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The Kapitari Center was founded in 1980, by the shaman Luis Culquiton, widely known as Don Lucho.
Don Lucho comes from a long line of natural healers, but he discovered the healing qualities of plants himself, at a very early age; he drank ayahuasca for the first time at age 16. He soon discovered the power of the plants and felt a calling, which he describes as “the legacy of my ancestors.”
In 1980, at age 30, Don Lucho was an established, self-educated shaman. This is when the spirit of ayahuasca called on him to work with the plants, to help protect the incredible biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon and indeed to save the world; “Up until that moment, I had not been very concerned about the forest. Then I said; ‘How can I save the world? I have no education, I don’t know anything.’ But I started to learn from the plants. I was told by the plant spirits what their qualities were, whether it was for food, as medicine, or even as fertilizer to add nutrients to the soil.”
Don Lucho developed a new way of agriculture, which is very similar to what has become known as ‘permaculture’ in the West. Traditionally, Amazon farmers would burn down a part of the forest and plant only one or two crops on their fields. But the soil quality is poor in the Amazon and they would soon have to abandon their fields, repeating the process of ‘slash and burn’, slowly destroying the rainforest.
By planting up to a hundred different plant species on the land, Don Lucho recreates the balance of the rainforest, which sustains its own existence. This way, the farmers’ fields remain fertile indefinitely, removing the need to ‘slash and burn’ and even returning wasteland to the rainforest, where it can be reintegrated.
One of the main sources of funding for the Kapitari projects is through our Ayahuasca retreats. Unlike many of the Ayahuasca retreat centers in Peru, Kapitari is not owned or controlled by westerners, but by Peruvians for the benefit of Peruvians.
Don Lucho’s main objective is to share his knowledge, expertise and experience with whomever can benefit from it. He promotes the exchange of seeds and saplings, which he grows at Kapitari and invites people from throughout the Amazon and the world to come learn and share through his ‘Field School’.
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HaileeEveleem
August 28, 2014 at 12:00 amKapitari is a wonderful retreat center. The facilitators are genuine, the location is beautiful, and the staff truly make you feel like family. Most importantly Don Lucho and his son Wagner, the shamans, where amazing! So in touch with the medicine and great at guiding you through the ayahuasca experience. I am forever grateful for my life changing time spent at Kapitari and can’t recommend this center enough, especially for first time aya drinkers. I really love Lucho’s dedication to saving the amazon through sustainable agriculture, and felt so good to contribute to his cause.
JessMo
August 28, 2014 at 12:00 amWhen you are called to Ayahuasca it is so important to choose the right setting in which to truly experience this other Worldly spiritual adventure. I couldn’t imagine doing this anywhere other than Kapitari. Unlike most other white linen and white smile retreats, Kapitari is a place for real people, run by real people and in the most idyllic setting, all for a very fair and affordable price. What also sets it aside from most other retreats is the fact that the money also goes into helping a permaculture project in the Amazon which in turn helps the local villages. It is a true haven away from the ratrace. The facilitators there were so warm and welcoming, making you feel truly at home and comfortable enough to share you deepest darkest secrets with them and the group of wonderful strangers whom you feel like you have known your whole lives. People are drawn to that place for a reason and every person there contributes to the magical energy, you feel so proud of each individual you meet there for partaking in such a huge and often difficult journey. Out of a group of 13 there was not one person leaving feeling disappointed at the end of the week, everyone had a life changing experience they will never forget. My own was more intense than I could have ever imagined. It began with ticking off a check list of
my lifes issues and playing it all out like a film in front of me, offering puzzles for me to solve and patting me on the back once I had done in true mocking style. The vine has a sense of humour. It can also completely wipe the floor with you and show you your worst nightmares. You have to go with it and know that all of this is for a reason, if your a control freak think again – you have to be prepared to let go of any control or ego in order to go further with it. I ended up having a ‘break through’ and going to another dimension on the last session. No words can really describe what I experienced other than true Equilibrium. I saw where we go when we die and its an incredible place. I got operated on by entities and mechanical fish creatures. I wasn’t the only one in the group who went there, we both saw the same visions. Others in the group had some of the most incredible journeys imagineable but there are not my stories to tell. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who is even slightly tempted to try Ayahuasca for the first time. Do it in a place as well run as Kapitari with a a proper shaman like Don Lucho. Thank you Kapitari for elevating me onto a higher plane of consciousness and in turn improving my life on every level.
Marie Scott
August 28, 2014 at 12:00 amI love Kapitari and hope to go back soon. I did a lot of research before choosing Kapitari and also went by gut feeling that it would be the best choice for me. It was my second retreat in Peru so I knew a little what to expect, but Kapitari was so much better than the first time. It is a beautiful place, the lake is perfect for swimming, and personally I am not interested in yoga or art therapy that is done at some other places. Don Lucho and staff take perfect care of you when needed and otherwise you are in your own healing discovery experience, or sharing time with awesome like-minded people. My personal healing was incredible after I experienced higher love with the Madre. I can’t recommend Kapitari highly enough for anyone drawn to ayahuasca. And it is so cool meeting the Bora and Shipibo people. Just go.
brett88k
August 27, 2014 at 12:00 amDon Lucho and his family are all amazing and make you feel completely safe during ceremonies. The facilitators make everyone feel comfortable and answer any questions, they just feel like they are part of the group.
Kapitari itself is beautiful with animals running around everywhere, a lake to swim in, jungle surrounding, good food. Etc. Accomodation is basic but it is all you need, it helps you get closer to nature.
I recommend kapitari to anyone! I know I will be returning one day!
elephantmushroom
July 21, 2014 at 12:00 amThe spirit of the ayahuasca is a formidable one – she is a powerful teacher and poses a spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical challenge. I couldn’t imagine reliving the experience at any other place than Kapitari. The setting is perfect in its simplicity, friendly staff, and intimate relationship with its jungle environment. Andy was a wonderful guide and my group were some of the most intelligent, well-rounded individuals I’ve ever met. I highly recommend this experience.