Gaia Sagrada is a non-profit (rare among retreat centers) keeping prices as low and close to expenses as possible. Even the directors of Gaia earn close to minimum wage in Ecuador each month, as their priority is helping people awaken in a changing world.
Gaia Sagrada is nestled in the Magical Andes Mountains on 55 acres (22 hectares) with hundreds of miles of beautiful country roads and trails to hike. Most centers are in cramped quarters on a small piece of land, but Gaia Sagrada is expansive, open and free. You can see the Milky Way at night with clearer stars in the sky than you’ve ever seen, with fireflies in the fields. In the daytime there are beautiful mountain vistas in every direction and miles and miles of country roads and hikes to take. There is even a waterfall nearby to hike to!
Gaia = Mother Nature, Mother Earth
Sagrada = Sacred
This is a magical journey through consciousness that will change your life forever. Gaia Sagrada is sponsored by University of Metaphysical Sciences and founder is Christine Breese, PhD.
This is a chance to overhaul your system through shamanic healing and realize your full potential. Much healing will take place during these 12, 7 or 6 days in mind, body and spirit during this Ayahuasca retreat and San Pedro retreat.
We chose Ecuador because shamans have to be certified and authorized to practice their trade. It is important to us that everyone has a safe experience with skilled shamans who are approved by the government to practice their trade with integrity, skill and a proper education in this particular healing practice. Ecuador has more regulations for shamans than any other country.
Ecuador was also picked for the ease of entry for visitors (no shots or visas required, only your passport), and also for its gorgeous, magical, and natural settings (very lush and green!).
Ecuadorian people are very friendly and helpful, and we have become quite a part of the Ecuadorian community around us. Your money helps to support them.
Gaia Sagrada is nestled in a small community called Llayzhatan (Yah-zuh-tan) in the Andes Mountains on 55 acres, about 45 minutes outside of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. We are very near to Jadan (Hah-don) which means “Close to Heaven.” What a perfect place for Gaia Sagrada!
We feel that offering both is very important because one without the other is not a balanced experience. The shamans say Ayahuasca shows you what you need to change or heal, and San Pedro gives you the power to do it.
We offer both Ayahuasca ceremonies and San Pedro ceremonies because the Ayahuasca is considered the feminine aspect of the medicines; San Pedro is the masculine aspect of the medicines. In this era, it is all about balancing the masculine and feminine aspects in each of us to attain true wisdom. These two very different medicines help with that in every individual. The shamans also say that Ayahuasca shows you what to heal and San Pedro gives you the power to make the changes.
, sauna and modern housing with electric, 24/7 hot water, and WiFi make it easier to concentrate on your inner journey, yet stay in touch with the outside world if you wish.
We are practically bug free, (NO mosquitoes!) the air is clean, never too hot or humid, and you can see the milky way at night in the sky with fireflies all around you. During the day is T-shirt weather, with sunny gardens to sit in, and hummingbirds to watch.
12-day Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats are offered. During these 12-day retreats, 5 ceremonies are offered: 2 Ayahuasca, 2 San Pedro, and 1 mixed with a powerful sweat lodge experience. There is the possibility of 7 ceremonies if you are interested in doing the extra Ayahuasca ceremonies for an extra charge. There is one extra Ayahuasca ceremony in the middle of the retreat and a 2nd extra Ayahuasca ceremony at the end of the retreat and you would stay for an extra day making it a 13 day ceremony.
7-day Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats entail coming for the first 7 days of a 12-day retreat. This includes 3 ceremonies – 1 Ayahuasca, 1 San Pedro and 1 mixed with the powerful sweat lodge experience. There are no extra ceremonies available for this retreat unless there are openings in the 6 day retreat (which is rare, we are usually completely booked).
6 day Ayahuasca & San Pedro retreats have 3 ceremonies: 2 Ayahuasca and 1 San Pedro with the option of 1 extra Ayahuasca ceremony if you opt for the extra ceremony on the day of your arrival. This gives you the possibility of 4 ceremonies in a 6-7 day span. You can also come a day early and settle in (recommended) so you aren’t getting off the plane and going straight into ceremony, making it a 7 day retreat.
You can see all our retreat dates here.
The Ayahuasca ceremonies take place in our beautiful maloka near the forest with the sounds of nature and the twinkling stars outside. During the Ayahuasca ceremonies we always have a few sober helpers standing by to help light your way to the bathroom, empty your purge bucket, and get you anything you need during the ceremony.
Some centers have people express loudly and be dramatic, but our ceremonies are quiet and inwardly focused, with our expert shamans holding space, using music and Icaros at the proper moments to carry the energy. If someone needs to make noise, we move them to another place outside the maloka so everyone can stay focused on their journey.
The shaman is there for your individual healing as you need it from beginning to end. Between ceremonies you are supported with experienced staff to talk with about your experiences if you need any help.
The San Pedro ceremonies give you a completely different experience. These ceremonies take place during the day and go into the night under our beautiful ceremonial gazebo patio (maloka), on the edge of a beautiful forest with a view overlooking the mountains, completely connected with nature in every way. Some San Pedro ceremonies are done walking through nature on Gaia’s incredibly beautiful land, with beautiful vistas in every direction.
While Ayahuasca takes you to your inner dimensions, San Pedro opens your
and shows you how the dimensions intertwine and overlap with each other.
The sweat lodge ceremony, with both medicines mixed, takes place outdoors in a beautiful field, with the birds chirping all around you.
Connect with the Earth while you go through this deep, cleansing experience, a traditional shamanic offering as part of your healing and awakening. After the sweat lodge we sit under the stars and enjoy time around the fire, connecting with the shamans in a heart felt way with laughter, music and love!
In this ceremony, the San Pedro is given first, then if you want to take the Ayahausca you can later in the ceremony. It is optional, but don’t miss this exquisite experience of both the masculine and the feminine medicines together. It is like having both grandfather and grandmother holding your hand in this journey.
This is often everyone’s favorite ceremony, as it brings everything together, the male and female aspects of the medicines, and a balance to the experience. Places that tell you not to mix the medicines are usually ones that don’t offer one or the other, but we have found that this is the most healing experience of them all and there are always good results!
In total, there are five ceremonies in a 12 day retreat with the option of 2 extras if you choose to partake, and the 6 and 7 day ceremonies have 3 ceremonies each with extra ceremonies (6 day only) if you would like to partake as well.
Each one is a different kind of ceremony with different shamans so you can experience all the ways that shamans work with these traditions. There are many ways to experience shamanic ceremonies and we offer them all!
12-Day, 6 Day and 7 Day Ayahuasca & San Pedro Retreats include everything – steam room,
, wifi, food, several workshops and meetings, yoga, meditation and all the ceremonies with a day of rest between each ceremony. It is very important, not to rush through the medicines. You can see our Retreat Prices here.
Be careful with retreats that offer back to back ceremonies each day or squeeze too many into a retreat. It is important to process the changes happening for you, and get plenty of rest so you aren’t tired for the next ceremony. Better to spend a couple extra days in retreat than to rush through the medicines.
12 (or 13) Day Retreats: This retreat includes 5 ceremonies with the possibility of an extra ceremony in the middle of the retreat and even another for the possibility of 7 ceremonies if you stay for a total of 13 days.
7-Day Retreat: Come for the first 7 days of a 12 day retreat. There are limited spaces for the 7 day retreat option, as it is mostly filled by those who want to stay for the full 12 days. We encourage you to go for the 12 day retreat though because you will find that 7 days is not enough! If all you have is 7 days though, we are here to accommodate your needs.
6 (or 7) Day Retreat: Come for the second half of the 12 day retreat, last 6 days, everything included. Possibility of extra Ayahuasca ceremony on day of arrival, first day.
Gaia Sagrada is a non profit retreat center, rare among Ayahuasca retreats. We are not in this for money, we are in it for the awakening of humanity! Our expenses cost 5 – 6 times more in Ecuador than Peru, and yet our prices are even more affordable than most places in Peru. We operate at the edge of expenses because we care about everyone of all income levels to have the opportunity to have this experience. Even the directors make only minimum wage, which is unheard of. This is a labor of love!
Our shamans are true Ecuadorian shamans, so you are getting the real thing! Our shamans bridge both the Ancient and Modern worlds so they understand the issues you are coming to heal or understand. Scroll below to see pictures of our shamans and meet your guides on your inner journeys with the medicine!
People who have been to other Ayahuasca centers tell us all the time that Gaia Sagrada is the best place out of all the centers they have been to and that Gaia Sagrada sets the standard for what an Ayahuasca retreat center should be, even outshining the famous and super well known ones.
Our shamans are around before and after ceremonies for people to talk to, spend time with people outside the ceremonies, and our shamans stay with the people from the beginning to the end of the ceremony.
At most centers the shaman sings for a little while and then disappears, never to be seen again until the next ceremony. If you see them around you are supposed to not talk to them or bother them. Our shamans are approachable and happy to talk with you.
Our shamans spend time with everyone and give individual attention to each person not only during the ceremonies but also between the ceremonies. You can actually talk with them at breakfast or sit by the fire and enjoy their company! This is one of the things that makes our center unique.

Mauricio has been in documentaries of South American Shamanism. He is guide with power plants for 30 years, plays many instruments, plays shamanic music for events, and makes wind instruments and stringed instruments. He composes Andean and shamanic music. He is very famous for his music! He is a descendant of the Diaguita ethnic group from northern Chile.
Mauricio is an elder, which is very unusual and lucky to have as your guide in these Ayahuasca ceremonies. He is very skilled, well respected and well known in Ecuador for his work. You will be so blessed with a real, authentic and safe Ayahuasca ceremony guided by a true master Shaman!

Veronica’s motivation is serving others in their existential search in relationship with nature, and personal balance. She runs sweat lodge and creates a beautiful, transformative and authentic experience, carrying the traditions of the native people. She is a spiritual energizer who carries the sacred pipe (Chanupa), blessed by the elders of the Sacred Fire of Itzhachilatlan.
She is a Medicine Woman, Sun Dancer, Star Dancer, and has completed the vision quests. She is an Andean Agricultural student of University of Hatun Yachak Wasi, as well. She is also a biorhythm trainer.

Namur descends from a family of Shuar tribe shamans, a native culture of the Ecuadorian Amazon. He is a born shamans, so to speak! He experienced and connected for the first time with the medicine of Natem (Ayahuasca) when he was only 5 years old. The shamans of his community have shared with him their knowledge, wisdom, songs and prayers throughout all his life and he took part in many ancient rituals.
An elder Shuar shaman passed down to Namur the Uwishin practices. He has also received the instructions and teachings of the ancestral practices of other native cultures.

Christine holds space in ceremony with a combination of strength, gentleness and kindness that is quite rare. She touches the hearts of those she works with in her ceremonies. She is a shaman who has a way of calming any person who needs it and can help each person take their power back from the places they lost it.

Born and raised in La Amazonia (Ecuador), Santiago’s first memories are of the medicine, the ancestors, and his first limpia (shamanic cleansing) when he was 7 years old from his mom (Alicia). His Mother was his first and most important teacher. She taught him how to do limpias with the Sacred Plants such as: Tobacco, Santa Maria, Aji and many others. Another Master from his village was Don Juanito, who works with medicine plants doing limpias of all sorts and healing bones.
We have both a male and a female facilitators at each ceremony. This keeps everything safe and in balance.
Women are truly safe at Gaia Sagrada, particularly given that the founder of Gaia Sagrada is a woman.
You will love every single one of our shamans. Feel free to look on our shaman bio page for their history and photos.
We spent years looking for just the right shamans to offer ceremonies here. We bring the best of the best to you here in Ecuador!
Whenever there are problems with Ayahuasca or any other shamanic medicine ceremonies, it’s because the shamans mix something into the medicine that shouldn’t be there. Sometimes shamans mix in Datura (Toe), Nicotine, or other ingredients to make the experience more intense.
However, ingredients mixed in is not true Ayahuasca and can become a nightmarish experience rather than a healing experience. When people have a terrible experience with Ayahuasca, it is usually because ingredients are mixed into Ayahuasca that shouldn’t be there (or the person is taking pharmaceutical or recreational drugs that should not be mixed with Ayahuasca.) Gaia Sagrada’s medicine is absolutely pure.
We use only the vine and the leaves for Ayahuasca. Nothing else!
For the San Pedro medicine, only the cactus. Nothing else!
Our shamans are under contract to make only the purest medicine with nothing else in it that could cause harm to anyone. Our medicine is the safest possible medicine that can be made, strong and pure.
You are supported in your Ayahuasca healing journey with love and kindness. You will have a true adventure in consciousness during these days of Ayahuasca ceremonies and San Pedro ceremonies.
This is a life-changing event – a healing retreat that will change how you see yourself and life. You will see the evidence of this in our more than 600+ reviews.
Be ready to meet yourself at levels you never thought possible! Meet the master within you and explore the universe that you are.
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Dani Fisher
July 24, 2015 at 12:00 amGaia Sagrada is the most amazing healing experience that allows you to learn to trust and know yourself and your spirit in the most important and safest possible way. I believe it is the most powerful and authentic way to clean yourself not just physically but spiritually as well. Gaia Sagrada provides a beautiful environment with a team of professional and evolved souls who help bring about profound and lasting change that support you and everyone who has the privilege to stay at this very special retreat that I am looking forward to return to and have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who is ready to walk their truth thank you Christine, Bruce the wonderful helpful staff and the Shamans who are of the highest order gracias Dani & Steve ??
kristinev24
June 12, 2015 at 12:00 amI have been interested to plant medicines and have been wanting to explore them for a while now. I couldn’t imagine any better place than Gaia Sagrada for this. The teachings I obtained from the medicines, the shamans, Christine, and the others in my group were life changing. Viewing the world, my life, and those around me in a whole different light. Gaia is truly a place for healing and awakening. I have nothing but the upmost respect for everyone who came together to make Gaia possible. I really believe that everybody…whatever age, gender, race, religious view etc would benefit from participating in this retreat. This is a place to really evolve and elevate human consciousness. Ive truly learned more about Love, connectedness, and appreciation. Gaia is placed in the most beautiful setting. Surrounded by nature it the mountains. absolutely blissful. The staff who were there are amazing people with pure hearts. I can honestly say that everyone who attended Gaia with me are my soul family and they will hold a special place in the heart forever. I cant recommend this place enough. I am just so grateful to have been able to experience Gaia and plant medicines with the most amazing people I have ever met.
Love and Light all xo
FlorDeLaVida
June 8, 2015 at 12:00 amA new dawn and a new day. Birds are singing here, every moment is alive and the people are enriched with newfound vitality. Oh how it feels to be alive and well. A year ago, I was called to take ayahuasca as I felt I wasn’t fully living my life to my upmost potential. I have been holding to some grievance due to a tragic passing away of a very dear one and many unfortunate events that have occurred in my life. Although I am quite a happy person, there has been a heaviness I have been carrying on my shoulders and a tender sadness deep in my heart. Since coming here, I was able to accept myself and the circumstances and I began to release the suffering I have been holding on to for so many years. I feel empowered to move forward with my goals and to take steps towards my true calling.
The Shamans are absolutely amazing and are true light workers and Christine is always along side with us in every ceremony. She is a true blessing, her aura is open and loving and she holds profound wisdom. I am also grateful for the opportunity to be able to stay on and do a work exchange for another retreat. Once a participant and later a work exchanger, I watched these new arrivals become closer and undergo their sometimes difficult transformations. I am honoured to be able to assist and I am truly humbled by the whole experience. The food is made with love, the facilities are more than comfortable and the surroundings are so tranquil. I miss Gaia Sagrada and the people there. I am hoping on returning some time in the future. Much love and many blessings to Gaia and her great team!
Matt B
May 30, 2015 at 12:00 amAsk yourself this question,What is your Purpose??? At Gaia Sagrada this question is going to be poised to you many times…. Are you looking for purpose in your life? Well, let me save you some time. I researched what seemed to be all Shamanic centers, and Gaia is the one that kept coming back to me. I am so happy I picked (or maybe it picked me) this place. Christine is an amazing soul,with such passion for the center she has spent tiredly creating and continuing to work on. I arrived there, and from the very first moment knew I had chosen the right place, the staff greeted me with hugs and huge smiles. Her partner Bruce is also a kind and very generous man, as I had an old injury swell up, and he made sure to check in on me, and help with some natural treatments that worked! The facilities are Un matched to anything else i have seen. You want a hot shower after a long amazing ceremony, they have it, you need to send a email, they have wifi, you need a cab with a driver, they will call it, most importantly, you want a shaman who speaks english, and will talk with you, they have the best. The shamans and shamanas here are the best, the put on the most amazing ceremonies, and talk to you before hand about anything you wish. They stay the entire time, and even after they were there to help process anything you needed. I believe they set the bar so high, that it would be hard to top. Gaia offers both ayahuasca, (the grandmother medicine) and San Pedro (the grandfather medicine) I believe this is perfect, as you get both sides, and Shamans who are very experienced in their work with these medicines.You will make friends from around the world for life. If you are on the cuff about going to S. America to experience plant medicines, or cant choose, I say book with Gaia now, as Christine’s center is the best and I cant wait to get back, shoot you might never want to leave…
Much love to Christine,Bruce Salvador,Santiago,Sofia,Paulina,and all the staff at Gaia Sagrada!
WonderingMonkey
May 29, 2015 at 12:00 amI did a lot of research before picking Gaia. My expectations were exceeded in every way possibleI and I was gifted so many incredible lessons. The larger group of 24 was so powerful in ceremony especially with such skilled shamans guiding the way.
Medicine for the people
Inspired by Nahko and Medicine for the people
You see here we are once again. You took off into deep space in search of truth and light. You believed you were taking a trip. Instead that trip took you on a ride that you would of never expected. Creating connections between things that were once unimaginable. Opening your mind to the truths that had laid right front of you awaiting discovery. Now with eyes wide, full of the ecstasy of discovery your find yourself far away from home and alone. You quickly realize the importance of what you have learned at the exact moment it all starts to fade with a sudden pull back to reality.
You quickly without hesitation grab ahold of your new found treasures and use everything you have learned to protect them from the darkness. With the hope of returning whence you came to share the your riches with the ones you left behind. To tamper with such things is to spoil them and to grasp them is to lose them. Nonetheless now more than ever you realize that there is much work to be done. You revert to the mind of the traveler channel this new found power in order to plot your path back home. Knowing from previous journeys that it is not the path that is important but rather the act of plotting ones own way that holds value. So you take the plunge back into the abyss. Holding your values close hoping they will guide in your search of the safety and comforts of home. Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot , step by step. Never looking back to the moments that no longer exist. This journey is long and dangerous through a place of doubt and confusions. Where lines are blurred beyond recognition. With bit of patience and more than a little luck you will find your home. Only to discover that reentry is the son of a bitch.
The final act in this story is one of complete self destruction and rebirth. So with no way back and discontent with standing still you take the leap of faith yet again. At first the gravity of your decision is weak and unclear. As you get closer you will build speed and the pull will begin to show its hidden strength. Without a doubt you will hit turbulence and temperatures will rise. At this point focus is the key to staying in the moment. Reacting to the destruction will prove fatal. This is a time for action and trusting that your heart will guide you home. So you grit your teeth and hold on as if your life depended on it. Everything you have learnt, everything that your have worked for and held dear from your travels is torn away. It will burn you deep down to your core. If you can managed to let go of your treasures instead of being burnt up with them as they are ripped away you will find yourself back home safe and sound. Scarred beyond recognition from what you were before you left. These new markings once healed will provide you with strength for the future. After completing this cycle and standing at the point whence you came. You finally have a chance to look back and realize that you have changed, that you are different than before. The truth and light that you were seeking was always there clear as day but you were blind and that all this is simply a reflection of a moment in time.