Know Thyself - an 8 Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Brazil

Name: Know Thyself - an 8 Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Brazil, May 2026
Start: 2026-05-13
End: 2026-05-20
Location: Eden Santuário
Rating: 5

5.001 review

Eden Santuário de Natureza e de Bem-Estar - Caeté-Açu, Palmeiras - State of Bahia, Brazil

Up to 12 in group

May 13 - 20, 2026

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

Retreat Highlights

Experienced Guidance - Held by a mature and sensitive facilitation team with decades of combined experience supporting deep inner processes. The work is grounded in safety, trust, presence, and steady personal support.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies - Intimate and carefully guided ceremonies with a gentle, supportive approach. Many ceremonies begin in daylight, meeting the sunset and later the stars, creating a safe and respectful space. The medicine is sourced through trusted relationships.
Comfort & Nourishment - Modern, comfortable accommodations and a balanced, retreat-friendly cuisine. Meals are prepared with care and can be adapted to individual dietary needs.
Stunning Natural Setting - Set within Chapada Diamantina National Park, Eden Sanctuary is surrounded by mountains, rivers, forests, and waterfalls. Nature immersion includes trails, rivers, and waterfall visits.
Holistic Daily Practices - Yoga, meditation, and breathwork to support preparation, grounding, and integration throughout the retreat.
Therapeutic Spa - Access to restorative experiences including a Turkish sauna, herbal baths, and clay baths.
Structured Integration - Group sharing, individual support, and guided integration sessions to help anchor insights and create lasting change.
Authentic Community - A small group of like-minded participants on a sincere path of healing, self-discovery, and personal growth.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Paul

Jorge

Martina

Isabel

Paul Mallon

Paul will be your co-host and guide, and will lead the yoga, meditation and breath-work sessions, and provide cerimonial support. Paul is the Founder and Creator of Eden and has 14 years of experience producing and facilitating retreats in Brazil and in Europe. His first encounter with Ayahuasca was in 2008 with a native Ayahuasquero, with whom he embarked on an intensive 3 year shamanic apprenticeship. In 2011 Paul became an initiate of the Ayahuasca tradition of Santo Daime in the community of Mapiá, Amazonas. Paul currently resides in Aracaju with his partner and daughter, where they are students of a Gnostic Academy.

Jorge Seixas

Jorge, 71, was born in Ilha de Marajó in the Amazonian state of Pará and has been living in the Valley for 25 years where he unites his inherent Amazonian wisdom with his studies of hermetics and esoteric medicine. An alchemist and an initiate of the Ayahuasca school and tradition of Santo Daime, and with 20 years of experience working with the medicine within the community, Jorge provides experience and wisdom for those seeking personal transformation. Jorge will lead the ceremonies and be available for one-on-one sessions throughout the retreat.

Martina Esperon

Born and raised in Pergamino, Argentina, Martina studied Music Therapy at the University of Rosario. In 2012 she moved to the Capão Valley where she has trained and worked for the past 14 years as an Ayurvedic Therapist. She produces and hosts Ayurveda retreats, courses and workshops. Martina’s first encounter with ayahuasca was with Alonso del Rio em 2016, in the Sacred Valley in Peru, where she spent 9 months studying medicine songs. Martina offers ceremonial support and will be available for individual treatments during the retreat.

Isabel Cardona Colina

Isa was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and has been living in Brazil since 2013. Isa is a singer, percussionist, composer, voice coach, improviser and producer of cultural events. With over of 20 years of experience developing her CantaqueteCura (Sing-for-your-healing) workshops, motivated by her interest in expanding the transformative power of singing in collective life. Isa is a facilitator of workshops in musical initiation, singing, circle music, and music therapy sessions. Since 2003, she has travelled as a singer and percussionist to various festivals in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Switzerland. Isa provides support during the ceremonies and offers Circle Music therapy sessions during the retreat.

Details of this retreat

Know Thyself is an 8-day English-speaking international ayahuasca retreat at Eden Sanctuary, in Vale do Capão, within Chapada Diamantina National Park. It is created for people who feel the call to slow down, look within, and reconnect with the deeper truth of who they are.

This retreat is not about forcing change. It is about creating the right conditions for clarity to arise naturally: a safe setting, experienced guidance, supportive practices, and space to breathe again. Through carefully held ceremonies, daily mindfulness, and deep rest in nature, Know Thyself supports you in meeting yourself honestly, releasing what feels heavy, and returning to your life with greater clarity, presence, and self-understanding.

Everything is offered as an invitation, with respect for your pace, your boundaries, and your process.
What the retreat includes
- 3 ayahuasca ceremonies held in a gentle, supportive setting
- Daily yoga, breathwork, meditation, and grounding practices
- Integration circles and group sharing to process and anchor insights
- Nature immersion, trails, rivers, and waterfall visits in the surrounding region
- Therapeutic spa experiences including Turkish sauna, herbal baths, and clay baths
- Supportive, retreat-friendly meals adapted to dietary needs
- A small-group environment, calm, respectful, and intentionally held

Why Choose Know Thyself?
- A safe, intimate setting with experienced guidance
- A gentle, supportive approach to ayahuasca ceremonies
- A balanced blend of inner work, daily practices, and nature immersion
- Structured integration with group sharing and personal support
- Comfort, nourishment, and restorative spa experiences
- A sincere community and a respectful, grounded environment

The Eden approach
Know Thyself is guided by a mature facilitation team grounded in safety, presence, and steady support. We value trust, emotional responsibility, and a gentle pace that allows participants to feel secure enough to go deeper.

Screening and safety
To protect everyone’s wellbeing, all participants complete an intake form and a personal screening process. This ensures the retreat is a good fit, and that participation is approached with care, responsibility, and respect.

Schedule

DAY 1
08:30 Check-in and welcome breakfast
10:00 Retreat Opening Circle in the Oca
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free time / light walk to nearby river for bathing
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Campfire Circle

DAY 2
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama /Morning Meditation
08:30 Breakfast
11:00 Mud Bath
12:00 Sauna
13:00 Herbal Bath
14:00 Lunch and Free Time
18:00 Ayahuasca Ceremony

DAY 3
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
10:00 Outing to Angelica Falls and Purification Falls
15:00 Lunch & Free Time
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Campfire Circle

DAY 4
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
10:30 Breathwork session in Oca
13:00 Lunch and Free Time
18:00 Ayahuasca Ceremony

DAY 5
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Outing to Butterfly Falls
14:00 Traditional Lunch at Lady Maria’s Restaurant
15:30 Sunset at Lagoa dos Patos
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Campfire Circle

DAY 6
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
11:00 Mud Bath
12:00 Sauna
13:00 Herbal Bath
14:00 Lunch and Free Time
18:00 Ayahuasca Ceremony

DAY 7
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
10:30 Breathwork session in Oca
12:30 Lunch
15:00 TAKETINA Dynamic Meditation in Oca
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Campfire Circle

DAY 8
07:00 Yoga / Pranayama / Morning Meditation in the Oca
08:30 Breakfast
10:00 Closing Circle in the Oca

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Eden Santuário, Eden Santuário de Natureza e de Bem-Estar - Caeté-Açu, Palmeiras - State of Bahia, Brazil

Directions

You’ll need to book a flight to Salvador International Airport (SSA). From Salvador, we support guests in finding the best onward travel to Vale do Capão, with comfortable first-class buses and private taxi options available.
Once you arrive in the center of Vale do Capão, we arrange a taxi transfer to Eden Sanctuary.

Accommodation

Guests at Eden Sanctuary stay across a variety of thoughtfully designed spaces, all integrated into nature and created to support rest, grounding, and integration. Casa Mãe (Main House) offers three private suites and one shared dormitory, with calm and welcoming rooms designed for comfort and rest. The Chalet is a private, independent accommodation surrounded by nature, offering greater privacy, quiet, and closeness to nature. The Cabin is a rustic and intimate space nestled in nature, ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and closeness to nature. Private rooms can be shared by couples, families with children, or friends traveling together. All accommodations are designed with natural ventilation, comfort, and a peaceful ambience, supporting rest while most of the retreat unfolds in shared spaces and nature.

Price includes the full program and shared accommodation

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

Purpose-built ceremonial space for safety and presence
Comfortable accommodations immersed in nature
Peaceful gardens and outdoor relaxation areas
Yoga and meditation spaces
Therapeutic spa with Turkish sauna, herbal and clay baths
Sports and movement area for light activity
Natural pools and rivers a short walk away
Outdoor fire circle spaces for evening gatherings
Dining areas for shared meals and connection
Direct access to trails, waterfalls, and nature around Eden Sanctuary

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Meals at Eden Sanctuary are fresh, balanced, and retreat-friendly. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free diets, and food allergies by prior notice.

What's Included

3 Ayahuasca Ceremonies & Kambô Sessions, guided by experienced facilitators, ensuring an authentic and safe ceremonial experience.
Daily practices like yoga, breathwork, and meditation to nurture mind, body, and spirit.
Therapeutic Spa: Restorative treatments to support physical renewal and mental clarity herbal baths, ayurvedic massage, sauna, and clay therapy.
Immersion in the stunning natural beauty of the National Park to ground and inspire you.
Integration sessions through group sharing, peer connections, and one-on-one guidance, ensuring the insights you gain during the ceremonies stay with you long after you leave.
7 nights accommodation at Eden with a range of lodging options available.
All meals & cleansing diet: Nourishing, detox-friendly cuisine supports your healing journey.

What's Not Included

Transfer to Vale do Capão
Private accommodation
Flights
Travel insurance

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Charles • Oct 13, 2025

5.0

Verified

Exceptional life changing experience

My experience at Eden Santuário could not have been better! Paul has found an absolutely exquisite property to develop into the most ideal setting for receiving ayahuasca and other traditional medicines that I could ever imagine. The ceremonies are beautifully and safely conducted with experienced practitioners with connections to the indigenous community. The retreat itself is well structured with interesting and fulfilling optional activities available, comfortable living quarters and excellent food prepared with love. No detail is missed by Paul, who is an ideal host to ensure that each guest gets the most out their own individual journey. I can’t possibly recommend this place any higher. Do yourself the biggest favor you’ve ever done for yourself and sign up for the next retreat that you can hear. I promise you that you will thank me later for this advice!