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Aya Madre is a shamanic healing center outside of Iquitos, Peru. It is owned and operated by master Shipibo shaman Estela Pangoza and her family. Maestra Estela is a renowned healer who works with the power of ayahuasca and mother nature as part of an ancient system of holistic treatment. Come heal your physical, emotional and/or spiritual illnesses, and connect more deeply to nature, yourself and higher states of well-being.
Maestra Estela has owned this property and been hosting a wide range of guests, clients and patients for over 5 years. In 2018 the center was officially founded as “Aya Madre.” Maestra Estela’s vision is to open a space deep in the heart of the jungle for people from the around the world to experience the deep and profound healing of mother nature.
While “ayahuasca tourism” has boomed in the Amazon jungle, with tourists seeking the sometimes thrilling visions ayahuasca can offer, Maestra Estela practices a traditional form of Shipibo plant medicine. This tradition sees ayahuasca as one of many master plants which along with a range of other plant treatments, can act as a powerful diagnostic tool, purgative, and ultimately, help us connect more deeply with the healing power within ourselves and all around us. This form of Shipibo plant medicine has been practiced for thousands of years, and at Aya Madre guests will be immersed in the full system of healing under Maestra Estela’s care and guidance.
As far as we know, this center is unique in being 100% owned and operated by a female, indigenous shaman. This is no small task in a world of shamanism dominated by men. Maestra Estela provides a safe, nurturing, empowering environment where you can experience the deep healing of the jungle, Ayahuasca, and the Shipibo plant tradition.
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SaBa
August 10, 2025 at 11:33 amWe are a 50+ couple and went for a 10-day retreat at Aya Madre. We found there what we had come for: healing with love. From the very first day, we felt held in a space of deep care, respect, and authenticity. Maestra Estela’s dedication as well as that of the community who welcomed us went beyond what we had imagined — each moment was infused with intention and grace.
The ceremonies were profound and transformative, yet always carried out with a sense of safety and guidance that allowed us to surrender fully to the process. The center was perfectly clean, as well as thoughtfully arranged and organized so that nothing could distract from the journey within. Aya Madre is a living embrace of love, wisdom, and healing. It is an experience that stays with you long after you leave, it is a wonderful journey into both the heart of the Amazon and the heart of yourself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Andres.Toro
April 16, 2024 at 5:33 amBeautiful, Raw, Humble, Unique, not for the faint hearted.
I love the rawness and how they have manged to keep authentic, your Tambo (room) is just a hut with a bed and shelve. the food is ok, you can have a strict dieta if you feel like you want to or not, there is obviously no sugar or salt added to food.
I found Maestra very knowledgeable and she works as a guide and advisor and its up to you to take the decision as they old saying says you can take a horse to water but you can not make it drink.
There is ZERO luxuries, almost no Wifi connection, loads of mosquito, Spiders etc ( This is Obvious as you are living in their habitat) the centre does not fumigate or uses strong chemicals, please take natural oils to keep mosquitos and unwanted guested from your Tambo.
I would recommend and encourage anyone looking to disconnect from the business of a city and embrace nature in it pure rawness. also plan a 14 day stay anything less than that would be hard to connect and do a noticeable healing, also do not leave the centre in the 14 days as the main city is extremely busy and loud.
I would visit Aya Madre every year if I could.
AnayaAnya
February 15, 2024 at 11:21 pmThis place is the best!
Maestra Estela is the owner and runs this place. Many people specifically come here for that reason. Because if you know the vibe of “gringos” owned places, you know.
She is the one cooking her own medicine too, which is very very important. It is very safe place for ladies and you are cared for like a family member here.
She will work with your needs as she intuitively knows and sees what needs to be done. That sometimes does not mean it meets people’s expectations, hence the negative reviews. But this lady knows so much, it’s wild! She works with her brother and granpa Maestro and their icaros are no joke. Got me on my ass once or twice lol
Witnessing how it’s done from within was such a gift! Those people are Energetic surgeons for real!
The whole place is the medicine! And that river on their property- magic!
They are upgrading and building so much now around the property.
Also, Roldan (her brother) carved me the most incredible statue. It’s so special to have such a gift made by the man who healed you with his icaros. And embroidery of their “mama” will not only be on the thing that you buy, but also Shipibo codes will be “embroided” onto your DNA and the entire being, after working with them.
I highly recommend this place! It’s safe. It’s nurturing and simply is the best. ✨
Note: this review was edited to correct over-punctualization and over-capitalization, but as otherwise been left in its original form.
AlexKadam
December 26, 2023 at 11:19 amI spent a month living at Aya Madre with Maestra Estella and her family recently. It was my first time in South America and Peru. I had some experience of plant medicine before, but being in the jungle and staying with this traditional Shipibo family was truly magical. I felt very welcomed and cared for by Maestra and her family and I made many friends. They take great care of the guests and take care to ensure all your needs are met. This is a simple and authentic shipibo family living in the jungle, so do not expect 5 star spar resort luxury. Maestra and the other shamans she works with radiate kindness and sing beautiful icaros during ceremonies. You can go on guided jungle walks, bath in the river and eat simple, healthy, plant dieta friendly meals. I experienced a lot of personal growth, healing and received a lot of wisdom from Aya Madre. If you want an authentic and affordable ayahuasca retreat experience, I could not recommend this place enough. This is a wonderful place for a plant medicine and healing journey.
chris_isner
November 7, 2023 at 11:16 pmJust got back from another wonderful stay at Aya Madre and I’m just horrified by all these 1 and 2 star reviews! What is wrong with people? I’ve been sitting with Maestra Estele for 10 years now, from before she even had a center, and honestly I’ve never met sweeter, kinder people than she had her family in my life.
Reading between the lines on some of these reviews with a minimum of critical thinking can be revealing. Just one for instance: someone saying that the tambos are screened windows all around and “perfect for peeping Toms”. So, this person wants a closed in wooden house….in the heat and humidity of the jungle, that would be an oven! Tambos are always open and screened all the way around to allow breezes to come through, otherwise you’d roast alive.
Sometimes a little knowledge and common sense goes a long way. In dieta, the main obstacle one encounters is oneself and the main problem that arises is dealing with oneself. I suppose it’s easy for some to project that struggle onto others.
Chris Isner @isnerart