Stepping Into the Amazon: A Personal Path to Ayahuasca and Kambo Healing in Peru

The first thing travelers notice when arriving in Iquitos is the air — thick, warm, and alive with the scent of the jungle. For many, this remote city is not the end of the road but the beginning of something life-changing. They come here not for sightseeing or luxury but for an encounter with ancient Amazonian traditions of healing, guided by the sacred medicines ayahuasca and kambo.

What makes Iquitos so unique is its position at the heart of the rainforest, accessible only by river or sky. This natural isolation has preserved a way of life where medicine is still drawn from the forest itself. It is here, far from the noise of modern life, that visitors begin their healing journey.

The Call of Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is not approached lightly. Known as “la medicina,” it has been used for generations by Amazonian healers to treat physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments. Participants who sit in ceremony often speak about visions, the release of past burdens, and a renewed connection to life.

But ayahuasca is more than an experience — it is a process. The days before and after ceremony are filled with preparation, reflection, and integration. Shamans and facilitators provide guidance so that the lessons carried by the plant are not just seen but lived once participants return home.

The Cleansing Power of Kambo

Alongside ayahuasca, many retreats in Iquitos offer kambo ceremonies. This medicine, drawn from the Amazonian giant frog, is known for its purifying effects. Though intense, kambo is seen as a physical and energetic reset, helping to clear toxins and strengthen resilience before engaging with ayahuasca.

Those who experience kambo often describe a sense of clarity and renewal, as if the body has been cleansed of weight it no longer needs. When combined with ayahuasca, the two create a powerful pathway for deep healing and transformation.

Nature as Teacher

What makes an Amazon retreat truly transformative is not only the ceremonies but the environment itself. Days are shaped by the rhythm of the jungle — the sound of birds at dawn, the flow of the river, the stillness of the night. This immersion in nature reminds participants of the connection between healing and the natural world.

The rainforest becomes more than a backdrop; it becomes a teacher. Time spent walking its trails, meditating under the canopy, or sitting in silence allows participants to slow down, listen, and reconnect with themselves in a way that few modern environments can offer.

Choosing the Right Retreat

Not every retreat is the same, and choosing carefully matters. A good retreat center provides not only ceremonies but also safety, preparation, and aftercare. Trained facilitators and experienced shamans create a container where participants can open to the medicine without fear.

For those considering the path, Paojilhuasca in Iquitos offers programs rooted in Amazonian tradition. Their retreats combine ayahuasca, kambo, and plant diets with the guidance of experienced healers. By blending authenticity with care, they create a space where deep transformation is possible.

Walking Away Changed

What begins as a journey into the jungle often becomes a journey into the self. Participants leave Iquitos not only with memories of the ceremonies but with insights and a new perspective on life. The healing continues long after the retreat ends, shaping relationships, health, and personal growth.

The Amazon has always been a place of mystery and medicine. Today, it offers travelers the same opportunity it has offered for centuries: to sit with its plants, listen to its wisdom, and return home renewed. For those who feel the call, the path to healing still flows through the heart of the jungle.