Ayahuasca $1,800 - $4,800

Hummingbird Healing Center

Varillal, Peru

The Hummingbird Center is a plant-medicine healing center offering ayahuasca retreats including san pedro, with an emphasis on mastering our thoughts and emotions to create the life we desire. It provides a beautiful safe, and supportive environment for your personal journey with ayahuasca. Located near Iquitos, Peru, we offer ayahuasca retreats in Peru of different lengths to meet your personal needs. Our ayahuasca retreats are designed to free you from limiting beliefs, and catalyze healing and transformation. All of our retreats include at least one san pedro ceremony, the visionary cactus of the Andes that is very complementary with ayahuasca. Our longer stays include a master plant dieta with a plant selected by our shaman depending on what you are looking to heal, address or learn. Ayahuasca retreats at the Hummingbird is an opportunity for deep personal and spiritual growth following traditional healing methods with a curandero of exceptional skill and ability.

If you are truly ready to change your life, if you are finally sick and tired of being sick and tired of the morass of your thoughts and emotions, this is the place for you.

Our Programs

We offer retreats of 9 and 12 days, and also have more intensive programs of 2, 3 and 4 weeks that include dietas with master medicine plants. The longer programs are for those looking to go deeper with the medicine, or wanting to address more challenging issues that need more time with ayahuasca and san pedro for significant, lasting change to occur. We strive to match what people are hoping to address with the appropriate length of stay and do not try to push people into a stay longer than our experience indicates is required.

While not overtly spiritual, our work is centered on Mindfulness and guided by the simple precept “Without self awareness, there is no healing.” We emphasize the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of our inner world, of the interplay between our thoughts, our emotions and our body. There is a 25 minute guided meditation before each ayahuasca ceremony, to help set the tone for ceremony and help develop or deepen this practice of Mindfulness.

Emphasis on Changing our Beliefs

Unique to the Hummingbird Center are a couple of talks about our conscious and sub-conscious minds, our belief systems, how they shape our experience of life, and how we can change those beliefs so we naturally attract events into our lives in closer alignment with our wishes, desires, and aspirations. We strive to teach our clients practical and simple skills they can use in their daily lives to shift their perception of the world and themselves so they can respond to life’s events and their own emotions in a more productive and peaceful way. The plant medicines will only take us so far. Ultimately, WE are responsible for our lives, and it is important to have skills to navigate our inner world and respond to life in productive and loving ways. Mindfulness. Transformation begins and ends with being mindful, with being self aware.

It is the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. – Muhammad Ali

Safe For Women

The Hummingbird Center is a family owned business run by Jim Davis and his Peruvian wife Gina. Our son and daughter in law also work at the center and contribute to its smooth operation in a variety of ways. Our family lives at the center, along with our 9 year old grand daughter, the light of our lives!!

We understand that women have different and valid concerns around safety than men, and ensuring women feel physically and emotionally safe at our center is our #1 priority. Gina´s presence and loving heart, and her easy care of women’s occasional special needs, contributes to this sense of safety and security. Many of our female clients have commented about how quickly they felt safe and at ease, knowing they would be well cared for.

Your Role in Working With Ayahuasca

It is important to understand that ayahuasca and san pedro are not cure alls. They are not going to solve all your problems for you. These powerful and loving spirits can only give us what we are open and willing to receive. An individual’s commitment to their own growth, healing and transformation makes a huge difference in the results they receive. You have to do your part, and that is fundamentally being truly committed to change, and being willing to step into unpleasant experiences if that is what is required for the desired change to occur. Trust and surrender are the keys to getting the most from your time with these medicine plants.

What is clear from over 10 years of guiding people through this work is that the medicine spirits know and understand what each individual needs to bring about the change they are looking for. They guide each person through an individualized process. Your journey of growth, transformation and change will not look like another person’s and there is no value in comparing your journey and experience to that of another. It is clear that under the facilitation of a true ayahuasquero, a true healer, the medicine spirits want to help us and know how to do so. Our job is to allow them to.

We wish we could make some guarantees about outcomes, but we cannot. What we can say, is that if one shows up committed to change, with an attitude of “what ever it takes, I am willing”, enormous change is possible within a very short period of time. Your attitude makes all the difference in what you receive!

Reviews (42)

4.9 out of 5
Overall 4.9
  • Viberoom
    March 28, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    Embarking on this journey, particularly for a first-timer, is quite daunting. Flying 40 hours across the other side of the world to a first time experience as this offered by Jim and his team at Hummingbird takes a little consideration. I had no idea what was in store. And I couldn’t have been in better hands for my 14-day experience.

    The space provided by Jim really is second to none. The property is so beautiful. Tucked right in there among the Amazon. You are a part of probably the most amazing ecosystem on earth – beautiful by day, and buzzing with life at night. It’s an extremely safe space created by Jim, Shaman Manain, and all the staff employed in support. Safety was most important for me, particularly considering the healing work – ceremonies.

    Both Jim and Manain are in full control of the space and the delivery of the ceremonies. It is comforting to know and allows you to embrace the full experience of your own healing journey.

    I have seen and experienced nothing like the ceremonies. They are orchestrated incredibly professionally from start to finish. It’s indescribable. Better than a west end show, and I’ve seen a few. True professionals.

    Three full, healthy meals prepared each day. Varied on days of ceremonies and San Pedro. Dieters available – of which I experienced 8 days. Still, meals are ample in size and filling. Well planned and providing enough energy to embrace the activities provided.

    Jim is always, always on hand in support 24/7. It’s amazing how hands-on Jim is. Constant care and attention, while seamlessly allowing space as required.

    All accommodations are ample. More private rooms tucked a little further away into the jungle are just perfect for privacy and the environment.

    If you know in yourself it is time to experience these healings, I can not recommend Hummingbird Healing Center enough. It’s an amazing property, ideally located in close enough proximity to Iquitos airport, which for me after travelling so far was a boon, though far enough away from civilisation to never see or hear it – or be reminded of it. And most of all, a team of very special people, proving the space and tools to be blessed, time and time again.

  • GeraldLaneNZ
    November 30, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    Hummingbird is a truly amazing place I highly recommend in every way.
    Thank you so much Jim, Gina and Manain and all the team at Hummingbird. you made my experience so peaceful and enjoyable . Jim you told us to trust the medicine and Mother Ayahuasca, which I did, and I had the most amazingly insightful and healing journey. Jim and Manain, thank you for all your guidance through out the ceremony’s and all the talks through out the retreat. You made my stay so comfortable and peaceful in your slice of Amazonian paradise. My heart is busting with gratitude and love for the amazing healing work you do, and what you have helped me with. This truly sacred place.
    And of course Mother Ayahuasca, Thank you for helping me see, thank you for helping heal my heart.
    Cheers, Gerald

  • JDavenport
    August 31, 2019 at 6:55 pm

    The Hummingbird Healing Center provides a wonderful experience with a great blend of ceremonies and psychology/metaphysical information to facilitate a more integrated experience.

    1) Dieta: For my first retreat experience I jumped all in with a 14-day personalized retreat that included an 8-day dieta. Dietas are tough and definitely challenging, but highly rewarding and worth it if you stick with it to the end. There are several plants available. Based on your talk with Jim (the facilitator) and Manain (the ayahuasquero) a plant will be selected for your dieta. The rules are fairly simple, only eat what you are specifically provided, no drinks other than water and caffeine free teas, no salt, no physical contact with others, limited interactions, and no chemicals on or in the body. The last one means that any products you put on your body, i.e. deodorant, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc. and your toothpaste must be 100% natural or you are going without. It takes some research, but it’s doable. Lunch is the best meal of the day. The dieta helps to synergistically further the healing process that comes from working with Aya and San Pedro.

    2) Ayahuasca and San Pedro Ceremonies:

    Hummingbird provides the opportunity to work with both Ayahuasca and San Pedro, aka Wachuma. Where Aya is the female energy that you work with in the dark of night, San Pedro is the male energy that you work with in the full sun of the day. They complement each other, addressing your issues in different ways, balancing the healing. While you will have the opportunity for amazing visions with both Aya and San Pedro, but can be task masters and take you to dark places to help you face your issues. I strongly recommend reading the book on surrender suggested by Jim, particularly before working with Aya. I always enjoyed the plant bath before each ceremony.

    Manain is like a snake charmer with his Icaros, Aya responding inside your body. Manain’s ceremonies are powerful even when you are not taking Ayahuasca and when he does individualized healings during the ceremonies, they are incredible. I would have sworn I was being showered with the sound of the rattle falling over and all around me, but he was standing a good foot away from me. I definitely felt safe and well taken care of during the ceremonies. Manain is a delightful person and generous soul that gives 100% during ceremonies, even when sick.

    San Pedro isn’t indigenous to Iquitos so there are no ceremonies per se with a shaman. You come together as a group in the morning and ingest the plant medicine and then go off on your own for the day. You will find a new connection to nature while working with San Pedro and find you are seeing the world around you in a different way.

    3) Group Meetings: The day after ceremonies Jim holds group meetings to allow participants to share their experiences. At times Jim’s comments can feel confrontational, off the mark, and/or triggering. I found contemplating the comments over a few days, instead of reacting as I would normally, even though I ultimately disagreed with the assessment, created a major shift in my perspective.

    4) Jim, the Hummingbird Staff and Retreat Center: Jim is very giving of himself during the retreat and is available to talk and assist participants on their journey during the retreat. He does a good job of providing useful information from a number of Western modalities to both facilitate a more enlightening ceremony experience and to integrate and keep the lessons learned after returning home. The staff is very friendly and always pleasant and accommodating. The staff only speaks Spanish, so brushing up on your Spanish skills or installing a translator app on your phone will be helpful.

    The Retreat Center is rustic–it’s the jungle–but comfortable. I recommend the tambos as you have your own hammock and toilet in the room and there is more of a feeling of privacy. The grounds are pretty with a pond to swim in and plenty of jungle to walkabout during off time. The food, when not on the dieta, is natural and while on the blander side, delicious. There were a number of extracurricular activities during the retreat, i.e. a visit with the bone doctor, mud bath, jungle walk, and visit from the Shipibo tribe to sell their wares. With all the activities, why there was plenty of downtime, I was never bored. The jungle sounds, particularly the sounds of the numerous varieties of frogs, are crazy.

    5) Sense of Community: The retreat fosters a wonderful environment where people feel safe to share about their lives without judgment and come together like a family. This communal experience definitely fosters personal growth and the healing process of the ceremonies. It was an unexpected boon.

    6) Final Thoughts: I was resistant to coming to Hummingbird even though it was recommended, as it felt too Western-oriented. I had previously studied Peruvian Shamanism and wanted something authentically Peruvian. I looked explored multiple retreat centers in Peru and a few in Ecuador and Brazil. Somehow, I kept circling back to Hummingbird when the other retreats I contacted didn’t feel right. Jim responded promptly and patiently to all my emails. Ultimately, I found the inclusion of Western psychology and metaphysical modalities really augmented the experience. I am definitely glad that something kept pushing me past my resistance to experience Hummingbird. I would definitely recommend the Humming Bird Retreat Center as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

  • mikejdalessio
    July 27, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    Thank you Jim Gina Manain for a truly spiritual and life changing experience with the medicine plant Lady ayahuasca. Jim The owner is a truly caring and wonderful human being his and Manain the ayahuasquero singing was magical it was a incredible journey. I had some experience with ayahuasca but nothing to the level of being in the amazon jungle at the hummingbird healing centre the level of care the food laundry service the staff was all exceptional. I went to the hummingbird centre wanting to deal with my addiction to alcolhism and issues from the past and ayahuasca showed me the way to clarity. Its not easy I got my ass kick but if your willing to surrender and do the work it will show you the better way to live. I would recommend ayahuasca and the hummingbird centre to anyone who is looking for a life hanging experience.

    Mike, Canada

  • Orion
    July 21, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    Hummingbird Healing Centre

    I am a traditional shaman having served under 3 masters over a 14 year apprenticeship culminating in my first initiation – a 10 day ordeal in the Simpson Desert of Australia. I am a teacher of Shamanism and have around 35 graduates, with students coming from all over the world – even as far as Turkey!

    In 2013 I decided it was time to acquaint myself with plant medicine. I researched the subject and found Ayahuasca (feminine deity) standing out, followed by Huachuma – San Pedro (masculine deity). With both deities in mind, combined with my intuition I decided upon Hummingbird in Iquitos, Peru. My research also uncovered that Ayahuasca was originally used to initiate shaman – which absolutely confirmed my journey with the Madre (Mother Ayahuasca).
    It is now July 2019 and I have just completed my fourth visit to Hummingbird. A second shamanic apprentice has now been initiated by Aya. What has been wonderful is the way in which Ayahuasca has worked hand-in-glove with the shamanic initiation process. A blessing to all concerned.

    I am passionate about Hummingbird for the following reasons:

    1. The Medicine – it is has been my experience that both Ayahuasca and Huachuma are profound medicines, as well as teachers.
    2. Jim and Gina – are the owners of Hummingbird. They run a tight professional retreat with the highest client care standards. Safety is paramount and the feminine are afforded the highest respect.
    3. Manain – is the traditional Peruvian Ayahuascero. He has more than 40 years experience with plant medicine and has worked at Hummingbird since 2013. He holds the ceremony, sings the Icaros and is the ever present sentinel if you are having a dark-night-of-the soul.
    4. Hummingbird – a magnificent secure acreage in the midst of the Amazon Rain Forest. The Tambo’s (accommodation) are excellent with a daily laundry service provided. The food is fresh, well prepared and in abundance.

    I will be back again with my next shamanic apprentice for initiation by Aya in 2021.

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