Frequently asked questions

Can I come alone? What about female solo travelers?

Absolutely! In fact, most of our guests come on their own, and many of them are women. We know that traveling solo, especially as a woman, requires a strong sense of safety and trust, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

At La Luna, we maintain high ethics and clear boundaries at all times. Every ceremony always has at least one female facilitator or guardian present, to support our female guests and accompany them if they need to, even just to the bathroom. Alongside your own private room and bathroom, this creates a safe, respectful, and family-like environment where you can focus fully on your healing journey. Many women who come alone find not only comfort and safety here, but also deep friendships and a powerful sense of connection.

Do you recommend staying for 1 or 2 weeks?

If you have the opportunity, we always recommend a 2-week retreat for several reasons, as this extended stay offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your overall experience and healing journey with Mother Ayahuasca. For most people, it takes a few ceremonies before establishing a good connection with the medicine. By staying for 2 weeks, you don't need to feel stressed if you don't connect during the first few ceremonies, which is more common than people think. While you can certainly achieve some meaningful healing work in one week, a 2-week retreat provides more time for you to delve deeper, explore your intentions, work through challenges, and engage in profound self-discovery.

Why La Luna del Amazonas?

When the Discovery Channel researched over 50 ayahuasca centers in the Iquitos region, they focused on two key factors: Safety and Authenticity. Their team and insurance company created a demanding list of safety requirements, while also seeking an experience that truly represented the heart of the ayahuasca tradition.

We may not boast the luxurious amenities of some Western-owned centers. No marble floors, jacuzzis, or air-conditioning. Instead, our strength lies in safety and authenticity: a retreat grounded in the natural world, guided by genuine curanderos (shamans). The beauty of our center is not in polished surfaces, but in our hearts. Josh Gates, host of Expedition Unknown, told us that what drew them to film at La Luna was precisely this: our uncompromising safety protocols, the experience of our staff in handling any kind of emergency, and yes, the fact that our maloka floor wasn’t polished. For him, that detail spoke volumes about our humility and authenticity.

Guests stay in private rooms with bathrooms and showers, comfortable beds, and screened buildings for safety and rest. Yet the true magic happens here not because of luxury, but because of our deep connection to Pachamama and the personal attention and the individual limpiezas (cleansings) carried out in every ceremony.

We hold great respect for our lineage, and we honor the native tradition by working with one medicine at a time. Unlike centers that combine multiple power plants or animal medicines such as Kambo, we follow the wisdom of the elders who caution against mixing. These traditions have been carefully refined over centuries for a reason: to maintain the purity and effectiveness of each plant’s spirit.

Wouldn’t it be better for business to simply offer what the customer wants? Indeed , but this is sacred work and our responsibility is to protect the traditions that have been handed down to us. We are not here to satisfy every desire or trend of the Western mindset. We are here to hold the medicine in the way it was meant to be held: with safety, respect, humility and purity.

For us, Ayahuasca is the Mother of all teaching plants. Working with her alone creates the space for a profound, clear, and transformative journey, one that respects both the ancient traditions and the safety of every guest who walks through our doors.

Why is La Luna more affordable compared to many other centers?

Ideally, we would love to offer a sliding scale, where those who can afford more contribute more, making it easier for others with fewer resources to join. Until then, we keep our retreats at a price that is accessible, fair, and sustainable for our community. That said, we may need to adjust fees slightly next year in order to continue offering the same level of care and support.

We will never distort our purpose by bringing in outside investors seeking to maximize profit, nor do we operate with profit as our main goal. Our focus remains on what truly matters: creating a safe, authentic, and humble space for healing, fulfilling our calling and doing what we were meant to do in this lifetime.

What we may lack in material luxury, we make up for in sincerity, personal care, and devotion. We also believe that even for the wealthiest guests, stepping outside of one’s comfort zone while working with the medicine is humbling and deeply supportive of the healing process. It reminds us of our privileges, strips away illusions, and brings us closer to the essence of the work. Luxury has its place, but we believe that belongs after the retreat, not during it.

How many guests are you expecting for this duration?

We will accept maximum 10 guests in the ceremonies.

We keep the groups small and familiar, but more important, the shamans will give you personal attention and give you an individual shamanic limpieza (energetic cleanse) in each and every ceremony and during the whole retreat. If exceeding 10 participants in the ceremony room, there would be too much energies to manage, and the shamans would not be able to do their work, and would rather just serve medicine and sing songs.

Can I do a master plant dieta during my Ayahuasca retreat?

No. Master plant dietas require isolation and very strict food restrictions. There is no real benefit in trying to do a dieta in a group retreat setting, since it is extremely important to remain free from distractions and outside energies, allowing only the plant itself to work deeply within you.

We do offer dietas, but these are always carried out in isolation, with great discipline and sacrifice. This is what allows a true relationship with the spirit of the plant to be formed.

That said, if you just want a little extra support, like a cup of ajo sacha in the mornings during your retreat, we’ll happily serve it with a smile.

Why don’t you mix ayahuasca with other medicines or plants?

In native Amazonian science, mixing different sacred medicines is not seen as an expansion but as a confusion of energies. This confusion can give rise to what is known as cutipado. A spiritual and energetic imbalance that may manifest as disorientation, anxiety, or even illness. For this reason, ayahuasca is considered a jealous plant. She demands full attention and respect, preferring to work alone without interference from other entheogens or imported traditions.

From time to time, our shamans may prescribe other plant remedies to support a guest’s process. For example teas, infusiones or plant baths, but these are non-psychoactive plants. They work gently, in harmony with the medicine, and do not interfere with the energetic field of ayahuasca. In this way, the teachings of the vine remain clear, pure, and safe.

How to prepare prior to my retreat?

Please read about our Ayahuasca retreats, and our medical guidelines!

Once you have paid the reservation fee and your spot is secured, you will receive a confirmation and welcome email, with praactical information and how to prepare for your retreat.

What are the accommodations like (ie bed, bathroom, etc)

It's important to have your own private space when working with Ayahuasca, since the purification and purging process continues long after the ceremonies, and you don't want to share purging energies from someone else. Therefore, we offer individual private rooms, with additional mosquito net over your bed. Private bathroom and shower.

How many shamans/care-takers in proportion?

1-3 shamans and 2 facilitators (1 male & 1 female).

What about the diet, there are so many different views on this?

We don't require you to follow a strict diet before your retreat, but we do encourage you to eat as healthily as possible. While you don't need to exclude salt, sugar, or oils entirely, we recommend reducing your intake if you normally consume them in high amounts. Avoiding processed foods as much as possible can help reduce physical purging and allow you to focus on mental and spiritual purging during your retreat. We strongly recommend avoiding pork meat for at least one week before your retreat and refraining from alcohol and sexual activity for 48 hours prior.

Following a diet becomes much more important once the medicine is in your body to allow it to process properly. During your retreat, you will be served a diet optimized for the medicine to work its magic. The reason for this diet is that excluding salt, sugar, and oils opens us up to absorb any energies around us. While this can be beneficial in a safe and peaceful environment like our jungle center, it can be potentially harmful if you're living in a city and exposed to various energies.

Traditionally, shamans conduct their dietas in isolation to protect themselves from unwanted energies. It's generally not a good idea to do it around people in the city or in places like airports unless you want to absorb those energies.

After your retreat, it's important to continue following some food restrictions (diet) for some time to allow the medicine to continue its process. You will receive specific post-diet restrictions from our shamans on the last day of your retreat to help integrate and incorporate the healing energies you've received from Mother Ayahuasca during your stay.

What to bring to la Luna?

Torch/Headlamp. We recommend a good headlamp with a red light option, such as Black Diamond Spot 400-R.

Rain boots and rainwear, it can get wet and muddy on the tours and trails as well on our retreat center.

We also recommend swimming clothes when we go visit the pink dolphins!

If you have clothes that you do not use, we are happy to share those to the people in the village.

When does the retreat start, and when does it end?

We pick up our guests on Monday at 12pm downtown Iquitos, at our pick-up spot (1 block from Plaza de Armas). You will be dropped off on Sunday around noon, enough time to catch the 2.20pm flight from Iquitos to Lima.

Pick up, airport, leaving day, stay in Iquitos?

We will pick up the group downtown Iquitos on Monday at 11 AM. We can arrange airport pick up for an extra fee if you arrive on Monday morning, please send us an email for more information.

On your last day (Sunday) you will be back in Iquitos around 11.30 AM, but we are only about one hour away from Iquitos and can be flexible to fit your flight schedule.

Do you offer translations?

We always have English–Shamanic Spanish translators available. Other languages at the moment: Swedish.

Vaccinations and Malaria Prophylaxis?

We always recommend consulting directly with your travel medicine or vaccination doctor. The local doctors in our region generally advise against taking antimalarial pills, as malaria is almost non-existent here. In the rare case that malaria does occur, it is easier for them to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment when no prophylaxis has been taken, since these medications can sometimes produce false negatives in testing.

If malaria prophylaxis is required for your travel plans, the medications most compatible with Ayahuasca are Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil).

For those continuing deeper into the Amazon or other high-risk areas, please review your itinerary carefully with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your health and safety.

I want to trip balls, is La Luna the right place for me?

This is a great intention for getting disappointed. La luna del amazonas is a healing center, and our shamans use the medicine for healing. While its true that ayahuasca sometimes produce visions, it's certainly not a guarantee, nor is it needed for the healing to take place. Many times the medicine work in very subtle ways balancing your auric field and your chakras. Once your energy field is restored, you can open your third eye and receive visions. This is a very individual process, for some participants it happens the first time, and for others it might take 20 ceremonies to get there. The healing from the medicine is in any case always received.

Do I need to bring sleeping bags, towels, buckets, etc?

No, our retreats include everything you need, apart from your personal items.

What days are the ayahuasca ceremonies?

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

What happens at the end of the ceremony?

We remain in silence until next day.

Does the ceremony end at a certain time or when the journey is complete?

The ceremonies usually last 3-5 hours.

Is there any aftercare or integration help?

Yes, there will always be at least 1 facilitator available for aftercare, and shamans stay when needed. There is a sharing circle the day after the ceremony as well as opportunities for 1-on+1 meetings with shaman.

Is there a diet to follow after the ceremony?

Fasting is required until breakfast the next day. All meals are ayahuasca diet. At the end of your retreat you will get an individual diet to keep for some time after.

What other plant medicines do you offer, aside from Ayahuasca?

Our shamans are not ayahuasqueros, but curanderos vegetalistas, working with many other medicinal plants from the jungle.

Many powerful plants and medicines exists in the rainforest, each with their unique energy. Traditionally natives would work with one energy at a time and allow some space in between different plants and energies. Some energies (entities) interferes with the pure energy from Mother Ayahuasca, and other plants should only be ingested in consultation with our shamans.

Do you offer master plant dietas?

Yes!

You can read more about our Master plant dietas here.

Cancellation and refund policys?

The deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel prior to the start of your retreat program, you may transfer your deposit to a different retreat. Once retreat has started we offer no refunds.

How long prior to the retreat should I stop using cannabis?

We ask that you discontinue the use of cannabis (including smoking, edibles, oils, and vaporizers) at least two weeks before your retreat. Cannabis can interfere with the energetic and visionary effects of Ayahuasca, making it harder to connect with the medicine. Giving your body and mind this time of rest will help ensure that you receive the full benefit of the ceremonies.

Menstruation and Ayahuasca?

If possible, it is advised that women avoid participating in ayahuasca ceremonies during their sacred menstrual cycle. The reasoning behind this is that ayahuasca is a powerful energetic medicine, and the energetic changes that occur during menstruation can for some interfere. During menstruation, the second chakra is the most active, and energy flows downward. Ayahuasca, on the other hand, brings energy upwards, starting from the root chakra.

As some women experience to be more sensitive to the medicine during their period, it can affect the size of the dose. If your period comes during the retreat, just let our shamans or a facilitator know.