Ayahuasca

Pisatahua

Name: Pisatahua
Rating: 5

Beni, Bolivia

5.0 (74 reviews)

Contact for $5

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Pisatahua is a plant-medicine ayahuasca-retreat, located in a remote area of the Bolivian Amazon. Found in the heart of the Aquicuana Lake Reserve, the 80 hectare center is situated in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world. This idyllic setting provides a comfortable environment for those seeking a responsible way to explore the Amazon, while safely working with traditional plant medicines.

Pisatahua’s healers are responsible and respected community members, dedicated to the shamanic path, with decades of experience. Our staff and facilitators are support specialists, providing guidance and personalized assistance throughout your journey. We organize small-group retreats to ensure that each individual receives the personal attention they require on their unique path of awakening and healing.

Reviews (74)

5.0 out of 5

Overall 5.0

Agapolulu
September 7, 2018 at 3:49 pm

I recently attended the 9-day retreat at Pisatahua.

The first day when I arrived at Riberalta airport, Erik and Sasha greeted me and brought me to their non-profit house where I could relax for one day and visit the lovely town of Riberalta. We all had dinner together that day with the non profit staff. Erik and Sasha answered to all our questions and concerns that night and we were able to discover the town.

The next day we headed towards the retreat center and the Ecolodge, Pisatahua. It is located in a magnificent place in the middle of the Aquicuana Reserve, a protected area of the Amazon jungle! It was a bit hidden, but right in front of the San José Lake, and from your cabin, you have the view on the Lake. It’s also nice because you have a small breeze and it’s quite needed in this tropical (and hot) place!

We had a retreat every other day, and in between activities planned to relax, think about yourself, your experience, but of course, discover this amazing nature! As such, we did yoga, meditation, art therapy activities, talks about our experience (and ayahuasca experience included of course!), boat tours and hikes. It was really amazing to combine the healing process with the breath taking nature, discover the Amazon and its rituals.

During the ceremonies, we had the shaman who prepared and gave us the ayahuasca brew (which was way better than I was told, actually almost tasting nice!). The shaman made sure it’s the right dose for us, and supported us during the process, singing for a few hours. Of course, everyone has very different experiences with the ayahuasca but, if I was scared before doing this, I understood after the first night I had nothing to be scared of, after feeling so much peace and love inside and outside me. The idea is that you get helped, even though you have to be open for it, and even sometimes looking and concentrating to find your answers.

Finally, even though we had to do a diet, the food was excellent and fresh with local products! I really appreciated that part, knowing it’s hard to cook with the diet restrictions!

All in all, it was an amazing experience, very well organized, and it allowed me to discover the Amazon, its giant trees and funny animals. I also felt part of a family with the rest of the group and Erik and Sasha who take good care of us. You really have a personnal touch and it also helps that there are only small groups. I would definitely recommend it and do it again!
jono hartley
June 21, 2018 at 5:01 am

To get my opinion out of the way, I could not recommend this retreat centre enough to anyone. I can guarantee you that it will be a powerful and positive experience which you will take for the rest of your life.
Pisatahua is located in the Aquicuana reserve near the town Riberalta in the Amazonian region of Bolivia. One of the things i liked the most of this is that there was near none signs of tourism. Definitely worth the trip here and I recommend taking some time exploring this region as well. If your spanish isn’t the best, well dont worry! The wonderful team at Pisatahua will take you in and give you all the help you can possibly get.
The retreat it self is located in the jungle right next to a beautiful lake. You will find yourself laying on a hammock in your comfortable cabin looking out to the amazing view quite a lot!
Everyone involved in Pisatahua is very genuine and always looking after your needs. Enjoy your surroundings and participate in all the hikes, cannoe rides, yoga/tai chi as this will help connect you to the land in turn heightening the effects of the medicine.
As for the shamans (they don’t actually like being called by this term, instead call them maestro or doctor) Don Rene and Don Marcial, they are very intelligent, wise and professional in the work they will do for you. They are both well respected members of their communities and have knowledge us common folk cannot even comprehend. With decades of experience working in their communities with knowledge being past down through generations, they now will take care of you in Pisatahua – the first retreat centre in Riberalta. I feel like I received genuine and traditional treatment and I would only want to do it this way. I’ve heard horror stories of “shamans” and it saddens me that others have not had an experience like i’ve had.

I could honestly talk forever about all the good things about Pisatahua but I must cut my self short and just say, if you’re looking for a life changing experience which will clean your mind, body and spirit? then stop wasting your time thinking about it, get your self down to Pisatahua!!
Ninus
June 20, 2018 at 6:34 pm

While in ceremony, I came to the conclusion that ALL I want to say in my review is: “One shouldn’t go anywhere else but here”, meaning – this place is ideal for the purpose… but my review is going to be a little longer than that.
So:
For the seekers and the awakening – if it’s your first time to answer the calling of Mother Ayahuasca, I would not go anywhere else but Pisatahua!..
The comfortable accommodations in prestine nature, with my hammock sunrises and sunsets accompanimented by choirs of insects and birds were the perfect context to my experience.
The genuine care of everyone I encountered along my journey was beyond my expectations – I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The authenticity of intention to bring about change to each individual life of the participants was shining through each caretaker.
That was one of my revelations – their intention! – changing One. Life. At a time… while positively affecting the local community along the way…
I wanted to find a place that is off the beaten path with an authentic shaman. I found THAT and more! I am so, so grateful!
I am especially thankful to you, Erik, for holding my hand through it all and being there for me.
I think I will be back sooner, rather than later.
after all… there’s more work to do :))
jmcleod
June 20, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Pisatahua Ecolodge is probably the most peaceful place I have ever had the enjoyment of visiting. Erik and his wife Sasha were incredibly helpful even before I got to the retreat. They helped me arrange flights and advised me (very wisely) not to get the bus to Riberalta. I was greeted at the airport and from that moment on was made to feel incredibly welcome, safe and cared for. They truly have built this from the ground up and their care and passion for what they do is moving. The facilities are fantastic with comfortable two person huts that have bathrooms and running water. They also have a fantastic view out onto the lake and at night you feel completely immersed in the jungle itself. While I was there we were lucky enough to find a wild Jaguar footprint on the path not 10 metres from our hut. Amazing to think that while we were sleeping an animal like that was walking around outside. The ceremonies themselves were very authentic using local shamans who had been taught the skill by their fathers. The Maloca (giant hut where the ceremonies take place) is a sight to behold in itself. It has similar presence as that of a church or cathedral. With its 360 degree windows and it’s giant roof it is perfect space to take the plant medicine. The volunteers and staff were particularly kind, considerate and helpful and were on hand throughout the entire undertaking of the medicine. The special menu that was created was simple but delicious. This retreat is not to be missed. I walked away with a life changing experience in a part of the world that still feels it has been untouched by man. You will not regret choosing to go with Pisatahua.
dcnan
June 20, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Went here for the 9 day retreat and I do not have enough positive things to say about the experience. The setting is absolutely beautiful, located within a wilderness sanctuary and right on the bank of a beautiful lake.

The food was incredible, and sticking to the Aya ‘dieta’ was never a problem or chore here.

The ceremonies were amazing, and Sasha and Erik have made an amazing atmosphere where everyone felt really comfortable and safe. I can safely say that my time at Pisatahua was completely transformative and my only regret is that now that I have left all I do is yearn to be back in my cozy little bungalow listening to the sounds of the birds.

I was initially pretty nervous for my Aya experience having heard some horror stories about conditions at other centers where profit is less important than spirituality. I am so glad I found this place. I cannot recommend Pisatahua enough, if you are reading this review and are on the fence do yourself a favor and make Pisatahua the place you try Ayahuasca. You will not regret it.