Healer & Guides
Held within Yagua tradition
Indigenous Tradition, Living Practice
This work is rooted in the living traditions of the Yagua people and carried by those who are in direct relationship with the forest and its plants.
The retreat is part of an indigenous-owned project, created to share this work in a way that is respectful, grounded, and supportive of the communities it comes from.
Alongside ceremony, guests are guided through the Amazon by experienced local guides, offering a deeper understanding of the environment in which this work originates.
A nurse is also part of the team, offering an added layer of care and support throughout the experience.
Abelardo Campos
Yagua Ceremonial Healer
Abelardo Campos was born in a small village called Panguana in the Peruvian Amazon, near the border between Colombia and Ecuador.
His father worked for a patrón in the rubber industry, and when Abelardo was six years old, he was forced to labor in this industry, carrying items back and forth.
His grandfather worked as a laborer during the day, but at night he was a shaman, treating people with ayahuasca.
Abelardo was a curious child. He remembers running away from his mother one night to sneak over to his grandfather’s ceremony to catch a glimpse. His grandfather let him join- he was seven years old- and he drank a small amount of ayahuasca.
He had visions, but did not understand what they were or what was happening. The next day, he told his grandfather about them, who said, “You had good visions. Maybe you will be a good healer.”
Abelardo continued attending ceremonies over the following years, deepening his experience.
When he was nine years old, he had a powerful vision in which the Ayahuasca “Mama” told him he needed to learn to whistle ícaros- sacred healing songs used during ceremonies. His grandfather taught him some of his own ícaros and encouraged him to ask the Ayahuasca Mama to teach him his own. She did, and most of the ícaros he carries today were learned in this way.
He also began to undertake dietas- periods of restriction and isolation used to develop as a healer. During one of these, he lived in the rainforest for a year. His grandfather would bring him fish and bananas. He came out of that time physically thin, but deeply advanced in his path.
When Abelardo was twelve years old, his grandfather passed away. Before he died, he encouraged Abelardo to continue the work.
At twenty years old, Abelardo treated his first patient- his own mother, who was very ill. In a dream, the Ayahuasca Mama told him to treat her. He did, and she recovered.
Since then, he has continued working as a healer, treating mostly people in the Iquitos region. In recent years, he has begun opening his work to those who travel to meet him, while remaining rooted in the traditions and practices that shaped him.
My name is May Arriaga Chávez. I was born in the heart of the Amazon, in a small Quichua village surrounded by rainforest and life.
For me, the jungle is not just a place- it is my home, my school, and my identity.
From an early age, I learned to understand and respect nature: to read the sounds of the forest, track wildlife, find water in the trees, and survive using only what the jungle provides.
Today, I am an experienced guide, fluent in Spanish, English, and my local dialect, creating meaningful connections between travelers and Amazonian communities.
Each expedition I lead is more than a tour- it is an authentic experience. I share close encounters with wildlife while explaining its importance in preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Beyond guiding, my mission is to protect the Amazon.
I work with local children to inspire environmental awareness and help preserve our rainforest for future generations.
Jungle Guide & Host
May Arriaga Chávez
Evila Danela Núñez Acubino, RN
Nurse
My name is Evila Danela Núñez Acubino. I was born on July 18, 1990, in a Yagua community along the Amazon River, in the district of Indiana.
From a young age, I learned to listen, respect, and value life, while also understanding the importance of education and walking a professional path.
I am a nurse with nine years of experience, and I also carry knowledge in dentistry. During the retreat, I am present as both a member of the team and a medical professional, offering an added layer of care and support- especially for our female participants, who may feel more at ease knowing a woman and nurse is part of the space.
I value teamwork, connection, and supporting others. I am passionate about learning, personal growth, and helping others grow in their own way.
I deeply enjoy spending time with my children, who are still young and close to my heart.
My dream is to continue growing both personally and professionally, and to keep building these projects so they can support others and come fully into life.
James Saúl Mori Pacaya
Local Guide
My name is James Saúl Mori Pacaya. I was born in the rainforest, in a small Kukama native village called Libertad, on the banks of the Ucayali River.
The jungle is not just the place where I grew up — it is my home, my life, and my identity.
Since I was a child, I learned to respect it, to listen to it, and to live in harmony with it. The rainforest teaches us, nourishes us, and connects us with what truly matters.
I am 41 years old and a father of three children. Everything I do is for them. I do not want them to grow up in a world without forests, without life, without the green that gives us everything.
I strongly believe that tourism is important. Through it, I have learned many things and have come to see the world in a different way. When done responsibly, tourism can help protect the rainforest and improve the lives of local communities.