10-day Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
10-day Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador Highlights
Harvest and prepare the ayahuasca vine with us in a traditional, respectful way, building a direct connection with the medicine.
Prepare for each ceremony with a traditional flower bath to cleanse and align your energy.
Participate in four ayahuasca ceremonies led by an indigenous elder, including individual cleansing sessions during each ceremony.
Join four integration sessions with translation, where you can ask questions and receive guidance and insights from the elder.
Take part in guided jungle walks, including a night walk, led by an indigenous Kichwa guide explaining medicinal plants and their uses.
Immerse yourself in Kichwa culture through storytelling, music, dance, body painting, and traditional handicraft workshops.
Visit a majestic waterfall for cleansing, renewal, and connection with the natural forces of the Amazon.
Explore a medicinal plant garden with an expert who explains traditional healing and shamanic uses of Amazonian plants.
Enjoy time to rest and bathe in the sacred PiatĆŗa River, known by local indigenous communities as a place of healing power.
Optional treatments include plant purgatives, sananga, tobacco work, and individual healing sessions with the shaman.
Travel to the retreat center in a private vehicle, with optional pickup from your hotel and a scenic journey through the Amazon.
Receive a detailed PDF guidebook to prepare you for the retreat, ceremonies, and the full process ahead.
You may also check the complete detailed 10-day Ayahuasca Retreat itinerary file.
Ceremony leaders of the Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
Your retreat will be led by one of the following leaders as specified on the Availability page and Booking form.
Don Carlos Landazuri
Kichwa Elder and Traditional Healer, Age 82
Ceremonies led by Don Carlos unfold in an atmosphere of profound calm and safety. Throughout the ceremony, he connects participants with the sacred forces of the Amazon. His individual cleansing ritual includes a limpia with a bundle of surupanga leaves, followed by blowing over the crown chakra.
You can meet him in this video: Introducing Carlos Landazuri on YouTube. You can turn on the English subtitles for this video by clicking on the [cc] icon.
VIEW DETAILED BIOGRAPHY
Don Carlos was born into an Indigenous Kichwa family from the Napo River region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. He is a highly respected healer with an excellent reputation, sought out by people from several provinces of Ecuador.
During visits to remote sacred places in the rainforest, nature itself called him and allowed him to enter into contact with beings that possess healing powers. Through this connection, he carries out his healing work during ceremonies with Ayahuasca.
Don Carlos is a yachakāa traditional āman of knowledge.ā He embodies the wisdom and depth of the healing traditions of the Napo Runa people. He generously shares his knowledge, and participants have the opportunity to ask him questions on the day after each ceremony.
His lifeās calling is to help those who seek healing. If you wish to address a particular condition or personal concern, we can help focus the work accordingly or arrange a private healing session with him.
During his healing ceremonies, Don Carlos performs an individual limpia for each participant using surupanga leaves. He also sings soothing healing songs that were taught to him by the spirits of nature.
Don Carlos is remarkably calm, humble and kind. He takes a sincere interest in every participant and seeks the best way to help each person move towards greater health and harmony.
As a Kichwa elder, he carries the knowledge and spiritual strength accumulated throughout his long life as a healer and ceremonial leader. Spending time with him offers a rare opportunity to connect with the wisdom of a living Amazonian tradition.
Maestro Sina ā Emilio Ramirez
Shipibo Maestro and Traditional Healer, Age 75
Maestro Sina has the ability to perceive deeply into a personās body and mind, identifying different blockages and working through them one by one with his beautiful and profound icaros. His ceremonies can bring about a deep inner transformation. He also guides month-long master plant dietas.
VIEW DETAILED BIOGRAPHY
Maestro Sina was born in a Shipibo community on the Ucayali River in Peru. From early childhood, the spiritual wisdom of his ancestors was passed down to him. Both his grandfather and his great-great-grandfather were Onanyasātraditional Shipibo healers.
Sina has dedicated his life to helping others. For the past 35 years, he has worked both with members of his own community and with visitors from many different countries.
He is humble, thoughtful and wise, with a profound understanding of Ayahuasca and medicinal plants. The Shipibo people are renowned for their mastery of plant medicine and sacred plants, as well as for their extraordinarily beautiful healing songs known as icaros.
They are also highly skilled artists and craftspeople. During your stay, you may have the opportunity to purchase some of their beautiful traditional artwork and textiles. All the women in Sinaās family embroider and create traditional handicrafts.
Throughout the night, Sina sings many icaros, creating a deeply healing ceremonial space filled with positive energy. He has an extraordinary ability to perceive a person as though looking through an X-ray, identifying negative energies and knowing how to cleanse them through his songs. His work helps restore harmony and supports a transformation of the person as a whole.
Through his ceremonial work, Sina helps people address trauma and clear what the Shipibo tradition understands as heavy or dark energies. He brings the energetic body back into alignment. He can also perceive the effects of previous experiences with substances or medicinal plants and help correct any energetic imbalances that may have resulted.
One of Sinaās greatest qualities is that he does not keep his knowledge secret. He enjoys teaching and sharing his wisdom with others, including people from outside the Shipibo culture. Under his guidance, several students have learned to sing icaros and help others through traditional healing work.
For the past five years, Jan Rostlinka has also studied with Sina and completed several traditional plant dietas under his guidance. Through this work, a strong friendship and bond have developed between them.
This alliance allows us to invite Maestro Sina to our center, which he has already visited in the past. The local Kichwa people are also very much looking forward to welcoming him back. They greatly appreciated his work and felt its benefits on many levelsāto put it simply, they were moved to tears.
The Ayahuasca RETREAT process
At Feather Crown, ayahuasca ceremonies are conducted in a grounded, safe, and respectful way, guided by an experienced indigenous elder and supported by a trained team of facilitators.
The ceremony takes place in a spacious circular temple, designed specifically for this work. Before the ceremony, participants receive detailed preparation materials, and on the day itself, a group briefing is held to answer questions and ensure everyone feels ready.
In the evening, the ceremony begins with the serving of ayahuasca. Participation is always voluntaryāhealing can also unfold without drinking. Afterward, the space becomes quiet, and participants rest on comfortable mattresses, allowing the process to develop naturally.
As the effects deepen, the shaman works with traditional instruments and sacred songs (icaros), guiding the process and supporting each participant individually. Throughout the night, he performs energetic cleansings according to the tradition.
Each participant is also invited for a personal cleansing (limpia), where the shaman works directly with them using plants and traditional techniques to restore balance and clear heavy energies.
If you would like to understand the full process and preparation, you can read more about Ayahuasca ceremonies in Ecuador or our guide on how to prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony.
Individual healing session during the ceremonial night
Integration
The following morning, a guided integration session is held with translation, where participants can share their experience, ask questions, and begin to understand the process more clearly.
Private conversations with the shaman or facilitators are also available for those who need more personal support or clarification.
Integration is an essential part of the process. It helps bring the experience into everyday life in a grounded and meaningful way.
The Process
Each ceremony builds on the previous one. The first ceremony often focuses on cleansingāphysical, emotional, and energeticāand may involve purging.
In the following ceremonies, participants usually enter the process with greater trust and openness. This allows for deeper work, clearer insight, and a more conscious connection with the experience.
This gradual process is an important part of traditional ayahuasca work, where each ceremony has its place and purpose.
Safety
Safety is a core priority in our ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador. A sober, experienced support team is present throughout each ceremony, assisting participants whenever needed.
Support is always available for moving around, using the bathroom, or navigating intense moments. The space is carefully prepared, both physically and energetically, and the team is trained to respond calmly and effectively in all situations.
For a deeper understanding of our approach, you can visit our Ayahuasca safety and screening process page.
Ayahuasca Brew
Our ayahuasca is prepared traditionally over fire, using only two plants: the ayahuasca vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the accompanying leaf Diplopterys cabrerana or Psychotria viridis (chakruna).
This traditional combination allows for deep, clear, and meaningful experiences. We work with selected varieties of the vine that come from established healing lineages.
No additional or inappropriate admixtures are used. The medicine is prepared with care, respect, and attention to quality.
Who This Retreat Is For
This ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador is intended for those who feel a genuine calling and approach the experience with respect and responsibility. It is not a tourist attraction or a casual activity.
The process can be intense at times, but it is guided with care, structure, and clear intention. Participants should be willing to engage honestly with themselves and the process.
For those who are ready, ayahuasca work can support deep personal insight, emotional release, and a gradual return to balance.
If you are unsure whether this retreat is right for you, you can request a call and we will help you make a clear and informed decision.
FEATHER CROWN AYAHUASCA RETREAT CENTER IN ECUADOR
Feather Crownās healing center is located in the Amazonian jungle of Pastaza, Ecuadorāabout 4 hours from Quito and 1 hour from Tena and Puyo. It offers a serene, comfortable space for ayahuasca ceremonies, healing, and deep personal reflection.
Set on 23 hectares of private reserve, bordering protected rainforest and the Llanganates National Park, the center sits by the crystal-clear PiatĆŗa Riverāconsidered by many a unique place of natural power and one of the most pristine rivers in the world.
At its heart is a spacious ceremonial temple designed for safe and focused ayahuasca work.
Guests stay in simple, clean bamboo cabins with private or shared rooms, orthopedic beds, mosquito nets, and direct views into the jungle. Facilities include hot showers, a regular cleaning service, solar-powered electricity, and high-speed Wi-Fiāproviding comfort while remaining immersed in nature.
For more details about the location and facilities, visit our retreat venue page.
Requirements and Safety for Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador
Your safety is our highest priority. Before joining this ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador, all participants must complete a health screening and provide full disclosure of any medical conditions, medications, and supplements.
Ayahuasca can interact with certain substances and conditions. For this reason, we follow a strict no medications or supplements policy, and some conditions may prevent participation in ceremonies.
This retreat may not be suitable for individuals with:
- Heart conditions or high blood pressure
- Psychiatric conditions (such as schizophrenia or severe mental illness)
- Use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, or MAO inhibitors
- Epilepsy or serious medical conditions
We strongly recommend reading the full safety guidelines before applying: View Requirements & Health Safety
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND COST
Cost of the 10-day retreat: $1790 USD
Prices may differ sligtly on different dates. Consult the Availability page for costs of this retreat per person.
Included in the price are the donations for indigenous defenders of the Sacred Amazonian Headwaters.
What is included in the 10-day Ayahuasca Retreat price:
- Accommodation in a private room (for 1 person, couple or family) for 9 nights (10 days)
- All meals and drinks at the center (delicious carnivore, vegetarian or vegan cuisine)
- All activities as described in this presentation, including:
- 4 Ayahuasca ceremonies
- 4 individual cleansing sessions with the shaman (one in each Ayahuasca ritual)
- 4 integration sessions
- 4 aromatic plant baths
- 4 guided jungle excursions
- Trip to a majestic waterfall (includes car transport, entrance and guidance)
- Sananga ceremony
- Cultural activities with the Kichwa tribe
What is not included:
- Airfare to/from Quito, Ecuador
- Gifts or products that you purchase
- Lunch on your way to/from Quito
Can be arranged for extra fee:
- Transport to the center from Quito/airport on the first day of the event, or back 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
Payment Terms
- Reserve your place with $200 USD deposit. We accept debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, MoneyGram and Western Union.
- Pay the remaining balance the first day of the retreat.
- The deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to another date at least 30 days before the retreat.
- The deposit may be transferred to another person at any time.
- If we cancel the retreat, all payments will be refunded in full.
- 5% discount for returning visitors
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Essential information about our 10-day ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador. Coming for the first time? Read our First Ayahuasca Retreat Guide.
Choosing Your Retreat
Is the 10-day retreat suitable for a first-time participant?
Yes. The 10-day format is often our preferred option for medically eligible first-time participants because it allows the process to develop gradually.
Four ceremonies provide time to begin carefully, rest, speak with the healer and integrate each experience without expecting everything to happen during one night.
What is included in the 10-day retreat?
The program includes nine nights of accommodation, meals and drinks at the center, four ayahuasca ceremonies, four individual cleansings with the healer, four traditional plant baths and integration after each ceremony.
It also includes guided rainforest excursions, cultural activities, time beside the PiatĆŗa River and the other activities described on this page.
Learn more about how our ceremonies are conducted.
Who will lead my ayahuasca ceremonies?
The ceremony leader depends on your chosen retreat date. Retreats are led by either Don Carlos LandƔzuri, an elder Kichwa yachak from Ecuador, or Maestro Sina, a Shipibo elder from Ucayali, Peru.
The leader for each retreat is identified on our dates and availability page.
How large are the groups, and is English translation available?
Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants, allowing the healer and support team to provide individual attention.
Important instructions, consultations and integration conversations are translated into English. The healerās icaros and traditional songs are received in their original ceremonial form.
How do I reserve a place, and is the deposit refundable?
Begin by completing the retreat application and health-screening form. After your application has been reviewed and accepted, a $200 deposit secures your place.
The deposit is non-refundable. It can be transferred to another retreat date when requested at least 30 days before the original retreat begins, or transferred to another person at any time. We recommend travel insurance or refundable airfare.
Ceremonies and Safety
Do I have to drink ayahuasca at every ceremony?
No. Drinking ayahuasca is always voluntary. You may decline a serving, remain with an introductory amount, decide not to drink again, or attend a ceremony without drinking.
We may also decide that a participant should not drink when this is necessary for safety. No one is pressured to drink or to take a larger dose.
How are doses approached with first-time participants?
First-time participants begin with an introductory amount. We observe how each person responds before considering an additional serving.
Our intention is responsible and meaningful workānot creating the strongest possible experience.
What happens if I become afraid or overwhelmed?
Four to five sober helpers remain present throughout the ceremony, and at least one team member stays awake and available until morning.
You can request reassurance, water, a blanket, help changing position or accompaniment to the bathroom at any time. Before the first ceremony, we explain how to ask for help and what to do if the experience becomes intense.
Read more in our guide to ayahuasca and fear.
Will I vomit, and what if I do not experience visions?
Some participants vomit and others do not. A container is provided beside each participant, and the team assists discreetly when needed. Purging is not treated as a performance or requirement.
Visions are not a measure of whether a ceremony was meaningful. The process may unfold through emotions, memories, physical sensations, quiet reflection or changes that become clear later.
What medical screening is required?
Every applicant must fully disclose all physical and psychological conditions, medications, supplements, natural remedies and recent substance use.
We review applications individually and may request additional medical information or a video conversation. Feather Crown is a retreat center, not a medical facility, and ayahuasca is not appropriate for everyone.
Read our complete health, medication and safety requirements before applying.
Can I continue taking medication or supplements?
Do not assume that any prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, supplement or natural remedy is compatible with ayahuasca. Everything must be disclosed.
Feather Crown follows a strict no-medication and no-supplement policy unless an exception has been approved in writing. Never stop or reduce prescribed medication simply to attend a retreat without consulting the qualified clinician who prescribed it.
Can I attend if I am not permitted to drink ayahuasca?
In some cases, yes. A participant may still be able to join the retreat, attend its activities and ceremonies, and receive traditional cleansing or healing work without drinking ayahuasca.
Every situation is assessed individually, and approval must be obtained before arrival. If you are uncertain, please request a private conversation with us.
What exactly is in the ayahuasca brew?
Our ayahuasca is prepared traditionally over a fire using Banisteriopsis caapi vine and either Diplopterys cabrerana, known as chalipanga, or Psychotria viridis, known as chakruna.
We do not use toƩ, synthetic substances or undisclosed admixtures.
Travel and Accommodation
What are the rooms and facilities like?
Guests stay in simple, clean bamboo cabins with private or shared room arrangements. Rooms have orthopedic mattresses, thermal blankets, mosquito nets, electricity, sockets and jungle views.
The center also has hot-water showers, toilets cleaned daily and high-speed Wi-Fi in the accommodation area.
Explore our retreat center and accommodation.
What food is served during the retreat?
Meals are nourishing and adapted to ceremonial work. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and some programs also include fish or organic chicken.
Please disclose genuine allergies and dietary requirements before arrival. Outside food, supplements and natural remedies should not be brought or used without approval.
When should I arrive, and how do I reach the center?
International participants should arrive in Quito at least one day before the retreat begins. This allows time for possible flight delays and for your body to rest before continuing into the Amazon.
Feather Crown is approximately four hours from Quito and about one hour from Tena and Puyo. We can help arrange transportation to the center.
Review our Ecuador and Santa Clara travel information before booking your route.
What should I bring to the retreat?
Bring light long-sleeved clothing, rain protection, comfortable clothes for ceremonies, sandals, secure walking shoes and a flashlight or headlamp.
Mosquito nets are provided, and rubber boots can be borrowed. Avoid strongly perfumed toiletries and chemical insect repellents. Detailed preparation and packing instructions are sent before arrival.
What integration support is available?
Integration takes place after each ceremony with English translation. Participants can share what arose, ask the healer questions and receive guidance for the following days. Private conversations are available when more personal support is needed.
We recommend leaving some quiet time after the retreat instead of returning immediately to heavy work, conflict or major decisions. Participants may contact us afterward when clarification about their retreat process is needed.
REQUEST A CALL
We will contact you via WhatsApp or email to guide you and ensure this retreat is safe and appropriate for you. You can also click here to begin a chat with us on WhatsApp directly.
