DEEP IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON
Few places live in the world’s imagination like the Amazon — the largest rainforest on Earth. Most of us meet it first through documentaries and photographs, and quietly dream of one day standing beneath its canopy.
Onikano lies deep within it, 22 km southwest of Iquitos — not simply in the jungle, but inside the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, a protected area renowned for its rare white-sand forests and extraordinary biodiversity. It is a remarkable setting: rainforest preserved by law, quiet, secluded and far from the distractions of the city.
Often referred to as the “capital of the Peruvian Amazon”, Iquitos is the largest city in the world inaccessible by road — reachable only by plane or boat. The journey to Onikano takes approximately 40 minutes, depending on weather and road conditions.
Transport from Iquitos and back is included in the price of all retreats. As the city gradually disappears behind you, the road enters deeper into the forest, the sounds begin to change, and the pace of life starts to slow. By the time you arrive at Onikano, the outside world already feels far away — and the retreat has, in many ways, already begun.
THE BUNGALOWS
Fifteen traditional jungle bungalows are thoughtfully spread throughout the surrounding rainforest, offering privacy, comfort and immersion in nature. Built in the traditional style of the Peruvian Amazon, they are designed to provide silence and rest throughout the retreat — allowing guests to disconnect from external distractions and reconnect with themselves and the jungle around them.
Each bungalow includes a private bathroom, a comfortable double bed, a hammock, and the essentials for a peaceful stay. Large screened windows allow natural light and ventilation, while mosquito nets ensure an undisturbed rest.
The bungalows come in two distinct styles. Some are constructed with solid wooden walls and are located closer to the common areas, while others feature screened walls and are situated deeper in the forest, offering a more immersive connection with the jungle.
All guests are accommodated by default in private bungalows. Guests travelling together may request a shared bungalow with either one double bed or two single beds, according to preference. The retreat price is the same in both cases.
THE CEREMONIAL HOUSE
The ceremonial house at Onikano is a sacred space. From the moment you step inside, its power is palpable. Voices are kept low, and a quiet sense of reverence fills the air.
It is here that the Maestro invokes the spirits of his ancestors and great teachers to work with each participant — performing cleansings, extractions and healing. Like a conductor leading an invisible orchestra, he guides and holds the space while ensuring that each participant remains safe and protected throughout the ceremony.
With its wooden architecture and high palm-thatched roof, the ceremonial house reflects the simple beauty of traditional Amazonian living. Natural light, fresh air and the sounds of the rainforest flow freely through the space, creating an atmosphere deeply connected to the surrounding jungle.
This is where the deepest layers of the retreat experience unfold.
THE DINING ROOM
Spacious and cosy, the dining room is more than just a place to eat — it is the heart of Onikano and a favourite gathering place throughout the retreat. Here, guests come together to unwind, connect and share reflections on their journey while savouring homemade meals.
With its open, airy design and views of the surrounding greenery, the dining room offers a gentle transition between the quiet of personal retreat and the warmth of community. Shared meals become a natural moment to reconnect, exchange a few words and return to the day feeling grounded.
Each day, the kitchen team prepares fresh meals inspired by local ingredients and Amazonian flavours — nourishing, balanced food that supports the healing process and helps guests keep their strength, in harmony with the Ayahuasca dieta.
If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or have specific food intolerances, the team will do their best to accommodate your needs and ensure you feel well cared for during your stay.
A small solar installation provides charging points for essential electronic devices in the dining room.
This is one of the few places within the retreat where participants can briefly connect to Wi-Fi when needed.
THE LAKE & HAMMOCK MALOCA
Near the entrance of Onikano lies a peaceful lake surrounded by lush greenery — a place gradually restored through years of care and reforestation.
Far more than simply a beautiful part of the landscape, the lake forms part of the daily rhythm of the retreat. Guests immerse themselves in its waters for ritual bathing, cleansing and relaxation — or simply to cool off and reconnect with nature.
Overlooking the water, the hammock maloca serves as a place for rest and integration between ceremonies.
Participants gather here to read, reflect, connect with others or simply enjoy the tranquil rhythm of the jungle — gently swaying in a hammock or watching the changing colours of the sunset reflected upon the lake.
Every Wednesday, the maloca transforms into a display of Shipibo art and craftsmanship, where members of the Maestro’s family exhibit hand-embroidered fabrics, jewellery, paintings and other creations deeply rooted in Shipibo culture.
THE BATHING PLATFORM
Situated on the shores of a natural pool, the bathing platform is where guests perform their daily energetic and spiritual cleansing baths — a cornerstone of the Onikano experience.
Prepared with freshly picked plant leaves, flowers, special colognes, mapacho smoke and focused intention, these baths allow the body to absorb the restorative essence of the plants — known in the Shipibo tradition as kano.
During their stay, guests learn how to prepare their own baths, transforming the process into a powerful ritual of purification, presence and connection with the healing energy of the rainforest.
The pool’s distinctive reddish hue comes from the natural plant matter and minerals of the jungle, giving the water its characteristic Amazonian colour. During the rainy season, the water level may rise significantly, sometimes submerging the platform entirely.
Deeply rooted in Shipibo tradition, these cleansing baths create a moment of connection with Yacumama, the Spirit of Mother Water, whose energy is woven into many of the purification rituals practised at Onikano.
THE RAINFOREST AT ONIKANO
Far from the tourist routes, the rainforest at Onikano remains in its most pristine state — and guests do not come here as visitors. For the length of the retreat, they live inside it, day and night.
It becomes part of the experience itself: the sounds of birds, insects and rainfall, together with the subtle rhythms of the jungle, create a constant sense of connection with the natural world that surrounds the centre.
This is also the living source of the work at Onikano: the leaves and flowers for the daily cleansing baths are gathered in the forest, and many of the plants that accompany each healing process grow on this very land.
A network of forest trails winds through the grounds, offering spaces for silence, contemplation and immersion in the atmosphere of the jungle.
During their walks, guests will encounter one of the great treasures of the Amazon: the teacher trees — majestic plant beings deeply woven into the spiritual traditions of the region.
For many, the intimate connection with the rainforest becomes one of the most meaningful and transformative parts of the retreat.
ESPAÑOL
DEUTSCH
