"Quinta Carvhalas is a big property with lots to see and explore. It is beautifully maintained, the food is amazing, and the staff is super nice. Great studios to practice and be creative, it is an inspiring place with great energy. You will not regret your stay! "
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Experiences on Retreat
"As an owner of a Yoga School, I have tested many venues in the past 12 years. Quinta takes the cake!! The sheer beauty of the venue, the incredibly thoughtful design, the comfortable accommodation, the staff and so much more make this a 5-star venue. We are already booked in for next year, and I expect we will be back many times over. Thank-you to Michelle and Richard for the vision and their dedication! xoxoxo, Helene (Your Yoga Flow)"
"As the facilitator for this retreat, I can honestly say that this process has been seamless from start to finish. Communication was amazing and the level of support we felt from the team at Quinta was exceptional. The food, the venue, the pool, the yoga studios, the accommodation was all stunning. We cannot wait to host at Quinta again soon! Thank you for creating such a beautiful space. The level of care, thoughtfulness and passion that has been poured into this venue is felt as soon as you step on the property."
"This place was a dream land. From the flower to the birdsong, every little detail was filled with heartfelt energy and love. My room was so comfortable, the shared spaces were beautiful, the food was incredible and my stay was just too short! I'm glad I've already booked a retreat for next May and get to bring my next group of yogis somewhere special. Thank you for hosting me! I can't wait to return."
"I have been to many spiritual retreats over the years and also taken part in many different plant medicines.
Sinchi Runa is by far the most professionally run and well thought through retreat I have ever been too. I cannot praise Master Sanango and his team of professionals and experts, Ananda, Arjuna, Fiona, Andrea and Veronika enough. They go above and beyond to create a safe environment so that each individual gets the loving attention and guidance they need. They never shun away from questions and to say they go the last mile is even an understatement!
Everything is explained in a timely fashion, so you have time to surrender to the nature and leave the thinking mind before you start on the IMMENSE inner journey.
This retreat is not to be taken lightly. It's important to be far enough down the spiritual path to surrender before signing up. The preparation sent in advance is exceptionally clear. I listened to all the podcasts that explain in detail how to prepare best. What to eat, how to approach Mama Ayahuasca and what to focus on.
What is not given is a timetable, and there is a very good reason for this. It is not due to secrecy, it is because of the wisdom of 'not knowing'. Depending upon the group and the circumstances, all will take place in due time.
TRUST the process and allow the deeply experienced, gentle and warm team to guide you.
With gratitude and love. "
"This was Hands down one of the best experiences iv ever had, the location is stunning, the knowledge they had was insane, true experts in there fields, the food was spot on just everything was perfect.
This was my First ever time going on a retreat and i cant explain why but i am just so glad it was this one i ended up going to, i honestly cant see me ever going anywhere else now, i left with the sense of having a new little family and very much healed from my journey, if your on the fence on where to go as a first timer and looking at this one, you cant go wrong, safe, family vibes and professional and just the nicest people you could meet, my days were always full of happieness, chuckels and learning.
Id give it 15 / 5 stars if i could......."
"My experience at Sinchi Runa has been transformative, and I don’t say that lightly. I came for my first 3 day retreat in September 2023 and I had no idea what to expect (I’ve returned 2 more times, the last being March 2024). I had received very kind communication from Andrea and Ananda prior to arriving (I was on a high dose of medication for ADHD which I had to come off of immediately in order to participate) but nothing could prepare me for the experience of being at Sinchi Runa.
The grounds are gorgeous, no matter the weather, the bell tents you sleep in are exactly what’s needed - clean, comfortable, and beautifully basic. The food is delicious, clearly cooked with love and feels so good for your body. I’m vegan but can’t imagine meat eaters feeling hard done by from the abundance of food.
This is a retreat centre where you can properly do the work. The complete silence (unless in ceremony prep) is scary at first but becomes so welcome and is now one of the things I crave most when I’m back home. If you want to go deep with plant medicine, this is the place to do it. It is a safe, loving environment and structured in such a way that prepares you to surrender and learn. The tobacco purge is as important as the ayahuasca - don’t worry about the throwing up. I promise that in the moment, it really doesn’t matter in the slightest.
The changes that have occurred in myself and my life post-ceremony are without number. It is life-changing, not least because I have been able to stop taking my ADHD medication, and I don’t feel that there is a limit to what these plants can heal for us and help us learn/remember.
Maestro Sanango speaks eloquently on plant medicine, journeys into the self and into the greater oneness. He is a masterful presence and full of light. Ananda is his skilled interpreter and assistant, his presence is calming and peaceful, he is a lovely soul to share the journey with. Arjuna assists in ceremony and is a sweet spirit that offers support to all, as is Fiona, who cooks gorgeously and supports attendees with deeply loving kindness. Andrea helps organise incoming participants with sweetness and patience (lots of patience!).
If you’re looking for an ayahuasca retreat that is safe (I came as a single woman & never felt uncomfortable or at risk), honours the plants, and will help you change/evolve/develop, this is the one. "
"Very laid back atmosphere with professional healers, they are also very experienced so they inform you well and they have a great routine checking up on people during ceremonis whit out interfering in the experience. Spectacular vegetarian food and dessert included in the price. Up in the mountains where the weather may change so bring some warm clothes as well. "
"I loved every moment of my seven days spent at Sinchi Runa. It was the biggest breakthrough of my life. Maestro Sanango and the team were special and made me feel safe and right at home. The amount of information I downloaded during the ceremonies was mind boggling. Words, images, symbols, ideas concepts, and most importantly insights into who I am, the real self, not the one that was constructed by all the stories I was meant to believe about myself. And that was exactly what I came for, to re-discover my authentic self, without chains, without trauma, free to be the human that God designed me to be.
Thank you so much <3
- Giovanna"
"A very enjoyable and inspiring 4 days in a beautiful and quiet space, easy to access, and very well maintained. It was a special experience with very caring and genuine, and open-minded hosts. The yoga and meditation was especially good and the food was super. Thank you Peppi and Melania!"
"I arrived with 'no' expectations - Well, at least I tried to. From the moment I arrived at the Quinta (where I was met by the incredibly warm, welcoming and kind Hospitality Manager, Gerhard) I was pleasantly surprised with the attention to care and detail.
I felt truly "cared" for the entire time I was at the Quinta on Retreat - and very much appreciated the attention to detail in every room (from the rooms you stay in, to the rooms you gather and practice in, to the rooms you share meals in...) Michele, the owner, has a keen eye for detail. Each and every room has and showcases something truly beautiful. From the decor in the sleeping rooms, adorn with everything you could want or need in addition to inspiring books and fresh flowers. Not 'fancy' or luxurious but simply incredibly warm, cozy and inviting.
The Staff hosting you at the Quinta is incredibly kind and gracious - and makes every/all effort(s) to accommodate all your needs.
The location is simply beautiful - And hard to describe in words. Absolutely worth a visit to see and feel this incredible Retreat location; where you will be seen, heard, cared for and 'pampered' if you so choose to be - I had the best massage ever!!!
I truly can not wait to come back again -
Maggie, the Netherlands"
"I had a perfect experience in Quinta Carvalhas
The group matched perfectly, the staff has taken care of everything
They were very warm and fullfilled every special need
The place is beautiful
"
"I have never met someone like Michelle. She's a force to be reckoned with, but in the best kind of way. She has a magnetic power, attracting everyone around her with her life wisdom and stories. I met Michelle while attending a retreat - not organised by her - and I knew I wanted to experience more of her for multiple reasons. To begin with, Michelle has an eye for detail, beauty, and is incredibly organised - so I knew that anything organised by her would be of superb quality. Second, her life experiences have brought her wisdom and insight that go beyond this physical world, which I am very curious about. Third, she is an example of creating the life you want and envision through manifestation and meditation. She's a very interesting woman and I hope to continue meeting with her for many years to come. "
"Rianne's yoga lessons, offer a little bit of everything. In her "yang" lessons, she introduces a variety of breathing techniques, sun salutations, standing poses, balancing poses, chest openers, and inversions. The lessons cater to all levels, the pace is slow and steady. Her yin yoga lessons offer a wide variety of stretches, every time different, including one with partners - which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also got to experience a beautiful yoga nidra session, feeling utterly relaxed afterwards. Rianna is very knowledgable about yoga, incredibly gentle, and she truly sees her students and what they need. She's authentic, light, is up for a laugh, and caring.
Rianne is also a trained Thai massage therapist. I attended a Thai massage workshop in which she explained, demonstrated and we practiced a few basic techniques. I really enjoyed it!"
"Quinta Carvalhas is a beautiful farm. It oozes calm and beauty from every corner, with hidden mosaics, sculptures, buddha's, scented jasmin flowers, meditation books in rooms, soft pool towels in your cupboard, coffee and tea stations everywhere, baskets of blankets, fireplaces, lounge chairs around the pool, little vases of flowers in your room and on tables, grazing horses in the distance, a meditation garden to stroll through... all nestled in the rolling hills an hour away from Lisbon. All staff there are kind, friendly, and make you feel welcome and comfortable the moment you set foot there. Love it!"
"If you're reading this review now and feeling on the fence, I feel you. I was on this website myself in February 2024 and thanks to the reviews I've read I went on a retreat this March.
I cannot explain by words how grateful I'm for this opportunity and the experience I had at Sinchi Runa. First of all, the people. I've never felt more safe and protected there than ever before. Ananda, Fiona, Sanangu and everybody else were so welcoming, calm, accepting and at the same time disciplined. You can just look in their eyes full of love and you feel that you're taken care of with respect. I will be forever grateful for the people I've met there.
The retreat was in silence, without phones and it was so amazing to forget about life issues and challenges and simply BE. Sanangu answered all our concerns and questions before the ceremony and I felt prepared and ready. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable.
When I recall what happened with me I just start to cry, cry out of gratefulness for the lessons I’ve learnt and experience I've had.
I recommend it from the bottom of my heart. "
"It`s been ten days since my Ayahuasca experience at Sinchi Runa, my first ever psychedelic experience, and It was without doubt the most profound and beautiful experience of my life that I`ll never forget.
It was the shorter three day retreat with addition Kambo ceremony that I participated in and I can`t thank Sinchi Runa enough for their generosity, kindness, delicious food and sharing of Maestro Sanango`s wisdom and beautiful voice.
My life is already on a new path since the experience.
I`m planning on a longer retreat when the time is right to return.
With my sincerest gratitude to Sinchi Runa.
Joel"
"Add a wonderful time with Lucy and the group on the Mosaic Retreat in Quinta Carvalhas. Knowing absolute nothing about mosaics and how to do it, Lucy described and explained everything in an easily and fun way. Speaking in english and in portuguese with her, I managed to create my first two mosaics and contributed to a group project for the farm to be displayed. Always enthusiastic, friendly and helpful during the whole process and sharing her experiences and views on art and mosaic. Learned a lot and most importantly I enjoyed my time with her and everyone. Hope to participate in another retreat and create more mosaics or visit her workshop in Tomar."
"Attended a 4 day Mosaic retreat. Had a fabulous time, the Quintais beautiful, the vegetarian food amazing but most of all the mosaic workshop was amazing. Lucy is an incredible instructor, apart from being incredibly talented she has a wonderful sense of humor and kept our group laughing throughout.
Will definitely sign up for another retreat at the Quinta
"
"I completed a 12 day a retreat at Sinchi Runa in September 2023 and the beautiful ripple effects continue to surprise me months after.
As a psychologist, I know the value of working on and with yourself. And eventually you reach a point where talk therapy is not enough. The plant medicines have helped me access deeper (more unreachable) parts of my myself. Furthermore, the entire structure of the retreats at Sinchi Runa (sleeping in 1-man tents, the silence, the diets/food, the ceremonies, the sharing circles, etc.) invite you to dive deep within yourself in a way that is difficult to create in our normal and busy lives.
The people who work at Sinchi Runa are in service to this mission and the love, care and attention that you feel from them is very special. The food is beautiful, living in the tents is so magical and I felt so safe and held.
Any experience that you have while on this retreat (and in each ceremony) is EXACTLY the experience you are meant to have. Because any experience we are having in life, is a reflection of where we are at and what we need to learn. This was such a beautiful (and funny) lesson I got from my retreat that the plants helped me understand (with Maestro Sanango’s support). After truly understanding this, everything started to shift for me.
I am not the same after my experience …. And the transformations and deepening keep coming, months after my retreat ended. I am deeply grateful. Thank you Sinchi Runa!
I hope you also give yourself this beautiful gift and experience. "
"My utmost respect goes to Sanango and the whole team behind Sinchi Runa who make an absolute miracle possible. Both with Ayahuasca and the overall energy within the retreat, which truly is a sacred place, outside of space and time. I came with a lot of doubts and judgments but was brought to my knees by Mama Aya until I admitted my naivety and got then rewarded with her motherly love. There are no words that can do justice to the miracle of Ayahuasca and I am simply grateful that Sinchi Runa is making this divine experience possible. "
"Sinchi Runa is a true healing center that I recommend.
It is authentic and alive.
The spirit of this center is based on respect for the practices and master plants.
The practice of silence allows us to go even deeper into ourselves. It's one of the keys I took lightly before coming, and now I understand its power.
The team at Sanango's side is extremely caring and attentive, giving us all the space we need to heal.
The Ayahuasca ceremony was as intense as anything I'd experienced before, and you can't help but admire the seriousness of curandero Sanango and his incredible involvement here.
I came away feeling uplifted and grown up.
I can only recommend it!
Thank you "
"I attended the 7 day retreat offered in February 2024. I traveled a great distance to attend this retreat, from the midwestern part of the United States. This was my first experience with ayahuasca and I am so glad I followed my intuition. I was strongly drawn to Sinchi Runa and I chose wisely. I was impressed with how professional Sanango and his team were. They all radiate love, kindness and compassion. The group meetings were very educational, enrichening and supportive. Sanango's innate wisdom helped me feel completely safe, prepared and confident under his care. Unfortunately, Sanango became very ill to the extent of having to go to the hospital. We were only able to complete 1 of the 2 ayahuasca ceremonies; however, Sinchi Runa did offer a very reasonable discount for any future retreat and a free 3 day retreat preparation with Kambo and plant medicine ceremonies included. Considering the circumstance this is a very generous offer to be honored. Although it is understandable to experience some disappointment, the overarching lesson the universe offered our group was that of compassion. Compassion for Sanango and his well-being, his team for doing their best to mitigate an unexpected, difficult situation and also for myself to have compassion for a fellow attendee openly upset he did not receive what he paid for. My heart goes out to him and I hope his heart finds the healing and peace it deserves. Realizing I immediately transmuted any negative emotions into compassion was a profound moment of growth for me. The experience at Sinchi Runa vastly opened up my heart, greatly assisted my personal growth and the lessons continue to unravel for me. The universe often disguises lessons very well, the secret is to always be looking for them and stay heart-centered to support personal and spiritual growth.
The actual ayahuasca ceremony was so profound there is no humanly way accurately describe or condense it into words. It was an absolute mind-blowing, powerful, beautiful experience. My mind, body and soul feels reset, like I've been reborn. I am so much more aligned with my true self than I've ever been and I am a better person. What an absolute, priceless blessing to receive. I am grateful for Sanango leading such a powerful ceremony. I have made my career as a therapist and very educated in many healing modalities. I have personally engaged in a multitude of healing modalities over the course of my life: ayahuasca has been the most profound, transformational healing experience I have had thus far.
To anyone considering this retreat, follow your intuition. I will be returning to Sinchi Runa in the future as I am committed to healing as much as I can in this lifetime and I know I am in good hands while there. I send so much love and gratitude out to Sinchi Runa!!! "
"Several things went wrong.
The staff started to get sick on the second day so they cancelled half of the ceremonies we were supposed to do , and they didn’t have any back up plan for this situation.
Also, we were living in tents during the retreat and we got a bedbugs and caterpillar invasion that was very badly handled. We were given creams that don’t work. I had to sleep with my clothes on to avoid getting bitten by the bed bugs . Half of the participants got huge rashes on their bodies, and some got infections from thoses rashes and had to go to the hospital after the retreat.
Regarding food we only got 2 meals a day. One being a oatmeal porridge for breakfast 5 days on the 7 days.
For the price of retreat I felt the food was a bit light but let’s pass on that.
Today it’s been exactly a month we’re fighting to get a reimbursement but they’re just willing to give 30% discount ‘if we want to come back’ which is an absolut joke.
we paid a lot of money for a 7 days retreat. Ended up with less ceremonies than a 3 days retreat , got health issues , and they dont want to reimburse us.
Definitely not the best place for healing.
*original review adjusted slightly to meet Retreat Guru Posting Policy*
---------- Response from Retreat Center ----------
It saddens us to read your review and to know that you had a bad experience with us, though our perspective is quite different from yours and we hope to be able to bring these differences together. We can understand your frustration and have tried to be in touch with you. We just want to make sure you are completely aware of the offer we made, which included reimbursement.
The retreat with ceremonies, group talks, meditations, food & board took place normally until the evening of the 6th day, when Maestro Sanango was hospitalized. We deeply regret not being able to give the final ceremony due to an unforeseeable human circumstance, and not being able to serve you in our fullest capacity. We understand the frustration and effort made to attend, and hence sought to openly repair.
We sadly could not offer the final ceremony - we are a small plant medicine center around one deeply experienced maestro, and do not have a staff of shamans to give ceremonies in case the maestro falls ill. The sacredness for us of the experience with Ayahuasca as well as the specialisation that we feel is needed to safely hold these ceremonies does not allow us, at this moment, to place the students as “shamans” or facilitators, and we feel this would be dangerous and would have put you participants at risk.
Instead we did what we felt was honest and safe for you, as well as seeking to reciprocate the effort and sacrifice made to participate on the retreat, and so offered a discount for a future retreat when the maestro is in better physical condition, or reimbursing part of the cost of the retreat if this did not resonate.
We had an outbreak of seasonal caterpillars (not bedbugs), which are a normal phenomenon for a few weeks a year in the pine forests of southern Europe. They can cause a mild rash or discomfort similar to the mosquito bites you would have in the jungle on a retreat similar to this one. We are sorry to hear that you had to go to the hospital due to a rash infected with this, it sounds like a reaction we have not experienced or heard of before, and to avoid this concern in the future we will plan our retreats outside the time when the caterpillars appear.
We can definitively confirm there are not bed-bugs - we have checked, and we were also not made aware by anyone about this worry during nor after your retreat. We have hosted multiple retreats at our venue since, and no concerns or complaints were raised.
Based on what all the participants shared with us, including you, beautiful and meaningful insights and healing were received. Although unfortunately we had to cancel the final ceremony, we feel that the retreat had many positive aspects, wonderful conclusions in the real and transcendental. We sincerely hope that you can rediscover what you experienced with us and rescue it without letting the experience be tarnished by a human situation, which we cannot control.
Thank you for your understanding and hope you will contact us to close any disagreement.
With warmth and sincerity,
Ananda - Sinchi Runa
"
"Sinchi Runa is a safe sacred space, in which I was given the chance to explore and experience myself beyond the boundaries of self beliefs and unconscious mind. I have never met such kind, humble, caring and loving people, who put themselves wholeheartedly in the service of others. They created and held the space for me to experience my journey and inspired me to trust the process and overcome the challenges that awaited me. I am deeply thankful to the entire team for making possible the most challenging and the most rewarding and healing experience of my life. I honor your profound work and dedication!"
"We had a fantastic weekend at Quinta Carvalhas. The accommodation was beautiful, food delicious and the team were so warm, friendly and helpful. We loved the yoga classes and being able to have our own yoga classes in the shala. The meditation garden is tranquil and beautiful, and the surrounding area is so pretty. Thank you so much to Michelle, Richard, Gerhard and Rafaela for such a lovely stay. "
"É sempre uma honra voltar às Quinta das Carvalhas desde o pessoal incrível que trabalha lá até às vistas lindíssimas cercadas de cavalos e sossego envolvente !
Regressarei sempre que me for possível ! Muito Grata ao Staff que tão bem cuidou de nós !
❤️ Katy Vilela"
"I am so glad I came to this retreat. It was my first time, I really could have not had the best experience if it wasn’t with the Sinchi Runa family. I came for the 7 day ayahuasca retreat during New Years, every person at Sunchi Runa are the most kindest and humblest people you will meet. I felt very safe, any time I needed support with something - everyone and I mean everyone was always happy to help. My first time working with mother ayahuasca was really a profound experience and I can’t put into words what I experienced- though it was beautiful and I am so grateful. It was not just the ceremonies, it was the cozy and spacious tents we were living in, the homemade food served with love daily, the beautiful and quiet nature around me, it was so therapeutic and relaxing. The feeling that I felt was a different kind of peace of mind and again I’m grateful that I got to experience it.
If you’re someone that is looking to heal or find a deeper meaning to life and within yourself, then I definitely recommend you booking it with Sinchi Runa - you will not be disappointed. Once again, I am super grateful to have met beautiful souls on this trip and I will forever cherish this experience! "
"It’s been over a year since I completed my Dieta at Sinchi Runa, I can truly say with the proper integration process & the support from my Sinchi Runa family that this has been the greatest year of my life.
"
"The Ayahuasca retreat didn't just surpass my expectations. It was on a completely different level altogether. It was the most intense and difficult experience of my life, but I'm sure I'll grow stronger than ever before. The team was outstanding. The attention to detail and their warmth, calmness, and wisdom were exceptional. This is precisely what you need when going on your first Aya journey. It is an incomparable and deeply rumbling experience.
Much love to the whole team!"