Disconnect. Breath. Reconnect.
At our family run retreat we believe that every once in a while it’s good for everyone to not only disconnect from technology, but also from their autopilot status. Heal from past traumas, find your true power and experience the magnificence of the Amazon. Open your heart, unleash your spirit, and join our next Ayahuasca Retreat.
An hour’s drive from the jungle city of Iquitos, tucked away in the heart of the Amazon.
Maya provides traditional accommodation with cosy beds and fresh water showers to ensure you are as relaxed and comfortable as possible during your passage to self improvement. Our talented staff prepare delicious pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan friendly meals with ingredients sourced from our sustainable fishing project and organic vegetable farm. Experience the satisfaction of sustainable living whilst getting all you need from the awe inspiring jungle surroundings.
Daily Life
We’re pretty laid back at Maya so like to leave it up to you to get as involved in jungle living as you want to. Prepare and cook your own Ayahuasca, take a mud bath, stroll through the rainforest or just sit back and enjoy the view. We offer a jungle trek and a visit to La Lupuna Blanca for our 12 day retreat guests.
Ceremonies
In accordance with tradition, we hold Ayahuasca ceremonies twice a week on a Tuesday and a Friday night. Ceremonies last between four and five hours, starting at around 6 pm and are held in the dark. Worry not, the entire process will be explained to you before you start.
Plant Diets
Whether you’re looking to cure a specific ailment, improve your general wellbeing or delve deeper into your own healing process, we’ve got a plant to match your intentions.
Diets vary from 7 to 30 days, during which time you’ll be eating two very simple meals every 24 hours. These meals are free from any salt, sugar or spices. We call these meals the land of bland.
Whilst on diet, you’ll be expected to remove yourself from all external stimulation such as reading, listening to music, using technology and chemicals (yep, that includes toothpaste and shower gel) so as to allow your body to work more closely with the plants and their healing properties.
We offer a diverse range of diets at Maya including Abuta, Piri Piri, Ayahuma, Oje, Mapacho, Chiric Sanango and Chullachaqui Caspi
People from all walks of life find their way to Maya for healing.
Whether you’re suffering from depression, anxiety, past trauma, or are simply in search of answers to deeper questions, allow our sacred medicine to lead you to your desired destination.
14 DAY RETREAT INFORMATION
Pre-Arrival Support
Airport Pick-up on Arrival
Beautiful Accommodation in Jungle Cabins
Delicious Fresh Vegetarian and Pescatarian Food
Consultation with David
5 x Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Learn how to prepare, cook and drink your own Ayahuasca
Jungle Trek
7-9 day Master Plant Dieta (Optional)
Medicinal Flower Baths
Mud baths
Group sharing circles
Learn how to cleanse and protect your own energy using Mapacho
Tour of the Lupuna Tree
Icaro Singing Lessons
Visit from a Shipibo family who specialize in traditional embroidery
Integration Support
14 day retreat price: $2500 4 week stay: $4500
WE’RE MAYA AYAHUASCA RETREAT
The team at Maya are here to help you reconnect with yourself in a positive and inspiring environment. We understand everything needed so that your experience with us will be everything hoped for.
DON DAVID
Born and raised in South Shields in the North East of England, David first discovered Ayahuasca in a last ditch attempt to break free from years of crippling anxiety and depression. Coming from a successful business background, he had never even heard of Ayahuasca until a friend suggested sacred plant medicine as a way out of his constant self destructive cycles.
Shortly after drinking the medicine, David quit his corporate career and released himself of the material, financial and egoic crutches that came with it. He headed for the Peruvian Amazon, destined to train under the tutelage of Don Ron Wheelock, The Gringo Shaman.
His calling to work with Ayahuasca was so powerful that in less than 3 years, David went from never having heard of the plant to completing his shamanic training and owning his own retreat in the Amazon jungle.
After 8 years as a practicing healer, David now has many students of his own. Some are still in training whilst others have advanced to become successful practicing shamans, living their true calling as healers helping those in need.
Having gained quite the reputation as a bonafide shaman and curandero (healer) among the Peruvian community in which he lives, local villagers regularly attend David’s ceremonies accompanied by other indigenous shamans - a compliment the Westerner holds close to his heart, endorsing the quality and integrity of his work with these sacred plant medicines.
MEGAN
Megan is our resident Mother, more than that she is in charge of logistics and management of the retreat. She assists with plant medicine preparations and plant baths. You will see her here there and everywhere, mostly with a baby on her hip.
FRANCES
Frances is our in house chef, always preparing the freshest tastiest pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan food.
JAIME, DON JAIME AND ALFREDO
We are very blessed to have our team of workers who prepare our medicine, build, farm our plantation, keep the grounds, provide security when needed and add a general delightful energy to our retreat. All our workers are part of one family.
GUEST REVIEWS
We’re very proud to host people from a variety of places and backgrounds, and are always striving to provide impactful experiences. See what guests have to say about their time on our retreats.
“ I visited the retreat in October 2019, it was a turbulent year for me regarding my MS. With fear and anxiety into a new place, in a completely different country. Once I stepped foot in the retreat I felt at home. The residents of the retreat were a big family. I felt welcomed and I started my journey with David. The great Shaman of the Amazonas! He helped me to heal, I had so many symptoms which started to fade one after the other. I started to feel a new beginning and I was not wrong. It was a turning point in my journey and I am ever grateful to everyone especially my long life friend/brother David. I left the jungle but the jungle never left me and I still think about it often and plan to go back again and again. It was an experience of a lifetime is the least I can describe it.”
~ Ghaida ~
“For the first time since I was a child I was able to truly ‘clock off’: no materialistic distractions, phone off, back to basics, back to myself, back to God. I have spent two months there on two separate trips. It has been life changing with regards to my spiritual development, introduction to plant medicine and overcoming addiction issues. I have also made friends for life that I met at Maya. David runs his retreat with kindness, comedy and an inspirational faith, not to mention his shaman skills which are next level, and the way he holds the space in ceremony is spectacular. I’m desperate to go back again, and were it not on the other side of the world I’d be a regular guest. I didn’t know I needed it until I experienced it. The world has its ways of pushing me off my true course, the medicine returns me to my higher self and life is sooo much better as a result. The staff are friendly, the dogs are gorgeous, the vibe is bang on. I could literally write a book about all the healings and teachings I have received over those two months and since then as a result of my new friendships. But I’ll keep this short and sweet….Go, Go, Go..”
~ Jamie ~
“I’ve had the beautiful experience of staying at the retreat twice, and words can’t explain how healing this place is. I release pain from the past, I learn, I become stronger, I let go of what doesn’t serve me, and I reconnect to nature on a deep level. It’s as though I return to my true self which is confident, peaceful, clear minded and always laughing! I have a lot of gratitude for David who is a very powerful Shaman, he’s so dedicated to Ayahuasca and the well being of his guests. The medicine is so beautiful and the ceremonies are very very special. I have had Earth shatteringly profound experiences in that Maloka! I always miss the jungle, it’s people, it’s energy, the sounds, the food, and I am so thankful to know I can always go back.”
~ Katie ~
“The five weeks I spent at Maya Retreat were nothing short of life changing. In such a short space of time, and after only four ayahuasca ceremonies, I left the jungle entirely free from anorexia, depression and drug problems. My recovery from these issues, which seven years of therapy hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of, are the result of David’s ayahuasca and his unparalleled abilities as a shaman and a healer. He has healed not only myself but also my family and has brought a peace and happiness to my life that I never believed was possible. As I had never drank Ayahuasca prior to visiting the retreat, I was very frightened, but David instantly calmed me through his incredible sense of humour and his years of experience working with the medicine; I instantly knew that I was in safe hands and couldn’t have wished for a better shaman to lead me in my first ceremony. David was always there to support and guide me when needed, but more importantly, he helped me to realise my own strength in dealing with my issues, and in facing my fears through ayahuasca. Outside of this, the retreat itself is a place of complete wonder and beauty; a true garden of Eden nestled within the jungle where I was surrounded by fairy-like dragonflies and butterflies of every colour, and where I could watch tiny monkeys leaping in the treetops and see parrots roosting in the canopies. Every day I felt surrounded by the healing energy of ayahuasca, whether reading in the main-house library, swimming in the lake or participating in ceremonies. With David and his beautiful family at its helm, Maya Retreat is a true haven for healing.”
~ Lily ~
FREQUENTLY ASKED IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Below you can find a list of our very important frequently asked questions. If you’re unable to find the answers you’re looking for, don’t fret. We’re here to help you in any and every way we can, so please get in touch.
WHAT IS AYAHUASCA?
Some of you may have experience with Ayahuasca, others will be interacting with the plant for the first time, but all who come to Maya have one thing in common: a calling from the medicine.
We work tirelessly to ensure that the sacred plants are received in the perfect setting, allowing you to explore this ancient practice in the safe, peaceful and natural environment it requires.
We cook all our own medicine using strict traditional methods and after each cook we plant pieces of the Ayahuasca vine here at Maya.
The name ‘Ayahuasca’ comes from the Quechuan word ‘Ajawaska’ or ‘Vine of the soul’. Ayahuasca has been used for thousands of years by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon for healing, insight, and spiritual cleansing. The Western world often leads us further and further away from our true selves toward a state of unhappiness that lacks fulfilment and purpose. Ayahuasca helps us to find the elements that are missing in our lives, giving those fortunate enough to drink this sacred medicine the sought after sense of direction that has caused its popularity to grow worldwide.
The plant interacts with the psychoemotional and spiritual basis of every individual in the ceremony, and is greatly affected by the construct of the setting in which it is taken. The composite affect of your attitude, purpose, personality, mood, and prior experience influence the content of the experiential journey you embark on.
The unrivalled speed of emotional turnaround the process produces suits those experiencing a breakdown of psyche and character who are perhaps unresponsive to conventional treatment.
WHAT PREPARATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE A RETREAT?
Two weeks before a retreat we ask you try to eliminate the following:
Alcohol, Western pharmaceuticals, recreational drugs, pork, red meat, high quantities of salt and sugar, spicy foods, caffeine and sex in any form.
Certain drugs and medications have been found to not be compatible with ayahuasca. It is essential to stop taking anti depressants and anti psychotics to give your system sufficient time to remove them from the body, before you begin a retreat. Please consult your doctor if you are in any doubt: you certainly should not suddenly stop taking prescribed medications (including antidepressants) without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC MEDICATIONS TO AVOID BEFORE A RETREAT?
Any medication which has an effect on the serotonin system, including Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (i.e. antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc). Combining these medications with ayahuasca can induce serotonin syndrome – far more severely than with foods containing tryptophan, and with potentially fatal results. We require guests discontinue taking SSRI medications under the supervision of their doctor prior to applying for a retreat to allow the system to clear in time. Some of these drugs may cause side effects when discontinued, and plenty of time should be allowed for these to subside. Do not abruptly stop taking any medication without discussing the matter with your doctor.
Please note that the herbal antidepressant St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) also must not be taken within 2 weeks of working with ayahuasca.
Other medications that must be discontinued are decongestants, cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines (including Adderall), some hypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine), carbamazipine, methylphemidate (Ritalin), macromerine, phenelanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asarone/calamus, some asthma inhalers, and diet pills.
Although ayahuasca has not been found to cause psychosis or other psychiatric disturbances, it can be dangerous to those with a history of psychological problems. Please tell us if you have any history of mental health conditions.
DO YOU OFFER SHAMANIC APPRENTICESHIPS?
If you feel like you have the calling to work with this magnificent medicine, become an Ayahuascero and want to train in Amazonian Shamanism then there is no place better than Maya. Unlike many other centres our training programme has not been altered to suit Western expectations and is as difficult and rewarding as it always has been. If there is a shaman inside of you then rest assured our intense training programme will find him or her.
Our training costs $350 per week and the amount of time it takes to complete really depends upon the amount of time and effort you can dedicate to the process.
The process consists of undertaking many plant dietas, to implement discipline within the student and to also strengthen and deeper your connection and abilities as a shaman.
You will ultimately learn how to protect, hold and shape your own ceremonies. Learning icaros passed down through our great lineage and also receiving some of your own from the plant spirits.
You will learn the healing properties of the plants and the preparation and application of the medicines.
In addition to the above you will ultimately heal yourself along the way and be transformed into a fully-fledged Shaman, ready to help, heal and serve those in need.
Here at Maya we have trained many shamans from all over the world and have many students that are still in the process. We have a great shaman/student support network and we operate as one giant family, united by our goal of helping and healing the world once ceremony at a time.
IS THERE WIFI?
There is no WiFi at Maya and cellphone signal is patchy at best, so if you need to make calls or use the internet, it’s a good idea to buy a Peruvian SIM card in Iquitos for your stay.
WHAT ESSENTIALS DO I NEED?
Head torch and spare batteries
Water bottle
Journal and pen
Mosquito repellent preferably no DEET
Natural toothpaste and soap
Flip Flops
Swimming costume
We’re always here to help.
LEAVE A REVIEW
How Was Your Experience?