Ayni Retreat Center

Cuenca, Ecuador

Come and experience a life changing journey in a safe environment at Ayni Retreat Center.

We offer 12, 8, 6 and 5 day retreats that include ceremonies with Ayahuasca and Huachuma (San Pedro). We also have a Temazcal ceremony, which is also called a Sweat Lodge.


Safety of our guests is our #1 priority. You will be fully supported before, during and after a retreat by experienced staff to facilitate your transformation and answer any questions you may have. Our Shamans and Healers are experienced with these medicines and are also available to talk to you, before and/or after ceremonies if you wish.


Ayni is a word that comes from the indigenous Andean language “quichua”. It means reciprocity, solidarity, cooperation and mutual support. The Shaman and Staff are committed to the meaning of this word in order to facilitate an experience for you that changes your life for the better.


The housing is a collection of patrimonial (heritage) buildings which are authentic and antique. The buildings were built in 1557. This truly adds to the experience because it feels as if you’ve gone back in time.


Retreats

  • 12 Day Retreat
    6 ceremonies: 2 Ayahuasca, 2 San Pedro and 2 Sweat Lodges with two extra, optional Ayahuasca ceremonies.
  • 8 Day Retreat
    4 ceremonies: 1 Ayahuasca, 1 San Pedro and 2 Sweat Lodges with one extra, optional Ayahuasca ceremony.
  • 6 Day Retreat
    3 ceremonies: 1 Ayahuasca, 1 San Pedro and 1 Sweat Lodge.
  • 5 Day Retreat
    2 ceremonies: 1 Ayahuasca, 1 San Pedro with two extra, optional Ayahuasca ceremonies.

There is a day in between all the ceremonies so that you can rest and integrate your experience.

There are also several meetings before you participate in the first ceremony to prepare you for the experience with these sacred medicines. Regular meetings happen during a retreat to support you as well.

Reviews (15)

5.0 out of 5
Overall 5.0
  • Ellobo
    Ellobo
    November 9, 2019 at 9:33 am

    Beautiful and peaceful place. Food was great, staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. Trully a safe haven away from your day to day life! Rooms were clean and organised, ceremonies were very well conducted and felt safe. I recommend this place for anyone trying to open a new chapter in their life.

  • tcbabbitt
    tcbabbitt
    October 2, 2019 at 10:11 am

    If one of the benefits of an Ayahuasca retreat is a shift in consciousness–in how we think, see, and feel about ourselves, others, and all that exists in the universe–then Ayni achieves this even before the first healing ceremony by virtue of its setting. Stepping back in time nearly 500 years, Ayni is a restored 16th century estate in the Andean sierra with wide adobe walls, terracotta roof tiles, cozy courtyards, and perennial gardens. Ayni is the antidote to the frenzy of modernity. And the staff have fallen under the spell of this special place, exuding a warmth and generosity often unfamiliar to the westernized world. Highly recommend: the food tastes better, the shamans are authentic, the Spanish to English translations are beautiful, the weather is temperate (no mosquitos!), and the positive vibrations are high.

  • Will I Am
    Will I Am
    September 12, 2019 at 3:00 pm

    Ayni is a beautiful facility with wonderful shamans. It’s a safe place to start with the medicine or to expand your path.

  • Alison_D
    Alison_D
    August 9, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    Ayni captured my heart and healed my soul. I was greeted with such care from the very beginning, and given information in great detail, as far as what to expect and prepare for, way ahead of time. Everyone’s journey is unique, but I really appreciated the time and thought that went into the clear communication, the incredible meals, and of course, the most amazing ceremonies.

    The healers at Ayni are kind and powerful, and I am so grateful I had the chance to meet them. The medicine is strong, and yet I felt totally safe in their care. Staff is right there ready to assist with everything, and it all flowed beautifully.

    Oh and the location! It’s stunning and right in the Andes mountains, but away from the noise of the city. It’s gorgeous, and the accomodations are very clean and comfortable.

    I highly recommend, and will return soon.

  • Xavi
    Xavi
    August 8, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    When I was invited to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony on the outskirts of Cuenca some months ago, I had no expectations about it, however, I was very attracted by this new experience. On the week preceding the ceremony me, and the whole group received some advice on how to change our diet to be prepared for receiving the “medicine” as the shamans called the Ayahuasca during the ceremony.
    At the beginning of that Saturday I was very anxious and even a little bit scared about how that day will finish, but even now I had the clear memory of a tranquillity feeling invading me as soon as I met this place called Ayni, an amazing old farmhouse surrounded by splendid gardens with old trees and mountains. But not only the place was great, also the different stories about past experiences related by some assistants repeating the ceremony at that time were very interesting for me.
    When night came, the atmosphere and all the people were ready for what would come shortly. Soon the shamans arrived who would conduct the ceremony, they began to assemble a kind of altar around a large chimney that remained lit all night in the center of a huge room with earth walls against which all the assistants supported us watching Towards the fire and the preparations.
    Once the ceremony began, the Shaman was bringing the Ayahuasca to each person, fulfilling a rite in which this experience despite being in a group became something personal from start to finish, a change in the state of consciousness, as if the mind was more agile and awake. In my case – I must admit that not at all – the experience was very deep but without fear or passages of anguish, rather with many moments of laughter when understanding many everyday things from another angle. It is difficult to tell in words an experience that contains so many sensations, it was both like being myself but with the awareness of being part of something much greater and very small at the same time. Perhaps the sensation had had it before, but not with that same intensity nor with the ability to connect so many sensations in such a short time and it is a state of complete lucidity. To end the ceremony we all end up as a group again, as at the beginning but being a group that now had much more in common than the previous night and with a feeling of indescribable joy, that joy that has no other reason than just being there. Thanks to Ayni for this beautiful experience.
     

  • _tonya_harding
    _tonya_harding
    August 7, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    This was in the most beautiful place, and I was so well taken care of. It was truly an experience of a life time. The rooms were spacious and clean. The grounds were breath-taking and the staff were so accommodating. I would definitely recommend it.

  • Dalarian9
    Dalarian9
    August 7, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    If youre looking for a real healing and transformation experience, you MUST choose AYNI. Led by responsable and well prepared people this magical place is located in a calm and beautifull cottage near Cuenca city.
    !!!WIDELY RECOMENDED!!!

  • MattW
    MattW
    August 7, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    If you are looking for a safe environment to try medicine, Ayni is the perfect option. It was the first ayahuasca experience for me so I didn’t know what to expect!! The ceremony itself was outstanding and the chaman with his staff were excellent and very helpful, they are very experienced. I highly recommend!!

  • Andrea EC
    Andrea EC
    July 5, 2019 at 8:36 am

    Un lugar donde encontré la Magia, viví experiencias inolvidables que abrieron mi corazón, mente y percepción al mundo. Súper acogedor, en una construcción de muchos años y con mucha historia. Los dirigentes y compañeros de ceremonia son excelentes y con mucha experiencia, me guiaron antes, durante y después de las ceremonias de las que salí completamente renovada y feliz. Aho! Buen camino!

    —In English—
    A place where I found Magic, I lived unforgettable experiences that opened my heart, mind and perception to the world. Super cozy, in a construction of many years and with a lot of history. The leaders and ceremony partners are excellent and experienced, they guided me before, during and after the ceremonies from which I left completely renewed and happy. Aho! Good journey!

  • Daniel87
    Daniel87
    July 4, 2019 at 1:18 pm

    La localidad en la cual está el centro AYNI es un lugar realmente mágico y muy bonito muy cerca de la ciudad de Cuenca y del pueblo de Paute ,los facilitadores de las ceremonias son gente con muchísima experiencia y muy seria para la realización de las mismas , su conocimiento del tema se hace evidente e inspira confianza y seguridad. Realmente recomendable en todo sentido. Es una experiencia Única e indescriptible.

    —In English—
    The town where the AYNI center is is a really magical and very beautiful place very close to the city of Cuenca and the town of Paute, the facilitators of the ceremonies are people with a lot of experience and very serious for the realization of them, his knowledge of the subject becomes evident and inspires confidence and security. Really recommended in every way. It is a unique and indescribable experience.

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