"I originally attended Arkana at the end of 2018, shortly after unexpectedly losing my eye to cancer. Suddenly confronted with the fragility of my own mortality and the possibility of an early death, I attended the retreat in a state of introspection and vulnerability. The result was an experience that changed who I am as a person; and dramatically transformed and strengthened my character in the face of adversity.
In April 2024, following a confirmation of metastases and a 12 month life expectancy, I returned to the jungle retreat with my fiancee, and found it to be as beautiful, necessary and transformative as the first, helping me to develop a relationship with my grief and a resolve to live the life I have, whatever that may end up being.
Arkana is a wonderful location, with excellent food and attentive staff. The small group you share your experiences with bonds in a way that is outside the norm, for the bonding occurs in a space of truth and shared vulnerability that is difficult to replicate in the broader world.
I cannot recommend Arkana enough. "
Highly Rated Retreats in Peru
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Types of Retreat in Peru
Short Retreats in Peru
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Upcoming Retreats in Peru
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Experiences on Retreat
"There is something magical about that place and the staff ….that's my first retreat so I wasn’t having any expectations like everyone else out there i dot have words to describe that experience I am not the same person my anxiety went away i am more calm person which is fantastic and there is some more work to be done but so far i am happy
Thanks "
"I have done 20 days Shamanic dieta program with PsychoNauta. Writing this review 30 days after finishing the program, so I had some time to come down and process :) A little background - I’m 42 years old and I have been on the self development path for about 15 years. Long term yoga/qigong practitioner, big on Vipassana meditation (3 x 10 days retreats + daily 1 hour practice for the last 3 years). Working with Ayahuasca for 4 years, did about 40 ceremonies before, including 1 month Shamanic dieta (Samakai) with Yawanawa tribe in Brazil. I’m not a beginner, but still a beginner… ;)
As spoiler, I’m extremely happy with the program and the results. It has totally exceed my expectations. I’m so grateful to the organisers for creating such a great conditions for this kind of work and to myself for taking the time and effort to do it - it requires quite some self-love, but it’s totally worthy and at the end you will thank yourself! But let’s go point by point:
Pre/post dieta support:
Great support, very quick and very good quality replies, super helpful with my special requests and I’m very grateful for it. Flawless pickup from the airport and transport to the place. Same about the way back. We were greeted with an amazing dinner on our arrival, followed by the comprehensive introduction meeting and intention sharing cycle. Very good, positive energy around.
Venue:
I was truly amazed with the location and the quality of the cabin I got! Totally isolated from the rest of the group, I had to go for about 10min deep in the forest to get there. Beautiful cabin, with 360 degrees jungle view, mosquito nets serving as walls, 2 floors, mattress with extra mosquito net, hammock and the desk, very spacious - perfect conditions to do your dieta work. I could sing and play instruments as loud as I want without disturbing others. Please note that the longer you stay, the better cabin you get (at least during this retreat), but I think everybody was very happy with the housing, including people who stayed for 10 days.
Mosquito nets are of high quality with no holes, creating an internal area pretty much free from any insects. There is no electricity in the cabin and you need to use candles after dawn (all provided). This is really great and together with all jungle sounds, it creates amazing atmosphere. Area is safe, there are no dangerous animals around. Also very nice to do the jungle walks during the day.
If you do yoga and/or meditation, great to take a yoga matt and the meditation pillow with you. It’s also very humid there, and it’s good to protect your clothes from getting wet overnight. There is a big plastic box in the cabin, but if you take some extra plastic bags for your clothes, it can help.
Closest toilet was around 10min walk from the cabin, which I liked as it forced me to walk more :) Alternatively you can always go into the bush and do the business there. It’s not easy to build the toilet in the jungle, but they did a great job here. It was clean, no smell as it also had a mosquito nets instead of walls and it was private at the same time. There is also water and soap dispenser to wash your hands just next to it. Top!
Maloka (where ceremonies are taking place) is another great jungle construction. Mosquito nets everywhere, plus anti-mosquito coils at the entrance to not let them in when doors are open. Coils were also available for free for the cabin use. Great ceremonial space, 20 bets arranged in the circle, toilets and shower right outside.
It was about 15min walk from my cabin to Maloka and it was the only shower available on the camp, but it was totally fine. As I said, I appreciated every opportunity to walk a bit more :)
Food:
Food is delivered daily to your cabin twice a day (around 8 and 12 o’clock). It’s a diet food, which is very limited, however I was quite happy with the quality and the quantity, while taking those strict diet conditions into account. What was great - if you need more food, you can just ask and they will increase your portion - they don’t do any problems about that. The diet has many health benefits, including cleansing and potential cancer preventing / cancer removing effects. You will also lose a few kilograms over the course of the diet. Your energy level will be much lower than what you’re used to, however body might adjust over the time and become more efficient - for me around day 15, I was pretty much back and felt quite amazing.
Program:
I truly love the design and the setup of the program. Isolation and noble silence are so important for this kind of work and we had perfect conditions to observe it. Ceremonies are pretty much every second day and they are hold by Shipibo shamans. Very high quality of work in a totally safe environment. You can really feel comfortable and relax there, it’s safe and you can just let go and immerse yourself in the process, guided by the beautiful chants of the Shipibo people. The medicine served is of a very high quality, one of the best I’ve ever tried and its consistent during the course of the diet. It’s very important as after the first ceremony, you have a good idea about the strength of it and you can decide later if you want more or less - it’s always your choice. My personal tip is to aim for a stronger experience, but it’s also okay to measure the challange to your capabilities.
On the day after the ceremony you have an optional consultation with Blazej, who is running the place. He’s very knowledgable, lots of experience, background in psychology - I found those talks extremely useful and they helped me tremendously to build a proper attitude towards the diet and the lessons that appear during that period. He’s giving a really good tips and you can trust him - he really wants you to grow and your progress is the best reward for his work. Amazing guy!
Summary:
It was one of the best and most valuable experiences in my life! 30 days after the program, I can see a lot of positive changes in myself! I feel like I’ve built fresh fundaments of my new me, that I’ll keep working on and evolving further. Those fundamentals contain love, gratitude and compassion for anything that I might be facing in life, regardless how pleasant at first it can be.
The program can be challenging at times, and it needs to be, as otherwise there won’t be much to learn. But you have a lot of space and time to work on whatever might come up from your inside. If you have a right attitude, those lessons might have a long lasting, life changing effects. I found the meditation extremely useful, I was doing 2 hours of meditation daily there and I learnt how practical it is. There are a very few things that I can’t process during one hour of meditation right now, especially if I do it daily. If I realise that something bothers me, I just sit for an hour and once I’m done - my heart is full of love, the problem is transformed into a lesson that I’m grateful for. It was a long way to get there, but every journey starts with a first step and I encourage you to go this path, the path of your heart. I’m also a human and I happen to have doubts, but I’m very happy that regardless of all of them, I decided to do the program and kept working and trying to get the best out of it, till the very last day. Trust the God, trust the process and trust yourself. I can recommend this program to anybody who is looking for a serious work and if you decide to do it, go for at least 20 days. After 10 days it was just a beginning and there were plenty lessons that I would miss - I was pouring lots of value into my diary every day. A lot of golden, life improving ideas, that I’m working on applying daily.
Blazej and Psychonauta Foundation, thanks a lot for everything, you helped me a lot and I hope our path will cross again one day. It’s beautiful what you're doing there, making the world a better place! This program can really help anybody to become a better version of yourself, a better human, a better father, a better son, a better partner, a better brother, a better leader, be better in whatever you’re doing.
Thanks a lot for everything, lots of love, Marcin!"
"While many reviews paint a perfect picture, I wanted to offer a more nuanced perspective on my experience at Soltara.
Soltara's Strengths
Professionalism and Experience: Soltara has a professional operation going, and it’s clear they’ve been doing this for awhile. There is a big team at the retreat center handling everything: food, facilitation, security, grounds keeping, etc… Overall coordination + planning was flawless. The ceremonies themselves were deeply thought through and it’s hard to think of what they could have done better.
Authentic Shipibo Practices: Soltara excels at preserving the traditional elements of Shipibo shamanism. It felt genuine and fascinating to be part of these practices.
Delicious Food: The food throughout the retreat was awesome.
Dietary Guidance: Soltara provided clear instructions and support regarding the pre-retreat dieta (dietary restrictions). The commitment from participants to the dieta was commendable.
Life-Changing Experiences: Witnessing the positive transformations of others was truly inspiring.
Comfortable setting: Modern, air-conditioned rooms, beautiful views, access to the beach.
Cons / areas for Improvement
Dry Season Ambiance: Playa Blanca during dry season does NOT look like the photos. In reality, the majority of the trees are barren. There are small fires around, and frequently the air smells smokey. At night, the atmosphere felt spooky to me (sort of nightmare-before-christmas-esque). If I was to come back, I would definitely do so during wet season!
Expectation of aligned worldview: If you’re not totally convinced that plants have spirits, and are uncomfortable saying ‘mother ayahuasca’, Soltara might not be the best fit. This vocabulary and worldview is pervasive here, and alternative views are not really mentioned. To be fair, it is an ayahuasca retreat, so I suppose much of this is to be expected, but it seemed to me that there was also a healthy dose of new-age spirituality inserted, which I have an aversion to. I thus had a hard time totally trusting the facilitators, which is a vital element of any psychedelic experience, and consequentially contributed to a feeling of not feeling totally safe. To be fair, much of that is my own problem. At no point was I genuinely in danger during the retreat, and the facilitators were there for me if I needed them.
Limited Pre-Retreat & Integration Support: An opportunity to meet fellow participants and facilitators beforehand would have been beneficial. Integration support felt somewhat lacking, with only a workbook and optional integration circles offered.
Group Size and Programming: Our group of 21 participated in all activities as a single unit. More small group interaction and additional programming outside of meals, ceremonies, and daily meetings could enhance the experience.
In Conclusion
Soltara excels at providing a well-run, authentic Shipibo-style Ayahuasca experience with modern conveniences. However, manage your expectations regarding the dry season environment and the prevalence of new-age spirituality. If these aspects align with your preferences, Soltara is an excellent choice"
"Words can't describe how phenomenal this was. Firstly, I was amazed at how kind, strong, and open minded my fellow attendees were. Great friendships were forged, and I'll be keeping in touch with and visiting many of them. The facilitators and staff were so professional and ready for any situation that emerged during the ceremonies. Whatever they are making, it isn't enough! Personally the emotional support that I received from these people during and outside of the ceremonies was lifesaving, and it got me through some very difficult moments. On top of that, the Shipibo healers themselves were incredible. I've never met people with the kind of unconditional loving energy that they displayed, and the work that they performed on us at each ceremony was profound, mystical and wonderful. The energy of the songs that they sung to us was powerful. Finally, the food served at every meal was out of this world! Fresh organic tropical fruits I had never tried, chia seed pudding, guacamole, hummus, mini omelettes, etc. I miss it all! I have come back home with a new love for myself and the people in my life. Soltara is well worth the money, and I hope to go back again."
"I’m so glad I did this. It was exactly what I needed to get out of this negative space I’ve been stuck in for too long. I’m forever grateful and can’t wait to return in the future one day. Thank you!!!"
"Stephano showed us a lot of things that normal tourists do not get to see and offered a great knowledge about Inka and prae-Inka Cultures. He escorted us on our spiritual experience very well and with gratis experience. We are very grateful."
"The retreat in the jungle was an insightful and mind-blowing experience. Will start with the organization of Arkana Spiritual Center. Very organized, kind, genuine and helpful.
Starting from all the instructions and preparations you need before you start the retreat until the last good bye ceremony. The facilitators were very clear with their explanations for any activity done and insightful in case we needed their perspective on certain view.
The venue itself is amazing as well. i could finally disconnect from the outer world and connect with the nature. The food was tasteful and delicious, so fresh and healthy. Each of the ceremonies brought to light things that i was avoiding to acknowledge and to work on. So grateful to have gone on this journey and have met some incredible human beings with whom i shared unforgetable moments. i would recommend this type of journey to people who are ready to work with the medicine, who trust the medicine and who trust the process and the incredible team of Arkana. "
"I came to Arkana from New York looking for answers for the next level of my spiritual evolution. In the 7 days that i was there, my questions were answered, the pain that i carried for many years was released, the connection with myself got strengthened, and my consciousness expanded in way that I could have never imagined.
If you're looking for healing, or personal expansion, or reconnecting with your authentic self - this is the right place. It is a retreat with 5-star accommodations, top-notch chefs, and, most importantly, a team of facilitators and staff of incredibly kind people.
This is a place of Love."
"This experience has changed my life as well as those who mean the most to me. My children. I came to Arkana wanting things that I didn't need. You will get what you need and not what you want. I heard this 100 times during my stay. Well it's true. I did get what I needed. It was a release of all the guilt and pain from being in the Marine Corps and not living up to being a good father to my 5 children. I was shown that I can't make up for it but I can be a better example for them going forward. I'm not going to say this was easy because it was, for me, the hardest thing I've ever been through but I did what facilitators asked me to do " Trust the Process" and it has made me want to walk the path that's best for me and my family. I'm forever indebted to Arkana and especially all the facilitators and the wonderful staff. I AM LOVE AND I AM LOVED now. Joe T"
"I just returned home after my second retreat with Soltara at Playa Blanca in Costa Rica. I did a ton of research starting over a year ago before I booked my first retreat with them in June 2023. It was an amazing experience, and I left knowing that I had more work to do and would be back. I scheduled my second retreat with them for April 2024 and it was the most healing and transformative experience of my life. The staff and the facilitators are top-tier. If you are looking for the perfect setting for your healing Ayahuasca journey, you have found it with Soltara. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They have amazing facilitators, staff, chef and food, yoga and rooms. The staff builds such a safe and intentional container for this important work. It makes ALL the difference. They also have after care support and other resources available for pre and post retreat. Which has been super helpful. Happy journeying "
"I recently completed my 10 day ayahuasca retreat and master plant dieta with Psychonauta Foundation. It was an absolutely incredible experience, I would definitely recommend this foundation to any seeking a true ayahuasca medicine experience. Our guide, Blazej, was amazing, kind, supportive, and so sincere in his practice. He is there with you for every step. His support staff were reflective in his nature, constantly providing support for participants. The individualized attention received from the shaman were powerful and deeply moving, to say the least. A very powerful experience in the jungles of Peru! I’m very grateful I was able to experience this blessing."
"Awesome."
"I took a great deal of time selecting the location and retreat centre I was going to do my healing with. From start to finish Soltara in Costa Rica stood out and delivered. Everything was simply incredible. The location, the food, the staff, the workers, the accommodations, everything. I look for to telling everyone about this place. Simply magical. Already looking forward to my return."
"Place is amazing"
"At the Arkana Spiritual Center, I had the opportunity to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony, and it was truly transformative. The staff members were not only professional but also incredibly courteous and supportive throughout the entire process. They created a warm and welcoming environment that immediately put me at ease. The ceremony itself was a profound and enlightening experience, and I felt safe and supported throughout. Overall, my time at the Arkana Spiritual Center was unforgettable, and I left with a renewed sense of self and purpose. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound spiritual experience."
"The experience itself was incredible and intense, I learned so much about myself and now I live a fuller life for it. I was truly impressed with how dedicated all the staff was. The shamans were incredible and the facilitators were kind and supportive. When I had difficulties navigating the experience they were there to guide and support me in an instant and I managed to turn a very challenging experience into a very constructive one.
Much gratitude and thanks to everyone at Psychonauta Foundation!"
"My experience at Soltara was truly amazing. The grounds are absolutely beautiful, located on a private property in the jungles of Costa Rica. You will get the chance to connect to nature through walks on the beach, swimming in the ocean, hiking trails and being exposed to wildlife. The grounds crew and cleaning staff do an excellent job of keeping Soltara in immaculate condition. THE FOOD! Delicious, organic, healthy meals every day. So delicious! And for me, the most important part of the experience was the facilitators. They are were the most caring, compassionate, present, skilled, knowledgeable, beautiful people I have ever been around. I could go on and on with qualities they possess. They’ve done the hard work to get there and it shows. I have immense gratitude and admiration for them. Words do not do this experience justice. You have to go through it to really know. If you feel the call, go for it! You won’t be disappointed. "
"I attended the 4 ceremony retreat in Playa Blanca and it was exceptional!
Great environment, knowledgeable facilitators, and yummy food. Highly recommend this life changing experience with Soltara."
"Seriously, this whole experience here was a game changer. I’ve never taken a hallucinate before and God lead me here to do it and now I know why. Blazedj, Sebastian, Eva, Flavio, the cooking staff, the Shamans and the people going through the ceremonies with me…man what can I say? I passed up those expensive money grabbing retreats where you can stay in an a/c room and big queen bed and all that other stuff you can get at home. If you want a truly life changing experience, this is where and how to do it. Our cabins had everything I needed to survive and have an amazing experience. The treks to the Maloca, to go shower, to go out for walks on the trails was awesome! Each morning in cabin 12, I was visited by the most beautiful Blue Morpho butterfly who gave me hope and brought pure happiness to my days. I say wild monkeys and heard birds and other creatures I’ve never heard of in my life! And if you’re scared of taking Ayahuasca, as someone who has never taken a hallucinate before, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The one to fear is you. I learned a lot about me whether I wanted to or not. And though my experiences were challenging, I would never change it. I learned…a lot!
For a truly remarkable and once in a lifetime experience, do your journey here with these amazing people. You will leave blessed!
Mahalo,
Keahi"
"Compassion and a deep commitment to the healing process were evident in all aspects of the Soltara retreat I attended. So was the effort to support a highly individualized and deeply personal journey. I am so happy and grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a Soltara retreat."
"I spent two weeks at Arkana in the Sacred Valley, and it was nothing short of an amazing experience. Everything from the food, rooms, showers, maestros, facilitators, setting, location, schedule, and the medicines were all perfect.
The maestros were extremely powerful and professional. They have dedicated their lives to working with the medicines, and have sacrificed a lot, doing many years of intense diets, to learn from the plants, and share their wisdom to hold ceremonies, and heal people from all over the world who come here. They care so much about helping people. I couldn’t imagine going through these strong medicine experiences without a guide of their caliber. Their songs and icaros in ceremony are magical.
The food was way beyond my expectations. It is like gourmet food from a fancy restaurant. It follows all guidelines to adhere to the ayahuasca diet, but is bursting with flavor and incredibly fresh. Much of it is grown on site in the garden. You can tell the chef puts so much love into every dish. He was a chef at a fancy restaurant in Lima before coming to Arkana.
The setting of the retreat is very serene and peaceful. It is right on the Urubamba River, and is a beautiful garden setting. Hummingbirds are flying all around the beautiful flowers. The rooms are very comfortable, and have amazing showers. They also have a nice gym overlooking the river.
The facilitators are also top notch. They were so helpful every step along the way. Luke, Theo, Bob, Tunde, and Cinzia were all so great. They helped talk me through difficult times, and gave me advice along the way. They shared their experiences with me, and really helped encourage me to trust the medicine and the process. They did a wonderful job at helping me with every need I had during the ceremonies, and outside of the ceremonies. They play beautiful music during ceremony as well. They were always there to talk and help. They care very much about helping others, as many of them were originally guests at Arkana themselves. I can’t speak highly enough about them!
They say the power of Arkana lies in the schedule. I found the way that each week is scheduled to be very beneficial for the way the different medicines work together. Two back to back Ayahuasca ceremonies, then a day off. Then, the Sapo ceremony, followed by another Ayahuasca ceremony, really allows you to go deep. Then, finishing off the week with a San Pedro on Friday is amazing! It is such a good way to bring everything together with such a beautiful, heart opening medicine. It really helped ground me, after intense Sapo and Ayahuasca experiences. It really connects you to nature, yourself and the group.
Last of all, the medicines at Arkana are very powerful. They are known to have strong medicine with a high level of purity. No watered down medicine here! They work with you to figure out the right dose for each person. You can up your dose or lower it, depending on how you feel, always with the guidance of the Maestros and the facilitators. Rest assured, these medicines work, and will take you where you need to go.
I will definitely go back to Arkana again in the future. I have been to other Ayahuasca centers that were also good, but Arkana is where I will be going back. I have so much trust in this place. Lots of intense, amazing healing is done here. It is a great place to go through whatever the medicine might put you through, and be so well taken care of along the way. You will come out of it with life lasting benefits! Thank you again, Arkana! "
"Thank you Arkana Sacred Valley for an incredible experience. The staff created a safe space for healing and growth. Luke, Tunde, Theo and Bob were phenomenal. They were always available to talk if you were having a hard time. The Maestro Misael was magical His compassion and wisdom are unmatched. I can’t wait to visit again. "
"If you're looking for a transformative journey wrapped in warmth and wonder, look no further than this ayahuasca retreat nestled in the heart of the Amazon jungle. From the moment you set foot in this stunning location, you're enveloped in a sense of belonging and alignment with nature.
The facilities are top-notch, with a refreshing pool to beat the tropical heat and comfortable beds to rest your weary soul after a day of exploration. The organization of the week is spot-on, striking a perfect balance between immersive activities in the Amazon and sacred ceremonies.
And let's talk about the food - a delightful surprise on the ayahuasca dieta! Who knew such culinary delights were possible? The dedicated staff are more than just hosts; they're guides, companions, and wise souls who make you feel right at home.
Speaking of ceremonies, they are nothing short of authentic, a true reflection of ancient traditions bridging the gap with the modern world. And the sapo ceremony? An unforgettable addition that I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing.
But the true magic lies in the individual journeys experienced by each participant. For me, it was a profound spiritual awakening, a deep dive into the universe and the essence of self. And judging by the smiles and stories shared by my fellow travelers, I wasn't alone in this transformative experience.
In short, this retreat was not just one of the best weeks of my life - it was a profound journey of growth, healing, and connection. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the incredible team behind this unforgettable experience."
"My experience at Soltara was wonderful. The staff, facilitators, accommodations, food, surroundings, and total experience was more than I expected. I wouldn't hesitate to come back again if given the opportunity. Thank you!"
"Roman is an authority on the global indigenous lineages that he has studied from Tibet to the Peruvian Amazon having walked this path of healing and spiritual exploration for over 20 years. A true Ayahuscaro, Roman's methods involve all aspects of the process beyond simply working with the plant medicine. There is no one who I would rather sit with and cannot recommend him enough."
"Fuimos un grupo de mujeres. Todas con la sensación de que esta experiencia nos cambiaría, pero no a este nivel y no con esta profundidad.
Apenas tengo palabras, pues Mai Niti es muchas cosas: es Luci, es su maravilloso equipo de almas luminosas: profunda y bellísima Mara, sabia y fuente inagotable Silvia y gran Peter, con su eterna paciencia. También los ícaros de su padre Leonardo, y de sus hermanos, y también es Laidy con su increíble comida, y también Juan con sus saunas y su sonrisa perpetua.
Este lugar me ha regalado claridad, amor, y un latir renacido; me ha regalado el impulso para seguir creando.
Gracias a la abuelita, a las plantitas que dietamos, a cada sauna.
Volveré.
C.
"
"This was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I don’t want to taint anyone’s experience with mine. Just know that you will be taken care of, and the return on the investment is more then any I have ever made elsewhere.
Blessings 🤍"
"For me Arkana was exactly what I needed. The whole week and each day’s itinerary was completely planned and thought-out so that I could have the best time, not have to stress about anything, and focus all my time and energy on my healing and manifesting. The staff at the Sacred Valley retreat is wonderful and they really care. Highly recommend for first time Ayahuasca, or those that want fully planned-out experience in Peru. Thank you!"
"Absolutely amazing - super safe space, brilliant, caring & dedicated faciltiators, amazing maestros. Cannot recommend this highly enough if you are looking for an authentic and deep healing experience. We have done more than 30 ceremonies in different locations across Peru and Costa Rica and keep coming back to Soltara as our best experience. "