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5 Day Andean Heart Medicine Retreat

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Up to 20 in group
Date
September 11 - 15, 2025

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

A Sacred and Intimate Journey into Andean Wisdom: Embracing Your Path & Purpose 
Step into this exclusive 5-day experience designed for a small, intimate circle and rooted in the profound teachings of Traditional Indigenous Andean wisdom.  This journey invites you to reconnect with your heart, awaken your purpose, and receive a sacred blueprint for living an embodied and heart-centered life.

Through ritual, prayer, meditation, and ancient teachings that have been carried forward for millennia, you will be supported in reconnecting with your true essence—remembering who you are at your core as you deepen your connection to yourself, the natural world, and the Cosmos.

This rare opportunity is guided by a highly respected Andean Wisdom keeper and Curandero (healer), who has dedicated over 30 years to walking this sacred path alongside his Elders. With great integrity, authenticity and care, he will hold space for you to explore the roots and history of the Master Plant teachings, offering profound insights and practical tools to transform both your personal and professional life. This journey will empower you to co-create your personal legacy and meaningful contribution to the world.

In this intimate group setting, there will be time and space to reflect, process, and receive personal guidance through both group and 1:1 integration time.

** Special note: To prepare for this transformative experience, we will gather for a private pre-retreat online session to lay the foundation of the teachings and foster connections within the group.  Following the retreat, a bonus online integration gathering will support you in further embodying the teachings, clarifying your next steps, and deepening the transformation.

 

This is a rare and precious invitation to step into the timeless wisdom of the Andes and join a sacred community of individuals ready to embrace their unique path and purpose.

What's included:

Andean and Indigenous Wisdom Teachings that deepen your relationship to yourself.
Despacho Offering and ritual of gratitude and reciprocity.
Ceremony led by Andean maestro, rooted in Ancestral Sacred Traditions.
Group Healing & Meditation Sessions where individual heart-opening is amplified through the connection of the group.
Individual Healing Sessions and time for personal reflection and rest.
All-Inclusive Accommodation in a stunning waterfront lodge with panoramic views.
Wholesome Nourishment: Locally-sourced, high-vibration meals prepared fresh daily to support your transformation.
Sauna and Hot Tub Access to relax and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit.
Pre- and Post-Retreat Support to prepare and integrate your experience with care and safety.



Tentative schedule:

Thursday, September 11th:

3:00 - 5:00pm Arrival & Check-in 

5:00 - 6:00pm Welcome & Orientation in the Main Lodge 

6:00 - 7:00pm Dinner 

7:30pm Opening Circle 

Friday, September 12th:

8:30 - 9:30am Breakfast

10:00 - 12:30pm Morning Session 

1:00 - 2:00pm Lunch

3:00 - 6:00pm Afternoon Session

6:30 - 7:30pm Dinner

8:00pm Despacho Offering & Guided Group Healing/Meditation 

Saturday, September 13th | Ceremony Day | Maloca

8:30 - 9:30am Breakfast

10:00 - 12:30pm Morning Session

1:00 - 2:00pm Light Lunch

4:00 - 8:00pm        Rest & Relaxation time 

8:00pm Ceremony 

Sunday, September 14th:  

Morning Rest 

12pm-1pm Lunch

2pm-4pm Group Integration Circle 

4pm-7pm Personal Integration Sessions 

7:30pm-8:30pm Dinner

8:30pm Closing Circle 

Monday, September 15th: 

8:30am-9:30am Breakfast

9:00am All belongings out of rooms

9am-12pm Goodbyes & Departures 

Getting Here

Location icon The Sentinel

Directions

We are a 50-minute drive north of Nelson, BC, just outside the charming village of Kaslo. We are 9 hours by car from Vancouver, and 8 hours from Calgary. These drives are incredibly beautiful, wending through some of North America's most spectacular mountain terrain. There are flights (approx. 1 hour) from both Vancouver & Calgary to our nearest airport, in Castlegar, which is a scenic 1.5 hours from our door.

Driving from Nelson, follow highway 3A north to Balfour (Kootenay Lake ferry landing), and proceed another 20-25 minutes on Highway 31 north. There is a "Sentinel Retreat" blue road sign on the highway (approx. 60 km from Nelson). Slow down and prepare to take a sharp right turn onto Amundsen Road. The Sentinel is located at bottom of the hill. Please observe signs.

Accommodation

All our King and shared Twin rooms have stunning views of the lake and mountains. Whether you opt for a luxurious private King or a shared Twin, all our rooms are clean and modern. Ensuite bathrooms have heated floors, a rain shower, and amenities for your comfort. Fluffy white towels and crisp linens are found in every room — our goal is to ensure can relax and refresh during your stay with us.

King Room with Lake View

Accommodation
Our king rooms are elegant, lake and mountain facing boasting ensuite bathrooms with heated tile floors. All rooms were intentionally designed to enhance a reflective and serene stay away from home.

Twin shared room (per person)

Accommodation
Our twin shared rooms are elegant, lake and mountain facing boasting ensuite bathrooms with heated tile floors. All rooms were intentionally designed to enhance a reflective and serene stay away from home.

Queen Room

Accommodation
Room 7 is a cozy queen room on the lower level of the Lodge. It's favoured by guests who love containment, a dark sleeping space, and appreciate the savings offered by using a shared bathroom, steps away. This room does not have a direct lake view, but is adjacent to our beautiful sunroom which offers plenty of sunlight and beautiful views of the lake.

Sunroom Nest

Accommodation
The Sunroom Nest is a glamorous word for shared accommodation in our Sunroom with up to three other people. Each person gets a fully made twin bed with a high density foam topper, 1 pillow, sheets and a full set of towels.  The bathroom is adjacent to the sunroom nest, shared and you are steps away from the lower lobby tea/coffee station.

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Overlooking spectacular Kootenay Lake, the Lodge, with its massive windows and expansive deck affords breathtaking lake & mountain views. The Maloca, a magnificent round, timbered ceremonial and activity space, seems to float above the lake. A short stroll from the Lodge, the Sentinel's spa deck, with its unique wood-fired sauna and cedar-lined hot tub is a favourite gathering spot for guests, year-'round. 700' of lakefront, with deck, firepit and yoga area is a tranquil spring/summer area.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Guests rave about our food! Sentinel meals are prepared with ingredients sourced whenever possible from our organic, on-property garden. We can accommodate virtually any dietary requirement.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Cedar hot tub
  • Sauna
  • Maloca
  • Lakefront
  • Nature

What's Not Included

  • Bodywork
  • Airfare
  • Travel
  • Gratuity
  • Taxes

Customer Reviews

4.96 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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LOVE YOU
LOVE YOU

5.0
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Consistently exceptional
I have been retreating at the Sentinel for the past several years...a total of four times in all the seasons.
It is a place that I never tire of returning to. It is a home away from home with ALL the luxury and none of the distractions.

Because I have been there so often, I can confidently say that the Sentinel is consistently incredible on all fronts. The rooms, the staff, the setting, the food! Never has it ever been less than wonderful.
Thank you, Sentinel, for being my creative home.
Melanie Maure

5.0
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Starlight retreat - Sarah Salter Kelly
My experience during this retreat was absolutely transformative. During ceremony, I truly had a heart opening experience that has deeply changed how I view the world, others and myself. There was a readiness in me to allow it but it wouldn't have been possible without the container that Sarah and her team created for me. I felt safe, nurtured, loved and heard. The connection was so pure and there was a true sense of community that grew among the participants. Sarah led beautiful ceremonies and I am so grateful for her and her guidance. I honestly can't wait to do it again. I'd trust Sarah any time, her experience, knowledge and love are so genuine. It's truly a gift to the soul to attend her retreats.

5.0
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Amazing facilitator and facilities🌟
I attended a multi day retreat at the Sentinel that was hosted by Sarah Salter Kelly. Sarah and the group of woman who supported us, Aliyah, Kim, and Michelle, for our weekend of ceremonies were amazing. The Sentinel was an beautiful location and the fabulous staff made sure that all of the logistical stuff ran smoothly along in the background. I would definitely go to another retreated hosted by Sarah especially if it's at the Sentinel. Sarah holds beautiful space and makes you feel safe while you are doing the hard work. The years of experience she has is very evident; before, during and after all of the ceremonies. She is truly a gift❤️.

5.0
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Absolutely magical experience at The Sentinel.
We had an absolutely magical experience at The Sentinel. The whole area, setting is peaceful and restorative, nestled right by the lake with incredible views and a calm energy that’s hard to put into words. The food was a highlight—healthy, vibrant, and clearly made with love. Every meal felt nourishing and energizing, exactly what you’d hope for during a retreat.

We gathered in the Maloca, the sacred temple space, for our IFS and IBS retreat with Tania. It’s a stunning structure, both physically and spiritually. You can feel the intention built into every beam and curve—such a grounding place to do deep inner work.

When we weren’t in session, the leisure options were everything we needed to recharge: swimming in the lake, soaking in the hot tub, sweating it out in the sauna, and cozying up around the firepit at night. And the conversations—especially with Richard and Gillian—added so much depth and warmth to the whole experience. They are gracious, wise, and bring so much heart to the space.

The Sentinel is a rare gem. If you’re looking for a place to connect, heal, and be held by nature and community, this is it.

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