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𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄
Mahāvana Foundation is an 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥, 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 project nestled in the Peruvian Amazon near the city of Iquitos. Our small, family- run center offers a unique, individual and personalized experience, with private or semi-private retreats limited to only 𝟒 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 at a time.
The 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 both during the Ayahuasca ceremony and at every step of the process. At our place you will get the attention you need and deserve, as well as enough space not to be side- tracked by big group dynamics and other people’s processes.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇
You will have the opportunity to participate in 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨 and 𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐚 ceremonies and receive personalized healing treatments with 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐬 tailored to your individual needs.
𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐒
“Dieta” is a traditional period of seclusion, during which the dieter comes in contact with 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 “𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭”” and its spirit. During this time 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 are followed, so that the dieter consumes no salt, sugar, (also no sugary fruit and vegetables), oil, species, or processed food. The meals are bland and simple.
No distractions, including use of cell phones, reading and sexual activities are allowed. Diet is a time of 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Frequent journaling, drawing, and painting is advised in order to process fully the incoming information and insights. It is also a time of intense and vivid contact and immersion in the nature.
The choice which Master Plant to diet depends mostly on intention of the person undergoing the process and their experience working with plant medicines. The purpose of doing the diet might be of 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥, 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 nature, however plants usually work on all these levels at the same time. During the diet one can expect to have deep and meaningful dreams induced by lack of external stimulation, closeness of the nature and ingestion of the master plant.
We work with a variety of plants that help with different ailments, including e.g. 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, anxiety, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚, feeling stuck in life, d𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, “dark night of the soul” an many more.
Depending on duration of the diet and particular character of the master plant chosen, dieter will participate in 𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐚 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 every few days.
The minimum duration of a diet is 8 days.
𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐇𝐔𝐀𝐒𝐂𝐀
Our experienced healers will guide you through the transformative journey of Ayahuasca, a powerful plant medicine known for its ability to unlock deep spiritual insights, heal emotional wounds, and connect you with your true essence. We cook our medicine ourselves, using only Ayahuasca vine (banisteriopsis caapi) and chacruna (psychotria viridis) leaves. During your Master Plant Diet you will participate in Ayahuasca ceremonies on regular bases.
𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎
Kambo It is obtained from a giant tree frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor. Indigenous people have used kambo for centuries to heal and cleanse the body by strengthening its natural defenses. Kambo contains unique peptide chains that 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦.
It is a great way to clean the body of toxins, as deep as on the cellular level, as well as treating numerous health conditions. The latter may include: addiction, 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨- 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, Alzheimer’s disease, Anxiety, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, infections, infertility, rheumatism. What is more, Kambo kills bacteria, viruses, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 and fungi.
𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒
Our philosophy is to approach the healing process in an integrative manner, combining 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and their knowledge of the plants (from the lineage of Mestizo shamans and the Galindo family) with Western sensitivity to 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, intricacies of 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 and 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 process.
Our main healer, 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫, has over 𝟏𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 working with Ayahuasca. He apprenticed under 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐨 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐨 don Roldon Galindo and his son, Gumercindo Galindo. Peter brings a unique perspective to the medicine practice, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝟏𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐤 prior to his work with plant medicine. His deep understanding of spiritual practices and commitment to healing make him a powerful guide on your journey.
In addition, our main facilitator, Anna, apart from taking time for dieting Master Plants, is also undergoing a training in cognitive behavioral 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲, a widely recognized and evidence-based approach to mental health treatment. This, together with Inner Child Work and 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 skills, allow her to provide additional support and guidance for those seeking to integrate their Ayahuasca experience into their daily lives.
𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄
Our center is designed to provide you with a safe and supportive environment, with comfortable accommodations, nourishing meals made from locally sourced ingredients, and plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.
The accommodations are built using 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 techniques with natural materials, providing a rustic and 𝐞𝐜𝐨-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 atmosphere that perfectly complements the 𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 surroundings.
You will be provided a 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐭 boasting a 360-degree view of the jungle around, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region. Comfort is key, with each hut featuring a comfortable bed, hammock, shelf, table, and chair, private toilet, providing everything you need to relax, unwind and focus on the healing process.
𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
We understand that the integration of the experiences gained during the retreat is a 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 of the healing process. We offer post-retreat support to help our guests integrate their experiences into their daily lives.
During the retreat, participants have access to 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐨𝐧-𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 with our experienced facilitators. These sessions are designed to help participants process their experiences and explore how to integrate the insights gained into their daily lives. Our facilitators offer guidance and support to help participants navigate any challenges that may arise during the integration process.
Before participants leave, we also provide them with resources and tools to support their integration process.
Our commitment to 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 extends beyond the retreat itself. We maintain ongoing relationships with our former Master Plant Diet participants and consider them to be our 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 for years to come. We welcome our former guests to 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 for support and guidance during their integration process.
If you require any more information, don’t hesitate to drop us a message!
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BobEbunz
February 4, 2025 at 10:17 pmIt’s been about two weeks since my return from Mahavana.
My partner and I undertook a week long dieta with Chuchuhuasi. Going into it, we didn’t know we’d be staying in separate tambos (simple screened huts), but the entire experience ended up being exactly what we needed.
The experience felt like a necessary cleanse from Western life, from the “go, go, go” mentality. Simple, wholesome food. Ample time with myself and the amazing natural world that this center is in harmony with.
Peter is an incredible person. I had previously worked with Shipibo maestros at a retreat center 9 years ago, so I had slight preconceived worries that the experience wouldn’t achieve the same depth. My fears were quickly put to rest after the first ceremony. Peter is extremely kind, wise, and holds space immaculately. His words and guidance were always welcome in the moment, never over-explaining.
His 15 years as a monk in India inform much of how he shows up in life and in this work. Hearing Vedic chants / mantras while deep in the medicine was an experience that has imprinted on my soul.
This place is the real deal.. You come here to do deep work. Retreat centers with nice amenities, tours, spending days with other people, have their place. This was my previous experience with the medicine, and it was perfect for that time in my life. But doing dieta the traditional way (being alone with one’s self and the plants) allows for many more layers to be worked through.
We plan to come back again, and are so grateful to have found this place.
I’m a little reluctant to leave a review, as I want this center to remain a secret! Peter has expressed that he wants to keep his place small, no more than 4 people at once (currently 3). This intention paired with his very fair rate shows that he walks in integrity.
sevanmercy
January 29, 2025 at 10:53 pmI could not have asked for, or planned for, a more beneficial experience. My partner and I found Mahavana via a dear friend of mine who sat with Peter last year and had wonderful things to say. Trusting this friend, my partner and I decided to go here out of the many other retreat centers we looked at and considered. I’m so, so glad for this.
Immediately upon exiting the thick jungle path from the river to his place on the land, I was soothed by a sense of safety. Not once during the duration of our stay did I ever feel afraid or nervous (which is a lot coming from me, a U.S. living in a “rough” neighborhood). Spending my days in my private tambo with no walls, just a screen between me and the flora and fauna of the Amazon, I was continually astounded by the glory of nature and felt grateful to get to be so close to it.
Peter offers a traditional dieta, which to me, is what you want if you’re truly looking to deepen your relationship with yourself, these plant teachers, and your path. There are no jungle tours, or yoga classes to fill your time and distract you. It’s just you, the plants, and the jungle.
The container in this truly beautiful part of the Amazon- thriving and pulsing with life, and the solitude of the traditional dieta, paired with simple and nourishing meals, is the perfect recipe for a profound and transformative experience.
Peter’s wisdom is as potent as he is humble. He exudes calm, grounding, seasoned energy that made me feel confident in my own innate wisdom and medicine. His words are never pedantic or preachy, he doesn’t interfere with your own process, and says just the right thing in a straight forward and simple way. Like a good teacher, he doesn’t tell you, he creates the right environment for you to discover for yourself.
Oh, and his songs!
The icaros are deeply moving.
You may already know that Ayahusca is not a cure all, and that often we’re left with more questions than answers. You may know that what we’re shown and what we encounter in ceremony is half of the medicine, and the other half happens in the weeks, months, years to come.
With that in mind, this place, this dieta, this experience, this person, will hold a very special place in my heart and soul as I continue to unravel the mysteries I encountered and allow them to inform how I live my life for myself, my loved ones, and for a better world.
SD11
July 4, 2023 at 10:32 amThe Mahāvana Foundation is an incredible space for healing and transformation. With the kindness and hospitality offered by Pran and Anna, as well as their humble guidance throughout the process, it’s a place to feel at home while working with master plants.
If life has led you to the point where you find yourself reading this, take it as a sign and do yourself a favour by booking in for a life-changing experience here – you’ll be so grateful you did.
George Kilmurry
April 27, 2023 at 3:53 pmI gave top ratings in all categories because the care, forest location , facility, and expertise made my stay incredible.
As a London based psychotherapist my interests were in experiencing the insight and personal healing that can be achieved working with plant medicines.
From the preparations of master plant, food according to the diet, and the conducting of Ayahuasca ceremonies, Peter and Anna at the Mahavan Foundation were just brilliant. It’s a place you can fully trust and enrich your life from visiting.
JohnMcLean44
April 27, 2023 at 7:19 amHello!
I am happy you are here reading this!
Have you ever experienced something so transformative that it alters your life’s perspective? The experience of participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies with Pran at Mahavana was transformative in ways that are difficult to put into words. Mahavana centers around traditional medicine and the use of sacred plants for self-discovery and healing. I had never participated in anything like this before, but I was open to the experience to see what it could offer me. During a ceremony with Pran, you can expect to be guided through the sometimes-challenging terrain of the Ayahuasca journey with compassionate and knowledgeable support and guidance as you work through whatever arises. The ceremonies with the medicine are undoubtedly amazing and transformative, Ayahuasca helped me to understand things about myself that were previously out of reach. The ceremonies allowed me to have a deeper understanding of my place in the world and my connection to others. It wasn’t just the ceremonies that made this such a special experience, it is the setting that is created at Mahavana, here you will find a space where you can truly be yourself without the fear of judgment. Mahavana has a calm and peaceful setting, ideal for meditation and introspection with a focus on integration, this is what truly makes Mahavana stand out. This is not just about the ceremonies – it’s about integrating the experience into your daily life. Mahavana provides guidance and support for this process, making it easier to bring the lessons learned with the plants into the “real world.” If you’re looking to connect with yourself on a deeper level and experience personal growth and self-discovery, I highly recommend Mahavana, it is an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in exploring this powerful medicine.
Note: This review was edited for over-capitalization, but has otherwise been left in its original form.