Ayahuasca Foundation | 5-Star Healing Ayahuasca Retreats with Authentic Shipibo Care

Here's an attempt at describing how transformative this endeavor was: As a man approaching his 40th birthday, this was the most important experience of my entire adult life. I had been drifting along in a fog for the past 20 years. Never really happy with my jobs. Never really finding the right partner in life. Never crafting solid friendships. Getting really good at making the best of things, instead of deciding to make things the best. And then... This wasn't just Ayahuasca. (As if a "just is necessary here) This was a completely holistic healing intervention. It was simultaneously the most beautiful and harrowing experience of my life. It was joyous, and also difficult beyond standard comprehension. There were plant baths, dragons blood purges, hands on naturally medicinal prescriptions, breathwork sessions, cacao ceremony... The list goes on and on. In 14 days my diet completely changed, my habits were entirely rewritten, my mind was opened to the clarity of a better self, I made friends for life, healed a relationship with my brother, regained the joy of my inner child, forgave myself for stumbling through life, and became sober (from coffee, beer, and weed) for the first time in 20 years. I'm back home for 4 days now, and have had no interest in any of that. I have regained the hope of a young man with dreams, and am executing on bringing them to fruition with full love and intensity every day since. So yeah... It was aight.

At one point I would have recommended this retreat. But time itself can bring wisdom. I attended a 7 day retreat in February 2021 during the pandemic. The facilitators were young and inexperienced. I did witness some awful behavior. A guest was having a difficult experience with her ayahuasca journey and the facilitator responded with cruelty and impatience. Bottom line, he should not have been a facilitator. I have read other reviews and can attest. The ayahuasca itself was not treated with respect as I saw it sitting out amongst us on random days without care or concern. Finally, as these experiences are supposed to be sacred, there needs to be more protection surrounding the ceremonies themselves. I would not recommend this retreat for anyone who has hesitation. Maybe now is not the time to take ayahuasca. There really is no quick fix in life. As to someone dying at this facility recently, no matter what the reason, I think that is a definite sign that something is terribly wrong here. Please proceed with caution, love and best wishes to everyone.

It has taken me a few months to settle and integrate after my 8 week initiation course last fall but I can say with full conviction that it was simultaneously the most challenging & profoundly healing experience of my entire life. I have the deepest gratitude for the incredible facilitation team, Carlos, Don Enrique and the entire staff at Kesten Rono. I felt held and supported when I needed it and spaciousness to be in my own deep process the rest of the time. I heard the call of Noya Rao without even knowing her while sitting in ceremony in Upstate NY and I am so glad I took the plunge and answered that call. I had never experienced a plant dieta before this course but I will certainly be returning to the jungle whenever I am able to continue strengthening these sacred relationships with the master plants of the Amazon. The course provided invaluable wisdom from the Shipibo tradition led by the knowledgeable facilitation team as well as Maestro Don Enrique. My only regret is not knowing more Spanish as I would have loved to be able to communicate with Don Enrique & the staff more than I did. The accommodations were simple but I had everything I needed. I miss my tambo terribly and hope to return to Kesten Rono in the future to continue working with the plants as I walk further down the medicine path. I would highly recommend this course for those seeking an authentic experience led by a powerful Shipibo curandero. As with anything in life, it will be what you make of it, so come with an open heart & an open mind and let the magic unfold. ✨ With love & gratitude, Sarah

Negative comments get deleted here, I recommend everyone who considers visiting this place to do a thorough research on reddit 👍🏻

I took part on the 8 week curandero initiation course at Keston Rono in October and November 2026, when asked by others how it was i have summarised by saying it was the hardest, (at times) but the most amazing experience of my life. I hadn't attended an extended retreat of this nature before, Grandmother Ayahuasca and my plant dietas and plant treatments gave me profound healing and insights. This was held with firm direction, compassion, wisdom and love by the fab facilitation team, who have a wealth of experience working with plant medicenes, they walked their talk, undertaking the ceremonies and plant dietas alongside the group. I learned much from the Shipibo plants and other healing and cleaning modalities and experiencing holding a ceremony. The Maestro Don Enrique is the real deal, a true master healer, powerhouse and fountain of knowledge of the plant medicenes, and the community and familia that help look after us were great. The centre is basic but you have all that is needed, my bed was really comfortable. I found the process tough at times, especially initially, but surrendering and having faith and trust enabled me to experience a profound transformation, a rebirth. I am still in a post integration process, which has also been well supported by the course and vital to take seriously. If you feel the call to this path then i highly recommend.