Ayahuasca | Integration | San Pedro (Huachuma) $520 - $3,000

Sapan Inka Retreat Center

Sacred Valley, Cusco, Perú

4.8 (169 reviews)

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Sapan Inka: Small groups (7 people) and integration sessions

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At Sapan Inka, we believe participating in an Ayahuasca retreat is a powerful opportunity for profound energetic and spiritual cleansing and healing. An Ayahuasca experience can be immensely favorable for those embarking on a journey of transformation and spiritual development. Our unique model is a conscious synthesis of the millenary wisdom of Amazonian medicine and the principles of depth and transpersonal psychology. We are not a center for spiritual tourism or mere Ayahuasca experiences; we are a dedicated space for exploring the deep psyche, practicing ancestral Amazonian medicine, and supporting transformative processes.

We distinguish ourselves through our philosophy of minimal interference and the unwavering shamanic and spiritual support provided in our ceremonies. Our commitment to ethics and professionalism is paramount. We believe an Ayahuasca ceremony is an opening to the reality of the soul and a world of sacred images. For this reason, we practice minimal interference during your experience of expanded states of consciousness, allowing the healing intelligence of Ayahuasca and your own inner being to guide the process. This is not abandonment or a lack of warmth; it is a conscious act of respect and trust in your innate capacity to heal and in the divine power of the medicine itself.

The transformative power of Ayahuasca is fully realized through a structured integration process. At Sapan Inka, our psychotherapeutic integration is more than a simple conversation; it is a rigorous process designed to help you assimilate, process, and effectively integrate your experiences. We provide a space for you to understand the intricate symbolic language of your visions, converting profound insights into tangible and lasting change. This is how the spiritual revelations from the ceremonies are bridged with your daily life, ensuring the journey leads to genuine personal growth.

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To navigate this journey, rigorous preparation is essential. An Ayahuasca experience can be incredibly challenging, and its potency demands thorough mental, emotional, and spiritual readiness. It is crucial for participants to understand that this is not a shortcut, but a deep and profound inner work that requires commitment and maturity.

Given the serious nature of our work, we are aware that our approach may not satisfy everyone’s expectations. Those who seek a more superficial, less confrontational experience or group activities may find other centers more suitable. Our model is designed for individuals committed to holistic healing and willing to embark on a serious psychospiritual path. This is why our groups are intentionally small, to ensure the personalized and ethical attention that is the cornerstone of our years of experience and dedication.

At Sapan Inka, our commitment is to support you on your journey, respecting the authenticity of your process and providing a safe and professional environment for a genuine transformation.

If you wish to explore the details of our retreats or simply prefer a more personal connection before beginning your journey, we invite you to schedule a 15-minute video call with us.

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Reviews (169)

4.8 out of 5

Overall 4.8

thechristmystic
December 29, 2024 at 8:16 am

I attended a retreat at Sapan Inka earlier this year and like others here, have been hesitant to write this review. After sitting with it for many months and seeing the courage from other reviewers, I realized that this needs to be shared to hopefully protect others who are on the fence about investing in this experience.

First, the positive – Nilda’s cooking. While you will not be given much food during your stay, the meals that are provided are absolutely delicious. Nilda has a gift when it comes to cooking and it was truly the highlight of the trip to be able to experience some new and incredible light dishes.

The area where the retreat is is beautiful. It is an incredibly remote environment far away from everything and the waterfall you’ll walk to while on San Pedro is absolutely beautiful and majestic. This was the one time we were allowed to leave the compound as I’ll call it because at times it really did feel like we were prisoners.

The rooms you will stay in are not heated and because of how the construction was done, there are permanent openings at the top of the walls where constant outside air comes in. If you visit during the colder months, be prepared to bring and wear layers and layers of clothes. My roommate and I were freezing so badly that we ended up spooning one another on multiple nights to help keep each other warm. I cannot explain how incredibly uncomfortable we were the entire time we were there. There were multiple nights that there was no hot water and even on the days where it would be lukewarm enough to get in, you would be absolutely frozen when getting out so eventually we just stopped bathing and used a washcloth to wipe down. I am fully aware that going to a retreat like this is not supposed to be a luxury experience, nor was that what I was looking for. Hot water and warmth are basic necessities and the experience certainly didn’t align what what they portray your experience will be like on their website.

Ayahusaca will significantly change your state of consciousness, as the other reviewers said, and it is incredibly dangerous and irresponsible to leave anyone on their own while under the influence of this substance. Pachamama is the Earth Mother – the ultimate gentle, loving energy. She would never leave any of her children to feel alone and for these people to think it is okay to send anyone under the influence up a flight of stairs in the pitch-black night to suffer in silence by themselves is absolutely insane. The energy during the entire stay, especially in the temple, felt dark, cold and unloving. At no point did I feel any empathy while I was there, only judgement and fear for voicing my needs, like asking for an additional blanket.

Peru has become a global hub for people seeking healing, and this center, like many others in the area, capitalizes on that by charging thousands of dollars to those looking to change their lives. People are treated like robots, not humans. The prep work and integration sessions are read from an invisible script with the same thing being said to each person over and over.

Before you book this retreat, please ask your higher self if it’s the right decision and sit with it for three days before deciding. Only your inner guidance knows what is truly best for you.

Sending love and light. <3

Note: This review was edited for over capitalization, but has otherwise been left in its original form.
- Owner
  December 31, 2024 at 12:49 am
  
  Thank you for your review, although we are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction through this medium.
  
  We understand that your experience at our retreat center was not entirely pleasant and that, unfortunately, our work did not meet your expectations.
  
  It is true that before booking a space at our retreat center, deep introspection is recommended, as participating in a retreat is not an entertainment experience. Nor should one participate in a retreat out of mere curiosity as it can be a very intense and transformative experience, one that can confront us with the dark side of our psyche and the process of purging and cleansing can be very strong. It is very important to make the decision to participate in a retreat responsibly and maturely.
  
  I believe that the description you give of our retreat house does not match the current reality, and that is because when you participated in our retreat we had just moved into this house and unfortunately the house was not 100% complete. We apologize for the inconveniences you experienced, we are truly sorry. We have currently made several arrangements to the house and the rooms for retreat participants are completely sealed and in the winter season (April – November) we provide electric heaters for the rooms and have a gas heater for the ceremony temple. Additionally, we have 24-hour hot water.
  
  People participating in the retreat can enter and leave our house at any time, there is no type of limitation. It is true that the main activities take place in our house, such as ceremonies with plants and integration sessions. For people participating in a retreat that includes a San Pedro ceremony, we organize a trip to a waterfall on the day of the San Pedro ceremony, and for people participating in the 7 and 8-day retreats, we organize a visit to some archaeological sites such as Moray, the salt mines and Machu Picchu, depending on the retreat chosen. Everyone can go for a walk around our house at any time and on any day. The surroundings of our house are very pleasant and peaceful. Nobody is locked in our house, although people are suggested to focus on their inner process as it is a retreat of cleansing and healing and not an entertainment experience.
  
  The way we conduct our ceremonies is explained in detail on our website. The ceremonies last approximately 3 hours, then people continue their experiences in their rooms, and if someone is not feeling well at the end of the ceremony, they stay in the temple for as long as necessary with the ceremony guides who will help them balance their energy until they recover. Throughout the night, participants can request assistance from the ceremony guides as the rooms in our house are very close to each other. The ceremony guides are willing to support participants at any time of night if necessary.
  
  As for charging thousands of dollars to participate in our retreats, that is a false accusation. It is a matter of checking on the internet the costs of other retreat centers that offer something similar to what we offer to realize that this is not true. The attention to our guests is carried out from a humanistic approach based on empathy, unconditional acceptance and respect for all participants, and this can be attested to by the vast majority of people who attend the retreats we organize.
  
  The integration process does not follow any invisible script, it is a totally personalized process. During the retreat, the transpersonal psychotherapist has long conversations with each participant one by one. And each experience is interpreted in a particular way. No one is told the same thing.
  
  We reiterate our apologies for all the inconveniences you experienced at our house. It would have been good to talk about it personally. We are very sorry.
Felipe V
September 9, 2024 at 2:09 pm

A couple of months ago, I participated in a three-day Ayahuasca retreat with two ceremonies, with Erik and Nilda.

This was my first experience with the medicine. For my first time, I found the information provided by the hosts in preparation for the retreat—both physically, mentally, and spiritually—very timely and helpful in receiving this experience positively. Once we arrived at the retreat house and had the first individual interview with Erik, I knew I could feel at ease and that I was in good hands.

From reading previous reviews, I can say that at all times we were informed about the possible reactions and effects of the medicine, which could even occur after the ceremony had ended, and that we could feel confident in asking for help from the hosts at any time if needed. We were also told we could stay in the temple as long as we felt necessary before returning to our rooms, especially if we still didn’t feel well.

My experience with the medicine was very challenging; after the first ceremony, my mind was filled with confusion and deep existential doubts, which even made me question whether to participate in the second ceremony for fear of naively approaching a permanent psychotic state. The integration session with Erik after the first ceremony was key to dispelling these doubts and facing the next encounter with the medicine with better tools to cope with the experience. We had a very long conversation, during which Erik took all the time needed to help me prepare for the second ceremony.

It was after the second ceremony that I truly met Mother Ayahuasca, while alone in my room. At first, I was overwhelmed by panic, and although in some way the medicine indicated that I had to go through this experience on my own, I always knew that if things got out of control, I could ask Erik and Nilda for help at any time during the night (the rooms in the house are very close, and had I needed help, I would have been able to get it).

Fortunately, what initially began as a complex and unpleasant experience, thanks to Erik’s advice, evolved into a very revealing and healing vision that I will treasure with much gratitude for the rest of my life.

In the months following my time at Sapan Inka, I have been able to count on much support from Erik in integrating the experience through virtual sessions where we have been able to deepen many aspects of the insights given by the medicine.

Thank you very much, Erik and Nilda, for a wonderful experience. I hope to visit you again soon.
Orange Pyramid
August 11, 2024 at 3:44 pm

I attended the Sapan Inka Retreat in April of this year and had an incredibly transformative experience. The retreat is nestled in a beautiful location in Sacred Valley near Cusco, Peru, with stunning natural surroundings that create a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The facilities include a separate building specifically designated for the ceremonies, ensuring a dedicated and sacred space for the ayahuasca rituals.

During my stay, I participated in three ayahuasca ceremonies and had the option to partake in a San Pedro ceremony as well. For those who prefer not to, there’s flexibility to opt out. The integration sessions following the ceremonies were particularly insightful and very private, providing a safe space to discuss and process the experiences.

The retreat also has two lovely dogs on the property. While they add a friendly presence, they can be quite loud at times. The food provided is ayahuasca-appropriate, with a combination of nutritious meals and periods of fasting to prepare the body and mind for the ceremonies.

One thing to note is that the rooms can be quite cold as there is no heating system. However, ample blankets are provided to keep you warm throughout your stay. After each ceremony, participants are sent back to their rooms with their buckets after about three hours, to continue to rest and reflect in a private space.

A significant benefit of the retreat is the opportunity for a video call with Erik before and after the retreat. These calls offer valuable insight and support, helping you prepare for the ceremonies and the integration process afterward. However, you need to take the initiative in scheduling these calls, as they are not necessarily completed for all participants. Erik also provided me with resources after the retreat, which was incredibly helpful for my continued integration and personal growth.

The retreat accommodates a small group of about six participants, which creates an intimate setting. I really became close with some of the other members, and the shared experiences fostered deep connections that made the journey even more meaningful.

Finally, I learned the importance of education when dealing with a challenging experience, or “bad trip,” during the ceremony. Understanding what to expect and having strategies in place can be crucial in navigating these intense moments. Erik’s guidance in this area was valuable, though I think more information on this beforehand could have been beneficial. As a female it’s important to notify your facilitator if you are on your period while participating in the ceremony. I did not know this, and I found the energy to be a lot more intense.

Overall, the Sapan Inka Retreat offers a deeply immersive and supportive environment for those seeking personal growth and healing through ayahuasca. The care and professionalism of the facilitators, along with the beautiful setting, make it a highly recommended retreat.
Bahareh
August 5, 2024 at 4:45 pm

I am writing this review after one year of reflecting on my journey at Sapan Inka:

While I wholeheartedly appreciate the opportunity to experience Ayahuasca for the first time at the beautiful retreat house with their adorable dogs, wonderful San Pedro ceremony on the last day and very pleased with the one on one integration sessions with Eric, I have to warn future participants about the following issues:

We were sent to our rooms after only 2 hours of doing Ayahuasca. I could barely walk upstairs and ended up purging on my bed, since there were no buckets in our rooms. I was too high and unstable to be able to bring my bucket upstairs with me from the Ceremony Place. The rooms were cold and dark, and I felt alone, scared and confused being by myself, while I was going through a difficult journey with Ayahuasca. I felt shame for lying down in my own vomit but I was too afraid of going to the bathroom alone and and felt too weak to ask for help. I strongly believe the shamans should’ve been present with the participants during the ceremony , to avoid circumstances such as what happened to me. Because I didn’t feel safe I ended up just focusing on crisis management to avoid getting too fearful and having a bad trip. A shaman’s presence could be very helpful.

In the morning, I eventually mustered up the courage to take a bath and change my clothes. I went downstairs to lie down on the couch as I couldn’t sleep the night before. Nilda came downstairs and without asking me anything about my experience, or how I was feeling told me to get up from the couch and go to my room because my socks would make the couch dirty. I still felt very weak and shook from the night before and Nilda’s lack of empathy made me feel disregarded and even more alone. There was no compassion and I felt my well-being was less important to the shaman than the cleanliness of the couch. After I insisted that that I wouldn’t go back to a dirty bed, she guided me to another room and asked me if I wanted to stay in the new room or the previous one for the remainder of the retreat. I told her in all honesty I am still feeling the Ayahuasca to some extent and will let her know later when the effects wear off. She told me very coldly that normally, the effects should be gone for people at this point implying that I am somehow not normal. That remark added to my feelings of shame, and brought back memories of childhood trauma where I felt disregarded when I was going through very difficult times.
I am very aware the shamans are not responsible for anyone’s trauma, but given the sensitive nature of their work and knowing that Ayahuasca can resurface past trauma, it is imperative to treat participants with empathy and kindness as the Ayahuasca ceremony could be one of the toughest nights of a person’s life.

Being alone during the Ayahuasca trip and the unempathetic response I experienced the day after created a painful experience for me.
I do acknowledge the many positive aspects of the retreat and I hope that my review can provide some honest feedback for the shamans and shed light for what the experience could look like for future participants. I thank the shamans for their valuable work and I hope that these problems can be resolved in the future.
- Owner
  August 6, 2024 at 5:28 pm
  
  Dear Bahareh, I am Erik Hendrick, director of the Sapan Inka Center. First of all, I would like to thank you for your review of your experience at our retreat center, as it allows us to provide a more in-depth understanding of our therapeutic approach used during ayahuasca retreats.
  
  We sincerely regret that the assistance provided during the retreat was not sufficient to meet your expectations, and we are sorry if this experience did not become a useful tool for your well-being and development. Our primary intention during retreats is for people to receive the help they truly need from ayahuasca medicine, and for us to collaborate with a proper integration of the lived experience.
  
  It’s important to mention that participating in a retreat is not solely about having a pleasant experience. A retreat is not a tourist trip or entertainment; it is above all a deep healing experience that can often be very challenging. Therefore, not everyone is truly prepared to participate in such a process. It is crucial to conduct a self-assessment to determine if one feels truly willing to undergo such an intense experience for both the body and mind as an ayahuasca ceremony can be. The healing process is not always pleasant or agreeable; often, the healing process involves a deconstruction of ego contents, a kind of temporary dissociation between the self and reality. It can also mean going through a dark passage similar to a near-death experience, a kind of symbolic and psychological dismemberment and death, as the experience of death is necessary for an experience of rebirth or revitalization.
  
  We have created a system of work that integrates the traditional use of ayahuasca, that is, the way it is used by shamans in the Amazon rainforest, and therapeutic accompaniment from a deep transpersonal psychological analysis approach. It is true that our ceremonies last between two and three hours, but when a person still feels the effects of ayahuasca intensely, they are accompanied in the ceremony temple for as long as necessary until they recover. We have learned not to leave people alone if they are not feeling well. Once people feel well, we invite them to continue their process alone in their room. This is an indication given before the ceremony and explained on our website. We try to fulfill our role as ceremony guides and psychotherapists as professionally as possible, avoiding projections as much as possible, that is, we do not seek to meet particular expectations but rather to perform ethically and responsibly.
  
  We work in our home, which is not a hotel and does not offer luxurious comfort. For example, there is no heating system in the rooms; however, in the winter season we use a heater in the ceremony temple and provide comfortable, warm beds. Each space in the house has its function and we ask participants to respect each space. The temple is used only for ceremonies with master plants, the rooms are the designated places for rest, the living room is a space for integration conversations and is located next to the dining room which is used only for meals. Additionally, we have extensive gardens where you can rest, practice yoga, meditate, or simply relax in a serene and peaceful environment. All participants are asked to respect the designated places for each activity, as there are several participants and not everyone has the same habits.
  
  Again, thank you very much for your review and for allowing us to share with greater precision the way we work.
AyaSoul
July 2, 2024 at 6:51 am

This trip, this experience, and these beautiful people changed my life and I am so grateful. Now that I have experienced Ayahuasca I have learned that it is a very personal journey. Researching, finding a suitable location, selecting a guide through the process, etc. All is very dependent on you. That being said, Sapan Inka is quiet, rustic, and scenic I believe with intention. Intention on the desire to connect to something deeper, whatever that may be for you. Eric and Nilda are both extremely intelligent and caring people that will help guide you through your journey. I cannot say enough to their credit. I suggest if you feel the pull toward Sapan Inka and your soul is saying ‘do it,’ that you follow that pull. Good luck and happy travels!