Ascend: A Luxury Psilocybin Retreat for Entrepreneurs

Name: Ascend: A Luxury Psilocybin Retreat for Entrepreneurs
Start: 2025-04-24
End: 2025-04-27
Location: Ascend Retreats
Rating: 5

5.006 reviews

Villa Esencia Retreat, Lugar Celima, 29690 Casares, Andalucía, Spain

Up to 8 in group

April 24 - 27, 2025

A preparation course valued at $109 is included with the retreat at no extra cost

Retreat Highlights

Gain clarity and insight through two guided psilocybin ceremonies for personal and professional growth.
Access deeper states of healing and resilience with two transformational breathwork sessions.
Enhance creativity, productivity, and decision-making with two guided hypnotherapy journeys.
Align breakthroughs to real-world goals through two group coaching and integration sessions.
Experience deep relaxation and emotional release with two live sound healing journeys.
Restore your energy and focus with four nights of peaceful, luxurious accommodation.
Nourish your body and mind with gourmet plant-based cuisine.
Recharge in a serene setting with a heated saltwater pool and sauna.
Connect to yourself and nature with tranquil gardens and breathtaking views of Gibraltar.
Build meaningful relationships with like-minded leaders in a supportive environment.
Be a part of a growing personal development community called The MQ Tribe which was founded in Marbella to support community building and connection.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Dev

Marianne

Christina

Margot

Denise

Dev Das

Are you ready to unlock deeper clarity, creativity, and purpose in both your personal and professional life? Dev, a psychologist, trained hypnotherapist, entrepreneur, and author of two leadership books, specialises in guiding business leaders like you through transformative plant medicine experiences that inspire breakthrough insights and lasting growth. With advanced training in Grof Psychedelic Therapy, Dev brings cutting-edge techniques and insights to the facilitation of psilocybin journeys. This rigorous program focuses on the safe and ethical use of holotropic states of consciousness—a journey towards wholeness—for healing and transformation. Dev’s approach is grounded in evidence-based psychological practices and tailored to meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs and high-performing professionals. Having walked the entrepreneurial path himself, Dev understands the pressures of leadership and the need for renewal and alignment. His retreats offer a safe, compassionate space to explore profound inner work, unlock hidden potential, and gain clarity on your path forward. If you’re seeking to overcome barriers, enhance your vision, or reconnect with your true purpose, Dev is here to guide you with integrity, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to your well-being and growth. This is your opportunity to step into transformative work, grounded in safety and care, and emerge as the leader you’re meant to be.

Marianne Ma Evina

Marianne Evina Brudevold is the visionary co-creator of **Villa Esencia**, a sanctuary designed to support deep healing, transformation, and self-discovery—making it an ideal setting for plant medicine journeys. Originally from Norway, Marianne’s spiritual path has taken her across continents, including years spent immersed in India’s spiritual traditions, living the disciplined life of an ashram devotee. Her journey has given her a profound understanding of the transformative potential of sacred practices, which she now weaves into every experience at Villa Esencia. With over 35 years on the spiritual path, Marianne has extensively explored Tantra, feminine spirituality, meditation, and numerous healing modalities. Her approach is deeply mystical yet grounded, creating a perfect synergy with plant medicine journeys. She holds a nurturing space for participants to reconnect with their inner truth, process deep emotional layers, and awaken to their highest potential in a safe and supportive environment. A dedicated plant-based chef, Marianne complements the plant medicine experience with soulful, high-vibrational meals that nourish both body and spirit. Her culinary creations are intentionally crafted to enhance physical vitality, promote healing, and support the spiritual transformation that often accompanies plant medicine work. Through her spiritual guidance, nurturing presence, and mastery of holistic living, Marianne invites guests at Villa Esencia to step into profound healing and renewal. Her unique combination of wisdom, experience, and care ensures that every participant embarks on a plant medicine journey that is transformative, empowering, and deeply connected to the sacred.

Christina Madlani

Christina’s spiritual journey began with meditation and naturally expanded into the transformative world of yoga. Over the years, she has come to deeply understand that the body and soul are connected through the breath. By finding this connection, she believes we open the door to understanding our 'self' on a profound and life-changing level. Whether guiding a strong, energising flow or a gentle, restorative practice, Christina’s classes always integrate focused breathing, meditation, and a space for deep spiritual introspection. Through yoga and meditation, Christina has witnessed how we can consciously experience transformation in radical and magical ways. This connection to our inner world becomes even more profound when paired with the insight and healing offered by plant medicine, creating a holistic approach to personal growth and self-discovery. Her teaching experience spans a variety of practices, including Jivamukti Yoga, Vinyasa, Restorative, Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Kriya, and Meditation. Each of these modalities contributes to a unique journey of self-awareness and healing. Christina truly believes that a regular practice of yoga and meditation has the power to completely transform lives, helping us align with our deepest selves and unlock our fullest potential. By weaving these practices into plant medicine retreats, Christina aims to provide a nurturing and sacred space for participants to connect with their breath, body, and spirit, amplifying the insights and healing that plant medicine can bring.

Margot James

Margot James, co-founder of Take a Breath, is driven by a mission to cultivate authentic human connection in today’s tech-driven world. Based in the Netherlands, Take a Breath is built on the transformative power of breathwork, enhanced by a diverse range of well-being practices. Through thoughtfully curated events, workshops, and programmes, the company provides companies and individuals with opportunities for well-being and self-discovery, empowering them to forge deeper connections with themselves and the world around them. With over 14 years of experience in tech start-ups and scale-ups, Margot has been instrumental in building global powerhouses such as Spotify, Podimo, and Spinoza. Now, as a breathwork coach, she integrates conscious tools to foster growth and connection for both organisations and individuals. Her work is shaped by a passion for meaningful impact, informed by her journey through high-performance environments, international living, and her own personal growth path. In collaboration with the MQ Tribe, Margot proudly presents Ascend, a transformative initiative blending breathwork and well-being practices to inspire leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.

Denise Maaskant

Denise Maaskant is the visionary co-founder of Take a Breath, a company dedicated to nurturing authentic human connection in an increasingly tech-driven world based in the Netherlands. At the heart of her mission lies the transformative power of breathwork, enriched by a variety of well-being techniques that empower individuals to reconnect with themselves and others. With over 15 years of experience driving success in start-ups and scale-ups, including pivotal roles in companies that achieved remarkable exits, Denise brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to her work. Her passion lies in guiding individuals on introspective journeys, drawing from her expertise in breathwork, systemic coaching, and psychedelic integration. In collaboration with the MQ Tribe, Denise proudly presents Ascend, a unique initiative blending breathwork and other transformative practices to create profound experiences for leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. Through her thoughtfully curated events, workshops, and programs, Denise creates spaces for meaningful growth, connection, and self-discovery.

Details of this retreat

Imagine stepping away from the hustle of daily life and into a sanctuary of transformation—where clarity, creativity, and purpose come alive. This luxury retreat is designed for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and digital nomads ready to unlock their potential and align their lives with their highest vision.

Set in the tranquil beauty of the Casares mountains, our retreat combines expertly guided psilocybin ceremonies with transformational breathwork, hypnotherapy, and sound healing. Each experience is crafted to help you overcome barriers, deepen your connections, and enhance decision-making for your personal and professional life.

Surrounded by serene gardens, breathtaking views of Gibraltar, and luxurious comforts, you’ll find the perfect space to reflect, recharge, and connect with like-minded individuals. Indulge in gourmet plant-based cuisine, relax in our heated saltwater pool and sauna, and enjoy peaceful moments of self-contemplation in nature.

With skilled facilitators ensuring your safety and supporting your journey, this retreat is more than an escape—it’s an invitation to transform your health, relationships, and business. Step into a deeper connection with yourself and emerge ready to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Your next chapter starts here. Join us for a life-changing experience.

P.S. All admission is subject to completing a suitability questionnaire and a 30 minute coaching call. If you are successful you will be accepted onto the retreat. Do not book your flights until this call. If this is not the right time for you will receive an immediate refund of the deposit you have paid. Read More

Schedule

On the day of arrival please join us anytime after 1pm, ready to begin with an opening circle at 5pm followed by a gourmet meal and chance to meet the team, go through the plan for the retreat and meet fellow participants by the fire with live music to relax and unwind. On the day of departure, we will have breakfast at 9am and bid farewell and safe journeys to all participants by 11am.

A sample schedule of a full day of activites:

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Optional Gentle Yoga to help participants stretch, relax, and prepare their bodies for the day.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast offering a light and nourishing meal in a mindful, peaceful environment.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Breathwork and Guided Hypnotherapy to promote relaxation, emotional readiness, and a receptive state of mind for the psilocybin ceremony.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Intention-Setting Session following breathwork, with journaling and personal reflection to focus on the goals of the ceremony.

11:30 AM - 5:00 PM: Psilocybin Ceremony facilitated in a supportive environment, with calming music, safe spaces, and guidance for deep exploration.

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Silent Integration Time for private reflection, journaling, or resting to process insights from the ceremony.

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner providing a wholesome and grounding meal to nourish the body and offer gentle reconnection with others.

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Integration Circle to share reflections, receive guidance, and explore ways to integrate the experience into daily life.

9:00 PM onward: Quiet Alone Time allowing participants to unwind, continue reflecting, or rest deeply after the day’s transformative activities.

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Ascend Retreats, Villa Esencia Retreat, Lugar Celima, 29690 Casares, Andalucía, Spain

Directions

Villa Esencia is located in the Casares mountains, near Marbella, Spain. It is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Málaga Airport and less than an hour from Gibraltar.

We can assist in arranging taxi shuttles for your convenience. The approximate cost for a taxi from Málaga Airport is €120. For those driving, detailed directions will be provided upon booking. Read More

Accommodation

In a rustic luxury environment we can offer shared accomodation with 2 people to a room (only same gender will be allocated together) with an en-suite bathroom (a private room is available on request for an extra charge). A salt-water outdoor swimming pool and a sauna for cool winter days. Each room is delicately decorated and has an air-conditioning system for heating and cooling and free wi-fi. We can offer a professional sound system with Bluetooth, a 65 inch monitor for presentation and videos, a group room for yoga & meditation equipped with meditation chairs, yoga mats, bolsters, blankets etc.

Very Early Bird Read More

Early Bird Read More

Standard Read More

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Villa Esencia is the perfect setting for this transformational retreat, combining luxury, privacy, and connection to nature. Nestled in the tranquil Casares mountains, it offers a serene environment for leaders to explore inner growth.

Surrounded by rosemary, pine trees, and cork oaks, with stunning views of Gibraltar, the villa enhances reflection and connection. With 5 en-suite bedrooms, a salt-water pool, a sauna, and a fully equipped yoga room, it’s ideal for ceremonies. Read More

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Our plant-based meals are crafted with fresh, seasonal produce and high-protein ingredients, offering vibrant, nourishing dishes that support your journey and align with nature's rhythm. Read More

What's Included

Plant Medicine Ceremonies: Two expertly guided psilocybin ceremonies (medium and hero), creating a safe space to explore inner transformation and gain profound insights.
Transformational Breathwork Sessions: Two immersive breathwork experiences inspired by holotropic principles, designed to access deeper states of consciousness, foster emotional healing, and build resilience.
Guided Hypnotherapy Journeys: Two focused hypnotherapy sessions aimed at enhancing productivity, unlocking creativity, and supporting better decision-making in life, business, and relationships.
Group Coaching and Integration: In-depth group coaching sessions to connect personal breakthroughs with professional goals for lasting transformation in health, relationships, and business.
Gentle Yoga: Daily yoga practice intended to relax and unwind (optional).
Hikes and Nature Walks: Mindfulness based walks in nature to connect and reflect.
Sound Healing Journeys: Two live sound healing sessions with professional musicians, using therapeutic sounds to deepen relaxation, connection, and emotional release.
Integration: Follow up group support and coaching to extract value of the experience.
Gourmet Plant-Based Cuisine: Thoughtfully prepared plant-based meals designed to nourish your body, support mental clarity, and enhance your overall retreat experience.
Four Nights of Accommodation: Enjoy a tranquil stay from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning in a serene environment, designed to provide comfort and relaxation throughout your journey.
Therapeutic Massage: Rejuvenate and recharge with the best therapists on the coast (upon request and extra service).

What's Not Included

Airfare
Transport to and from airport

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Bethel • Feb 27, 2025

5.0

Verified

Full reset and a return to my best self

I was searching for a retreat that would help me with clarity about next steps in my career as well as help with grief and profound issues in my personal life.
This retreat and the amazing team that runs it exceeded all of my expectations. The team was knowledgeable, kind, and supportive, and are all following a true calling in their lives to be of service to others. Also, the couple who run the villa where the retreat took place were a wonderful addition to the experience. Their villa is beautiful and a welcoming safe haven that they so graciously offer to others for their journeys. And the 100% vegan meals that they make are not only healthy and nutritious but they are truly delicious as well.
I can honestly credit this retreat with a 180 degree turn in my life that has led me back to the self that I had lost.
I would highly recommend this retreat and its guides to all who are ready to start a next phase of self discovery and are searching for more clarity in their lives. Read More

veronica • Feb 11, 2025

5.0

Verified

A Knowledgeable, Insightful, and Professional Leader/Guide

I had an amazing experience at the psilocybin retreat, and Dev Devas was a huge part of that. From the moment I arrived, he made me feel completely comfortable with his professionalism, deep knowledge, and incredible insight. His ability to guide and hold space was truly exceptional, and it made my journey so much more profound and meaningful. What really stood out was his great personality—warm, down-to-earth, and genuinely caring. He brought such a positive and grounding energy to the experience, which made it even more special. I was also surprised to learn that this was the first retreat with this particular trio of organizers—it was so well-run and seamless that you’d think they had been doing this together for years.
I’m so grateful for this experience and for Dev’s guidance. If you’re considering this type of retreat, I highly recommend! Read More

veronica • Feb 11, 2025

5.0

Verified

A Radiant Host Creating a Cozy, Nourishing Retreat Experience

My experience at this retreat was nothing short of magical, and Marianne played such a vital role in making it so special. She and her husband hosted their very first retreat, yet everything flowed so seamlessly that you’d think they had been doing this for years! Their beautiful villa was the perfect setting—cozy, charming, and thoughtfully decorated to make us all feel at home. It had such a warm and welcoming energy that instantly put me at ease. And then there were the meals… wow! Marianne prepared the most incredible plant-based dishes, using fresh fruits and vegetables straight from their own garden. Every meal was not only healthy and nourishing but also absolutely delicious, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to each one—especially dessert!

Beyond her hospitality, Marianne exudes pure light and wisdom. She has this calming presence that makes you feel instantly comfortable, and her insight added so much depth to the retreat experience.

I’m so grateful to have been part of this retreat and to have met Marianne. She is a truly special soul, and I highly recommend any experience she is a part of! Read More

veronica • Feb 11, 2025

5.0

Verified

A Wise, Warm-Hearted Leader with Incredible Music Curation

My experience at the psilocybin retreat was truly transformative, and Margot played a huge role in that. As a fellow entrepreneur, I really appreciated how she could deeply relate to the challenges and experiences of the attendees, which made her guidance feel even more personal and impactful. Margot is incredibly wise and created such a safe, nurturing space where I felt completely comfortable. From the start, I knew she was going to bring amazing music given her background working at Spotify, and she did not disappoint—the soundtrack she curated added such a powerful layer to the journey.
One of the most moving parts of the retreat was the sarong ceremony she led after the main ceremony. It was deeply emotional and brought even more insights, helping me process everything on a whole new level. Her warm heart and presence made it so easy to be vulnerable, and I felt truly seen and supported.
I’m beyond grateful for this experience and for Margot’s leadership. If you have the chance to work with her, don’t hesitate—it will be life-changing! Read More

veronica • Feb 11, 2025

5.0

Verified

Empathetic, Nurturing Guide Who Creates Deep Transformation

Denise is an incredible leader/guide, and I feel so grateful to have experienced this retreat under her care. From the very beginning, she provided deep insight and thoughtful preparation, ensuring that we felt supported before, during, and after the ceremony. One of the most powerful moments for me was the rapéh ceremony she led, as well as the one-on-one integration session—both of which left a lasting impact. Denise’s ability to hold space with empathy and nurturing energy made it so much easier for me to open up, something that doesn’t come naturally to me. I truly appreciated her gentle, attentive presence throughout the experience.
Her voice is absolutely beautiful, and during the main ceremony, it was a source of deep comfort and grounding. She has such a pure and radiant soul, and her presence made the retreat feel even more sacred and transformative.
I cannot recommend Denise enough—she is truly a gift, and anyone who has the chance to work with her is incredibly lucky. Read More

Ascend: A Luxury Psilocybin Retreat for Entrepreneurs

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Dev Das

Marianne Ma Evina

Christina Madlani

Margot James

Denise Maaskant

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

What's Not Included

Full reset and a return to my best self

A Knowledgeable, Insightful, and Professional Leader/Guide

A Radiant Host Creating a Cozy, Nourishing Retreat Experience

A Wise, Warm-Hearted Leader with Incredible Music Curation

Empathetic, Nurturing Guide Who Creates Deep Transformation

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