"I have been to many spiritual retreats over the years and also taken part in many different plant medicines.
Sinchi Runa is by far the most professionally run and well thought through retreat I have ever been too. I cannot praise Master Sanango and his team of professionals and experts, Ananda, Arjuna, Fiona, Andrea and Veronika enough. They go above and beyond to create a safe environment so that each individual gets the loving attention and guidance they need. They never shun away from questions and to say they go the last mile is even an understatement!
Everything is explained in a timely fashion, so you have time to surrender to the nature and leave the thinking mind before you start on the IMMENSE inner journey.
This retreat is not to be taken lightly. It's important to be far enough down the spiritual path to surrender before signing up. The preparation sent in advance is exceptionally clear. I listened to all the podcasts that explain in detail how to prepare best. What to eat, how to approach Mama Ayahuasca and what to focus on.
What is not given is a timetable, and there is a very good reason for this. It is not due to secrecy, it is because of the wisdom of 'not knowing'. Depending upon the group and the circumstances, all will take place in due time.
TRUST the process and allow the deeply experienced, gentle and warm team to guide you.
With gratitude and love. "
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Experiences on Retreat
"Joe was a fantastic guide for the psilocybin retreat that I attended. He was warm, welcoming and engaging. He took time to spend with me one to one prior to the ceremony to allay any apprehensions that I might of had, explain the format, what to expect and generally put me at ease so I was as relaxed and open as I could be ahead of the ceremony. He was incredibly personable and I felt that I came away from the experience having made a new friend in Joe. I would definitely like to return to another of Acsauhaya's retreats with Joe maybe to experience an Ayahuasca ceremony next time. Thank you for being you Joe š"
"I had been wanting to take part in a Psilocybin ceremony for a while so chose my retreat carefully and from the reviews that I read and what I saw written online about Acsauhaya I was confident that they were a credible organisation. I wasn't disappointed, they treated the whole process from booking to the retreat itself with utmost professionalism. The ceremony was an amazing experience which I really enjoyed and it left me with sense of connectedness with myself and everything around me. I would highly recommend Acsauhaya to anyone who is considering a psilocybin experince - they will will look after you with the utmost care and you will be sure to have a transformative experience. Namaste x"
"After many years of suffering, with no relief felt from counselling and antidepressants, I thoroughly researched psilocybin. I felt this was the only possible solution of coming to terms with the loss of my Mom and the existential angst her passing left behind. From the initial phonecall to subsequent meeting, I felt a very real connection with Nancy who has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is also understanding, empathetic and puts you at ease. During my ceremony I grieved very hard for my Mom which I had not allowed myself to do for the preceeding 8 years. Nancy was by my side every minute for the whole journey and I can never thank her enough for this as I really needed a guide who would be there every step of the way with me, to help me process my deep emotions and existential thoughts. After the ceremony Nancy helped me to process the experience and gave me valuable advice on how to move forwards and how to look at things differently. I can now feel the potential for a new life, full of acceptance and positivity and joy, and this is as a result of choosing Nancy as my guide for which I will be eternally grateful."
"The deepest and most profound experience of my life. Invaluable! Will return. Alex, Vera and Marc took great care of me. I feel very grateful "
"My experience at Sinchi Runa has been transformative, and I donāt say that lightly. I came for my first 3 day retreat in September 2023 and I had no idea what to expect (Iāve returned 2 more times, the last being March 2024). I had received very kind communication from Andrea and Ananda prior to arriving (I was on a high dose of medication for ADHD which I had to come off of immediately in order to participate) but nothing could prepare me for the experience of being at Sinchi Runa.
The grounds are gorgeous, no matter the weather, the bell tents you sleep in are exactly whatās needed - clean, comfortable, and beautifully basic. The food is delicious, clearly cooked with love and feels so good for your body. Iām vegan but canāt imagine meat eaters feeling hard done by from the abundance of food.
This is a retreat centre where you can properly do the work. The complete silence (unless in ceremony prep) is scary at first but becomes so welcome and is now one of the things I crave most when Iām back home. If you want to go deep with plant medicine, this is the place to do it. It is a safe, loving environment and structured in such a way that prepares you to surrender and learn. The tobacco purge is as important as the ayahuasca - donāt worry about the throwing up. I promise that in the moment, it really doesnāt matter in the slightest.
The changes that have occurred in myself and my life post-ceremony are without number. It is life-changing, not least because I have been able to stop taking my ADHD medication, and I donāt feel that there is a limit to what these plants can heal for us and help us learn/remember.
Maestro Sanango speaks eloquently on plant medicine, journeys into the self and into the greater oneness. He is a masterful presence and full of light. Ananda is his skilled interpreter and assistant, his presence is calming and peaceful, he is a lovely soul to share the journey with. Arjuna assists in ceremony and is a sweet spirit that offers support to all, as is Fiona, who cooks gorgeously and supports attendees with deeply loving kindness. Andrea helps organise incoming participants with sweetness and patience (lots of patience!).
If youāre looking for an ayahuasca retreat that is safe (I came as a single woman & never felt uncomfortable or at risk), honours the plants, and will help you change/evolve/develop, this is the one. "
"Very laid back atmosphere with professional healers, they are also very experienced so they inform you well and they have a great routine checking up on people during ceremonis whit out interfering in the experience. Spectacular vegetarian food and dessert included in the price. Up in the mountains where the weather may change so bring some warm clothes as well. "
"I had a lot of existential thoughts and blockages that I wanted to look at from a new perspective with the help of psilocybin. Alan took time in a Zoom call to understand me and my goals. I booked a 1 Day Private Psilocybin Ceremony in Amsterdam and Alan arrived to my flat. He took care of my needs at the time of the experience and provided a great guidance. Also the Zoom call conversation to integrate my experience into my life was very useful and helpful. My mind is now full of new ideas about old stuff, which never crossed my mind before. So I'm very grateful for this journey!"
"I loved every moment of my seven days spent at Sinchi Runa. It was the biggest breakthrough of my life. Maestro Sanango and the team were special and made me feel safe and right at home. The amount of information I downloaded during the ceremonies was mind boggling. Words, images, symbols, ideas concepts, and most importantly insights into who I am, the real self, not the one that was constructed by all the stories I was meant to believe about myself. And that was exactly what I came for, to re-discover my authentic self, without chains, without trauma, free to be the human that God designed me to be.
Thank you so much <3
- Giovanna"
"I had an amazing journey with Siddiq. He hosted me with his thoughtful and caring partner Payton that cooked amazingly vegan herbal meals. Both made me safe and comfortable. I had a wonderful big room in this arty house in the mountains. The perfect landscape to connect with mushrooms. Siddiq hold the space respectfully with presence and gave me an amazing massage to relax and get into my trip. He was present all along to support whenever I had emotional moments. I highly recommend to be accompany by Siddiq !"
"I recently had the privilege of participating in a session facilitated by Siddiq, and I must say it was a truly meaningful experience. From the moment I reached out to inquire about joining a psilocybin session, Siddiq was incredibly attentive and supportive. He took the time to address all my concerns and provided invaluable materials to help me prepare for the session, including a wealth of resources like videos, podcasts, and books. These resources served as a roadmap for further exploration and reflection, both before and after the session.
Upon arriving at the retreat, Siddiq made me feel completely at ease. He listened attentively to my apprehensions and took proactive steps to ensure my comfort. The relaxation exercises we engaged in beforehand were instrumental in calming my nerves and fostering a sense of acceptance.
Throughout the session, Siddiq was a steadfast presence, guiding me through each stage of the journey with compassion and expertise. His unwavering support, whether it was holding my hand during moments of fear or offering insightful suggestions when I felt lost, was truly invaluable. Even after the effects of the mushroom had subsided, Siddiq remained by my side, helping me process and integrate the experience.
The following day, we took a rejuvenating walk in the woods, allowing me to reconnect with nature and engage in meaningful conversation. Through it all, I came to a profound realization: individuals like Siddiq are the catalysts for healing in this world. His dedication, empathy, and wisdom have left an indelible mark on me, and for that, I am deeply grateful."
"If you're reading this review now and feeling on the fence, I feel you. I was on this website myself in February 2024 and thanks to the reviews I've read I went on a retreat this March.
I cannot explain by words how grateful I'm for this opportunity and the experience I had at Sinchi Runa. First of all, the people. I've never felt more safe and protected there than ever before. Ananda, Fiona, Sanangu and everybody else were so welcoming, calm, accepting and at the same time disciplined. You can just look in their eyes full of love and you feel that you're taken care of with respect. I will be forever grateful for the people I've met there.
The retreat was in silence, without phones and it was so amazing to forget about life issues and challenges and simply BE. Sanangu answered all our concerns and questions before the ceremony and I felt prepared and ready. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable.
When I recall what happened with me I just start to cry, cry out of gratefulness for the lessons Iāve learnt and experience I've had. āØ
I recommend it from the bottom of my heart. "
"It`s been ten days since my Ayahuasca experience at Sinchi Runa, my first ever psychedelic experience, and It was without doubt the most profound and beautiful experience of my life that I`ll never forget.
It was the shorter three day retreat with addition Kambo ceremony that I participated in and I can`t thank Sinchi Runa enough for their generosity, kindness, delicious food and sharing of Maestro Sanango`s wisdom and beautiful voice.
My life is already on a new path since the experience.
I`m planning on a longer retreat when the time is right to return.
With my sincerest gratitude to Sinchi Runa.
Joel"
"I completed a 12 day a retreat at Sinchi Runa in September 2023 and the beautiful ripple effects continue to surprise me months after.
As a psychologist, I know the value of working on and with yourself. And eventually you reach a point where talk therapy is not enough. The plant medicines have helped me access deeper (more unreachable) parts of my myself. Furthermore, the entire structure of the retreats at Sinchi Runa (sleeping in 1-man tents, the silence, the diets/food, the ceremonies, the sharing circles, etc.) invite you to dive deep within yourself in a way that is difficult to create in our normal and busy lives.
The people who work at Sinchi Runa are in service to this mission and the love, care and attention that you feel from them is very special. The food is beautiful, living in the tents is so magical and I felt so safe and held.
Any experience that you have while on this retreat (and in each ceremony) is EXACTLY the experience you are meant to have. Because any experience we are having in life, is a reflection of where we are at and what we need to learn. This was such a beautiful (and funny) lesson I got from my retreat that the plants helped me understand (with Maestro Sanangoās support). After truly understanding this, everything started to shift for me.
I am not the same after my experience ā¦. And the transformations and deepening keep coming, months after my retreat ended. I am deeply grateful. Thank you Sinchi Runa!
I hope you also give yourself this beautiful gift and experience. "
"My utmost respect goes to Sanango and the whole team behind Sinchi Runa who make an absolute miracle possible. Both with Ayahuasca and the overall energy within the retreat, which truly is a sacred place, outside of space and time. I came with a lot of doubts and judgments but was brought to my knees by Mama Aya until I admitted my naivety and got then rewarded with her motherly love. There are no words that can do justice to the miracle of Ayahuasca and I am simply grateful that Sinchi Runa is making this divine experience possible. "
"Sinchi Runa is a true healing center that I recommend.
It is authentic and alive.
The spirit of this center is based on respect for the practices and master plants.
The practice of silence allows us to go even deeper into ourselves. It's one of the keys I took lightly before coming, and now I understand its power.
The team at Sanango's side is extremely caring and attentive, giving us all the space we need to heal.
The Ayahuasca ceremony was as intense as anything I'd experienced before, and you can't help but admire the seriousness of curandero Sanango and his incredible involvement here.
I came away feeling uplifted and grown up.
I can only recommend it!
Thank you "
"I attended the 7 day retreat offered in February 2024. I traveled a great distance to attend this retreat, from the midwestern part of the United States. This was my first experience with ayahuasca and I am so glad I followed my intuition. I was strongly drawn to Sinchi Runa and I chose wisely. I was impressed with how professional Sanango and his team were. They all radiate love, kindness and compassion. The group meetings were very educational, enrichening and supportive. Sanango's innate wisdom helped me feel completely safe, prepared and confident under his care. Unfortunately, Sanango became very ill to the extent of having to go to the hospital. We were only able to complete 1 of the 2 ayahuasca ceremonies; however, Sinchi Runa did offer a very reasonable discount for any future retreat and a free 3 day retreat preparation with Kambo and plant medicine ceremonies included. Considering the circumstance this is a very generous offer to be honored. Although it is understandable to experience some disappointment, the overarching lesson the universe offered our group was that of compassion. Compassion for Sanango and his well-being, his team for doing their best to mitigate an unexpected, difficult situation and also for myself to have compassion for a fellow attendee openly upset he did not receive what he paid for. My heart goes out to him and I hope his heart finds the healing and peace it deserves. Realizing I immediately transmuted any negative emotions into compassion was a profound moment of growth for me. The experience at Sinchi Runa vastly opened up my heart, greatly assisted my personal growth and the lessons continue to unravel for me. The universe often disguises lessons very well, the secret is to always be looking for them and stay heart-centered to support personal and spiritual growth.
The actual ayahuasca ceremony was so profound there is no humanly way accurately describe or condense it into words. It was an absolute mind-blowing, powerful, beautiful experience. My mind, body and soul feels reset, like I've been reborn. I am so much more aligned with my true self than I've ever been and I am a better person. What an absolute, priceless blessing to receive. I am grateful for Sanango leading such a powerful ceremony. I have made my career as a therapist and very educated in many healing modalities. I have personally engaged in a multitude of healing modalities over the course of my life: ayahuasca has been the most profound, transformational healing experience I have had thus far.
To anyone considering this retreat, follow your intuition. I will be returning to Sinchi Runa in the future as I am committed to healing as much as I can in this lifetime and I know I am in good hands while there. I send so much love and gratitude out to Sinchi Runa!!! "
"Several things went wrong.
The staff started to get sick on the second day so they cancelled half of the ceremonies we were supposed to do , and they didnāt have any back up plan for this situation.
Also, we were living in tents during the retreat and we got a bedbugs and caterpillar invasion that was very badly handled. We were given creams that donāt work. I had to sleep with my clothes on to avoid getting bitten by the bed bugs . Half of the participants got huge rashes on their bodies, and some got infections from thoses rashes and had to go to the hospital after the retreat.
Regarding food we only got 2 meals a day. One being a oatmeal porridge for breakfast 5 days on the 7 days.
For the price of retreat I felt the food was a bit light but letās pass on that.
Today itās been exactly a month weāre fighting to get a reimbursement but theyāre just willing to give 30% discount āif we want to come backā which is an absolut joke.
we paid a lot of money for a 7 days retreat. Ended up with less ceremonies than a 3 days retreat , got health issues , and they dont want to reimburse us.
Definitely not the best place for healing.
*original review adjusted slightly to meet Retreat Guru Posting Policy*
---------- Response from Retreat Center ----------
It saddens us to read your review and to know that you had a bad experience with us, though our perspective is quite different from yours and we hope to be able to bring these differences together. We can understand your frustration and have tried to be in touch with you. We just want to make sure you are completely aware of the offer we made, which included reimbursement.
The retreat with ceremonies, group talks, meditations, food & board took place normally until the evening of the 6th day, when Maestro Sanango was hospitalized. We deeply regret not being able to give the final ceremony due to an unforeseeable human circumstance, and not being able to serve you in our fullest capacity. We understand the frustration and effort made to attend, and hence sought to openly repair.
We sadly could not offer the final ceremony - we are a small plant medicine center around one deeply experienced maestro, and do not have a staff of shamans to give ceremonies in case the maestro falls ill. The sacredness for us of the experience with Ayahuasca as well as the specialisation that we feel is needed to safely hold these ceremonies does not allow us, at this moment, to place the students as āshamansā or facilitators, and we feel this would be dangerous and would have put you participants at risk.
Instead we did what we felt was honest and safe for you, as well as seeking to reciprocate the effort and sacrifice made to participate on the retreat, and so offered a discount for a future retreat when the maestro is in better physical condition, or reimbursing part of the cost of the retreat if this did not resonate.
We had an outbreak of seasonal caterpillars (not bedbugs), which are a normal phenomenon for a few weeks a year in the pine forests of southern Europe. They can cause a mild rash or discomfort similar to the mosquito bites you would have in the jungle on a retreat similar to this one. We are sorry to hear that you had to go to the hospital due to a rash infected with this, it sounds like a reaction we have not experienced or heard of before, and to avoid this concern in the future we will plan our retreats outside the time when the caterpillars appear.
We can definitively confirm there are not bed-bugs - we have checked, and we were also not made aware by anyone about this worry during nor after your retreat. We have hosted multiple retreats at our venue since, and no concerns or complaints were raised.
Based on what all the participants shared with us, including you, beautiful and meaningful insights and healing were received. Although unfortunately we had to cancel the final ceremony, we feel that the retreat had many positive aspects, wonderful conclusions in the real and transcendental. We sincerely hope that you can rediscover what you experienced with us and rescue it without letting the experience be tarnished by a human situation, which we cannot control.
Thank you for your understanding and hope you will contact us to close any disagreement.
With warmth and sincerity,
Ananda - Sinchi Runa
"
"Attending the Alegria psychedelic retreat was a transformative experience for me, as someone dealing with chronic fibromyalgia pain, anxiety, and occasional depression. From my first interaction with Alan, there was an immediate connection, and I embarked on the journey from the Middle East to the Netherlands with anticipation and curiosity.
Opting for two private ceremonies, I found it hard to articulate the profound impact of my encounters with psilocybin. Each ceremony was a unique and intensely powerful experience. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Alan, who traveled from Germany to facilitate these ceremonies and guide me through them. I'm also deeply appreciative of my brother Stan, whose presence during the second ceremony helped me delve into my emotions and release my suffering. Their authenticity and genuine intention to alleviate my struggles were palpable throughout.
Upon returning home, I noticed a remarkable shift in my mindset. Fear and anxiety no longer held me captive, and my suffering had notably lessened. I am eager to repeat this journey with the same compassionate individuals. Thank you, Alegria, and everyone involved in facilitating this profound healing experience. šš»šÆļø"
"Thank you for the beautiful event.. I find it hard to describe in words what this event has done for me, I can only say that it has truly changed my life, I will share this everywhere, thank you Menno!"
"I signed up to this retreat last minute, not knowing totally what was involved & not knowing what I would get out of it...
...What I got was life changing.
The whole team at Alegria have an incredible aura about them, creating a space where you can truly be yourself without being judged or worrying what people think (I was amazed at how many shields I had up).
It's hard to put into words what happens to you during the ceremonies, but for me personally, for the first time in my life, I got answers to some of the bigger questions & had revelations about myself, my work & relationships. One thing to note is how incredible the support is during the ceremony - the team have an incredible way of knowing when you need some support during your experience & when you're okay to have some space. Another thing to note is how incredible the music is during the ceremony and throughout the retreat (Viva Malika)!
In short, I arrived at the retreat burnt out from work, lethargic & struggling in myself & relationships. I left feeling very much as if I was starting a new life, healing old wounds & starting to live as we were meant to, in joy!
You won't regret it.
"
"The Reset life lived up to its name, I was able to reset some core beliefs through the method! Thankful"
"The Reset Life has helped me to get through my fear of being myself amongst other people. It wasn't easy at first but eventually the exercises and mirrors given changed a lot in me. Very thankful"
"The Reset event was full of great teachings and methods that I knew about a bit but not to this extent. Digging deep and healing some of my inner child wounds was why I signed up. I can easily say that this has worked out well for me and I can recommend this to everybody who is looking for a similar outcome. "
"The event was above expectations, even if I wanted to go in without them I noticed that I had some expectations regarding the resetting my beliefs part. After various healings and trying different methods I wasn't able to go to the root of my patterns or programming. Thanks to the method that we learned at the event I was able to recall moments in the past and connect them with certain reactions I have nowadays in various situations. This for me is a big win and I am very optimistic about the new knowledge and the first steps towards more freedom from my overthinking. THank you everybody!"
"Am a breath master and a curious person and it was a while since I wanted to try the Ayahuasca so that ,after lot of research,I found Vera&Alex here in my Archipelago. I definitely couldnāt be luckier coz my experience was as deep as illuminating and I do think that most of the experience results depended from those splendid people and their teammates,they are so professional -friendly-safe transmitting and much more that I will probably be back in one or two months at last! I deeply suggest their retreat š¤"
"The event was deep for me and very healing as well. I was triggered in the beginning but came to find out that this was something I always do.. I want to escape or make myself ''small'' and hide. I was challenged to act differently this time and I am grateful for that amazing mirror. Wow! I feel I have grown so much in such a short period of time, just to realize what my ''triggers'' are, and how they are part of my programming feels much lighter. Thank you Menno & Team"
"I was kind of skeptical about this so called ''inner work practices'' but wow I couldn't be more wrong. I have learned more about my self then I have through years of therapy, and 'being stuck in my head. Very grateful for the lessons and recommending this to everybody"
"From the first call with Nancy, I felt at ease, safe and like I had made a good choice. She explained everything perfectly and has a lovely, warm presence that made everything easy.
On the day itself, I had some difficult content come up which she took in her stride, helping me through it all in the best way she possibly could have done - with the help of James, of course!
Thank you Nancy."
"I loved the whole weekend but the breathwork was the best I did so far. I went to a space of deep emotions and I could release a lot of stress throughout the session. It came together with the reset life in which I used insights from the breathwork and I was actually able to reset a programming that I had within my system. Thank you so much for this experience! "