Your final destination is IQUITOS, PERU. The airport code is IQT.  When flying from another country, you’ll have to fly to Lima first and then take a connecting flight to Iquitos.  Booking those flights is not complicated, but if you need assistance you can just contact us and we’ll offer advice and guidance.

Yes. Obviously, no matter where you go, there will always be certain risks, and like every country and city, there are dangerous places and safe places. Fortunately, Iquitos is a very safe place, with almost no violent crime. There are pickpockets or thieves who may try to seize an opportunity, but crime rates are low in Iquitos, and the areas where tourists visit are well patrolled by police and security. Having lived in Iquitos since 2004, I have had my baseball cap stolen off my head, and a backpack stolen that I left at my desk in an internet cafe to use the bathroom.

No. Traveling from most countries (North & South America, Europe, Australia) you do not need a visa, but if you are not sure I suggest visiting the website of your local embassy for more information. Most likely you do not need a visa. When you enter Peru, you will get a stamp and a hand written number with the allowed length of your stay (usually 90 days). The maximum length of stay is 183 days, so if you plan to travel more than 3 months, you’ll need to extend your visa for another 90 days.

No. Peru does not require any vaccinations and we do not recommend getting any either. However, we understand the desire to be safe and the pressures often felt by others wanting the same, namely family, friends, and doctors. If you do feel you would like to get vaccinated, we would then recommend vaccinations for:
1. Yellow Fever – Even though it is extremely rare in the Iquitos area, it does exist elsewhere…
2. Rabies – There are numerous stray dogs in Iquitos…
3. Hepatitis A – Iquitos is not exactly winning any Hygiene awards…

No. Iquitos is known to be a high-risk area when it comes to Malaria, so it is a concern. However, we do NOT recommend taking anti-malarial medication when drinking ayahuasca, as it has been known to cause complications. It is up to you, of course, but what we offer instead is a natural remedy taken every day of the retreats. We have never had a case of malaria in anyone taking this remedy. For this reason, we don’t feel you should be worried about Malaria. I have lived in Iquitos since 2004 and have never gotten malaria.

Our centers are located about 90 minutes away from the nearest medical clinic.  In the last ten years, with over one thousand participants, we have had four emergency situations and every time the program participants were brought to a hospital in Iquitos and treated (three for severe dehydration and one for a bad burn).  At our retreat and research center, there is a local clinic just a short walk away with basic first aid available in the case of cuts or sprains.

No. You must book your own flight to Iquitos, Peru. We can help you by suggesting airlines or websites to use but the cost of airfare is not included in the program price.

Yes. If you arrive early, you will need to pay for your own expenses until the program begins. Once the program has begun, you will need to pay for very little, except for a meal or two in Iquitos before the group leaves or when they return. Other than that, the only money you might need would be for gifts or souvenirs or extra medicine(s) to take home with you. Usually, there are items available for purchase at the center, so we do recommend bringing some Peruvian currency in case you want to buy something during the program.

On our retreats we take a maximum of twelve people, so usually we have between 8 and 12 participants in each program.  For the courses we accept up to 16 students.

For our retreats and courses, the latest we recommend you arrive is 2pm on the day before the program begins so that you don’t miss the first meeting at 4pm.
We recommend arriving at least one day early, as it helps with getting some rest and getting acclimated to a new environment.
NOTE: If you arrive earlier than the first day of a program you will be responsible for paying your own expenses until the program begins.

For the initiation and empowerment courses, the earliest we recommend booking your return flight is at 2pm on the last day of the program.
For the retreats, we recommend booking your return flight to depart Iquitos after noon the day AFTER the retreat.

Yes. You will be met at the airport in Iquitos and escorted to the hotel where all the participants will be staying the first night of the program.  Regardless of what day or time you arrive, you will still be picked up at the airport.  We will make hotel reservations for you according to your arrival dates.

RIOSBO: Totally. Thanks to a complete solar panel system, it is just like home.  Hot water too.
INKAN KENA: Yes. The rooms have lights and outlets, but the solar panel system is modest, so we ask that nothing be left to charge overnight.

The outlets in Peru are very similar to those found in the US, although the voltage is different. Peru uses 220V (as opposed to 110V in the US), but nowadays, nearly all electrical devices are designed to use both so there is no need to bring or buy an adapter. If you are unsure, there should be some information printed on the plug or device stating what voltage it can use (110 – 240V is most common). The only adapter you will need is if your device does not have a flat or round two-prong plug. Basically, it will need to fit in here:

Out in the jungle, laundry is done every few days, although it is definitely not as fast. It usually comes back the following day, depending on the weather. If you want to do laundry in Iquitos before going to the jungle or after, there is a laundromat just a few blocks from the hotel in Iquitos that is fast and reliable, usually taking just four or five hours.

No, not a reliable connection, however…
RIOSBO: While there is no cell service, it is sometimes possible to send a message out, with the assistance of the facilitators.
INKAN KENA: Surprisingly, there is sometimes a signal for one service, provided you are in one tiny spot. No wi-fi.

Yes. All of our facilitators are apprentices in the Shipibo tradition.  They help the curanderos lead the ceremonies and follow the same traditions as the curandero, although they also bring complimentary practices into the healing process, like yoga, meditation, breathwork, massage, counseling, and other practices.