Amazon Jungle Reiki & Yoga Initiation Retreat in Peru

Tambo Ilusión sits on a privately protected piece of Amazon forest just outside Tarapoto, in Peru's San Martín region. Six wooden bungalows (called tambos) are scattered among the trees, each with a screened veranda, two hammocks, and a private bathroom. A spring-fed lagoon at the centre of the property is where guests swim, cool off, or simply sit and watch birds. Despite being only 15 minutes from central Tarapoto and an easy domestic flight from Lima, the city fades quickly once you're inside the gates.

The Reiki training itself covers the Usui system's history, lineage and five principles, but the emphasis is practical. You receive four attunements over the five days, learn a structured self-treatment sequence, and practise giving full treatments to another person (or to Johanne, if you're the only guest). She also introduces how Reiki can be offered to animals — the property is home to horses, and spending quiet time with them is part of the schedule — as well as plants, food and water.

Johanne's teaching style is grounded: she doesn't claim unusual sensitivity or the ability to see auras, and she doesn't expect you to either. The approach is that you learn the hand positions, receive the attunements, and let your own experience develop over time rather than chasing dramatic energy sensations. Questions are encouraged throughout, and because the retreat maxes out at two guests, there's no pressure to keep pace with a group.

Around the Reiki sessions, the days include gentle yoga (alignment-based, Anusara-inspired, with pranayama and meditation woven in), two herbal plant cleansing rituals traditional to the region, and plenty of unscheduled time. You might read on your porch, journal, nap, walk the forest trail, or take another dip in the lagoon. Days four and five are deliberately lighter on structured content to give space for integration.

Meals are vegetarian and vegan, freshly prepared on site: hummus with roasted vegetables, quinoa with sautéed greens, sweet potato purée, a local squash stew adapted to be meat-free. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included, plus water, tea and coffee throughout the day. Dietary requirements — gluten-free, nut-free, low-fat — can be accommodated with advance notice.

You leave with a Reiki Level 1 certificate, the study manual, and enough hands-on hours that continuing to practise at home feels achievable rather than abstract.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in a private wooden bungalow - 3 daily vegetarian/vegan meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Complete Usui Reiki Level 1 initiation with four attunements - Reiki Level 1 certification and study manual - 2 Reiki treatments received during the retreat - Daily yoga and meditation classes - 2 herbal plant cleansing rituals - Time with the horses - 1 hour wellness treatment - Round-trip airport transfers from Tarapoto Airport - Free wifi - Pre- and post-retreat support

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments or spa services not listed - Activities outside the retreat itinerary - Personal expenses - Laundry service (available for an extra fee)