Ayahuasca $2,500 - $4,500

Arkana Spiritual Center

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Our Program
At Arkana, we create the space for you to get in touch with your truth, opening your path for deeper meaning and greater fulfillment in your life. We work with ancestral medicines such as Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Bufo Alvarius, Rapé , using the traditional practices of the indigenous cultures of the Peruvian Amazon. We currently operate two centers in Peru, one in the Peruvian Amazon and a second one in the Sacred Valley (close to Machu Picchu), and one in Mexico, the choice is yours.

With great respect for the plants and the knowledge and healing that comes with them, our lineage of Shipibo shamans set the stage for truly deep and profound healing. Awaken your inner power through their sacred and powerful icaros (healing songs), and discover your connection to all things by exploring some of the 2.2 million hectare Pacaya Samiria National Reserve which is our backyard. Nourish your body and soul with fresh, clean, delicious meals that promote your Ayahuasca experience, and integrate healthy habits into your routine with our yoga classes and extensive selection of gym equipment for all levels. We believe the health of physical body sets the foundation for the health of the energetic body – Often ignored in this type of spiritual work, we find this to be an important part of the healing process, so you can begin implementing the healthy habits that will carry this work with you into your life back home. Finally, relax your mind and spirit with sound baths, meditations, breathwave sessions, and OM circles, or simply enjoy the tranquil views of both sunrise and sunset from our front porch on the banks of the Ucayali River, surrounded by lush biodiversity and the mesmerizing sounds of the jungle.

Arkana’s exceptional team of highly-trained Shipibo Master Shamans represent an unbroken lineage of plant medicine work. With a combined history of over 70 years of experience working closely with Ayahuasca and other master plant teachers of the jungle, our compassionate healers lovingly share their teachings, healing songs (icaros), capabilities, and knowledge with integrity and honor. We strive to maintain the traditional practices passed down through thousands of years of indigenous Amazonian culture, in order to continue to promote the true purpose and nature of plant medicine work.

Experiencing the medicines with us is a transformative personal journey, and so much more. We also work closely with our local community, the Amazonian village of Libertad, to ensure that our Center can benefit and give back to the people who have so generously let us into their homes and hearts. We create employment opportunities, teach free English classes, provide a space for the ladies to sell their handmade crafts, and assist in construction projects, among other things. Our latest endeavor is outfitting the entire village with free solar panels, so every house can have light and electricity. When you join us, you are helping the rainforest and the Amazon communities that live here.

Guests that come to our Center often say they feel like “part of the family” with us – that’s no coincidence, as we are one big family at Arkana! The people that are with you throughout your experience can simply facilitate your own healing journey or become an integral part of it. Our experienced, loving, and professional team of caregivers welcomes you to join our tribe, where we strive to make you feel at home and at ease, supported and cared for with all the love and compassion that is at the core of the plant medicines and people we work with.

Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine that offers us the opportunity to understand our true nature, by shining a light onto our darkness, and holding a mirror up to our fears, negative thought patterns, and self-limiting beliefs. We provide the environment and expertise of a team of highly skilled, warm, compassionate Shamans and facilitators to guide you through the process of awakening, of choosing differently, healing, and expanding. It is a slow but steady path towards freedom – from fear, from illusion, from self-constructed boundaries – resulting in a lighter, brighter, more authentic self, and the full experience of love. It is our honor to help you on this most fulfilling of all journeys: the journey back home.

We look forward to having you with us!

Lots of Love,
The Team

Reviews (642)

4.9 out of 5

Overall 4.9

karincampbell
May 18, 2021 at 5:26 pm

I had two life changing journeys with Arkana – I first went to the Sacred Valley in Sept 2019 on a solo trip. I had experienced mushrooms and LSD, however all the medicines at Arkana were new to me. I felt safe, was with an incredible group of humans, and my mind truly expanded. Reflecting back, this trip just scratched the surface for me and I had lots more digging to do. After this very intense pandemic year, when I received the email about the Mexico retreat, I knew it was time to go deeper. The property is truly INCREDIBLE. It felt like a true vacation as well as a space for deep healing. Another phenomenal group of humans, facilitators, medicine and shamans. It was so impactful and inspiring that I left the week with the decision to move closer to my family from LA to NY. I cannot say enough good things about this experience and having gone to two different locations I know Arkana is the only medicine family I want and trust to journey with. THANK YOU!
Zippy.Mac_
May 6, 2021 at 11:59 am

I would have visited the Yucatan Retreat center in Mexico. It is a very hard thing to do to put what transpired into words. Game changing stuff would be the simplest way of putting it. The entire team from the Shamans to the Facilitators to the cooks and cleaners, every last one of them have nothing but passion for what they do. I could not recommend Arkana enough if you are thinking of trying plant medicines. From getting clarity on my purpose and healing area’s of myself that were holding me back all these years, A price cannot be put on what the 2 weeks in this Center did for me. The friends I made and spark for life I have going forward. Location, food, Music, everything was 5 stars.
mmcdonou2
May 3, 2021 at 5:56 pm

Hi. I’m writing a review of my recent attendance at the Arkana Yucatán location in Mexico.

I spent one week at the Arkana Yukatan spiritual center, and this was the first time I’ve ever ventured into plant medicines of any kind. I’ve only read of other peoples profound experiences with the medicine, and how their lives were changed for the better forever.

Arkana was highly recommended to me by friends and other reviewers. I was told how compassionate and loving the staff at Arkana was, and how deeply experienced and gentle their Shamans were. Everything I was told was one of the best (if not the best) retreat for such an experience.

Aside from what I had read and seen reviews, this was completely NEW territory for me. Needless to say, I was very nervous going in. From the first moment that I met the facilitators in Mexico to the arrival at the Yukatan site, I must say that I completely agree with the 100% positive reviews that I read going in. Every single person at Arkana was immediately heart warming and utterly sincere in their concern for your welfare. Without giving away ton’s of details, I will say that every single part of my time at Arkana was a thing of magic and beauty. I’m still in awe how people can be so openly loving, and selfless, and somehow ALWAYS there when you need them.

In a nutshell, I’ll admit that my personal experiences there were some of the most difficult of my life. No doubt about that. The medicine works at the soul and heart level. I’ve been utterly fascinated by reviews of people who have used plant medicine to heal addictions and trauma’s that built up over a lifetime, and come out of a single week retreat to be either completely healed, or at least drastically impacted in a positive way which led to a path of rapid recovery. How could this be possible after just a few plant ceremonies, and just a week of work? What could the medicine be tapping into to accomplish this?

Coming back to me, I stated that this was the most difficult week of my life. That’s no lie. Every ceremony (in my case 2 mushroom, 2 aya, and 1 Sapo) were each unbelievably terrifying to me going into them. My mushroom experience was very deep and raw, and presenting me with a canvas of my inner mind. How I work. What I’ve become. My ego in a nut shell. I realized just how chaotic my mind and ego had become. The medicine gives you a first person view of you. In my case, I was shown that I was demonizing (fear, anxiety, anger). I was shown how these are actually very useful tools to navigate the world, and to try viewing them as such. I was shown that my mind was manifesting all of the pain I was feeling. I could simply acknowledge all of these feelings as they come up, ask how it benefits me in that moment, and then let it go. The facilitators at Arkana have beautiful tools to teach you HOW to let go. HOW to integrate and deal with the most difficult parts of life. At the exact same time while deep into the mushroom experience, I also was taught how to deeply LOVE the moment you’re in, and that all you need to do is invite LOVE into your heart. That our lives are meant to be light and playful. I came out of each ceremony with this wisdom being FELT and experienced…. first hand. I could breath better after each very difficult ceremony. A weight was lifted.

What I learned about western medicine compared to this ancient plant medicine which is MUCH older and MUCH better understood by the people who discovered it, is that western medicine is designed to act as a band aid. Often simply suppressing those emotions, and really just making it worse when they re-surface. These plant medicines in comparison work with you to help you understand in a very useful way how you ended up in the painful or difficult place that you’re in, and tools to navigate your way back to a more loving place. Like I said, these medicines work at the soul and heart level. They go directly to the source, and they do so promptly but gently. In a way that serves you best in that moment. This is why I believe so many people are healed so rapidly. Sometimes in a single ceremony.

Before I wrap up a few thoughts and words about the staff at Arkana, I just wanted to share a quick note about the Sappo ceremony. I was told by MANY that this was the most profound and significant experience of their lives. For that reason, I had to build up the courage to try for myself, and understand why so many feel this way.

I have one word for my experience (WOW). And that doesn’t even come close to describing what I experienced. It’s been 3-4 days since I experienced Sappo, and I’m still trying to understand what I felt and saw. I can only say that it was the most loving, and pure, and real, and devine experience of my life. If there is an afterlife, I can only imagine that I was given a glimpse of it. I was in utter amazement of what I saw and experienced. I went somewhere that was PURE light, and pure love. Colors more vibrant and real than the world I know. Crystal white light that didn’t hurt to look at, but invited you in. If this is where you go when you die, there is NOTHING to fear.

Lastly, I can’t say enough about the staff at Arkana. Given the difficultly that many are going to have during their week. Facing the darkest parts of their minds and ego’s, and facing immensely challenging moments (over and over again). Everyone at Arkana in my opinion were Angels walking the earth in human bodies. They were always there when I needed them. Offering a soft voice or hug or kind word of wisdom exactly when you needed it. I can’t state it enough. If you’re considering such a journey for yourself, please consider Arkana, and if you can make it to the Yukatan retreat, I can’t see how this experience would not change your life forever. I wish you the best on your journey. Much love….. 🙂
danielp
April 26, 2021 at 6:58 pm

In my week at Arkana, I learned who I am and where I come from. I learned my purpose in this life. I learned how to breathe, how to love and be loved. I learned how to care of others and how to be taken care of. I learned how to eat and how to appreciate. I learned how to connect, play music, sing, move, control my body and about the importance of posture. Arkana is, through the proper use of plant medicine, reminding people how to live in community, how to take care of each other and how to take care of Earth. Thank you for the best week of my life. I had my birthday here, but little did I know, it was actually my rebirth. If you’re feeling the calling to do Ayahuasca but are scared or hesitating about doing it, I feel you. Rest assured, as soon as you step foot in Arkana, you’ll know you’re home. Forever grateful to José, Shántanu, Pete, Mónica, Ariel, Sara, Dakota, Maestra Justina, Maestra Jazmín & Maestro Misael.
jlu
February 16, 2021 at 12:13 pm

Recently I had the unique opportunity to participate in a two week private retreat at Arkana Sacred Valley. During this time, I tried a medley of psychedelics – ayahuasca, San Pedro (mescaline), and Bufo/Sapo (5-Meo-DMT) under the guidance of experienced shamans. I also enjoyed the other activities that were offered – including rape (sacred tobacco), sound healing, yoga, breathwork, and various excursions such as Machu Picchu and the Maras Salt Mines. It was a wonderful experience.

After researching many different centers in Peru, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, I chose Arkana for several reasons:
1) Diversity in plant medicine offerings: Arkana is one of the only ayahuasca centers that offers other types of plant medicines on site. In addition to ayahuasca, I really enjoyed my San Pedro experience and was glad to try the sapo and rape too.
2) Location: Arkana’s Sacred Valley location is a converted hotel with spacious rooms and private en-suite bathrooms. The center is along the Urubamba river, with lots of greenery, flowers, and fruit trees. It’s an exceptional location for a retreat – super peaceful and charming. If doing ayahuasca in Peru is important to you (it was for me, since ayahuasca is from the Peruvian Amazon) and you desire a certain level of creature comfort, then choose the Sacred Valley location. In contrast, many centers located in Iquitos/jungle have very spotty wifi, and you are exposed to mosquitoes and the elements.
3) Shaman: The heritage and experience of the shaman(s) at the center was extremely important to me. I really enjoyed working with Willma from the Shipibo tribe, as her icaros (song sung during ayahuasca in her native language) helped to center my ayahuasca experiences. I don’t think this could be replicated by a non-Shipibo. She had a great balance of softness and strength that was exactly what I was looking for.

The whole team at Arkana was excellent. Fernanda, the other curandera (healer) in the center, brought leadership, levity, and laughter to the whole center. The facilitators Theo, Coleman, and Mike each had their own talents – I thoroughly enjoyed their guidance and company. The site coordinator Daniela and other support staff at the center were all so helpful and kind and helping navigate the constantly changing rules of the Peruvian government during Covid times.

I wholeheartedly recommend Arkana to anyone looking for a strong healing experience in a comfortable setting with experienced, friendly support. For me, the ayahuasca was incredibly powerful, whereas sapo and San Pedro were milder. Everyone’s experience on plant medicine will be different. In the right setting and with the right people, you will be positioned to get the most you can out of it.