Shipobo Owned Center
Retreat is owned and guided by Indigenous Shipibo healers in the heart of the Amazon Jungle.
Intimate Container
Limited to 8 participants for a deeply personalized and transformative experience.
Personalized Plant Dieta
Your dieta is tailored to your unique healing needs, focusing on deep spiritual and emotional growth.
Experience profound growth and connection through this unique and sacred offering.
Group Master Plant Dieta | July 7–16, 2026
This offering is for those who feel a sincere calling to deepen their relationship with the medicine through a traditional master plant dieta, guided by Shipibo elders and held with care, respect, and responsibility. It supports those beginning or continuing to walk the medicine path, and those who value the presence of a supportive community while moving through the dieta process.
The dietas take place in a traditional Shipibo village a few hours outside of Pucallpa, in an off grid setting that supports reflection, growth, and alignment of body, mind, and spirit. This is a small, intentional container limited to eight participants. While each dieta is deeply personal and participants maintain silence in their own tambo, the experience unfolds within a group setting where guidance, support, and shared presence are available throughout the process.
Maestra Olinda, a Shipibo shaman and healer from a long lineage of medicine carriers, leads the dietas and holds the ceremonial and plant work. Priscilla facilitates the group experience, providing guidance, translation, and support from arrival through the close of the retreat. She also leads preparation and integration calls via Zoom before and after the retreat to support participants in entering and completing the dieta with clarity and stability. This offering is for those who do not wish to navigate the dieta alone, who value structure, community, and steady support, and who are willing to fully commit to the process.
If you are unable to join in July or are seeking a more individual experience, individual dietas are also available throughout the year. More details can be found at the end of this page.
What is a Master Plant Dieta?
Master Plant Dietas are a revered tradition among the Shipibo-Konibo and other Indigenous tribes of the Peruvian Amazon. This practice involves entering into a direct relationship with a specific plant or tree through ritual, isolation, and dietary discipline. The intention is to align with the plant’s consciousness and spirit, allowing it to guide a process of purification on mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Each master plant carries its own intelligence and healing capacity. Through the dieta, the plant is not only consumed but invited to work within you. Its spirit becomes a guide, a teacher, and a mirror. The Shipibo call this integration sama, a merging of your being with the energetic essence of the plant. A dieta is approached with reverence, stillness, and a willingness to meet whatever arises.
During the dieta, participants follow a simplified diet designed to support the plant’s work. Meals are primarily vegetarian, with options for fish or chicken, and exclude sugar, salt, oils, spices, green leafy vegetables, and all stimulants. Scented products and external distractions are avoided as well. These restrictions are not about deprivation but about making space, clearing the way for the plant spirit to communicate clearly.
The process often takes place in solitude, with long periods of silence and reflection. Removed from modern stimulation, you begin to notice what lives within—old memories, emotional patterns, and deeply rooted wounds. The plant helps bring these inner layers to the surface, revealing blind spots, judgments, and imbalances that may not be visible in daily life.
Throughout the dieta, you are supported by the Shaman. Through icaros, the sacred songs of the plants, the Shaman strengthens your connection with the spirit of the plant, clears energetic blocks, and guides you through the landscape of your process. This relationship between the Shaman, the plant, and the dietero is central to the experience.
A master plant dieta is not a quick or easy path. It asks for patience, humility, and deep listening. But for those who feel called, it opens the doorway to lasting healing, inner clarity, and a meaningful relationship with the plants that continues long after the dieta ends.
Each dieta is unique, shaped by the specific plant being dieted and by the individual’s own healing path. While the core principles remain the same, the structure and experience of the dieta follow a traditional rhythm guided by the Shaman and the plant itself. Below is an overview of what to expect during the process.
The Dieta Process
All plants have unique characters, strengths, and healing properties, with some distinguished as 'Master Plant Teachers' for the depth of their teachings and the power they impart. Examples of sacred master plants include Mapacho (pure tobacco), Ayahuasca, Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Chiric Sananga, and more.
During the dieta, you will be encouraged to maintain silence and solitude as much as possible. Staying alone in a 'tambo' (hut) offers a chance to be fully present with the plants spirit, allowing for a deeper connection and enhancing the transformative experience. The more time you spend in solitude, the more accessible the plant’s energy becomes, unfolding in unexpected ways.
The dieta usually begins with an Ayahuasca ceremony to establish the connection with the plant. The Maestra facilitates this process through intention, icaros (medicine songs), and energy work. After the ceremony, each participant spends their days in solitude, immersed in nature, practicing deep meditation and reflection to receive the teachings of the plant
Your meals will be lovingly prepared by the family, who follow daily directives from the maestra based on guidance given by the plants. On non-ceremony days, you will enjoy three meals a day, consisting of rice, lentils, dieta-friendly vegetables, and, when possible, fish, chicken, or eggs. On ceremony days, you will receive two meals. A water fast may be practiced at the beginning of your dieta as an offering of gratitude to the spirit of the plants. While this fast is not obligatory, it can significantly deepen your experience, and we will guide you through the process.
The combination of solitude and a restricted diet enhances your dream state, making your dreams more vivid and intense. Traditionally, healers use these vivid dreams and visionary experiences with Ayahuasca to receive guidance, learn how to heal others, and receive specific songs from the plant spirits. These icaros are essential tools in their healing practices.
Working with the plants can be challenging, as they often teach through tests and obstacles. Your commitment to healing and willingness to face these challenges will be crucial for navigating the dieta process. Cultivating trust in the process allows the plant to work more effectively within you. As you encounter and overcome the challenges of the dieta, you unlock valuable teachings and gifts. This journey often brings a profound sense of freedom from past blockages and opens new dimensions and possibilities in your life.
The Role of Mapacho & Ayahuasca
Both Mapacho and Ayahuasca are essential allies in the dieta process, serving distinct yet complementary roles. Each carries a powerful spirit that helps guide, protect, and open the path for deeper healing with the master plants.
Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica) is a wild jungle tobacco and one of the most revered plant spirits in Amazonian medicine traditions. Far from the commercial tobacco found in the West, Mapacho is pure, strong, and deeply cleansing. It is used by Shipibo and other Indigenous healers for prayer, protection, grounding, and energetic purification. The smoke is often blown over the body or into the space during ceremonies to clear negative energies, connect with the plant spirits, and call in guidance.
Mapacho is considered both a master teacher and a protector. It helps to focus the mind, quiet anxiety, and strengthen spiritual boundaries during the dieta. Its presence is grounding, and its spirit is often described as masculine, direct, and deeply wise. Many dieteros develop a close relationship with Mapacho, using it in moments of confusion, fear, or fatigue to reconnect with their intention and center themselves.
Ayahuasca, often referred to as "the Mother of all plants," is traditionally used to open and sometimes close a dieta. She is considered a master plant spirit who holds the portal between the visible and invisible worlds. Ayahuasca helps establish the connection between you and the plant you are dieting, opening the energetic pathways that allow for communication, healing, and instruction.
Ayahuasca is brewed from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, often combined with chacruna or other admixture plants, depending on the lineage and purpose of the ceremony. Her visionary and purgative effects are well-known, but within the dieta, her role is more specific: to guide the plant spirit into your energetic body and open the space for its teachings to begin. The ceremonies are led by the Maestra, who uses icaros to navigate the energy, call in the spirits, and direct the healing process.
These two plants—Mapacho and Ayahuasca—hold deep wisdom and are treated with great respect in the Shipibo tradition. They are not used casually, but with intention, prayer, and humility. As part of the dieta, they help to protect and guide the journey, revealing the deeper layers of the self and allowing the master plant to do its sacred work.
The Shipibo are one of the oldest and largest tribes
in the Western Amazon basin, with a population of about 35,000 to 40,000. They inhabit around 150 small communities along the Ucayali River, north and south of Pucallpa, they are recognized as one of the most resilient tribes in the Peruvian Amazon. The Shipibo people are deeply respected for their extensive knowledge of sacred plant medicines, their ceremonial practices, and their spiritual connection to the rainforest that surrounds them. Traditionally, Shipibo women, known as Shipibas, are skilled artisans, creating intricate and beautiful pottery, textiles, and jewelry. The ceremonial songs, or Icaros, play a vital role in their culture, inspiring the visual aesthetics of Shipibo textiles with designs that are both unique and mesmerizing. Today, the Shipibo people continue to maintain a strong connection to their language, culture, and traditions, with most speaking Shipibo as their first language and Spanish as a second.
About the Family
Maestra Olinda Cauper
Maestra Olinda is a Shipibo Onanya (healer) from the village of Paoyhan, born into a long lineage of plant medicine practitioners. Trained from a young age by her mother, a respected Curandera, she was introduced early to the world of medicinal plants and ceremony. By sixteen, she was assisting in ayahuasca ceremonies, gradually stepping into her path as a healer. After her mother’s passing, Olinda deepened her work through years of dieta and practice. Alongside her late partner, she spent over a decade supporting healing at retreat centers in Pucallpa and Iquitos. Over time, she witnessed how many of these spaces lost touch with the cultural and spiritual roots of the medicine. In response, she felt called to create a space held by her family and guided by the values of her tradition. As the lead shaman and founder of the center, Maestra Olinda holds dietas and ceremonies with presence, humility, and deep trust in the plants. Her work is rooted in ancestral knowledge and a lifelong dedication to healing.
Maestro Juan
Maestro Robert is a Shipibo healer from the village of Paoyhan who began working with ayahuasca medicine at the age of twelve. Trained within his tradition through dieta and ceremony, he has spent many years walking the path of the plants and continues to deepen his relationship with this sacred work.
As Maestra Olinda’s son-in-law, Robert is an integral part of the family and the healing space. His presence in ceremony is steady and strong, and his work is guided by the teachings of his lineage and the spirits of the plants. He brings a grounded, compassionate energy to the healing process, supporting participants with care and respect.
Maestro Robert
Maestro Robert is a Shipibo healer from the village of Paoyhan who began working with ayahuasca medicine at the age of twelve. Trained within his tradition through dieta and ceremony, he has spent many years walking the path of the plants and continues to deepen his relationship with this sacred work.
As Maestra Olinda’s son-in-law, Robert is an integral part of the family and the healing space. His presence in ceremony is steady and strong, and his work is guided by the teachings of his lineage and the spirits of the plants. He brings a grounded, compassionate energy to the healing process, supporting participants with care and respect.
Jilmer
Jilmer, born in Paoyahn, is the youngest son of Olinda and works closely with her to deepen his understanding of ancestral medicine. With a strong commitment to this tradition, Jilmer assists men during ayahuasca ceremonies and supports them throughout their dieta with the master plants. His dedication to preserving and sharing this knowledge reflects a profound respect for the healing practices passed down through generations.
Priscilla
Priscilla will be a guide for this retreat, drawing on her years of experience holding space in Ayahuasca ceremonies and facilitating earth medicine ceremonies such as Kambo, Bufo and Psilocybin. Her approach is rooted in honoring the wisdom of the plants and creating spaces where healing, reflection, and connection can unfold naturally. With a heart-centered approach, Priscilla offers preparation and integration support, providing both guidance and Spanish-English translation to ensure each participant feels seen, heard, and supported in their journey.
Travel, Itinerary, and Registration
Travel & Getting to the Center
Participants must arrive in Pucallpa, Peru, at least 24 hours before your dieta is scheduled to begin, as day one of your dieta starts on the day you arrive at the retreat center. Please plan your travel accordingly to ensure you have enough time. The easiest route is to first fly into Lima Airport and then book a separate domestic flight to Pucallpa. This flight takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and typically costs between $45 and $95 USD. Depending on your arrival time in Lima, you may need to arrange overnight accommodations there before continuing on.
Please do not book your flight until after you have submitted your application, completed your discovery call, and received confirmation of your acceptance into the retreat. All participants are responsible for arranging their own flights to arrive in Pucallpa by the specified arrival time.
First, fly into Lima Airport, and then book a separate flight to Pucallpa. This flight takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs between $45 and $95 USD. Depending on your arrival time in Lima, you may need to arrange overnight accommodations in Lima before your connecting flight to Pucallpa.
For your Lima to Pucallpa flight, I recommend booking in advance with STAR Peru or LATAM Peru. Once you arrive in Pucallpa, I suggest staying at Hotel Costa del Sol Wyndham Pucallpa, where we will all meet before heading to the jungle. On the day of our departure, a family member from the retreat center will meet us at the hotel between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. From there, we will proceed to the port and take a 4‒hour boat ride up the Ucayali River to reach the retreat center.
Master Plant Dieta Schedule
Upon arrival, you will settle into your private tambo and begin acclimating to the jungle environment. You’ll meet Maestra Olinda and the family, who will be guiding you throughout this journey. After a light lunch, all participants will have the opportunity to meet with Maestra Olinda to discuss your individual intentions for the retreat.
The first day is a time for grounding, meeting the family, and relaxing. The detox process begins on the second day, starting in the morning with a vomitibo (plant purge), followed by a master plant sauna and a flower bath. These traditional Shipibo cleansing practices are intended to purify and prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the sacred work of the dieta. The flower bath, made with healing plants, is used to cleanse and protect your energy field, while the master plant sauna supports physical and energetic detoxification. Your first Ayahuasca ceremony will take place on the second evening. Ceremonies follow Shipibo tradition and are held every other night in the Maloca, in complete darkness. The group will gather at 7:30 p.m., and ceremony begins around 8:00 p.m. On the days between ceremonies, you will focus on your dieta with the master plant you have chosen. You will drink the plant medicine in the morning and spend the day in solitude, resting, reflecting, and deepening your connection with the plant spirit. On dieta and ceremony days, you will receive two simple meals per day to support the process.
During our time in the jungle, we will also have opportunities to participate in some group activities, such as visiting a local village, taking boat rides along the river, and walking through the jungle to further connect with the plants and nature around us.
The morning after our fourth Ayahuasca ceremony, Maestra Olinda will close the dieta and place arkana to mark the completion of your plant dieta. You will also have the opportunity to purchase artesanías (handmade crafts) from Maestra Olinda and her family, should you wish to bring home a piece of this journey.
After the retreat you may choose to either fly home or continue exploring Peru. After the retreat and the completion of your dieta, support will continue in the weeks that follow through a series of three Zoom integration calls, offering continued guidance as you return to your everyday life.
Please Note: The retreat itinerary is subject to change. While we strive to follow the outlined schedule, certain elements may be adjusted based on the flow of the group and the guidance of Maestra Olinda. Flexibility and openness to the unfolding process are key aspects of this transformative journey.
What’s Included?
Support and Guidance
You will receive continuous support and guidance throughout your experience. Preparation begins a few weeks before the retreat with three online group video calls to help you feel grounded and ready for the journey. During the dieta, participants are encouraged to embrace solitude for deeper introspection, but I will remain available for support as needed. After the retreat, integration will be offered through three online group calls, providing space to process and embody the teachings of the plants
Retreat Accommodations, Meals, and Activities
This retreat takes place in a remote and intentional setting deep in the Amazon jungle, in the village of Paoyahn, along the Ucayali River.
Our days will be guided by the wisdom of the plants, the teachings of Maestra Olinda, and the practices of dieta: ritual, solitude, and deep connection. We will participate in four Ayahuasca ceremonies and allow space for rest, reflection, and communion with the master plants.
What is not included?
Participants are responsible for:
International and domestic flights
Hotels before and after the retreat
Meals outside of the retreat
Taxis or personal transportation outside of retreat travel
Personal spending money
Why Choose This Dieta?
Healing is a process of unraveling and understanding the deeper roots of physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. Many who come to dieta do so not only for healing but also for clarity, transformation, and a deeper connection to themselves. The master plants work beyond the mind, guiding us to release what no longer serves and reclaim our personal sovereignty.
Master Plant Dieta Retreat
usd $2,400
- Group integration calls prior to departure to help you prepare for the dieta. After the retreat, we will also hold group calls to support your ongoing journey.
- 4 ayahuasca ceremonies over 10 days in the Jungle.
- The entire process will be guided by Maestra Olinda, often accompanied and supported by additional Shipibo healers (male and female)
- Group size limited to 8 people
- Steam baths/ Flower baths- the number is subject to guidance from the plant spirits
- Very basic, bland meals – required for plant dietas
- Individual accommodation in basic, rustic bungalows/ tambos with private bathroom
Through this dieta, you may find support with:
Addictions, whether to substances, behaviors, or unhealthy patterns
- Longstanding depression or emotional stagnation
- Anxiety and an inability to stay present
- Emotional blocks in relationships or family dynamics
- Low self-worth or a sense of disconnection
- Unprocessed trauma or childhood wounds
- Stress, burnout, or a lack of direction in life
The plants are not here to save us. They are allies, offering support as we take responsibility for our own healing. The power to transform our lives is already within us. The plants simply invite us to shift our perspective and deepen our awareness. A dieta is not a quick fix and it won't remove the challenges life brings. But it can create space for clarity, allowing us to make conscious choices and move forward with greater understanding. Whether you're seeking healing or simply feel called to sit with the plants, this retreat offers an opportunity for meaningful growth, held in a small, supportive circle.
Deposit and Payment Options
The total cost of the retreat is $2,400 USD. To reserve your space, a $600 non-refundable deposit is required.
The second installment of $500 is due by June 5, and both the deposit and this installment are submitted via wire transfer.
The final $1,300 is due in cash (USD) directly at the retreat center upon arrival.
Wire transfer instructions will be provided once your application has been accepted and your deposit confirmed. If you would like to arrange a different payment plan or have any questions about submitting your payments, please reach out. Please see the FAQ for the full refund policy.
How to Serve Your Spot:
Submit Your Application: Start by submitting your application via the website.
Discovery Call: After submitting your application, we'll schedule a call to discuss the retreat and ensure it’s a good fit.
Deposit & Installment Payment: Once your application is accepted, you’ll receive payment instructions.
Individual Plant Dietas
For those seeking a more solitary, self-directed experience, individual dietas are available throughout the year. This path is best suited for participants who feel steady in their process and are able to navigate the dieta space with minimal external guidance. Individual dietas can be arranged for 10, 20, or 30 days. Priscilla will coordinate your dieta dates and facilitate your connection with the retreat center, as well as provide one virtual preparation call and one to three integration calls, depending on the length of your stay.
Please note: Priscilla will not be physically present during individual dietas and will not provide live translation or on-site guidance. She leads only the annual group dieta in person. On-site, participants are supported by the container of the retreat center and the care of Maestra Olinda and her family.
This offering requires a higher degree of independence, and self-responsibility. It is most appropriate for those with previous experience or those who feel clearly called to work directly with the plants in a more internal and personal way.
Master Plant Dieta Application
We take your health and safety seriously. Our application process is thorough, detailed and asks you to share some very personal, private information. We do this to ensure that our recommendations and those of our Maestra are correct, and safe, for you.
Frequently asked questions
How long are the ayahausca ceremonies? How will I feel the effects of the medicine?
The ceremonies begin at 7:30pm and last until approximately 4-5 hours depending on the size of the group but in all reality there is no exact time. During ceremony nights everyone, including the family, will stay in the maloca until the next morning.
The effects of the medicine can last anywhere from a few hours to the whole night. The length of time a person feels the effects of ayahuasca varies from person to person and from ceremony to ceremony. Even when the conscious effects have warn off, the medicine continues to work with the body and energetic fields in ways that are not always immediately perceptible. Ayahuasca is a medicine that works far beyond the level of conscious experience.
Why is mapacho/ tabacco used with ayahuasca and Dieta?
Tobacco is utilized as a sacred and healing plant, in many indigenous Amazonian traditions, tobacco (or ‘mapacho’) is considered a Master Plant and is given equal regard and importance as ayahuasca. It is use in the healing and ceremonial context for energetic clearing, freeing negative energies, protection, alignment and grounding. The tobacco used in ceremony is pure tobacco leaf and does not contain any chemical additives.
Is there electricity, wifi or cell phone service at the Center?
ELECTRICITY
There is minimal electricity at the center, at night you can use candles provided by the center. You will need a head lamp (with read and white light) for ceremonies, you may also want to have an extra solar flashlight to light up your tambo. You must bring your own travel solar panel to charge batteries if necessary.
WIFI & PHONE
The internet and phone connection is extremely low in the center and only few spots allow reception. While you are in dieta, you cannot use phones for calls, messaging or for internet. You can use them, to take few pictures, for the alarm clock, and to journal.
How should i prepare for my dieta?
For your pre-dieta preparations please abstain from the following:
Sex (including masturbation, avoid sexual thoughts)
Alcohol
Drugs
Pork
Red meat
Other earth/ plant medicines
Eat light food, not too spicy, too sweet or too fatty.
When should I start preparing?
One week prior if you have previous experience with ayahuasca or master plant dieta.
Two weeks prior if you have no or little experience with ayahuasca.
One month prior if you are taking medications for strong physical and/or mental conditions that are not compatible with ayahuasca such as anti-depressants, MAO’s, or stimulants in particular. You need to be off any kind of psycho-pharmaceutical and depression treatments for at least that 35 days, and 6 weeks for some specific medication, under the guidance of your medical doctor. It’s important that you let us know what medications you are or have been taking when filling out the application/ during discovery call.
What should I pack for my trip?
–Clothing: Choose simple and comfortable attire made from cotton or natural fabrics, suitable for hot weather in the jungle. Bring at least one long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of pants for jungle walks. For walking, prefer boots or waterproof shoes, and bring sandals or Crocs for your stay at the retreat.
– A hat or a wide light scarf to cover from the sun.
– A swim suit (bathing suit or shorts) for the flower and steam bath.
– A re-usable water bottle
- Ear plugs for sleeping.
– Travel solar panel to charge your phone or another electrical equipment if needed
– An alarm clock or a wrist or pocket watch. Sometimes you will need to know the time and set an alarm clock. You can use your phone, but you may also feel like not wanting to interact with it and it may also be difficult to charge it, as there is no electricity in your tamboo and sometimes it can be cloudy to charge on solar panel.
– A head lamp with a red light option, this is used during ceremony. You may also want to have an extra solar flashlight (spot light) to light up your tambo at night.
– During the Dieta, you cannot use shampoo, soap, sunscreen, or toothpaste. However, you may bring 100% natural and organic deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner to use after the Dieta is completed, as well as personal toiletries like razors, pads, etc.
CREATIVITY:
– You can read, not too much to leave space to receive the teachings of your plant. Choose supporting topics to your Dieta: Spiritual teachings, plant medicine, shamanic and healing journey stories, creativity books… Please Avoid strong teachings like the Bible, Quran, Torah..
– You can draw, paint, write, make embroideries, sing, play music, dance, do yoga… Bring what you need for that purpose, such as colors, sketchpad and a journal.
In addition to your retreat payment, you might want to bring some extra cash, in Peruvian soles, for shopping, such as textiles and artwork from the maestra and her family.
Will there be someone to guide me to the retreat?
Yes, for the group dieta Priscilla will guide you to the retreat and will be available for support throughout your journey. She will handle translation from Spanish to English and provide guidance during the dieta process as needed, ensuring a supportive and enriching experience for everyone involved.
How much does it cost to reserve my spot?
The total cost of the retreat is $2,400 USD. To reserve your space, a $600 non-refundable deposit is required. Please see the FAQ for the full refund policy.
Wire transfer instructions will be provided once your application has been accepted and your deposit confirmed.
What is the refund policy?
Refund Policy:
Deposit: The $600 deposit is non-refundable.
First Installment: The $500 first installment is refundable if cancellation is made before June 1, 2026.
No refunds for any reason will be issued after June 1, 2026 as this marks the start of our preparation period and ensures your commitment to the retreat
Final Payment: The $1,300 final installment is due in cash upon arrival in Pucallpa, Peru. This payment is non-refundable, as the retreat will have already begun at this point.
•Retreat Cancellation by Organizers: If the retreat is canceled by the organizers, all payments, including the $600 deposit, will be fully refunded.
Thank you for your understanding and commitment to this transformative journey.