Ayahuasca Retreat Iquitos

Set in Iquitos, Peru, this legacy ayahuasca retreat at El Purguero offers a rare and deeply moving experience for those seeking meaningful healing and spiritual growth. Guided by Don Ron Wheelock, widely known as “The Gringo Shaman,” the retreat draws on nearly three decades of experience in the ayahuasca community. His background combines Western roots with a long-standing immersion in Peruvian shamanic traditions, creating a powerful and authentic space for transformation.

Ron Wheelock’s path into the Amazon began in the 1990s, when he arrived as one of the first Westerners in the region. Motivated by curiosity, personal development, and a desire for spiritual connection, he studied ayahuasca under two of the area’s most respected shamans: Don Agustin Rivas Vasquez and Don Jose Coral Mori. Over the years, this training has shaped his reputation for strong medicine and powerful Icaros, as well as his ability to bridge Western and Peruvian perspectives with clarity and depth.

El Purguero is designed to bring participants closer to the jungle, the medicine, and themselves. Accommodations are intentionally simple, with guests staying in rustic wooden jungle huts that include a bed, mosquito net, and small table. This minimalist setting supports a deeper connection to nature and helps remove the distractions of modern life.

The 8-day, 7-night retreat includes three ayahuasca ceremonies led by Don Ron. These ceremonies form the heart of the experience, offering space for profound healing and inner exploration. Participants also have the opportunity to witness and take part in the preparation of ayahuasca, adding another layer of understanding to this sacred process.

Although the location feels remote, access is straightforward. El Purguero is situated just off Highway Nauta at Kilometer 23, and transportation from Iquitos center or the airport to the camp is coordinated by the retreat.

At $1400 per retreat, the program offers strong value and includes accommodations, all meals, transportation coordination, and three ayahuasca ceremonies. This makes the experience accessible to people from many different backgrounds.

What makes El Purguero especially meaningful is the depth of the experience it offers. Many participants arrive carrying emotional or psychological burdens and seeking healing that has not been found elsewhere. Through Don Ron’s guidance, the ceremonies can support emotional release, spiritual insight, and a renewed sense of direction.

Support continues beyond the retreat itself. Victoria, Ron’s business partner, provides pre- and post-ayahuasca counseling and integration support. Her welcoming, non-judgmental approach helps participants, including first-timers, speak openly about fears and concerns while also integrating their insights into everyday life.

El Purguero is also deeply connected to local Peruvian culture. Ron’s long-standing ties to the region, his Peruvian partner, his Peruvian child, and the fact that all staff are hired from the local community reflect a genuine commitment to the people and traditions of the Amazon. His ability to combine Western mental health understanding with indigenous healing wisdom creates a holistic approach that resonates across cultures.

For those seeking to heal past trauma, deepen spirituality, or reconnect with themselves and the natural world, El Purguero offers a powerful setting and experienced guidance. It is a retreat rooted in authenticity, cultural respect, and a sincere commitment to transformation.