Find Authentic Retreats in Urubamba Peru

"Going to Arkana was the single most beautiful and transformative experience of my life. I have been to other retreats in different parts of the world and this is hands down the very best. From the beautiful hearts of the staff and facilitators, to the culinary expertise of the chef and kitchen workers, to the amazing and gifted shamans who work with you to get the most healing out of this experience. The way this Amazon retreat is ran and organized is simply incredible. I can not say enough wonderful things about this place. And you form a deep bond of community and respect and lasting friendships with the people who go through this experience with you. Thank you Arkana!! Thank you thank you thank you!! "

"Dear Friends, As a meditation teacher, I never expected to be called to plant medicine, but after experiencing Arkana, my perspective has profoundly shifted. I've gained a deep respect and reverence for the medicine, which has transformed my life. In my own practice, I serve cacao and blue lotus, but Arkana offers something unique and universal. The facilitators support in itself a powerful medicine. Maestra Justina, Shaman Misael, and the other Shamans are profound guides of Soul Retrieval through the Icaros' light language. I'm forever grateful for my personalized Arkana from the Shipibo tribe, to listen to at home sealing the medicine even further with wisdom and love. With unconditional love and deep reverence, Tolo Aria "

"My time at Arkana Spiritual Retreat in the Sacred Valley was truly transformative. The ayahuasca ceremonies were beautifully and safely guided, offering profound moments of clarity, healing, and connection that felt deeply personal and life-changing. The stunning setting, combined with the care and wisdom of the facilitators, created the perfect environment for self-discovery. This experience was an eye-opening new beginning for me—one that has left me with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude. For anyone considering an ayahuasca journey, Arkana is the ideal place to start. Thank you for this unforgettable experience! Brad Z."

"For years, I have struggled with personal growth. I have continuously heard throughout my lifetime that the only way to experience growth and to personally grow is to get out of your comfort zone. I, like many others, struggle with this. I have tried numerous strategies in order to grow, so that I may feel more free mentally as well as spiritually. I had read about plant medicine for years and decided that it was time. I needed this growth and I was honestly tired of trying to get out of my comfort zone with little to no positive results. Arkana catapulted me off the edge towards my personal growth journey as well as my spiritual journey and has given me the tools I have needed my entire life in order to make it happen and to actually make progress on this journey. I believe that without Arkana, I would still be stuck in my own comfort zone which was starting to make me feel like a prisoner. It gave me a deep and insightful look at my inner being and made me aware of what I need to change, my weaknesses, and how to move forward in life. It has brought about change in my life that I could have never anticipated and actually made me excited about the future and my future growth. I could never have gotten to this point without the great help of Arkana 🙏 "

"This may be a long one, but in a nutshell, Arkana has been the most transformational experience of my life and I will whole-heartedly recommend going there to any and everyone. Before coming to Arkana, I had been meditating for around 6 years and been in therapy for 4 years. Both those were helpful, however, the medicine allowed me to see my vulnerabilities and pain in a way that therapy and meditation just were not able to. You see yourself for what you are, shorn of all defense mechanisms and pretenses. It is scary, sad, painful but also liberating and freeing. The medicine is made in the facility itself, which is a big plus point. The facility itself is outstanding – in the middle of th Amazon jungle – the quality of the rooms, the daily house-keeping (which is not just done for formality’s sake but done in a really good way), the matresses which rival that of a top hotel and even the storage spaces are to good to believe. Even the bathrooms and toilets were nicely done up and super convenient to use. The food was a big surprise to me. Each meal is a healthy FEAST – I mean I could eat this food on a daily basis. I cannot believe I am saying this for a salt and caffeine and red meat free diet, but I really miss the food there. There are 3-4 paces there for meditating, yoga or just chilling. Each space is thoughtfully done up and is very inviting. Equally, probably more surprising then the food is the existence of a gym which has all the equipment you can need – from dumbbells to barbells to kettlebells to a smith machine to a pull up bar to TRX to machines for lateral raises etc. I used the gym 6 times during my 7 day stay there!! For me, however, the highlight of the trip was the amazing and giving attitude of the facilitators and the sheer presence of the Shamans. We were a group of 10 and had 5 shamans for each of the 4 ceremonies. This ratio of 2:1 is just mind blowing. This was my first experience with the medicine and I do not have a reference point, but I can say that the ikaroos was beautiful and so touching. It made me sit up in literal rapture and I felt like my body and thoughts were being controlled by a power that is beyond my limited comprehension. The facilitators themselves were amazing. They were there with a genuine desire to help us in our journey and to see us heal. It is not easy nor fun to take care of people who are losing their sense of reality under the influence of the medicine and can barely stand, but these guys did so and without a single complaint and a big smile on their face. Happiness and positivity is contagious and the facilitators were all super-spreaders!! The overall vibe of the place was of healing and acceptance, which, to me, was a very important part of the experience. They were available for any questions or queries that we had and were happy to resolve them. As a plus point, they all play musical instruments and very well at that. Each time any of us was having a difficult experience, there was someone there to take care of us who knew what they were doing. Though I did not get a chance to meet the owner, all things I heard about him were just great. He himself has an attitude of helping others rather than just making money and that really shows in how the place is run. So, kudos to the entire team for giving me an unforgettable experience. "

"A 7-day stay has become the most important period of my life. First of all, the facility was well cleaned and I was able to spend time in a clean and comfortable environment. The meal also used fresh vegetables and fruits, which was healthy and filled my stomach. I was able to focus on looking at the flow of the river and the stars in the night sky and looking at myself leisurely. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone at Arcana. At the ceremony, the feelings for my mother, which had been hurting my heart for a long time, disappeared like a lie, and a deep gratitude and apology to my mother sprouted. Not only that, but I also had a deep gratitude and love for everyone involved with me. I was enveloped in the feeling that if I dealt with everything that happened with peace of mind without being happy or sad, everything would be in place. I would like to put giving love with gratitude to myself and everyone around me at the center of my life from now on. It's been two weeks since I left Arcana. I have returned to my daily life, but my heart is peaceful, and what I have gained in Arcana is firmly in my heart and I can spend my days. Thank you to everyone at the Arcana Spiritual Center for your wonderful experience."

"Working with Aya was the most intense experience I ever had, but also a very profound one that helped me grow and overcome issues I have been struggling with. We flew all the way from Germany to Peru, because I have several friends who recommended Arkana and were like "if you do it, please do it right. In the place where the medicine originates, with the people who spend their entire life using it for healing purposes. It's too powerful to experiment with the application and not being sure whether you come to a good or not so good retreat. Arkana I can guarantee you is definetely a good one". I can only emphasize how true these statements are. This is exactly what I would tell my dearest friend, so I thought I include it in the review. The facilitators and the shamams are so caring, so loving. They enable the growth and healing."

"I really enjoyed 2 weeks. Very loving stuff and everything was magic and as it should be. I can’t thank you enough guys❤️ I will come back next summer."

"In August 2024 I participated to a 7 days Ayahuasca Retreat in the Sacred Valley. Everyone at Arkana, including all staff members, the facilitators, the shaman, and also other guest were incredibly kind, loving and compassionate. The place is very peaceful, located in a secluded area and very clean and comfortable! Everything there is made to make you feel welcome and supported which is so important when going through such intense healing. In a week there, I have been given by Mama Ayahuasca the key to heal some trauma that I was carrying for about 20years and that therapy and medication couldn’t resolve. After the retreat I was feeling the best that I have ever felt in my whole life, this feeling of peace within was something I never experienced before, and I am so grateful I got to experience it (Going back to “my real life” has been challenging in the beginning as I dived back into my darkness in order to fully integrate the work done at Arkana, but knowing how well I could feel, it was so easy for me to put my head back up and within a very short amount of time I was able to come back to that amazing feeling I was experiencing in August). I am thankful I had the chance to heal myself with Arkana and so grateful for the help and support they provided me with before, during and after the retreat. Couldn’t recommend the place enough!"

"“It’s all in the details 😉” - Bob. Nothing could have been closer to the truth than those simple words that Bob happened to mention on the first day we arrived. They’ve thought of everything to make your trip special which I won’t bother to spoil by revealing the details but just know there is a lot of thought behind their operation and into your experiences as a group and individually. I’m very grateful for having had the chance to meet the wonderful staff and facilitators who dedicated their time to helping many of us work through the baggage we arrived with. Thank you to Luke, Bob, John, Chincia, Raymundo, Theo and the rest of the team in the Sacred Valley. I love you all very much and am grateful to have crossed paths with you all. I hope to see you again soon. "

"It was more than my expectation. You guys definitly should experience it. Though, I didn't have any problem to solve and I went there because my friends are really wanting to experience Ayawaska. But the place was so confortable and staffs are kind. They treated us so good. And,,, Ayawaska,,, that was heavy lol But it gave me so much inspiration. I could realize what and who is important for my life, made me appreciate a lot of things sorrounding me"

"My stay at Arkana in the Amazon was truly one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. From the beginning of our communication to now, over a month later, it is evident that every aspect of the retreat—pre, during, and post—is thoughtfully curated with deep care and intention. The love and integrity behind everything they do are palpable. The staff, from the top, including Jose, with whom I had the great fortune of spending time, to the facilitators, kitchen staff, cleaners, security, and absolutely everyone else, are exceptional. And the shamans—wow! I have profound reverence for their sacred work, wisdom, and divine service. Each member of the team is gifted, wholeheartedly dedicated to their work, and their presence created a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for all the guests to uninhibitedly explore within and heal on the deepest levels. I can’t speak to every detail, as it is overwhelming (in a good way), but I will say that the ceremonies were incredibly powerful, authentic to the Shipibo tradition, and I was continually blown away by the layers of healing and initiations that were happening for me. While each of us in ceremony went through something unique and acutely personal, I have never felt so completely CONNECTED. I have sat with the medicine before, and all my ceremonies were significant in one way or another, but there is something very special happening at Arkana, and I am so grateful I found my way there. This wasn’t just a healing experience; it was a journey of pure connection and massively intense growth that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. For now I am working on integrating the profound lessons I learned, but I know that I will be returning to Arkana. I am in love with this place and everyone there."

"Going into the ayahuasca retreat I tried to have as little expectations as possible as not to get let down if they weren’t all met. However, it’s only natural as humans to have a set of subconscious expectations about something we spend a decent amount of money to help us heal. Arkana Spiritual Healing Center has gone above and beyond any expectations I could have had. From the amazing meals that are made fresh daily with love, to the wonderful staff who truly love and care for every single guest I was truly blown away as to how much love is shown at Arkana. The staff is constantly checking on you making sure you feel safe and comfortable. The shamans are very well trained and have healed me in ways I didn’t even know were possible. This place has truly changed me for the rest of my life-in a positive way! Before coming to Arkana I had a lot of mental health and substance abuse issues and I swear on everything I love; they have disappeared! I no longer lack self confidence or self esteem. I have no desire to use drugs and stopped my antidepressant medication cold turkey and haven’t had any side effects. I’ve become closer with family and rekindled old friendships I thought were gone forever. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this because Arkana allowed me to heal and has given me things I never thought were possible. I could go on forever but I will finish with this- If you want the life you have always dreamed of and your willing to do the work-Arkana is the catalyst you’re going to need. I recommend 100/10!! My life is forever changed and I’m forever grateful for this opportunity I was given. "

"My time at Arkana Spiritual Center was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home, surrounded by the lush beauty of the Amazon. The ayahuasca ceremonies were powerful and deeply healing, led by shamans who really knew what they were doing. Every ceremony felt like a safe space to dive into my personal healing, helping me release old wounds and gain clarity on things I’ve been struggling with. The vibe at Arkana was exactly what I needed to feel supported during the entire process. The yoga, meditation, plant baths, and meals were also a huge part of what made the retreat special. They really helped me stay grounded and integrate everything I was learning in the ceremonies. Plus, the people I met there made the whole experience even better. We shared laughs, deep conversations, and so much support. I left Arkana feeling refreshed, centered, and with a completely new outlook on life. It was exactly what I needed, and I can't recommend this place enough!"

"I had a truly wonderful experience at Arcana Spiritual Center. The ceremonies, both Ayahuasca and Bufo, were conducted with the utmost professionalism and care. Every aspect of the journey was handled with deep respect and love, making me feel safe and supported throughout. The integration process was seamless, helping me connect with myself on a profound level. The environment was one of genuine compassion, and I left feeling transformed and grateful. I highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a life-changing spiritual experience."

"I booked this retreat on a whim, arriving on Sunday without much research about ayahuasca. Even though it was a last-minute decision, I felt a strong calling to be there. I had been feeling disconnected from my spiritual path, and this retreat became a transformative experience for me. One of the highlights was the incredible team of guides. The male shaman exuded strength and wisdom, guiding us through the most intense parts of the ceremony with a powerful presence. His icaros, or sacred songs, seemed to unlock deep emotional layers within me, helping me confront and heal my hidden pain. The female shaman complemented his energy beautifully with her nurturing and compassionate approach. Her gentle yet profound presence created a safe space for emotional release, and her soothing icaros felt like a comforting embrace, allowing me to surrender to the experience. Most importantly, the coordinator of the retreat played a pivotal role in making us feel like family. From the moment we arrived, their warmth and genuine care created an atmosphere of love and acceptance. They took the time to connect with each participant, ensuring that everyone felt welcomed and supported throughout the journey. Their attentiveness and kindness fostered a sense of community that made the experience even more meaningful. The other staff members were equally amazing, always checking in and providing emotional support when needed. They played a crucial role in helping us integrate our experiences afterward, taking the time to sit with us and help unpack the visions and lessons that emerged during the ceremonies. The meals were excellent and truly nourishing, thoughtfully prepared with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Each dish not only fueled us physically but also felt like an extension of the care and attention given throughout the retreat. It was delicious, balanced, and perfectly suited for the journey we were on. Overall, the combination of the powerful shamans, the supportive staff, and the loving coordinator made this retreat an unforgettable experience. It provided the healing and guidance I needed to reconnect with my spiritual path, and I couldn’t have asked for a better environment for this profound journey of self-discovery."

"I recently attended an ayahuasca retreat, and the experience was nothing short of incredible. Every aspect of the retreat, from the activities to the ceremonies, was thoughtfully designed and executed with such care. The energy during the ceremonies was powerful, and I felt deeply connected to the process thanks to the wisdom and presence of the maestros. The facilitators were wonderful, providing support, guidance, and a safe space throughout the entire journey. Their genuine care and expertise helped make the experience not only transformative but also comfortable and enriching. The food was exceptional—delicious and nourishing, with every meal prepared with intention and attention to detail. It’s clear that every part of this retreat was carefully thought through, down to the smallest details. If you are seeking a truly life-changing and heart-opening experience, I cannot recommend this retreat enough."

"I did an extensive amount of research on Ayahuasca retreats and ultimately chose Arkana. The positive reviews did not disappoint. It’s everything they described and more. Arkana genuinely care about you and your wellbeing. From the picturesque surroundings to the wildlife at its back door, it all serves in conjunction to enhance your Ayahuasca experience. And that’s what you’re there for… to feel one with nature. I was already a happy person before arriving but what I saw and experienced during my 2 weeks stay, left me in awe. It is truly a humbling experience. Now, I feel at peace with the universe. It’s a feeling of calmness and serenity I will take with me for life. For that, I am forever grateful to Arkana. Your mileage may vary but just know this place will change you for the better. Do yourself a favor and give Arkana a try. You won’t regret it."

"Wow! What an amazing experience. I truly gave my 100% going into this for myself. I put all my trust into the staff, shamans and process. In one week I felt as if I did a life time of healing. I realized that I already took action and made the journey, it was time to go all in. I learned so much about myself and was able to let go of a lot of trauma, ptsd and negativity in my life. After letting go, I was able to start to construct how I wanted my life to feel and look like day by day. I was working on this prior to coming but to say my transformation was incredible during and after the retreat is an understatement. The facilitators feel like family, the food is fantastic, and the process is so detail oriented really focused on our needs. I connected with so many amazing like minded people. I am forever grateful to everyone at Arkana. I would love for my family and friends to experience this transformative experience. I will be back, my journey has just begun!"

"I've done a few Aya retreats over the years and this one was was certainly top quality! The facilities are gorgeous, the staff were wonderful and the medicine was strong. I love that they work with a range of different medicines and honour the Shipibo lineage of ceremony. Overall I would highly recommend this retreat centre if you are looking for a safe, well-run experience with high quality facilities (we went to the sacred valley centre)."

"No matter how much one person will try to describe you their personal experience about Ayahuasca , will still remain beyond your understanding until you do it! Everyone is touched in different ways, in different time and it all depends in who you are , how much you know or if you’re willing to believe. Therefore, most of all I will strongly recommend a safe environment. And for me Arkana feels like a safe house , a real sanctuary. You think you are looking for healing and the DMT journey, but in reality you are looking for TRUST. Trust in the process, trust in the experience and knowledge of the people that promise to keep you safe and not take advantage of you in such extreme journey. Now at the end of my week with them, when I understood all the process , the experience , I know with no doubts: ARKANA WAS/IS THE BEST OPTION. They take in consideration every little details, and you will feel the love and the effort that was put to create a very personal experience . At all time there is someone around to listen to you, to assist you, to increase your level of comfort and to chase away any uncertainty. Arkana creates in the middle of the jungle far from anything and everything the environment to help you surrender and turn something that can sound stresfull in a healing process that you will follow step by step with peace and trust. Purging , diareea , pozitive visions, dark visions sounds so uncomfortable and stresfull, especially with other 15-20 people around. The details they took in consideration shows you that everybody in Arkana went through the process of Ayahuasca, used their experience, the doubts, the discomfort and create all the facilities to turn it from a treatment center into a high level of hospitality experience. The home cooked meal , with everything natural and clean , most of all prepare fresh and with lots of love by local people are nourishment to support the medicine. The rooms to share are designed to still give you the feeling of personal space as the single beds are almost queen size with bedding as good as in 5 stars hotels. The bedshits have a calming sand color , that embrace the organic concept of the entire place. You have individual storage unit that is more than generous. They cleaned and refresh the rooms everyday, even was not needed, and they did the personal laundry for free. The ceremony room is big and bright with comfortable mattresses and enough pillow to help you be in the most comfortable position during the time you are under Ayahuasca. As well , there are buckets at each bed , tissues, lanterns and water. Each mat have a name poster to make you find your way back at any moment.Toilets are right outside , easy to reach with red warm color to not stress you during ceremonies. And no, there was no uncomfortable smell as they use some friendly environmental products to prevent any bad odor. As well the facilitators that guard us through out the night , are changing the bucket imediately. They assist you if you need to walk to washroom and you are to drowsy. The ceremonies are wonderful, and I was impressed with the fact that 5 shamans were chanting Icarus for us every night for 4-5 hours. You could feel their power , their good energy and force to protect us. The activities in between, the integration talks , the talks about the individual experience , helps in the process of healing and it helps you bonding. Overall, my experience with Ayahuasca , Sapo was unique and life changing. I am grateful to Jose and Billy for all the heart and thoughts they put in everything , for their kind words and genuine care . I am grateful to Manuel , Nadine, Vint, Imani and Maggie for making great efforts to anticipate our needs and exceed expectations . The level of hospitality that Arkana offers is hard to compete with. Thank you to all Shamans for their blessings : Eligio, Luis, Samuel, Justina, Grimaldo"

"I spent a week at the Arkana Amazon location and it was a beautiful stay filled with love and many lessons. Everyone of the facilitators were absolutely amazing and took great care of us during and outside of ceremony. One of the many things that I loved is that the owner of Arkana sat in every Ceremony with us, ate a few meals with us (great food btw), and was there on the last day of the retreat to send us off. I couldn't recommend this place enough and I will definitely attend several Arkana retreats in the future. Sacred Valley next!"

"I chose Arkana partly because of its amazing reviews and now I know why those reviews were so good. Firstly, the location is amazing. The retreat is located in the mountains of the Sacred Valley and the view is breathtaking to wake up to. Secondly, the accommodations and food exceeded all my expectations. The chef Socrates has some of the most amazing recipes with the freshest ingredients. Thirdly, Arkana at the Sacred Valley was the only retreat I found that offered Ayahuasca, San Pedro, and Bufo, and all three of the medicines kind of work together in a perfectly crafted schedule for the week. Finally and most importantly is the people. Maestra Ada and Maestro Misael make you feel so safe and cared for during the ayahuasca ceremonies, and trust (in the medicine, in the maestros, in everything) is key when working with the medicine. The San Pedro maestro Alcides is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met; his love and joy for the world is truly infectious. The facilitators also are some of the best. These people are now my family, and I am so grateful for their time and care during my time at Arkana. I told myself beforehand that for my first time with ayahuasca, I wanted to be comfortable (the food, the amenities, the weather) and that if the medicine calls me again, I could then go somewhere else (such as the jungle). But now, I can’t imagine going anywhere else."

"It’s definitely the best experience I’ve ever had in my life, it wasn’t easy but it was totally worthy. I love all about Arkana family, the staff, the facilitators, the shamans, the food, everything was amazing, you can tell everybody’s doing their job with passion and tons of love, I am so grateful with all of them and with this magic place, I totally recommend this place. Thank you so much y’all. 🤍"

"No matter how much one person will try to describe you their personal experience about Ayahuasca , will still remain beyond your understanding until you do it! Everyone is touched in different ways, in different time and it all depends in who you are , how much you know or if you’re willing to believe. Therefore, most of all I will strongly recommend a safe environment. And for me Arkana feels like a safe house , a real sanctuary. You think you are looking for healing and the DMT journey, but in reality you are looking for TRUST. Trust in the process, trust in the experience and knowledge of the people that promise to keep you safe and not take advantage of you in such extreme journey. Now at the end of my week with them, when I understood all the process , the experience , I know with no doubts: ARKANA WAS/IS THE BEST OPTION. They take in consideration every little details, and you will feel the love and the effort that was put to create a very personal experience . At all time there is someone around to listen to you, to assist you, to increase your level of comfort and to chase away any uncertainty. Arkana creates in the middle of the jungle far from anything and everything the environment to help you surrender and turn something that can sound stresfull in a healing process that you will follow step by step with peace and trust. Purging , diareea , pozitive visions, dark visions sounds so uncomfortable and stresfull, especially with other 15-20 people around. The details they took in consideration shows you that everybody in Arkana went through the process of Ayahuasca, used their experience, the doubts, the discomfort and create all the facilities to turn it from a treatment center into a high level of hospitality experience. The home cooked meal , with everything natural and clean , most of all prepare fresh and with lots of love by local people are nourishment to support the medicine. The rooms to share are designed to still give you the feeling of personal space as the single beds are almost queen size with bedding as good as in 5 stars hotels. The bedshits have a calming sand color , that embrace the organic concept of the entire place. You have individual storage unit that is more than generous. They cleaned and refresh the rooms everyday, even was not needed, and they did the personal laundry for free. The ceremony room is big and bright with comfortable mattresses and enough pillow to help you be in the most comfortable position during the time you are under Ayahuasca. As well , there are buckets at each bed , tissues, lanterns and water. Each mat have a name poster to make you find your way back at any moment.Toilets are right outside , easy to reach with red warm color to not stress you during ceremonies. And no, there was no uncomfortable smell as they use some friendly environmental products to prevent any bad odor. As well the facilitators that guard us through out the night , are changing the bucket imediately. They assist you if you need to walk to washroom and you are to drowsy. The ceremonies are wonderful, and I was impressed with the fact that 5 shamans were chanting Icarus for us every night for 4-5 hours. You could feel their power , their good energy and force to protect us. The activities in between, the integration talks , the talks about the individual experience , helps in the process of healing and it helps you bonding. Overall, my experience with Ayahuasca , Sapo was unique and life changing. I am grateful to Jose and Billy for all the heart and thoughts they put in everything , for their kind words and genuine care . I am grateful to Manuel , Nadine, Vint, Imani and Maggie for making great efforts to anticipate our needs and exceed expectations . The level of hospitality that Arkana offers is hard to compete with. Thank you to all Shamans for their blessings : Eligio, Luis, Samuel, Justina, Grimaldo"

"Words are lacking to describe the healing that happens in the Amazon jungle, but I will give it my best shot. I want to preface with stating that I’ve drank Ayahuasca several times, both at South/Central American retreats, as well as more locally in North America. But sitting with Ayahuasca in the jungle, in the place where she comes from, is a whole new level of healing. And Arkana provides a wonderful container to facilitate such an authentic experience enveloped by peace, love, and safety. As soon as we arrived to Arkana, we were greeted with celebration, and I immediately felt the peace, family atmosphere and connection to nature, the way community was always meant to be. The facility is clean, well kept, with the most comfortable queen size beds in each room, a far cry from the sleeping-on-dirt-with-tarantulas stories I’ve been told about the jungle. It even has a chemical-free pool for those super sticky jungle afternoons! Drinking the Medicine with traditional Shipibo Shamans, who have rigorously trained with their elders for years, some since childhood, was absolutely beautiful, and their Icaros have helped me regain trust in the medicines, in the process, and in myself again. Arkana not only welcomes Westerners into the jungle for deep healing with sacred medicines, but it is also a leader in sustainability, as everything runs on solar power, as well as giving back to the local community by employing residents of the nearby Amazonian village, which made my hippie heart that much more enthusiastic to be contributing to the betterment of Mother Earth. Overall, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for Arkana, the founder José for bringing his vision to life, the native Shipibo Shamans for opening up their homes and hearts to share their ancient wisdom and their Medicines with us from the West, the facilitators who look after each participant with such tenderness and care, and every staff member from the nearby village Libertad, not only for feeding us delicious meals, but for keeping us safe and taken care of in the wilderness of the jungle. I have finally found a place that I feel comfortable recommending to everyone I know, and I cannot wait to return to the jungle and visit Arkana's other two locations! "

"I recently had the pleasure of attending an Ayahuasca retreat at the Arkana spiritual centre in the sacred valley, Peru (8th to the 14th September 2024). This was my third Ayahuasca retreat, as I'd previously attended a different, well known, Ayahuasca centre in the Peruvian Amazon in Iquitos (2017 and 2019). My initial reason for choosing Arkana was that as well as Ayahuasca, they also offer the experience of working with other scared plants, such as San Pedro and Sapo/Bufo. Upon arriving at the Arkana spiritual centre, I was amazed at just how good an Ayahuasca retreat can be. The accommodation, meals and quality/caring of the people who work there was first class. Working with Ayahuasca can be a difficult, yet rewarding experience and my recent Arkana experience showed me that it doesn't have to take place in a harsh environment and sub-standard conditions to make it more real. The Shipibo maestro and maestra at Arkana were of the finest quality and the staff; Theo, John, Luke, Tunde, Raymundo, Chincia, Bob and Alcides, were all a pleasure and a blessing. If you want to experience working with Ayahuasca, there's only one company I would recommend, Arkana (scared valley or Iquitos). Congratulations Jose Saens on creating this beautiful experience for people. It's a world of difference, to what I'd experienced previously. Warm regards Kevin Claridge "

"I recently had the pleasure of attending an Ayahuasca retreat at the Arkana spiritual centre in the sacred valley, Peru (8th to the 14th September 2024). This was my third Ayahuasca retreat, as I'd previously attended a different, well known, Ayahuasca centre in the Peruvian Amazon in Iquitos (2017 and 2019). My initial reason for choosing Arkana was that as well as Ayahuasca, they also offer the experience of working with other scared plants, such as San Pedro and Sapo/Bufo. Upon arriving at the Arkana spiritual centre, I was amazed at just how good an Ayahuasca retreat can be. The accommodation, meals and quality/caring of the people who work there was first class. Working with Ayahuasca can be a difficult, yet rewarding experience and my recent Arkana experience showed me that it doesn't have to take place in a harsh environment and sub-standard conditions to make it more real. The Shipibo maestro and maestra at Arkana were of the finest quality and the staff; Theo, John, Luke, Tunde, Raymundo, Chincia, Bob and Alcides, were all a pleasure and a blessing. If you want to experience working with Ayahuasca, there's only one company I would recommend, Arkana (scared valley or Iquitos). Congratulations Jose Saens on creating this beautiful experience for people. It's a world of difference, to what I'd experienced previously. Warm regards Kevin Claridge "

"I felt called to plant medicine after hearing the story of a friend and how life changing it was for them. I read EVERY review and looked at every picture I could find. It came down to Arkana and another retreat center for me and I couldn't be happier that I chose Arkana's Sacred Valley location! Everything was wonderful - from pickup to dropoff. Each of the facilitators was fantastic and inspiring. The group size was perfect and the people I met have become dear friends. Multiple people in the group had been to this location previously. The facilities and location are comfortable and stunning! The food was DELICIOUS! Everyone in my group had a very different experience with the medicines but we all got what we needed. I'm already trying to figure out when I can make a return trip and take a family member with me. Can't thank Arkana and everyone who works there enough!!"

"I truly believe there is no better place I could’ve chosen for an ayahuasca retreat than Arkana. The staff/facilitators are so supportive and knowledgeable…they made me feel so cared for and safe. Each of the staff are so skilled and talented in their own ways. I really enjoyed the extra therapies offered such as the 1:1 breath work and 3-in-1 massage. I felt that each of the facilitators/staff and the owner deeply care about every guest and their healing journey. There is so much love at Arkana. The shamans are experienced and powerful healers. The schedule was perfectly organized and well put together. I loved the food, every single meal was so delicious and nutrient-dense. I appreciated that Arkana gave guests sufficient tools and resources for both preparation before the retreat and self-care and integration post-retreat. The wisdom and the insights I gained from this retreat were life-changing and so profoundly positive. I cannot say enough good things about this healing center. "