Arkana Amazon - 14 Day Ayahuasca Retreat

Before coming to Arkana, I was deeply struggling. I knew cognitively that I needed change. I knew I carried trauma that had kept me in overdrive for most of my life. But I didn’t truly understand how much my mind, body, and spirit were longing to slow down, soften, and feel safe again.

I was honestly scared when I arrived. Excited, but scared. I didn’t know what I was walking into, and I couldn’t have imagined how beautifully held and supported I would be. From the moment I stepped onto the property, there was a sense of safety and reverence that surrounded everything. The facility itself is stunning - peaceful, grounding, and intentionally designed to support deep inner work. It feels sacred without being overwhelming.

The pacing of the experience was one of the most healing parts. Everything was so thoughtfully structured. The restorative yoga, breathwork, and sound healing weren’t just “add-ons,” they were essential pieces that helped my nervous system feel safe and regulated between ceremonies. Each practice felt purposeful, helping me stay connected to my body and gently integrate what was unfolding emotionally and spiritually.

Having a full day of rest and exploration between ceremonies two and three was incredibly powerful. Being able to visit Machu Picchu and take in its beauty gave my system space to breathe, reflect, and anchor everything that had already shifted within me. It reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time - it can also be expansive, awe-inspiring, and deeply grounding.

The guides and shamans are extraordinary. Their presence is calm, grounded, and deeply compassionate. I never once felt rushed, judged, or pushed. They held space with such integrity and tenderness, especially when things felt vulnerable or intense. I always felt seen, protected, and trusted to move through my experience in my own way.

The integration support is where Arkana truly stands apart. They don’t just guide you through the ceremonies; they help you understand, embody, and carry the experience forward into your real life. I left with tools, grounding practices, and a deeper trust in my own intuition and nervous system. It wasn’t about fixing me. It was about helping me remember myself.

And the food deserves its own recognition. Every meal was nourishing, intentional, and deeply supportive of the healing process. It felt like part of the ceremony itself - clean, grounding, and prepared with so much care and respect for the body.

Coming back to Texas, I already feel different. My relationship with my body, my energy, my food, and my pace of life has shifted. I’m calmer. More present. Less driven by urgency and more guided by awareness. It’s showing up in how I eat, how I rest, how I train, and how I listen to myself.

I thought I was going to Arkana to “work on myself.” What I didn’t realize was that I was going to be gently reintroduced to who I already was beneath years of survival mode. The experience was not rushed, forced, or overwhelming. It was spacious, intentional, and deeply respectful of the human nervous system.

If you are feeling called but scared, I was too. And I can say with complete honesty: you will be met with more compassion, professionalism, and integrity than you can imagine. This experience changed my life in the most grounded, embodied, and sustainable way possible.

I had a really powerful experience at Arkana Spiritual Center. It is a very peaceful place surrounded by nature, which helped me feel calm and focused. The ceremonies were intense but meaningful, and they helped me learn a lot about myself. The shamans and staff were kind, caring, and made me feel safe the whole time.

The retreat was well organized, and the food and rooms were amazing (vegan options available). I also liked the extra activities like yoga, group sharing, and spending time outside. I felt connected to the other people there, and it was nice to share the experience together.

This is not an easy or relaxing vacation it can be emotional and challenging, but most people, including me, felt it was worth it. Overall, Arkana is a good place for people who are serious about healing, learning, and personal growth. I’m so grateful for my new outlook on life it’s truly a fresh start once you do the hard work in each ceremony. I will be forever grateful for Arkana, Jose, and the wonderful shaman and facilitators that made this place run so smoothly for people to come and heal!

I’ve been to both Arkana retreats in Peru the Scared Valley and the Amazon.
Each time it was a wonderful experience with the staff and facilitators and Maestro’s.
I highly recommend Arkana to everyone and anyone.

I attended Arkana in November of 2025. I wanted to wait a few months so that I would have all the right words to say after the initial integration back had passed and also that it would still be true after the "afterglow"

I experienced a lot of traumas in my life, and most were before I was age 13. Because of this I made very poor decisions in my life, especially in the relationships that I sought out. I have worked really hard at finding my inner peace. I have tried psychological therapy (even getting my degree in Psychology), tapping, hypnotism, getting very involved in religion, anti-depressants, drugs as a teenager and alcohol in my later years. I knew plant medicine would probably be my last resort at finding my inner peace. The jungle called to me for years...

I did a lot of research since I am a woman, and I would be going alone. For some reason as soon as I found Arkana on a google search I felt like "this is the one!". It felt safe. Every time I thought about it until the time I got there, I was excited about it.

Now for women that go alone... the best advice I can give is beware of the taxi drivers in Iquitos. They will con you out of $$. Just know what it should cost you to get to where you want to go and you will be fine. There is a free shuttle that gets you to the hotel from the airport, so you may not need a taxi at all.

The next morning when the shuttle bus comes to pick you up and you meet the team....you know you are safe and from that time until you leave to go home... YOU ARE LOVED and CARED for! You'll understand once you trek it yourself.

Now I don't want to go too much into the plant medicine and which ones worked for me and didn't because everyone has a different experience and I wouldn't want you to expect a certain medicine to do for you what it did for me. I can explain my experience though...

I have always been a very spiritual person. I could always feel that there was.....something more. I chased a lot of different beliefs. I can say that for my experience, what I then thought was god in hindsight I see as complete Oneness, if that makes sense. I could see, feel, taste, HEAR every emotion. It was pain, love, fear, joy and most of all TRUST!. It was in me, through me, surrounding me. For once in my life I felt safe... loved.... peace. I wept like I have never wept before... I understood.

I was reborn and after my experience I could feel my aura surrounding me as if it was bumping into everything I walked by. I never believed in this type of thing before.

On my travels home through airports and once a few days later, I could smell the flower water that they used during ceremony. I have woken up several times since, early in the morning and I am back in the jungle, back in the maloka. I have been able to work through people that have hurt me, and I cry... but I am healing.

Now this is not going to be everyone's experience, please know this.... If you have run out of options and you have traumas that are deep in you... this may be a gateway to release.

I love you Arkana. I love your staff that you so carefully choose. I love that you have security on site to keep us safe. I love that you are there for us even after our journey. I am immensely grateful!

Lisa

🌟 Arkana Ayahuasca Center Review: A Transformative Experience 🌟
This is not just a retreat; it's a complete healing journey. After nearly a year of research, I chose Arkana, and I am so grateful I did.
1. My Personal Experience (The Arkana Family)
The entire place is amazing, with every spot having its own unique character.
* The Staff: They are more than just kind—they are truly a new family. Everyone, from the cleaners to the Shamans, is filled with love and a genuine desire to ensure you achieve your goals. Their care is 100% genuine.
* The Healing Journey: The environment is built on four strong pillars: The powerful Jungle, the loving Staff, the sacred Ayahuasca spirit, and authentic Shamans. This is a complete treatment center from arrival to departure.
* Food: The food was outstanding—Yummy, healthy, and perfectly supportive of the cleansing and healing process!
2. For Future Visitors (Important Insight)
If your goal is just to "try" Ayahuasca as a normal drink, this is not your place. Ayahuasca is a spirit that demands respect. This center is for those committed to a deep, complete, and healing journey.
| Category | My Rating & Thoughts |
|---|---|
| Jungle | Super, WOW! A standalone healing force. |
| Staff | I have a new family now. |
| Shamans | Real deal! They share their palpable energy with you. |
| Overall Vibe | The ultimate experience of love, energy, and peace. |