Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
Traditional Amazonian Healing with Ayahuasca & Master Plant Diets in Europe
Sinchi Runa is an intimate master plant center, dedicated to provide and nurture a safe, compassionate, and sacred space in which one can experience genuine healing and spiritual awakening.
Our mission is to help each individual reconnect with their true essence by awakening the capacity of wisdom that resides within their heart.
We specialise in Intensive Retreats, Personal Treatments and Deep Immersions with Ayahuasca & Master Plants to heal from Addiction, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and other physical/emotional affliction.
Our center is founded and directed by Maestro Curandero Sanango, whose decades of experience is based in a deep understanding of traditional Amazonian medicine, with contributions from eastern disciplines such as meditation, knowledge of work with mantras and Hatha yoga.
RECONNECTING WITH YOUR TRUE ESSENCE
Sinchi Runa has over thirty years of of in-depth experiential work with Ayahuasca and a variety of shamanic master plants and natural entheogens. Our specialised individual processes treat, from the root level, suffering and trauma that expresses itself through depressions, addictions, anxieties, compulsions and other physical/emotional afflictions.
Sinchi Runa is a word in Quechua that means “Warrior of light”. For us, true healing means awakening the master that resides within each individual. Awakening the inner master and intelligence allows us to reach the source of all healing.
This deep and vulnerable process of reconnecting to true selves and our deepest essence allows us to reinvent ourselves as the masters of our own existence, capable of meeting each challenge with wisdom, grace and ease.
All our afflictions, such as depression or addiction, are symptoms of underlying conflicts and disharmonies. From the deepest space of the soul, our processes address these conflicts so that true, lasting transformation can take place.
In a safe and sacred shamanic context, our work aims for a total transformation and reinvention of oneself, in which one can leave aside even considering oneself “an addict” or “sick”, and live a life of fullness and purpose beyond these limiting beliefs.
SINCHI RUNA OFFERS TWO MAIN TYPES OF PLANT PROCESS
• PERSONAL TREATMENTS & DEEP IMMERSIONS with master plants designed to heal from difficult afflictions and/or deep self-exploration (start dates flexible)
• INTENSIVE AYAHUASCA & MASTER PLANT RETREATS typically lasting 7 to 14 days
Facilities
We are located in the beautiful quiet countryside of Andalucia, approximately 1 hour from the airports of Faro (Portugal) and Sevilla (Spain).
Our retreat venue is immersed in nature where true plant work can take it. We are in a forest garden surrounded by a natural reserve in the Andulucian countryside. It is a tranquil and beautiful place, ideal for deep work with Ayahuasca and reconnecting with yourself.
You wake up to sounds of nature and birds, and with various beautiful nature walks available in the surrounding area, with plenty of space for reflection in the quiet of nature.
Preparation & Safety
Safety & Care are our highest priorities, as well as proper preparation to be able to work deeply with the plants.
For all our processes participants must fill a health & medical questionnaire to ensure their safe participation in a process with plants.
In cases of the use of contraindicated pharmaceuticals, substances or health conditions, we will assess how to proceed on an individual basis. In many cases, we are able to make suitable adjustment in the preparation for those with contraindications to safely participate.
In all cases where needed, we have online preparatory online consultations to safely prepare you for a retreat or process and give personalized preparation regimens for the individual case to begin from home. We are able to assist you in the process of leaving contraindicated medications in a safe manner that also prepares you physically and emotionally for a process.
All participants must follow the standard preparatory regimen & diet (which we provide you when you sign up), and in the of a Personal Treatments and Deep Immersions it will always begin with an online consultation with Maestro Sanango to assess the approach to healing and plant work for your personal case.
We will provide you all the necessary details upon sign-up for preparation for the retreat and practical matters (such as what to bring or how to get here).
A SAFELY GUIDED PROCESS
Real and lasting healing manifests itself when the heart begins to integrate the lessons learned and settle in the understanding we’ve been given. This is a profound and vulnerable process, of opening to our internal light and shadows, healing our pain, learning to trust and re-define ourselves and who we are in the world, while cleansing the heart of the “hardness” we once built as an attempt to protect ourselves.
Maestro Sanango and our team of experienced facilitators, being deeply acquainted and dedicated themselves to a continous process of healing and awakening, are present to guide you through every step, from preparation to integration, to ensure the lessons from the plants can take real root in your life.
Sharing circles, Q&As, and private consultations with Maestro Sanango are a central part of the retreat to enable and facilitate the healing work. Our facilitators & therapists are always available to assist in the unfolding of this delicate process with sensitivity, warmth, understanding, knowledge and care.
This retreat is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stillness of nature, the ancient wisdom of Amazonian Shamanism and the loving guidance of the plant world; a place to rediscover your true self and inner strength, and be reborn aligned in love and purpose.
We will be honoured to share this magical process of healing and remembering with you and hope to serve you on your journey.
Add Review
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Claim listing
Recent Reviews
Review of Harambe Detox Centre by I’m glad that iboga gave you the healing you came for Read More from Harambe Detox Apr 22, 17:16
megan.norah
June 12, 2025 at 5:28 pmMy time at Sinchi Runa was beautiful and challenging. It was challenging both mentally and emotionally. I came to Sinchi Runa after having heard about it for years because my partner has been working with Sanango and fam for almost 10 years. I felt I had come to a point in my life where I was feeling quite stuck and needed to try something new. I wanted to work on my chronic pain from Fibromyalgia, my phobia of other people vomiting (emitophobia) and my anxiety.
I was able to develop a new relationship with my chronic pain through using the plant medicine, working with Sanango and doing meditations with Ananda. I learned that by giving the painful sensation my energy and attention, I was only making it worse. If I just sat with it and practiced completely accepting it, the pain would fade. This seems like a simple realization but it is something I have been working on for 20 years and it wasn’t until I did the combo of plant medicine and being in the peaceful setting of Sinchi Runa and learning from these master teachers that this lesson really stuck.
I was also able to work through my phobia of others vomiting. I tried the kambo ceremony by myself a few times and did well with the medicine. It was very challenging to work with physically but had immense mental/psychological beneficial benefits. Then I sat through the tobacco ceremony as an observer and was able to face my fears and stay in my meditative practice and get through the experience of others vomiting. I’m so proud to have faced my fear and be able to move past it now.
As for the anxiety, going off of my SSRI was extremely challenging for me and I ended up struggling a lot when I got back home and was trying to acclimate back to normal life. The silver lining is that I found out it’s not just anxiety, but rather OCD that has been bothering me. So now, about 2 months after Sinchi Runa, I am on a better medication for my symptoms and feeling good!
Overall, I recommend Sinchi Runa to anyone and everyone. Just know that you are going there to do hard heart work. You will be held through it though and will be in a beautiful setting with highly skilled facilitators. I share with them a mountain of gratitude and love.
YazJ
April 30, 2025 at 3:56 pmI highly recommend doing Ayuhasca at Sinchi Runa if you want an authentic experience with an experienced team of curanderos and curanderas, especially if you’re doing Ayuhasca for the first time and want a safe environment with an experienced honest shaman and not a commercialised experience. From the first night I started feeling the healing effects of the plants starting with the tobacco ceremony, moving to the kambo and finally Ayuhasca. Before joining the retreat I used to suffer from frequent sleeping problems and frequent sleeping paralysis. After the retreat, I sleep peacefully during the whole night and I never had sleep paralysis again. The retreat has a silence rule which I believe helped me immensely in connecting with the plants and the environment around me. I sincerely appreciate master Sanango and his wisdom, he spent every night with us clearing all doubts we had before it was time for the ceremony. His guidance and knowledge helped me alot in navigating my first visit to the Ayuhasca realm. The silence method, the no electronics, the daily talks and exercises combined made my experience memorable and truly beneficial and I am visiting them again soon!
Elie
April 1, 2025 at 10:17 amMy Sinchi Runa Ayahuasca Experience: A Journey of Discovery, Healing, and Stillness
I entered the ayahuasca retreat with the weight of unresolved issues—family wounds, fears, regrets, and guilt. One of my core intentions was to explore my relationship with my son. I wanted to break the generational cycle of trauma passed down from my parents and theirs, and make sure I wasn’t repeating the same patterns.
Over the course of three ceremonies, the experience unfolded in three distinct phases: discovery, healing, and stillness.
Ceremony One: Discovery
The first ceremony was powerful. Almost immediately after the journey began, I felt something shift. Without any intention or prompting, I just knew—I no longer needed alcohol or recreational drugs. I realized this was the experience I’d been chasing all my life. That need for excess, the constant search for highs—it all fell away. Since that night, I haven’t touched a drink, nor felt the urge.
The experience was emotional in every sense. I moved through shame, joy, sorrow, fear, compassion—every feeling, every nuance. I relived moments with my son—times I could have responded with more love but chose frustration or anger instead. I cried deeply. I also experienced pure joy.
For the first time, I truly forgave my parents. I had been trying to do this for years. But in that moment, it finally released. What I learned was simple but life-changing: all I need is to create space—space to respond with compassion, space to be present. That is my truest self.
After the ceremony, walking back to my tent, I felt so light I was almost skipping. Then I burst into laughter—uncontrollable, hysterical laughter—at the absurdity of my old ways. I realized how exhausted I was from constantly leading, deciding, performing. I just wanted to be, to rest. And for the first time in a long while, that felt okay.
Ceremony Two: Healing
Going into the second ceremony, I was apprehensive. The first one had been so intense, and I didn’t know if I was ready for more. But what I received was very different—gentle, powerful healing.
As the medicine took hold, I saw something at the edge of my vision—geometric patterns, colors, dimensions. When I finally turned my attention to it, we locked eyes. It was her—Mother Ayahuasca, or maybe Mother Nature, or God—however you want to define it. She knew I needed healing. She wrapped herself around me, held me, protected me, and told me: Even if you can’t see me, I’m always here. And when you need me, return to nature.
Through that ceremony, I practiced going in and out of deep meditation. Every time I dropped back in, she returned with another message. At one point, I felt like a little boy again—laughing, crying, wanting to be taken care of. That’s what I needed. To just be loved. And that’s exactly what I received.
Ceremony Three: Stillness
My intention for the third ceremony was clear: stillness. I wanted to stay in deep meditation and silence.
And I did. For the first time in my life, my mind was quiet. Truly quiet. I was at peace—completely, effortlessly. No fear. No stress. No noise. Just pure stillness and an overwhelming sense of love emanating from within.
I was honestly shocked by how peaceful I could feel. That this kind of inner calm was even possible—especially considering how fast-paced and demanding my life is. And it came from within me. That was the most profound realization.
Integration: Carrying It Forward
Coming back into the real world, I felt fragile—open, vulnerable. I worried about slipping back into old patterns. But I’ve been using the tools I brought back: the music, the chants, daily meditation. Even if I’m stuck in traffic or standing in a queue, I’ll put on the playlist, breathe, and recenter.
One of the biggest lessons came from that second night—the experimentation. It showed me that staying in this state of peace takes work. Practice. Intention. Stillness. The truth is, all the answers are already within me. They always have been. But accessing them requires quieting the noise of the world, again and again.
Ayahuasca didn’t give me anything I didn’t already have. It just reminded me of who I am—and who I’ve always been beneath the noise. A man capable of love, of compassion, of peace. A man healing for himself, and for his son.
Cristian Fodor
March 31, 2025 at 8:41 amA few years ago, the solid ground on which i believed i was standing, shattered. I didn’t knew anymore what was real and what was fantasy. A frantic search for understanding begun, but more importantly, it was a search for meaning, a search for filling the hole i felt in my chest, a search for love.
One day i was crying uncontrollably in my car, driving back from work, thinking that i can not live this life anymore, but feeling completely trapped, in an unfulfilling job, in an unhappy marriage, living a fake life, feeling fake myself and wanting to run away from it all.
At the same time, i was spending all my free time trying to make sense of it all, reading and researching on all topics that had to do with the nature of existence, from philosophy to physics, to psychology, from aliens to conspiracy theories to channeling to spirituality to psychedelics.
I felt i had a better mental understanding of the world i was living in, but at the same time, that hole, that emptiness i felt inside myself was still there. Covering it up with addictions was not working anymore, not when i knew , theoretically at least at that point, that there is something else out there, a different way of being, a different way of feeling, a different way of thinking.
That led me to the point of this story, my first visit to Sinchi Runa for a 3 week long Ayahuasca retreat. This was happening about 4 years ago, in Autumn, in Portugal.
I still remember my first Ayahuasca ceremony, which was and still is, the most intense, the most unbelievable, the most beautiful experience i ever had in this life. I remember the disbelief, i could not believe that such a thing was possible.
I was crying tears of joy the entire time. I remember after it was finished, i was thinking, if i would have to give everything i own to have this experience, i would do it and it would be worth it.
That first experience and that place i was in, that place of love and acceptance felt more real than anything in this life, more than this, it felt familiar, it felt like i was there before, it felt like home.
Over the years i found that place again, it’s always accessible, by opening my heart, so i want to thank Master Sanango for giving me the tool to do that, that tool being sound, mantras, icaros, music that raises my frequency and connects me to divinity and to my own divinity.
Thank you also, Master Sanango, for everything you do during the ceremonies, for showing us the path with the chanting, for the beautiful smells, for your care of each of us when we are having a hard time. Multumesc Master Sanango.
After that first experience there were many others, during the 3 retreats i had at Sinchi Runa, some were beautiful, some were funny, some were hard to go through, but they were always useful and always what i needed.
Ayahuasca will always show me where the trouble is and how to fix it, but it will not fix it for me, that i had and i have to do myself.
It is hard, painful sometimes, frustrating some others, having to face my fears, to start being truthful to myself, to keep my word to myself, to quit my addictions one by one, to stop judging people, to stop worrying about anything and everything.
It is hard, but the payoff is unbelievable, to be at peace, to see the beauty and the love that is all around, to cry of joy, to feel that emptiness being slowly filled with love, love for everyone and for everything, to be silently aware. Silence is happiness.
Lastly i would like to thank all of you there who were my teachers.
Thank you Arjuna, the statue :), it was a joy chanting with you, thank you for the socks, they kept me warm, even though i put them through war, they acquired some holes :). I hope you will get to see India soon, i think you will love it there.
Thank you Madhava, you were my teacher through your actions, you gave us what we needed, according to our behavior, i had this thought, Kambo is the price we have to pay for Ayahuasca :). Thank you for the beautiful homa fire and for your energy, your presence always makes me smile.
Thank you Ananda, thank you for the discomfort, you helped me learn a very important lesson, the one about chasing pleasure and running away from pain. They are the two faces of the same coin. Thank you for the silence.
To end this, thank all of you at Sinchi Runa, you are family.
Multumesc
Karen
March 4, 2025 at 11:24 amIntegrity, authentic, genuine
I did a 7-day silent Ayahuasca with La Purga, Kambo, 2 ayahuasca ceremonies, meditation, drawing of our ayahuasca process, group talks etc.
I felt very drawn to the retreat and booked it without reading much about it.
Didn’t read about the silence fx. which was an unpleasant surprise for me at first, but turned out to be the most important factor which connected me deeply to myself.
This retreat is so well made and all of the people behind Sinchi Runa have walked the road and they absolutely practice what they preach with such sincerity, wisdom and so much integrity!
It was also very intense and challenging both physically and mentally, but I was taken such good and kind care of by everyone there and they taught me how to handle my challenges through my breath, simple and gentle.
It’s difficult to put this experience into words, cause it’s simply just something that needs to be experienced, but I will absolutely promise you that Sinchi Runa is worth all 5 stars and more!
At last the food was amazing and the tents were very nice to!
Wish you a pleasant and transformation journey at Sinchi Runa <3