Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
A small retreat center focused on individual healing plant medicine process in groups of no more than 10 participants at a time. We are located in the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas in a remote Andean village. Scheduling is by request. We offer 4, 6 and 11 Day Retreats, Kambo treatments and stays, all with the option to extend for more time resting or deeper cleansing. The retreat healings plants and therapies include Ayahuasca, Yopo, San Pedro, Kambo and Temazcal (Sweat Lodge).
Our purpose is to create a ripple effect in the consciousness of humanity through work with sacred plant medicines of Peru and healing techniques we have chosen, through our own positive experiences, and believe compliment the process of plant medicines. To bring about a new earth first we must help heal the traumas of the past.
We first must begin healing the individual in a gentle process. Each process is considered on an individual basis and what the healers feel would be best suited to the work they would like to accomplish. There is space to explore deeper and daily consultations after ceremony to begin to understand the messages of the plant medicine and have a focus for the next ceremony.
The longer the retreat, the deeper the healing. All of our programs are intensive, however there is space to take your time in the healing process through extending your retreat or opting to take less or no medicine. We guide participants only to where they feel comfortable or ready for. The ceremonies are practiced in a sacred context with Icaros (medicine songs) and sacred instruments. Each ceremony has assistants to help care for each person and anything they need.
During your time at the retreat you will have everything you need for a comfortable stay with all modern necessities. We provide everything, you need only to bring yourself and a few pairs of warmer clothes. In the Andes, we can experience all four seasons in one day, but tend to have cold nights and warm days. There are Incan ruins above the center and plenty of hiking trails around, so comfortable clothes and good shoes are a must.
With the power of the heart we are bringing every person into the healing power of the sacred medicinal plants of Peru through ceremony. We have ongoing local projects offering people in the nearby town healings and ceremonies.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha
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Jessica
May 13, 2019 at 3:27 amI would highly recommend Shamanic Vida. Pacco and Chrissy are simply amazing, beautiful people along with their daughter and Peruvian dog Mini. The retreat itself is set in the sacred valley close to a waterfall which is so beautiful. The rooms are really clean, comfy beds and warm showers! The food is really good which is surprising as the diet is quite limiting. They make their home feel like your home I didn’t want to leave it’s just the most peaceful place I’ve ever been! The ceremonies were perfect, everyone goes through their own journey and it’s amazing to share your experiences (if you want to) as you learn so much from everyone else. Pacco is probably the coolest guy I’ve met! He chats to you in confidence everyday to see how you are and answer any questions you have and give you guidance. Chrissy is also always available too. What was really comforting was Pacco sleeps in the Maloka so after your ayahuasca ceremony if you want to you can stay there and sleep or you can just go to your room when you want. He plays the most beautiful music during the ceremony which really helps. I must admit the hardest part is returning home and integrating what you’ve learnt you into your daily life. My advice to anyone considering doing an ayahuasca retreat is to just relax and trust in the process I will definitely be back to Shamanic Vida when I’m ready for another life changing experience! It truely has helped me heal and I will be forever grateful. Thank you so much Chrissy and Pacco.
Suzanne Antoinette
May 7, 2019 at 10:35 amI did the 11 day retreat and so happy that I did!
My retreat included 5 Ayahuasca ceremonies, several Kambo and San Pedro experiences, I also was able to experience Rapée, Sananga, a sweat lodge ceremony, Reiki attunement, yoga, meditation, fires at night and an incredible hike up the mountain to a stunning waterfall. I felt comfortable and safe during the entire retreat. Everything was optional and no questions asked if we chose to opt out, but I felt so much healing with each modality, that I jumped at every opportunity!
The place is GORGEOUS, surrounded by breathtaking mountains with a magnificent river flowing down with easy access just steps away from the rooms. There is a hot shower too, but I enjoy a rinse in the river to add another element to my healing 🙂
Paco’s music during the ceremonies was absolutely magical. For myself, I have a challenging time with surrendering but following the music and feeling it deep within my body was key to my successful journey with Mama Ayahuasca. The variety of instruments and harmonies played was not only impressive but helpful for setting the tone for my journey. The setting, the people, the vibe, everything was perfect!
This was my first experience doing any of these plant medicines, I had no idea what to expect and yet it exceeded all expectations! Looking forward to going back!
Adriana
April 26, 2019 at 7:08 amAn amasing and unique experience… I felt blessed to had such a wonderful opportunity.. Pacco, Chrissy and all the volunteers are the right people that you need if you want to see how peaceful can be a person.. They really take care of your needs and put love in everything they do.
We had a great preparation for all the cerimonies with yoga and different kinds of meditation. The cerimonies were magic I could truly feel the healing power of the medicine. you can feel connected with your partners like being in a tribe.
Something to repeat for sure.
Thanks for everything
Adriana
wytspider
April 25, 2019 at 9:50 amI had an absolutely amazing time here! Paco was a great Shaman, his music and singing sounded other-worldly during the ceremonies. He also had a great sense of humor. I was appreciative of the small groups during the ceremonies and the consultations the next day to discuss your experiences. The volunteers were on hand to help with water, tissues and getting you to the bathroom if needed. I followed the recommended diet the best I could leading up to the retreat, I think it helped nicely to adapt to the intermittent fasting and vegetarian diet while there. I had brought along snacks just in case, but I didn’t need them. The bananas here are so sweet. There was plenty of time between ceremonies, yoga, and meditation to reflect on your experiences, as well as get to know the other guests. Minny was a very cool and friendly dog! Chrissy was a wonderful host, she was quick to answer any questions and help to resolve any issues. The weather was warm during the day and quite cool at night. I would definitely go back and recommend this retreat to anyone.
Serenalovesaya
April 3, 2019 at 4:51 pmFirst of all, I am going to start off by saying that this new retreat location JUST opened up all of 2 weeks ago. They are still putting the final touches together and taking care of things to make this place even more amazing than it already is. With that being said, I am so insanely incredible and thankful to have experienced Shamanic Vida! I bought the 6 day retreat. It was absolutely life changing. Their new location is BREATHTAKING! The setting is picture perfect in the Sacred Valley. It is a very private area with a beautiful river next to it. The walk up is a little steep, but it is so worth it for the location. Once I arrived I immediately felt welcomed and safe with Pacco and Chrissy. We did an Amazonian Cleanse the first night and it worked wonders. We also got to do a Rapè Ceremony that night as well which was very relaxing.
The entire retreat has hammocks set up, instruments, books, and wind chimes everywhere. It was so peaceful and relaxing the entire time. There were optional classes such as yoga and reiki which you could choose if you wanted to attend or not. The classes were really awesome, I took every one. My 6 day retreat included 3 Ayahuasca Ceremonies, 1 San Pedro Ceremony/Hike, and Kambo.
The rooms were small and quaint. Each room had 2 beds with plenty of blankets and some towels. The dining room area was nice and they had 3 meals per day. Even if you had to fast, they always had food available for after the ceremony. The food was actually really good. The bathrooms were very nice and big with showers in both. They run off solar power so it is important to try and utilize energy when you can. Also, they always had plenty of toilet paper which was a MUST lol.
Every Ayahuasca ceremony was absolutely magical! It was my first time and I was definitely a little intimidated by the plant medicine, but the entire time Pacco kept me calm. The Maloca is a good size and it can fit up to probably 12 people. There are really beautiful tapestries hanging around, many beautiful instruments, and sleeping bags with plenty of pillows and blankets for each person as well as a puke bucket. The medicine is a strong brew, I immediately felt it every time I took it. Pacco played music the entire ceremony and always made sure we were comfortable no matter what. That was SO important to me! I felt completely safe and comfortable. There was always a volunteer during the ceremonies to facilitate and make sure we always had water or assist us to the bathroom. Pacco will always offer a second dose as well which I thought was cool in case you didn’t feel it or felt like you needed more. Every ceremony was amazing and we never had more than 8 or 9 people in there. I loved the fact that it was smaller groups because it is more intimate.
Everyday Pacco would always ask you about your journey, how you were feeling, give advice, and just was a thoroughly incredible Shaman all around. You can trust him and Chrissy with ANYTHING. They are just both very genuine and caring people. Their baby Leanna is super adorable and well behaved and they have the cutest Peruvian Hairless dog Mini! Their helper Juanita was awesome and all of the volunteers were just wonderful. Even the guys who were working on the premesis were so friendly and it was just all around great vibes.
The San Pedro hike was the most intense but breathtaking adventure I have ever experienced. I’m not going to lie it wasn’t easy, BUT you always have the option to opt out or stop wherever you feel like. Pacco and the crew made sure everyone was safe at all times. Chrissy even hiked with the baby on her back which I thought was kick ass! It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Afterwards we had a nice fire to keep us warm and HOT SHOWERS.
The Kambo was great! I ended up actually coming back after my retreat was over just to get more. I took the bus from Cusco to San Salvador and ended up staying another night there because I loved it so much. They were so accommodating the entire time. I am definitely coming back to Shamanic Vida the next chance I get. It is like a home to me now and I will be forever grateful for the beautiful and magical experience they gave me. The plant medicines 100% changed my life. Thank you Pacco and Chrissy for everything!