10-day Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador led by a Shipibo elder

I participated at a 5-day retreat and stayed after over 4 months as a voluntary. Jan, the owner, is a passionate expert of the sacred plants of the Amazon, this he showed me often during my time in the center. His indigenous family is also really lovely and kind, from them I learnd a lot about the traditional life in the Jungle. The Ayahuasca-ceremonies are also regularly and give opportunity for cleaning and spiritual development. The place is wonderful, next to a beautiful mountain river and the food was also always tasty.

I had an awesome experience with Feather Crown. The whole staff was so accommodating, and friendly throughout the entire experience. They offered private transportation from and to the airport, which made it super convenient for someone who has never been to Ecuador before. The food was amazing, and made using simple fresh ingredients. The location was also the perfect environment for the retreat, and to be able to reset, and recharge from modern society. Being able to swim in the river everyday was an amazing experience, as well as going on walks in nature, and learning about the plants in the jungle around us. The staff was very knowledgable about the native plants, and their medicinal, and practical uses. When it came to the ceremony the staff was extremely helpful, and made you feel like you were in a safe environment where you could feel secure enough to relax and enjoy the experience. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in a genuine ayahuasca experience.

I participated in 5 day retreat with Feather Crown and now I wish I had stayed longer. I felt completely safe and welcome during the stay and the healing I got from Ayahuasca and Don Carlos was more than I could have imagined.

The center is located by a beautiful clean river and you're surrounded by a lot of nature, even though it's still quite close to a town. Jan, the owner of the place has built a beautiful garden with all kinds of medicine plants and he was happy to tell you about them. There's also animals around, both pets and wild, if you're a lucky enough to encounter them. The cabins were comfortable and hot running water was appreciated, because it got chilly at nights. We had plenty of free time just to observe the nature and meditate by the river.

Jan and his whole team was so incredibly friendly and helpful, they were there during the ceremonies and activities, and cooked us delicious food. Omar, one of the staff members, was really knowledgeable about the forest and it's plants and animals, you can learn a lot from him. And Jan walking around and playing his flute created a positive environment, and I felt like I could get help and guidance from him anytime I needed.

And the ceremonies, they were the most beautiful experience of my life. I have so much gratitude for Don Carlos, he guided us with his singing and did powerful healing. I reacted strongly to Ayahuasca and it taught me a lot, but even if you don't have visions, I think it would still be a healing experience.

I could write an essay about my experience, but I just say that if you're looking for healing and want to learn more about nature and yourself, you want authenticity and want to support the local communities, I think think this is your place.

Thank you for everything Jan, Don Carlos and the team, I'm so grateful!

In late September I was privileged to take part in a 13 day retreat. Having never in my life taken part in anything like this and with no experience with medicines/psychedelics of any type I was honestly a little unsure of what to expect, yet had high expectations. My experiences with Ayahuasca were very challenging-- it's very powerful-- and within the first 30 minutes of ramping up and up and up I was sure I'd bitten off more than I could chew. My psyche was split into at least three. My mind-body and spirit became separate parts of the whole as flashing visions of spirals and tunnels of lights and thought streams took me to all kinds of strange revelations that I'm still trying to comprehend. Yet not once during my 4 ceremonies did I feel any fear, or apprehension. The professionalism and genuine care we received from Jan, Omar, Don Carlos and the team was second to none. They looked after us so well that even at the peek of Ayahuasca's influence I felt perfectly safe.

The retreat was an amazing place. I'd honestly use the word "magical" to describe it. The fire-flies at night moving through the trees and following the paths between the huts and the temple were dream-like. The Amazon jungle too surprised me with the shear variety of plants and insects and animals. The noise of the jungle nightlife was really quite loud to be honest, but still a pleasant sound. Even the smell of the jungle, that natural perfume, it didn't fade, if anything it grew stronger as the days progressed. I loved the fact we had no electricity, no radios, no WIFI for social media to distract us from living. Swimming in the sacred river, walking through the jungle, or swinging in the hammocks gave us plenty of time to rest and integrate what the medicine was teaching us. Oh yes, the food too was amazingly good. I could not have wished for a better group of people to be with and to share the experience with.

Thanks Jan and the Team,

I would do it all again.

Tim T

(New Zealand)

The retreat at Feather Crown is absolutely amazing. Between meeting amazing people who want to heal and become their best version, in search of something much deeper than the shallow facade of society, and the friendly, caring, and dedicated staff, AND the serene and peaceful oasis that became like a second home that I never wanted to leave, I must say I was beyond satisfied with my experience on this wonderful and fun filled journey. The facilitator, Jan, is clearly very serious about helping people along their experience with plant medicine, and when you listen to him talk about the different plants, animals, and natural occurrences in the rainforest, you can feel that he truly is in his comfort zone and that it is truly his calling. Beautiful spirit that one. Omar, a staff member who did not speak much English, was very warm and inviting, always gentle with us helping us during ceremonies and just a beautiful soul to experience. The food was very delicious and so healthy in the best way. It encouraged me to continue forward with a clean and balanced eating style of mostly pescatarian nature. The Shaman, Don Carlos, did not speak English, but also was caring and very experienced. He shared stories and experiences about himself that were reassuring, and almost soothing regarding safety concerns and trusting the process of the healing and the spirits that helped him, and us, throughout the ceremonies. The rooms that were like wooden huts we stayed in were very clean, comfortable, and cozy. The bathrooms were also very clean. There is a beautiful sacred river just a few yards away from the retreat. The hiking experience was informative and grounding. The waterfall experience was surreal and I captured as much photos as I possibly could. I’d definite recommend any and everyone interested in this amazing plant to visit Feather Crown. You will be well taken care of and there is so much beauty all around. Please keep in mind that having a psychedelic experience has nothing to do with type of ayahausca or the “strength”. There is no such thing. Your experience will be based on your own level of openness or heightened senses. Some people see things and some people don’t in the same ceremony drinking the same brew. Thanks so much to Feather Crown for having me!