WHY CHAKA RUNA
Don Gino & Team
Meet Don Gino, a Peruvian shaman from Puno whose work brings together the traditions of the Andes and the Amazon, and the team who support each Dieta with care.
“We bridge you gently into the realm of the mother and bring you back safely.”
— Don Gino
Meet the team ↓
WHY CHAKA RUNA
Don Gino & the Chaka Runa Team
Meet Don Gino, a Peruvian shaman from Puno who guides Ayahuasca ceremonies and Master Plant Dietas, and the team who support each retreat with care. His work brings together traditions of the Andes and the Amazon.
“We bridge you gently into the realm of the mother and bring you back safely.”
— Don Gino
THE SHAMAN
Don Gino Chaka Runa
From architecture to Plant Medicine
Born in Puno, in the highlands of Peru, Don Gino trained and worked as an architect before dedicating himself fully to Plant Medicine.
His path began in the Andes and later led him into the Peruvian Amazon, where he deepened his knowledge through Master Plant Dietas and training with experienced Mestizo maestros.
Experience shaped by practice
For more than 10 years, he has worked with Ayahuasca, Master Plants and other traditional medicines. More than 7,000 people have participated in Dietas guided by him, many travelling to Peru from around the world.
Puno
Born in the Andes
Architect
Professional background
10+ Years
Plant Medicine experience
7,000+
Dieta participants
An initiation at fifteen
At fifteen, Gino was initiated into the shamanic path by his grandfather, who gave him the name Chaka Runa, meaning Bridge Man in Quechua. Through him, Gino was introduced to Andean Cosmovision and the traditional use of sacred plants.
Into the Amazon
Drawn to the Amazon, Gino undertook Master Plant Dietas and trained with Don José Campos, deepening his knowledge and practice within the Mestizo tradition. His wider lineage connects through Don Solón Tello and Don Guillermo Hojanama.
Shipibo influences
Alongside his Mestizo training, Gino learned from Shipibo traditions, including ceremonial practices and Icaros. His work brings these influences together with the Andean knowledge passed down through his family.
HIS LINEAGE
From the Andes to the Amazon
Andean roots
Gino’s grandfather was a Yatiri, a traditional Andean healer from an Inca lineage. He spoke only Quechua and lived to the age of 100.
HIS WORK TODAY
A living tradition,
practiced in the present
Dietas & Ayahuasca ceremonies
Don Gino guides Master Plant Dietas and Ayahuasca ceremonies in the Peruvian Amazon and the Sacred Valley.
His practice includes Ayahuasca, Master Plants, Mapacho, Rapé, Kambo and Sananga, alongside Icaros and medicine songs shaped by Mestizo and Shipibo traditions and sung in Quechua, Spanish and Shipibo.
Guidance & care
During ceremonies, Don Gino understands his role as a Chaka Runa: a bridge between participants, the medicine and the spiritual realm. In his tradition, Master Plants and power animals offer guidance through visions, dreams and ceremonial experiences.
Safety is central to his approach, together with the trust and attentive support that help people engage with the work.
Approachable
A warm, direct manner and a sense of humour make it easier to ask questions and speak openly.
Understands international participants
With Peruvian and Italian roots, experience living abroad and years of guiding international participants, Gino understands the different expectations, questions and concerns visitors may bring.
English, Spanish & Italian
He speaks fluent English, Spanish and Italian, allowing participants who speak these languages to communicate with him directly.
Individual guidance
He adapts his guidance and the amount of Ayahuasca served to each participant’s needs, including those attending their first Master Plant Dieta.
HIS UNIQUE APPROACH
Mestizo Tradition with a human
and practical approach
Don Gino stays personally involved throughout the Dieta, making time for questions and conversations about what participants are experiencing.
MEET THE TEAM
The people behind the Chaka Runa Team
From supporting ceremonies to preparing meals and caring for the grounds, each person contributes to the Dieta experience. Some work closely with participants; others care for the place and daily routines that make the retreat possible.
Team presence varies by program. Please contact us if you need support in a particular language.
Toni
Student & Assistant
EN · ES
Marquito
Ecologist & Teacher
EN · ES · FR · DE
Matt
Student & Assistant
EN
Kim
Student & Assistant
EN · FR · NO
Sia
Student & Assistant
EN · PL
Mateo
Assistant & Marketing
EN · ES · DE
Mai
Student & Assistant
EN · ES · HE · FR
Ali
Musician & Medicine Cook
ES
Orlando
Assistant
EN · ES
Alejandro
Center Manager
ES
Melo
Center Assistant
ES
Juano
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Jhoel
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Lenin
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Yhelson
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Rebeca
Kitchen
ES
Nina & Qello
Four-legged team
Yana
Four-legged team
Samuel
Four-legged team
MEET THE TEAM
The people behind Chaka Runa
From supporting ceremonies to preparing meals and caring for the grounds, each person contributes to the Dieta experience. Some work closely with participants; others care for the place and daily routines that make the retreat possible.
Team presence varies by program. Please contact us if you need support in a particular language.
Toni
Student & Assistant
EN · ES
Marquito
Ecologist & Teacher
EN · ES · FR · DE
Tito
Student & Assistant
EN
Kim
Student & Assistant
EN · FR · NO
Sia
Student & Assistant
EN · PL
Mateo
Assistant & Marketing
EN · ES · DE
Mia
Student & Assistant
EN · ES · HE · FR
Ali
Musician & Medicine
ES
Orlando
Assistant
EN · ES
Alejandro
Center Manager
ES
Melo
Center Manager
ES
Juano
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Jhoel
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Franco
Chief Guard
ES · EN
Lenin
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Yhelson
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Rebeca
Kitchen
ES
Gelimer
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Joselito
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Randy
Four-legged team
Fluent in cuddles.
Nina & Qello
Four-legged team
Yana
Four-legged team
Samuel
Four-legged team
A PARTICIPANT’S EXPERIENCE
In their own words
“If you feel the call from The Mother, I highly recommend Don Gino. He does his work with total respect and humbleness and is a complete, solid, strong rock while taking you deep into the realms of the medicine.
Don Gino, thank you for your work, a true warrior in service of The Mother.”
— Hannah, UK
THE SHAMAN
Don Gino Chaka Runa
From architecture to Plant Medicine
Born in Puno, in the highlands of Peru, Don Gino trained and worked as an architect before dedicating himself fully to Plant Medicine.
His path began in the Andes and later led him into the Peruvian Amazon, where he deepened his knowledge through Master Plant Dietas and training with experienced Mestizo maestros.
Experience shaped by practice
For more than 10 years, he has worked with Ayahuasca, Master Plants and other traditional medicines. More than 7,000 people have participated in Dietas guided by him, many travelling to Peru from around the world.
His work remains rooted in the knowledge he received, while continuing to develop through personal practice and direct experience with the plants.
Puno
Born in the Andes
Architect
Professional background
10+ years
Plant Medicine experience
7,000+
Dieta participants
HIS LINEAGE
From the Andes to the Amazon
Andean roots
Gino’s grandfather was a Yatiri, a traditional Andean healer from an Inca lineage. He spoke only Quechua and lived to the age of 100.
An initiation at fifteen
At fifteen, Gino was initiated into the shamanic path by his grandfather, who gave him the name Chaka Runa, meaning “Bridge Man” in Quechua. Through him, Gino was introduced to Andean Cosmovision and the traditional use of sacred plants.
Into the Amazon
Drawn to the Amazon, Gino began undertaking Master Plant Dietas and deepening his practice. His Mestizo Maestro lineage connects through Don Solón Tello, Don Guillermo Hojanama and Don José Campos.
Shipibo influences
Alongside his Mestizo training, Gino learned from Shipibo traditions, including ceremonial practices and Icaros. His work brings these influences together with the Andean knowledge passed down through his family.
HIS WORK TODAY
A living tradition,
practiced in the present
Dietas & ceremonies
Don Gino guides Master Plant Dietas and Plant Medicine ceremonies in the Peruvian Amazon and the Sacred Valley.
His practice includes Ayahuasca, Master Plants, Mapacho, Rapé, Kambo and Sananga, alongside Icaros and medicine songs influenced by Mestizo, Shipibo, Quechua and Spanish traditions.
Guidance & care
During ceremony, he understands his role as a Chaka Runa: a bridge between participants, the medicine and the spiritual realm. Within this traditional worldview, Master Plants and power animals may be understood as spiritual allies encountered through visions, dreams or ceremonial experience.
Safety is central to his approach, together with the trust and attentive support that help people engage with the work.
Explore Safety & Care →
HIS UNIQUE APPROACH
Mestizo Tradition with a human
and practical approach
Don Gino takes the work seriously, while remaining easy-going, approachable and full of humour. He stays personally involved throughout the Dieta, making time for questions and conversations about what participants are experiencing.
Approachable
A warm, direct manner and a sense of humour make it easier to ask questions and speak openly.
Multilingual
He speaks fluent English, Spanish and Italian, allowing participants who speak these languages to communicate with him directly.
Understands Western participants
Being half Italian and having worked with international participants for many years, Gino understands both his Peruvian traditions and the expectations, questions and concerns that visitors may bring.
Individual guidance
He adapts his guidance and the intensity of the work to the person, including those attending their first Plant Medicine Dieta.
Learn more about Our Approach →
MEET THE TEAM
The people behind Chaka Runa
From supporting ceremonies to preparing meals and caring for the grounds, each person contributes to the Dieta experience. Some work closely with participants; others care for the place and daily routines that make the retreat possible.
Team presence varies by program. Please contact us if you need support in a particular language.
Toni
Student & Assistant
EN · ES
Quito
Student & Assistant
EN · ES · FR · DE
Tito
Student & Assistant
EN
Kim
Student & Assistant
EN · FR · NO
Sia
Student & Assistant
EN · PL
Mia
Student & Assistant
EN · ES · HE · FR
Ali
Musician & Medicine
ES
Alejandro
Center Manager
ES
Jhoel
Center Manager
ES
Franco
Chief Guard
ES · EN
Rebeca
Kitchen
ES
Juano
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Lenin
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Yelson
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Gelimer
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Joselito
Maintenance & Grounds
ES
Randy
Four-legged team
Fluent in cuddles.
Matías
Assistant & Marketing
EN- ES - DE
THIS GOES AFTER MIA
Nina
Four-legged team
Fluent in cuddles.
A PARTICIPANT’S EXPERIENCE
In their own words
“If you feel the call from The Mother, I highly recommend Don Gino. He does his work with total respect and humbleness and is a complete, solid, strong rock while taking you deep into the realms of the medicine.
Don Gino, thank you for your work, a true warrior in service of The Mother.”
— Hannah, UK
Breathe.
Surrender.
Do your work.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Explore the Amazon Dieta
Join Don Gino and the team at our retreat center in the Peruvian Amazon. Discover the Dieta experience, explore upcoming dates or contact us with your questions.
Questions before deciding? Contact us →
