Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
>
Room Features
Property Features
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.
Add Review
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Matthew Spencer
April 8, 2023 at 1:35 pmFirst some context around my decision in selecting Awakenings Ayahuasca. I felt the calling to do Ayahuasca back in 2018, so this trip has been a long time coming. I researched many retreats extensively before deciding upon taking my first Ayahuasca journey. The experience and knowledge that Manuel has being an authentic shaman was the main reason that I chose to come to Awakenings Ayahuasca. I read Itzhak Beery’s books on shamanism and learned of Manuel and his brother Agusto’s extensive background in plant medicine and knew they would be the right people to help guide me on my journey. I can honestly say this was one of the best life decisions I have ever made. Let me first start by talking about the center itself. Awakenings Ayahuasca Retreat Museo Etnografico is an authentic Tsachila village on indigenous land so all of the money goes directly to the Tsachila people. It was an incredible experience to learn about the Tsachila way of life and Manuel, Augusto, Twinsa and Juan are all full of wisdom and different shamanic knowledge. Their stories, cultural music/ dances, knowledge of their ancestral medicine/plants, and the preparation of the sacred Ayahuasca itself made for the most fascinating experience. There was never a dull moment around the bonfires or on hikes to one of the beautiful waterfalls, and connecting with Mother Nature on the walks down to the river. Manuel and Agusto’s family take a huge amount of care in every single detail of the Awakenings Ayahuasca experience. They are incredible people who were there for all of us in the group when we needed them. They were so unbelievably kind, accommodating, and patient while expertly and safely guiding us through the Ayahuasca ceremonies. I felt safe, cared for, unjudged and very comfortable. I applaud everyone at the retreat and will be forever grateful for the once in a lifetime experience I shared with them.
Kristen P
March 29, 2023 at 11:24 pmI have so many wonderful things to say about this place and my experience there, I’m not even sure where to start. I was greeted at the airport by Juan and Stephanie, both smiling despite it being a chilly, rainy night and almost midnight! We stayed in hotel in the city that night because it was very late and a long windy drive to Santo Domingo. I’m glad because I was able to see a bit of the country with the daytime drive. When we arrived, there was lots going on, the little village was busy. My hut was great, exactly as pictured. My meals were great, as promised, I had WiFi the whole time. I traveled there alone and I always felt safe. Everyone in the community included me and made me feel comfortable. There was always something to do, even if it was just laying around in a hammock. It was the people that really made this special. The excellent service started right away. From the moment I posted on The Ayahuasca Facebook page I was on, I got great service. At first I thought it was too good to be true that they were so attentive to all of my questions and the response time. After going there, I just see that they are just really humble people and trying to share their knowledge and gifts with as many quality people as possible and raise money to make improvements to their little village. I was suppose to bring my 11yo son with me but was unable to, I wish he could have made it. It is such a different lifestyle. Juan, Emanuel and Augusta were all amazing too, so much love went into my ceremonies. I know as the days pass I will continue to feel the effects of Mother Ayahuasca and I welcome all of the changes to come. I didn’t go to the waterfalls, it was a tad chilly and I am a baby when it come to that! I could have sat in the Temascal all day though! One of my favorite moments that really touched my heart though was with the women named Judy there. Judy does the massages and she does not speak English. After the massage, I was all wrapped up in my towel and we got to chatting using google translate with the laptop that was there playing the relaxing music. We went back and forth for a while and I explained to her I suffered from depression and ai was hoping the Ayahuasca would help. I also told her that when I left there I was traveling in Ecuador by myself for a few days and I watched as she typed “I admire you”. I think that was the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. It was real, it was genuine and so touching. She is a refugee and does not have an easy life with two beautiful little boys, I admire her too ❤️ I didn’t get to tell her that, but I’m sure she will now know. I wouldn’t change any part of this experience ever and I will go back again, and again and again. My love to anyone reading this right now, I would recommend Juan and his whole family to anyone. If you go, there is a beautiful little girl there that would be over the moon with some Nutella! XO thank you!
Saguaro
March 29, 2023 at 9:51 amOn life’s journey to find truth and wisdom I discovered Awakenings Ayahuasca. The place is absolutely magical. The Tsachila family who run it are master shamans, compassionate, present and just all around wonderful human beings. I have sat with Ayahuasca a few times but always get a little anxious about it right before. Juan and Manuel’s ceremonies, with the rest of the staff’s assistance, gave me such a sense of security that I felt very at ease and relaxed. Their wonderful support throughout was vital as it allowed me to surrender to the experience and made it easy to let go and be in the present moment. Since 2020 I had been feeling very off balance, lost, and stuck in life. I was drawn to this particular retreat because I had read about Manuel’s expertise in energy purification, alignment of chakras, and assisting in opening one’s 3rd eye. I was thrilled to find out he is also a certified lymphatic massage therapist. Once I got there I learned that his wisdom is more vast than I could have ever imagined. I received personalized guidance from all three powerful shamans who specialize in different areas and words can’t even communicate the transformative power of their ceremonies. With their knowledge and guidance I learned to live in the heart space and less in my mind space, where we usually are in the chaos we call our daily life. This place was everything I had hoped for and MORE. If you are looking to connect to your higher self Awakenings Ayahuasca will make it happen.
Michael S.
March 27, 2023 at 9:59 pmI’m happy you guys are finally on this page you deserve it. You are the most amazing retreat in Ecuador I have been to 4 and after I found you guys I will never stop attending. Def. A must go.
Owner
March 29, 2023 at 3:04 amThanks so much. It was a pleasure having you here. We will see you soon
Mason Stewart
March 27, 2023 at 8:26 pmI took that picture and love the expression on the Shaman’s face it’s amazing. My cleansing was like never I’ve experienced before. My ayahuasca ceremony was something I still can’t put into words. I did 4 ceremonies and they were all so powerful, hard, intense yet magical. Can’t even describe. I am so thankful for the integration process after. Juan was very explanatory yet clear on his message. I can’t wait to be back this June. I’ve already booked for my second trip. I like how close this family is and it’s an authentic experience.
Owner
March 29, 2023 at 3:05 amI’m glad to hear you had a great experience