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Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat
A Sacred Journey with Indigenous Roots
Only Retreat Certified by Ecuador’s Ministry of Health | 100% Indigenous-Owned & Operated.
Why Choose Awakenings?
• The only retreat in Ecuador certified by the Ministry of Health
• Located on sacred Tsáchila ancestral land
• 100% Indigenous-owned and operated by the Tsáchila tribe
• Medicine is prepared on-site and you are invited to participate in the process
• Small groups & personalized retreats — you choose your dates
• Your money helps local indigenous and some of the money supports the local elementary school as well; supporting many minorities in need.
Medicine and Ceremony
At Awakenings, we work with authentic ancestral medicines and offer the opportunity to participate in the preparation of Ayahuasca and San Pedro; allowing you to deposit your energy and intentions from the very beginning.
Our healing team includes:
• 4 experienced male Tsáchila shamans
• 1 female Tsáchila shaman (available upon request)
These are four generations of wisdom, born into the sacred path of medicine.
What Makes Us Different
• We live on the land, unlike other retreats that rent properties or hire outside shamans
• We run year-round with flexible dates
• No large groups — we keep it personal and safe
• Confidential integration support before and after ceremonies
• Wi-Fi available, but we encourage you to disconnect and reconnect with Mother Nature
Our Most Popular Package: 8 Days / 7 Nights – $1600 however you can do shorter or longer stays. Every journey is personalized for your needs on your time.
Includes:
• 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies
• 1 San Pedro ceremony
• 1 Kambo, 1 Sananga, and Rapé
• Private accommodations & meals
• Massage, Temazcal, reiki, sound healing
• Cultural immersions, waterfall hike, 1
Massage, preparation of cacao and more.
Additional: Cacao Ceremony, Bufo, Mushrooms, Xanga and Cannabis ceremonies available upon request.
Transport from Quito and laundry service available upon request but are not included on the packages.
Learn More About the Medicines
What is Ayahuasca?
“Ayahuasca” is the Quechua word for both the vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the sacred tea made from it, traditionally combined with Chacruna leaves. It contains harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. Used by Amazonian tribes for centuries, it opens portals to emotional and spiritual healing. Our vine grows on the property, and we prepare the medicine in the traditional way.
What is San Pedro?
San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi) is a sacred cactus native to the Andes of Ecuador. It carries masculine energy and helps us open our hearts and expand our connection with all life. We also grow this cactus on the land, and ceremonies are done with great reverence.
What is Kambo?
Kambo is a powerful healing ritual that uses the secretion of the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor). Applied through small burns on the skin, Kambo detoxifies the body, boosts the immune system, and clears emotional blocks. It’s used for deep physical and energetic purification.
Your Healing Begins Here
We don’t just host retreats; we offer a path to rebirth, in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the ancestral spirits of our land. You will not be asked to share in vulnerable settings, and everything is done with respect and care.
You are not here to escape. You are here to remember who you truly are.
Contact Us:
USA: +1 (646) 300-9646
Ecuador / WhatsApp: +593 98 044 0627
Website: awakeningsayahuasca.com
We look forward to walking this sacred journey with you.
You are the medicine. Welcome home.
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Troy
May 25, 2023 at 5:25 pmMy time at Awakenings Ayahuasca is something that will stay with me for as long as I live, and ayahuasca is really just a part of that experience. I came for 3 nights and ended up staying 7, participating in three ayahuasca ceremonies. This was my first time taking ayahuasca, and I would never even consider taking it anywhere else after my time here, though I will return.
First of all, this is an indigenous Tsachila family of five generations of shamans who make and administer ayahuasca in the traditional way and understand it better than anyone. They take safety very seriously and are some of the only people actually qualified to be dealing with ayahuasca.
Secondly, a shaman should be more than just a person that gives you ayahuasca, but should be a presence during your time and truly be your advocate and coach. This is exactly what you will find with the shamans at Awakenings. Juan is my shaman, and he is an extremely perceptive, caring, and positive guy. His incredible care for me and the other guests made me feel capable and worthy of the self-improvement and self-discovery that I came to make. He is a true healer. I will forever be grateful to Juan, who I now consider a dear friend.
The rest of the family you will find to be lovely. From Manuel, the elder shaman, to Tiwi, the specialist in temazcal and other plant medicines, to Fernanda and Stefani, you will feel very much at home. For those that don’t speak Spanish, Stefani speaks perfect English and is a phenomenal translator. Fernanda cooks really well, and her and Tiwi’s daughter Nury is adorable. The pets were also a ton of fun. This group is a loving bunch and just a good vibe all around. The other guests during my time were also fantastic and there was no divide between family and guests.
Aside from this, the non-ayahuasca activities were phenomenal. We spent time with the local Tsachila community, went on some amazing hikes, did temazcal (sweat lodge), spiritual cleansing, reiki, massages, spent time outside, and learned about Tsachila culture and history, among other things. I have been traveling for eight months in Latin America and this was one of my most culturally impactful experiences throughout my travels. I could’ve spent the week here without taking ayahuasca and it still would’ve been a highlight of my trip.
All said, I came for the ayahuasca, but I stayed for everything else. If you have the calling to take ayahuasca, this is the place for it, whether you are a veteran or first-timer. Sending all my love to my Tsachila family and I’m excited to see you again soon.
jesse Randall
May 18, 2023 at 8:14 pmI chose this location because I desired an authentic experience and wanted to be submersed in culture. Juan and his team are very caring and knowledgeable. The path towards self improvement is not easy, however they are eager to equip you with tools to aid the journey. I was comfortable and well taken care of. If you are researching places to attend I would encourage you to look here. I cannot imagine a more caring group of people. I arrived a stranger but left a family member.
laurenmccarthy
May 12, 2023 at 1:34 pmAwakenings Ayahuasca stood out for me due to its location, just two hours west of Quito. The other high points of the retreat were the well known shamans, the ayahuasca and kambo ceremonies, energy cleansing, sweat lodge and activities. I will start by saying the grounds are beautiful, the food is healthy and delicious, and there are quiet places to relax and reflect. My cabin had two comfortable queen beds with an attached bathroom and shower. These are all wonderful aspects but they are just the setting for what is really important: healing and love is what you will find here because you are surrounded by a beautiful and caring family. True healing is difficult if you are not in a loving and judgment-free environment. Shaman Manuel and Augusto’s vast knowledge of plant medicines and Juan’s specialty in treating trauma helped guide me on my journey of self-understanding, taught me how to take on life’s challenges and discharge the toxic people from my life. They really showed me what was holding me back and keeping me from realizing my inner strengths, and the power I have to change myself. The plant medicine is powerful and transformative and I will never forget the experience I was privileged to have here. I highly recommend this retreat to those who want to heal on a more profound level. It is serious work but the rewards are permanent.
Grant Kettering
May 4, 2023 at 4:44 pmI am currently traveling around South America on a cultural tour and chose Awakenings Ayahuasca Tsachila because Manuel and Augusto are experts in botanical medicine and ethnobotany. I participated in the 14 day ayahuasca/kambo retreat and then stayed an additional week to learn about the plants the indigenous people of the Andes use. It was a once in a lifetime experience learning from these master yachaks (shamans). Their village is a peaceful paradise surrounded by mountains and nature. The Calazacón family are some of the most welcoming and gracious people I have ever met, so I strongly recommend Awakenings Ayahuasca Tsachila as a place to experience the sacred medicinal plants, learn about botanical medicine, and the fascinating Tsachila way of life.
LeslieBrad
May 3, 2023 at 5:04 pmAwakenings was such an incredible experience. The kindness and love shown to me and my boyfriend by this Tsachila family will live in our hearts forever. It is truly a special place for those who come with open hearts and minds. It is a place of reflection, love, growth and healing for those who seek it. I will never forget the lessons these shamans taught me and will forever be grateful. About the retreat itself, the property is stunning, especially the waterfalls in walking distance, the cabins are meticulously kept, and the meals Fernanda cooked were savory and healthy. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was such a joy to spend time laughing and playing with the children of the community Matias, Nury, Maite, Darylin and Yahara. Overall, if you are looking for a loving place to heal yourself, experience the magic that is Ayahuasca, connect with your higher consciousness, and grow spiritually, while also learning about the fascinating Tsachila culture then this is the perfect place for you. I would love to return someday.