Shamanic Vida 2019

I was initially very nervous about going to Peru for my retreat. It’s certainly way out of most people’s comfort zone to travel to a foreign country to partake in something as taboo, in Western culture anyway, as a plant medicine and diet retreat. But sometimes you just have to take the plunge, so to speak. Well I chose to take my plunge in the sacred valley with the shamanic Vida family, Chrissy, Pacco and their volunteers. It took me over a year of research to finally pick them and it was worth every minute and dollar spent.

First of all, the price is right which says a lot about their intentions and what they’re actually there to do. Next, the setting is breathtaking. Its situated about an hour outside of Cusco in the sacred valley. I chose this instead of the jungle because of the weather and the insects. I prefer cold and no bugs at all, but that’s just me. Finally, safety. I felt like the entire process of getting to the retreat from Cusco was much easier and less shady than going through Iquitos down the river to the Amazon. They had taxis pick us up at a hostal in Cusco close to historic down town at an allotted on a certain day and they were to drive us an hour or so to the retreat. Just seemed much more up my alley.

I honestly believe that my decision to choose Shamanic Vida was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. Chrissy and Pacco are amazing at what they do. You can tell that they are true healers and love every minute of it. The setting was breathtaking there. I’d have to say that this retreat was one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. I did the 11 day retreat to get the most out of the experience, and I think that was another great choice. Most people were there for the 5-6 day retreats and each one of them wished they’d have stayed longer.

When I first got there I just had this huge weight on my shoulders. I was uptight, nervous and uncomfortable. I had some problem I needed to work through and I was there to face this. It was one of the toughest things I’ve done and certainly the most rewarding. It’s now been 3 months since I left Peru, and I can say now for certain, that trip had an enormous positive effect on my life and how I look at things. I also lost almost 15 pounds while I was there, as just an added benefit to the whole thing.

These medicines can be very hard, if you’re reading this and thinking about going, hopefully you already know this about Ayahuasca and the others. These plants are the real deal and when taken properly can change your life, but there’s nothing easy about the process. A bit of advice, know your “Why” before you book your trip. If you have clear intentions and are willing to do the work, these plants WILL do what they were put on this Earth to do and you will be better because of it

Another thing I loved about shamanic Vida was the medicine variety they offered. I don’t think there’s another retreat, that I found anyway, which offers so many different medicines at the cost that Chrissy and Pacco offer them for. I’m telling you, that place is the total package. But my favorite thing of all was the shamans themselves and their music. Ugh I can’t tell you how deeply their music touched me during each of my ceremonies. Pacco is incredibly talented on many different levels with his music and Chrissy is awesome in her own right. They compliment each other well and just fit. She brings a strong feminine energy to the experience while he brings this soft masculine vibe. It’s really just a wonderful place to be and if you’re thinking about doing Ayahuasca and doing it properly in Peru, there is no better place than Shamanic Vida.

The retreat is cozy and rustic set in the middle of beautiful sacred valley, Peru. It’s peaceful and safe and offers you all the Amenities you will need. There’s a big waterfall close by you’ll hike to during your San Pedro ceremony. Their music is amazing and fits the vibe there perfectly. The food is good, the setting is great and the people are world class. I fully intend on returning once a year from here on out to continue healing. And now that I’ve gone, I can safely say, I’ll be comfortable bringing my wife on my next visit. I’m 100% confident that she’ll love it as much as I did and that she’ll be completely safe while doing it.

Billy R.