"My experience at Sinchi Runa has been transformative, and I don’t say that lightly. I came for my first 3 day retreat in September 2023 and I had no idea what to expect (I’ve returned 2 more times, the last being March 2024). I had received very kind communication from Andrea and Ananda prior to arriving (I was on a high dose of medication for ADHD which I had to come off of immediately in order to participate) but nothing could prepare me for the experience of being at Sinchi Runa.
The grounds are gorgeous, no matter the weather, the bell tents you sleep in are exactly what’s needed - clean, comfortable, and beautifully basic. The food is delicious, clearly cooked with love and feels so good for your body. I’m vegan but can’t imagine meat eaters feeling hard done by from the abundance of food.
This is a retreat centre where you can properly do the work. The complete silence (unless in ceremony prep) is scary at first but becomes so welcome and is now one of the things I crave most when I’m back home. If you want to go deep with plant medicine, this is the place to do it. It is a safe, loving environment and structured in such a way that prepares you to surrender and learn. The tobacco purge is as important as the ayahuasca - don’t worry about the throwing up. I promise that in the moment, it really doesn’t matter in the slightest.
The changes that have occurred in myself and my life post-ceremony are without number. It is life-changing, not least because I have been able to stop taking my ADHD medication, and I don’t feel that there is a limit to what these plants can heal for us and help us learn/remember.
Maestro Sanango speaks eloquently on plant medicine, journeys into the self and into the greater oneness. He is a masterful presence and full of light. Ananda is his skilled interpreter and assistant, his presence is calming and peaceful, he is a lovely soul to share the journey with. Arjuna assists in ceremony and is a sweet spirit that offers support to all, as is Fiona, who cooks gorgeously and supports attendees with deeply loving kindness. Andrea helps organise incoming participants with sweetness and patience (lots of patience!).
If you’re looking for an ayahuasca retreat that is safe (I came as a single woman & never felt uncomfortable or at risk), honours the plants, and will help you change/evolve/develop, this is the one. "
Highly Rated Retreats in Faro Faro District Portugal
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Types of Retreat in Faro Faro District Portugal
Experiences on Retreat
"I loved every moment of my seven days spent at Sinchi Runa. It was the biggest breakthrough of my life. Maestro Sanango and the team were special and made me feel safe and right at home. The amount of information I downloaded during the ceremonies was mind boggling. Words, images, symbols, ideas concepts, and most importantly insights into who I am, the real self, not the one that was constructed by all the stories I was meant to believe about myself. And that was exactly what I came for, to re-discover my authentic self, without chains, without trauma, free to be the human that God designed me to be.
Thank you so much <3
- Giovanna"
"If you're reading this review now and feeling on the fence, I feel you. I was on this website myself in February 2024 and thanks to the reviews I've read I went on a retreat this March.
I cannot explain by words how grateful I'm for this opportunity and the experience I had at Sinchi Runa. First of all, the people. I've never felt more safe and protected there than ever before. Ananda, Fiona, Sanangu and everybody else were so welcoming, calm, accepting and at the same time disciplined. You can just look in their eyes full of love and you feel that you're taken care of with respect. I will be forever grateful for the people I've met there.
The retreat was in silence, without phones and it was so amazing to forget about life issues and challenges and simply BE. Sanangu answered all our concerns and questions before the ceremony and I felt prepared and ready. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable.
When I recall what happened with me I just start to cry, cry out of gratefulness for the lessons I’ve learnt and experience I've had.
I recommend it from the bottom of my heart. "
"It`s been ten days since my Ayahuasca experience at Sinchi Runa, my first ever psychedelic experience, and It was without doubt the most profound and beautiful experience of my life that I`ll never forget.
It was the shorter three day retreat with addition Kambo ceremony that I participated in and I can`t thank Sinchi Runa enough for their generosity, kindness, delicious food and sharing of Maestro Sanango`s wisdom and beautiful voice.
My life is already on a new path since the experience.
I`m planning on a longer retreat when the time is right to return.
With my sincerest gratitude to Sinchi Runa.
Joel"
"I completed a 12 day a retreat at Sinchi Runa in September 2023 and the beautiful ripple effects continue to surprise me months after.
As a psychologist, I know the value of working on and with yourself. And eventually you reach a point where talk therapy is not enough. The plant medicines have helped me access deeper (more unreachable) parts of my myself. Furthermore, the entire structure of the retreats at Sinchi Runa (sleeping in 1-man tents, the silence, the diets/food, the ceremonies, the sharing circles, etc.) invite you to dive deep within yourself in a way that is difficult to create in our normal and busy lives.
The people who work at Sinchi Runa are in service to this mission and the love, care and attention that you feel from them is very special. The food is beautiful, living in the tents is so magical and I felt so safe and held.
Any experience that you have while on this retreat (and in each ceremony) is EXACTLY the experience you are meant to have. Because any experience we are having in life, is a reflection of where we are at and what we need to learn. This was such a beautiful (and funny) lesson I got from my retreat that the plants helped me understand (with Maestro Sanango’s support). After truly understanding this, everything started to shift for me.
I am not the same after my experience …. And the transformations and deepening keep coming, months after my retreat ended. I am deeply grateful. Thank you Sinchi Runa!
I hope you also give yourself this beautiful gift and experience. "
"My utmost respect goes to Sanango and the whole team behind Sinchi Runa who make an absolute miracle possible. Both with Ayahuasca and the overall energy within the retreat, which truly is a sacred place, outside of space and time. I came with a lot of doubts and judgments but was brought to my knees by Mama Aya until I admitted my naivety and got then rewarded with her motherly love. There are no words that can do justice to the miracle of Ayahuasca and I am simply grateful that Sinchi Runa is making this divine experience possible. "
"Sinchi Runa is a true healing center that I recommend.
It is authentic and alive.
The spirit of this center is based on respect for the practices and master plants.
The practice of silence allows us to go even deeper into ourselves. It's one of the keys I took lightly before coming, and now I understand its power.
The team at Sanango's side is extremely caring and attentive, giving us all the space we need to heal.
The Ayahuasca ceremony was as intense as anything I'd experienced before, and you can't help but admire the seriousness of curandero Sanango and his incredible involvement here.
I came away feeling uplifted and grown up.
I can only recommend it!
Thank you "
"I attended the 7 day retreat offered in February 2024. I traveled a great distance to attend this retreat, from the midwestern part of the United States. This was my first experience with ayahuasca and I am so glad I followed my intuition. I was strongly drawn to Sinchi Runa and I chose wisely. I was impressed with how professional Sanango and his team were. They all radiate love, kindness and compassion. The group meetings were very educational, enrichening and supportive. Sanango's innate wisdom helped me feel completely safe, prepared and confident under his care. Unfortunately, Sanango became very ill to the extent of having to go to the hospital. We were only able to complete 1 of the 2 ayahuasca ceremonies; however, Sinchi Runa did offer a very reasonable discount for any future retreat and a free 3 day retreat preparation with Kambo and plant medicine ceremonies included. Considering the circumstance this is a very generous offer to be honored. Although it is understandable to experience some disappointment, the overarching lesson the universe offered our group was that of compassion. Compassion for Sanango and his well-being, his team for doing their best to mitigate an unexpected, difficult situation and also for myself to have compassion for a fellow attendee openly upset he did not receive what he paid for. My heart goes out to him and I hope his heart finds the healing and peace it deserves. Realizing I immediately transmuted any negative emotions into compassion was a profound moment of growth for me. The experience at Sinchi Runa vastly opened up my heart, greatly assisted my personal growth and the lessons continue to unravel for me. The universe often disguises lessons very well, the secret is to always be looking for them and stay heart-centered to support personal and spiritual growth.
The actual ayahuasca ceremony was so profound there is no humanly way accurately describe or condense it into words. It was an absolute mind-blowing, powerful, beautiful experience. My mind, body and soul feels reset, like I've been reborn. I am so much more aligned with my true self than I've ever been and I am a better person. What an absolute, priceless blessing to receive. I am grateful for Sanango leading such a powerful ceremony. I have made my career as a therapist and very educated in many healing modalities. I have personally engaged in a multitude of healing modalities over the course of my life: ayahuasca has been the most profound, transformational healing experience I have had thus far.
To anyone considering this retreat, follow your intuition. I will be returning to Sinchi Runa in the future as I am committed to healing as much as I can in this lifetime and I know I am in good hands while there. I send so much love and gratitude out to Sinchi Runa!!! "
"Several things went wrong.
The staff started to get sick on the second day so they cancelled half of the ceremonies we were supposed to do , and they didn’t have any back up plan for this situation.
Also, we were living in tents during the retreat and we got a bedbugs and caterpillar invasion that was very badly handled. We were given creams that don’t work. I had to sleep with my clothes on to avoid getting bitten by the bed bugs . Half of the participants got huge rashes on their bodies, and some got infections from thoses rashes and had to go to the hospital after the retreat.
Regarding food we only got 2 meals a day. One being a oatmeal porridge for breakfast 5 days on the 7 days.
For the price of retreat I felt the food was a bit light but let’s pass on that.
Today it’s been exactly a month we’re fighting to get a reimbursement but they’re just willing to give 30% discount ‘if we want to come back’ which is an absolut joke.
we paid a lot of money for a 7 days retreat. Ended up with less ceremonies than a 3 days retreat , got health issues , and they dont want to reimburse us.
Definitely not the best place for healing.
*original review adjusted slightly to meet Retreat Guru Posting Policy*
---------- Response from Retreat Center ----------
It saddens us to read your review and to know that you had a bad experience with us, though our perspective is quite different from yours and we hope to be able to bring these differences together. We can understand your frustration and have tried to be in touch with you. We just want to make sure you are completely aware of the offer we made, which included reimbursement.
The retreat with ceremonies, group talks, meditations, food & board took place normally until the evening of the 6th day, when Maestro Sanango was hospitalized. We deeply regret not being able to give the final ceremony due to an unforeseeable human circumstance, and not being able to serve you in our fullest capacity. We understand the frustration and effort made to attend, and hence sought to openly repair.
We sadly could not offer the final ceremony - we are a small plant medicine center around one deeply experienced maestro, and do not have a staff of shamans to give ceremonies in case the maestro falls ill. The sacredness for us of the experience with Ayahuasca as well as the specialisation that we feel is needed to safely hold these ceremonies does not allow us, at this moment, to place the students as “shamans” or facilitators, and we feel this would be dangerous and would have put you participants at risk.
Instead we did what we felt was honest and safe for you, as well as seeking to reciprocate the effort and sacrifice made to participate on the retreat, and so offered a discount for a future retreat when the maestro is in better physical condition, or reimbursing part of the cost of the retreat if this did not resonate.
We had an outbreak of seasonal caterpillars (not bedbugs), which are a normal phenomenon for a few weeks a year in the pine forests of southern Europe. They can cause a mild rash or discomfort similar to the mosquito bites you would have in the jungle on a retreat similar to this one. We are sorry to hear that you had to go to the hospital due to a rash infected with this, it sounds like a reaction we have not experienced or heard of before, and to avoid this concern in the future we will plan our retreats outside the time when the caterpillars appear.
We can definitively confirm there are not bed-bugs - we have checked, and we were also not made aware by anyone about this worry during nor after your retreat. We have hosted multiple retreats at our venue since, and no concerns or complaints were raised.
Based on what all the participants shared with us, including you, beautiful and meaningful insights and healing were received. Although unfortunately we had to cancel the final ceremony, we feel that the retreat had many positive aspects, wonderful conclusions in the real and transcendental. We sincerely hope that you can rediscover what you experienced with us and rescue it without letting the experience be tarnished by a human situation, which we cannot control.
Thank you for your understanding and hope you will contact us to close any disagreement.
With warmth and sincerity,
Ananda - Sinchi Runa
"
"Sinchi Runa is a safe sacred space, in which I was given the chance to explore and experience myself beyond the boundaries of self beliefs and unconscious mind. I have never met such kind, humble, caring and loving people, who put themselves wholeheartedly in the service of others. They created and held the space for me to experience my journey and inspired me to trust the process and overcome the challenges that awaited me. I am deeply thankful to the entire team for making possible the most challenging and the most rewarding and healing experience of my life. I honor your profound work and dedication!"
"I am so glad I came to this retreat. It was my first time, I really could have not had the best experience if it wasn’t with the Sinchi Runa family. I came for the 7 day ayahuasca retreat during New Years, every person at Sunchi Runa are the most kindest and humblest people you will meet. I felt very safe, any time I needed support with something - everyone and I mean everyone was always happy to help. My first time working with mother ayahuasca was really a profound experience and I can’t put into words what I experienced- though it was beautiful and I am so grateful. It was not just the ceremonies, it was the cozy and spacious tents we were living in, the homemade food served with love daily, the beautiful and quiet nature around me, it was so therapeutic and relaxing. The feeling that I felt was a different kind of peace of mind and again I’m grateful that I got to experience it.
If you’re someone that is looking to heal or find a deeper meaning to life and within yourself, then I definitely recommend you booking it with Sinchi Runa - you will not be disappointed. Once again, I am super grateful to have met beautiful souls on this trip and I will forever cherish this experience! "
"It’s been over a year since I completed my Dieta at Sinchi Runa, I can truly say with the proper integration process & the support from my Sinchi Runa family that this has been the greatest year of my life.
"
"The Ayahuasca retreat didn't just surpass my expectations. It was on a completely different level altogether. It was the most intense and difficult experience of my life, but I'm sure I'll grow stronger than ever before. The team was outstanding. The attention to detail and their warmth, calmness, and wisdom were exceptional. This is precisely what you need when going on your first Aya journey. It is an incomparable and deeply rumbling experience.
Much love to the whole team!"
"From the moment I arrived at Sinchi Runa I felt so held and cared for. The process that unfolds is so sacred and transformative, it’s truly magnificent. The team are so kind, generous and their work is profound. I hope to be back one day! "
"My experience at Sinchi Runa was truly so magical. The moment you enter you feel so safe and welcomed. They greet you with such a open heart and arms it feels like you have known them your whole life. They make something that can be so scary and uncomfertable feel okey. Like a big bubble of light covers you while you wander down the dark forest. I can truly recommend this place it is one of a kind. "
"I would like to express my gratitude to the entire team that conducted this retreat.
Wonderful people, gorgeous nature and swimming pool, the food is very tasty!
This is an unforgettable experience that will always stay with me. I think I came back a different person.
I saw and knew the universe and myself .. The experience was intense, long and mystical. It was difficult for me, but I'm glad I got through it.
Thank you so much!
With love
Olesya "
"It was a blessing to have attended the 10 day Shamanic Diet and Ayahuasca Retreat in June/July 2023. Much thanks, love and gratitude to the fantastic team at Sinchi Runa, Sanango our guide on the journey with the plants, Ananda, Arjuna, Mateo and Andrea, whose care and compassion create a safe space for each person attending to come into contact with themselves, through solitary immersion in nature and the deeply transforming experiences with plant medicine. Even though there was no verbal or eye contact with others and we kept to our own spaces during the diet by the end of the retreat there was a sense of unity as we had all gone through powerful experiences at the same time through the same method.
Despite some challenges during my first retreat I would definitely do it again with the intention of deepening the transformational opportunity that such retreats can provide. I would say, if you truly seek a living, irrefutable event, either for healing purposes or remembering one’s true self, or more accurately both, for they are in actuality inseparable; and you are willing to forego for a short time your creature comforts, Sinchi Runa will not disappoint. By creature comforts I mean the props of 21st century life which can and do divorce us from connection with Mother Nature, the cosmos and our true selves.
The ayahuasca ceremonies were amazing and confirmed for me, through my own experiences during them that worlds other than the one we experience in everyday life exist and are real. We can have a strong conviction that such worlds exist and have a sense of them through our feelings, believe and gather evidence (primarily from the experiences of others) that such worlds exist but until we experience and see it for ourselves it remains unrealised. My feeling is that it is not something to be done lightly and requires a firm intention for venturing on such a journey but the possible rewards in terms of expanding the horizon of the inner world of oneself are great. Undoubtedly, with the help of the plants we get what we actually need, wherever we are on our journey."
"If you’re doing this for the first time I believe Sinchi Runa is the best place, because they prepare you for this experience is the most calm, slow, careful way possible. It’s not 4 nights as a lot of ayahuasca retreat are. It is 9 nights, with a lot of preparation for each ceremony.
I’m trully thankful for people at Sinchi Runa for teaching me the art of meditation and surrender. These traits has changed the way I see myself and gave me an inner calmness that I’ve never had before.
"
"My first shamanic diet after three regular Ayahuasca retreats. I especially appreciated the complete silence during the retreat which allowed to deeply dive inside myself. The new retreat center is like an island for itself, completely shut off from any exterior disturbance which makes such a journey even deeper. The plants, served three times a day during the time of the diet, communicated in a very gentle way to me and sharpened my sensitivity in receiving their messages. The support of the team during difficult moments was incredibly helpful and compassionate for which I am deeply grateful. For me, during and after this diet, many threads of my thirteen-year healing journey came together and by doing a few adjustments here and there, the plants served me in a wonderful, gentle and loving way. I feel I have become what I have always been but never been aware of before.
Thank you everyone at Sinchi Runa for offering these incredible retreats in a safe container with a limited amount of participants and allowing to experience plant medicine and its enormous healing potential whilst feeling protected and held by your assistance and presence. Special thanks to Sanango for dedicating your life to this!"
"I am grateful to have found Sinchi Runa and it's been an honour to be able to attend a retreat here. I have been to Sinchi Runa twice now (Ayahuasca Retreat in April 2022 and 10 day Shamanic Dieta/ Ayahuasca Retreat in July 2023) and every time I leave feeling so much joy, love, gratitude, healing and in awe of the universe and the power we hold. My first Ayahuasca experience was with the Sinchi Runa team and I was really nervous going in and did not know what to expect - but from the minute I entered the retreat centre - I felt calm, cared for and at peace. I knew right then that this was the right place for my healing journey. Sanango is a true man of wisdom, love and care - he really takes care of each of us during the ceremonies and continues our learnings us through his enlightening discourses - it is truly a privilege to be able to have him guide and teach us. The team and volunteers (Mikaela, Kameron, Ananda, Bruno, Emma, Sheila) were truly wonderful during both my retreats, the food delicious, the surroundings gorgeous - thank you to all of you and the incredible work you do to help us heal. I could not have asked for a better way to enter my journey of healing and learning with the master plants. The way they do it with the small, intimate groups, the deep silence, the integration with nature is a blessing and really allowed me to go deep in my process and really focus on the inside. My experiences here have transformed my life and how I approach life, love, relationships, self and my spirituality. Thank you again to the beautiful team for everything you do, until next time ❤️❤️❤️"
"My experience in Sinchi Runa was interesting, wonderful, and life-changing. I feel like it truly is a before Sinchi Runa in your life and an after. The medicine is powerful but to go to a retreat where everything is in silence allows you to truly go deep. I feel like I went deeper and more transformative than ever before. It is truly difficult to put into words what happened during these times but I feel like Sinchi Runa is a very safe space where you can think, be and heal. Everyone is super friendly and dedicated to creating a wonderful environment. I felt taken care of and supported at all times. The rules and explanations were very clear and created a frame wherein you could flow. I truly recommend it to everyone but it is not always easy. It was beautiful to see the interactions between Sanando, Anando, and Ayunda. I was on a natural high for a week after I left this place, could not stop laughing and sharing my happiness and love with this beautiful world, I love my little human life. I want to say thank you again for the help, the inspiration, the support, and all you do. See you next time. Lots of love. Maaike. "
"My experience at Sinchiruna was in one word amazing! It touched me deeply and changed me the way I was hoping it would. Sanango, Ananda and everyone else at Sinchiruna are angels of light. I felt very comfortable & safe going through this intense journey with them. The grounds are stunning. The fact that it’s a silent retreat makes the journey so much deeper… I’m eternally grateful and will definitely be back there not too far in the future. "
"If I could give 1000 stars it still would not be enough 🌟 5 stars feels like nothing compared to what I have recieved from this experience. Sanango is an absolute master at what he does, his intention is pure and the whole team at Sinchi Runa work together beautifully to create a safe space for this work. What you are doing at Sinchi runa is really changing the world person by person. I wish I could express all of the light I witnessed here in words but our language will never meet up to the true experience. I feel a connection with something so eternal and bright… I will come back when the moment is right and do this experience over and over again. And for anyone who thinks the price is expensive (as a few have said to me upon asking what I paid) PLEASE KNOW that this is NOTHING in comparison to what is recieved in return… 1 ceremony with ayahuasca in the hands of Sanango is like years of therapy in the modern world… a deep understanding of ourselves to last a lifetime 🌞 I unblocked a few chakras and it was beautiful. truly I cannot express enough that what they are offering within this retreat is something eternal and life changing …of course providing that individually we all continue along this path and put our own efforts to make it happen 🌈🪷🌸🙏🏻🪐 Thank you thank you thank you thank you. I love you. If you are reading this she is calling you💫🐍"
"I have found this retreat online and had the privilege to attend the 9 days retreat in October 2022 by searching for an Ayahuasca Retreat. As much as I heard that there are so many fake ones, I had a good feeling about Sinchi Runa. I had obviously doubts with this being my first, but with the previous reviews and the write up of the website, I was optimistic. Now that it is very clear that this is not fake, I would like to list the kind people who supported us: Maestro Sanango (the soul holder), Ananda (the energy holder), Fiona (the body holder), Matteo (the unconditional servant, and I don't mean servant in the demeaning sense at all), Cameron (the mind holder), Mikhaela (the angel), Andrea (the welcoming heart). These people are everything, they made the difficult times easier, the happy times even happier, they showed love, respect, professionalism, and dedication to the healing of the group. Those people are filled with love and compassion, so come with an open heart to heal, and they will hold your soul in tenderness and firmness as needed and guide you through your healing journey. It was a pleasure to have been part of the group I was in and was a great pleasure to have been shown the way by the Sinchi Runa team. There was so much harmony in everything that they have built, the set up, the location permitting for long walks, the nature we were in, the kitchen in open air, the tents being clean and distant for privacy and silence, the Maloca (Where the magic happened), the paths to the different areas are all done in so much positive energy that it is part of nature, yet it is clear where to go and is organized with so much positive energy that if you want to get the knowledge this place, the people and the plant have, you surely will. Maestro Sanango was very attentive to the group's healing process, he never gives up on holding the energy and guiding it as our souls wished even when it becomes tough he gets tougher to help heal. Maestro Sanango and the team also set up one on one sessions on request to help guide you through this eye opening journey. The ceremonies were very clear, Maestro Sanango explains what is the process, what is the intention and leaves expectations to the groups intention. He links the different timelines together and shares stories to explain the philosophy and the spirituality of what he intends to guide us through and how we all fit under the existence of the universe. The team at sinchi Runa are very confident yet not arrogant, very honest yet not naive, very kind yet not weak at all. I would surely recommend them for your path as I know for sure I will meet them again. With all the love and appreciation, Hasta siempre. :)
Richard "
"I've been to the February 2023 retreat including the extra 3 days for the full Kambo initiation. This was an incredibly insightful, but also demanding time for me. I'm very grateful for having gone through these experiences with the people of Sinchi Runa and the other participants at this beautiful place in southern Portugal. The whole team is so loving and was there for the participants every step of the way.
For me personally, both the silence during the retreat and the meditation sessions helped a lot already. I had done daily 10 minute meditations for years, but the sessions there and the silence thereafter increased my awareness of my thoughts and feelings dramatically. This didn't just help me to navigate the Kambo, Purga and Ayahuasca ceremonies, but also made me feel a lot less burdened by some of my frequently appearing thought patterns on a day to day basis. I've kept the practice up and I'm very motivated to continue.
The Ayahuasca ceremonies then really blew my mind. I experienced emotions in an overwhelming way, that I hadn't felt before. At times I was far away from my body and then more aware of it than ever before. I got the strong feeling, that there's more to our existence than this life on this planet. I didn't think that way prior to the retreat. Some memories from my childhood were suddenly very present and I was able to work through them emotionally. The music, Maestro Sanango's Icaros, singing and chanting of the whole team were so beautiful and an essential part of the experience. Sanango's wisdom and experience made me feel very safe. After the second ceremony I had a difficult time reintegrating, but the other team members were there for me, even sitting outside of my tent until I was feeling fine again.
This was a lot to process and once again silence and meditation facilitated this.
In the Q&A and sharing sessions it became obvious, that the experiences are highly individual. As different as they were and even though this took quite a while, Sanango gave insight to everybody regarding what they had gone through. A lot of spiritual knowledge was shared as well. Once again I hadn't even considered this to be possible, but I'm now both more open to and interested to learn more about spirituality.
I think I'll probably repeat this at some point, because it feels I have so much more to heal, and to learn about myself. One thing I'm sure of, that I'll do it at Sinchi Runa again. Thank you so much Alexandra, Ananda, Arjuna, Madhava, Mateo and Sanango!"
"Walking the path on this profound journey at Sinchi Runa awakened the eye and the heart, so I can clearly see and feel the immense amount of beauty in life.
This wasn’t my first retreat with plant medicine, but by far the most miraculous one. Sanango, Arjuna, Madhava, Ananda, Alexandra, Mateo and Andrea made me feel so safe, cared for, protected, embraced by love and fundamental trust and shared their wisdom. How often does one get to feel this way holisticly and without doubt with the closest ones, let alone with strangers? They enabled me to go all in with the medicine. I can’t find words meaningful enough to do justice to the gratitude, humility - and now closeness - I feel towards you! Thank you from all my heart and soul!
On a personal level, I can’t remember if I’ve ever felt so light and strong in my life like after this experience. I was able to let go of this heavy, ponderous life story I was dragging around, holding on to like Gollum to his precious ring. Also, I am now finally able to understand, embrace and love the divine feminine, such a fundamental part of the self, I had been rejecting for the most of my life.
On a more conceptual and holistic level, it feels like I have been endowed with some of the wisdom needed to really understand and love life, with all its light and darkness, Yin and Yang, birth and death, earth/matter and god.
Being able to feel the connection is so empowering, gives me strength and inspiration to be able to serve, to protect, to unite.
Of course, now the real work begins!
With immense love, light and gratitude, Alina"
"Expect the expected, as Sinchi Runa is a safe haven for all that are searching deep healing and transformational journey. I have had a Kambo initiation and a 9 day Ayawaska retreat in February 2023. This was my first experience with shamanic plant medicine and will definitely not be the last. However every other experience will be with Sinchi Runa, I don’t need to search any more. The love and care that are carried out with such compassion to every living soul is unimaginable. Weeks later after the retreat I am still blown away by the depth of the experience and how things are still unfolding in my life. It is a beautiful journey and I cannot believe that in 2 weeks such incredible transformation is possible.
I am humbled and very greatful to all of the Sinchi Runa creators. Maestro Sanango is a deep and wise man full of love, understanding and compassion. I will be back, now that I know how valuable this healing work is.
It is incredible that such place exists
"
"I am forever grateful to Sanango and the incredible team of Sinchi Runa for the path they have opened up in my life since attending my first retreat here. The gift of receiving mother Ayahuasca in such a setting is a blessing that becomes more and more apparent in the months and years after I first attended Sinchi Runa. I was completely ignorant of the true implications and gravity of entering upon this path, so to be guided, held, cared for and loved by all at Sinchi Runa now seems something of a miracle - of all the retreats I might have chosen, I was drawn to this beautiful place and taught the necessary respect, surrender and gratitude to be able to start to let the Plants teach me.
The growing element of silence at Sinchi Runa only serves to deepen the journey and bring you closer to nature and in the process, closer to yourself. Trust the process, submit to the fastings, purges and deprivations in respect and faith that you will benefit even more as a result. Only after emerging from all the everyday trappings of my life did I start to be able to get a glimpse of the true essence behind things. It is so difficult to express the process in words. Impossible. Just trust. Although facing some difficult personal issues, I felt safe and protected throughout my process on all the retreats I have had here and long to return again in the future to continue my journey with Sanango and Sinchi Runa's help and wisdom.
With deep gratitude,
Philip"
"A profound retreat. It was way above everything that I expected.
Spiritual things that I thought only happen to other people happened to me.
I experienced sacred events, received divine knowledge and guidance, and now understand more the meaning of love.
I am very sure that all of this would not have been possible for me without Master Sanango, Ananda, Kameron, Fiona, Shila, Mateo, and Andrea.
I think of them as family even though it was only 9 days.
I am very grateful. At one point, I became awed by their deep inner mission, drive, and COURAGE.
Master Sanango and Ananda and Kameron had six, seven, or maybe eight senses. I didn’t even have to speak; they understood.
I could go on writing pages and pages but don’t want to be a spoiler.
Hope you will choose Synchi Runa and thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
J"
"I have spend 9 days in Nov/Dec at Sinchiruna. It has been an awesome experience. Apart from some group talks it was a retreat in silence. The interesting experience was that without talking the connection with the other group members seemed to be even closer. No blabla, no bumbledom… just being oneself. Except the sessions and the group talks everything took place outside. Outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower with screen. So during the winter months make sure you are bringing warm clothes and some kind of hiking shoes. A very important point compared to many other retreats is that you have your own private space. You are staying in a quite spacious tent (rain-proof) without any roommate and quite a huge space around you. During the nights you can hear dogs and roosters. At the beginning it was a bit disturbing. But with each day it became less important. As mentioned in other ratings before there is only one toilet and one shower for the group. I came with doubts but can promise that it has never ever been a problem. I never had to wait. The retreat is a totally safe place. If you are planning to experience this extremely powerful plant: here you are in good hands. My personal experience with the sacred plant was amazing and gave me deep insights. The shaman Sanango is a wonderful wise man with a very good intuition. So he is always very well connected with all participants. In his nearness you are feeling absolutely safe. I cannot emphasize enough the empathy of the team. They were all full of love, always willing to help and make your stay the best experience. Thank you Fiona, Sheela, Kameron, Ananda, Mateo. My personal suggestion to everybody who plans to join a retreat: watch out for a professional shaman with a good team of facilitators. There are too many self-appointed shamans showing up in the internet. The plant is really extremely powerful and you will need good guidance. With Sanango I had my rock in the stormy ocean. With love 🙏🏼💫Chris"