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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Otorongo
May 7, 2018 at 1:30 amI just came back from a recent visit to Arkana’s Sacred Valley location and I was blown away by the quality of the retreat. I have been drinking ayahuasca for 8 years having visited numerous retreat centers in Iquitos, and Arkana is by far the best of them all. Its biggest asset, its people, really sets them apart. From the first couple of emails where they responded to all of my questions I knew I was in the hands of people that know what they are doing and care about their guests.
Upon arrival I was greeted by Chandra, the center’s manager who is a very loving and caring medicine woman. The rest of the team, is a well balanced group of individuals who made me feel at home as part of their spiritual family. They deeply care about their guests and their overall healing experience.
The medicine is strong and is administered by Maestros Jorge and Sulmira, a lovely shipibo couple that are true masters of their craft. Their icaros led me to another dimension and helped me heal old wounds that I have been carrying with me for years.
Thank you Arkana for creating such a magical place for healing, I will come back to you with my loved ones for many years to come. Special thanks to Chandra, Felipe, Pamela, Alise, Angel, Mike, Jorge, Sulmira and Felipe for making this trip an unforgettable one.
If you are looking for a place to drink ayahuasca, look no further, these folks are the real deal. I encourage you to read past the noise of some of the reviews here and follow your intuition. These people have earned their position as the top center in the region for a reason. Im available to talk to anyone, to share more intimate details of my experience.
icemavs41
May 6, 2018 at 7:21 pmI left a review on this place after my trip in December and while talking about some things I didn’t like.. I ultimately left it 5 stars because the Shaman was unbelievable and I didn’t have it in me to knock the business of some truly great people there.
As someone who spent a boat load of money to go do Ayahuasca for my first time.. I feel like I along with other reviewers and participants have a major responsibility to those researching about making the same leap that I did. Not picking the right retreat is truly a disaster. Some won’t have the opportunity to do it a next time.
Taking the time to re write this review is not being done out of spite. It’s being done out of that responsibility. I don’t want to mislead someone into the wrong retreat for them based on a 5 star review that I don’t believe in. I also see just an overwhelming amount of 5 star reviews on here and I feel its very misleading. It’s what got me to commit to this retreat. It’s not easy to come back and leave a mediocre review unless you truly had a horrific experience. I believe if you polled every single person thats been through here this is far from a 5 star retreat.. and that needs to be talked about here.
The Shaman that I worked with is no longer there. He is the result of many of the rave reviews on here. The new one could be amazing too.. That I don’t know. I do know without Diego there.. that in itself would completely change my review of this place.
When traveling to South America the most important thing is safety. This place is extremely safe. Meals are good.. you’ll be comfortable. The average person that wants to go drink Ayahuasca and expand their consciousness could be fine here.
For someone that has issues to work out I believe you can do much better. I have terrible anxiety. I wanted to be listened to. I wanted opportunities to talk to the Shaman one on one. I wanted to feel like a priority and have the opportunity to really work through that stuff. I didn’t get that. It was advertised as a smaller group retreat and it was overbooked. This retreat to me felt like a business. I was nothing but a number. Questions were answered in BS robotic scripted responses. The first night there someone that had been to a previous Aya retreat asked about getting time with the Shaman and honestly the response he got was extremely rude IMO. When you hear “dont do a retreat” I believe this type of place is exactly what they are talking about. You are going to get quality Ayahuasca in a safe environment but you are nothing but another number before the next group comes in.
In saying that.. I’m changing my review to 3 stars. You could do much worse. If you have the means to travel around and do this as much as you want.. by all means.. you might enjoy this place. If you don’t have the money to make a mistake and are struggling with anxiety or some kind of a traumatic past.. you are the people I am leaving this review for. Anxiety is a nightmare that ruins so many lives. Ayahuasca is DEFINITELY something you should look into. Don’t put your hopes into this place if it’s the only chance you’ve got. Research, research, and research some more and find the perfect place that will make you feel like you matter and that will get you through what you are searching for.
Edit: I posted this review earlier today. Copying my review word for word.. my review was still 3 stars.. which I would rate as average. Nothing wrong at all with someone wanting to leave an honest 3 star average review for their experience. I was immediately bombarded on Facebook messenger by Chandra.. the woman mostly in charge of things.. with 15 messages full of drama. In this above review.. I held back. I did not want to be blunt.
Now I will be. I am changing my review from 3 stars to 1. Why is this place rated so high? Because people with negative opinions are uncomfortable saying something.. and pressured to rate so highly. Chandra was my number 1 complaint with this place. She did not listen to myself, or others concerns while there. She bombarded me with messages about an instance that had nothing to do with my review.. and was actually something I agreed with her on (someone leaving the temple during ceremony). My review above about her being rude to someone was actually someone who handled himself very well and was very low maintenance. Small things matter.. and she was rude to him over a question I felt similar about. Take a look in the mirror Chandra and listen to people and their intentions more. You are in a place to where you can make a massive difference in peoples lives. The fact that I was bombarded over a 3 star review is ridiculous. Earn your 5 stars and I will respond in such. Harass people about 3 star reviews and that is exactly what is wrong with this system. Misleading great reviews that lead people to waste their money. If someone else feels you don’t deserve 5 stars don’t harass them. Leave them alone and be better. I did not have it in me to poorly review this place but now I do. This is my only experience with Ayahuasca but I whole heartedly believe you can do much better and I will look to do so next time.
Arkana
May 22, 2018 at 11:14 amWe highly appreciate every review we receive.
Every review is an opportunity for us to understand the way we serve our mission, according to the way that is perceived by the ones we serve.
Not only does every guest have the right to offer his or her feedback, every guest is encouraged to do so in a sincere way. Through it we can better behold what we do and how we fulfill our purpose as a healing Center.
Feedback, by definition, is something that is supposed to nourish by giving back. Like medicine, it is supposed to do well, regardless of the way it tastes at first. True feedback will uplift and heal even when it might not have a pleasant taste.
Feedback uses facts, and it also reflects the subjective perception of the one who offers it.
Each individual´s own perception speaks not only about that which is being referred to, but also, if not more than anything else, the degree of committed effort to discern any affair clearly, or on the contrary, the lack of truthfulness contained in one´s own perception, when clouded by deluded understanding.
Both, delusion and clarity pertain to a human being´s understanding, and that does come across inevitably.
We can make a conscious effort to come from a place of truthfulness if we are to serve as an agent of true transformation in our world, if we are willing to leave behind that which does not truly serve ourselves, or others.
Many a times lack of commitment to admit our own shortcomings come across and lead the way we react and behave in an attempt to excuse our own inability to admit, confront and work out what is being asked from us at any given moment.
We are and will remain open to all reviews, for we have faith that all people benefit from the opportunity to exercise truthful speech, to offer uplifting feedback filled with truthfulness, including nice and tough observations springing from an inner place of truth.
We have hope and confidence this space will serve that highest purpose, welcoming all that uplifts us helping us to serve our mission in the best way possible, refining it again and again.
Thank you all.
Amahamed
May 1, 2018 at 5:35 pmI spent a week at this centre in Urabamba about 2 hours drive from Cusco and I had such an amazing time! All the staff were more like family. Living, caring and kind. They are all very experienced and always willing to answer any questions. This was my first ayahuasca experience and I am so glad that I chose Arkana to have this sacred medicine. They made me feel safe, looked after and loved. Totally going back!
FractalFitness
April 25, 2018 at 9:02 pmI visited the Arkana retreat in the Sacred Valley after 5 years of deliberation. I had the calling (multiple dreams about a kaleidoscope diamond headed snake telling me to drink), but didn’t get up the courage to go until this year. I’m so glad I did and I’m happy I chose this location at this time. My girlfriend and I were lucky enough to have Alise, Angel (Ricardo), Chandra, and Paco as facilitators. They were an amazing and dynamic group of individuals. Each has their own strength in ceremony and got us through some dark nights facing some difficult histories. Alise was ethereal and gentle. Angel was strong and kind. Chandra was attentive, severe, and sweet. Paco was powerful and fluid. They each made the first week bearable. The work we were doing was a lot to handle. They made it possible.
The retreat itself was amazing as well. Felipe made us all feel at home and was extremely helpful in pointing out hiking trails. He’s a great person with fantastic stories. Sami and I enjoyed our time getting to know him and will always keep him in mind when thinking back on the trip. The space itself is small, but that was never an issue. You feel connected to the hills and river because of the size. Everything you need is there. Specifically, water, tea, and fruit at all times. Angel made all the meals, which helped facilitate the days drinking as well as recover on the off days. He’s creative and adapt in the kitchen. There were trips scheduled to town and up to the salt mines located right in the backyard of the retreat. Our guide was great. He was knowledgeable and was able to tie in our purpose at the ceremony with the history of the area. If you wanted to head in to town, there was a day for it. Machu Picchu? You can absolutely go for another $350 dollars. Other hiking trips? Yes, no problem. Tours were provided. We had breathwork, a temazcal ceremony, yoga, massage, and meditation along with the ceremonies. The only thing I wish there were more of was a morning or evening movement practice. We ran and hiked instead, but something more dynamic would’ve been great to get back in our bodies.
The ceremonies were great and difficult. We actually had 3 different shamans over the two weeks we were there. This led to very different experiences in the ceremonies. The first week, Sami and I felt that the space wasn’t held very well (with the exception of the amazing facilitators.) our shaman felt distant, distracted, and unconcerned. Both the suggestions for our intentions and the icaros felt boilerplate since they were the same for everyone. Christian (the shaman) seemed nice, but I ended up singing my own icaros and mentally kicked him out of my space. Sami and I checked in on each other and did all the work together. Angel helped a ton to wrangle our energy when it got difficult. The second week was a complete turnaround. We had shamans that immediately calmed the group with kindness and attention. They had a beautiful sense of strength and compassion. I can’t explain how great it was having them. I can explain, however, an experience I had. I’m skeptical by nature as well as open to novelty (I understand the dichotomy of that statement). I’ve experienced astral projecting and visits to the fourth dimension plenty of times in the past. That feels as real as the physical world. I do find it difficult to believe in a lot of the folklore of mother ayahuasca and powerful shamans. With that said…these shamans knew how to navigate both worlds with skill I’ve never experienced before. I was going through a difficult time on the Monday of the second week. The histories of all my past and future lives were rushing at me. All of my family lines were screaming at me in their pain and trauma. It started becoming overwhelming, so I looked up to see where the shamans were. Unfortunately, they were singing to someone way across the room. So, I thought, I’ll deal with this on my own. Better to not bother them. They’re helping someone. As soon as I thought that, I could hear my icaros being sung right next to me. I looked to my left and the shaman was there. He was both across the room and right next to me. He said “I can give you a break for 10 minutes. After that you have to confront this on your own.” A sense of ease, comfort, and joy washed over me as the pain left. When it came back, I felt ready to face it. The trauma stored in my neck and shoulders washed away and the depression and anxiety shed like a clay shell falling away. Both shamans during the second week had strength and kindness that allowed for healing. They were playfully singing with each other, building off their strength and pushing each other in a gentle way. Both Sami and I had a healing, but difficult experience as we were working on ourselves.
I shouldn’t leave a review without mentioning the San Pedro or 5-MEO-DMT experience. SP the first week gave us the strength to continue with ayahuasca the second week. Sami literally laughed for 6 hours straight. Everyone who drank became the funniest version of themselves. Our jokes were creative, novel, intelligent, and obscure, but somehow hilarious. We became more social because we were at ease. At night I had more introspective thoughts and explored an expanding universe and the mathematical equation that would see it end in a singularity as it compressed and expanded again. Fantastic. Like MDMA and Psilocybin together. The second week SP led to an extremely calming and expressive walk in the hills. Sapo, on the other hand, was rough. I wasn’t in terror. I wasn’t afraid. I did throw up more than I’ve ever experienced and released a ton of trauma. The sad part is that I don’t know what I saw. I took it in, felt the darkness come on and saw something in my past that shut me down completely. After that I was throwing up for about 45 minutes. I won’t do sapo again. I wouldn’t dissuade others from taking it. It’s just not for me. I want something I can work on. I don’t want to take anything that shuts me down.
I’m very happy with my experience overall. I’m already planning on going back in a year with other people who have been asking me to go with them. The thing I’m going to offer them, after knowing what I know, is a movement, breathwork, and meditation program to help integrate after their trip. I’ve been having difficulty with how many senses are overwhelmed by living in NYC. I did the worst thing possible, I scheduled 12hr days for two weeks straight (with another training certification over the weekend) with clients. As a trainer, I’m responsible for others emotional and physical wellbeing in our sessions. That leaves very little time to address my own needs. Sami, Ari, and I have been calling it integration impossible (coined by Paco during the first San Pedro ceremony). I’m already starting to feel the trauma creep back into my hips and upper back. If I had a week of integration built around realeasing the tension and strengthening around it, I think I’d be further along in my progress.
It was amazing to meet some really great people and start to heal some unheard trauma.
mariettaarz
April 23, 2018 at 9:14 amI stayed in Arkana Sacred Valley for one week in the beginning of April, and enjoyed three Ayahuasca ceremonies and one San Pedro. The retreat location was beautiful, the facilities were great, and the Shaman, Christian, was amazing! I also can’t begin to explain my gratitude for the rest of the facilitators there, including Chandra, Felipe, Alise, Angel, Paco and Rafael. The atmosphere of love, care, kindness, and generosity was present during my whole stay. I felt truly happy being there, and am so grateful for the experience. I highly recommend Arkana to anyone who is looking to seek healing in their life, whatever it may be. I, myself, hope to go back there again!
Thank you for everything!