Aya Madre Healing Center

This place is run by a bunch of crooked con artists. They do an excellent job of deceiving you, and it can be pretty hard to connect the dots until you look at it later. Firstly, they will do everything they can to stop you from taking Ayahuasca. They will first try and get you to take a shady medication called Shamburi (which is hilarious in retrospect as it contains the word SHAM) for as long as they can convince you to. Its just an entactogen of some kind, but they put on quite the theatrics to make it seem convincing. You will become very docile and easily convinced once you're on this stuff. Its apparently sourced from some mystery dealer in town that they will not reveal to you, and instead you're told cult like stories of the Shaman (woman in this case) to make it seem like she's God's gift to earth. I insisted on the Ayahuasca as much as I can as that was the purpose of the trip, and it was a total dud most of the time. Over 2 months I only had three actual trips. They do not know how to brew Ayahuasca properly, its terribly inconsistent. I also had my phone that slipped out of my pocket stolen by a worker during the bumpy motorkar ride in the trail to the center, and it was mysteriously found when I went around offering a hefty reward for it (it ended up being pointless as they had completely wiped the phone by the time I got it back). Of course they convinced me that it was stolen by some kid who ran into town, and all the garbage they feed you to turn you docile will have you believe them until you connect the dots later. They also tried to con everyone into giving more money by faking an accident that happened with one of the workers. They told us that a worker got hit on the highway and lost his leg, and put up some fundraiser for more money. I'm convinced without a doubt that worker quit, and they were just selling us snake oil. Its disgusting what these sick jokes do to try and squeeze every dollar out of you. They literally look at you like a walking wallet waiting to be picked. Last thing they tried to do when I was leaving was tell me that the bank was withholding payments from several people that they had received to try and guilt a couple of us into giving them even more money. Absolutely garbage human beings.

I had the privilege of spending 10d here late 2019. Life changing experience and 8 months later am still processing. So grateful. The Centre is about 45min outside of Iquitos then a 5km Keke/mototaxi off the main road into deep jungle, off grid. The facilities were clean, simple and rustic but very beautiful. Small group of ppl not a massive commercial operation. You get your own hut. The dieta is delicious and ample. The plant medicines here are selected for YOU it's not just about ayahuasca. The staff are always smiling and happy. There is very little English but the facilitators helped when important. Maestra Estella is humble, kind and a very powerful healing entity. Pearls- do not pack suitcases like silly me use a waterproof backpack, do bring gifts for the staff/families or leave items behind they can use like batteries, flashlights...do not try to "tour" Peru after go right home you will have alot to.process, bring a bag you can put electonics in with those silica packs the humidity is 100% lol, send messages home from Iqt Airport when u arrive before you get picked up it's difficult but not impossible to get messages once you are at the centre, come with an open mind, trust you are protected and guided, come with some intentions but realize the healing journey may take you on a few tangents first the nature of which reveal the true intention anyways. What else, just be yourself and know you are exactly where you need to be. Will be back someday. Love to all of you on this journey and Maestra and her staff/family.

Maestra Estela is a great human being and a fantastic healer. Trained by her Shipibo grand father, worked in centers for 30 years and finally was guided by Divine Light to open her own. While I traveled through Peru I asked travellers if they have met a great shaman, and 7 different ones told me her name. So on my return, I booked a month at Aya Madre.
I was so happy that she re discovered the mother of all plants, Shamburi, that treats you like a caring mother, without the hardship of ayahuasca. In the 12 ceremonies I had, I went back 4 lives ago to understand what was my last thought before dying, why I became a victim for 3 more lives and why I had tumours in my colon, and they got removed. I had brain and stomach surgeries, DNA was corrected, karma was erased , all my body cells cleaned. My soul grew by 12 times. If there was no lock down, I would be there now for 6 months, as a volunteer. A place where you learn to be responsible of your own healing, of your dietas, and what master plant you wish to drink during ceremonies. I made a little video about it, that will explain and show you well the center. Much gratitude to Maestra Estela, her family and team, for making us feel safe and healing us with love ... https://youtu.be/W4tXRkVtI8w One Love

I spent a month at Aya Madre for my thirtieth birthday. Prior to going to the jungle I had already sat in six or so ceremonies. Going to Peru, all I knew was that I wanted a female shaman. When I walked through the gates of Aya Madre I knew I had chosen the right center. This place is different than any other retreat center for a multitude of reasons.

First, this isn't just a retreat center. It's a school and you will learn as much as you want to in your time there. Maestra Estela is constantly teaching about plants. How to gather them and turn them into medicine. If you have any ailment, pain, worry, or shadow she is off at a moments notice looking in the jungle for the plant that will help you. You don’t just take medicine here, you learn how to prepare the plants and what purposes they serve.

Second, Maestra Estela. She is a mother through and through. Her nurturing, caring spirit can be felt on every leaf throughout the center. Not once did I feel like she didn't have me - in ceremony and out of ceremony. She is constantly working to help the center and the pasajeros and seems to be everywhere at once. I will forever carry her icaros in my heart.

Third, the plant diet. Here each pasajero is given their own plant dieta prescribed by Maestra after your consult. It’s like a prescription, but from Mother Earth. You are encouraged to spend time with your plants and really connect with them. So many retreat centers want to just shove Ayahuasca your way and let you have this wild trip, but here Maestra gets to the root of the problem by using all of her resources from the jungle and what’s more, she teaches you how to do it yourself. Thus, you learn how to heal yourself.

I had plenty of experience with ayahuasca before I went to Peru and I was not disappointed in the center I chose (because there are a LOT of choices!). This center is special and I would recommend it to everyone, but especially anyone who has never drank before and anyone who might be more comfortable with a woman. I can’t wait to go back :-)

I spent two months at Aya Madre and it was deeply impactful.
1- You get to know a large variety of plant medicines, beyond Aya, and you are able to engage with them hands on
2- You are part of the community there, you are able to spend time with the Shipibo family and workers and get to know them beyond ceremony
3-The natural environment is so beautiful and accommodations are the perfect combination of rustic and comforting
4-It is an honor to learn with and from Estela Pangoza- she is so intuitive, present, humble, silly, and generous with her knowledge
**I especially recommend this center to women seeking a first time plant medicine experience.