"Add a wonderful time with Lucy and the group on the Mosaic Retreat in Quinta Carvalhas. Knowing absolute nothing about mosaics and how to do it, Lucy described and explained everything in an easily and fun way. Speaking in english and in portuguese with her, I managed to create my first two mosaics and contributed to a group project for the farm to be displayed. Always enthusiastic, friendly and helpful during the whole process and sharing her experiences and views on art and mosaic. Learned a lot and most importantly I enjoyed my time with her and everyone. Hope to participate in another retreat and create more mosaics or visit her workshop in Tomar."
Highly Rated Retreats in Portugal
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Types of Retreat in Portugal
Short Retreats in Portugal
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Upcoming Retreats in Portugal
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Experiences on Retreat
"Attended a 4 day Mosaic retreat. Had a fabulous time, the Quintais beautiful, the vegetarian food amazing but most of all the mosaic workshop was amazing. Lucy is an incredible instructor, apart from being incredibly talented she has a wonderful sense of humor and kept our group laughing throughout.
Will definitely sign up for another retreat at the Quinta
"
"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!"
"We had a fantastic weekend at Quinta Carvalhas. The accommodation was beautiful, food delicious and the team were so warm, friendly and helpful. We loved the yoga classes and being able to have our own yoga classes in the shala. The meditation garden is tranquil and beautiful, and the surrounding area is so pretty. Thank you so much to Michelle, Richard, Gerhard and Rafaela for such a lovely stay. "
"É sempre uma honra voltar às Quinta das Carvalhas desde o pessoal incrível que trabalha lá até às vistas lindíssimas cercadas de cavalos e sossego envolvente !
Regressarei sempre que me for possível ! Muito Grata ao Staff que tão bem cuidou de nós !
❤️ Katy Vilela"
"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!"
"A Quinta Carvalhas é um lugar fantástico para a realização do retiro, com todas as condições de elevada qualidade, quartos, espaços de prática, espaços de estar e de refeição, jardim, deck junto da lagoa e todo o espaço envolvente.
De salientar, o excelente apoio à organização do retiro pelo staff muito simpático e eficaz: Rafaela, Frederico e Beatriz.
A alimentação foi excelente, de muita qualidade e em quantidade certa.
E depois, o nosso grupo foi maravilhoso :) Tudo correu conforme planeamos e todos saíram muito felizes, revigorados e bem-dispostos!
Muita gratidão!"
"Thank you lovely Lucy!! I could never imagine I would enjoy making a mosaic but you made it possible and such fun! It’s a very mindful occupation and completely transports your mind away from everything else, something we all need to do now and then. And Lucy is the perfect happy artist to help you go in the right direction."
"Thank you to all the fabulous staff for a really lovely four days of peacefulness and tranquility in such a beautiful setting.
Very pampered with delicious home grown food. Michelle is a marvelous yoga teacher and host and both Shana and Mikaela are excellent masseurs. Loved every minute! "
"Magic happens at Quinta Carvalhas. The setting, the people, the food, the beautiful touches everywhere ... one feels wrapped in a cocoon of love and positive energy. Michelle sets the tone with her vision-come-to-life and her magnetic energy. She has hired people who reflect and amplify her values and who give off the impression that you are the most important person they've encountered in a long time. The meals are as delicious as they are nutritious. The spaces are cozy and beautiful.
The retreat I conducted here was the most gratifying one I've ever led, and so much of the credit for that goes to the ambience at Quinta Carvalhas. Every retreat participant is dying to return. "
"Só posso falar bem deste espaço. Equipa fantástica, faz-nos mesmo sentir em casa. É todo um meio divinal, estou sem palavras. "
"Na minha experiencia gostei de estar ai e na minha visão o que podem melhorar é a temperatura da água que ao tomar banho (ao por agua quente) saia muita das vezes agua a escaldar e tive que andar a por a agua mais fresco/morno para o meu corpo nao sentir esse escaldar.
De resto, gostei da experiencia.
Grato,
Miguel Ferreira"
"As always, absolutely amazing!
"
"É Estar Em Casa, Desfrutar do Espaço, Comida Maravilhosa, Miminhos.
Acolhimento e Respeito. "
"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! "
"Antarma's 'You Are Loved' retreat was, for me, a very intensely moving and profound experience. One that is quite indescribable, it just has to be experienced. No words can convey the subjective nature of his transmissions, you will have a unique experience that is aligned with your inner depths and ability to open and connect.
Antarma invites everyone to join in sacred Sadhana. There are no words to convey the power of these sacred ceremonies and the deep and profound nature of the immersion and healing you will receive. He is a powerful conduit to the Divine. I've done many many ceremonies over many years and I've never experienced someone opening a portal to the Divine as he did.
All you need is an open heart and Antarma will open it further and fill it with light and the most powerful unconditional love and respect you will ever receive. He shares his sacred gifts - his voice, mantra, drumming, and profound teachings - to help us move closer to our inner truth, to others, to the world, and to the fundamental oneness of our reality.
If you are on a spiritual path and seek to connect with your true self on a deep level then I cannot recommend Antarma's retreats highly enough. You will feel loved and truly blessed."
"I loved the mosaic retreat led by Lucy in Quinta Carvalhas, what a treat, the beautiful space, the morning yoga, the delicious food, the luxurious room, the swimming pool, the calm surroundings, the meditation garden, all is just perfectly prepared. The mosaic itself was a lot of fun, Lucy is not only an amazing artist but really helps us to make beautiful pieces, with support, advice, ideas etc. in such a relaxed and joyful way, I will be back for more mosaics!"
"I loved the mosaic retreat, what a treat, the beautiful space, the morning yoga, the delicious food, the luxurious room, the swimming pool, the calm surroundings, the meditation garden, all is just perfectly prepared. The mosaic itself was a lot of fun, Lucy is not only an amazing artist but really helps us to make beautiful pieces, with support, advice, ideas etc. in such a relaxed and joyful way, I will be back for more mosaics!"
"Love, joy, sound 💚"
"It was my first experience with retreat guru, with kambo and with bufo. Lots of first times. I was not disappointed. I felt taken care of, Lisa was very welcoming, clear, helped with all my questions before and during the stay. I felt safe while I was in my process with medicine. Laurel eco village is amazing I would love to just stay there for some time. Food was delicious and beautiful. Sound healing really helped to go through the process. If you feel ready for bufo I really recommend. But really feel ready, my personal trip was not a walk in the park ;) "
"Finding the words to explain how magical this retreat was is difficult. From the very start I felt at home with a group of strangers who quickly became very important to me. Lisa is truly a remarkable human, who is sharing her light with the world. I am beyond honored to have had the opportunity for her to facilitate my Kambo and Bufo experiences. Her, Miguel, and Catherine make the most amazing and professional team. The guidance, the music, the facility, the medicine, all incredible.
The location could not be better. Perched up in the mountains, Loural provides an opportunity to escape into nature while practicing mindfulness and connection to oneself. It is filled with impeccable healing energy. The food is fresh, nourishing, and delicious. And the experiences with the medicine… beautiful beyond comprehension. This experience is an opportunity of a lifetime.
I truly am so grateful and feel a million thank you’s to Lisa, Miguel, and Catherine will never suffice. Much love"
"The retreat was very well organised. The hosts are very knowledgeable, their skills complement each other’s and they have great energy. I felt safe and in very good hands.
The location in Sintra couldn’t have been better."
"From the moment I stepped onto the retreat's sacred grounds, a wave of amazing energy washed over me. This land is a living tapestry of diverse flora and fauna, punctuated by the refreshing ambiance of a tranquil lake and invigorated by the purest air. Each day, we were treated to meals crafted with love, nourishing both the body and soul.
The ceremonies were nothing short of transformative, facilitated by experts who deftly merged indigenous traditions with a contemporary Western approach. There was an evident emphasis on personal attention, ensuring that each of us felt valued and understood. The high-frequency medicine we imbibed resonated deeply, complemented by the safe, nurturing environment, filled with warmth and genuine care.
The retreat's thoughtful structure allowed ample preparation and post-ceremony integration, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of each experience. Sonically, our journeys were elevated by a harmonious blend of live icaros, instrumental undertones, and curated recorded music. Daily breathing exercises kept us anchored, and amidst the profound introspection, there was always space for rest and personal time. Truly, an unparalleled spiritual odyssey.
Love & Gratitude
✨💛✨"