Who We Are

Selva Lawler Villacorta

Maestra of the Huachuma Mesada, Retreat Facilitador & Owner of SpiritQuest Sanctuary

Selva is Don Howard’s daughter and supremely gifted prodigy. Selva was born in Iquitos and has grown up in Shamanic culture reflecting her Amazonian ancestry. Selva was christened with Ayahuasca in a ceremony when she was 3 months old. She has expressed an early appreciation and interest in plants, insects, and jungle life.

Selva has been her father’s ardent apprentice in Shamanism since childhood and been present and participating in ceremonies since an early age.

Selva provides guidance, instruction, and personal attention for all your Shamanic work at SpiritQuest. Besides her Shamanic work, you will find Selva helping you communicate with staff and facilitating anything you might need during your stay. She is bilingual. She translates during your visits to indigenous tribes.

Don Howard Lawler

Founder & Maestro Emeritus of Shamanic Programs at SpiritQuest Sanctuary

October 3, 1947 - October 13, 2019 (Ascended)

Don Howard was the founder and Maestro Emeritus of Listening to the Plants at SpiritQuest Shamanic Sanctuary.

Don Howard practiced traditional core Shamanism for over 50 years, and during that time initiated thousands and thousands of people in traditional ceremonial plant Shamanism. His Shamanic practice was rooted in the ancient art of the Chavín Huachuma mesa.

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Don Rober Acho

Maestro Banco Ayahuasquero

Don Rober is a genuine Lamista Banco Ayahuasquero. Don Rober’s mastery of the art of Ayahuasca Curanderismo (Shamanic healing) is extraordinary, spanning over 60 years of healing practice in the Lamista tradition of the upper Amazon. Don Rober was initiated in Ayahuasca at 7 years old, began apprenticing with the medicine at age 11, and has continually refined his mastery and knowledge of the art of Ayahuasca Curanderismo for over 60 years. Don Rober’s intuitive gifts and perceptual insight is complemented by his authentic, humble and unassuming manner. He is a natural Maestro (Master, teacher) and native taught, and possesses knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Amazon jungle healers. Don Rober possesses an extraordinary knowledge of the Amazon’s healing plants and how to use them safely and properly. Don Rober and his family have been working at SpiritQuest for over 23 years.

Don Carlos Acho

Maestro Camalonguero

Don Carlos comes from a truly sublime lineage of Banco Ayahuascero Shamans and Amazonian Curanderismo of healing and higher consciousness at the most elevated of levels. Don Carlos is the son of Don Rober and Doña Eliana and has lived, breathed, learned, and worked with many teacher-healer plants of the Amazon his entire life. Don Carlos is the fourth generation in his family lineage of Banco Ayahuascero Shamans and Curanderos. He isn mainly camalonga master.

Don Carlos, along with his parents, form a remarkable triumvirate both during the Ayahuasca ceremonies and outside of the Ayahuasca ceremonies in which the whole of the Acho family greatly exceeds the sum of its parts.

Doña Eliana Acho

Maestra curandera

Doña Eliana has thrived in the world of Amazonian Curanderismo all of her life. A native of Lamas in the upper Amazon, Doña Eliana has been enormously instrumental in assisting Don Rober in his healing work for over 50 years. When Doña Eliana sings the icaros during Ayahuasca ceremonies, time and time again people characterize her voice as being absolutely angelic. Doña Eliana is a loving, warm, and compassionate Curandera.

Doña Eliana helps administer the flower baths with supreme love and care as well as a beautiful icaro the morning after every Ayahuasca ceremony.

Reyna Villacorta Vasquez

SpiritQuest Owner & Director of Guest Services

Reyna is Don Howard's wife, she was born in the small jungle village of Bretania, on the edge of the great Pacara-Samiria rainforest reserve. Reyna was raised in the old jungle culture and learned about medicinal plants from early childhood. Reyna owns SpiritQuest and assists with food services and guest comforts at SpiritQuest and helps coordinate our staff and retreats. She is quietly present in the Huachuma mesadas and Ayahuasca ceremonies.