Arkana Spiritual Center

Iquitos and Urubamba in Peru

4.9 (540 reviews)

Room Features

Bug-Netting / Screens
Private Rooms
Shared Rooms
Suites
Wifi

Property Features

Airport Shuttle Service
Laundry
Massages
Wifi
Yoga

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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.

Feel free to check out our reviews from previous guests on here (AyaAdvisors) and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ArkanaSpiritualCenter/). Or, visit our website for more information and to book a retreat with us: www.arkanainternational.com. We look forward to having you with us!

Lots of Love,
The Team

Reviews (540)

4.9 out of 5

Overall 4.9

aya2022
September 29, 2022 at 8:07 pm

OMGosh I just love Arkana and their staff! Absolutely wonderful experience couldn’t ask for better and safer place. Everyone was so extremely nice, supportive every step of the way and the food was amazing.

We all become family and my life is forever changed! THANK YOU!!!

Participant Arkana Sacred Valley (September 2022).
Matilde Boelhouwer
September 25, 2022 at 8:34 am

I want to thank Arkana, the experience, the shamans, the facilitators and the guests that were with me on this journey. I want to thank Isa for being the voice of Ayahuasca. I want to thank Bob for being my dad. I want to thank Maretti for being my mother. I want to thank the maestro for holding my hand. I want to thank Canelo for the hug. I want to thank ayahuasca for letting me call het mama. I want to thank Kristina for showing me how to time and space travel. I want to thank everybody who lead the way to Arkana, to ayahuasca. I want to thank myself for giving this retreat to myself.

I learned what love means and in that I’ve learned to love myself and by doing so love others unconditionially. I learned to understand life as a fractal. I learned to laugh and hug. I learned to see. I learned what it means to run into the fire. That leaves me to say:

Love, love yourself, love your new Arkana family and love will come to you and never leave again.
Dare, dare to hug, dare to roll around in the grass, dare to heal and you will forever be brave.
See, see the beauty in yourself, see the beauty in others and you will never be blind again.
Run, run towards the light, run into the new and unknown, run into your fears, run into the fire and enter a bright new loving world.

Phitay ninaman, pitay rhupashan
Gratefully,
Matilde
ChillPhil
September 15, 2022 at 5:06 pm

I truly cannot say enough good things about my experience at Arkana Sacred Valley (August-September 2022).

Flying from the U.S. to Peru to experience my first Ayahuasca, Sapo, and Huachuma ceremonies was so intimidating. I was anxious, nervous, afraid, worrisome, confused, and really unsure of what I was getting myself into. To say that I felt vulnerable and exposed is a major understatement.

From the moment I stepped onto the facility grounds, I felt as if I were home. The Shamans, facilitators, and general staff of Arkana made (not just me, but my entire group) feel so welcome, at ease, supported, loved, and cared for. And that is not hyperbole. I could not have asked for a better support staff to help guide me through the ceremonies.

The grounds are incredibly beautiful (with an exquisite river and mountain view), and the energy is vibrant, magnetic, and undeniably positive. The rooms were well-kept, the food was so delicious with impeccable presentation, and the overall vibe of the facility is one of wonder, awe, and most importantly – love.

I am writing this review, in part, because I relied on reviews when I was researching centers, and I want to share my experience with others who are considering visiting Arkana Sacred Valley. When I was reading reviews, Arkana seemed to have the most positive reviews – and I wholeheartedly understand why.

Without getting into the intimate details about my intentions for visiting the center or what I experienced during ceremony, I just want to let you know that the facilitators really made this experience as amazing as it was. To a person, they are all incredibly talented, caring, compassionate, and really make you feel like family. It was easy and natural for me to trust them, and they effortlessly made us all feel safe and protected. There WERE a couple of tense moments during ceremony (as can happen when working with such powerful and transformational plant medicine), but they responded with skill and compassion. Without their influence and presence, there is no doubt in my mind that our shared experience would not have been as unforgettable and life-changing as it was (not just for me, but for most in my group).

In summary, I loved my experience at Arkana Sacred Valley so much, that I did not want to leave. I am already looking forward to returning sometime next year to continue my journey working with the amazing plant medicines you will find here.

If you are searching for an authentic ayahuasca, sapo, and/or huachuma ceremonial experience – led by powerful and compassionate Shamans, amazing facilitators, and a world-class support staff – I highly encourage you to give Arkana Sacred Valley a chance. You will most likely have such a profoundly positive experience that you, too, will find yourself writing a review just like this one 🙂 <3
slbbery
September 6, 2022 at 8:42 am

Arkana – Scared Valley, August 2022
Very special retreat: professional, thorough, authentic, heart centered. Highly recommended. Thank you to all the staff who made it possible:)
Steve Gri
August 21, 2022 at 7:26 pm

A month ago, the very idea of trying ayahuasca was intimidating and, perhaps, something best left to fringe mystic types or those with a history of psychedelic drug use. Yet, I felt its calling strongly enough to do the research and, after days of deliberation, hit “Book Now” on the Arkana website. It turned out to be a life-changing decision, far exceeding every expectation.

From the moment I arrived in Cusco, Peru, Arkana operated with an extremely high level of professionalism, care and authenticity that set me at ease and signaled a deep commitment to its guests and the healing power of ayahuasca. Every detail, from the transport bus to the accommodations, meals and post-retreat integration program, has been thoughtfully arranged.

The ayahuasca ceremonies themselves are limited in size and steeped in thousands of years of tradition, wisdom, and respect for the Shipibo culture. I found great comfort in their intimacy, and protected by the Shaman’s expertise, ancestral knowledge and healing songs (icaros). In attendance were multiple facilitators, some with medical backgrounds, to ensure each person received individualized attention. Time and again the guests remarked how thankful they were that we chose Arkana as the setting in which to experience the profound healing power of this medicine.

Likewise, the location and services were what one would expect from a top-tier resort, while maintaining its authenticity. I’m not a vegetarian sort, but I can honestly say the food was comparable to a 5 star hotel, with the most incredible vegetarian and locally-sourced options that had us all wishing they would come out with a cook book. I have no idea how the chef does it, but every single meal was fantastic. The massage therapy options were likewise amazing for those afternoon hours when you wanted time to relax, reflect and indulge. Finally, the rooms were charming, with fantastic views of the river, full bathrooms, daily cleaning service, fresh linens and a hot water bottle waiting you each night after ceremony.

In the end, it was the people that I will miss. Our group was comprised of professionals from a range of industries in seven different countries, and we made deep and meaningful connections with each other and the program facilitators who made our care their primary concern. There were no “clicks” or groupings – we all bonded over our shared experiences in a way that we hadn’t done since the summer camps of our youth. Saying goodbye was a tearful affair for many, as we hadn’t anticipated the level of connection that this experience would create. If you had told me before that I would care so deeply about people I knew for less than a week I would not have believed it – but that is the power of ayahuasca and Arkana’s deeply impactful retreats.

Did it change my life? Undoubtedly. Would I do it again? Without hesitation. I’m just so thankful that person who deliberated over hitting “Book Now” took the opportunity for a better future, and only wish I had done so sooner.
Hummingbird
August 1, 2022 at 3:04 am

This was my first ayahuasca experience and I couldn’t imagine having a better setting than Arkana. The ayahuasca ceremonies were life-changing for every single person I met at the retreat. Since there are many other reviews that extensively cover life-changing experiences, my goal with this review is to provide some practical information and hopefully help people reading this with their retreat decision, as I was once in your shoes, painstakingly researching retreats while trying to make the best decision for my aya experience. I will also mention a few things that I believe makes Arkana a unique experience when compared to other retreat options.

After extensive research I couldn’t decide between the Amazon and the Sacred Valley locations, so I ended up booking the two week experience, spending one week at each center. Below I will provide information on both locations.

The Amazon: There was a unique energy being in the home of the ayahuasca plants, which I believe cannot be replicated in any other location. Being in the jungle provided me with a deep sense of peace and closeness to nature that would have been worth the price of admission, even if there were no ayahuasca ceremonies offered. The sounds of the jungle at night as a backdrop to the Shaman’s songs (known as ‘Icaros’) created incredibly powerful moments during the ceremonies. Seeing the plant and animal life of the Amazon during the jungle excursions was awe-inspiring and the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me.

The practical info about the Amazon location:
– It is important to note, you are a guest in the jungle, be prepared to share space with the insects, spiders, lizards, monkeys, etc., all of which will not bother you, if you don’t bother them (I did not use bug spray during my entire stay and I was fine).

-There is no hot water, but you won’t need it- cold showers feel amazing in the jungle climate.

-The food was 5 star restaurant quality. The kitchen staff is also very accommodating to people with dietary restrictions/ special requests

-The center is powered by solar energy, so don’t expect to be able to charge your phone or use wifi 100% of the time, but while I was there wifi was available every day, usually in the morning. (however, I only used it a few times throughout the week to check in with loved ones and let them know I was ok. One of the things I liked most about the location was disconnecting from technology and freeing up that mental energy to focus on the healing/ inner journeys/ meditation/ being present in the moment as much as possible)

-The rooms/ beds are comfortable and sheets/ towels are changed daily. I had a shared- accommodation with two other people in my room and there was plenty of space for all three of us.

-The pool was always clean and refreshing during the hot afternoons.

-The Maloka (where the aya ceremonies take place) is a sacred space where energy flows as freely as the currents of the Amazon.

-when I was booking my retreat I was concerned about being in a remote location and far from medical care in case of an emergency. This is a risk each individual person will have to assess based on their own health history, but my mind was eased when I arrived and learned there was a facilitator on staff with a medical background as a registered nurse. I do not know if this is a standard staffing practice, but if this is important to you, I’m sure you could reach out to the staff and ask before booking.

Overall, I found the Amazon accommodations to be luxurious, given that the center is built deep in the jungle. 100% highly recommend. It somehow managed to be above and beyond all my wildest expectations.

The Sacred Valley location is just as magical as the jungle. Surrounded by breathtaking views in every direction, there is an undeniable energy and feeling of safety at the retreat center. Just be aware of potential of altitude sickness the first few days, and bring warm clothes, as it does get chilly in the evenings and mornings (I was there in July and a sweater and windbreaker combo worked just fine for me). I won’t go into as much detail about accommodations because it is closer to the standard expectations of a top quality retreat center/ hotel experience. There is hot water, Wifi available, the food is 5-star quality, the beds are super comfortable and cozy. They offer multiple massage and physical therapy options (sensory deprivation tank, reflexology, among other options). The excursion to the Salt Mines is incredible (it is a good workout, but not too strenuous). I also really enjoyed sitting around the bonfire, having deep conversations, while sipping cacao with my fellow guests.

To me, the best thing about the Sacred Valley location is being able to experience the Huachuma/ San Pedro ceremony, which was probably my favorite day during the week at Sacred Valley. It is thoughtfully scheduled at the end of the week and it was the perfect way to end my two week experience with Arkana.

What makes Arkana unique:
The Arkana program- There is a certain magic that comes with this experience. To witness the healing that happens here is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The magic was enhanced by the program that Arkana has built around the plant medicines. The group sharing sessions helped me form a deep bond with all of my fellow guests. The techniques I learned during the yoga and breath work classes helped me stay focused during the ceremonies. Through this structure and the guidance of the Arkana team, I felt they provided me with a roadmap for navigating my journeys in the ayahuasca realm.

Sapo ceremony- To me, this is what really sets Arkana apart, as I did not see this offered anywhere else. I found the Sapo experience to be equally as important to the Ayahuasca experiences. For me, it enhanced my relationship with aya and helped me to go deeper in my inner explorations with ayahuasca. Arkana has crafted a one-of-a-kind program by offering these medicines within the same retreat. Jose (the owner of Arkana), in my humble opinion, is one of the most knowledgeable people world-wide in regards to Sapo and it was an honor to learn from him and experience a Sapo ceremony with him as Maestro.

The Arkana team- Jose the owner, the Maestros/Maestra, the facilitators, the kitchen and cleaning staff, the administrative team that helps with the pre-retreat preparation and post-retreat integration- all do an incredible job to make the guests feel welcomed and safe from the moment you sign up, throughout your stay, and even after you return home.
The expertise of the Arkana team allows for these medicines to be experienced in a safe setting, with a peaceful mindset, creating the best opportunity for healing. Everything is done with thoughtfulness and intention, and those qualities are just two of the many gifts I received from the Arkana team and continue to carry with me as I integrate my experiences into my life in the outside world.

Peace, love, light and gratefulness to the Arkana family and the plant medicines
-Sean O
kayrock1983
July 25, 2022 at 1:28 pm

I spent a week at the Arkana location in Sacred Valley. It was the most transformative experience of my life. The facilitators were amazing, the food was dope, and the vibe of the entire retreat was just the best. I’d recommend Arkana to anyone who wants to explore themselves and find guidance in a safe and warm setting. Plus, they have two dogs and two cats, which is always an added bonus! I love my Arkana family!
CaptainDustin1212
July 24, 2022 at 2:59 pm

I’m Dustin from Canada, 35 years old, prior to going to Arkana in Sacred Valley I had no experience with Ayahuasca and very little with spirituality…

Since leaving Arkana I’ve spent a lot of the time reflecting on myself and my time there. Who I was before, what I learnt there, and who I am now. I had a challenging week this last week which definitely knocked me down a few notches but because of the journey I took at Arkana, the work I did with the Shamans and facilitators I’m still operating at such a high level. It was a theory I hoped would come true when I was at the retreat, and it was a reason I kept extending my stay. I figured the higher the vibration I could achieve before I left, the better chance I would have surviving the blows of my real life back home. I stayed longer to keep learning from the medicine, from all of the staff and shamans beautiful hearts, their wisdom and strong loving energy. I learnt so much every day. The act and spirit of the service they all offered me, the kind friendship/support, and the acceptance to their tribe I felt was all so amazing. They all, along with the medicines, impacted me in so many ways. I, with the help of all the Arkana family, saved my life in those 4 weeks. I went there a sad, angry, brokenhearted, alcoholic, self-medicator and I left a genuinely happy, substance free, proud, confident and loving man. All the best parts of me stayed and grew and all the negative parts of me and my addictions were purged away.

It has been two months of alcohol/drug free, pure happiness since I left there and felt the need to share this because the experience is still changing my life and me for the better. I also want to share this because the staff deserves to hear how great they are and how much they’re loved and appreciated. I suggest anyone who is being called to Ayahuasca, and is able to go to Arkana that they do it sooner than later.

I recently hung out with old friends for a big birthday bash. Friends who in the past I would have drank and partied with for an extended period of time because I thought that’s what I wanted or made me happy or made me fun. This year was going to be a very different version of me, I thought before going there. I wondered how it would go, I feared it even because I was worried I would fall to temptation. Well it went well, very well…I had the best birthday bash I’ve ever had, totally SOBER!!! I was just being my true self, full of pride, love and confidence. With no effort of mine, people were attracted to me and started conversations with me. Those who knew me already, complimented me on my new version. The ones who didn’t know me prior complimented me on my fun and loving energy and I could truly feel they were happy that had met me and felt my positivity. It was a powerful day for me to test what I learnt at Arkana, from the medicine and ALL the other lessons I learnt in Peru.

So thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me find myself. Keep doing the magic work you do because you’re changing lives.

Love Dustin

Plus, food is amazing, rooms are very clean and beds super comfortable!
jojohoughton
July 13, 2022 at 4:34 pm

Just choose this retreat. You needn’t look any further. The entire team at Arkana and the entire experience is just incredible. They go above and beyond to make sure that the entire week runs smoothly and to make sure that all of their retreat participants are comfortable. I can’t thank them enough for such a wonderful week, from the cleaners to the cooks to the organizers to the facilitators to the shamans and to all of the friends I made while I was there – thank you so much! They set a schedule at the start of the week and they stick to it. Everything is optional depending on how you are feeling, it’s all up to you. The food is amazing all week, the cooks are constantly working to prepare the next meal for the group, with vegan options always available. I chose to attend the Sacred Valley location and loved the mountain scenery along with the dry weather and the rooms were also nice. The day trip to the salt flats was also a nice treat and a pleasant change of pace from the ceremonies. All of the little things that the Arkana team does really puts the icing on the cake – after ceremonies they bring you fruit and tea, the cleaning team sneaks a hot pad into your bed for post-ceremony relaxation, and if you’re lucky the cats will come and sleep with you for the night. You can tell the Arkana team has a ton of experience running this retreat and it really shows – nothing was out of place and all of the workers there were the perfect people for the job. The organizers were inspiring to say the least and the shamans blew me away with their songs. This is as much a cultural experience as it is a ceremonial/medicinal one. I was stunned by the Shipibo music and art and I guarantee you will be too, there’s nothing else like it and it absolutely needs to be felt in person. I am still processing my ayahuasca and sapo experiences but the first word of interpretation that comes to mind is: beautiful. Huge thanks and many hugs to the Arkana team!
xrgn
July 1, 2022 at 3:54 pm

Attending my first Ayahuasca retreat at Arkana was probably the most important thing I have done in my adult life next to getting an education. One cannot ask for a more holistically integrated, intentional, or gorgeously executed experience.

From the initial meeting at the hotel in Iquitos to the drop-off, I felt that Arkana was there for me at every step of the way. The facilitators alone are incredible people who have devoted their lives to healing people, one Aya retreat attendee at a time. Each of them had wonderful individual gifts that they shared with us—ceremony, yoga, sound bath, etc.

The Amazon lodge was absolutely beautiful. It was clean and organized, with a regular daily schedule of activities. I felt well-informed of where to be and what was available. The rooms were ideally outfitted yet uncluttered—mosquito nets over the beds, fans, and a wardrobe for hanging clothes and putting away luggage.

The food was wonderfully prepared—fresh, delicious, and mostly plant-based. No gluten, flours, spicy condiments, oils, added sugar, processed food or red meat (chicken and fish offered, but vegan mains were also available on request). I never got bored, and it was always flavorful and creative, so thank you Arkana kitchen staff!

The ceremonies were, of course, life-changing, intense, wondrous affairs. We had a dedicated group of shamans for the entirety of the week. The ceremonies were beautifully conducted, with the precision of a trans-Atlantic flight. Systems were in place to help everyone have the best possible experience. Facilitators were always available to assist those who needed any kind of help. I could not ask for a better experience.

Lastly, Ayahuasca is a different experience for everyone, but if you’re worried about whether it may or may not be for you, I will say that it helped me obliterate a lifetime of intense trauma (developmental trauma starting with early neglect, as well as years and years of inescapable, violent trauma later on) that 20 years of therapy, medication, and countless alternative therapies couldn’t touch. I didn’t become a fundamentally different person, but found peace with who and what I am, finally found a personal narrative where there was none, and have even noticed cognitive benefits such as improved memory now that my CPTSD/trauma-related hypervigilance has notably decreased. For me, Ayahuasca acted as an empathogenic nootropic, augmenting my emotional intelligence in a way that unlocked a profound synergy between the emotional and intellectual parts of the mind, allowing profound insight and radical reframing. It sounds impossible, but all my traumas and perceived flaws became my greatest gifts. It simply had to be experienced to be understood. I stopped trying to fix a dysfunctional system with the very tools that built it, and Shamanic medicine was the key.

Thank you Arkana, thank you José, thank you Maestras and Maestros!