Amy says, "My Soltara experience was beyond words. The location is beautiful - peaceful, comfortable, quaint. The staff were absolutely fabulous - so caring and approachable." See more
Conor says, "I had read so many positive reviews before joining this retreat, and this still exceeded my expectations. Erick and his team are so friendly and accommodating, the environment is peaceful and clean, and the food is delicious! I hope to visit again soon." See more
Emily says, "It is difficult to put such a transformative experience into words, but my time at reunion was life-changing. I participated in the Inner Alchemy and the entire program start to finish was exceptional, far exceeding my expectations." See more
Rachael says, "I’m so thankful to have been present for Ananda Lodge’s opening ceremony. The accommodations are beautiful, well decorated, comfortable, with stunning views." See more
Anonymous says, "Sole is a beautiful soul and made everything go smoothly and safely. Grateful I had the opportunity to experience this and meet her!!" See more
Ryan says, "I fell in love with this place in just two days. I’m coming back right away. I cant express how grateful I am for Jim and his team. This was one of the best experiences of my entire life." See more
Leslie says, "Worth its weight in gold? Nah- worth even more than that! Neil’s and Francesca are two of the kindest souls with the purest hearts I have ever met. They did everything in their power to create a safe place, a container for healing, and a fun environment." See more
Anonymous says, "René is a caring, experienced and very intelligent leader, and just the kind of person you want guiding you through a psycidelic experience, as well as making sure all your needs are taken care of during your stay." See more
Anonymous says, "Pandorita was a very profound, healing experience for me, it touched me deeply – and I am still in inner contact with this special energy from this special, wonderful place." See more
Zaheer says, "Matt is not only a legit shaman but a real dude who doesn’t pretend to be anyone other than who he really is. He genuinely cares about the people in the ceremony and puts every bit of his Heart and soul into guiding and protecting us." See more
Rebecca says, "This retreat honestly changed my life. Neten was such a kind, caring, and beautiful person. She was so intuitive and knowledgeable about so many different things." See more
Anonymous says, "My life journey back to myself is steeped in acceptance. Acceptance that the earth provides medicine and people, and medicine people, and it all comes together at the right time when one is ready." See more
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Your comfort level is paramount for a safe and fruitful journey. If you feel drawn to a certain retreat, but the listing doesn’t provide all the information you need.
Feel free to inquire with the organizers or facilitators directly. The Contact option is available just under the Booking button on every listing.
Aside from getting the responses you need to put your mind at ease, opening a line of communication with those who will be taking care of you will enhance your intuition into whether you’ll be in good hands.
Another good way to get insight into details not mentioned in the listing is by checking the Review section — those who have already attended are best at pointing out the virtues and flaws.
Read MoreHaving a clear intention before the ceremony can make an incredible difference in how your experience unfolds.
Maintaining psychophysical purity, or some form of dieta can go a long way in warding off unnecessary suffering once you drink.
Make sure that your intentions are not actually your expectations. It’s in your best interest to let go of the illusion of control.
The effects of ayahuasca typically unfold across distinct phases over 4-6 hours, though the full journey can last up to 8 hours for some people. Traditional Amazonian ceremonies usually begin in the evening and continue through the night, with the most intense period occurring 1-2 hours after drinking the medicine. The physical effects often start within 30 minutes, while the visionary phase commonly peaks between hours 2-4. After the main journey subsides, many experience a gentle "landing" period of 1-2 hours where insights continue to emerge. In traditional contexts, integration begins immediately after the ceremony and extends for days or weeks - this is considered an essential part of the medicine's work. Some retreat centers observe that certain participants may feel subtle energetic shifts for several days following a ceremony, though these are typically mild and manageable. Each person's experience with the medicine follows its own timing and rhythm. Traditional healers emphasize that the effects aren't limited to the ceremonial hours - rather, the ceremony opens a door through which healing and understanding continue to flow long after the acute effects have passed.