Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
The Eagle Condor Alliance offers 10 Day Sacred Medicine Retreats in the mountains outside of Medellin, Colombia. Our next retreat dates are June 23rd – July 2nd.
Participants stay in comfortable glamping, camping, and shared cabin accommodations while experiencing traditional Ayahuasca (Yagé), San Pedro Cactus, Peyote and Temazcal (Inipi) ceremonies.
At Eagle Condor Alliance, our central mission is to spread consciousness, awareness and love by being the bridge between our participants and the ancient traditions and sacred medicines of the Americas. We are ultimately concerned with supporting the elders of these traditions and with conserving the forests of Colombia where these medicines, traditions, and wisdoms are found.
Healing With All of the Sacred Medicines
We offer the sacred plants of the Americas in one powerful and rejuvenating 10 day retreat. Ayahuasca, San Pedro, and Lakota Sioux inipi (sweat lodge) ceremonies each have their own unique spirit, tradition, and way of showing us to ourselves. We believe that using these plants together in guided contexts creates the most profound and curative spiritual experience.
Intensive Plant Medicine Immersion Experience
The demanding itinerary of ECA retreats requires that participants approach the medicine with respect, reverence and strength. These medicines lead us to confront both the beauty and darkness in each of us, and will power is needed to maintain consistent focus on our transformative internal process during the retreat.
Our Commitment to the Individual
Each participant comes with his or her own past experiences, health concerns, goals, ambitions, medical history, and intentions for the retreat. At ECA, we have small retreat groups. The group is cared for by 3 group facilitators and 2 experienced healers who are committed to creating bonds of trust and compassion that form the foundation for the healing processes of participants.
Experienced Healers and The Purest Medicine
ECA’s healers have been finding, harvesting, and preparing their own medicines to the benefit of their respective communities for over 40 years. They offer these gifts from Mother Earth in their purest forms. ECA’s medicines are never altered or mixed with other substances or plants. They are provided with respect and love in traditional ceremonies from the Cofán community of the Amazon, the Lakota-Sioux of North America, and the traditional Andean peoples.
The Setting – Colombia’s Natural Beauty
The retreat centre is located at an altitude of 2300m surrounded by dense Andean sub tropical rain forest, spectacular views of the valley, pristine drinking water, your own private river, hiking, wildlife, and comfortable glamping and camping options
Comfort and Rejuvenation
Comfort is a crucial element in this reviving and re-energizing experience, and it’s typically forgotten by most other retreat centers. Participants at ECA retreats: sleep in comfortable, soft beds, take hot showers, eat delicious, healthy cuisine, drink fresh mountain water, walk outside without being devoured by insects, and are given ample alone time for reflection and self-examination. The mild climate also helps us rest.
Convenience and Price
Fly direct into Medellin’s international airport for a fraction of what it costs to get to Cusco, Leticia, Iquitos or other locations, and arrive at the retreat center in under 30 minutes via our private transport. No special vaccinations or injections required. We provide all food, housing, and on the ground transport in order to make our retreat relaxing and hassle free.
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Kaci12
December 4, 2016 at 3:21 pmAfter the unexpected passing of my husband I was trying to heal as well as figure out the new direction of my life. My husband had been the one to suggest plant medicine before his passing. It was a synchronistic sequence of events that brought me to Eagle Condor Alliance. The kind that one best not to ignore.
Before reserving a space, the facilitators at ECA schedule a Skype meeting to discuss the program and to learn about your goals. This is a two way interview to make sure that this is a good fit. I felt very comfortable after this meeting which helped ease any apprehension before arrival.
Upon arrival at ECA I felt incredibly welcome. The facilitators Hans and Jesse did a great job making sure we felt comfortable in our rooms or tents and were fed a nourishing meal. As other participants arrived the cohesion of the group was really strong. I think this was partially created by the tone that was set all the way back in our Skype interviews.
The program of medicine and ceremonies is intense and invites you to go deep into your healing. The environment and support created by the healers and staff fosters a relationship of trust and safety. This is of the utmost importance when embarking on this journey into the infinite with plant medicines. The level of integrity that each person at ECA has is very high. They deeply respect the medicine, the process, the lineage, the land, each other, and every person who joins them.
The healers are the real deal. They have devoted decades of their lives to this work and they do not compromise the integrity of medicine one bit. They are humble, well-experienced, and open to answering all your questions and meeting one on one to provide support.
I had a deeply healing experience and I know I will be returning when the medicine and my spirit call me back. I definitely recommend ECA to anyone who is considering a path with plant medicine.
mojave
December 1, 2016 at 6:07 pmI returned a week ago from the retreat at Eagle Condor November 11-20 and I have to say it was the most profound and healing experience of my life.
On a leap of faith, from reviews on the internet and a skype conversation with co-owner Jesse, I went to Medellin. My experience there surpassed my greatest hopes in all regards. Jesse and Hans, who run the center, have the highest integrity imaginable, and offer a retreat experience that is impeccable. The shamans, Greison and Gonzalo, are the real thing, carrying forward traditional ceremonies that date back many millennia. Every single individual involved with ECA is a top notch human being.
Words can describe the experience. I have so much gratitude to ECA for their service in bringing these traditional plant medicines to a wider audience. If you are thinking about it, just go! These guys are the real thing, full stop.
deeratemytomatoes@gmail.com
November 24, 2016 at 5:22 amI found Eagle Condor Alliance after a thorough search on the internet. I was struggling with severe PTSD and needed more relief than could be provided through available medical/counseling treatments. A social worker who was helping me find adequate therapies said that “It has been said that ayahuasca is a very helpful treatment for people with PTSD.” She made sure to be off the record for her recommendation but made sure that I was clear of how helpful she thought it could be for me. I researched every site I could find since I heard about the importance of traditions being honored and the importance of a shaman who had a lot of experience as well as reverence for the medicine.
When I found Eagle Condor Alliance I was impressed by their detailed lists of what would be a safe way to prepare for the experience. I also appreciated how they were conscientious of screening and skyping with me to know that I was ready to commit myself to this intense experience. The thing that made me know I was in safe hands was when I was skyping for intake and had an emotional moment and Jesse (one of the boys as I call them) heard my emotion and immediately sat up and came to close attention to take in my heart.
Being there was intense. I was not able to partake of the first few ceremonies due to my moon cycle. I was very respectful of the reasons for that and was aware before travel that this was an issue to be discussed. This establishment is very traditional and that is why I trusted them with my most vulnerable subconscious self. They showed themselves to be worthy of that trust.
Over my week with three of my favourite people I had a vulnerable healing time where some things in my life changed forever. Greison was very in touch with the energy going on in the maloka and came to my aid before I sensed a need. I am a highly sensitive person. Also, each of the Three Amigos were very attentive and walked me through the process. More than anyone, Bobby was such a kindred soul and shared stories and songs with me that gave me courage. Hugging them all goodbye was so sad since we shared such a deep experience. I hope to see this team again.
All I can say to any females is that it is very important to plan your ayahuasca trip around your moon cycle. Don’t lie about it. We are all energetic beings and our cycle is not the time to partake of deep spiritual cleansing… My first ayahuasca was at the end of my cycle and it was amazing but super intense. If you could plan for being there at the end of your cycle you will not miss out on any sessions. Just make sure to not bother being dishonest. This is an very energetically sensitive medicine. Some people think it’s not a big deal, but even at the end of my cycle the intensity was huge. Great people to share your soul with
abanfill
November 17, 2016 at 9:02 pmI didn’t know what to expect when I was called by Yaje and ECA, nor was I particularly conscious of the calling or optimistic about the outcome, but I’m happy to report that it was the most positively impactful experience of my life.
A decade of ‘searching,’ via a multitude of methods (ie: therapy, yoga, anti-depressants, various flavors of meditation retreats, moving to Nepal for 9 months to study Tibetan Buddhism guided by accomplished Lamas, distance running, nutrition, insert self-help item here), was blown away by the time I spent with the medicines and healers at ECA.
It is the best thing you can do for yourself, your loved ones, and the planet.
erin79
October 24, 2016 at 12:05 amAfter a couple of months of researching retreats, I found ECA. Whereas several others took days to respond, often with barely a 2-line email, ECA responded immediately. The next day one of the organizers Skyped with me for over an hour, answered every question and was very informative. That was the first sign of the level of intention and attentiveness Jesse, Bobby, and Hans put into their work. That level of care carried through to the very end of the retreat.
–Cost- yes, there are some cheaper places, but ECA has several pricing options. Also, you absolutely get what you pay for. You’re very well fed, accommodations are great, shared spaces and the surrounding area are beautiful, and everyone involved is constantly working to make sure you’re comfortable. Beyond that, I never once felt unsafe, even during the most intense ceremonies. Added bonus, from US/Canada, flights are $2-300 less than they are to Iquitos, Peru.
–Healers/Facilitators- Everyone involved is serious and discernibly dedicated to the work they do. When you leave the hut to purge, a facilitator is 2 steps behind. At very intense moments, they’re there to calmly talk you down. They are lucid, super-attentive, and really good at keeping everything smooth. They’re all also totally accessible to chat, and are genuinely great guys.
–Medicine- most importantly, the medicine here was strong, pure, safe, and definitely did not short change you on intensity. What else can you ask for? The ceremonies are serious and intense, but well curated. That’s not say they weren’t often fun too, but an environment is provided where you can really work with the medicines and focus on your experience.
Downtime was also really nice here, with plenty of incredible food and great grounds for just hanging out–fire pits, hammocks, great view of Medellin.
Also, the healers and facilitators live on the grounds, practice what they preach, donate 25% to Amazon land conservation, and they don’t jam 30 people into ceremonies. Aka- this is not a tourist trap in it for the money.
Lastly, notice how many reviews single out the staff by name. That’s a result of, again, everyone involved working really hard to make sure you have a great experience.
If you’re trying to choose a place, I’ll just say, flying to a foreign place to work with extremely potent medicines to sort out often deep internal issues is daunting enough. Do it somewhere trustworthy, with good people, where worries about safety et al won’t distract you from the work you need to do. ECA is totally that kind of place. I’m glad I went, and hope to go back.