Natalia says, "I can't say enough thanks to the amazing crew that made this experience possible. The ceremony helped me work through deep trauma and helped me to reconnect to my spirituality." See more
Megan says, "Abi makes you feel so comfortable and explains things perfectly for you before going into it. She was very in tune with everyone’s needs during each ceremony and I can not thank her enough for my experience." See more
Nipun says, "Attended with my wife. Words cannot describe how amazing this place is. Gorgeous location aside. The team worked tirelessly to make sure everyone was feeling settled, comfortable and felt love." See more
Anonymous says, "My time with Haley and Jaya was nothing short of divine perfection. If you are looking for a sign to move forward with an experience with Haley and Jaya, then this is it." See more
Soyoung says, "I'm so grateful Brad has this calling to help those that are suffering. He is a treasure. " See more
Cassandra says, "What an incredibly blessed and sacred experience hosted by two amazing shamans! The setting touched me immediately upon arriving, and it is already having an impact on how I am living the rest of my life." See more
Maxie says, "I love the display that the shaman and the group he was with, for ayahuasca retreat. They sang beautifully all throughout the night. The energy stayed alive. My first intentions was to kind of enjoy my retreat to myself and uh zone out and sleep during the ayahuasca ceremony." See more
Learn about the retreat center & ceremony facilitators
Understand the practical aspects of the retreat
Ask Retreat Centers Questions Directly
Your comfort level is paramount for a safe and fruitful journey. If you feel drawn to a certain retreat, but the listing doesn’t provide all the information you need.
Feel free to inquire with the organizers or facilitators directly. The Contact option is available just under the Booking button on every listing.
Aside from getting the responses you need to put your mind at ease, opening a line of communication with those who will be taking care of you will enhance your intuition into whether you’ll be in good hands.
Another good way to get insight into details not mentioned in the listing is by checking the Review section — those who have already attended are best at pointing out the virtues and flaws.
Having a clear intention before the ceremony can make an incredible difference in how your experience unfolds.
Maintaining psychophysical purity, or some form of dieta can go a long way in warding off unnecessary suffering once you drink.
Make sure that your intentions are not actually your expectations. It’s in your best interest to let go of the illusion of control.
The effects of ayahuasca typically unfold across distinct phases over 4-6 hours, though the full journey can last up to 8 hours for some people. Traditional Amazonian ceremonies usually begin in the evening and continue through the night, with the most intense period occurring 1-2 hours after drinking the medicine. The physical effects often start within 30 minutes, while the visionary phase commonly peaks between hours 2-4. After the main journey subsides, many experience a gentle "landing" period of 1-2 hours where insights continue to emerge. In traditional contexts, integration begins immediately after the ceremony and extends for days or weeks - this is considered an essential part of the medicine's work. Some retreat centers observe that certain participants may feel subtle energetic shifts for several days following a ceremony, though these are typically mild and manageable. Each person's experience with the medicine follows its own timing and rhythm. Traditional healers emphasize that the effects aren't limited to the ceremonial hours - rather, the ceremony opens a door through which healing and understanding continue to flow long after the acute effects have passed.