About this Retreat
Katie is the facilitator and organizer for Allpa Mama Retreats. She is from Chicago, USA, and is Miguel's partner. She has lived in Ecuador for five years, assisting in Ayahuasca, San Pedro and Wilka ceremonies. She does her own San Pedro ceremonies, having received the blessing from the spirits and Miguel to work with this medicine. She also gives limpias (energetic cleansings), does cleansing rituals and massage as well. She is honored to be able to work with these sacred plants, and believes they are here to help us heal, grow, remember the ancient ways of living and connecting with each other and the earth. Katie is also an ancestral herbal medicine and midwifery student of Mercedes
Miguel was born in Cuenca, Ecuador and at an early age his perception of spirits and energies were awakened. Since he was 20 years old, he began helping taitas in ceremonies, and some time later he began to perform his own ceremonies. He first learned to work with Huachuma from Taitas of the Andes. After this he was introduced to Mama Wilka by a shaman from the North of Bolivia, and was initiated into this almost-lost Inkan tradition. He learned to work with Ayahusaca from several respected Shuar Ubishines (curanderos) in the jungle of Gualaquiza.
Miguel has a unique ability of being able to feel the pains of other people, just upon meeting them. This helps him to give excellent cleansings, which can take away physical, mental and spiritual pains and illnesses.
He is a humble, kind person and loves to teach others about his country, culture and the plants he works with.
Details of this retreat
8 Day Spring Equinox Retreat in the Sacred Valley of Vilcabamba, Ecuador
March 18-25, 2025
Discount if you come with a friend!
Embrace renewal this Spring Equinox with our transformative Healing Plant Medicine Retreat. As the earth awakens, so can you. This sacred journey invites you to reconnect with nature, release old energies, and restore balance through the powerful guidance of plant medicines. Surrounded by the vibrant energy of spring, you’ll experience deep healing in a serene, supportive environment.
Led by experienced facilitators, our retreat offers a safe space for personal growth, introspection, and transformation. Through sacred ceremonies with Ayahuasca and San Pedro, guided meditations, informative and healing workshops, and Spring rituals, you will unlock inner wisdom, cleanse emotional blockages, and cultivate clarity for the season ahead.
This is your opportunity to step into the new season with renewed vitality, purpose, and connection to your authentic self. Whether you are new to plant medicine or experienced in the practice, this retreat is designed to support your unique journey of healing and growth.
This transformational retreat is full of powerful ceremonies, cleansings and activities, along with nourishing food, snacks, and rest time, so you can go deep into your inner nature.
Retreat includes:
- All accommodation and food in a beautiful, private home in the mountains with shared and private rooms
- Nourishing meals made with local, fresh ingredients - VEG & VG options available
- 2 Ayahuasca ceremonies
- 1 San Pedro ceremony
- Optional Wilka ceremony (extra)
- Cacao ceremony
- Energetic cleansings
- Ritual plant baths for energy cleansing
- Guided meditations & yoga
- Spa visit
- Talking circles and time to meet individually
- Hiking to sacred mountains, rivers, waterfalls
Workshops:
Spring Equinox ritual
Shamanic beliefs and practices in Ecuador
Pranayama breathing exercises
Learn about the mind/body/spirit connection for maintaining balance
Plant Medicine Ceremonies
We will gather together in Plant Medicine Ceremonies. Ayahuasca is often compared to a wise Grandmother, and like an onion, she can help you find your center and let go of what no longer serves you, as well as helping to heal physical and mental illness.
Grandfather San Pedro is the healing masculine energy, helping you find alignment and open your heart once more, ready to take flight. We will meet with Grandfather San Pedro next to Granfather Fire in beautiful, unique ceremonies
Mama Wilka is a rare, sacred medicine that comes from the Huilko tree in the Andes. Miguel is one of a handful of people who know how to work with this medicine. Huilka is a medicine taken as a snuff, and is very visionary, intense and short. The experience usually lasts about 1 hour. This plant contains 5MEO DMT. Wilca is known to heal terminal illness, and is especially helpful for those with addictions. She teaches us about ourselves and the Universe and helps show us clearly our path in life.
We will provide preparation support, and we hold circles during our plant medicine retreats to discuss any questions you may have in advance. After our plant medicine ceremonies, we also have sharing circles, so you can share any pearls from your ceremony experience. Some people have sat in ceremonies previously, whereas, for others, it is their first time meeting with the plant medicines.
Optional:
Huilka seed reading with Taita Miguel - before or after on Zoom, or at retreat. Ask questions about your life, work, relationship, connect with loved ones who have passed over
Virtual limpia (energetic cleansing) - We can do a limpia for you via Zoom before the retreat if you wish, or after. We will do them at the retreat, but it can be helpful to start aligning your energy or help with any health issues you might be experiencing even before you arrive.