Peru Ayahuasca Retreat Center in Iquitos
One of Peru’s earliest family-run retreat centers — simple, safe, and focused on the work.
Join Don Lucho and his family for a traditional 7-day retreat in the Amazon: 3 ceremonies, plant baths, jungle dieta, and a supportive community — without luxury pricing.
Near Iquitos
Amazon jungle location
Jungle Tambos
Rustic, but comfortable
All-Inclusive
$850 · 6 nights / 7 days
Small Groups
Safe, supportive setting
A simple, traditional ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon
Kapitari is a simple, family-run center in the Peruvian Amazon, founded by Don Lucho in 1980. We began welcoming international guests in 2003 — long before ayahuasca retreats became a global industry.
We keep things grounded here: traditional ceremonies, respectful preparation, and a quiet jungle setting that supports real inner work.
If you’re looking for high-end accommodation and a packed schedule of activities, Kapitari probably isn’t the right fit.
But if you want an authentic, affordable retreat run by Peruvians — with decades of experience and a strong reputation — you’ll feel at home here.
"This BY FAR was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!"
— Dara, USA
✓ Peruvian, family-run center led by Don Lucho
✓ One of Peru’s first ayahuasca centers
✓ Welcoming international guests since 2003
✓ Calm, supportive setting focused on the work
✓ Simple accommodation with no luxury pricing
“My experience at Kapitari with Don Lucho was one of the most valuable trips I have ever taken. The simplicity, the people, and the Amazon itself created a space that felt deeply real and grounding.”
— Derek H, USA
What Makes Kapitari Different from Other Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru
Peruvian & Family-Owned Ayahuasca Retreat Center
Kapitari is a Peruvian-owned, family-run ayahuasca retreat center in the Amazon near Iquitos. While many ayahuasca retreats in Peru are now owned by foreigners, Kapitari remains rooted in the local community.
Owned and operated by the shaman Don Lucho and his family, Kapitari is not a luxury business designed for profit. It is a place created for healing, cultural continuity, and giving back to the land and people who make this work possible.
When you stay at Kapitari, your presence directly supports a Peruvian family and a long-term vision for sustainable living in the Amazon rainforest.
Traditional Amazonian Shamans with Decades of Experience
Ceremonies at Kapitari are led by Don Lucho, a respected Amazonian shaman whose ancestral roots trace back to the Cocama people near Iquitos, Peru. His relationship with the medicine began in childhood, learning directly from the plants, the jungle, and the traditions passed down through generations.
With over 50 years of experience working with ayahuasca and ancestral plant medicine, Don Lucho brings a grounded, traditional approach to each ceremony. His work extends beyond healing individuals — he is deeply involved in rainforest protection and permaculture projects that have drawn interest from environmentalists and researchers worldwide.
Don Lucho has also represented Peruvian shamanism internationally as a cultural ambassador, sharing traditional knowledge while remaining firmly rooted in his community.
Rustic but Comfortable Jungle Accommodation
Accommodation at Kapitari reflects the environment it is part of. Guests stay in traditional jungle tambos, built from natural materials and protected by mosquito netting.
Life here is intentionally simple. There is no air conditioning, no luxury amenities, and no constant noise — just the sounds of the Amazon, fresh air, and space to rest between ceremonies.
This balance of rustic comfort and immersion in nature allows many guests to disconnect from daily distractions and focus fully on their ayahuasca retreat experience.
“What a sacred place!! Being surrounded with beautiful people and nature made such a great experience. Being in the jungle made me realize how disconnected we are from the nature. Thank you so much!! Don Lucho and his family. I will be back! ”
— S Lee, Canada
Learn More About Kapitari
Explore the retreat, the people. and the lineage behind the work
THE RETREAT
7-Day Ayahuasca Retreat
Lean what the retreat includes, how the week is structured, and what to expect before, during and after your time at Kapitari.
THE CENTER
About Kapitari
Discover the history of Kapitari, how the land was restored, and why this family-run center has remained rooted in tradition since the early days.
THE SHAMANS
Meet The Shamans
Learn about Don Lucho, his lineage, and the experience behind the cermonies, as well as the support provoded throughout each retreat.
Book Your Peru Ayahuasca Retreat Today!
Why Choose Kapitari?
Choose Kapitari for an unforgettable journey of transformation in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. As an authentic Peruvian Ayahuasca retreat center, we offer profound healing experiences guided by the wisdom of skilled shaman Don Lucho and his family. Embrace the power of Ayahuasca ceremonies, cleansing rituals, and the enchanting beauty of the jungle surroundings.
Over 40 Years Experience
Serving international guests since 2003
Founded in 1980, Kapitari is one of Peru’s earliest ayahuasca retreat centers, with decades of experience guiding Western visitors safely and respectfully.
Peruvian Family-Run
Owned and led by Don Lucho
Kapitari is not investor-owned or foreign-run. It remains a family center, guided by the same lineage and values it was founded on.
Trusted by Past Guests
Consistently high ratings
Since we began hosting structured retreats, Kapitari has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from guests around the world.
Beautiful Jungle Location
Quiet, natural, and undisturbed
Set beside a jungle lake near Iquitos, the environment supports introspection, rest, and connection with nature.
Simple, Comfortable Living
Rustic, but cared for
Traditional jungle tambos provide everything you need — without distractions that pull you away from the work.
Accessible & Fair Pricing
$850 all-inclusive
One of the best-value retreats in Peru, priced to keep the medicine accessible rather than exclusive.
What Guests Have Said About Kapitari
"When you are called to Ayahuasca it is so important to choose the right setting in which to truly experience this other-worldly spiritual adventure. I couldn't imagine doing this anywhere other than Kapitari. Unlike most other white linen and white smile retreats, Kapitari is a place for real people, run by real people and in the most idyllic setting, all for a very fair and affordable price."
"Amazing, wonderful, and enchanting! I departed on my journey to Kapitari in the jungle with an open heart and mind and both were filled with beautiful people, ideas, and messages. My experience at Kapitari was awe-inspring and I believe it was the people and spirit of Kapitari that made it so."
"Kapitari is a wonderful retreat center. The facilitators are genuine, the location is beautiful, and the staff truly make you feel like family. Most importantly Don Lucho and his son Wagner, the shamans, were amazing! So in touch with the medicine and great at guiding you through the ayahuasca experience."
The Kapitari Ayahuasca Retreat in Peru
Kapitari offers a traditional 7-day ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian Amazon, led by Don Lucho and his family. The retreat is designed to support deep inner work through a combination of ceremonies, plant diets, rest, and time in nature — without luxury distractions or unnecessary structure.
Guests participate in three ayahuasca ceremonies, along with plant baths, guided preparation, and integration support throughout the week. Accommodation is provided in traditional jungle tambos, offering privacy, simplicity, and comfort in a natural setting.
This retreat is especially well-suited for first-time participants seeking an authentic, safe, and grounded introduction to ayahuasca in Peru.
At a Glance
Location: Near Iquitos, Peruvian Amazon
Length: 6 nights / 7 days
Ceremonies: 3 ayahuasca ceremonies
Group size: Small groups only
Accommodation: Rustic jungle tambos
Price: $850 all-inclusive
Book Your Peru Ayahuasca Retreat Today!
The Kapitari Experience — Through a Guest’s Eyes
This short video was filmed by one of our guests during their stay at Kapitari.
It’s not staged. It’s not produced.
It simply shows what life is like here — the setting, the people, and the atmosphere that supports the work.
Please note: that no animals are kept in captivity at Kapitari and those images are from an excursion outside of the center.
Why the Amazon in Peru Still Matters for Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca ceremonies now take place across many countries, from Europe to North America. Choice feels wider than ever. At the same time, confusion has grown around safety, preparation, and depth of practice.
This article explains why the Amazon in Peru still matters for Ayahuasca, especially for people beginning this work. Location, tradition, training, and environment shape the experience in ways many first time participants do not expect.
“Simply life changing. Kapitari is a place that is so imprinted in my heart that I actually feel a homesick sensation when I think of the place. ”
— Anthony, UK
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