Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat

Name: Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat
Rating: 5

Santo Domingo Ecuador

5.0 (130 reviews)

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Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat

A Sacred Journey with Indigenous Roots

Only Retreat Certified by Ecuador’s Ministry of Health | 100% Indigenous-Owned & Operated.

Why Choose Awakenings?

• The only retreat in Ecuador certified by the Ministry of Health

• Located on sacred Tsáchila ancestral land

• 100% Indigenous-owned and operated by the Tsáchila tribe

• Medicine is prepared on-site and you are invited to participate in the process

• Small groups & personalized retreats — you choose your dates

• Your money helps local indigenous and some of the money supports the local elementary school as well; supporting many minorities in need.

Medicine and Ceremony

At Awakenings, we work with authentic ancestral medicines and offer the opportunity to participate in the preparation of Ayahuasca and San Pedro; allowing you to deposit your energy and intentions from the very beginning.

Our healing team includes:

• 4 experienced male Tsáchila shamans

• 1 female Tsáchila shaman (available upon request)

These are four generations of wisdom, born into the sacred path of medicine.

What Makes Us Different

• We live on the land, unlike other retreats that rent properties or hire outside shamans

• We run year-round with flexible dates

• No large groups — we keep it personal and safe

• Confidential integration support before and after ceremonies

• Wi-Fi available, but we encourage you to disconnect and reconnect with Mother Nature

Our Most Popular Package: 8 Days / 7 Nights – $1600 however you can do shorter or longer stays. Every journey is personalized for your needs on your time.

Includes:

• 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies

• 1 San Pedro ceremony

• 1 Kambo, 1 Sananga, and Rapé

• Private accommodations & meals

• Massage, Temazcal, reiki, sound healing

• Cultural immersions, waterfall hike, 1

Massage, preparation of cacao and more.

Additional: Cacao Ceremony, Bufo, Mushrooms, Xanga and Cannabis ceremonies available upon request.

Transport from Quito and laundry service available upon request but are not included on the packages.

Learn More About the Medicines

What is Ayahuasca?

“Ayahuasca” is the Quechua word for both the vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the sacred tea made from it, traditionally combined with Chacruna leaves. It contains harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. Used by Amazonian tribes for centuries, it opens portals to emotional and spiritual healing. Our vine grows on the property, and we prepare the medicine in the traditional way.

What is San Pedro?

San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi) is a sacred cactus native to the Andes of Ecuador. It carries masculine energy and helps us open our hearts and expand our connection with all life. We also grow this cactus on the land, and ceremonies are done with great reverence.

What is Kambo?

Kambo is a powerful healing ritual that uses the secretion of the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor). Applied through small burns on the skin, Kambo detoxifies the body, boosts the immune system, and clears emotional blocks. It’s used for deep physical and energetic purification.

Your Healing Begins Here

We don’t just host retreats; we offer a path to rebirth, in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the ancestral spirits of our land. You will not be asked to share in vulnerable settings, and everything is done with respect and care.

You are not here to escape. You are here to remember who you truly are.

USA: +1 (646) 300-9646

Ecuador / WhatsApp: +593 98 044 0627

Website: awakeningsayahuasca.com

We look forward to walking this sacred journey with you.

You are the medicine. Welcome home.

Reviews (130)

5.0 out of 5

Overall 5.0

Horizons97
October 8, 2024 at 4:12 pm

My partner and I came to Awakenings Ayahusca after our previous retreat plans had fallen through. We were so happy that they did otherwise we never would have discovered this incredible place! My partner and I both were both attending our first official retreat and we did not know what to expect and arrived with a fair amount of nerves. These quickly finished when we met the incredibly hospitable and warm staff members that make this centre the magical place that it is. My partner and I did not know much Spanish but this was not an issue at all as Stephanie was always available to translate for us, which was appreciated especially so in our integration sessions which followed every ceremony. We were the only ones that for all of our ceremonies all but one. This made for a truly intimate and private experience to work with the medicines offered here and to feel truly taken care of and looked after by the shamans that facilitate these ceremonies. The shamans Manuel, Juan, and Teewee all bring a different and unique energy to the way they facilitate and hold the space in these sacred ceremonies. You can truly feel the wisdom and support come through and I found for myself that there was little room for fear or concern with these special men watching over our journeys. Francesca cooks incredible and healthy dishes which felt so nourishing following long nights working with the Ayahuasca. We were so appreciative of the role she played in the community and the cultural activities that she led us through. Juan took us on an incredible day into nature to visit nearby waterfalls and we had an absolute blast immersing ourselves in the deep jungle and seeing native insects and animals of the Sanyo Domingo region. The cultural and ancestral wisdom of the Tsachilla people came through throughout our stay and both my partner and I felt like we were truly a part of their family by the time we left. I have already booked my next visit to Awakenings Ayahusca and I could never imagine going to another place. I have already recommended it to nearly all my friends! Please choose to come here if you ever plan on working with the medicines! You 100% won’t regret it!
amandayewe
October 8, 2024 at 6:06 am

Awakenings was a beautiful experience. My heartfelt gratitude to Stefany, Juan, Tigui and Manuel. My partner and I spent 3 days with them and did one Ayahuasca and one San Pedro. Both ceremonies were beautiful and gave me insights & learnings that were what I needed. I came depleted and confused and left with a much fuller cup, feeling such gratitude for connection and guidance; feeling more like myself.

My stay with the Tsachilas can be shortly summed by connection, peace and gratitude. There was such a sense of wisdom and clarity that the shamans, Juan, Manuel and Tigui embodied. They were also so generous to share with us the preparation process of ayahuasca and San Pedro. The integration sessions after each ceremony were also spiritually intuitive and insightful. Stefany also wonderfully supported us with translation and overall support.

I have previously done plant medicine with western and non-indigenous run retreat centres and this was different in the best ways. What stood out about this was the depth of connection the shamans and community had with the sacred plants. It was so special to experience the Tsachilla culture, way of life and understand the sacred plants on a whole new level.

I highly recommend Awakenings as a safe, supportive space for profound healing with a people that are deeply connected to nature and the medicine. I’m looking forward to returning for a longer time in the near future.
spandaman
October 8, 2024 at 5:47 am

My experience at Awakenings Retreat was truly unforgettable and far exceeded my expectations. Living and working with the indigenous Tsáchila people of Santo Domingo offered a rare and profound connection to the land and its healing plants. The depth of their knowledge and respect for the earth made this retreat stand out among all the plant medicine experiences I’ve had. From now on, I will seek out retreats that are owned and run by indigenous communities, knowing that the proceeds go directly towards supporting their people and preserving their culture.
benjamintozer
September 24, 2024 at 7:28 pm

I recently had the honuor of attending a retreat at Awakening Ayahuasca Retreat, and it was truly a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed like family. The serene setting, surrounded by the beauty of nature, created the perfect environment for deep healing and reflection.

One of the most impactful parts of my journey was working with Juan, one of the shamans. His wisdom and presence during the ceremonies were nothing short of extraordinary. Juan guided us with such compassion, ensuring everyone felt safe and supported, especially during the more intense moments of the ayahuasca journey. The icaros he sang, along with the sounds of the drums and whistles, helped to ground me and amplify the medicine’s healing energy.

The retreat’s emphasis on integrating into the Tsachila community made the experience even more authentic. I loved learning about the traditions, culture, and sacred practices. The preparation of the ayahuasca medicine, which we were invited to participate in, was an incredibly spiritual experience. It deepened my connection to the medicine and the entire journey.

Safety was a top priority at the retreat, which gave me peace of mind. The medical staff was always available, and the thorough screening beforehand ensured that every participant was cared for in a personalized way.

It’s been a few months since my retreat, and I’m still integrating the profound lessons I learned. I feel lighter, more connected to myself, and more in tune with the world around me. I highly recommend Awakening Ayahuasca Retreat for anyone seeking deep healing, spiritual growth, and an authentic experience with a genuine indigenous community. Juan and the rest of the team will hold a special place in my heart forever
Kruti
September 21, 2024 at 11:15 pm

When I felt the call to sit with ayahuasca, I searched for many centres in Ecuador but I was not feeling a firm ‘yes’ for any of them and I had decided I will not go ahead. Few days later, I tried searching once more out of curiosity and came across Awakenings Retreat. Very quickly I felt this was the place I had to come to. The website had profiles of the shamans so I knew about them before going, and other useful information about ayahuasca too.
Communication was swift and easy with Stefany, who speaks English and was incredibly helpful throughout the booking and intake process as well as during my stay. Although, I never got to meet her, Stefany’s support and guidance was felt throughout.

When I got there, I was the only guest at the retreat and I really felt at home on the land. Tigui and the team were lovely and warm, making my time memorable. My Ayahuasca ceremony was conducted by señor Manuel and I felt very safe and comfortable in his presence as he is such a calm and comforting energy. He showed me how the brew is made (though I was not involved in brewing my own drink due to lack of time and it needs to be brewed for around 24 hours) and asked if I have any questions. On the night, I felt very supported and taken care of by Manuel and Fernanda, whilst I sat with ayahuasca. They often checked in to see if I was feeling okay and if I needed something or if it was too much. The next day, I felt very vulnerable and had a lot to process but Fernanda had a chat with me, and I was able to have a conversation with Manuel (with Stefany translating on the phone) to interpret my experience. It was beautiful overall and I felt a release.

It was so important for me to choose a place that was authentic and safe. This is exactly what I got at Awakenings; it is a tranquil family environment run completely this wonderful Tsáchila family. If you are called to sit with mother ayahuasca, I highly recommend doing so here at Awakenings, you will not regret it!