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

Marlene
July 23, 2023 at 2:19 pm

I did my first ayahuasca ceremony with Juan at Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat, with a friend who had already been there and recommended it. I wanted to try a ceremony but was a bit anxious at ending up in the wrong place as you hear so many stories of ayahuasca ceremonies not being performed by actual shamans. I wanted an actual spiritual experience and this is what I’ve got there. I came here initially for a 2 days retreat.
My first ceremony was tough, and I was supposed to participate in a second one the night after, but decided not to do it as I still had a lot to process and didn’t feel ready. After a few days of resting I decided to come back to the retreat for 2 more ceremonies. There was no one else l wanted to make ceremonies with as I fully trusted the shamans and community here at Awakenings Ayahuasca. I knew that even if I would go through a hard time again they would watch out for me. They really take care of you and do everything they can to make you feel safe and good. The additional activities that I’ve made during the retreat such as a walk in the forest, natural sauna, flower baths, massages, pendulum reading, etc. were all excellent and worth it. I can only recommend this place. Also bonus, if you like dogs there are 2 amazing and cute dogs around and a cat who are always happy for cuddles.
A big thank you to this community, much love and respect
angiefullofgratefullness
July 19, 2023 at 1:54 pm

I booked this retreat after researching and learning about this place for over a year. I wanted to slow down and escape my ordinary life for a few days but what I experienced was beyond my expectations. There is no right word to explain and review the retreat which was for me a lifetime experience that I would do without hesitating. The retreat brought back to me the right dose of consciousness to move forward in my life with more peace, love and energy. I feel more enlightened and conscious than ever after a week at Awakenings ayahuasca.Manuel, Juan, and his family are just so humble it’s the real deal here. Ancestral and real. Stephanie is so sweet, so caring just like a younger sister. Juan and Manuel are brillant humans, a true source of wisdom, knowledge and peace mixed with an incomparable generosity, always the right words to nurture your personal reflexion. I could chat hours with them and their team, just learning from their experiences, their knowledge. A true shot of energy, peace and wisdom.
Kaiyanwang
June 16, 2023 at 11:43 am

2 weeks ago, I finished my 1 week stay at the retreat. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Coming to Ecuador by myself and speaking 0 Spanish, I did not know what to expect, but Awakening Ayahuasca really made me feel embraced by a community. Everyone – shamans, the interpreter, and other spiritual explorers – form a big family. During the day, we would explore the village and the city. We went to local waterfalls and rivers to explore nature. We visited the local school and engage with the Tsachila community. We even learned more about their culture. We cooked and danced together. Here, you can temporarily forget about all the worries back home, the only thing you care about is the annoying mosquito bites.

Shamans here not only take care of you throughout the ayahuasca, but also observe your state when doing the ayahuasca, and give you an interpretation to help you better understand your trauma and how to live with it. Here, you can also see how the ayahuasca we drink is made. You can also participate in planting a new ayahuasca. This way, you have more faith in the entire process, and feel connected to this magic plant even more.

Besides ayahuasca, they offer a variety of other rituals and ceremonies – like purification baths, Kambo, pendulum reading, etc. They not only cleanse your bad energies but also help you to understand yourself on a deeper level, which I consider the most important.

One sentence that inspired me the most is that Shaman Juan said “Many people come here thinking that we can solve all the problems they have, but we are just helping you, you are your own medicine. ” Coming back to the US, I now do have a better understanding of the things I need to improve; and now Im aware that only I can make action to change my life.
Ola KA
June 8, 2023 at 9:19 pm

I had an amazing time at Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat Museo Etnografico Tsachila/Fitseyah Cabins in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. This has truly been a life changing experience for me. I’ve gained so much more than I could have ever anticipated. The Shamans and staff have all been so loving,accommodating, professional, and very concerned about your spiritual growth, needs,and healing. I was so fortunate to have Juan as my shaman. He dedicated so much time for my specific needs. Juan’s wife Stefany was amazing as well. She went above and over to make sure I was comfortable,and that I had everything I needed. The whole staff at Awakenings Ayahuasca treated me like family. I truly have found a second home away from home there and a new family for life. I’m so grateful for the opportunity of experiencing such a beautiful retreat, and having such a positive shift in my awakening journey. I can’t wait to return. This is the place to be for anyone looking for healing and serious about their spiritual transformation!!❤❤
Tomas F
June 5, 2023 at 9:48 pm

I had a really amazing experience here with the Tsachila community. From the moment i arrived everyone made me feel welcome and part of the family.

On the first night i had a ceremony with Manuel and he gave me so much attention and his full care from start until the finish. On the second night i did a ceremony with Juan which was equally excellent with amazing positive energy from him and both were so fulfilling

I only stayed for 2 nights and Stefanie and Juan went above and beyond to teach me about the culture. They really care about their guests and the setting is very natural and comfortable. It is also very easy and economical to get here from Quito which is a big plus.

If you are thinking about coming here then go for it! You wont regret it.