7 Day Mexican Medicines Retreat: Peyote, Psilocybin and Bufo Alvarius

Arkana offers many modalities of healing. The people working there really want to be there, and I happened to be lucky with my beautiful cohort that came to experience the médecine in the heart of Peru.

I chose the Sacred Valley location, it felt very safe. The food was incredible, the laundry service included. The staff was very professional and have firm boundaries in place to maintain the safety of those participating at all times. I observed how nurturing the staff were to the people that attended and would highly recommend this centre to all my friends and family.

Thank you team Arkana!

I have been to a handful of these places (almost feels wrong to lump this in with the others), and I finally feel like I have found a place that meets the sweet-spot of trust and powerful experience. Not knowing where to start, I'll just say off hand that as in anything in life, be it work or communities you surround yourself with, the people you engage with are perhaps the most important factor, and Arkana has done an amazing job of growing a family of qualified, loving, caring, adaptable and attentive staff to ensure a beautiful and rewarding experience to the customer/patient/client. I felt rather quickly that we were in good hands when the week started, which is a pivotal aspect for these retreats as surrender is impossible without that level of trust.
To put it plainly, the experiences within the retreat were as powerful as needed to be, and the maestros as well as the staff work with you (not common! honestly) to truly ensure you get what you need with the medicine, which sounds like it would be out of their hands, but indeed I can attest to their importance in this role as well.
Now one thing that may seem trivial but is by no means the case, the food. I can only speak for the Sacred Valley location, but holy moly was I impressed far and beyond, and I am a health nut who works out hard and enjoys food quite a bit (part of the path I am on and working through as well, so this is very important). I am amazed at how the chef maintains to the Aya diet while making such delicious food and enough for a giant like myself! You will not be disappointed on this front, and I have experienced severe let downs elsewhere.
The location of the Sacred Valley retreat is truly special too. Tucked away in the Sacred Valley and a short walk to a neat hike of the Maras Salt Mines, this is a lovely place to settle down, unwind, and open yourself to going inward to working on yourself.
They say the schedule is what makes Arkana (or something like that :) ), and I do think they do an awesome job on this. Everything is done with intention, and if you've done your research, you know intention cannot be overlooked on these retreats. I overheard some conversations of the staff trying to improve even further, which goes to show they are not relishing in how great things are but genuinely care about always doing the best for the people who visit.
I can't say enough positive things to express my love for this place, and it's not just the medicine talking, as I've been out for almost two weeks now :)
If you are looking for the perfect balance between cost, care, and powerful transformative experience, you have arrived. Honestly. Don't hesitate. This is way more affordable than those insanely priced "luxury" retreats and the amount of love put in will not be matched elsewhere. I have tried to find a better deal, I promise ;)
Thank you Arkana family for all you do and for the beautiful environment for healing you have provided.
With love,
~Steve

Attending Arkana was truly the most transformative experience of my life. The facility itself is incredible, but what really sets it apart is the warmth and dedication of the staff. I spent 7 days at the retreat, and throughout my stay, I was continually moved by how genuinely caring and attentive everyone was. The shamans are extraordinary—deeply wise and powerful in ways that are hard to put into words. My experience far surpassed anything I could have hoped for. If you're considering an ayahuasca journey, I wholeheartedly recommend Arkana.

How do you leave a review for an experience that words can't do justice for? I came to Arkana not knowing what to expect, and I left with a brand new start at life. 5 stars will never be enough to show the quality of this place. From the cleaning staff that keeps the place clean and tidy, to the kitchen staff that prepares the MOST delicious and healthy meals you can ask for, to the security ensuring we are safe, to the facilitators that bring the warmest, calmest energy while you go through deep work, to the shamans that bring you the exact energy you need. Arkana feels safe, it feels protected. There is no better place to sit with the medicine and surrender to the process. You can let go of all your fears and worries here. Arkana lets you dive deep into your journey while they protect and watch over your physical being. If you have any calling to the medicine, this is THE place to go. Couldn't imagine my first experience being anywhere else. There are a few fun tours to go on to see monkeys, sloths, birds, caymans, the libertad village. Friendly cats around the premises too which are awesome!

I spent two weeks at Arkana Sacred Valley for my second experience working with the medicine, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place. What drew me to Arkana was their deep respect for the Shipibo traditions and the authenticity with which they hold their ceremonies. A few friends had also recommended it, and now I know why.

From the moment you’re picked up to the moment you’re dropped off, everything is flawlessly organized. You truly don’t need to worry about a thing—just relax, be present, and focus on your journey.

As a bilingual guest, I felt incredibly welcomed. I was able to connect with everyone—from the facilitators to the kitchen staff, reception team, and even the cleaning crew. The sense of community and warmth is undeniable. The facilitators were especially supportive, always available to help with integration or simply share meaningful conversations, laughter, and love.

I came in with intentions, but what unfolded went beyond what I imagined. One of the most beautiful lessons I took with me was realizing how deeply love can be felt among strangers walking the same path.

A heartfelt shoutout to everyone who made this journey so special. The support doesn’t end when the retreat does—you truly become part of the Arkana family, and they remain available to support you afterward.

I 100% recommend Arkana. It’s a genuine, heart-centered space—refreshingly different from the many commercial retreats out there today.