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

DianaGarcia
July 27, 2024 at 2:52 pm

Una experiencia inolvidable. Desde que llegamos nos hicieron sentir como familia. El trato, los cuidados, la comida y los talleres fueron excelentes. Los recomiendo 100%
Ruslan
July 17, 2024 at 1:11 pm

Awakenings is truly a wonderful beautiful place with outstanding caring indigenous family running it. We were part of everyday activities of the family, we were fully partaking in cooking the medicine before ceremony, we ate delicious food, indulged in a myriad of other super interesting activities – Temazcal, Cacao preparation from scratch, Kambo, waterfalls, rivers, etc…
Ceremonies were strong and profound. We always felt 1000% safe. Integration sessions were One on One with the Maestro (and an English interpreter since i do not speak much Spanish) and very helpful. Interpreter is part of the family and is an outstanding soul. We will come back to Awakenings soon and miss our new friends very much already!
M
July 16, 2024 at 9:43 am

I had a truly unique experience at this retreat. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and had the opportunity to closely observe and immerse myself in the life of the local community.
One of the key factors that drew me to this retreat was its flexibility with dates, which, after extensive research, I found to be quite rare. During my stay, I realized that choosing this retreat was one of the best decisions I could have made. Additionally, the small group size of just four people was perfect. It allowed us to connect deeply while also providing ample space for individual reflection and solitude when needed.
I particularly appreciated the detailed introduction to the medicinal practices and the comprehensive understanding of the plants involved. Stefany, Manuel, Juan, and Tiwi were incredible sources of information, welcoming all our questions and enriching our learning experience.
The program included a variety of activities, offering us the chance to experience a wide range of practices and understand which worked best for each individual. The diverse selection of medicines was particularly noteworthy, as it allowed us to learn and tailor our experiences to our needs.
As a vegetarian, I found my dietary preferences well accommodated, and I had no difficulties with the meals provided. Fernanda and Janina were great.
What I will cherish most is the warmth and care of the entire family. Everyone was genuinely involved in our experiences, doing their utmost to ensure we left satisfied, happy, and having found what we came for. It was a great place, a great experience,, and wonderful people.
Tamir
June 27, 2024 at 12:31 am

Without a doubt the best and life-changing experience I’ve had, this place is amazing, these people are amazing, the atmosphere and energy of the place was incredible.
A place that not only gives you medicine they also explain about it and teach you about it, they always happy to explain about their amazing community!
If I could, I would try to explain to you how much this place is really worth, the people made me understand so many things about my life and how to improve it.
Juan, Stephanie, Janina, Tiwi, Fernanda, Manuel are all excellent people, do yourself a favor and just come to this amazing place,
The place hosts small groups of no more than 6 people and that’s what’s amazing – you always have your own corner if you want to be alone and also if you want to be with people… the people are amazing
Big and spacious cabins, the activities are amazing and so educational
without a doubt I will come again!
mgreal
May 31, 2024 at 3:56 pm

My experience at Awakenings Ayahuasca was very special.

I found myself with more time away from work than I expected, and decided to attend a retreat on short notice. I found Awakenings, and reached out to Stephanie on Whatsapp to inquire about last minute availability and was pleasantly surprised to hear that they could accommodate me. Stephanie was very professional and really helpful in the process of helping me prepare and answering my questions prior to heading to Ecuador. Before sent over payment, Stephanie informed me she would not be physically present at the center as she had just given birth a month earlier, but that she would be in constant contact with me and available to answer my questions and support, which I was totally fine with.

Three days later – yes! It was so quick – I arrived to the center which is a 3-4 hour drive from Quito. It is a beautiful place, with beautiful souls. I was greeted warmly by Tigui and taken to my tambo which was thoughtfully designed, comfortable, simple and clean and just exactly what I needed.
Even though Stephanie wasn’t physically on the grounds, she didn’t miss a beat with keeping me informed of the activities, the meaning of the ceremonies and rituals I was participating in, translating when needed (I speak very little spanish) and answering any questions I had. In fact no one there missed a beat, everything planned was orgnized and on time, and very well executed.
For part of my week long stay I was the only guest at the center, and it was INCREDIBLE. I assume not much changes when they have larger groups visiting, but it was really cool to spend time with Tigui 1:1, learn how to make and brew my own San Pedro, and do solo ceremonies (san pedro, cacao, ayahuasca, kambo).

My ayahuasca ceremonies were led by Manuel who is a master shaman and with over 30 years of experience, probably more. He is overflowing with kindness and integrity – he is a quiet yet powerful man with a wealth of wisdom. I am used to attending ceremonies led by the Shipibo shamans in Peru with a lot of attendees and shamans, and these two traditions are quite different in style and ritual. I had never attended a ceremony where I was the sole participant with one Shaman. As a solo woman in mid-thirties, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous beforehand, but midway through the first ceremony my fears had completely dissipated. Manuel is very professional and I felt a deep sense of peace in his presence. He stayed with me for the duration of both ceremonies in the Maloka, until I was ready to leave at 5am.

I was really pleased that I was able to learn how to make my own Huachuma (San Pedro) from start to finish, and had a very powerful ceremony that has changed my relationship to the plant.
I asked to add on Sananga and Cacao while I was already at the center, and they organized it for me at a small additional cost.

The food was light and nutritious during the time I was working with Ayahuasca. Once my diet was complete, I had fish, rice, and vegetables which was delicious.

If you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll be ok. I visited in May 2024, so if you are reading this there’s a good chance Stephanie who speaks fluent English, may be back, but again, even though she was not there, it was almost as if she was since she was so available via whatsapp and used voice messages as well. I also understood from other reviews that they at times have hired a translator for folks, but I’m not certain about that. There is pretty decent wifi there as well.

I was welcomed with open arms and treated with *genuine* kindness my whole stay. Fernanda and Gabrielle, Nuri who is 10 and super talented, and everyone else I met were wonderful and so kind. Stephanie and Juan offered helpful integration support in addition to my integration with Manuel, which I really appreciated. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to learn about this rich culture and receive healing from these people who have a robust relationship with nature and spirit.

I plan to return with my partner next time the medicine calls. If you’re on the fence, just go, you won’t regret it.