Mayantuyacu is a healing retreat in Puerto Inca Province, Peru. Located near Pucallpa, the Mayantuyacu sanctuary covers 180 hectares of Amazon rainforest.[1] In Asháninka language, Mayantuyacu means "the water and the air".[2] According to the local guides, "Mayantu" refers to the spirit of the jungle, and "Yacu" refers to the spirit of the water.[3]
The retreat was established by Juan Flores Salazar, an Ashaninka traditional healer (vegetalismo). He was born into a family of traditional healers; he states that he established Mayantuyacu to practice plant therapy and pass on the traditional knowledge to future generations. His healing techniques involve use of tobacco, bark, natural fragrances and ayahuasca.[1] [4]
Mayantuyacu has many natural hot springs.[2] The area also has the Shanay-Timpishka hot stream, which has been described as "The Boiling River" by geoscientist Andrés Ruzo in a book by the same name.[3]