I'm Oliver, from the UK and a teacher by profession. I work in an international university in Barcelona and teach English in the village where I live.
I embarked upon a process with psilocybin mushrooms in 2018. Approaching the age of 50, and feeling restless and adventurous, I took a high dose of mushrooms in a controlled setting with a therapist. Since then I have worked with altered states of consciousness to create a series of changes in my life. I moved to the countryside, got married, started gardening and generally started to value and prioritise relationships in a way that I had not done previously.
I explored practices such as meditation, drumming and chanting as a way of making me more centred in my body and in the present. I have travelled to Mexico to participate in ceremonies with curanderas and also to share knowledge with them. In addition, I started to accompany others who wished to experience a journey with psilocybin mushrooms in a controlled environment and also became active within the Psychedelic Society of Barcelona, helping to organise events and participating in discussions.
More recently I have been exploring a range of therapeutic techniques such as reiki and sound therapy both for personal development and also to accompany others, whether it be on a psychedelic journey or for more everyday therapeutic purposes.
I also take great pleasure in cultivating psilocybe mushrooms.
I’m Carla, a psychonaut convinced of the transformative power of working with expanded states of consciousness and its integration through a spiritual path.
Psychedelics and yoga are two tools that have brought me back home, helping to reconcile me with my body and to live from a more serene place.
I believe in the capacity of psychedelic substances to catalyse change at a collective level to such an extent that it is practically a duty to share what I have learned and I do it in various ways: organising events for psychonauts, holding the space in psychedelic journeys and running a yoga studio at the Catalan coast.
I have no pretensions about guiding you, but rather see my role as accompanying you. I believe that what is fundamental is that each person finds, or creates a container for the experience that does not collide with their cosmovision. Rather, it should adapt to each person's cultural heritage. One must understand what one carries in order to reconcile to it.
Details of this retreat
A two night retreat in a beautiful guest house in an isolated valley of the pre-Pyrenees. The retreat is designed to disconnect you from your screens and the hurly-burly of your day-to-day life and re-connect you to the felt presence of your body and its place in the natural environment.
We will do various activities with the intention of bringing you home to the ease of being embodied. These will include yoga, sound massages, vocalisations and drumming. All meals will be prepared together in order to foster group cohesion.
These activities will also help to prepare you for the mushroom ceremony that will take place on the second day. The ceremony will be held in a carefully prepared space, and you will be accompanied on your psychedelic journey by experienced guides who will keep the ceremony unfolding organically with the help of traditional instruments and song.
There will be an integration circle the next day and a follow up video-call a week or so later to support you in your continuing integration.
The Summer Solstice has been celebrated since time immemorial as the culmination of the return of light and life in the cycle of the seasons. We celebrate the longest day, the warm weather and and the bountiful, blooming presence of the natural world.
Schedule
Each day will be different, depending on the intention for that day. However, there will be sessions of yoga, sound baths and sound massages and walks in nature There will be group sessions to prepare for and integrate the mushroom experience as well as individual sessions. There will also be plenty of time to simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the company of the other guests.
Nearest airport: Barcelona Airport (El Prat) or Girona-Costa Brava Airport
Nearest train station: Sant Quirze de Besora (L3), 1 hour and 40 minutes from the centre of Barcelona (NB NOT Sant Quirze del Vallès)
Pickup from the train station available
Accommodation
There are five double rooms, four with a double bed in each, the fifth with two singles. The rooms are all en-suite, spacious and with large bay windows providing plenty of light and views of the valley. No one is expected to share a room unless they choose to, unless they are in the room with two single beds. In the case that friends or partners share a double room with a double bed, there will be a small discount in the price for each person.
Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Retreats are held in a country house situated in woodland on a hillside in the pre-Pyrenees. The accommodation consists in five spacious, en-suite double bedrooms accessible from the exterior. In the downstairs area there is a well-fitted kitchen area and a spacious living area which will be used for retreat activities.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
The food will be healthy and tasty, with a vegetarian option for those who would like it. In general, it will be fairly light except for the final meal which will be rather more hearty.
What's Included
Two nights in a luxury country house
One ceremony with a medium to high dose of psilocybe mushrooms in a contained setting (optional)
One low dose of psilocybe mushrooms in nature (optional)
Yoga with a qualified teacher
Sound therapy techniques designed to create an inter-personal resonance with a qualified practitioner
Other somatic activities designed to re-establish our connection with our bodies
All meals, prepared collaboratively
What's Not Included
Flights
Airport pickup and drop off (extra fee)
Customer Reviews
5.00 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
Amazing 6th May 2025
May 6 th 2025. Five stars
From the very first moment, this retreat was nothing short of extraordinary. Every aspect of the experience was handled with deep care, professionalism, and heart. Oliver, in particular, brought a presence that was both grounding and compassionate—his kindness set the tone for the entire journey.
Our connection began with a thoughtful one-on-one introduction online, and by the time I arrived at the breathtaking retreat house nestled in a stunning natural setting, I already felt held supported. Any nervousness I carried was quickly dissolved by Oliver’s warmth and gentle reassurance.
During the ceremony, his presence was steady and attentive. Whether it was offering a glass of water, a blanket, or simply being there with a comforting embrace, Oliver met every moment with intuitive care. I felt safe, seen, and completely supported throughout the entire psychedelic journey.
I truly can’t recommend this experience enough. It was powerful, healing, and deeply human. Thank you, Oliver—especially for the perfect touch of AC/DC when it was needed most. That moment still makes me smile.
Clive Davies
5.0
Verified
A beautiful and profound experience
This was my first Psilocybin experience (or psychedelic experience of any kind) and I was quite nervous leading up to it. I was so comforted by the hosts throughout the process. In the pre-booking phase, they offered a call and we could talk about my goals and fears and they shared some research to help me make an informed decision. Upon arrival, they were so welcoming and already felt familiar. The group of people were all extremely open and friendly - very cool that in total we were 9 people (including hosts) from 9 different countries, but all felt like we were able to connect quite immediately.
The mushroom ceremony had a spiritual and respectful approach. I had some hopes of what I wanted to heal through this experience and it was that and so much more. I felt like it was a huge rite of passage for me into a more complete version of myself. I felt like I walked out a more aware and whole person. The mushroom journey was intense and at times painful, but extremely beautiful and healing. I imagine I'll want to come back to participate in this retreat again at some point and tap into that deeper wisdom again.
The setting of the retreat is really stunning - the nature was so lush in May. We all felt that the rooms and common areas in the newly renovated old farmhouse were above expectations. It felt really comforting to have my own very calm space to come back to. Meals were all freshly prepared and delicious! The food was quite healthy, but also filling and satisfying. We had beautiful local delicacies too. I'm sad it's over but I'm so grateful and I feel I have some new friends for life.
5.0
Verified
one to one ceremony with Oliver
I embarked one a one to one journey with Oliver. The support from booking and after the ceremony was fantastic.
I felt secure and the effort Oliver put into it was really warming and genuine. I felt really prepared.
The session took place in a beautiful large house in the pine woods.
It was more than i expected. The experience was like nothing i’ve ever experienced. The visuals, emotions, and feeling of connection afterwards were great. Oliver playing the gongs, the music, the smells of sage/pine. All elevated my senses and trip.
Oliver really helped me. I hope this experience changes my life.
I can’t recommend this enough.
It’s a tradition that has been used for centuries . And surely this can be a good thing.
Truly amazing thing in my opinion.
5.0
Verified
one to one session with Oliver
I may be repeating myself here - not sure if my last review went through.
My one to one session with Oliver was remarkable.
I felt cared for from the moment I booked. the guidance and care was evident from the start.
The ceremony was an experience that i can’t put into words, the visuals, emotions, smells of sage/ pine and amazing sound bath of gongs - took me to a different dimension and i really hope this will change my life for the better. Took me to places in my mind i’d forgotten , a different level of consciousness.
The vila where the ceremony took place was beautiful.
This centuries old ceremonial practice is something we should all be given the chance to experience. There’s a reason they’ve been doing this for years.
The after effects of the ceremony are a deeper connection to the world and people within it - for me.
Thank you Oliver. I felt extremely valued and cared for. Which is a huge part of it.
5.0
Verified
One of the most profound experiences of my life
The kindness and authenticity of Oliver and Carla fostered a relaxed and easy going atmosphere. I felt I was in a safe environment which was paramount not only for me deciding to attend a retreat, but also to be able to fully immerse myself in the journey. From my initial inquiry online, through to days after the retreat, I received thoughtful support.
The location in nature, the fresh food and the sound elements were integral beyond my expectations. Everything flowed.
Attending a group retreat had a synchronistic healing vibe, for which I have deep gratitude.
The blog articles on after the rains website were very insightful and confirmed my decision of heading to beautiful Alpens. I highly recommend “after the Rains” with Carla and Oliver.
Select your options
Available Dates
June 27 - 29, 2025
Payments made through Retreat Guru do not include the cost of: plant medicine, psychedelics or similar products.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Full amount refundable until 5 days prior to retreat start. Deposit is fully refundable until one day prior to retreat start.