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

Sapan Inka Retreat Center

Sacred Valley, Cusco, Perú

4.8 (168 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 (168)

4.8 out of 5

Overall 4.8

mavverrick
June 24, 2024 at 3:17 pm

I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Erik and Nilda at Sapan Inka. I came to their facility with some intentions I planned for early on, and having spent some time already soul searching and doing some of the leg work on and for myself over the past 5 years, I assumed correctly that ayahuasca would be a wonderful way to help me tie together everything I had already learned and done.

Erik and I had emailed a few times prior to my trip with some guidance and instructions on how to manage the medications I was on, as well as best practices to apply to get the best out of the experience. I was provided the option to jump on a zoom call in advance of the retreat which I declined.

The only down side I experienced was that it is in fact quite cold at night compared to what I am used to. But I wasn’t here for creature comforts, I was here to experience the culture and the medicine and if this is how it is then I will be happy with that. When I was in Cusco ahead of the retreat, I picked up an alpaca poncho for myself, and what I would do with it was spread it out over my bed before I went to sleep, so if I had to get up in the middle of the night I could put that on first, to stay warm wherever I went. I advise you do this as well.

During the ceremonies, Erik and Nilda had a perfect balance of singing, instruments, and calm, peaceful meditation. I personally had a very warm, wonderful, welcoming, and intimate experience with ayahuasca. Nothing about the things I experienced and saw were challenging at all. Again, the only thing I had to overcome was when I went back to my room, and had to get out of my warm bed to purge. Erik and Nilda do dismiss you when the ceremony is over, but they both made it abundantly clear that if you needed help or any assistance that they are available. I want to also mention that the other 6 people I was there with were some of the most beautiful souls I had ever met in my life, and knowing that they were also nearby at all times kept me comfortable in my experience.

By being transparent with Erik during our integration meetings and discussing what I went through he was able to coach and guide me through some of the few things that appeared unclear to me, although they were few and far between.

Their facility is modern and very accommodating. They have water regularly available, there is space to relax and sit outside. There are some beautiful walking trails in the area complete with places to sit and relax, listen to the river, chat with some livestock and locals if that’s your thing. Their area is very nice and safe, and the neighbors are wonderful as well. Bring some binoculars if you’re a bird watcher, and if your experience allows it, get outside and check out the stars at night!!!

I feel like these experiences are not for everyone. I believe that in order to have the best experience, you have to take ownership of your experience from the beginning, follow the diet and recommendation, lean in to what you see, and experience, and have as open a mind as you can possibly have. If you set high expectations for yourself, and fail to communicate your needs, you will struggle. This is not western medicine, this is not a pill you take to fix everything, and it is not a one and done fix all type of thing. You will only get out of this what you are willing to put into it, and I can assure you that it will be challenging. I wouldn’t look at this as a vacation – there is certainly some fun to be had and a lot of the experience can be enjoyable overall, but it’s a healing journey that you are leading yourself to and through. Erik and Nilda are compassionate facilitators and will be there for you through it all.
Gerald2024
June 22, 2024 at 12:46 pm

Hello,
I spent a week with Erik and Nilda following a very painful event for me. Working with ayahuasca and san pedro helped me to overcome this event. The one-to-one sessions with Erik also helped me to clarify my thoughts.
Barking dogs can be disturbing at a retreat. But as Erik says, they’re part of the process.
Joe_Love
June 16, 2024 at 1:14 am

I recently completed my third and fourth ceremonies with Sapan Inka, facilitated by the incredibly caring, compassionate, and professional Erik and Nilda. The experience was nothing short of transformative. Their deep understanding of the process and unwavering dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment ensured that every aspect of the journey was perfectly managed, from the ceremonies themselves to the serene and reflective time heading back to the room.

Over the course of six days, Erik and Nilda’s presence was a beacon of support and guidance. Their compassion and attentiveness were evident in every interaction, making me feel completely at ease and allowing me to fully embrace the experience. Their professionalism shone through in their meticulous planning and execution, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and that we were well taken care of at all times.

Spending time with them at the end of April 2024, along with two friends, has forever elevated my life. The ceremonies were profound, deeply moving, and facilitated personal growth and healing in ways I had not anticipated. Erik and Nilda’s ability to create a space of trust and openness allowed me to delve deep into my journey with confidence and clarity.

What stood out the most was the seamless transition from the ceremony space back to our rooms. This part of the journey was crucial for integration and reflection, and Erik and Nilda handled it with such grace and care that it felt like a natural extension of the ceremony itself.

I am already looking forward to returning next year to continue this incredible journey. Erik and Nilda have created something truly special with Sapan Inka, and I am immensely grateful for their presence and the profound impact they have had on my life. Thank you, Erik and Nilda, for everything you do! Your dedication and compassion are unparalleled, and I cannot wait to experience it all over again.

Best,
Joe
Dave
June 15, 2024 at 1:28 pm

I attended this retreat last year, was reflecting on it, and decided that this review needed to be written. Despite doing the preparation, (meditation, diet, etc.) I had a very difficult experience with the Ayahuasca during the ceremony. About halfway through its effects, the host said everybody should leave the ceremony building and the take the outdoor walk back to their rooms to continue the experience. However, I couldn’t make it back to my room without help (Google hellish Ayahuasca experience, imagine complete physical/psychological exhaustion and disorientation from it, and walking between buildings you’re new to in the middle of the night.) The host, who, as I later recalled after the experience, had actually made a remark about participants sleeping in the ceremony building during the before-ceremony orientation, began to exit it after everybody else left, and didn’t seem convinced to even help me back to my room until my requests became particularly urgent.

If the knowledge that you will have support throughout the duration of your entire Ayahuasca experience is important to you, I’d recommend due diligence booking with the folks at Sapan Inka. At my time of attending, it was essentially a two-person operation, with the husband doing participant integration work during the day, and the wife preparing meals. I’d assume there are also business operations tasks like correspondence and finance. In other words, the hosts need to sleep, and can’t afford much time helping participants in the late hours of a night ceremony.

Also, you might want to ask the hosts how many people end up alone in their ceremony building (at my time of attendance, essentially a set of walls, mats on a hardwood floor, somewhat heated through potentially chilly nights with space heaters, and bathroom accessed by walking outside: good enough for a ceremony, not so great as a bedroom) when they’d really rather have been helped back to their own place.

At my time of attendance, there was a single two-star review detailing the hosts’ lack of attention for the duration of participants’ ceremonies. I’m seeing an additional similar review as I post mine, and notice we’ve both compared the experience to hell: so consider yourself warned. And thanks to the initial person who posted the first negative review. That was courageous, I should have posted this along with you sooner.

*As a side note, in terms of Ayahuasca: while the experience of it was incredibly challenging, the after-effects of were positive enough that I have respect for it as an aid to inner work if you’re truly ready for it, and you have support from the right people.
- Owner
  June 16, 2024 at 12:03 pm
  
  Dear Dave, First and foremost, please accept our sincerest apologies for not having been able to assist you in the manner you sought. We understand that your participation in an ayahuasca ceremony with us was not a positive experience and that you did not feel comfortable in our home. We also understand that the support we provided during your stay was not helpful to you. This is deeply saddening to us, as we wholeheartedly dedicate our lives to our work, operating with the utmost professionalism and ethical standards. Our genuine commitment is to guide individuals through their ayahuasca experiences and provide them with the best possible care during their time at our center. Unfortunately, our efforts fell short of your expectations, and we sincerely regret that we were unable to meet your needs. Nonetheless, we appreciate your feedback, as it highlights that despite our primary goal of facilitating authentic and healing ayahuasca experiences, there will always be individuals, like yourself and SamBlue, whom we may not be able to reach. We are not infallible, but we strive to provide the best possible service. On the other hand, we are immensely grateful for the multitude of individuals, perhaps the majority, whom we have successfully assisted. Their positive experiences reaffirm our dedication and assure us that our efforts are not in vain. Once again, please accept our sincerest apologies. We hope that you are doing well today. With blessings, Erik and Nilda
safia
June 11, 2024 at 7:59 am

A few months ago, I attended a 10-day retreat with Erik and Nilda, something I had wanted to do for years. As soon as I came across their page, I knew they were the right guides for such a profound experience. I traveled from Saudi Arabia to attend, and I couldn’t have been more certain in my choice. Erik and Nilda are wonderful people, and I’m grateful to have experienced this stage of my life with their support. The trip changed my life in so many ways, just as I knew it would. Thank you for everything you do. I hope whoever is reading this feels the same pull toward them.