Onikano is one of the very few ayahuasca retreat centres still owned, led, and inhabited by the same Shipibo family whose lineage it was built to honour.
Located in the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, 22 km from Iquitos, Onikano operates within a living Shipibo healing tradition under the direct guidance of Maestro Heberto García — known by his Shipibo name, Niwen Koshi. His grandfather, Yosi Ocha, was regarded as one of the last Merayas: healers who reached the highest level of traditional Shipibo curanderismo. That lineage is alive at Onikano today.
What makes Onikano different is the deeply personalised nature of the work. Each guest is received as an individual, not as part of a standardised retreat formula. After an initial personal evaluation, Maestro Niwen Koshi designs a healing process that takes into account each person’s history, needs, intentions, and energetic condition. Guests may come for one week or remain for several weeks or months, depending on the depth of the work they feel called to undertake.
Retreats at Onikano are rooted in a broad range of traditional Shipibo practices: ayahuasca ceremonies guided by ícaros, plant dietas, purification baths with plants and flowers, ancient rituals and work with the palos maestros, or teacher trees. Alongside this Shipibo foundation, Onikano offers San Pedro (huachuma) ceremonies — a tradition that Maestro Niwen Koshi learned from Andean maestros and integrates as a complementary path within the healing process.
Onikano sits deep within the reserve, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Peruvian Amazon, characterised by majestic trees, red-water streams, and distinctive white-sand forests. The centre includes private bungalows, a traditional ceremonial house, a lake for swimming, and a cosy dining room where guests share meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
People come to Onikano for many reasons. Some arrive for their first encounter with ayahuasca. Others return year after year. Some stay for a week; others enter a longer path of healing, dieta, or shamanic apprenticeship with Maestro Niwen Koshi. What they all share is a sincere willingness to work deeply and respectfully, with trust in a tradition passed down through generations.
Onikano is not the right place for everyone. It is the right place for those who are ready to do real work. If that resonates, the journey begins with a personal application.
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jakesc
May 15, 2026 at 10:09 amAfter thorough research, and looking deeply into the various retreat spaces throughout the Peruvian Amazons, I decided to book through Onikano, with great contentment and a feeling of alignment. I was most pulled to work with Maestro Herberto, and I also was very pleased by how beautiful the space looked, for the water, the lakes, and its nature. And after a profound, and beautiful week of deep work, I can strongly confirm all of my intuitive feelings, and that I was meant to experience and go through this profound change and work with Onikano.
Now, less than a week after my experience, I truly feel a deep change within my body, and mind, and feel a deep gratitude for the space, the team, and for Maestro Herberto, and his work. In short, the place and experience was truly magical, and was everything I was looking for.
Onikano focuses and prioritizes the root of healing, and growth, which, to me, is of the greatest importance when it comes to spiritual healing and the plant medicine retreat place. And after my experience, and understanding more their story, history, and morals, I feel they were truly aligned with this priority and focus. They helped me garner a far deeper understanding of my greater spiritual path and I feel that I took a huge step towards a deeper healing process.
I felt safe, and protected, and that I was in a space that helped me ground to see where I was truly at, so I could do what was necessary for me to move forward. I truly felt connected to the space, and was exactly where I needed to be to take the steps I needed to take.
The depth of Maestro Herberto and his attunement with his work was the highlight of my experience. He is a magic worker with great ability and vision. He consistently, and truly showed up for each ceremony, each meeting, and each ritual with all his attention. I genuinely feel very blessed to have crossed him and his healing powers. I truly feel a deep, and powerful change, while I am still processing the great majority of the powerful information I received. I feel Maestro Herberto’s ability to protect the ceremonial space and the energies, and his general intuitive and energetic ability, truly make this place a special healing center, and it feels like I found a new home, and space to continue practice deep spiritual healing when I feel the time is right for me.
Not to mention, the staff, and the space, and its nature, especially the lakes, the trees, and more, make the experience even more special. I felt I could relax, and spend time within nature to allow the healing to really sync into my system during my time there. I spent most of my days walking through the nature paths, exploring the master trees, and swimming in the lakes that have this beautiful mineral energy from the trees. And I was genuinely taken care of by the staff, including nice meals, and over-the-top care and guidance throughout my time there, really watching and ensuring my safety and comfort. Altogether they have a very special family vibe, with lots of Peruvian love and care.
I feel extremely grateful for this experience, and that I chose to sit and practice with the plant medicines at Onikano, and plan to return one day surely. I also feel a great change that I am just starting to feel and understand that goes beyond words. I feel a deeper integration and presence into my body, and an ability to live with more lightness and joy. I look forward to more deeply integrating this medicine, and continuing to enjoy the great benefits and blessings from my experience.
I strongly recommend choosing Onikano for your experience if you desire to do deep work, and are willing to take the time to do what is necessary for change. If you are really willing to allow yourself to go beyond the mind, and to allow the medicines, and plants to work its magic, through your ability to trust, and work through your limitations, then this place can be your new home, as it has greatly helped me. I truly am very happy to have connected with this space and followed through on having this experience.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Onikano ❤️
Алексей Южаков
May 2, 2026 at 10:32 pmЭто был мой первый опыт работы с шаманом и с растениями, поэтому я долго не выбирал. Просто прекрасное отношение Барбары, которая берет на себя все организационные вопросы, ведет и сопровождает тебя до конца. Маэстро Гилберто – будьте уверены это светлый шаман с искренними и добрыми намерениями, это видно по нему, по участникам ретрита и по желанию маэстро делиться своим опытом и знаниями. Я это очень оценил. Пунктуальность, внимание и отзывчивость – это все про него. Ну и конечно же работа самого центра. Очень важным хочу отметить это внимание и заботу со стороны всех участников ретрита (Дон, Грэйс, Нюр, Амалия, да все…❤️!) Я был всего неделю, но попал действительно в семью, где тебя встретили и отнеслись с заботой. Я не чувствовал себя одним или что про меня забыли. Несмотря на трудности с переводом, к этому отнеслись нормально. Я благодарен Дону ! Дон Привет! Как твои тренировки? Он стал мне братом ))) Он был постоянно со мной. Я вспоминаю его с чувством что у меня давно не было такого друга как он! Я из России и в плане переводчика мне тоже повезло, в моей группе была удивительная девушка Нюр, она мне помогала с переводом! Девушка по имени Грэйс , мое вдохновение – в хорошем смысле этого слова! Самое главное ☝️… да сразу эффекта от церемонии в моем случае не произошло. В какой то момент хотелось все бросить, наступила апатия. Работа с растениями, с аяваской и с собой – это тяжелая работа, в каком то смысле нужно вытерпеть. В следующий раз ☝️, я буду готов к этому. И только по приезду в Россию спустя полторы недели после церемонии, я заметил в своем состоянии благоприятные изменения и увидел эффект от ретрита и работы маэстро Гилберто (я уже знаю, что в следующий раз поеду именно к нему), несмотря на то что мое пребывание было не продолжительным.
Мой вердикт – рекомендую!
laconic.me
April 24, 2026 at 1:26 pmChoosing Onikano and spending the whole month of November there was totally right decision. I keep repeating myself… it is something the best I could done for myself. I found Onikano by intuition somehow… medicine is wise and maestro Eberto is The Shaman.
I love that place and th0se people so much, there are no words to express gratitude and aprecciation. Very well organized, indigenous run healing centre, loving, safe. Everything you need for sucessfull healing is provided and taken care of.
But that is just a fragment of the whole picture… all you have to do is open up a little and let the experience in.
Maestro Eberto, maestra Ercilia, Tulia, Barbara, Jerry, Carlo (Torito), Pinedo, wednesday market vendors… and all other women and men who are helping to maintain such a high standard at Onikano and doing all sorts of things to make us feel good and safe while staying there… thank you from the bottom of the heart.
I met quite few people there, dieteros, clients, who already been there few times in the past. That says alot about the place. It was my first time at Onikano but I will keep coming back as well.
You have a loyal forever-friend Onikano. Hasta pronto!
Ush ush!
Alen (Slovenia)
Rone
April 15, 2026 at 7:44 amHave been at Onikano with my partner in February for 2 weeks and it was truly amazing. I have been working with Plant Medicines like ayahuasca for over 15 years in various settings in the, from which most the Western (neo-shamanic) therapeutic approach in The Netherlands. Which also can be very healing and insightful. But must say the experience at Onikano was one of a kind!
In 2019 I’ve been to another big well known centre owned by Westerners close to Iquitos and in Cuzco. It was ok but I missed the real traditional setting. Only the ceremonies were run by local healers/shaman. So this time I was looking for a more traditional setting with a true experienced Shipibo curandero. After some research I found Onikano and after reading through reviews I had a good feeling about it. And yes… it was best choice ever! I did have an amazing, magical and beautiful experience!
Onikano is situated in the jungle and run and owned by maestro Heberto, his family and local people. They are all very friendly. The place itself is beautiful with a magical lake to swim. The bungalows are simple but more than fine. For me, who likes luxury, I did not miss anything and the bed in my bungalow was very comfortabel with a soft mattress! I loved to stay at my bungalow connecting with my inner self and the environment. The food is simple but very nutricious and good enough to look forward to 🙂
The healing at Onikano it is not only about Ayahuasca, the visions and visual spectacle that might come with it. It’s about deep personal healing work, Ayahuasca is seen as a tool to help you. Maestro Heberto is also conducting personal healing work on each individual at night. And I’ve definitely sensed this for example in strange lucid dreams and sometimes physical discomforts. For me personally connecting with the plants, the trees, Pachamama (the Earth), the water (the beautiful lake and daily plant baths), the fresh air and fire (the light of the Sun Moon & Stars) and sitting with myself and emotions (inner child parts) at my bungalow (while listening to the amazing sounds of the jungle) was really healing and gave me meaningful insights about myself. The way Heberto works feels genuine and is a very special, honest and humble person. The ceremonies and rituals are conducted in a safe setting and responsible way. No body is forced to take Medicine and you are the one who decides how much Medicine you like to work with. The Icaros are beautiful. I specially did like the daytime San Pedro ceremonies including mud bath and fire ritual
It was one of my most beautiful (holiday) experiences! Now it’s time for integration…the difficult part of the work with Plant Medicines. 😉 When the time is there I (who knows already next year) will definitely come back! Probably for a longer stay.
Chenoah-Rose
April 7, 2026 at 4:11 pmReviewing my third time at OniKano – this time staying two weeks (I stayed for a month last year and two weeks the year before). I brought a group of 5 people for one week as part of a Peru Retreat I designed, and continued some of my training in the second week. Every time I return, I fall in love with the place even more. The food, the rituals, the family atmosphere, the land & the dedication from Meastro Herberto & the whole team, including Barbara who made the whole experience run smoothly. My group loved it so much that two have already booked to return in the Summer and another extended her stay for an extra 3 weeks!
The number of returning guests plus trainees I’ve met over the years is testament to the healing, teachings and care given to everyone. One thing that stands out for me is that all medicine is consensual – meaning you are never forced to take anything you don’t want to & all medicines & doses are clearly explained (this is not the case at many other centres.) Occasionally Maestro will recommend the whole group to take tobacco or sananga, but again this is explained & optional.
It really is a unique place, built on ancestral land with authentic Shipibo healers from a known lineage of Merayas. Healing with Aya can be challenging and it’s normal to feel a myriad of strong emotions, but if you trust yourself and the process the experience will be profound. Tia’s singing will transport you to another dimension, the Master Trees will whisper ancient mysteries to you & Maestro will treat you like family. I’m so grateful to have found OniKano and can’t wait to come back. Muchas Gracias, Chenoah-Rose
P.S I had to delete my previous 5star review from 2025 in order to be able to write another for OniKano on AyaAdvisors x