Spirit Plant Journeys is a safe, experienced and transformative Ayahuasca Retreat nestled in the Peruvian Andes, created to help you open your heart, look within, and awaken to a new way. We offer intimate retreats with small groups in which we closely guide you through your journey within. We provide a healing space for you to acknowledge your truth; to feel, express, allow and transform.
Ayahuasca is a powerful tool that can help us uplift ourselves, heal our wounds, and let go of anything that no longer serves us. In working with plant consciousness, we become open and sensitive to everything that we are in relationship with, and in this, gain awareness, perspective, and wisdom.
Our highly-trained, experienced facilitators will closely guide you as you immerse yourself in this process. We believe that true healing is a beautiful process of opening up and awakening, and we feel strongly that this process can and should happen in a nurturing, loving way. As facilitators between cultures, and bridges between worlds, we provide a safe, open space in which we honor and respect every human being’s process in a gentle and kind way.
Every element of our retreat is designed to sustain real transformation. With a down to earth, heart-centered approach and kindred family spirit, we provide the opportunity for a life-changing healing experience. Our programs are held in the Sacred Valley, a safe haven from the noise of the city and the dangers of the jungle, and we limit our group size to a maximum of 12 people, allowing our Facilitators and Maestros to give you close, personalized guidance during your time with us. We are blessed to be working with a team of powerful Shipibo Maestros, the oldest lineage of Ayahuaqueros in South America, and we bring in both men and women maestros on retreat to strike a crucial balance between the energies of the Divine Masculine and Feminine.
Our experienced and trained facilitators serve as a cultural bridge on your journey, providing a link between cultures and plant medicine realms. They walk alongside you on this journey, guiding and empowering you with the tools to truly engage with your healing process. We specialize in providing support through pre-retreat intention sessions, sharing circles and self-inquiry on site, and post-integration sessions.
The healing process truly begins to take root when our guests go home, and as such, we believe strongly in checking in and providing support after the retreat. These are the keys to real transformation, to embody your healing experience in your daily life, enabling you to bring lasting change and growth into your life. After your last ceremony ends, the ceremony of life truly begins.
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Recent Reviews
Review of Lighthouse by What can I say?! There were wonderful people in the center, especially Gino, Christian and Diana, who assisted the shaman, but also the cooking crew and the gardeners. They all have a very open heart and really support the guests… Read More from susan Apr 21, 13:53
Review of San Pedro Workshops by This place I call home now. Steve is wonderful medicine man his guidance and protection through out the ceremony and after is so intentional, he has such a powerful presence and magical energy I asked for a message from him… Read More from norita Apr 21, 12:50
Review of Marosa Healing Center by I stayed for a month at Marosa over March / April this year. As a 30 year old female traveling alone I can comfortably say I felt very safe here. I felt comfortable in my ceremonies with Maestro Angela and… Read More from Mj123 Apr 21, 00:02
Review of Ayahuasca and Alternative Healing by I decided very spontaneously to do a Ayahuasca Retreat in Antigua but it was on of the best Decisions I’ve made. The Introduction via Zoom and then the Arrival everything was very friendly and well organised. All the People are… Read More from Kilian Apr 19, 19:43
Review of Sapan Inka Retreat Center by I have attended retreat in March of 2023 and planning to visit again. Eric and Nikda were great hosts and healers. Higly recommend Sapan Inka. Thank you! Read More from Sasa1480 Apr 17, 15:59
sairzea
November 28, 2017 at 8:41 amNo words can describe my experience with Spirit Plant Journeys. It was a life changing experience that taught me so much and most notably i was shown the importance of drinking the plant medicines (both San Pedro and Ayahuasca) – for personal reasons, to improve relationships and to make this world a better place. Neils and Adam and the whole staff are amazing human beings who were always available to assist with any requests and made us feel at home. Their approach was very friendly, humorous and genuine. You will instantly feel like you can talk to them about anything and everything! I didn´t get the chance to meet Sarah but most of the people who were on the same retreat as I have more than once – spoke highly of her. She was with us in spirit. Everything was very well organised and well thought of. The food was very delicious (Thank you MARC) and Petra is a beautiful place where you can feel completely safe to let go of everything and be vulnerable and open about your previous experiences as well as your journey with the plan medicines. The ceremonies were beautiful and guidance was provided every step of the way. Gume and Bernhard have extensive experience with the plant medicines and are very trust-worthy. Neils and Gume also play music that lightens the soul (listening to music can make a tremendous difference when you are having a rough experience) I really can’t think of a better place to start or deepen your journey with the plan medicines. I definitely will plan another trip here. Thank you thank you thank you for everything. All the love, Sara
chris5044
November 27, 2017 at 2:53 pmI healed my fear and had a lovely time here.
Thank you very much,
Chris
HorizonsRB
June 12, 2017 at 8:16 pmHi Neils and Sarah
Here is my testimonial of my experience at Petra!
I had a wonderful and profound experience in the retreat with Neils, Sandra and their team in June 2017. I had been curious about Ayawaska for several years but had never really felt drawn to experience it. In the last year or so, I became more intrigued after having heard testimonials from some of my students. Since I was coming to Peru and had received a recommendation from one of my students just prior to leaving, I decided that if I was going to experience it, Peru was the place to do so. I contacted Neils when I felt the pull and lo and behold, there was a retreat happening within a week and a half. So many things came together with Grace and Ease that I knew I was meant to participate.
From the onset, I could tell that Neils was sincere and interested in my well-being and very generous and forthcoming with information and answers to my questions. I looked forward to the retreat as I carefully followed the preparation protocol and diet. When I arrived In Huaran I was blown away by the space, the mountains and the accommodations at Petra. Neils and his team – Sarah, Seb, Ana, Chase, Jenny and Bernhard (and puppy Saltero) were all extremely welcoming with hospitality and warmth. I was greatly impressed by everyone’s genuine heart and emotional and spiritual intelligence and maturity.
The food prepared by Mark and his staff was ever so delicious and plentiful. Mark graciously and deliciously met the challenge of cooking without salt – we were all so very pleased and satiated with every meal.
Huaran is of course in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The mountains and the countryside are well suited for the very sacred journey we were about to undertake. I did not know what to expect from the ceremonies, but our San Pedro ceremony led by Bernhard was the perfect opening for the week retreat. Personally, the San Pedro experience was very profound for me, putting me in touch with things I had not known were still so entrenched in my body and psyche. With Bernhard’s help I was able to navigate the tumultuous day and gain more insight into my intentions for the remaining ceremonies.
The Ayawaska ceremonies led by Gume and assisted with loving presence by Neils, were also very powerful. They were more physical for me that anything else – not what I was expecting. Guess I got what I needed and not what I wanted! I had dived in to the whole experience whole-heartedly and it was what it was. Of course, it is still integrating as I speak so I do not know yet the full depth of the experience which will play itself out in the next few months. Part of my intention in the ceremonies was to come closer to and to open my heart, and as I was walking in Cusco the day after returning, I could feel my heart more open than I had felt it in the previous weeks…
I loved how we had so much free and relaxing time between ceremonies, some of which was spent visiting sacred sites, some in hiking around Huaran and a lot just hanging out playing music, journaling, reading and getting to know each other around the evening fires. We all so much enjoyed Saltaro, the happy puppy who was very therapeutic for all of us, the butting ram grazing in the grass near his ewe, and the elder goose that sometimes got a bit impatient and chased us. In this kind of experience, the group dynamic is very important and ebbs and flows as we let down our guards, risk some vulnerability and share our experiences. Thank you to everyone that dived in and did so.
I am so very grateful to life for putting this experience on my path and for following my intuition. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of exploring the sacred plant medicine. It is so important that this be experienced accompanied by the right people and SacredPlantJourneys is definitely the right group. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Who knows, I may be back sooner that I think…
To be continued…
Roland Bérard, Montréal, Québec, Canada June 2017
robt-2020
April 20, 2017 at 7:21 pmWithout hesitation, I recommend Spirit Plant Journeys if you are considering ayahuasca. Given how potentially intense the experience of ayahuasca can be, having a supportive environment that ensures your well being is essential. Spirit Plant Journeys does that and so much more with endless compassion and ceaseless humor. Their website represents a small portion of the service they provide– I was constantly amazed at their attention to the experience of the group. It was a seamless operation from start to finish. The retreat site is beautiful, the food was incredible, and a long list of other things that will stay in my memories of a great week and a half.
I cannot speak highly enough about Sarah, Neils, Sebastian, Gume, and Bernhard. It was evident early on that their bottom line is not financial profit. They believe in the work they are doing and are committed to improving the lives of the people they work with. I could write pages on what I observed them doing over the course of 10 days, but I’ll just say that their integrity and commitment are second to none.
If you are planning on ayahuasca, I hope you choose Spirit Plant Journeys.
whipgrave
March 1, 2017 at 1:56 amMy retreat at spiritplantjourneys exceeded all my expectations. It was a professional and well organised 10 days with great attention to safety, comfort and spiritual growth. I couldn’t imagine doing ayahuasca with anyone other than Spiritplantjourneys and I am already planning my return.
The incredible experience was made possible by the caring team of Neils, Sarah, Sebastian, Bernard and Gume, who did everything possible to ensure people were prepared to make the most of the ayahuasca ceremony. I was relieved by the lack of dreadlocks and tie-dye and the straight forward but deeply spiritual approach to plant medicine that Was promoted by Neils and Sarah.
The ceremonies themselves are deeply personal and difficult to explain. Gume, the shaman, was like a big brother who led the ceremonies by singing his powerful and mystical icaros. I felt a genuine connection to all the other participants and it felt like we had become a family by the end of the retreat.
Of course they were supported by a host of cooks, cleaners and drivers. The food we ate was delicious- you barely noticed the lack of salt or chilli! The accommodation was luxurious with some of the softest beds I’ve ever slept in and the showers flowed strong and warm! The other great aspect to spiritsplantjourneys was being able to do some sight-seeing and hiking in between ceremonies.
I would highly recommend spiritplantjourneys to anyone interested in plant medicine, shamanism or personal growth; You won’t be disappointed.
Marie-A
February 25, 2017 at 12:07 pmI lived the experience of A Spirit Plant Journey this February 2017. Going there was the better gift to myself. Neils and Sarah brings together the best of everything and it will make your journey an overwhelming experience. They are dedicated to your well-being.
The site in the Sacred Valley is marvelous and calm, surrounded by the mountains. The houses where we stayed are modern and clean. We ate incredibly well.
The retreat start with a ceremony of San Pedro guided by a generous shaman named Bernard. The Ayahuasca ceremonies were conducted by a powerful shaman, Gumercindo Galindo. His signings are divine. He worked personally on everyone’s challenge and intention.
We also had sessions of yoga which are really good to align the body and energies before the Ayahuasca ceremonies. Those yoga sessions were guided by the wonderful Paulette. She also worked with each of us with Thetahealing, which is an astonishing experience.
This retreat brought me in 10 days, thanks to these wonderful persons, what I was looking for without finding it for about 10 years in the western civilization.
Alexandra.musician
February 22, 2017 at 10:40 pmIf you are looking for a genuine, authentic, beautiful, healing experience then this is the place. Gumercindo, Mairuna Shaman and Ayahuascero is the REAL DEAL!!! He comes straight from the heart with a true and deep desire to help as many people as possible experience the phenomenal healing power of plant medicine. He is supported in this work by the beautiful Neils and the talented Sebastian who provide a space and atmosphere that makes this deep inner work as easy as they can. Bernhard Karshagan, Huachumero, also provides an outstanding and nurturing experience of San Pedro, gently initiating the entire process with his ceremony. The accomadation and meals are first rate and the setting in the Sacred Valley is serene with magnificent views and awe-inspiring skies.
Having participated in several of these retreats and feeling the incredible life-changing healing they helped provide I could not recommend them highly enough!
Love and light.
Alexandra
urator
February 21, 2017 at 11:23 amI attended the February retreat. It was a great and love it. The people are generous and helping, the shamans are powerful guides and the medicine is also very good. The food was amazing and healthy. The place and settings is awesome too.
It is not always easy to work with the medicine, but the results are amazing. They care a lot about the quality of the retreat. I cannot recommended this place enough .
Mehdi
January 19, 2017 at 7:49 pmMy wife and I attended the Nov 2016 ceremonies and it was a great experience. I have nothing but praise for the whole event. Sara and Neils are gracious hosts and really care about the comfort of their guests. They make you feel at home and offer their genuine friendship and hospitality freely. There was also Seb, the new addition to Sara and Neils team. He is such a great man with a gentle soul offering support and helping to take care of the guests. Bernard, leading the San Pedro ceremony is wonderful. He is so gentle and compassionate, offering help and support during the ceremony. Gume, leading the Ayahuasca ceremonies is simply amazing. He is a powerful shaman and I was grateful for his help during the times of difficulty with the medicin. His Icaros were great help particularly towards the end with their soothing words. He is a great human being. The venue where we stayed was like a little heaven on earth. Being surrounded with mountains it really lifted the spirit. The accommodation was first class. The food was delicious and healthy. I would not dream of experiencing the medicine again anywhere but at Spirit Plant Journeys. It feels like home. Thank you Neils, Sara, Gume, Seb and Bernard. Thank you.
Mehdi
LorenzoWallace
November 4, 2016 at 10:29 pmI’m writing this review about two months since I first arrived at Spirit Plant Journeys (SPJ). I can confidently say without a doubt that making the choice to work the plant medicines at SPJ was one of the best choices of my life. I feel renewed in a way that’s difficult to describe other than I’m really happy to be alive. I am much more comfortable being open, honest, and vulnerable with others. And it’s much easier for me to love myself and others than ever before.
The plant medicine experiences are unique to each individual that attends because we reach this point for different reasons. I’ll keep my review short and focus on the essentials. The up front payment can feel risky or cumbersome but rest easy and trust that Neils and Sarah, who operate the retreat, are honest people; your private information is in safe hands. The retreat center itself is absolutely stunning. The accommodations are cozy and comfy, and the property is gorgeous. I couldn’t imagine working with the plant medicines anywhere else. The food is delicious too. I never felt hungry and I always felt comfortable. The shamans themselves are top notch. Bernard helps set the stage of the retreat with San Pedro, a gentle glide so to speak, at least for me. And Gume’s four Ayahuasca ceremonies were intense, emotional, and have changed my view of myself and the world. He leads the ceremonies with an unmatched passion, and he’s a gentle soul that knows when you need help. Lastly, the facilitators, Neils and Sarah, are truly wonderful people. They are the right kind of people for these experiences. Warm, loving, open-minded, and a goofy bunch. They act selflessly to help each participant have a positive experience of personal growth and healing. I can’t thank them enough. The musical sessions they lead, along with Gume, after the Ayahuasca ceremonies are memories I’ll carry until my last days.
San Pedro and Ayahuasca are truly powerful and sacred medicines. It’s a priveledge to partake in the medicine and an honor to guide others through it. SPJ is more than worthy of the honor to guide participants through these ceremonies. The world needs loving people like Neils, Sarah, Bernard, and Gume. If you are searching for answers, feel like you have unfinished business, or have emotional trauma, be brave enough to visit SPJ. They’ll help you work with the medicines in an honest, safe, and loving environment.