La Luna del Amazonas
Atmosphere
Features
La Luna del Amazonas Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Peru
La Luna del Amazonas is a holistic ayahuasca retreat center located in the beautiful jungle outside of Iquitos, Peru. Founded by Enrique and Don Guido in 2015, the center operates under small group sizes with a maximum of 10 guests to ensure personalized attention from their team of native shamans.
🎯 At a Glance
- Locations: Located about 1 hour outside Iquitos (25 minutes by speedboat) down the Amazon River, the center sits in pristine rainforest surrounded by wildlife including monkeys, birds, and other jungle creatures.
- Approach: Up to 8 ayahuasca ceremonies conducted by experienced shamans in small groups, with personal limpieza (energetic cleanse) and Arcana (spiritual protection) included in each ceremony.
- Suitable For: First-time participants and experienced practitioners seeking authentic Amazonian shamanism in an intimate setting with comprehensive support and integration.
- Costs: Estimated $1,500-$2,500 for week-long retreats based on typical market pricing, with all meals and accommodation included.
- Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: A- (notable for authentic traditional approach and excellent safety protocols, small group focus ensures personalized attention).
💬 What Guests Are Saying
Reviews consistently praise the center’s authenticity and safety standards. Guests frequently mention feeling immediately safe and welcomed upon arrival, with many describing the experience as life-changing. The shamans, particularly Don Guido and Don Leonardo, receive exceptional praise for their experience and caring approach. Multiple reviewers emphasize the small group size creating a family-like atmosphere, with several noting they felt completely supported throughout challenging ceremonies. The rustic accommodations are viewed positively, adding to the authentic jungle experience rather than detracting from it. Food quality receives consistent compliments despite the dietary restrictions, and the daily wildlife encounters and river swimming are highlighted as memorable aspects. Many guests express strong intentions to return, indicating high satisfaction levels.
A few practical considerations emerge from reviews, including the rustic nature of accommodations and lack of electricity in rooms, though these are generally framed as enhancing rather than limiting the experience. The center’s emphasis on traditional healing over recreational experiences resonates strongly with guests seeking genuine therapeutic work.
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🚩 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 significant safety incidents were found associated with La Luna del Amazonas.
- Theft: No reports of theft or property-related incidents found across reviewed platforms and sources.
- Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior by staff or shamans found in available sources.
- Crime: No criminal allegations, arrests, or legal proceedings found associated with the center or its operators.
The center’s facilitator Enrique has studied ayahuasca safety at ICEERS and is involved in the Zendo Project by MAPS for psychedelic harm reduction, indicating a commitment to safety protocols and best practices.
New update as of March 2026: No new incidents or safety concerns identified.
🔍 Critical Notes
La Luna del Amazonas demonstrates strong commitment to traditional Amazonian shamanism while maintaining modern safety standards. The center’s small size and intimate approach create optimal conditions for personalized healing work, with shamans able to provide individual attention during ceremonies. The center met stringent safety requirements for Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown production, suggesting robust safety protocols.
Operating in Peru’s regulatory environment for plant medicine, the center benefits from the country’s traditional recognition of ayahuasca use. The center adheres to traditional principles where ayahuasca works alone without mixing with other plant medicines, avoiding what indigenous shamans call cutipado (confusion of energies), which demonstrates respect for traditional practices and may enhance safety.
Potential participants should consider the rustic jungle setting and basic accommodations, though these contribute to the authentic experience. The center’s emphasis on healing over tourism creates an environment suited for serious therapeutic work rather than casual exploration.
🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks
The center requires completion of medical guidelines and a booking application that undergoes approval within 1-2 business days, suggesting some level of screening. Participants must read medical guidelines before booking, though specific details of the screening process are not publicly detailed on their website. The small group size allows for more personalized attention to individual needs and potential concerns.
As with all ayahuasca experiences, individuals with certain medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, or those taking specific medications should exercise extreme caution and consult with qualified healthcare providers before participating.
🧪 Brew Substance
The center serves traditional ayahuasca, referred to locally as ‘La medicina’ (The medicine) and ‘la purga’ (The purge), prepared from traditional Amazonian plants. Unlike many modern retreats that present a ‘spiritual buffet’ of different plants, La Luna adheres to traditional understanding that ayahuasca is a jealous plant that works alone, avoiding mixing with other energies. The shamans prepare the brew following ancestral methods passed down through generations.
📍 Location, Setting & Style
- Peru: Located in the Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos, the world’s largest city accessible only by boat or plane, providing an authentic jungle environment rich in biodiversity and shamanic tradition.
- Setting: The center sits about 1 hour outside Iquitos by boat down the Amazon River, surrounded by pristine rainforest. Facilities include a traditional maloka (ceremonial temple), private bungalows, dining areas, and direct access to river swimming. The center is close to the native Yagua tribe community in Nuevo Peru, with occasional visits arranged.
- Style: Days begin with group activities and meditation, followed by educational workshops about plant medicine and shamanism. Excursions include visits to Monkey Island with various wildlife encounters, and evenings feature ceremonies or integration discussions. Saturday nights conclude with dinner and bonfire under the stars rather than ceremonies.
Practical guidance: Participants fly into Lima then connect to Iquitos (IQT), with recommendation to arrive Sunday and stay overnight before Monday 11 AM pickup. Transport includes boat rides on the Amazon River where pink dolphins may be spotted.
Should You Book?
La Luna del Amazonas suits those seeking authentic traditional ayahuasca healing in an intimate, well-supported environment. The center excels for first-time participants due to its careful approach and personalized attention, while experienced practitioners will appreciate the traditional methods and skilled shamans. Those looking for luxury accommodations or resort-style amenities should look elsewhere, as this is a rustic jungle setting focused on healing work. The small group size makes it ideal for individuals who prefer intimate settings over larger retreat experiences.
The Team & Story
The center operates under the guidance of Don Benigno, Don Guido, Don Leonardo, Don Jack, and Enrique along with their families, representing generations of shamanic knowledge. The shamans opened the local village clinic in 1987, initially serving local patients before expanding to international guests. The center and translator Enrique are acknowledged in the Swedish edition of Michael Pollan’s ‘How to Change Your Mind’, indicating recognition in respected psychedelic literature.
Prep & Integration Tips
Pre-retreat preparation includes eating healthily and avoiding processed foods, with specific requirements to avoid pork meat for one week prior and alcohol/sexual activity for 48 hours before arrival. Retreats are all-inclusive with participants only needing to bring personal toiletries. Shamans provide integration tools and techniques, with ongoing correspondence available after retreat completion.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small groups (max 10) ensure personalized attention | Limited availability due to small capacity |
| Authentic traditional shamanic practices | Rustic accommodations without room electricity |
| Experienced shamans with generational lineage | Remote location requires multiple transport connections |
| Strong safety protocols and harm reduction training | Basic amenities compared to luxury retreat centers |
Book Your Ceremony
Booking requires completing an application form, waiting for approval (1-2 business days), then paying a deposit to secure placement. All meals, accommodation, ceremonies, and activities are included in the retreat price.