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
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jlu
February 16, 2021 at 12:13 pmRecently 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.
ShareaLarae
January 24, 2021 at 11:12 pmI found my voice in the sacred circle.
I feel beyond blessed to have spent two heart opening weeks in the Mayan jungle with Arkana. In that time I was honored to embark on many journeys with the carriers of the sacred plants and their lessons. The teachers, medicines and spirits of Peyote, Mushrooms and Bufo guided me back to myself. The facilitators and staff created a welcoming, supportive, and safe environment. My experience with Arkana has been by far the most expansive experience of my life. Words can barely scratch the surface in expressing the true acceptance and the healing that occurred. A rekindled inner fire and a deep remembrance is what remains. The magical hacienda, Shambalanté offered a beautiful container for connecting with ourselves, mother earth and our new soul family. The staff extended that container by always being available with warmth and kindness. We where served the most thoughtful, delicious, chef-made meals. The Temazcal ceremony along with the offerings of Yoga, Breathwork, one-on-one and group integration sessions were the sweet cherries on top of this unbelievable journey. I also loved the small glimpse into the cultures of the small towns near the Hacienda and the Sacred Mayan sites. I truly look forward to returning to Arkana and I hope everyone, who is called, may experience these moments of realization and find the true the beauty in all.
Muchas Gracias
Marcusmatos20
January 24, 2021 at 9:54 pmVisiting Arkana spiritual retreat was one of the most profound times I’ve had in my life. Meeting beautiful light souls while being here and making deep connections to help heal for ourselves for the world. On this trip I’ve learned and grown so much not only mentally but spiritually. Having new understandings of who and what my purpose is on this Earth. The staff and Shamans were truly a blessing to have and helped guide us during our stay. If you are one who wants to learn more about the plant medicines taken at this retreat like Ayahuasca, Peyote, Mushrooms, and even the star on top of the psychedelic Christmas tree, the 5-MeO-DMT toad. All guided by Shamans, taking you deeper than deep to help you heal and bring light into your life. I highly recommend this to everyone and anyone wanting to learn and grow. You won’t regret it!
Mjlappin
January 24, 2021 at 2:58 pmAfter a transformative ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica I decided that I wanted to try it in a more traditional setting and settled on Arkana. Unfortunately I was not able to make it to the sacred valley due to covid and opted to go on the ancestral medicine retreat in Mexico. The hacienda was beautiful and had all the amenities you could want. I was lucky enough to participate in two peyote ceremonies in the most traditional setting possible, and the same was true for the mushroom ceremonies. The facilitators and shamans were amazing and I wouldn’t trust anyone more in such a vulnerable place. I made great strides in my self discovery and am eternally grateful. Thank you Arkana!
Tao333
January 23, 2021 at 10:02 pmIt’s inane to know how much healing can be done in just a week. The people at Arkana helped me grow so much as a person on so many levels. I’m beyond grateful for these powerful healing experiences. Arkana is truly a place of love.