Authentic Family-Run Ayahuasca Retreat in Peru

I spent nearly six weeks at Mai Niti over August & September 2024. It was a special, transformative experience. Writing this review nearly four months since my visit, I can share that it has had a lasting effect in healing wounds and profoundly expanding my outlook on what life is and can be. My process was guided by Maestra Lucila, who leads the centre, working alongside her father, Maestro Leonardo, and her brothers, Maestros Leonardo Jr. and Grover. Each brought unique qualities which helped in different ways. The energetic forces they worked with felt like magic, though very significantly, never for magic’s sake. There’s no fluff here. It’s all directed towards a very particular focus - healing. Guiding the medicine work to support guests on a path that is specific to them. Moving at a steady pace, with great care. Their skill for this, and the compassion they bring, far exceeds my ability to describe it. The simple facilities have been built from the ground up, and are managed by a small team with much love and consideration. It felt like being part of something alive and growing, expanding step-by-step. Getting to know the team was another of the meaningful aspects of this experience. They helped to bridge the gap between my Western sensibilities and the Shipibo jungle life, and were always avaialble to help with practical matters, or for a chat to share their own hard-won wisdom. Thank you and much love Selva, Mara, Jime, Marina and Peter - and to everyone else who worked at the centre during my stay! Augusto, Paula, Dora, Gloria, Ester, Chino, Jerad, Sarah and Carmen.

Mai Niti is a gift in this world oh chaos. I arrived full of mistrust and physical pain while struggling with anxiety and depression. I was desperate for help and coming from the US where my doctors were telling me that surgery was my only other option to rid myself of the chronic and constant pain after months of physical therapy had done all it could for me. I spent a short two weeks here and the progress I saw and felt in myself was more and more each day. This isn't a place full of comfort and luxury but what it does have is an incredible team of individuals that make you feel welcome and work hard everyday to help you on your healing journey. Maestra Lucinda and Maestros Leonardo and Grover are such kind individuals that you can't help but feel their love during every interaction and ceremony. Their family members are also active supporters and paramount to the success of the center. Honestly, every single staff member is. They all do everything they can to make your visit a successful one. It's not an easy process and the heat and mosquitoes will test you but if it's healing you're after then this is the place to accomplish that. They abide to the strict dietas necessary to allow the plants to help you but rest easy that you will be nourished with everything your body needs with healthy meals. The other visitors are in the same boat with you and a sense on camaraderie and inevitable love will grow within you. I can honestly say that I feel like I gained another family in the Peruvian jungle. Few tips from my experience: Traveling with cash to pay onsite can sometimes feel risky but this place is run by trustworthy people and the drivers they send to pick you up are also trustworthy and genuine. There will be market days where handmade crafts and art will be available for purchase. Bring extra cash for this! The funds all go to extremely worthy causes and families and your loved ones will love any gifts you bring back for them. If you do happen to need more cash for extra medicines or gifts, management will be there to help and while it goes against everything we've been taught and have experienced. You can absolutely trust them to help you with this. Bring chemical free hygiene products, including mosquito repellent AND ointment for itch relief for when you forget to reapply the repellant. Slippers/sandals will be essential as you will remove them before entering all buildings. Overall, trust the process and trust yourself. You are capable of so much and everyone here will help remind you of that, including the amazing plant medicines that you'll get to work with. Share your dreams with the maestra! This will help them further guide you on your journey and understand how they can better support you along the way. Thank you to everyone at Mai Niti for their support during my stay and for their continued support while I complete my treatment from home, as I arrived so close to the end of their operating season.

I went to the center for 2 weeks in August 2024 and it was a very rewarding journey! The Maestra and staff know what they are doing, are committed to their work, sincerely consider what people are going through, and make sure you are alright from the moment you enter to the moment you leave (and beyond). Regarding the premises, they are modest but frankly exceeded my expectations considering this is the jungle. The Wi-Fi was even better than what I usually see in Germany...Everything you need for an enjoyable experience they provide. The only downside was occasional neighborhood party noise, which was sometimes annoying but did not significantly affect my stay. You can see it as part of the journey of accepting ;) I genuinely recommend Mai Niti for a safe and valuable life experience.

I really enjoyed my time at Mai Niti, it was exactly what i needed. I liked that there was no fluff here and i always felt safe and comfortable. As someone who had no experience with plant medicine i really valued the gentle 'ease you into it' approach, rather than having your head blown off. It made a lot of space for cultivating feelings of safety with the medicine and getting to know it more easily when there was a lot of fear inside. There is time for integration, to be still and do nothing. There were a lot of beautiful humans staying for longer periods of time (4-6 weeks +) in order to really go deep but in a very gentle way. Many of these come back each year, which says a lot about the centre. The venue itself is nothing fancy, its very simple, no feathers, no show or 'woo woo', simply some amazing human beings living their life with a long lineage of Shipibo healing capabilities - it felt real and authentic. Thank you so much Luci, Leonardo, Grover, Peter, Mara, Marina, Selva and all of the other amazing employees, volunteers and gorgeous doggos.

My time at Mai Niti was truly amazing, I’ve just completed a one month dieta and the feeling of love I received as soon as I walked through the door only grew as the weeks progressed. The maestros and the staff all made me feel at home and I left a new man, I cannot thank them enough for helping me find true peace and happiness. The process I underwent to get to this point really was tailored to me and what I needed. They know what they are doing. I’m happy I trusted my instincts and trusted the process to the end. Mai Niti will always have a special place in my heart.

Even though i was at Mai Niti for only a week, i received all that i needed. The quality, love and attention provided by the maestros, their family and the group of volunteers, in combination with the safe environment that was present, create a recipe for peace and personal development. If you are looking for the right place, then you have found it. But don't take my word for it. Reach out to them and feel for yourself the nature of the interactions you'll be having. Wishing you all the best.

This is the type of place that made me start planning a return trip before I’d even left. Lucy and her family embody what it means to be healers and I feel so fortunate to have found a plant medicine center that will help me along on my healing journey for the rest of my life. A true gem, cannot wait to go back 🦋

The most wonderful I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’ve never met such amazing kind loving people ever. Definitely going back. If you’re reading this, just go. 😉 it’s worth it no matter what you’re struggling with in life they can help.

I’m not quite sure how to put words to how my experience at Mai Niti has transformed my life. Our lives and experiences are so personal and individual and yet so relatable. Upon leaving after 6 weeks the best way to put it was that this place, it’s beautifully kind stewards and healers, and the plant medicine helped me remove the weight from the love I held within myself. That still rings true over 3 months later, but with continued realizations and peace in myself and with life. This experience was the best gift I could give to myself and my life will forever be changed for the better. My two pieces of advice would be to not deny yourself that same gift, and to give yourself the time needed to get “there”, wherever that might be for you. May the divine energy of the universe bless you all with the feeling of deep love for all that has been, all that is, and all that will be. You are never as alone as you believe yourself to be and pain in all its forms are never permanent. Mai Niti - I love you all so profoundly. I miss your smiles, laughter, and warmth. Take care, mi familia. ❤️