Frequently Asked Questions

A traditional ayahuasca retreat is a carefully guided and advanced shamanic healing process where participants drink ayahuasca, a traditional plant medicine used for centuries by Indigenous people of the Amazon Rainforest.

At Temple of the Way of Light, all our retreats are held within the Shipibo tradition, one of the most respected Amazonian healing lineages.

Our retreats combine multiple ayahuasca ceremonies with plant-spirit healing practices, tailored plant remedies specific to each guest’s needs, expert guidance, and post-retreat integration support.

We are based outside of Iquitos, Peru, deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Iquitos is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road; it is accessible only by plane or boat. The Temple is situated approximately 1.5 hours from the city, in pristine jungle surroundings covering nearly 200 hectares, which provide the ideal environment for ayahuasca healing.

The Temple is renowned for its safety, authenticity, integrity, and deep respect for tradition.
We conduct comprehensive screenings that include psychological and medical assessments, working with an off-site medical doctor and a psychologist throughout the booking process. 

For nearly two decades, we have set standards for onsite safety protocols, provide extensive preparation and integration support, and have the highest guest-to-staff ratio in the ayahuasca scene. 

We create a safe environment with four advanced-level Shipibo healers and three highly experienced facilitators who bring over a hundred years of combined experience facilitating ayahuasca healing to every retreat we run. Our retreat team is supported by sixty local staff. 

We have facilitated ayahuasca ceremonies since 2007, for over 10,000 people, and is renowned globally for the level of safety and care that we provide.

Our ceremonies are led exclusively by highly experienced, advanced-level Shipibo healers (Onanyabo), who come from a long lineage of ayahuasca practitioners. 

The essence of the Shipibo tradition lies in their use of ikaros (healing songs), which provide shamanic plant-spirit healing, focusing on clearing negative energies. This ancient healing practice addresses the root cause of disease and disorder experienced on physical, emotional, and psychological levels. 

Treatments are also provided throughout retreats using plants from the surrounding rainforest through remedies, baths, steam baths, and massages with plant extracts.

Our retreats have a maximum of 23 guests with 4 Shipibo healers, 3 facilitators, and 2 assistants in each ceremony. Outside of ceremonies, there is additional support and a staff of over 50 people supporting onsite operations. 

Our retreats are facilitated in English and we require all participants to speak at least a conversational level of English in order to attend.

Our 12-day Living in Alignment Retreat cost is $4,440.00 USD. Our 12-day Living in Alignment + 5-Day Integration Extension Retreat cost is $5,700 USD. Our 8-day Stepping Into Alignment Retreat cost is $2960 USD.

On all our retreat pages, costs are clearly outlined to cover accommodation, all meals, ceremonies, the highest standards of safety, support from Shipibo healers and facilitators, and integration resources.

You can apply directly through our website (just click “Register Now” here). You will complete the online application and included comprehensive medical form. Each application is reviewed by our team and medical advisor to ensure safety and suitability.

Once you send your application and medical questionnaire (included in the online registration process), we will review and confirm with you within a few days, one week at the most.

Yes, many of our retreats fill several months in advance. If your preferred dates are fully booked, you can join the waitlist (here) and you will be contacted if a space becomes available.

When a space becomes available in a program, all members of the waitlist are notified simultaneously and the space is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is difficult for us to say whether a space will open or not – we do occasionally receive cancellations, but the timing is is unpredictable. Just keep an eye on your email for any notifications from us if you join a waitlist and be prepared to act quickly in order to secure a space.

Upon Application: a $100 credit card or PayPal deposit is required to submit your application. If we cannot approve your application for any reason after review, your card will be refunded the $100 in full.

Upon Application Approval: if your application is approved, the $100 deposit is applied towards your retreat fee and the remainder of the 50% retreat deposit (or full amount for retreats starting within 6 weeks) is due within 24 hours to confirm your booking.

6 weeks Prior to Retreat Start: your final balance is due.

At this time, our scholarship resources are dedicated to Amazonian indigenous communities in the region of Peru where we operate. Outside of this, we are not currently able to offer discount/scholarship possibilities. Our revenue is directly reinvested to fund the operations of our non-profit work (www.chaikuni.org).

At the moment, we do not have any work exchange or volunteer opportunities at the Temple. We do have a Residency Program, however we only open applications for this to past guests of our retreats as we have found it is best to first come to the Temple as a retreat guest and get to know our space before considering the possibility of any future relationship in a service capacity.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, so we’ve designed our cancellation policy to be as flexible and supportive as possible for our guests while preserving our ability to operate our retreats at the highest standard. Please keep in mind the following timeframes should you need to cancel your booking at some point before your retreat:

• More than 4 weeks before your retreat starts: You can either transfer your full payment to any other available retreat date within the next 2 years, or request a refund minus a $300 administrative fee.

   

• 2 to 4 weeks before your retreat starts: You can transfer your payment to any other available retreat date within the next 2 years or request a refund, but in either case we will need to charge a $700 fee to help cover our costs.

   

• Within 2 weeks of your retreat start date: No payment transfers will be possible unless you can demonstrate extenuating circumstances that make attendance impossible. In such extenuating cases, we may, at our discretion, offer a credit for 50% of your amount paid, which you can apply toward a future retreat within 2 years. Refunds are not possible in this case.

Our goal is always to make this process as smooth and compassionate as possible. If you need to cancel or change your dates, please reach out as soon as possible; we’re here to work with you to find the best solution for your situation.

Please review our retreat policies for complete details before booking. All information about costs and the refund policy can be found on each retreat page in the ‘What’s Included & Cost’ section.

Please also see our Retreat Agreement/Terms, which must be agreed to online during the booking process, and again in person at the Temple.

In order to come to the Temple you would need to fly into Iquitos International Airport in Peru. All flights to and from Iquitos are via Lima, Peru (with multiple daily flights).

We recommend booking your flights to arrive one day before your retreat starts and to depart one day after the retreat ends. This is to first allow yourself time to acclimatize to the environment and provide a time cushion in case you experience flight delays/cancellations on your way to Peru. This is to also allow time to reintegrate and rest before traveling once the retreat has ended.

Specific directions and travel details will be provided upon booking.

**Please do not book flights or make any travel arrangements until your registration and medical information has been reviewed and you have been approved to attend a retreat.**

Each retreat group will be picked up on the first morning of the retreat at a designated pickup location in central Iquitos by one of our staff members and then travel to the Temple together from there.  The group will be brought back into Iquitos after breakfast on the last morning of the retreat and will arrive in town by early afternoon (usually 2pm at the latest).

The price of a Temple retreat includes transportation from the group pickup place in Iquitos to the Temple on the first morning of the retreat and transportation back to Iquitos on the last morning of the retreat. The price does not include any flights, hotel costs, or transportation to the group pickup on the first morning.

For many travelers (such as USA, Canada, E.U., and many other countries), a 90-day tourist visa is granted automatically and without cost upon arrival in Peru. Peru does require travelers from some countries to acquire a visa in advance of coming via their nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. Please research online the latest requirements for your nationality before traveling. Also ensure your passport has at least 6-months validity before expiration at the time you arrive in Peru (a requirement to enter the country).

Vaccinations are not required for entry into Peru or to attend our retreats. Whether you receive vaccinations before traveling to the retreat is up to you and your doctor. Vaccinations are not contraindicated with Ayahuasca; we only advise receiving them with enough time for any side effects or adverse effects to dissipate before traveling to the retreat.

Although malaria is uncommon in our area, the active season is during the rainy season from December/January to May/June where the risk factor does increase. However, there have been some isolated cases at other times of year, so you do need to weigh the risks personally. The strain of malaria most common around Iquitos is vivax, which is usually easily treated for most healthy individuals with strain resistant antibiotics. 

For those who want to take pharmaceutical anti-malarial medication, atovaquone/proguanil (common brand name: Malarone) shows no contraindications when taken in conjunction with ayahuasca.

Other common anti-malarial medications such as mefloquine and doxycycline have shown adverse reactions with ayahuasca and should be avoided if possible.

All of our accommodations are private and each guest has their own accommodation (called a tambo) unless they request to share with a friend/loved one. The retreat cost is the same whether you have your own accommodation or share with someone. Each tambo comes with a bed (or 2 beds if you elect to share a tambo), a hammock, a desk, a toilet and a sink, along with 360° views and sounds of the rainforest. You can view photos of our accommodations here.

All of our current offerings are 12 days in duration with 6 ceremonies. The Shipibo healers at the Temple have found this to be an ideal and necessary retreat length for a deep and effective connection with ayahuasca and for a complete process with their ceremonial energetic healing work. 

At this time, we don’t have plans for shorter retreats, and we are not able to accommodate custom stay dates or private stays outside of our regularly scheduled retreats.

The retreats are structured as a complete program, so arriving late or departing early wouldn’t allow the healers to complete their work with you. We also value the importance of the group container; in other words, we find that the healing experience is most effective for the group when they arrive together and leave together at the end of the retreat.

Our mobile phone policy comes as a request from the healers who will be working with you during the retreat. Their basic instruction for each guest is to be present and focus on the process. Internet and phone use and communication with the outside world during the retreat are counterproductive distractions and can have a detrimental impact on your healing process and the retreat as a whole.

It is prohibited to use mobile phones or other devices to communicate with the outside world (calls, messages, social media, internet use, etc.) during your stay at the Temple. By attending a retreat at the Temple, you agree to keep your device off or in airplane mode for the duration of the retreat. You will have the option to turn in your phone for safekeeping upon arrival until the end of the retreat. If you choose to use your device as a camera or music player, it is with the understanding that we are not able to charge your device at the Temple, you will need to bring a portable power bank or wait until you return to Iquitos at the end of the retreat to charge your device.

Should your family/friends need to reach you in an emergency, they can email [email protected], and your facilitators will pass on the information to you during the retreat and arrange for you to call home if needed. We ask that you inform your loved ones that you will be completely out of contact for the duration of the retreat before you head to the Temple. 

We have had many couples/friends/family members come to our retreats together. This is generally fine for people who are able and willing to give one another the space they may need during the retreat without needing to interfere in one another’s process. Doing a retreat together can be very positive for the relationship if it is approached skillfully and without unaddressed codependent tendencies.

Other couples/friends/family members choose to come to retreats separately, recognizing that their relationship dynamic may make it difficult to participate in a retreat together. This is beneficial if the individuals recognize that they may be able to go deeper into their process if they participate in retreats separately.

Bring lightweight clothing, long sleeves, insect repellent, a flashlight, sandals, and personal essentials. A complete packing list is provided upon booking.

Preparation is key to maximizing the benefits of your retreat and ongoing healing process after the retreat.

This includes following the ayahuasca dieta, avoiding alcohol, recreational drugs, and sexual activity, reducing stimulants like caffeine, and preparing mentally and emotionally for deep healing work.

Read our Preparing for the Medicine Path blog.

The dieta is a set of traditional dietary and lifestyle guidelines observed before, during, and after an ayahuasca retreat. It involves avoiding specific foods (such as pork, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine) and abstaining from sexual activity.

The dieta helps cleanse the body, reduce toxins, and open sensitivity to plant medicine.

Avoid alcohol, drugs, fermented foods, aged cheeses, processed meats, and stimulants. Certain medications, especially SSRIs and MAOIs, are contraindicated with ayahuasca.
Find our comprehensive ayahuasca preparation guidebook here.

Many of the dieta requirements begin from at least 2 weeks before the retreat and some are in effect until at least one month after the retreat. 
Some participants choose to follow the dieta for longer to deepen their process if it feels right for them to do so.

When taken in a traditional, well-supported setting with experienced healers and facilitators, and after careful medical and psychological screening, ayahuasca is safe. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Safety depends on physical health, psychological readiness, and following preparation guidelines.

Getting your period during the retreat is not a concern. On occasion, the Shipibo healers at the Temple may ask a woman to reduce her dose of ayahuasca a bit on the first day of her period or when her flow is heaviest if there happens to be ceremony that night. Women are generally more sensitive to ayahuasca at that time so reducing the dose doesn’t typically change much.

All applicants complete a comprehensive medical form, which is reviewed by our medical support team. This includes screening for physical issues (cardiovascular, liver or kidney disease, recent surgeries, etc), psychiatric conditions, and medications that are contraindicated with ayahuasca.

For more information, please visit our Ayahuasca Medical Guidelines page.

Many medications are unsafe to combine with ayahuasca. Applicants must disclose all medications they are currently taking during the screening process. Our medical staff will review your case and advise if a safe taper or alternative is possible.

Yes, many of our guests since 2007 have come in search of healing for depression, anxiety, and trauma. The vast majority experienced significant healing and resolution of long-standing mental and emotional suffering.

Research conducted at the Temple has yielded statistically significant positive results. However, ayahuasca is not a guaranteed cure. It can reveal deep insights and initiate healing processes, but personal commitment to the process, professional aftercare, and integration are crucial. 

Read more on How Ayahuasca Addresses Mental Health: Revolutionary Research from the Amazon

Yes, it’s critical. Positive, long-term effects only come when working with advanced traditional healers.

Experiencing ayahuasca with the appropriate set (an open mind), in the right setting (environment), together with advanced healers and experienced facilitators, substantially enhances mental health outcomes compared to unregulated, untrained, and inexperienced administration of ayahuasca.

Research studies, specifically examining Shipibo ceremonial contexts, demonstrate significant increases in psychological well-being, subjective well-being, spiritual well-being, and quality of life that are sustained long-term.

A long-term research study carried out at the Temple found that 54% of participants identified ayahuasca as the most relevant factor in their healing, followed by the work of Shipibo healers at 36%, highlighting the critical importance of working with experienced indigenous healers (Onanya) who carry hundreds of years of collective experience in the ancient art of ayahuasca shamanism.

Authentic Shipibo healing centers focus exclusively on genuine, deep, traditional Amazonian shamanic healing rather than recreational or tourist experiences, led by skilled healers working with a multitude of plant-spirit doctors in ceremony to achieve optimal safety, depth of healing, and overall efficacy.

How do I find a legitimate ayahuasca retreat center for mental health?

Key criteria for evaluation:

• Long-term track record – looks for a minimum of five years, better ten years
• Advanced-level indigenous shamanic healers
• Experienced, traditionally trained facilitators (with multi-year commitment to dietas)
• Comprehensive screening protocols
• Strict safety measures
• Emergency medical protocols
• Transparent about risks and contraindications
• Preparation and Integration programs
• Verifiable track record and references
• Demonstrable focus on reciprocity and not driven by profit

Ceremonies are held at night in the maloca. Participants drink ayahuasca prepared by Shipibo healers, who guide the experience with ikaros (healing songs). Every ceremony is led by four advanced-level healers—two male and two female —alongside three highly experienced and trained English-speaking facilitators who are present to support participants as needed throughout the ceremony.

Everything you need to know about the ayahuasca ceremony can be found here.

Our retreats include six ayahuasca ceremonies over 12 days. Over the years, we have learned that fewer than six ceremonies result in a reduction of the depth of healing we can provide.  

Experiences vary widely. Effects may include visions, emotions, physical purging, or deep states of reflection. Ayahuasca often brings forward and surfaces what needs to be healed, which can be challenging but deeply transformative.

Purging (vomiting, sweating, crying, yawning) is considered a release of toxins, energy, or emotions. It is a natural part of the healing process in traditional ayahuasca practice.

Tobacco is utilized as a sacred healing plant in the Americas and documented medicinal use predates the fabrication and consumption of commercial cigarettes by thousands of years.

In many indigenous Amazonian traditions, tobacco (or ‘mapacho’) is considered a Master Plant and is given equal regard and importance as ayahuasca. The qualities ascribed to tobacco in the healing and ceremonial context include energetic clearing, protection, alignment and grounding. 

Tobacco is actively used by most Shipibo onanya during ceremonies for these qualities. The tobacco used in ceremonies is the Nicotiana Rustica variety which is very different to the strands used in commercial cigarettes (Virginia, Burley, Oriental).

Unlike commercial cigarettes, the tobacco used in ceremony is pure tobacco leaf and does not contain any chemical additives.

Guests are not expected or required to use tobacco at all during the retreat.

Integration is the process of applying insights and grounding the healing experienced on the retreat into daily life. Without integration, the benefits of ayahuasca may fade.
For more information, please visit our Ayahuasca Integration resources page.

We provide all our guests with an extensive 3-month integration program and online community, which is an essential part of the overall healing process.. The program includes workshops and talks during retreat, post-retreat online support calls, classes for integration, and a library of resources to help you process your experience.

Integration is ongoing. Many people notice shifts for months or even years after retreat. The key is to maintain supportive practices such as meditation, mindfulness, journaling, therapy, or continued connection with our integration network. 

Our Senior Retreat and Integration Facilitator, Públio Valle, shared his experience and advice on Ayahuasca Integration: What to Expect in the Weeks and Months After an Ayahuasca Retreat.

Yes. Research has shown that ayahuasca can support mental health, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth. Studies indicate potential benefits for depression, addiction, PTSD, and anxiety.

Find Ayahuasca Research Study with ICEERS & Beckley Foundation here.

Yes. We have been operating since 2007 and are one of the longest-standing ayahuasca retreat centers in Peru, known globally for safety and integrity. We hold every license required by the Peruvian government to operate legally and are registered with the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism as an eco-lodge.

We are a highly rated ayahuasca retreat center that has hosted over 10,000 guests.

Visit our reviews page, YouTube channel, or check our Google reviews.

We hope to see you soon at The Temple!