Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
Our Program
At Arkana, we create the space for you to get in touch with your truth, opening your path for deeper meaning and greater fulfillment in your life. We work with ancestral medicines such as Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Bufo Alvarius, Rapé , using the traditional practices of the indigenous cultures of the Peruvian Amazon. We currently operate two centers in Peru, one in the Peruvian Amazon and a second one in the Sacred Valley (close to Machu Picchu), and one in Mexico, the choice is yours.
With great respect for the plants and the knowledge and healing that comes with them, our lineage of Shipibo shamans set the stage for truly deep and profound healing. Awaken your inner power through their sacred and powerful icaros (healing songs), and discover your connection to all things by exploring some of the 2.2 million hectare Pacaya Samiria National Reserve which is our backyard. Nourish your body and soul with fresh, clean, delicious meals that promote your Ayahuasca experience, and integrate healthy habits into your routine with our yoga classes and extensive selection of gym equipment for all levels. We believe the health of physical body sets the foundation for the health of the energetic body – Often ignored in this type of spiritual work, we find this to be an important part of the healing process, so you can begin implementing the healthy habits that will carry this work with you into your life back home. Finally, relax your mind and spirit with sound baths, meditations, breathwave sessions, and OM circles, or simply enjoy the tranquil views of both sunrise and sunset from our front porch on the banks of the Ucayali River, surrounded by lush biodiversity and the mesmerizing sounds of the jungle.
Arkana’s exceptional team of highly-trained Shipibo Master Shamans represent an unbroken lineage of plant medicine work. With a combined history of over 70 years of experience working closely with Ayahuasca and other master plant teachers of the jungle, our compassionate healers lovingly share their teachings, healing songs (icaros), capabilities, and knowledge with integrity and honor. We strive to maintain the traditional practices passed down through thousands of years of indigenous Amazonian culture, in order to continue to promote the true purpose and nature of plant medicine work.
Experiencing the medicines with us is a transformative personal journey, and so much more. We also work closely with our local community, the Amazonian village of Libertad, to ensure that our Center can benefit and give back to the people who have so generously let us into their homes and hearts. We create employment opportunities, teach free English classes, provide a space for the ladies to sell their handmade crafts, and assist in construction projects, among other things. Our latest endeavor is outfitting the entire village with free solar panels, so every house can have light and electricity. When you join us, you are helping the rainforest and the Amazon communities that live here.
Guests that come to our Center often say they feel like “part of the family” with us – that’s no coincidence, as we are one big family at Arkana! The people that are with you throughout your experience can simply facilitate your own healing journey or become an integral part of it. Our experienced, loving, and professional team of caregivers welcomes you to join our tribe, where we strive to make you feel at home and at ease, supported and cared for with all the love and compassion that is at the core of the plant medicines and people we work with.
Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine that offers us the opportunity to understand our true nature, by shining a light onto our darkness, and holding a mirror up to our fears, negative thought patterns, and self-limiting beliefs. We provide the environment and expertise of a team of highly skilled, warm, compassionate Shamans and facilitators to guide you through the process of awakening, of choosing differently, healing, and expanding. It is a slow but steady path towards freedom – from fear, from illusion, from self-constructed boundaries – resulting in a lighter, brighter, more authentic self, and the full experience of love. It is our honor to help you on this most fulfilling of all journeys: the journey back home.
We look forward to having you with us!
Lots of Love,
The Team
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Kafsh
February 11, 2020 at 7:18 pmWhere do you even begin to write a review about something that changes your life so dramatically. Arkana Spiritual Center is simply amazing and transformative. Jose has procured such a perfect combination of facilitators, shamans, staff and locations to help anyone achieve the Healing they seek. Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine and these days there are so many healers and retreats, that finding the right one is so very important. As soon as you arrive to Arkana, you feel the positive healing energy and it doesn’t ever stop. If you are at a point in your life that Mother Aya is calling to you, there is no better destination for your spiritual journey. Just like everyone else, I had doubts and reservations and was skeptical about the medicine. Jose and his staff put me at ease right away, and changed my life over the course of just one week. I am happier, stronger, more focused and more confident in my life journey, and I will definitely be going back to learn more, explore and grow further.
Laura B.
February 11, 2020 at 6:21 pmReview for Arkana Spiritual Center
Amazon Location
February 2020
Hello, my name is Laura B. I just attended the Arkana Center one week retreat, and I am compelled with a deep sense of respect and gratitude to share my experience. I went to Arkana mainly with the intention of addressing the worsening depression and anxiety I’ve experienced for most of my life that has been ‘treated’ with medications. I felt like they really weren’t helping adequately, and heard that ayahuasca can be very therapeutic, especially in a ceremonial setting.
I’ll try to be brief, but let me just express that this was one of the most incredible, insightful, profound experiences of my life. It wasn’t even the part the medicine played, it was so much more. The knowledge shared by the staff, the loving healing energy bestowed by the shamans, the honesty that people exhibited when expressing themselves, the kind support offered by everyone there- those are just a few of the things you can expect at Arkana.
I believe the way to get the most out of your experience is to have an open mind, be completely honest, and trust in the process. Taking the medicine wasn’t always what I expected, but I was open to the possibilities of what I could learn, and I am walking away with more positive, empowering, healing lessons than I could have possibly hoped to acquire in such a short time.
Come prepared knowing that the jungle is a harsh environment; be appreciative that wherever you’re from isn’t probably so hot, humid, or filled with mosquitoes. Have some realistic expectations that you may be slightly uncomfortable physically, but use this as yet another opportunity to learn and be filled with a sense of gratitude, as I certainly was.
Good luck moving forward. I hope this review helps if you are undecided whether this is something that could benefit your life. It was an absolute Godsend for me and definitely worth the price. I am referring several of my loved ones who I feel would benefit from a retreat, and am already thinking of revisiting someday.
dobaz11
February 11, 2020 at 8:31 amArkana Spiritual Center was absolutely amazing!
José and his team were great in every way. I felt very safe the entire time I was there. The food was very tasty and wonderful. The place is clean and very well maintained.
My experience at Arkana was more than I could ever expect. I see my life as pre Arkana and post Arkana. I am a changed man.
Trust the process, go with love and do the work.
It is worth every penny and more! Oh, get the Sapo experience, it is worth it.
Dom
wwck111
February 10, 2020 at 11:40 pmA 5-star review doesn’t do justice to the remarkable environment and experience that Arkana has cultivated. While I knew little about Ayahuasca prior to my journey, I will forever be grateful for whatever drew me to Arkana. It quickly became clear that set and setting were of the utmost importance in their approach to healing. I am still amazed at the selflessness and dedication displayed by all of their healers. The family they have assembled is truly a miracle in itself, I will cherish having met all of the guides, many of whom I still chat with regularly.
The center also embodied a commitment to authenticity. The rooms were quaint but minimalist in nature, fitting of the experience. The food was some of the best I have ever had, prepared by a chef who was as much a part of the experience as any of the staff.
The Shamans were beyond words. Their respect for everyone involved, their dedication to healing, exceeded all expectations. There were several occasions they spent significant time working with individuals that needed additional assistance even after ceremony had concluded.
But more than anything else, the family of healers that Arkana has attracted made it the most powerful and important experience of my life. They were tireless in their approach to healing, leaving no stone unturned.
There is not another place I would ever go, nor recommend. If you are thinking about this experience, save yourself the time, trepidation, and questions and book with confidence. You will not regret putting your trust in the hands of these special people.
yourmatetom
February 10, 2020 at 8:47 pmI had the privilege of staying over 2 weeks at Arkana Spiritual Center – one week in the Amazon jungle, and one week in the sacred valley.
First of all, allow me to say how incredibly powerful Maestra Justina is and her healing abilities. Her icaros and presence is unlike anything I’ve experienced. She performed a chonta (physic surgery) on me by sucking on my neck (which had an energetic blockage) and spat out a fish bone! My skeptical mind tried to rationalise this experience, but after seeing her perform this on many others (even without the medicine and in pure daylight!). I am now a believer. It’s like witnessing magic right in front of your eyes which is a sight to behold! Going to Arkana is worth it, just to experience Justina’s sheer power and beautiful ceremonies.
Arkana Spiritual Center is run very professionally. And while the accomodation is quite luxurious, with the best ayahuasca diet food I’ve tried, very friendly staff, awesome chill out area, but of course the most important aspect of going to an ayahuasca retreat is the medicine and shamans. Well like I said before, Maestra Justina is a legit medicine woman that will blow your mind. And the other shamans are also powerful and have great icaros that harmonise Justina’s voice just perfectly. These shamans aren’t trying to compete with each other out of ego, but instead they perform with perfect chemistry like a band that’s been together for many decades.
The medicine is cooked on the premises (in the jungle), and is very consistent. There are no other plant additives, just the chakruna and ayahuasca vine. This means that you will be drinking the same batch for the time you will be staying which makes it much easier to measure your dose.
This is the third retreat I’ve attended, and while it has been a long while since I have consumed the medicine, I’m glad I did because I healed the PTSD I was carrying and shed off unwanted dead weight while clarifying my purpose. Of course I could go on all day about my deep experience, but overall my ayahuasca ceremonies were profound and life changing. Like many of my past ayahuasca experiences, I had moments of tremendous darkness, but this was something I had to revisit and heal from. This plant technology is a master storyteller that conducted my experience like a perfectly written movie. It’s like ayahuasca knew how long I was staying and what exact experience to present me with every ceremony. It seriously boggles my mind every time.
My huachuma ceremony at the sacred valley was pure magic. It was like hanging out with my cosmic gentle grandfather teaching me about life and processing my ayahuasca journeys and life so far.
My sapo experience (at the end of my stay) was probably the most profound experience of my life which allowed me to let go of the huge burden in my heart which included grief and deep existential terror of death. I merged with God and went back to place where I come from and where I’m going. When I came back to this physical reality I cried out of gratitude just because I was human again living this spectacular existence.
I left the retreat very grounded and having a much stronger sense of who I am and what I’m here to do which is very empowering.
Jose – the owner of Arkana is my brother, and is very genuine and truly cares about all the people who attend. I’m very grateful to have met my new Arkana family and witness their profound transformations. It has truly been a blessing reconnecting with these powerful plants at this retreat.
Much love to Arkana for facilitating this experience.
Thank you,
Tom