I have been to a handful of these places (almost feels wrong to lump this in with the others), and I finally feel like I have found a place that meets the sweet-spot of trust and powerful experience. Not knowing where to start, I'll just say off hand that as in anything in life, be it work or communities you surround yourself with, the people you engage with are perhaps the most important factor, and Arkana has done an amazing job of growing a family of qualified, loving, caring, adaptable and attentive staff to ensure a beautiful and rewarding experience to the customer/patient/client. I felt rather quickly that we were in good hands when the week started, which is a pivotal aspect for these retreats as surrender is impossible without that level of trust.
To put it plainly, the experiences within the retreat were as powerful as needed to be, and the maestros as well as the staff work with you (not common! honestly) to truly ensure you get what you need with the medicine, which sounds like it would be out of their hands, but indeed I can attest to their importance in this role as well.
Now one thing that may seem trivial but is by no means the case, the food. I can only speak for the Sacred Valley location, but holy moly was I impressed far and beyond, and I am a health nut who works out hard and enjoys food quite a bit (part of the path I am on and working through as well, so this is very important). I am amazed at how the chef maintains to the Aya diet while making such delicious food and enough for a giant like myself! You will not be disappointed on this front, and I have experienced severe let downs elsewhere.
The location of the Sacred Valley retreat is truly special too. Tucked away in the Sacred Valley and a short walk to a neat hike of the Maras Salt Mines, this is a lovely place to settle down, unwind, and open yourself to going inward to working on yourself.
They say the schedule is what makes Arkana (or something like that :) ), and I do think they do an awesome job on this. Everything is done with intention, and if you've done your research, you know intention cannot be overlooked on these retreats. I overheard some conversations of the staff trying to improve even further, which goes to show they are not relishing in how great things are but genuinely care about always doing the best for the people who visit.
I can't say enough positive things to express my love for this place, and it's not just the medicine talking, as I've been out for almost two weeks now :)
If you are looking for the perfect balance between cost, care, and powerful transformative experience, you have arrived. Honestly. Don't hesitate. This is way more affordable than those insanely priced "luxury" retreats and the amount of love put in will not be matched elsewhere. I have tried to find a better deal, I promise ;)
Thank you Arkana family for all you do and for the beautiful environment for healing you have provided.
With love,
~Steve
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