Master Plant Dieta with Gilberto Mahua
Gilberto Mahua started his apprenticeship when he was 12 years old with the rest of his siblings. His learning comes from the powerful lineage of curanderos. The Mahua are a famous lineage across Peru. In actuality, he is the last of his siblings offering Dietas and healing. We all know him as Papa Gilberto.
What to expect?
Papa offers several plants depending on your intention, whether it is to explore this practice or to understand and release a physical or mental condition. Papa offers several plants such as Bobinsana, Chiric Sanango, Noya Rao, Marosa, and other local plants. These plants can be done in dietas of 2 weeks or less. Some other plants are exclusively for a 1-month dieta or for experienced dieteros.
Dates
September 5th, 2026 - September 25th, 2026 (availability to expand or reduce your stay)
We’ll meet in Pucallpa, Peru, on the 5th, and on the 6th, we’ll take a 4-hour boat trip to Paoyhan. Paoyhan is a Shipibo community, so you’ll experience direct interaction with their culture. They only speak Spanish and Shipibo. The Community is lovely and always curious to meet people.
We’ll go in a group on the 6th, but if you are not able to make it that day, I can support you in preparing to arrive in Paoyhan with the help of the team in Pucallpa. Depending on how long you are staying, the plant is selected by Papa.
The experience during the Dieta
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We start with a purgativo which is a plant medicine that allows you to cleanse your stomach to receive the medicine. You are welcome to skip this step if you want to.
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The flower bath is a bath done with flowers and fresh plants that helps you cleanse the energetic body and protects your energy during the dieta. You can have one at the beginning and/or the end of your dieta to protect your body as you integrate into the city and daily life outside of the retreat.
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The way Papa works during a dieta is that the first ceremony he opens your dieta, and the next day you receive your plant medicine in the form of a tea, which you’ll drink 3 or 4 times during the dieta. And the next day you have the ceremony again. The rest of the dieta schedule would be the days as ceremony day, rest day, ceremony day, and so on until the last ceremony is for the closure and we return to the city.
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Integrations happen the next day after the ceremony, where we gather in a group to share our insights.
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Papa’s Garden is land where he plants and harvests material for his medicine. We coordinate a trip to the jungle to meet some of the plants used in dietas. Is a great opportunity to meet trees and plants, enjoy a boat trip, and swim in the river!
We’ll meet in Pucallpa, Peru
On Saturday, September 5th, we’ll meet in the town of Pucallpa. Shuttle transportation is available at the airport, or connect with me if you want support to organize a pickup. We’ll meet in downtown Plaza de Armas to get supplies, gather, and chat before our next day trip by boat to Paoyhan.
More details
Paoyhan is a four-hour northbound boat trip from Pucallpa. Depending on the season, you can also take the road from Pucallpa by motocar instead.
Depending of availability and timing. We´ll have a handcrafts market in the community where you can buy embroidery, jewelry and other beautiful crafts.
The schedule during the retreat is for focus and rest. Is a great time to journaling, nap and recharge for the next ceremony. One day is ceremony the next day is rest and so on. You will have 3 meals in rest day and 2 meals in ceremony and the cost of you stay offers a private tambo (jungle cabin).
This price covers the service of guiding, support, translation, integration and facilitation for the full experience of this travel. This does not cover the price of the retreat that will be paid directly to Gilberto Mahua
Frequently Asked Questions
Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. Do you still have questions, or do you want to proceed with the application process?
If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and reach out via Contact.
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We set a call first to understand more about your background such as lifestyle and physical condition to conclude you’ll have a smooth process during your staying, how our teacher can support during the dieta and how I can support during the process. We do an initial intake to make sure.
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You’ll receive a welcome pack with all the information you need. You can also reach out via email or in the intake call we can go through all your questions.
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I’m experienced dieting over the years. I have over 1 year of dietas and over 15 plants dieeted. Papa offers his retreat in a shipibo community and not a city. He’s been offering dietas for over 30 years and he’s reputation has been word of mouth.
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Check out the Contact page.
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You only pay my services as guide and support which is the 50% of the price. The rest you pay directly in the retreat by cash. The pricing is very affordable because the retreat doesn’t rely in costs of marketing, foreign staff and external foreign pricing. They only work in their currency.