Retreat Info
About the Retreat:Ayaselva is a small, family-owned ayahuasca retreat center in the Peruvian Amazon, near Iquitos. With a maximum of six guests, every retreat offers a personal, safe, and supportive environment guided by experienced local healers.
The program combines traditional ayahuasca ceremonies with preparation, integration, jungle walks, flower baths, meditation, and sharing circles. Guests stay in private rooms surrounded by the peaceful rainforest, creating space for rest and reflection.
Ayaselva focuses on authentic healing rather than mass tourism, helping each guest reconnect with themselves through compassionate guidance, respect for the medicine, and genuine care before, during, and after the retreat.
Description of Services:Guests receive a complete, all-inclusive experience with comfortable accommodation, freshly prepared meals, transportation from and to Iquitos, and continuous personal support throughout their stay. The program also includes nature excursions, cultural activities, wellness practices, and post-retreat integration guidance, creating a balanced journey that supports personal growth, self-discovery, and lasting positive change.
Practitioners:Arnaldo
Arnaldo was raised in Tamshiyacu, Peru. Of Mestizo lineage, he has extensive experience working with Peruvian plant medicines. People describe him as a humble healer with a love for helping those facing various challenges. Arnaldo deeply respects the plant medicines and prefers to consider himself an intermediary between the spirit world and the earthly world, rather than calling himself a healer. From a young age, Arnaldo was fascinated by the abundant jungle and eager to learn about the healing powers of plants. He is kind and respectful towards others and wants to share his expertise with us, for which we are very grateful.Vanesa
Vanesa was born and raised in Iquitos. Suffering from bulimia in early childhood, she encountered ayahuasca at the age of 17. A mestizo maestro guided her through an intense dieta regimen, which not only helped cure her debilitating disease but also made her love life — something she never thought was possible. Ayahuasca helped her clean her body, spirit, and soul. After this transformative experience, she felt completely reborn. During and after her studies, Vanesa worked at numerous ayahuasca centers in Peru and abroad, dedicated to helping people transform their lives. She always wanted to create her own place to help people heal, share love and peace, and contribute to the local community.Team/Medical Staff:Peter
Peter was born and raised in the Netherlands. With a love for everything technical, he completed his engineering studies and later worked for various technical companies. Little did he know that ayahuasca would transform his life in a profoundly positive way. It changed his perspective on life and helped him become more empathetic toward others. With a shared vision, Peter and his wife Vanesa decided to create their own center and share this powerful medicine with others.Elva
Elva, Vanesa's mother, grew up with a father who was an experienced ayahuasquero. Over the years she gathered a wealth of knowledge about medicinal plants, which she now uses to support others in their healing process. She also has a deep passion for gardening — sometimes you may even notice her talking to the plants! She loves being here, surrounded by the beauty of the jungle and the warmth of the people.Jackson
Jackson, Vanesa's brother, makes sure everything at Ayaselva looks beautiful and clean. Together with Arnaldo, he is also responsible for the brewing process of our medicine. He always walks around with positive energy and a big smile. His presence really brightens the atmosphere for us and our guests.Denisse
Elva, Vanesa's mother, grew up with a father who was an experienced ayahuasquero. Over the years she gathered a wealth of knowledge about medicinal plants, which she now uses to support others in their healing process. She also has a deep passion for gardening — sometimes you may even notice her talking to the plants! She loves being here, surrounded by the beauty of the jungle and the warmth of the people.Details
Founder(s) / CEO: Vanesa Isuisa and Peter TulpGroup Size: 1-6Price Range: $1200 - $1800Our Process
Overview of Experience:Arrival in Iquitos
We pick you up from Iquitos airport and bring you to your hotel. We recommend arriving a day before the retreat so you can rest after your travels.The journey to Tamshiyacu
The next morning we travel together by boat from Iquitos to Tamshiyacu, then the final stretch to the center. We do all of this together, so you feel guided from the moment you arrive.Settling in
On arrival we introduce you to our team, show you your private room, and walk through the program in detail. There is time to rest, eat, and adjust to the rhythm of the jungle.Food & meals
Denisse prepares delicious meals that follow the ayahuasca diet. We serve three meals on non-ceremony days and two on ceremony days, and cater to vegan, vegetarian, and other dietary needs.The ceremonies
Ceremonies are held at night in our maloka, guided by the curandero with traditional icaros. You are well prepared beforehand and supported throughout. The 7-day retreat includes 4 ceremonies; the 12-day, 7.Sharing circles
The day after each ceremony we hold a sharing circle — once you have rested and can reflect with clarity. You can share what came up, ask questions, and receive guidance from the curandero.Between ceremonies
The time between ceremonies matters as much as the ceremonies themselves. Expect jungle walks, medicinal flower baths, meditation, a fire ceremony, learning to cook ayahuasca, rest, and quiet reflection.Integration & after
Integration begins during the retreat and continues at home. We encourage you to stay in touch so we can support you as you bring the insights into daily life. Our care does not end when the retreat does.Intake Process:People interested in attending an ayahuasca retreat at Ayaselva complete a health questionnaire on our website and have a personal video call with our team. During the call, we discuss their medical history, intentions, and any relevant details to determine whether the retreat is appropriate and, if so, provide clear guidance on how to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for the experience.
Psychedelic Substances Offered: ayahuascaHow does this Center source medicine?:We grow and prepare the medicine ourselves.
Practice reciprocity with local communities?: YesPhotos
Reviews
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Retreat Info
Details
Our Process
Photos
Reviews
1 Review on “Ayaselva”
Leave a Review
Ayaselva was a magical first experience. I am suspicious of large scale super commercial retreats and Ayaselva provided exactly what I was looking for, intimate and close to nature. Vanessa and Peter have a great dynamic and a passion for guiding others on their journey, which really shows in the compassion and care they have for their guests. Great food, friendly staff, and a variety of activities like nature walks and trips to the river immerse you in the jungle and more deeply connect to the medicine. The shaman Arnaldo is a gentle and humble man that guided me through some intense and challenging ceremonies to a profound and powerful healing experience.
Highly recommended, an amazing time with wonderful and caring people, I will gladly return!