The Shaman

We are very delighted to have secured the services of some of the most experienced shamans in the region, during our Retreats we will work with one of the following shamans;, Artidoro Aro Cardenas, Enrique Lopez, Leoncio Garcia and Benjamin Ochavano.

Artidoro Aro Cardenas

We have worked with Maestro Artidoro on our previous Amazon Retreat, and again we were greatly impressed with his knowledge of medicinal and power plants, and his compassion and support for the participants. Although Artidoro is Mestizo he has lived amongst the Ashaninka Indians for many years, and has learned their languages which result in that many of his chants come from a variety of indigenous groups including the Ashaninka, Cashibo, and Capanaua .He has started his own centre near Iquitos.

Enrique Lopez

Enrique Lopez Is a Shipibo shaman, he is originally from the Shipibo community of Roaboya on the River Ucayali. He started his apprenticeship as a shaman with his grandfather when he was 10 years old. We worked with Enrique at our last retreat, and found his ayahuasca to be very potent. His chants are all in the native Shipibo language which adds another dimension to the ceremonies. Enrique is knowledgeable about plant medicines and diets. The Shipibo people are regarded as masters of Ayahuasca. Enrique has a gentle and caring quality in his work with our participants. As a note his father in law is the elder shaman Benjamin Ochavano whom we also work with.

Leoncio Garcia

The Shipibo maestro is now in his mid 70's with the appearance of a man in his 50's. He was born in the Shipibo community of San Francisco by Yarina Cocha (an oxbow lake near Pucullpa). On a number of occasions he has worked with medical doctors in various cities in Peru. Don Leoncio also founded a healing centre near Nina Rumi on the Rio Nanay.

Benjamin Ochavano

Benjamin Ochavano Is a traditional Shipibo (elder shaman). He is in his late seventies. His chants (icaros) sung in the Shipibo language are extraordinary, beautiful and powerful.