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Psychonauta is a word play, based on proximity of our home base to town called Nauta. It is older than Iquitos, first port in the region marked on naval maps. Word “nauta” itself is rooted in Latin and means navigator. So “psychonauta” is voyager into infinite depths of own soul, that mystics of humankind recognize as reflection of universe. They have known a great many of techniques and tools for undertaking this journey. In our case we are drawing from indigenous traditions of use of master plants. Teachers and healers from wider circle of life than our limited human world. We are based in Amazon, so our work is based on use of local plants, including most famous of them, ayahuasca. But we also do projects in the Andes and beyond South America, always guided by principle of intentions and right tools to achieve it.
Second part of our name, Foundation, does not only refer to legal or organizational structure, but suggests that to succesfully embark on the journey mentioned above, and most of all, return from it with rich bounty, we should be properly prepared, to avoid getting lost or drowned. To use metaphor from plant kingdom surrounding us, to grow in a stable way, to reach ever higher, stable foundation – deep roots, strong trunk, a network of connections – is simply a must. Plants show us there is no rush, that things should be done step by step, with patience. In current explosion of interest in psychedelics, including therapeutical use of psychoactive plants, this issue will be increasingly important, and we are doing our part by focusing of serious training of future psychonauts, as well as potential captains of their ships – psychedelic guides and healers.
Maestro Miguel, a seasoned healer with over four decades of experience, began his unique path at 24 in the Amazon, learning from the forest and its plants. He became deeply knowledgeable in traditional healing methods and the creation of icaros. Miguel has formed special bonds with 42 plants, including Camalonga and Ayahuama, which he uses to aid those seeking healing. At 69, his expertise and icaros are a testament to his deep connection with nature and his unwavering commitment to helping others. Miguel's presence brings a rare and precious wisdom to all he meets, embodying the essence of true healing. Maturity, focus, sensitivity and commitment, these are the best words to describe him. You will be in good hands !
Virginia is a skilled Shipibo shaman with over 20 years of experience, working closely with her husband, Miguel, to form a powerful healing couple. Her energy is soft and caring, and during ceremonies, she creates a warm space where deep healing can happen. Her melodic icaros are bringing calm and peace. She gives herself fully to the work, sharing her soul in every ceremony. Virginia is also a talented artisan, creating traditional Shipibo crafts. She continues to diet master plants, deepening her connection with them and strengthening her healing abilities. Her kind presence makes everyone feel comfortable and at ease. Working with her offers not just healing but a sense of being truly cared for.
Family with maestro Eber, originally from Pucallpa, female Shipibo gem in our tribe, running ceremonies, dietas and responsible for physical treatment of female guests. 40 years of experience with plant medicine and healing, she brings in maturity combined with softness, kindness and patience. Trance inducing icaros, weaving their way between the masculine energy of the shamans she works with.
20 years on a long and twisted path of exploration of magic, primordial beliefs, traditional cultures, shamanism and spirituality of the world. From Rastafarian camps in Jamaica, voodoo in Haiti and Africa, desert traditions of healing with trance, in Maghreb, Ethiopia, Pakistan, shamanism of Mongolia, Africa, Pakistan, mysticism of Indian subcontinent, transformative Sufi rites on three continents, Bwiti initiation in Cameroon, finally culminating in Amazon and Andes, years of learning its traditional medicine, sampling various sources of knowledge of the world and inspiration, understanding of self and bringing others safely through paths scouted before. Worked with shamans in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, gringos, mestizos and tribes : Shipibo, Siona, Cofan, Tsachilas, Kamsa, Achuar, Kichwa, Witoto.
Traveler, photographer, writer, guide, practitioner. Founder of headquarters of Psychonauta Foundation, medicinal camp in the jungle of northern Peru and a growing collective focused on therapeutic use of psychoactive plants.
Working on fringe area where medicine and art meet, thus reconnecting to primal, ancient shamanism reinterpreted through body, breath and own, unique experience for the moment of NOW, improvisation, techniques of trance, syncretism, song woven continually, rooted in ancient past and in various cultures with fruits here and for each case individually.
More on his blog : http://blog.swiatoslaw.com/
Maestro Edwin Cauper began his work at the age 18, with 3 years long dieta with palos maestros, was trained under his uncle Antonio Sanchez in remote Puerto Nuevo community. He has since accumulated multiple diets with powerful trees and master plants and has been working independently and in various centres over many years, developing very focused, unique style, warm, melodic entrancing icaros, holding space in very stable, balanced way. Works in duet with Maestra Claudia, mostly during our open ayahuasca retreats.
Blez is a psychologist and traveler on Earth and in the inner worlds. He co-founded the Psychonauta Foundation and has made his home in the Amazon jungle with his partner and two children. Since 2016, he has been leading retreats that facilitate contact with psychedelic plants, helping hundreds of individuals expand their consciousness. His favorite plants for these experiences are Ayahuasca and San Pedro.
Over the years, he has undergone many plant diets, including Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Chuchuhuasi, Marosa, Shinipampana, Renaquil, and Chiric Sanango. He earned the nickname "Captain" from a Shipibo healer, he likes it for its connotation of guiding a boat, a psychedelic boat beyond the mind's boundaries. However, he believes true leadership enables individuals to become captains of their own lives.
In his practice, Blez combines his skills as a psychologist with the profound lessons from plants. He is committed to creating a safe, judgment-free space for those seeking healing. His priority is to foster a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Blez takes great care in preparing medicines, ensuring their highest quality. He finds immense satisfaction in witnessing the transformation towards a more conscious existence and improved well-being. He states that healing can be a fascinating journey.
Trailblazing in ayahuasca retreat world since 2011, 10 years of experience in facilitating and managing retreats, pre and post retreat care, dedicated to psychology, neurobiology and anthropology. Trauma survivor, gentle, empathic soul and a mother of 9 year old girl who lives with us in the jungle.
I am a passionate traveler, explorer of the world and being. I left my career in the corporate field to follow the call of my adventurous spirit, the love i have for children, dedicating myself to traveling and deepening my personal growth. As a Breathwork teacher and ayahuasca facilitator, I have found the Amazon rainforest an infinite source of learning and transformation. My commitment to this path is to share and honor the teachings that nature and ancient medicines offer us, guiding others on their own journey of self-discovery. Always seeking to do it in the most fun, kind and compassionate path with myself and others.
Working together and serving as example of harmonious and mature relationship, something we consider a foundation of healthy life, caring and dedicated, fluent in Spanish, English and psychonautics. Alba is also a professional massage therapist offering her sessions during retreats when she is present. In their words :
"We are a couple of travelers, searchers of experiences in different cultures for our personal development and spiritual growth. Our first contact with plant medicine was in 2017, since then, we have been studying life by the hand of different ancient medicines, which brought us to Psychonauta Foundation, where we continue to learn and share our experience and full trust in the process, also help to make this experience above all positive and full of change originating from love."
Our headquarters is based in the jungle, 100 km and around 2 hours away from Iquitos in northern Peru. It is a quiet, off-grid settlement with permanent residents, including children, and private huts for guests coming to our retreats. The place is rustic, designed with intention of maximum immersion in nature, compromised with need for providing safety for humans.
We are based at around 30 ha of our private forest that we commited to keep as such forever. Beyond, thousands more hectares of pristine jungle stretch until the horizon. We realize our dream, living and working in the Amazon forest, near plants, close to nature, close to the local healers’ community.
We came to this piece of land in 2015, slowly and prudently built houses and infrastructure, so as to least interfere with the forest we found at the beginning. We designed the whole resort with the idea of deep work with plants during diets in the Shipibo tradition.
All buildings are fully screened from mosquitoes and other insects. Mosquitoes are not a big nuisance here and malaria risk very low ( no cases ever reported among our guests ), so we do not recommend malaria medication.
We always pick our guests from Iquitos airport, and from that moment you do not have to worry about any logistics.
We are about 30 minutes away from local clinic, in case of emergency, but it has never been needed in our history.
Some of our guests join our conservation efforts and decide to invest in buying more forest land to keep it in its natural state, and we can help in that process. Some have already settled with us for good.
There are small streams running through our property, and around 20 minutes walk away one of largest tributaries of Amazon called Maranon, where pink dolphins can be seen.
A few hours away on this river, Pacaya Samiria begins, second biggest protected natural area in Peru and one of the best spots for nature tourism lovers, so you may leave some days after your retreat for extra adventure.
