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

If you are considering ayahuasca in Peru, Paititi Institute has operated since 2010 with many glowing participant reviews, facilitating plant medicine retreats in the Mapacho and Sacred Valleys. The center promotes intercultural healing blending Amazonian and Andean traditions. At the same time, an unverified and disputed 2017/2020 allegation about sexual misconduct and the institute’s response has been discussed in public forums and may be relevant to some travelers’ assessment of risk and accountability.

As of December 2025, no additional incidents have surfaced publicly, and Paititi continues to receive very positive feedback on retreat platforms; however, the unresolved and disputed case is still referenced in community discussions.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Healing centers in the Mapacho Valley and Sacred Valley, Peru, with isolated huts in the rainforest for immersive experiences.
• Approach: Multi-disciplinary indigenous healing, using ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies, with groups varying and additions such as breathwork, Qigong, and nutritional protocols.
• Suitable For: Potentially those seeking deep transformation, but feedback strongly indicates it is unsuitable due to reported ethical failures.
• Costs: $170 per day for at least one month, plus deposit; retreats include ceremonies, meals, lodging, but strongly discouraged.
• Overall Assessment: A single safety and ethical claim may outweigh benefits. Overall very experienced team for many years.

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Participants in Paititi Institute ayahuasca sessions in Peru occasionally mention healing breathwork, as in reviews noting powerful unblocking of energy and easing anxiety. The transformative retreats draw some praise, with accounts highlighting life-changing blends of practices. Experiences include supportive community, with some feeling motivated through challenges, though many express concerns over unresolved allegations. Aggregated from community entries: Varied but dominated by ethical worries, low on trust.

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

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca and r/Psychonaut, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, a serious allegation of sexual misconduct tied to Paititi Institute was found, though no verified incidents of theft or crime were documented.

Theft & Crime

• Theft: We found no public reports of stolen items or valuables specifically tied to Paititi Institute in forums, review sites, news, or ICEERS materials.

• Violent crime: We found no reports of violent crime, arrests, or police interventions involving Paititi Institute in public sources reviewed.

Sexual Misconduct – Disputed 2017/2020 Case

• A former participant posted a detailed account on Reddit describing an incident during a month-long retreat in the Sacred Valley. She alleges she was molested and sexually assaulted by a man she identifies as a facilitator’s relative (often described online as a “brother-in-law”) while in a vulnerable state following ceremony.

• In her account, she reports feeling unsupported when she brought this to leadership, stating that Paititi’s team denied responsibility on the grounds that the man was not technically staff, and that she was denied a partial refund when she considered leaving early. She describes significant emotional and psychological fallout and criticizes what she perceived as a lack of accountability and care.

Paititi Institute’s Position

• Paititi Institute disputes this characterization. In direct communication between Paititi Institute’s board and Best Retreats’ Team, leadership maintains that:

  • The situation involved a consensual personal relationship between two adults,

  • The individual in question was not staff and not acting in a professional role during the incident, and

  • Public accounts of the event are inaccurate and misleading.

Best Retreats is not in a position to adjudicate what happened. We treat this as a disputed allegation and present both the survivor’s public account and the institute’s stated position so readers can understand the nature of the controversy.

Pattern of Incidents

• We did not find additional allegations of sexual misconduct or similar serious incidents involving Paititi in public sources.

• We did find many consistently positive reviews and endorsements spanning multiple years, with no other claims of abuse or serious ethical breaches.

New update as of December 2025: No new incidents or allegations have surfaced in recent searches; positive reviews continue on sites like retreat.guru, while the unresolved and disputed 2017/2020 case continues to be referenced in community discussions, reinforcing caution for some travelers.

🔍 Critical Notes

Paititi Institute’s ayahuasca programs in Peru seek to provide meaningful transformation through indigenous frameworks and group support. Some aspects include breathwork that assists in energy flow, but considerations overwhelmingly include the 2020 assault allegation met with denial, potentially leading to harm from lack of accountability. Regulatory contexts: Peru permits plant medicine with variable supervision in remote areas.

📣 Statement from Paititi Institute

The following statement was provided directly by Paititi Institute’s board of directors  to Best Retreats and reflects the organization’s official position regarding the 2017 allegation:

“Paititi Institute is aware of a publicly posted allegation concerning an event from 2017. The situation involved a consensual personal relationship between two adults, neither of whom were facilitators, staff members, or acting in any professional capacity at Paititi Institute. Both individuals communicated to our facilitation team at the time that their relationship was consensual. No assault, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing took place. The allegation circulating online is unverified and reflects one individual’s later interpretation, which we respectfully dispute. In over fifteen years of operation, Paititi Institute has had no substantiated complaints of misconduct and remains committed to safety, integrity, and the preservation of Indigenous healing traditions.”

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

For Paititi Institute ayahuasca retreats in Peru, screening involves coordination with health professionals, but reports suggest inadequate support in crises. Preparation encompasses dietary and mental readiness, but post-session integration appears variable, with ethical concerns noted. Research suggests high risks of transient challenges like anxiety or lasting trauma, particularly without groundwork. For individuals addressing issues, avoidance is recommended due to reported exacerbation. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential, but community feedback urges steering clear of ayahuasca sessions in Peru here.

🧪 Brew Substance

Paititi Institute employs traditional ayahuasca from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, alongside San Pedro, forming preparations rooted in ancestral wisdom for profound effects. Participants report it facilitates deep healing, but negative accounts highlight uncontrolled intensity amid allegations. Those expecting structured potency may find it unpredictable, so extreme caution is key for plant medicine engagements in Peru.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Peru: Situated in Mapacho Valley and Sacred Valley, the venues provide rainforest huts for isolation, suitable for ceremonies, but reports note unsafe dynamics.
• Setting: Immersed in jungle for nature connection, but 2020 issues emphasize vulnerabilities.
• Style: Multi-disciplinary elements with inclusions like Qigong, yoga, shared meals, but lacking in ethical interactions per feedback.

Practical guidance: Travel to Cusco then overland; advance verification is critical, but avoidance suggested for 2025.

Should You Book?

Paititi Institute is a polarizing option in the ayahuasca ecosystem:

• On one hand, it has a long history, a very strong reputation among many past participants, and consistently high ratings on retreat review platforms.

• On the other, there is a single, serious, publicly posted allegation of sexual misconduct and criticism of how leadership responded, which Paititi disputes and which has not been legally adjudicated or publicly resolved.

Best Retreats currently classifies Paititi as a normal B level listing rather than a straightforward “recommended” or “avoid at all costs” center. In practical terms, that means:

• If you are highly risk-averse, sensitive to questions of institutional accountability, or would simply prefer a center with no publicly disputed allegations, you may wish to choose an alternative retreat.

• If you are considering Paititi, we strongly encourage you to:

  • Read both the positive reviews and the survivor account in full.

  • Ask Paititi directly how they currently handle complaints, boundaries, and safeguarding.

  • Reflect on whether you personally feel comfortable with the level of risk and ambiguity.

The decision is ultimately yours. Our role is to ensure you have enough context to make an informed choice.

The Team & Story

Led by Roman Hanis since 2010, Paititi Institute originated from intercultural healing visions, but reports criticize leadership responses to allegations. The narrative centers on wholeness through indigenous lineages, but influences negative outcomes per accounts. The approach prioritizes guidance, with heavy scrutiny on responsibility.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to any consideration: Research extensively due to risks; adhere to standard MAOI diets if proceeding, but disclose all details. Following: Seek independent support, as provided integration is questioned. Effective avoidance prevents issues; consult professionals first.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings may be available through Paititi Institute’s platform.