Estacion Kapitari

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’.

Reviews (47)

4.6 out of 5
Overall 4.6
  • spacedog
    spacedog
    October 8, 2019 at 3:05 am

    I went 2 years ago, and things may have changed (Don Lucho mentioned they were building a second Maloca at the time..) but I thought I would give my 2c in the hopes it helps someone make the right decision for them.

    Before considering Kapitari, I think you need to ask yourself a few questions – for you to have your ideal transformative spiritual experience, do you need to feel comfortable, secure, and have activities to keep yourself occupied? Do you need accommodations and food that are First or Second World level?

    If you answered “Yes” to any of those, then Kapitari is DEFINITELY NOT for you.

    If, on the other hand, you want an ascetic, brass tacks, balls-to-the-wall Aya experience in (an enclosed compound in) the Amazon jungle then this might be the place you belong.

    The positives:

    – When I went, Don Lucho’s female assistants/translators were awesome. I felt like they had nothing but the best intentions, and they handled a couple of sticky situations (i.e. people having bad trips) very well, and with maximum compassion imo.
    – The Aya they gave me was *ultra* strong. I happen to be a large, healthy-looking, relatively young guy, so your mileage may vary – but I went all around the cosmos, to Hell and the depths of my soul, to the Spirit World and back, and lived to tell the tale.
    – During the week, they had a local Psychic named Ms. Mercedes come by to do readings on all of us. It was hands down the most shockingly accurate and informative experience I’ve ever had with a Psychic.
    – There was an optional fourth ceremony, and I wanted to go – but Don Lucho’s assistant came to me privately and told me Don Lucho didn’t think it was a good idea since I’d experienced so much, and needed to reflect on all of it. I respect that integrity, and they were absolutely right.
    – The Maloca was awesome, thin-ass mats and all.

    The negatives:
    – Lots of people with extremely questionable motivations for coming to an Ayahuasca Retreat in the group. For example, one guy wanted to “see aliens, and go into hyperspace”, etc. I politely told him he could have saved a lot of money just by learning how to make DMT from Joe Rogan, and done that at his house. Before coming, we had to fill out a questionnaire regarding our motives for coming, so it just makes me wonder if Don Lucho is down to let people in just to pay the bills on occasion.
    – Borderline starvation during your time there. I literally lost ~12 lbs over the course of my stay. I had almost no energy during the day, and much of my time was spent sleeping in my tambo hut. And heaven help you if you’re a vegetarian.. the only substantial thing we had to eat was a small chicken wing and drumstick per person per day. Did this contribute to the extreme spirituality and ascetic aspect of the retreat? For sure. But I definitely wouldn’t look forward to it if I go back.
    – I personally didn’t connect with Don Lucho. I felt like he has a lot of shit going on inside and outside the retreat, including community projects and such, and he seemed sort of bored at times when we’d have our morning “debrief” sessions in the Maloca and people would be describing some “far out, man” things they saw during the ceremony. I get that we could probably sit there all day and talk about just one person’s experiences, and that wouldn’t be fair to everyone else – and that Aya is a very personal experience, but I feel like he didn’t offer a lot of feedback, and what he did tell me didn’t really resonate with me as much as my interactions with his assistants and the Psychic.
    – If you are awake during the day, prepare to be bored unless you: connect with people in your group and can schmooze all day, want to meditate and reflect on the stuff you experienced, come up with games like “find the cats” (hint: there are 2 that I saw on the compound) or “chase the chicken”.. because you’re basically stuck in the compound for the duration of the retreat.

    All in all, it was a milestone experience and I think the “rawness” of it worked for me. I saw a lot, learned a lot, and felt a lot. I’m planning to check out a different retreat soon just for contrast, but I certainly wouldn’t say I *would never* go back to Kapitari – I would just say I want to see if I can find a place where the shaman(s) are a little more dialed-in to the guests, and where hopefully I can be at the kind of place that mainly attracts people who are looking for healing and knowledge, not “seeing them aliens”, or because they heard about it in a Vice video.

    Recommendations if you choose Kaptari:
    – Try and get on a diet (as close to the dieta as possible) beforehand, so your body doesn’t have to go into keto hyperdrive mode. The less salt and THC you have in your system will also make your experience(s) better.
    – Bring a journal, and write down your experiences as soon after the ceremonies as you can. You *will* forget even profound stuff you experienced, so your future self will thank you for making the most of your $700+ and experience by preserving it so you can reflect on it later.
    – Consider bringing some playing cards, a musical instrument, a frisbee, or some other means of entertaining yourself during the day.
    – If you found this review helpful, please pay it forward by bringing some cat treats for the super haggard shorthair white cat that roams the compound.

  • american1981
    american1981
    September 11, 2019 at 6:26 pm

    Don Lucho and the staff here are the real deal in terms of 1) TRUST. TRUST. TRUST. This man and his staff are so honest, genuince, consistent, trustworthy – all of us can learn something from how honest and sincere and genuinely altruistic these people are, 2) they care deeply about people, Earth, healing, health, 3) they know their ayahuasca so well (the medicine recipe itself but also the prep and recovery etc). after my 2nd or 3rd ceremony – I was laughing a bit inside thinking to myself that this staff are absolute masters as it relates to this medicine and the experience.
    Last thing – the icaros! As someone who considers himself as having good taste in music (jazz, reggae, classic rock, etc) I was absolulety blown away by Don Lucho and Wagner’s icaros. I truly think these guys are masters at their art. I am absolutely coming back as soon as I get a chance. Such a special, warm, welcoming place!
    Food = 10 out of 10
    Location = 10 out of 10
    Lodging = 10 out of 10 (you get your own small, private bunglaow, it’s super rustic but super clean. The staff will take care of anything you need / laundry / changing out sheets or whateve – they have solid bed nets and the jungle provides a welcome background soundtrack 24/7.
    Ceremonies = 10 out of 10

  • RandomGuy
    RandomGuy
    April 22, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Save your hard earned money, time, and nerves by reading this post.
    This retreat is one of those you read about on the internet that is not about healin people but simply making money.
    On the first meeting with the “shaman” you could say that something was out of sync, always looking at his watch like he just wanted to finish this as soon as possible and go with his bussines, and people calling him on his BIG smartphone.
    He hosted the shipibo tribe TWICE during our one week retreat just to sell as much stuff as he could, which by the way are too f**king expensive for people that live in the jungle. I rembember a guy buying 2 paintings for over 600£!!! Not to mention his relatives in the Iquitos that won’t let you in peace if you don’t buy a necklance or bracelet..so it is all just one big bussines.
    One day he offered us the OPTIONAL jungle tour. I was shocked because I thought that everything was included in price we payed in the beginning. Rip off!!!

    Now about the ceremonies.
    First night I was scared to death, drank 2 cups and nothing. Just noisia and vomiting. Next morning he said that the medicine was building up and our bodies were beeing “scanned’ for tomorrow. Ok I bought that.
    Second ceremony 2 cups at once and NOTHING!!! Later on that night i drank one more..still nothing just vomiting,  crazy noisia, and a lot of dissapointment..to the point I cried my soul out because I was thinking that even mother aya wouldn’t help me..worst feeling ever..so weak, so hopeless, not only me there was other people that felt the same way..imagine..you go there to get better and come home even worse!!
    Next morning at the circle meeting in maloka, people started to realize that the medicine is not working and he would just repeat that we need to accept everything and expect nothing..LOL..isn’t that perfect way of manipulating? Why the f**k did we travel thousands of miles, followed the strict diet and in the end pay him that money?? To accept everything and expect nothing??
    Third ceremony, I was already hungry from the night before but I wanted to really test this last time. I did a fast on couple of slices of watermellon. Drank 3 cups at once. I was sure that I would die. Never felt sick like that night ever in my life. Trying to vomit on empty stomach and just rolling on the floor in pain. I was then 1000% sure that Don Lucho was just a jungle bussinesman.
    He forbided us to see how ayahuasca was beeing cooked..big red flag…
    If you want to drink ayahuasca NEVER try to go cheap way, give 5 times more money if necessary to have a good experience rather than just suffer more.
    Always read the negative comments first, and don’t ever give respect to someone that didn’t deserve it.

  • kennatotty
    kennatotty
    April 19, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    Participating in the ayahuasca retreat at Estacion Kapitari is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Don Lucho is extraordinary; he has such a solid spirit, impenetrable to negative energy but instead with so much love to share. As a female solo traveler, I always felt safe at Kapitari, and it was clear how well they were taking care of each of us. Don Lucho listened to us individually during the group circles, in which we shared and processed our experiences from the ayahuasca ceremonies the night before, and he provided the feedback that each of us needed to hear. The ceremonies themselves were simultaneously so peaceful and so powerful, and the Icaros came alive in a way that was breathtaking to behold. I left Kapitari feeling that each ceremony cleansed and renewed me, that I have a fresh sense of wonderment for this gift of life. On top of the ayahuasca ceremonies (for which, I should add, the ayahuasca was prepared fresh at Kapitari), the compound itself was beautiful, the food so fresh and delicious, the various baths revitalizing, and the staff so kind and openhearted. Don Lucho continues his research of plant medicine to this day, so you can rest assured that the money paid for the retreat is being reinvested in the local community, the preservation of mother nature, and the healing of this world. I definitely plan to return. The ayahuasca retreat at Estacion Kapitari is a beautiful, authentic experience, one that I would recommend to anyone. Thank you, Don Lucho; thank you, Kapitari, and gracias, Pachamama.

  • alexorange
    alexorange
    March 25, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    You’d have to currently be on about five litres of Ayahuasca in order to imagine a better place to spend time. The setting is simply breath taking, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and connection I felt to the rainforest, total immersion with nature. Don Locho is one of the best human beings I’ve ever been in the presence of, and every single member of staff made me feel more welcome than anywhere I think I’ve been in my life. The level of personal attention was second to none, there’s an onsite doctor as well as laundry service etc. I really cant do this place justice unless I’m allowed to write a 10,000 page essay. GO there and heal.

  • micheladri
    micheladri
    March 15, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    Nuestra experiencia en la Estacion Kapitari fue sencillamamnte indescriptible. Todos los detalles fueron bien cuidados. es un lugar con buena energia . Encontramas mas de lo que fuimos a buscar. Realmente es un lugar en donde vas a buscar tu sanacion interior. Volveria mil veces

  • darnellaford
    darnellaford
    February 4, 2019 at 7:10 pm

    I simply CANNOT say enough words to endorse Kapitari. This was my first experience with Ayahuasca, Peru, a shaman and a Retreat Center. I carefully selected the Center based upon the heart-centered intuitive “pull” I felt towards the center and Don Lucho. I made the absolute best decision EVER! Everyone on the grounds were unbelievably professional and equally kind. From the gorgeous group of human beings who came from around the world to attend, to the kitchen staff, to the beautiful young and older men alike, who work tirelessly around the clock to maintain the property, to our amazing facilitator, Jim Sax, and the sweetest nurse who walks the planet (Franko), to the Shaman, Don Lucho himself…and his son. Tears and tears of gratitude for such a Healing experience. My life will NEVER be the same. The ceremonies are conducted with integrity and deep honor for Mother Ayahuasca. Great care in the prep is taken…from the dieta to the plant medicines to educating those in attendance of the importance of sustainability and respect for the Amazon. I mean honestly, this review PALES in comparison to my experience. I am one week back in the states and I long for the jungle again. This was a deeply transformative experience and I WILL BE BACK WITHIN THE YEAR FOR ABSOLUE CERTAIN!!!!!

    With Love & Heartfelt Gratitude,

    Darnella Ford

  • dovyeger
    dovyeger
    January 13, 2019 at 8:14 am

    El lugar es hermoso y Don lucho y la gente que trabaja con el son muy profesionales. Te cuidan en todo momento y hacen las ceremonias con gran esmero. Fueron unos dias de mucha sanacion. Tambien te dan otras medicionas y hierbas naturales para ayudarte a desintoxicar y profundizar mas en la experiencia. Los recomiendo ampliamente

    —In English—
    The place is beautiful and Don Lucho and the people who work with him are very professional. They take care of you at all times and do the ceremonies with great care. It was a few days of a lot of healing. They also give you other medicines and natural herbs to help you detoxify and deepen more in the experience. I highly recommend them

  • Vee
    Vee
    December 28, 2018 at 3:41 am

    “I went to the Kapitari Ayahuasca retreat on October 18. I have struggled with addiction and depression for the past 15 years, since losing my dad at a young age. Upon my arrival I was blown away by the beautiful lake, nature and wildlife that surrounded me. I felt at peace in the ceremonies. They were very sacred. Don Lucho, the Shaman, has a wonderful presence and has committed his life to helping people. I felt accepted and cared for. I enjoyed the food and hospitality. I will treasure my time there forever. I felt connected with myself again. The medicine has helped me through a dark stage of self-destruction. After the ceremonies I felt tremendous gratitude and love for myself that I’d been suppressing. I would recommend Don Lucho to anyone who feels drawn to this experience. They have an amazing team, including medic, translator and cooks. Jim translated everything perfectly. I had no trouble understanding. If anything I need to speak better. My accent is atrocious! All our experiences were different and we discussed them together each morning at the group circle meetings, presided over by Don Lucho and the facilitator. When I arrived I had a previous knee injury and my ankles had swollen from flying. The medic fixed me up in no time with natural plant remedies. My knee was better and I know this would have taken ages to heal normally! The people who come to this retreat are from all walks of life trying to better themselves. I seriously didn’t want to come home! After the last ceremony I had a realisation that I needed to put into practice what I have learned in my normal life, so by the last day I was ready. I was most apprehensive about the purging but it actually felt good to be cleansed. I now appreciate my life and everyone in it, good and bad.. everything happens for a reason. This is an awakening! A place of healing, great care and support is provided. The medicine works and healing happens here! I have ongoing support from them whenever I need it. I am truly blessed to have met such a wonderful group of inspiring people and cannot wait to to return to this place of paradise!”

  • B.withey
    B.withey
    December 15, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Heaven on earth. Lovely people, sun, trees, lakes, good food and lots of add ons to keep you having fun.

    The ayahuasca ceremonies were carried out safely and I genuily felt they were effective.

    Don Lucho and his team are passionate and supportive.

    Highly recommend.

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