after your ceremony
– Fizzy drinks (including “diet” sodas, as these contain NutraSweet/Aspartame and other sweeteners)
– Beer and non-alcoholic beer
Confectioneries
– Chocolate
– Sugar and sweets – Ice cream
Oils
– Oils (if you must use oil, use olive oil very sparingly)
– Fat (including lard etc)
Dairy
– Cultured dairy products such as buttermilk, yogurt, and sour cream
– All aged/mature cheese (exception: cottage cheese, cream cheese)
– Caffeine drinks including coffee, tea, cola, Guarana and energy drinks
– Ice or ice cold drinks
Post Dieta Information
The post diet is as important as the diet it’s self. The Post-diet usually lasts 4-6 weeks depending on the plant you dieted with and for how long your diet lasted. You need to check this with your Maestro when you end your diet. The post diet is a period of integration and incorporation of the spirit of the master plant and for the work you’ve done during the diet. During this time you need to follow a special diet and lifestyle. Following the post diet guidelines is extremely important and breaking with the post diet instructions can cause severe problems and complications.
It is important to listen to your own body. There are certain things you must avoid completely and there are things you can implement after a few days. For the foods that are not mentioned, listen in with yourself and ask your body, the master plant will also guide you. You can also try and see how it feels in your system. If the food is very heavy to digest, to much spice etc. avoid. Your body will often give you a feeling if its good for you or not and the quantities it wants. Eat as much organic food as possible.
What to completely avoid during post-dieta 4 – 6 weeks :
-
Acid and Citric fruits (this includes lemons, oranges, passion fruit, tomatoes (however a few drops of lemon juice on your salad is ok)
-
Advocado
-
Alcohol
-
Beans/lentils
-
Bread
-
Coffee and black tea
-
Dairy products, milk, butter, cream and yogurt
-
Eggs
-
Fatty fish/ salt water fish
-
Fermented products like vinegar, wine, soy sauce
-
Hot spices/ sauces
-
Ice-cream, refrigerated food and drinks/ hot drinks-soups/food (Stick to room-
tempered food/drinks)
-
Nuts and seeds
-
Onion, garlic, spices
-
Oil
-
Processed food
-
Red meat/ pork
-
Sugar (fructose in fruits is fine and little honey but not too much)
-
Seafood
-
Tinned food
-
Sexual activity, masturbation and especially no orgasm
-
Ingestion of medicaments
-
Smoking marihuana, psycoactive substances and other drugs
-
Do not use strong chemicals on your hair or skin, try to use natural soaps, shampoes, oils for your skin, fluoride free natural toothpaste and natural fragrances, if any.
After 1 – 2 weeks you may add in (add little by little and listen to your body what is ok- use moderation, especially at first):
Acid and citric fruits
• Avocado
• Bread
• Beans/lentils Eggs (but not fried in
oils)
Fatty fish and salt water fish
Oatmeal milksoy milk Nuts and seedspeanuts
Recommended Lifestyle during Post-Dieta:
-
Try not to over eat/ the plant intergrates better when eating in moderation
-
You may need to rest a lot for these first 2 weeks, allow yourself to do so
-
Dont mix your energy too much with other people (i.e. massage, kissing, hugs etc.)
-
Drink plenty of water and herbal teas without caffeine (f.eks: camomille)
-
Keep a diary of your personal dreams and insights
-
Slowly get back into physical exercise, don’t overdo it too quickly, but listen to your body. Swetting is not reccomendable during post- diet.
-
Be mindful and stay out of the sun to much, try to stay in the shade instead.
-
Be mindful of being in busy crowds, take extra time if you are back to your normal
routine at home, meditate and journal often and keep track of how you’re feeling
generally and in response to your master plant.
-
We reccomend cleansing your body and mind, with showers, insences, palo santo or
sage, going for short walks, being in nature and be kind to yourself.
-
Be mindful of where your thoughts are, and your thoght patterns. Whatever you choose
to do/think to yourself during post – diet you also do to the master plant.
We recommend to eat steamed potatoes, manioc, green banana and vegetables, oatmeal porrige, fresh salads, quinua, rice, fruits, lean fish and chicken from the grill (without additional oil and spices). Food that has ”less personality”(meaning less tastes, spices, fats, sugar etc.) is the best to eat during post- diet, it gives more space to the master plant to intergrate. Natural supplements are ok to eat during post diet, but in moderation.