A master plant Dieta has the potential to clear deep-rooted traumas and unhealthy energies held in the body and consciousness. However, healing is a process, and it is different for each person. It unfolds in layers and depends on how deeply rooted the issue is.

When an imbalance comes from our own actions or from experiences within our lifetime, it may resolve more directly. When it is rooted in the genealogical line, the process can take more time, as the work may touch patterns connected to the family system and its history.

It is not possible to say in advance how many Dietas will be needed. The result depends greatly on the depth and duration of the work. A longer Dieta — for example two months — is generally more effective for deep or family-related healing than several shorter Dietas spread over time.

Healing is gradual, and each step prepares the ground for the next

You are welcome to come at the same time as people you are close to. However, each Dieta is a personal process.

You will stay in separate tambos and we may seat you apart during ceremonies to support concentration and depth of work. We encourage everyone to focus on their own process rather than on the experience of others.

Some people prefer to come alone; others feel supported by coming together. Both are possible, as long as each person is committed to their individual journey.

Complete silence is not an obligation, but we strongly recommend remaining in silence as much as possible and speaking only when necessary.

Silence supports concentration and allows the process to deepen without distraction.

Clear indications will be given at the beginning of the retreat regarding communication and when it is appropriate to speak.

In the Shipibo tradition, becoming a healer requires years of apprenticeship with a Maestro and many Dietas in isolation with master plants. It is a long and disciplined path, often compared to a form of medical training.

A true healer first works deeply on their own healing before learning to serve others. The process is different for each person and depends on dedication, discipline, the plants you diet, and the guidance of your teacher.

It cannot be rushed or predicted. The path usually takes many years and unfolds gradually under the direction of the Maestro.

Our infrastructure is simple and immersed in nature. Paths are natural ground, and facilities are basic.

Each situation is assessed individually. If you have mobility limitations or specific physical needs, please contact us before applying so we can evaluate together what is possible

Before applying, it is essential that you carefully read our Pre- & Post-Dieta and Medical guidelines pages on our website.

That page outlines all contraindications, medication restrictions, and important health considerations. As medical guidelines may be updated, please always refer to the website for the most current information.

If you have any medical conditions or are taking medication, you must inform us in your application.

Each situation is assessed individually. A medical intake is required before any confirmation.

Depending on your history and current condition, the work may need to be adapted. In some cases, the amount of ayahuasca is reduced, or it may be omitted altogether.

In stronger or more delicate conditions — such as schizophrenia or severe psychotic disorders — we usually do not recommend drinking ayahuasca. It may be more appropriate to receive alternative plant treatments, or to begin with a surrogate (distance) Dieta before considering coming physically.

In all cases, the Maestros will give their indication according to your situation. If you are unsure, it is always best to contact us directly before applying.

The Maestros give indications case by case.

• Contact us before applying.

Each situation is assessed individually, and a medical intake is required before any confirmation.

Because HIV sometimes requires medical treatment  that cannot be stopped, we need to evaluate  whether it is compatible with ayahuasca and with the Dieta process.

In some cases it may be possible to adapt the work. In others, it may not be advisable to proceed.

If you are living with HIV/AIDS, please contact us directly before applying so we can review your situation case by case.

A medical intake is required before any confirmation.

Some conditions and medications are contraindicated with ayahuasca or with certain plant treatments. For this reason, it is essential that you read our Medical Guidelines page carefully before applying.

If you have any diagnosed condition, ongoing treatment, or health concerns, please contact us directly so we can assess your situation case by case.

Our infrastructure is simple and immersed in nature. Paths are natural ground, and facilities are basic.

Each situation is assessed individually. If you have mobility limitations or specific physical needs, please contact us before applying so we can evaluate together what is possible

The food offered during the Dieta is part of the treatment.

We do not prepare separate meals. You are free not to eat certain items, but the kitchen does not cook alternative dishes on request.

If you have serious allergies or medical dietary restrictions, you must inform us in advance so the Maestros may give their recommendations.

If specific food is given to you during your stay, it is because the Maestros have requested it for treatment reasons related to your process.nd

In most cases, antidepressants and other psychiatric medications are contraindicated with ayahuasca and must be discontinued well in advance under medical supervision.

PLEASE READ our Medical Guidelines   page carefully before applying.

If you are taking any medication, you must inform us in your application. In rare cases, and depending on the type of medication, it may be possible to do a Dieta without drinking ayahuasca, or with specific adaptations. This is always evaluated on a case-by-case basis and decided together with the Maestros.

Never stop medication without consulting your doctor.

Before the Dieta (pre-dieta):
You may usually continue your supplements or plant treatments unless they are contraindicated with ayahuasca. Some plants and supplements must be stopped during the pre-dieta. Please carefully review our Medical Guidelines   page for the list of contraindications.

During the Dieta:
You will be asked to take only what is offered at the Center — both in terms of food and plant remedies. Personal supplements and treatments are normally paused so the Maestros can work clearly with the plants.

If you are taking something that your doctor advises you not to stop, please inform us at registration so we can evaluate your situation.

After the Dieta (post-dieta):
Some supplements may need to remain paused for a certain period. All necessary indications will be explained to you in your post-dieta instructions, and are also detailed on our  Pre- & Post-Dieta  page.

As always, please read carefully both the Pre- & Post-Dieta  and Medical Guidelines  pages before applying.

The most important is to come to your Dieta with trust — knowing that you will be properly cared for at the Center by experienced Maestros, who are traditional doctors.

It is not uncommon for physical symptoms to arise during a Dieta as part of the healing process. In such moments, the Maestros guide the work and ask that you remain focused, trust the process, and their expertise.

That said, there is a hospital in the city of Pucallpa, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away by road from the Center.

There is no problem if your moon time comes during your Dieta. It is a natural and powerful moment in your cycle.

In the Shipibo plant tradition, menstrual energy is considered strong and sensitive. For this reason, we will ask you to inform your facilitator when your moon begins. We will then gently guide you with a few practical indications to protect both your process and the group field.

During this time, you will be invited to spend more time in your tambo and to eat there. You will still attend ceremonies and, in most cases, drink medicine, as well as participate in sharing circles.

You will temporarily pause certain treatments, such as plant baths, sauna and other plant treatments as some plants are traditionally not combined with moon energy. None of that will affect your process negatively.

We will explain everything calmly and clearly at the time. There is nothing wrong, nothing impure, and nothing to feel uncomfortable about. It is simply a matter of working respectfully within the plant energetic framework.

No. It is not necessary to drink ayahuasca in order to do a Dieta.

The core of the Dieta is the work with the teacher plant. Ayahuasca supports the process, but it is not the central element.

In some cases, we may recommend not drinking — for example, if there are medical contraindications, if someone cannot stop certain medications, or if the body or nervous system needs a gentler approach. It is still possible to receive deep healing without drinking.

Traditionally, only the Maestros would drink during the initial stages of cleansing, and the patient would begin drinking later, in small amounts, once the body and mind were prepared. We aim to work as traditionally as possible.

When participants do drink, it is done progressively, in small and appropriate quantities, seeking clarity and concentration rather than intensity. Strong effects are not the goal, and in some cases can interfere with the work.

It is also possible to complete an entire Dieta without drinking at all. This is absolutely valid. The depth of the work does not depend on how much you drink, but on the alignment of the process.

Ceremonies usually begin around 9:00 or 10:00 pm and generally close between 1:00 and 2:00 am. The exact timing can vary depending on the group and the unfolding of the work.

The effects may last a few hours, sometimes before the end of the ceremony, and sometimes beyond. The duration depends on many factors, including the amount taken, your constitution, and your individual process. It is not possible to predict exactly how it will be.

Even after the noticeable effects have faded, the medicine may continue to integrate in subtle ways. Each ceremony is unique, and each person’s experience is different.

Ayahuasca is often referred to as “La Purga” because cleansing is an important part of the process. In the early stages of the work, the focus is often on clearing and preparing the body and system for deeper healing.

Purging can take different forms. It may be vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, shaking, crying, deep sighing, or other forms of emotional or energetic release. It does not look the same for everyone.

Vomiting is not required for healing. Many people do not vomit at all, and their process is just as valid. What matters is the inner movement and release, not the outward expression.

For some, cleansing happens strongly in the first ceremonies and then deepens. For others, it unfolds gradually over time. Each person’s process is unique.

An ícaro is a healing chant sung by the Maestro. It is considered the language of the plants and one of the principal healing tools in ceremony.

Ícaros are sung individually for each participant. While the melody may sometimes be similar, the words are not. The Maestro sings according to what he sees and perceives in the moment, guided by the plants, and directs the appropriate treatment through his singing.

An ícaro is not simply a song — it is an active part of the healing process.

Tobacco is regarded as a sacred and healing plant throughout the Americas. In many Amazonian traditions, tobacco (mapacho) is considered a Master Plant and is given equal importance to ayahuasca.

In ceremony and healing work, it is used for energetic clearing, protection, grounding, and alignment. It helps cleanse and stabilize the space and the person.

The tobacco used is pure tobacco leaf, without chemical additives.

At Shipibo Rao, our work is centered on the Master Plant Dieta. The ceremonies held at the Center are intended for dieteros, and during a Dieta only the dieteros and our team are present on site, in order to maintain a safe and focused environment.

We do not offer open ayahuasca ceremonies.

In rare cases, and for specific purposes, exceptions may be made with people who already have an established relationship with us.

Occasionally, someone who has completed a Dieta and is in their post-dieta period may return for a few additional ceremonies to support integration, when truly needed and when it does not interfere with the ongoing Dieta process.

Theoretically, Pucallpa has a humid tropical rainforest climate year-round. There is no true dry
season — only wetter and less wet periods. In practice, weather patterns are increasingly
unpredictable. There can be very dry phases and very intense rain, sometimes arriving earlier or
later than expected, and lasting longer or shorter than usual.

Average annual temperature: 26–27°C
Typical daytime range: 30–33°C
Typical nighttime range: 22–24°C
Hottest months: September–November (peaks can reach 34–36°C)
Highest humidity: December–March

October–April (Rainy / High Humidity Season)

• Frequent tropical showers, often in the afternoon
• High humidity (can feel heavier than temperature suggests)
• Daytime: 30–33°C
• Night: 22–24°C
• Waterproof clothing recommended
• Rain boots useful
• Warm cloth for cooler rainy night can be appreciated
• More bugs and mosquitos

May–September (Drier Period)

• Slightly less rainfall overall
• Still warm and humid
• Daytime: 29–32°C
• Night: 21–23°C
• During this period, occasional cold fronts can occur, most often in the beginning of May:
• Short cold spells lasting 1–10 days
• Night temperatures can drop to 16–20°C
• Light warm layers are useful
• Less bugs and mosquitos

For precise information about the weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/pe/pucallpa/261280/weather-forecast/261280 Upon registration we will send you a detailed list of all you need to get prepared to come to visit us.

Our Maestros and Peruvian team speak Spanish and Shipibo. Shipibo people are generally quiet by culture and do not speak more than necessary. During the Dieta, communication with the Maestros is intentionally limited, as focus and concentration are essential for the work.

There are specific moments dedicated to speaking with them — during private consultations, the mid-dieta sharing circle, and at the closing of the Dieta.

Our facilitation team serves as both cultural and language bridges. All facilitators speak English and Spanish, and some also speak French. They translate between participants and the Maestros and accompany you throughout the process.

Most of your communication during the Dieta will therefore be with the facilitators, who are there to support you closely at every step.

For a group of up to 16 dieters:

Maestro José leads the Dieta. He is present for most ceremonies, conducts the private consultations, guides the sharing circle, and leads the Dieta cut, closing, and post-dieta instruction circle.

He is supported by two additional Maestros (one male and one female), who remain on site throughout the Dieta. They care for the dieters daily, administer plant treatments, and work in ceremonies.

Two facilitators are also present for the entire duration of the Dieta. They accompany participants during the day, assist the Maestros in administering treatments, support during ceremonies, and act as cultural and language bridges.

Each dietero is given their own tambo (traditional jungle hut). There are no shared tambos. All tambos are fully protected with mosquito nets.

At the center, there are 10 shared compost toilets and 5 shared showers.

We provide bed sheets, a towel, and a blanket. These are changed several times during your Dieta.

Please refer to our “Center” page to view photos of the tambos and the accommodations.

We do not offer volunteering programs at the Center.

In some cases, after someone has come several times and a relationship has naturally developed,  projects or work exchanges may arise. These are discussed directly and happen on a case-by-case basis.

It is not possible to apply to volunteer independently of participating in a Dieta.

Vaccinations are not required for entry into Peru, and there is no known contraindication between vaccinations and ayahuasca.

Shipibo Rao is not in a position to recommend for or against any vaccinations. If you would like to review suggested travel vaccines, you may consult the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or a similar official health authority in your country.

This information is provided for your reference only. We encourage you to discuss any health concerns or vaccination decisions with your doctor or a travel health clinic.

Malaria is not common in our area.

For those who are considering pharmaceutical anti-malarial prevention:

• Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) has no known contraindications with ayahuasca.

• Lariam (mefloquine) is not recommended due to its potential neuropsychiatric side effects, which may be intensified in combination with ayahuasca.

• Doxycycline is also not recommended as a preventative alongside ayahuasca due to possible negative physical interactions.

Some anti-malarial medications, particularly Lariam, have been associated with anxiety, hallucinations, depression, unusual behavior, and suicidal thoughts — effects that may be especially destabilizing in the context of ayahuasca work.

As always, we encourage you to discuss any medication decisions with your doctor or a travel health specialist.

Pre- & Post-Dieta Restaurants

• Elixir (vegetarian) – Yarinacocha

• El Paraíso (vegetarian) – Pucallpa, Plaza de Armas

Art Supplies

• CreArt – Jr. Amazonas #269, Pucallpa
  Tel: +51 961 618 131

Music Instruments

Pucallpa has a strong musical culture. You will find several music shops around the Mercado 2 area.

Tobacco & Lighters

• Tabaco & Pipa – Jirón Tacna #589, Pucallpa
  Tel: +51 981 105 644
  (Near Plaza de Armas, on the pedestrian street)

This is a good place for quality lighters, pipe cleaners, and gas for refillable lighters.

Embroidery Supplies (Yarinacocha)

• Small blue house located in front of one of the entrances to the Yarinacocha food market.

We do not have specific accommodation recommendations in Lima. However, we suggest staying in the districts of Barranco or Miraflores.

If you are staying only one night while waiting for a flight, you may prefer to stay closer to the airport.

Barranco and Miraflores are generally safe and offer a pleasant atmosphere, with many shops, restaurants, and places to walk. An Airbnb, hostel, or hotel in these neighborhoods would be a good option.

In most cases, when you arrive in Lima, you will receive a tourist entry permit valid for up to 90 days. There is usually no need to apply in advance.

This generally allows you to stay up to 90 days within a 12-month period as a tourist.

However, visa regulations may depend on your nationality. Please check the specific requirements for your country with the Peruvian Embassy or official sources to confirm whether you need to arrange anything before traveling or if you can obtain entry upon arrival.

It is possible to travel before or after your Dieta. We simply recommend surrounding yourself with positive environments, supportive activities, and having access to vegan-based food — especially during your post-dieta.

Peru is a very diverse country with many beautiful places to explore. For general travel ideas, we suggest checking reliable travel guides (such as Lonely Planet), travel blogs, or connecting with people who have already visited the region you’re interested in.

Here are a few suggestions:

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The Andes

Sacred Valley (Cusco, Machu Picchu)
This region offers many dieta-friendly food options.

If you plan to hike the Inca Trail or visit Machu Picchu before or after your post-dieta, we recommend Alpaca Tours, who provide dieta-friendly meals and are very well organized.

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The Amazon

There is not much tourism directly around Pucallpa, but a few simple trips are possible:

• Yarinacocha Lake – Boat trips from a few hours to a full day.
  (We recommend visiting indigenous communities before your Dieta, not after.)

• Shanay-Timpishka (Boiling River) – About 2 hours from Pucallpa.
  A favorite place for some dieters during post-dieta.

• Contamana & Agua Caliente – Small town and national park with tropical birds, plants, hot springs, and volcano landscape.
  • Slow boat: 1 day (approx. 60 soles one way)
  • Speed boat: 6 hours (approx. 100 soles one way)
  • Plane: 10 minutes (approx. 150 soles one way)

• Tarapoto – A beautiful Amazon region, but a longer journey.

14-day Master Plant Dieta: 2000 USD
1-month Master Plant Dieta: 3500 USD

At this time, we do not offer standard discounts, scholarships, or payment plans.

In rare cases, and usually after a relationship has naturally developed over time, specific arrangements or collaborations may arise. These are not programs one can apply for, but rather something that may grow organically through continued connection and shared work.

If you feel your situation is very specific, you are welcome to reach out — but please understand that financial arrangements are not generally part of our structure.

The price includes:

• Pickup from town to Shipibo Rao

• Accommodation in your individual tambo

• All meals during the Dieta

• Ayahuasca ceremonies

• Work with your teacher plant

• Plant baths and steam baths

• Additional treatments when needed

• Return transport to town at the end of the Dieta

• Post-dieta accompaniment by the facilitators

• Distance alignment with Maestro José when necessary

The price of the Dieta does not include:

• International or domestic flights

• Any fees or commissions related to money transfers

• Travel or health insurance

• Personal expenses (including Agua Florida, tobacco, etc.)

• Accommodation and food outside of the Center

• A 50% deposit (or full payment, if you prefer) is required to confirm your reservation.

• Payment in installments is offered for your convenience.

• All bank fees or transfer commissions must be covered by you and included in your payment.

• The deposit must be paid at least 6 weeks in advance.

• The remaining balance is to be paid upon arrival in Pucallpa, before departure to the Center.

• Please do not book flights until your booking has been confirmed. We are not responsible for any flight costs incurred before confirmation.

• A booking is confirmed only once your application has been reviewed and approved and we have received your deposit.

Retreat fees support not only the Dieta itself, but also our reforestation project, the healing school for Indigenous children, the maintenance of the Center, and the salaries of our team. For this reason, the following cancellation policy is necessary:

• Payments are refundable or transferable to another Dieta date only with at least 4 weeks’ notice.

• For cancellations made less than 4 weeks before the start date, a refund or credit is possible only if we are able to fill your place. We will do our best to do so.

• Any refund issued will incur a USD 150 administration fee.

• No refunds can be made once the Dieta has begun.

We strongly recommend taking out adequate travel insurance to cover cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. Services such as Squaremouth may offer coverage for retreat fees and airfare.

Your tuition helps sustain the Center and the salaries of our team. It also supports our reforestation project, the healing school for Indigenous children, and other initiatives in development dedicated to the well-being of both humanity and the Earth.