The day-to-day experiences written about here are similar to mine. There is a very caring environment at Refugio Altiplano, and for me, it was very sad to leave. Scott has one of the quickest senses of humor I have had the pleasure to encounter anywhere, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful, from beginning to end. My trip was planned for me, without my input. It was the time of my life.

I have stayed at the Refugio Altiplano 2 times. It is a wonderful and comfortable place to enjoy the Amazon and Ayahuasca. Fantastic ceremonies! Scott is very caring and helpful as a guide and shaman. A very cleansing place that I hope to return to again.

Highly recommended to those looking for transformation in their lives. High adventure and beauty.

Very relaxing! I selected Refugio Antiplano based on information from internet websites such as Tripadvisor then I travelled to the Amazonian Rainforest in October 2011. I felt like I was at home there. Scott and the staff were very congenial and helpful. I was concerned that my inability to speak Spanish would be a hindrance, but I managed fine there. The accomodation was a spacious, rustic house (over 1000 sq. ft) all to myself. The food was plentiful. A jar of tea and a large bowl of sliced fruit was delivered to your door each morning. There was sit down brunch and supper which consisted of homemade soups (tasty), salads and entres consisting of breaded fish or chicken served by the gracious ladies. There was also a vegetarian option. Meals were not hurried; they were a time of socializing. I was never hungry at the Refugio Antiplano. There was plenty of herbal tea and Peruvian coffee available. The ladies also did laundry at your request. But the best part of the trip was the commaraderie that I felt with the guests and staff. Part of the healing involved synchronicity as we discussed topics of interest and shared reading materials. Scott was able to tailor each guest with what was required in an uncanny way, as a clever Shaman like him is apt to do. I never felt any pressure to do any of the activities. There were walks to the rainforest and botanical garden, swims in the river, trips to local villages by boat, ceremonies and plenty of down time to do whatever you chose to do. The setting was pristine. There was an abundance and incredible variety of birds and insects in the area. I saw some squirrel-like monkeys scampering about the trees by the main house, which was a novelty for me. I experienced the Peruvian hospitality through guides like Teddy and Jose, who are very versitile and compentent. Manuel, one of the Shamans blessed me with his incredible soothing voice as he sung the Shipibo icaros. I would recommend this resort for those who are heartfeltly seeking serenity and contact with nature. Healing seemed to occur almost imperceptibly as people shared their experiences, encouraged and helped one another. I thank Scott and his "crew", including the ladies at the office in Iquitos (Mariella and Doris) for making this trip a reality for me. I met some kindred souts at this retreat. I only have one regret. Although I brought mosquito spray, I still got some bites. They bite mostly in the evening when it is very dark.

My girlfriend and I had been dreaming of going to the Amazon and experiencing an ayahuasca ceremony there. Four very dear friends had all been to Refugio Altiplano and had tremendously transformative experiences while there. It was on the top of my list as a result. I had heard that there are many places and people that offer the ceremony, but that it was a literal mine field. You are putting your soul in the hands of an unknown person. They better have a good reference and be properly qualified to lead such a ceremony.

Scott Petersen, the creator of this magical place has presided over 4,000 ceremonies by his count. He has been there for two decades and has dedicated his life to the ceremony, the plants, trees, wildlife and most importantly, the people of the region. He also understands customer service and he and his staff take great pains to make sure that their guests feel provided for. Beginning with being greeted in Iquitos and brought to the Refugio, which is about an hour and a half by boat (50 km) from the city. Once at the Refugio, your bags are taken up the long path for you to a literal "mansion" in the jungle. We stayed in a two level cabin that was so well designed and comfortable that we had a hard time leaving in the morning (and it wasn't just because of the ceremony the night before!). You are fed 3 delicious, fresh meals a day (fresh fruit and tea are left at your door at 7am each day). Someone will also do your laundry when needed. Our neighbors were these magnificent, mischieveous monkeys that we would watch from the hammocks on our second floor porch while also watching the birds, Blue Morphos butterflies and other amazing creatures that inhabit the jungle. During the day, you can wander thru the rain forrest or their garden with Teddy, who is beyond knowledgeable about the the plants and trees and learn about them. Or, you can take a boat and visit neighboring villages. At 7:30, you are escorted from your cabin to the ceremonial space. Scott is very cautious about the doses that he will administer to each person. He believes that it is better to ease someone in and get them comfortable with the space then to literally "blow them out", which I have heard has happened to many and turned them completely off to ayahuasca.

Once the ceremony begins, two shaman who work with Scott, Manuel and Jose sing the most transcendent icaros to assist you on your journey. The formal ceremony lasts about 3 hours and Scott checks in with you regularly, not interupting your journey, but looking at your energy and assisting when needed. I felt completely safe and nurtured as did my girlfriend.

When the ceremony is over, you are led back to your cabin to continue the journeying.

Ceremonies are done two days in a row with one day off. On the off evening, you can take a sauna in a woodburning sauna that Scott had made for the place. It is right by a stream, so you can go to the stream with the buckets provided and pour some cold water over you in intervals. They also have a pitcher of cold filtered water outside waiting for you with cups.

In addition, Scott will spend time with you and make recommendations for herbs and teas that could assist you in fully cleansing your system. The teas are then brought to your cabin every day freshly made.

To be clear, you can go there for a serious healing protocol or you can go there to discover and connect with some of the most profound energies that are around us also, but unreachable to most of us. It is a commitment and work. The "mother plant" is to be respected and treated with reverence. If you go there with that attitude and openness, you will be treated to an extraordinarily profound experience.

I cannot wait to go back.