Find Authentic Retreats in Viseu Portugal

"My time at The Lighthouse was nothing short of life-changing. From the moment I arrived, Isher and Mareike created a warm, safe space where I felt supported and understood. Being surrounded by others on similar journeys made the experience even more powerful—there was a deep sense of connection and shared purpose. I will forever feel connected to the other participants of this journey. Through the huachuma experience, I finally let go of personal struggles I’d been carrying for years. Isher and Mareike guided me with such care and wisdom, giving me the space to face what I needed to and release it on my own terms. By the end of the retreat, I felt lighter and more hopeful, with a clear vision for my future that I hadn’t been able to imagine before. If you’re looking for healing, clarity, and a sense of belonging, The Lighthouse is the place to find it. I’m so deeply grateful for this experience."

"I recently attended a retreat at The Lighthouse with Isher and Mareike, and it was truly one of the most grounding and transformative experiences I’ve had. As someone who tends to approach things pretty analytically, I was curious (and a bit cautious) going in, but they really exceeded all my expectations. Before the Experience Right from the start, Isher and Mareike created a sense of trust and clarity. They took the time to explain everything about the huachuma experience—what to expect, how it might feel, and what could come up during the journey. It really helped me feel prepared and at ease, which made it easier to fully lean into the process. During the Experience Throughout the trip, their guidance was amazing. They have this incredible ability to hold space while letting you navigate the experience at your own pace. Whether it was through thoughtful conversations, moments of empathy, or just being quietly present, they struck the perfect balance. Anytime I had questions or needed support, they were right there with wisdom and care. It felt like talking to people who genuinely understood and wanted to help. After the Experience What really impressed me was how much they emphasized integration afterward. They gave me practical advice on what to expect in the days and weeks following the retreat and how to work with everything I had learned. It didn’t feel like the experience ended when the ceremony did—they made sure I had tools and insights to take back into my everyday life. Why It Stood Out: Well-Organized: The whole retreat felt really thoughtfully planned. Everything was structured enough to feel safe but not so rigid that it felt overwhelming. Holistic Support: They addressed every aspect—mental, emotional, and spiritual—which made the whole experience feel very complete. Genuine Wisdom: Isher and Mareike are incredibly knowledgeable, but they explain things in such a down-to-earth way. It’s clear they really know what they’re doing. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a meaningful and grounding retreat, I can’t recommend The Lighthouse enough. Isher and Mareike are compassionate, wise, and genuinely amazing at what they do. I left feeling more connected, clear, and inspired than I’ve felt in a long time. I’m so grateful for their guidance and would absolutely go back or recommend it to anyone."

"Expert guides and guidance in a beautiful,natural environment create the ideal situation to support the healing process Throughout my experience here I was well informed and any concerns were listened to with compassion and wisdom.A wonderful,life-enhancing experience thanks to the medicine and our wonderful hosts Isher and Marijke."

"During the retreat it really felt like I was home visiting family:) From the moment I arrived, I felt welcome and cared for the way the family would. Both, Isher and Marijke, took such a good loving care of the retreat participants. And it was always done with the respect to each one's unique journey and needs for space. Isher's respect for the medicine and nature emanates in all he does: the way the ceremony is held, medicine preparation, the land and the garden, all of it. Being in that space with these people is healing itself. The stay and the location were great too. The rooms are warm and very cozy. One can sense it's been done with love and care. It's quite important for me to be comfortable during work with the medicine as it can get quite exhausting:) Isher's home ticks all the boxes! The land with the garden is just beautiful. Lots of comfy and cozy spots with hammocks, cushions, sunbeds (that hill top with the view over the river is with me forever now) to be with yourself and nature. The feeling of safety and comfort never left me throughout the whole stay, especially during the Huachuma ceremony days. Isher and Marijka are doing an amazing job as experienced space holders supporting each one in their journey with the medicine, sharing their own experience, and simply by being beautiful open-hearted and grounded beings. Thank you for having me in your beautiful space, and sharing the medicine🤍 With love, Dasha"

"Just wanted to stop by and thank Isher, Marijke (and of course Chuma!) for what proved to be an amazing, grounding experience. As I am still coming to terms and processing my time with the medicine, I would just like to thank you for sharing your space and your life perspectives with me, you could not ask for two kinder souls and nicer people to have guided me through. I feel like I have started this week with a new perspective on life and have noticed an all round calmer demeanour in myself. The work has clearly just started but I look back on my day there in nothing but a positive light, and hope to revisit to continue this journey in the future, if possible. Finally, I hope Marijke‘s cat has returned and all is well, and wish you all the best for the ceremonies and winter ahead! Best wishes, R."

"The retreat was very powerful and important for my life, so I changed my patterns deep inside. I didn’t know that it is possible. Hots are very common experienced and cares about everyone with love. Delicious food, friendly and safe atmosphere "

"Dear Nancy, Isher and Chuma of course;) Im back at home now 4 weeks and had time to explore the changes and processing my journey with Huachuma. Im still a little bit overwhelmed about the insights and answers that i reseved from Huachuma. I explored everything and get super clear answers of all that i asked for. I mean how are things like that even possible? My heart is wide open and im so thankful everyday for the gift that i received from Plant medicine. There are no words for it and i feel tears in my eyes writing this down, because words can not describe how blessed and thankful i am. Huachuma is always by my side. I feel strongly rootet in mother earth and still connected to the devine. Never felt better;-) My heart warms up when i think about you guys. Thank you so much for giving the medicine to me and for holding the space for us. Thank you thank you, i wish you only the best and maybe we see us again in future."

"Nancy and Isher are the most genuine, honest, and caring people I have met. They made me feel at home immediately, almost like meeting old best friends. The nature and settings are beautiful, with a lot of heart put into the details of various spots where you can have your journey in the most comfortable way possible. More importantly, they have a deep understanding and respect for the medicine, checking on you at the right times and emanating the kind of energy for you to get the most out of your experience. (and not to mention their lovely dog who soothes your soul). I am not one eager giving recommendations, but I recommend this special place with all my heart."

"Isher's presence at the Lighthouse Retreat is nothing short of extraordinary. He embodies the spirit of San Pedro with such grace and authenticity that it is truly awe-inspiring. From the moment I met him, I could sense his deep connection to the plant medicine and his profound understanding of its teachings. Isher's guidance during our journey was transformative, as he skillfully navigated the ceremony with all five of us participants. His ability to hold space for each participant's journey while providing unwavering support and protection is a testament to his remarkable spirit. Isher's embodiment of this plant is a gift to all who have the privilege of experiencing his guidance, and I am forever grateful for the profound impact he has had on my life."

"Dear Isher and Mareike, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and share my heartfelt review of the transformative experience I had at the Lighthouse Retreat. It was an extraordinary journey that has left a mark on my soul. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the love and care Isher and Nancy poured into creating such a beautiful and welcoming space. The Lighthouse Retreat truly emanates a sense of serenity and peace, like a sanctuary for the weary traveler seeking solace and healing. But what made this experience truly extraordinary was your presence, Isher. You possess a rare gift, an innate connection to the spirit of Huachuma, that can only be described as a calling. It felt as though you were born to facilitate these profound journeys. Your deep empathy, unwavering care, and genuine protection were evident in every moment we shared. Under your guidance, the experience with San Pedro was nothing short of aw-inspiring. It opened doors within me that I never knew existed and heal aspects of myself with newfound clarity, peace and compassion. The journey was both challenging and liberating, and I am forever grateful for the sacred space that you created, where I truely felt safe to explore the depths of my soul. Mareike, your presence and support throughout the retreat were equally invaluable. Your warm and nurturing energy provided a strong foundation for our transformative journey, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the healing process. Your attention to detail and genuine care for each participant added an extra layer of comfort and reassurance. Together, you both created an environment that felt like home — Vulnerability was met with understanding, where personal growth was nurtured, and where I found a sense of belonging among all of you. With deep appreciation and love, Joshua"

"Hi Isher and Nancy, Thank you so much for such an amazing few days. It was just what I needed. The space you have created is the perfect setting and you are the perfect guides and hosts. Both of you have a kindness and wisdom that helps create a feeling of safety but also exploration. I am noticing a difference in my energy and outlook that will benefit me and my family and I feel even closer to nature. It would be great to stay in touch. You are good people. Thanks again. Big love"

"Hello Nancy & Isher, I hope you're both well and still enjoying the sunny weather :) I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful experience I had with you and the medicine. I came with no expectations and with total openness but the whole experience was so much more than I could have ever asked for. I loved the medicine and I felt such a beautiful connection with it but what made this truly wonderful was your presence. I'm really grateful for the insightful conversations, your heartfelt hospitality, the way you took care of me and made me feel safe and welcome. "

"Hi Isher and Nancy! It feels like it's been ages since our Portugal trip, but it's only been a couple of weeks. Time sure does fly! Speaking of time, I wanted to catch up with you both and share a bit about what's been going on in my life lately. Since returning, I've been experiencing a sense of reality that I haven't felt in a while. It's not that I was living a fake life, but being away from my hometown for so long made me feel like I left a part of myself behind. However, the day of the ceremony in Portugal reminded me of the beauty and reality of the world around us, and I realized that I need to appreciate and love everything around me, not just the life which is more familiar to me. In light of this, I've started to approach my daily life with a more serious attitude and have decided to enjoy every moment no matter where I am or what stage of life I'm in. It's amazing to experience and appreciate everything around us, and I feel grateful to bloom and shine alongside other amazing beings. Thank you for holding space for us! "

"Dear Isher and Nancy, Today I thought of you and I decided to drop you a few words. Six months after the retreat and only now do I fully understand the impact it had on my life. I kept observing my reactions and feelings to see what had changed, but I was thinking too small. The change was more profound than that. Two key things I took from the experience were my "superpower" - solving problems and helping myself and others around me to overcome difficulties and take control over their happiness (thank you Nancy for pointing this out to me) - and that incredible feeling of the beauty and power of love (I wrote down a thought I had when I was washing my teeth: what if God exists and God is love?). I now feel these two things constantly - and that they have amplified some aspects of my consciousness. I feel everything more intensely. I have more empathy. O cry more (usually from hapiness or when feeling the connection with someone). I'm high on life. I have ideas and questions flying in my head (from things I want to do to the meaning of life). I am more corageous. I am more curious. My mind is much more active. It makes me think of what Isher said: that we live under a spell. Caused by aliens or not (although that would explain a lot!) , I feel that is so true! My spell has lifted and I am looking behind the curtains directly into the secret of happiness! I feel like myself - amplified and free. Strong. What a powerful and life-changing journey :) Thank you both for making it possible. "

"Dear Nancy and Isher, Thank you so much. The early October retreat was amazing! After a few months to contemplate the weekend I feel much more centered and able to totally enjoy Christmas hosting my 5 kids 4 partners and 5 grandkids! I will continue to live peacefully and perhaps to return to your wonderful oasis! Best wishes to you in the New Year) Love, Diane"

"What an experience. The accommodation is perfect, The house is surrounded by forrest and opportunities to relax right by Douro valley. The accommodation was clean, food was great and just overall a lot of attention to details. Nancy, Isher and Rui are amazing hosts. They are very experienced and it was easy to immediately feel at home. As for the ceremonies, it's hard to put into words I guess everyone comes home with a different story but I'd recommend anyone to try this. Also I'd suggest to not jump right into work or normal life, it may be a good idea to take 2 days off after the retreat to fully process everything. Thank you guys so much, I am hoping to come back sometime! "

"A beautiful retreat location with helpful, loving, and hospitable hosts. Looking out across the Douro Valley and river, sitting amongst the trees and greenery, and hearing Isher's flute playing, it's hard to imagine anything more calming or paradisiacal. This is a place for reflection, for growth, for relaxation, and for change. Nancy and Isher are there to guide you, sit with you, and make sure you're at peace with yourself and your journey. I booked my retreat with some hesitations about timing, traveling to a new country, etc. but I'm so glad I did. And I will be back again soon enough (but not too soon). I'd recommend Lighthouse Retreats, and Nancy and Isher, to anyone looking for a retreat like this."

"I just returned to London yesterday after 2 months of traveling, the Camino was AMAZING, I think with the lessons I learned from huachuma, the Camino have me the time to reflect on everything and I feel super grounded and ready to face regular life again ☀️ Thank you Nancy & Isher for holding space!"

"I keep telling everyone how amazing this experience was - and mostly due to you. You made us feel very much at home and always knew just what to say. Knowing everyone at the retreat was as enriching as the medicine journey itself. You're beautiful and inspiring human beings. Thank you! ❤️"

"I'm writing share some (good) post-retreat feedback. The changes are very subtle. I'm more aware of the beauty around me (in people and in nature). I'm also more aware of my emotions and I consciously act on them (instead of getting carried away by negative feelings). A lot of times in my day-to-day I remember something from the retreat, but I feel the "new me" needs constant care to keep me from falling into the same automatic thoughts/routines. This has made me take greater care of my mental health, like tending to a garden. I guess society keeps pushing us in the other direction - and we have to keep fighting it. I also got new learnings after revisiting the experience in my head. In the two days after, I felt my brain was very active, processing, finding meaning, connecting dots... I thought: how incredible are these substances! While drugs numb the brain, these medicines activate it, make new connections, get us in touch with our feelings, our creativity, our subconscious, our humanity, and maybe even something outside of ourselves (who knows). How magical is that? I'm very amazed. I was also wondering - could you please share that prayer that you said during the opening ceremony? It was so beautiful... Thank you so much!"

" It’s impressive how different this medicine is, how the effects and lessons have solidified and integrated. There’s still questions I’ve got, as I bet everyone does, but overall the lessons and changes have made an immediate impact. So grateful for this place and for Nancy, Isher and Rui for holding space."

"If you’re looking for safety, deep connection with yourself and with nature, warm-hearted hosts, serenity, and a place to be truly yourself, then look no further. I hold very fond memories of the Lighthouse and recommend it to anyone wishing to explore aspects of themselves through the use of plant medicine. Hoping to return someday! "

"Just got home. I feel so grounded, it’s fabulous! Thank you to both of you for your warm hospitality and wonderful journey. 🙏✨🌵 Sending you love ❤️"

"thanks for having us and all the help and support you gave. It was truly a memorable and amazing experience. I hope you're both well and the Light House is continuing to help people."

"Dear Isher and Nancy, I just wanted to thank you both again for such a profound, healing, challenging, transformative and deeply beautiful time. I am very grateful to have found such a place and people and hope I can make my way back here sometimes soon. Im leaving Portugal with a heart very full (and listening to your playlist non stop!)🌵💚"

"Thank you so much for holding space and helping to guide me soon what has been such a profound and transformational experience. The love and insight I gained from the retreat continues to shine bright, so again a massive thanks and gratitude for everything."

"I just would like to say one more time thanks for creating the lighthouse. Such a place, such a change in my life! I’m having the best time after get back my 🔥. I’m feeling walking in the clouds and full of amazing feelings. I just want to go everywhere and connect with the great humans in the planet and share good vibes Also happy to be able to make one big decision that i was postponing. I left the lighthouse with a bit of doubt about about to be able to keep the happiness I got back .. and you said to me Isher: you will be good because you have a lot to offer .. and it’s true! I feel so much gratitude Thanks for facilitate my life. Thanks Nancy for your purity and sweetness. Sending love ❤️"

"Thanks so much for the retreat! It was a very special few days for me and I am sure it is a beacon of hope for so many people! Keep up the great work! "

"Thank you very much for the days I spent with you guys, it was a truly remarkable experience. You and Nancy, are doing fantastic work and I'm thankful for having spent time with you and been introduced to the medicine in such an extraordinary setting. Your suport made the experience feel so much safer and our talks were very interesting. I'm also very happy for having met Chuma, wonderful! Hopefully I'll be back in spring next year and meanwhile I'll work on the practical things that came to me during retreat, as well as research your sugestions."

"Thanks again for hosting these retreats. Your facilitation to people’s betterment and self discovery is greatly appreciated. "