Mai Niti Healing Center

Mai Niti is a family-run ayahuasca retreat centre in a Shipibo community about an hour north of Pucallpa, in the Peruvian Amazon. It is led by Maestra Lucila, a Shipibo healer, with her father, Maestro Leonardo, and is open all year.

Approach

Lucila, who the centre says spent three years dieting master plants in isolation, holds the ceremonies with Leonardo. A first diagnostic ceremony shapes a personal plan that can add master plant dietas, plant baths and vomitivos. A standard week has three ayahuasca ceremonies and one with San Pedro, starting around 9pm. Between ceremonies, guests review their process with Lucila and a translator. Head facilitator Peter Couch, who apprenticed with the family, leads integration.

Who it is for

For those with time, the maestros recommend 15 days or a plant dieta of a month or more. The centre warns that its cabins are basic, without en-suite bathrooms, warm water or flushing toilets. SSRI, SNRI and MAOI antidepressants and ADHD medication cannot be combined with ayahuasca.

Practical details

Prices run from $999 for five days with three ayahuasca ceremonies to $2,600 for three weeks, and $3,100 a month for stays of up to four months. They include a private bedroom, meals, plant medicines and one-to-one integration support; kambo costs extra. Groups hold up to 15 guests, and facilitators speak English and Spanish. Pucallpa airport is an hour away, and a pick-up costs 80 soles.

Care and safety

Every guest completes a detailed intake form on health, mental health and medication, and has a call with a facilitator, sometimes followed by one with the lead healer. Suitability is reviewed throughout the stay. A staff member trained in first aid is on site, nurses and doctors work at a health post a few minutes away, and hospitals with 24-hour care are about 45 minutes away.