Iquitos Travel Forum

Im travelling through South America next year and high on my priorties list is a extensive tour of the rainforest. One of the higher priorites in touring the rainforest is to find a indigenous Indian tribe who offer Ayahuasca ceremonies as part of your visit. Its definately not your usual tourist request but if anyone has had this experience or know of where to go and who to speak to in order to enjoy this deeply spiritual experience it would be much appreciated to know. Cheers.

I know it's fairly common in the Iquitos, Peru area. Lots of tourists take part in the ayahuasca ceremony with local shamans. I'm sure you could get some good information at the iPeru office on the Plaza de Armas in the center of town. Another source of info is Gerald Mayeaux, owner of the Yellow Rose of Texas restaurant just off the Plaza. Just ask anyone for the "Yellow Rose" or "Texas" -- it's well known as the main stop for gringos. He's there mnost of the time in the day and evening. I've heard a lot of people passing through talk about it while sitting at the sidewalk tables at Gerald's place.

I have been to Iquitos many times and I have a wife and son in Iquitos that will be joining me here soon. Your question about the root Ayahuaca is a good one. Many people go to Iquitos just to drink the root. Please like you say go out to a tribal shaman for this. In Iquitos there is many people who will get you what you want but they are in it just for the "gringos" money. In the Jungle the shamans only want a little donation, clothes, watches candies for the kids. and they are the real thing. Please talk with William Grimes at
dawnontheamazon.com this is his webpage and talks about him and how he helps tourist with an adventure of a lifetime. I have spent many days with him and his guides before he was in business. He loved the country and the AMAZON RAINFOREST and the people of Iquitos and parts of the jungle he visits.
Thanks if you would like more info contact Bill Grimes

Again I read the repy about going to "THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS"
DO NOT GO THERE.......TALK WITH LOCAL PEOPLE FIRST THEY WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THE OWNER OF THIS BUSINESS AND HOW HE TREATS THE LOCAL PEOPLE....
All he talks about is himself and how he did this or did that. Please read this blog http://dawnontheamazon.com/blog/category/the-amazon-golf-club/ about him first if you think he is a good man. If you spend money with him he likes you but if he sees you go into another place close he will talk about you from then on. And the way he treats locals and the HOMELESS, HUNGRY KIDS IT IS TERRIBLE