This 5-day retreat in Ecuador offers a rare opportunity to engage in traditional ayahuasca work under the guidance of indigenous Kichwa elder Don Carlos. Designed for those who feel a sincere calling, it combines ceremony, cultural immersion, nature, and integration in a respectful and structured setting.

During the retreat, participants take part in two ayahuasca ceremonies, each accompanied by an individual cleansing session. Before every ceremony, a traditional flower bath is offered to help cleanse and align your energy. The ceremonies are held in a spacious circular temple created specifically for this work, and each one begins with a group briefing and preparation materials to support a clear and informed experience.

Ayahuasca is served in the evening, and participation is always voluntary. After the medicine is taken, guests rest on comfortable mattresses while the process unfolds naturally. Throughout the night, Don Carlos works with sacred songs, traditional instruments, and energetic cleansings, offering individual support to each participant. He also performs personal limpia sessions, using plants and ancestral techniques to help restore balance and release heavy energies.

The following morning, two guided integration sessions with translation provide space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive insight from the elder. Private conversations with Don Carlos or the facilitators are also available for those who need more personal guidance. Integration is considered an essential part of the retreat, helping participants bring the experience into everyday life in a grounded and meaningful way.

Beyond the ceremonies, the retreat includes guided jungle walks with an indigenous Kichwa guide, who explains medicinal plants and their traditional uses. You will also explore the Amazon forest with an expert who shares knowledge of healing and shamanic plant traditions. Cultural activities offer a deeper connection to Kichwa life through music, body painting, and traditional handicraft workshops.

Time for rest is also part of the journey. Guests can relax and bathe in the sacred Piatúa River, which local indigenous communities regard as a place of healing power. Travel to the retreat center is arranged in a private vehicle, with optional pickup from your hotel and a scenic drive through the Amazon. A detailed PDF guidebook is provided to help you prepare for the retreat, the ceremonies, and the process ahead.

Don Carlos Landazuri is a 78-year-old native Kichwa yachak and traditional healer from Napo in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He has received teachings from his elders since childhood and has spent decades working with the spiritual forces of nature, including plants, waterfalls, lagoons, mountains, stones, caves, and forests. His ceremonies are known for strong protection, powerful individual cleansing rituals, and deep respect for ancestral tradition.

The retreat center is located in Pastaza, about 4 hours from Quito and 1 hour from Tena and Puyo. Set within a 23-hectare private reserve beside the crystal-clear Piatúa River and bordering protected rainforest and Llanganates National Park, it offers bamboo cabins, private or shared rooms, orthopedic beds, mosquito nets, hot showers, regular cleaning, solar electricity, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Included in the 5-day retreat price:

Accommodation in a private room for 4 nights (5 days), for 1 person, a couple, or a family
All meals and drinks at the center, including carnivore, vegetarian, or vegan cuisine
2 ayahuasca ceremonies
2 individual cleansing sessions with the shaman
2 integration sessions
2 aromatic plant baths
2 guided jungle excursions
Cultural activities with the Kichwa tribe

Available for an extra fee:

Transport from Quito/airport to the center on the first day, or return to Quito/airport ($130 per vehicle)
Extra nights at the center ($25 USD per person/night)
Meals on additional days of your stay ($10 USD per meal)
Additional individual treatment sessions for specific conditions, upon consultation
Extra activities from the “Extras” list

For safety, all participants must complete a health screening and fully disclose any medical conditions, medications, and supplements. This retreat is not suitable for everyone, including people with heart conditions or high blood pressure, psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or severe mental illness, those using antidepressants, antipsychotics, or MAO inhibitors, and individuals with epilepsy or serious medical conditions.

The 5-day format may begin on the 1st day and end on the 5th day, or begin on the 5th day and end on the 9th day, so some preparatory activities may vary depending on when you join.

Plant medicine ceremonies in Santa Clara

Plant medicine ceremonies in Santa Clara