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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manniatwal
April 27, 2023 at 4:51 pmI went to the 12 day retreat at Gaia Sagrada, and did an additional ceremony, covering 6 in 12 days. I also stayed an extra night either side for resting up before and after.
Coming to this space was like coming home to myself. For anyone reading this that has not worked with plant medicine before, you need not have any apprehension as you are in the best of hands. The team, each one of them, from the ones maintaining the property, cooking, cleaning, the office staff, to the Shamans that hold the ceremonies are highly experienced and have great skill in what they do and how they do it. The volunteers are invested in each guests well being and care. They also share my of their own talents and skills. A lot of care and consideration is taken towards everything and everyone in this space. The attention to detail on sustainability aspects and working as closely with nature as possible were also beautiful.
The pricing is low compared to other retreats because of how the centre is set up and runs as not for profit, not in anyway indicative of the quality of experience you will have. More money does not equal better retreats. The pictures do not do the facilities justice, nor the raw beauty of the location.
It is hard to put into words what I gained from my time here. I love the medicine, it has helped me with things that conventional types of western therapy could not. It has changed my life for the better and continues to do so, and the structure of the overall programme here is incredible in supporting that process and my Work.
This place is pure love, just come and see for yourself with an open heart and mind. You won’t regret it.
Paigerino
April 26, 2023 at 8:20 amI cannot possibly say enough wonderful things about Gaia Sagrada, it is truly heaven on earth! From the beautiful property in the mountains, to the angels that are the volunteers and staff, to the absolutely delicious food! And that is all without even mentioning the pure magic of the power plant ceremonies! Truly the greatest thing I have ever done for myself in my life. The shamans and every single detail of the ceremonies are absolutely divine. It is the most supportive, safe, and transformative place on earth. I tell everybody in my life and everybody I just met to go to Gaia Sagrada, and now I am telling you! It’ll be the best decision you’ll ever make
SonoftheRightHand
April 25, 2023 at 12:52 pmI have been given insight and transformation, as well as the tools to continue the transformation process at Gaia Sagrada. I am one who does my spiritual work to connect with God and follow the teachings of spirit, and I have taken the ayahuasca medicine in other settings. The prayerful ceremonies and supportive staff and culture at Gaia Sagrada offered me infinitely more than my past experiences. I would recommend Gaia Sagrada to anyone who feels the call of the medicine.
The Shamans here carry the medicine with integrity and profound respect for every life. The support of the shamans and the fire keepers during ceremony allowed me to do deeper work with the medicine than ever before. The medicine is strong here, whatever your intention is coming to the retreat, you will find your intention deepened and your spiritual homework laid out clearly for you upon your arrival home. Thank you to the beautiful shamans who work with Gaia Sagrada, may you be blessed in your work and your family cared for by spirit.
The staff and volunteers at Gaia Sagrada also offer great support during ceremony and the rest of your time here. I am so thankful for the volunteers who helped me walk to the bathrooms and took care of me during ceremony. All of my nervousness about going into ceremony was eased by the support of these beautiful humans. The staff at Gaia Sagrada also were integral to my process of healing there. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your investment in my process and your care for my life. I never felt any sense of shame or judgement while I was at Gaia Sagrada, only support and love.
My time at Gaia Sagrada was my first time with the medicine of San Pedro. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to sit with this beautiful medicine, and I believe it is a great compliment to the medicine of ayahuasca. Christine held the space beautifully during the San Pedro ceremony, and I found the tools and wisdom in this ceremony that I needed in order to cause the change in my life that the ayahuasca showed me was necessary. Christine’s teaching, and delicate attention to each person at this retreat offered me so much that I feel unable to express all that I have learned.
While I came to Gaia Sagrada for healing, I felt that I was in a good place coming into this retreat. What was revealed to me through this retreat is clarity for the purpose of my life, and the ability to fully pursue that purpose. Upon returning home I found that I was able to face the challenges that laid before me and truly cause a shift in areas of my life that were stuck. I thank Christine, the shamans, the staff, the volunteers, and all the participants who were present at Gaia Sagrada with me. You have forever touched my heart, and I am honored to carry my purpose forward with all of you. Together we can bring heaven to earth, together we can live a more beautiful dream.
iLoveMusic
April 25, 2023 at 2:47 amI volunteered at Gaia for over a year and found positive transformation during my stay, not withstanding challenges but reaping the fruits of the service based work. As far as the ceremonies, there are multiple medicines shared, as well as shaman and traditions offered, each consistently different. The guests are always unique, from many walks of life and special connections are often formed. The property is on a large portion of land if you enjoy communing with nature, you’re sure to enjoy yourself! 🙂
Bee
April 24, 2023 at 8:33 pmI came to Gaia Sadgrada to understand more about my awakening which is happened in 2022. I though I have nothing to heal, no drama is haunted me . I thought I was a peaceful person except curious. But no, the medicine broke me down right at the very first ceremony. So much darkness, so much sorrow, so much pains brought up to the surface. And I was suffering mentally and physically. Then the second ceremony, I sat on San Pedro and “magic carpet “ with zero intention. My head and heart was closed. After a while just sitting there to challenge Christine. Suddenly I saw her face shift and turned to a man, with mustache, bearded…I wasn’t believe in my eye but can’t reject it because of the voice. Her voice turns to man voice too. The eyes didn’t change, those eye saw through me, so much love. I couldn’t resist. I broke down. Finally it’s come to the end of healing session, i felt much lighter since first time I poured them all out and cried about it in front of strangers. But not yet done, Christine have me the bag of Angels’s feather. I withdraw the white one. Yeap, it’s may not means much to the others but with me its Everything. Since I’ve been asking my deceased mom for a white feather as a token, an evidence to give me peace in my heart that we’re okie, she’s okie, and we’re both accepted each other’s forgiveness and love. I’ve been asking for 3 years since she crossed but I couldn’t had a chance to say goodbye. That night after all of those, I got the white feather. It’s mean the world to me. With my experience, I strongly believe Christine is a clear vessel. The make energy Sand Pedro works and heal me through her. So if you ever do this work with her if you choose Gaia. Don’t take anything personal. Higher Power sources knows us more than we know ourselves. They know how to help us. Just surrender. The bed in maloka may close to each other but the whole 12 days, I’ve never see or hear anyone get in someone’s space. Everyone hold strong respect to eacther’s space . So much support. So much patience. So much love. Many people there has lot of experience with medicine. They told me I choose a great one regarding to the food and amount of people attending ceremonies. The traditional ceremonies may bring you a lesson of gratitude for everything you are having in your life then come to the point of realization that we have so much more than we aware of . I gained more than healing. Many many life lessons I’ve learned there and then. Every little thing like that shift my whole perspective. I though I was good enough then I realize I still can much better. Something I’ve never think of now I have a different relationship with it. I love and grateful for my life thousands times more than before. My third ceremony and the sweat lordge brough my healing process to another level. I was guided and answered all my questions about life. I will leave room for your own experience. Can’t expect 2 same experience with 2 ceremonies. And don’t expect same experience with the others. I came to Gaia with my husband. I left Gaia with a big family and friends. I came to Gaia with an empty heart and closed mind. I left Gaia with overwhelming heart of love and expanded consciousness. I came to Gaia with a husband I left Gaia with a soulmate. I asked for less, God gave me abundance. Can’t be happier. Thanks to Gaia staff , specially in-house shaman there Fernando. Thanks to Christine for being a super vessel and super physical woman. Thanks for all the support from my fellow members. I’m not a reviewer but I wrote this review from my heart to raise a chance for people to heal themselves, be a better version of themselves, live a better life. Hope it comes to those who needs. Bee.