A 5-day initiation into sacred medicine, guided by wisdom keepers of the Andes.
In a culture shaped by performance, consumption, and constant distraction, something deeper within you may still be listening.
It remembers the earth. It remembers your breath. It remembers truth.
The ancestral journeys at Casa Del Sol are not an escape from life, but a ceremonial return to it.
Held in the heart of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, this sacred immersion is guided by revered elders whose lives are devoted to plant medicine, indigenous tradition, and integration as a way of being.
This is a portal.
Ximena & Santiago: Guardians of the Sacred Casa Del Sol
For decades, Ximena Morales and Santiago Ayala have walked the path of medicine, service, and reverence. They are wisdom keepers, and their work is deeply devotional.
Through authentic relationships with the plants and the teachings passed down by their own elders, they hold each ceremony as a living prayer and a sacred encounter with your own soul.
Their ability to see, support, guide, and honor your unique path is what makes this journey unlike any other.
These are doorways for the committed.
Held beneath the stars or the sun in sacred open-air malokas, surrounded by the living presence of nature, you will enter into communion with two of the Earth’s greatest teachers: Ayahuasca, the Vine of the Soul, and Huachuma (San Pedro), the Heart of the Mountain.
Ayahuasca is the mirror, the great grandmother, the truth-teller. She reveals what is hidden and what has been forgotten, not to punish, but to purify.
Huachuma is the bridge, the wise grandfather, the heart-opener. He teaches through the body, through beauty, through laughter and light, leading you inward with deep love rather than force.
Together, these medicines speak the language of your soul. You do not understand with the mind alone, but with your whole being.
Held by elders devoted to the sacred reciprocity of this work, and supported by live music, prayer, silence, and ritual, you are not simply taking medicine. You are being met by Spirit.
Beyond the master plants, you will be held by ancient rituals of the four elements, song, and touch. These are among the most grounding and precious parts of the journey.
Entering the Temazcal is a return to the womb of Pachamama.
It is a ceremony of surrender, a prayer carried on the breath, sung into stone, and born through fire.
Inside this sacred geometric dome, stones are awakened by flame and become Abuelitas, the great mothers glowing red with memory of the origin. Herbs such as copal, sage, and cedar support purification, vitality, and regeneration, inviting the release of sweat, story, burden, and ego.
The Temazcal is a place where the mind softens, the body is humbled, and the soul listens.
At Casa Del Sol, integration holds the container.
Every moment outside ceremony is designed to ground your experience into your body and your life. Through guided sharing circles, nature immersion, bodywork, and time in silence, you’ll receive tools to anchor insight for lasting change.
This journey is for those ready to sit in their own fire and emerge transformed. It asks for courage and honesty. The process can be humbling, but the connection lasts forever. It is raw, real, and deep.
Those who join will be held with integrity by people who live these principles every day and move forward with discipline.
At maximum retreat capacity, there are 4 private rooms and 6 shared rooms. Shared and private accommodations are available in the main house and in cabins by the river. All rooms are close to clean bathrooms and include electricity.
The main home features a spacious living room, a large kitchen, a dining room for sixteen, a grassy courtyard, and a terrace surrounded by climbing flowers overlooking the valley. Nearby walking trails and flourishing gardens offer space for rest and gentle exploration.
Shared Cabins with River View - $850
Simple double rooms with bunk beds. 6 spots available. Located in a separate building about fifteen meters from the pristine Uchima river.
Shared Room in the Main House - $1,050
Spacious and comfortable rooms with a shared bathroom. 6 spots available. These rooms are inside the main house, close to meals, activities, and the living area.
Private Room in the Main House - $1,300
A comfortable room for one person in the main house with a shared bathroom outside. 1 spot available.
Private Cabin by the River - $1,300
A wooden cabin by the river for one person, a short distance from the bathroom complex. 2 spots available. Ideal for those seeking more privacy and a more intimate connection with nature.
These plant medicines work on multiple levels to purify the mind, body, and spirit. They cleanse physical, emotional, and energetic impurities accumulated over a lifetime and even through the ancestral lineage.
The preparation Dieta combines a food diet with a lifestyle diet, including emotional habits, attitudes, the information we receive, and the actions we engage in. Contemplative practice and physical conditioning are needed to become a clear container for the medicine.
Bring spending money in $20 bills or less, as larger notes are difficult to change in Ecuador. Please check your passport expiration date carefully, as passports must have more than 6 months remaining to be accepted for travel to Ecuador.
Casa del Sol Retreat Center is located in the Sacred Valley of San Pedro in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. The closest airport is Catamayo Loja Airport (LOH).
International flights arrive in Quito or Guayaquil, followed by domestic flights to Loja, available daily.
Airport pickup from Loja Airport to Casa del Sol in Vilcabamba is available for $30. Additional charges apply for extra nights.
Visit this family sanctuary and continue your healing journey by applying today. The sacred mountains and rushing river await.
These simple shared cabins are designed for double accommodation and feature bunk beds, offering a practical and comfortable stay for guests traveling together. Located in a separate building away from the main house, they provide a quiet, detached setting that feels close to nature while still being easy to access.
Just fifteen meters from the pristine Uchima River, the cabins offer a peaceful atmosphere with a refreshing natural backdrop. It is an ideal choice for those who want to stay near the water and enjoy the calming presence of the surrounding environment throughout their retreat.
With their uncomplicated style and riverside location, these cabins are well suited for guests looking for a simple, restful place to unwind and connect with the serene landscape.
Set within the main house, these spacious and comfortable shared rooms offer a welcoming stay with the added convenience of being close to the heart of the retreat. Guests enjoy a shared bathroom and easy access to the dining area, the living space, and selected activities that take place in the house itself.
This arrangement is ideal for those who appreciate a simple, social atmosphere and value being near the main gathering areas throughout their stay. The rooms provide a restful place to unwind while keeping you connected to the daily rhythm of the retreat, making it easy to move between meals, sessions, and moments of relaxation.
For guests seeking comfort, practicality, and a sense of community, this option combines a pleasant sleeping space with the benefit of staying right where much of the experience unfolds.
Designed for solo guests seeking a simple and restful stay, this comfortable room is located in the main house and offers a peaceful place to unwind between retreat activities. With a cozy, private setting, it provides just the right balance of privacy and ease for one person.
The bathroom is shared and located outside the room, making this an ideal option for travelers who value a practical and welcoming accommodation style. The atmosphere of the main house adds to the sense of connection and warmth, while still allowing for quiet moments of rest.
Whether you are joining a wellness retreat, yoga program, or simply looking for a calm environment to recharge, this room offers a comfortable base for your stay.
Set beside the river, this wooden cabin offers a peaceful stay designed for one person. Located a short walk from the bathroom complex, it provides a simple and comfortable base for guests who value ease as well as quiet surroundings.
With its private setting and natural materials, the cabin creates an intimate atmosphere that feels closely connected to the landscape. It is a lovely choice for solo travelers seeking more privacy, space to unwind, and a deeper sense of immersion in nature.
The exotic bungalow style adds a unique charm to the experience, making it especially appealing for those who want a more personal and restful retreat. Here, the focus is on calm, simplicity, and the soothing presence of the river nearby.
Ximena Morales is a mother, vision seeker, and co-founder of Casa del Sol. Her early years were shaped by the difficult internal conflict in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s, an experience that deeply influenced her spiritual path from a young age. Since the age of 21, she has lived close to nature, surrounded by rivers and mountains in the...
Read moreSantiago Ayala
Via a Sacapo San Pedro, Vilcabamba, 110119, Ecuador
Loja