Is travel to Peru safe right now?
How about health concerns?
Can I go to the Refugio on my own or are there groups?
Will I get to see jungle wildlife? What about snakes, bugs and mosquitoes?
I am an adventurous traveler but am not interested in shamanism, healing or ayahuasca. What is there for me?
What is the "shaman diet"?
Why ayahuasca?
Is taking ayahuasca safe?
Can one overdose?
I read recently that the Spirit of Ayahuasca is a "jealous mother" and that shamans and others get on the path and are not able to get off. Anything to be cautious of ?
Where do I learn more about ayahuasca?

Is travel to Peru safe right now?Flying to Lima and Iquitos and back is safe. When you arrive at the Iquitos airport, the Refugio staff will be there to greet you and transport you the downtown office.

If you are traveling to other places before or after, consult with Scott Petersen, who has lived and/or traveled in South America for 25 years.

For more information here are two links with current information from the US government.
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
travel.state.gov/peru.html

How about health concerns? Malaria exists in some parts of the Amazon, although for a majority of travelers, this is not a concern in the areas around Iquitos and the Refugio. The choice for medical prevention is yours. We recommend that you consult with your health care practitioner and research the side effects of the available malaria preventatives and medications.

For updates on travel health concerns go to the CDC website below.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm

Can I go to the Refugio on my own or are there groups and/or programs? You are safe and welcome to go alone or with a group. The best method is to contact Scott or John and make a reservation. Many people find us in Iquitos through the recommendations of locals or past visitors who know the Refugio's reputation. We offer adventure travel, educational and spiritual groups frequently at the Refugio.

Contact Scott or John for the latest update.

Will I get to see jungle wildlife? What about snakes, bugs and mosquitoes? The jungle is teaming with wildlife. Being wild, the animals rarely venture into the guest area of the compound. For those wanting to see more wildlife, we offer walks into the jungle. The Refugio also built a "mirador," or an observation deck above one of the ponds the animals frequent for drinking. One can be quiet, tune into the energy of the jungle, and wildlife will appear. There are bugs and mosquitoes of every imaginable shape, color and size, mostly harmless and all interesting. The Refugio is fumigated periodically but you will still need bug spray. Although they can be pesky, the mosquitoes there are nothing like what we've experienced in Michigan!

I am an adventurous traveler but am not interested in shamanism, healing or ayahuasca. What is there for me? The Refugio is the ideal safe, yet rustic place to enjoy "life in the Amazon". Everything from the meals to the activities is available for all our guests. Ceremonies are only a small part of what goes in the Refugio. On the nights when there are ceremonies you will not be disturbed as they do not begin until 9 PM when the other guests and staff are preparing for sleep. The diversity and constant flow of guests, who come from all over the world to the Refugio, provides yet another opportunity for intriguing adventure and new friendships.

What is the "shaman diet"? The shaman diet is a program that includes ayahuasca ceremonies and 3-7 days on a "solo" in a secluded jungle hut (longer periods are allowed for experienced dieters). As directed by an experienced shaman, the time is spent away from other people, and in direct contact with the spirits of the rainforest. The participants are brought small amounts of food and water daily.

The physical diet, combined with solitude in the jungle is a powerful path of learning that realigns and deepens your awareness of the Earth, and the heights and depths of your own spirit.

Why ayahuasca? Because Ayahuasca penetrates to the source of the human being, to the heights and depths of the subconscious, the holy of holies, where other sciences have no access.

Working with our plant medicine is one of the most powerful healing paths that we have experienced in the many combined years of spiritual practice, psychotherapy, and alternative healing work.

Ayahuasca reaches deep into the systems of the physical body, emotions, and mental processes for cleansing and aligning, healing imbalance and disharmony with our higher selves and creative spirit. Whether the ayahuasca journey is directed toward healing chronic disease, or evolution of the participant's perception through the removal of blockages in their energy filed and nervous system, the experience is vitalizing, clarifying and invigorating. One of the impressive aspects of the ayahuasca session is that it is different for each individual. The medicine effects each participant according to his or her personal needs and goals, while making them deeply aware of their connection with the Earth, the Universe, and the other species and people around them.

Is taking ayahuasca safe? Yes. It is safe and healing. Scott and the shamans who work with him have performed hundreds of ceremonies for hundreds of people. Although the Ayahuasca ceremony and experience is often intense and dramatic, we are not aware of anyone being harmed or effected negatively by our work. What we see is rejuvenation, serenity, alignment, and clarity.

Can one overdose? Under our direction, no, and we are not aware of people being harmed from even large doses of Ayahuasca, when the shamanic work directing the trance state is done completely and well. In fact, Ayahuascero shamans will, on occasion, take a very large dosage to induce a very deep and powerful trance and explore new psychic territory. This is recommended for experienced shamans only, of course.

Scott has performed hundreds of ceremonies and will help you determine the best dosage for each journey. Sometimes, even minute dosages will allow for profound healing and learning experiences.

I read recently that the Spirit of Ayahuasca is a "jealous mother" and that shamans and others get on the path and are not able to get off. Anything to be cautious of? There are many myths and superstitions about Ayahuasca, as there are about any powerful teacher. People often experience dramatized versions of their fears, worries, and emotional baggage when they are learning from an objective, capable teacher. If your experience with the Ayahuasca should become one with a "jealous mother" - that is an opportunity to look more clearly at yourself.

The point is this: Healing and ayahuasca is not about the medicine or the shaman, but about you, your perceptions, and your unique view of reality. The Ayahuasca and the shaman can divert your attention to your defenses and projections to show you a new way of perceiving and experiencing the world around you. This allows you to take the new information and reorganize your life at a more liberated, joyful level of functioning.

Where do I learn more about ayahuasca? The best way to learn is to use the medicine with experienced shamans in a safe environment.

For those who want to do more research, there are many sources. Click here for more info, some books and web links

Any more questions? Contact Scott or John Welch.