Ayahuasca Starts from $1,244

Parign Hak – Grandma´s Home

Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru

While living in the Southeastern Peruvian Andes and Amazon for 22 years, the co-founder leading practitioner Jessica has been trained and is working with Ayahuasca in the Shipibo tradition. She is certified as an “Onanya” (Ayahuasca master) by the School for Traditional Shipibo Medicine in Pucallpa and member of its advisory board.

A former Manu National Park rainforest guide, she does ongoing healing work requested by the indigenous people of the region. As a traditional practitioner she regularly participates in international conferences.

As a woman and mother, she is highly experienced in assisting people in bringing about positive life change by very practical and down-to-Earth means. She organizes and takes small groups of Westerners (2 to 5 persons) on 7-day-long retreats to “Parign Hak” (Grandma´s Home), a unique initiative of Manu´s indigenous Harakbut people to host her retreats, located in the mountain rainforest adjacent to Manu National Park, where she provides a culturally adapted healing and cleansing process that consists of traditional plant baths and three ceremonies in Ayahuasca´s natural home, combined with an intimate immersion into Harakbut culture.

Other local healer are usually on site and participants may be brought together in ceremony with Harakbut community people in an attempt to not only facilitate integral healing for all ceremony participants, but also to foster mutual cultural understanding.

As recommended by the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service (ICEERS), all participants go through an integral process of selection, preparation, ceremonies and integration. This process includes a pre-ceremonial information package, a previous personal interview, traditional dietary restrictions, integration circles, further one-to-one integration interviews in between ceremonies and availability for further consultations for as long as necessary after the third ceremony.

Reviews (68)

5.0 out of 5
Overall 5.0
  • vuk
    vuk
    February 26, 2024 at 5:39 pm

    Back on November 23, I started a healing journey for my own mental health, beginning with a therapist. This proved to be very helpful, but in some ways, there was some deep-rooted trauma that regular therapy couldn’t help me with. Having relatives who have tried Ayahuasca as a plant medicine for their healing got me intrigued, and I felt Ayahuasca calling me.

    Thus began my research into finding the most suitable place for me to continue my healing journey. After looking through countless retreats, I finally found the one that spoke to me the most, which ended up being Parign Hak. Going through their testimonials and their website information, I could feel the genuine and caring mission behind the retreat and not just another commercial endeavor.

    I went there on February 24, and it’s been one of the most unique experiences of my life. Below are some highlights from the trip:

    • Helped me immensely on my healing journey but also provided practical tools that will support me from now on.
    • Getting to be a part of the incredible and loving family.
    • The cultural exchange with the family and learning about the history of the Harakbut has been fascinating.
    • The food was incredible throughout, which I enjoyed a lot.
    • Being immersed in the Amazonian Rainforest was incredible. The wildlife and fauna were breathtaking. I was incredibly happy about seeing the red howler monkey and getting some footage of it in its glory.
    • The ceremonies were done with a lot of love and care. Felt like the safest place in the world.

    This couldn’t have been possible without the incredible and hardworking Jessica. Facilitating cultural exchange through translation and her incredibly rich history of working in Manu and her years with the Harakbut people. Being such a devoted and experienced Ayahuascera to make sure that everyone was looked after and doing individual work to help everyone heal. Sharing her vast knowledge of the Manu rainforest during our excursions into the rainforest.

    The family also deserves a great shoutout for their hard work to make sure everyone is taken care of with food and love.

    If you are searching for a place of healing with Ayahuasca, then this is one of the most genuine and best options that you could find.

  • milesmanos
    milesmanos
    February 26, 2024 at 12:03 pm

    It’s hard to imagine a better first Ayahuasca experience. The name Parign Hak (Grandma’s Home) encapsulates the tenor of the retreat well: a comforting, mysterious space where – if you’re open to it – you can have a personal encounter with ancient wisdom.

    The whole experience at Parign Hak was thoughtfully composed to make the three of us guests feel peaceful, safe, and loved. It felt like a family. From the beginning, the intention was clear: come with true intention of healing and an open mind, not for recreation. The registration process was thorough and even included a videocall with Jessica. Once we got there, she greeted us warmly along with Vikki, Alberto and co.

    A few words about each of those three leaders:

    Jessica is extraordinarily fit to be an ayahuascera. When the ceremony begins and she clicks into gear, she is absolutely focused, skillfully addressing each of our needs as individuals without losing sight of the whole process. It’s seriously like seeing a world class athlete or musician at work. She does exactly what she needs to facilitate growth, no less and no more, patiently and precisely. She is also a wealth of cultural knowledge and sensitivity.

    Vikki is warm, curious, and hilarious – she would call the three of us her Washipos (sons) and was so happy to learn about our lives and track our progress. She spins these incredibly engaging and beautiful stories about her experience as a Harakbut, bringing richness and joy to the whole retreat.

    Alberto is the rock, the father figure. Whether it’s during the ceremony, when he secures the hut and exudes a strong and wise presence, or during our forest walks, when he carves the path with a machete, the experience would not be the same without him.

    Do yourself a favor and cut out a week of your time to visit Parign Hak in the incomparably beautiful Manu Rainforest!

  • Mr.Green
    Mr.Green
    February 19, 2020 at 7:31 am

    I’ve went to Parign Hak Ayahuasa retreat, with the purpose of doing the Ayahuasca ceremonies under circumstances that is so close to nature and with respect of the old ways. No tourist traps like the one you will find in Cusco. For me it was important to do it with people I trust and respect, Jessica was that person. It is rare I meet people so dedicated and willing give so much of them self to help other or give them a good experience for new comes like me in Ayahuasca.

    I’ve had a great time and meet people that have become friends and I’ve loved the journey we had in Amazone, were we saw wildlife and teaching in plant life.

  • WoW-wOw_WOW
    WoW-wOw_WOW
    February 11, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    Hi, (*buenos dias-buenos tardes-buenos noches:-), I wish to say upfront it’s a personal joyful honor to be writing this review for the auspicious Parign Hak Family/Hospital Retreat. I recommend so highly this team at Parign Hak with wholehearted bold confidence! Please read the review written by Menraman on Dec. 3rd in reference to a solid accurate description of the structure and background of the practitioners and orchestrators of the Parign Hak experience. Jessica, Vickie, Alberto, specifically. I don’t know who Menraman is, but I agree and acclaim similarly that all aspects of my own experience was phenomenal and exceeding expectations. I cherished my team of 3 other males ranging in age 43-50. Love is something that I realiZed I lacked in abundance of, and the generosity and sharing of love and compassion of the team at #ParignHak was ideal. I implore all worthy candidates to rest assured the decision to choose Parign Hak for their cultural exchange, healing, education, and cleansing processes as a ~*|*~*no brainer*~*|*~. Absolutely the best time of my life! WoW-wOw_WOW said the The bird ‘The Great Potoo’ (Nyctibius grandis) amidst the jungle at night on one occasion…I simply looked toward the direction of that Potoo’s call and said…’I know, right;0).’ It is my opinion that for optimal immersion, authentic experience, and proper indigenous traditional facilitation it is of utmost importance to have an exceptional shamanic practitioner in order for the wisdom and technique of the spiritual practice to be effective, as well as, therapeutically integrated. Once again, all can rest easy knowing that they will be in the best of hands with Jessica and the entire team at Parign Hak to debrief and advise on all aspects of their expedition and retreat. I thank Parign Hak for our time together and shall hope to find myseLf headin’ back into the basin for transforming back into my true nature, one with everything. CordiaLLy & respectfuLLy, ~Z

  • Menraman
    Menraman
    December 3, 2019 at 11:01 am

    I and three friends spent 11 days with Jessica in the Amazon rain forest along the Madre de Dios River. Seven of these days were at Parign Hak retreat.
    I had been to Peru two years prior, mostly visiting the Sacred Valley. On that trip I had also done ayahuasca ceremonies. In comparison, the trip and my experiences with Jessica were on a whole other level. She emphasizes that the experience is meant to be transformative: that it is work requiring serious preparation before arriving, commitment and integration while there, and ongoing homework afterwards. And she is very available to help in the whole process.
    During the ceremonies Jessica herself works very hard with the group and personally with each individual. Her icaros were, in my experience, a key to the experience: healing, guiding, transforming.
    The family and friends that own and run Parign Hak were very present, caring, attentive. They themselves have experienced Jessica’s healing work and are enthused to share it with others.
    We also spent a number of days at the Wachiperi Queros Village. Thank you to the people there who shared their stories, food, crafts, knowledge of the jungle, and seri!
    I appreciated that Jessica was like myself a westerner, yet fully and authentically, as far as I could tell, capable and knowledgeable in the indigenous plant healing tradition. She was able to view things and discuss from multiple lenses: indigenous, anthropological, psychological. This helped very much in communication and integration. Jessica also helped me with experiences from my prior time in Peru which still had not been integrated.
    I am very grateful for my Parign Hak retreat, for all who helped make it possible!

  • zlarsen
    zlarsen
    September 22, 2019 at 3:00 pm

    Parign Hak was a transformational experience and I consider it one of the best decisions I have made as an adult.

    A bit of info about myself coming into this ayahuasca world. I work as a software engineer and definitely am more logic-based. I would not describe myself as spiritual or the “hippie-dippie” type but I am extremely curious. I had deep-seated problems with existential dread concerning death and a number of traumas from my childhood that have grown into insecurities that plagued my thoughts. I wanted to give ayahuasca a shot and I was very curious about what the experience could be. If nothing else it would be an interesting time.

    I found this retreat with extensive online research. I found many other retreat centers that looked amazing but had weird things that popped up in my research that made me wary.

    Plus the name “Parign Hak- Grandmother Home” resounded with me deeply as a down to earth serious retreat that was not about being super “Ultra Spiritual”.

    Once I reached out to Parign Hak about my interest in attending one of the retreats, they were very prompt in contacting me and kept up clear and consistent communication. I was given plenty of material to prepare myself and when I ask for supplemental resources they had even more than I had time to get into! Kat was my main contact in the weeks leading up to the retreat and she was incredibly helpful.

    The retreat itself was much more integrated into the local culture and environment then I realized. Parign Hak took special care in making sure that we had time to learn about the surrounding rain forest and the local Harakbut people who were hosting us. It was a very holistic experience beyond just taking ayahuasca.

    The retreat was very small and intimate. It truly felt like I became part of a family. Everyone had plenty of time to have a one-on-one with our ayahuascera, Jessica, to help work through whatever the previous ceremony brought to our attention. Jessica is incredibly open and was hard-working during the whole experience. She presents herself as a normal human being and not some special more “enlighted” shaman being. I am truly impressed with the years and passion she has dedicated to ayahuasca, the Manu rainforest, and the local Harakbut people. She’s been doing this almost longer than I have been alive and it shows in the quality of her work as a shaman.

    The rest of the team on site are Harakbut people who are very friendly and open. They shared their stories which gave incredible perspective about how ayahuasca has helped them in their journeys. I regret not knowing more Spanish to be able to better communicate but Jessica was always around to help translate.

    The facilities are very basic with no running water or electricity but are well kept. I personally really enjoyed this opportunity to have so little separating me from the surrounding nature and not having any distractions like my phone. Plus I got to really learn that I don’t need ANYTHING in order to be so happy and fulfilled. The most important things in life are the relationships you have with others and not material things. I’ve always “known” this but actually living it is what made me realize this life lesson in a deep way.

    The food was always fresh and amazing. Lots of fruits and veggies with freshly caught fish from the river. The whole team eats together family-style.

    The actual ayahuasca ceremonies are well-conducted and I always felt completely safe. My three ceremonies were incredible, healing, and I learned concrete things that will help me in my day to day life.

    The integration process starts the next morning when we share what we are comfortable with sharing and continues to long after the retreat is completed. The support I continue to receive has been wonderful for me to really get the most out of my ayahuasca experience.

    Overall I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Parign Hak. I came to Parign Hak as an open-minded skeptic and left incredibly thankful for the hard work that I have done with the team. I will definitely return and I am excited to see my Parign Hak family again.

  • Suzybaker
    Suzybaker
    September 12, 2019 at 8:41 am

    My week at Parign Hak is one of the most significant of my entire life. The amount of healing and transformation that occurred goes unparalleled to anything thus far for me. I felt like I was in a mini hospital with the highest qualified caretakers right at my side. Jessica respects this plant, the history of it, the Harakbut people and preserving their culture in a way that makes the whole experience feel fully legitimate. Parign Hak is as much about the local community as it is the guests. I felt I was somehow contributing to something bigger than myself. I can’t say enough about how powerful this little spot in the amazon is. The 3 meals per day were fantastic and my body had never functioned better. There is also quite a bit of free time to write, explore do whatever. I felt such a creative surge while I was there and actually got quite a bit of writing done. The only thing I could ask for is more time. I will definitely be back and bringing more people. I want people to experience the pure magic that is Parign Hak, Jessica Bertram and the team.
    Highlights for me:
    *Food is amazing and PURE
    *During the ceremonies Jessica is 100% there for YOU and ready to assist you through ANYTHING. She is incredibly skilled and qualified in a way that not only releases patterns no longer serving but replaces them with power and love
    *Vicki and her family see each of the guests as new family members and want to get to know you and your story so they can share theirs. It’s a loving and natural exchange that made me feel COMPLETELY at home
    *During the week we saw 5 SPECIES of monkey
    *Jessica has a personal relationship with the plants that exists in the amazon. This being said- she knows all the medicinal purposes and beyond which is fascinating. She’s very gracious with her extensive knowledge on all things amazon
    *The little houses you stay in are quite comfortable and I have never slept so consistently well in my life
    Just go and experience for yourself and be changed for the better.

  • lagogato
    lagogato
    July 1, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Terence McKenna’s brother Dr. Dennis McKenna, referred me to Jessica and to Parign Hak. I just returned from a retreat there last month, and I could not recommend it more highly. Parign Hak is the small family home of indigenous den-mother, and retreat owner Vicky and her family. It’s an intimate setting, and me and the 4 other participants were immediately welcomed in as part of that family. The retreats max out at 5 people, which was something that really appealed to me, and was one of the reasons I chose Parign Hak. Many of these centers I found, seem to have 20-30+ people at any given retreat. The small group size gave us all plenty of time to bond with the host family, Jessica and with each other. Jessica the Ayahuasquera, while incredibly qualified, is a western woman and not the stereotypical shaman. She’s very grounded, down-to-earth, and practical in her approach to Ayahuasca, which she views as a traditional medicinal practice. She’s not a “new-age” ultra-spiritual hippy at all, so don’t expect her to sugar coat anything during the Ayahuasca integration process. She knows exactly what to say to help people figure out how to get the most out of their Ayahuasca experiences, and truly transform their lives. As a single female myself, I was looking for an authentic experience, but I was also apprehensive about traveling into the Amazon alone to drink Ayahuasca. The staff at Parign Hak helped me every step of the way, and I felt completely safe and looked after the entire week. 5 stars!

  • kera.pesall@gmail.com
    kera.pesall@gmail.com
    June 23, 2019 at 9:39 am

    I recently returned from Jessica’s Parign Hak retreat in May 2019. I would recommend this retreat to anyone looking for an authentic and non-commercial experience with traditional medicine. Jessica has a unique way of combining culture, history, nature, community and healing into an eight-day experience. I liked the small group size (5) and getting to integrate with the local people. Ceremonies were profound sacred. I enjoyed the hot spring, jungle tour, seeing jaguar and tapir prints, eating local food, learning about traditional culture of the area, getting “tattooed” with plant tints and seeing traditional cooking methods. The community she is connected with is so friendly and I now consider them all as friends. I intend to return when I can.

  • Brave-heart
    Brave-heart
    June 21, 2019 at 2:17 pm

    I was looking for an Ayahuasca retreat near Cuzco.
    When I came across Parign Hak on the internet, I immediately felt that Parign Hak was the place for me..
    And I was right.
    The experience was deep …very deep.
    It touched my soul and changed my life.

    The great organization of jessica bertram.
    The professional ceremonies.
    The powerful Ayahuasca.
    The beautiful location, with his authentic vibration.
    The pure delicious food.

    The intimate immersion in the harakbut culture is beyond everything that I could have expected.
    Deeply Touched by the intense friendliness and beauty of these people.
    A week in their presence was a wonderful and hugely educational experience.
    There was a strong connection from day 1, and it only grew during the week.
    I felt so welcome….so Welcome..
    I became family And that’s how it felt. Familia! in my heart!
    it has bin said, I say it again: not just an Ayahuasca retreat.
    So much more…

    Go(D) and find out!

    Braveheart

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