5-day Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
5-day Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador Highlights
Participate in two ayahuasca ceremonies led by an indigenous elder, including individual cleansing sessions during each ceremony.
Prepare for each ceremony with a traditional flower bath to cleanse and align your energy.
Join two integration sessions with translation, where you can ask questions and receive guidance and insights from the elder.
Work with the ayahuasca vine in a traditional, respectful way.
Take part in guided jungle walks led by an indigenous Kichwa guide explaining medicinal plants and their uses.
Immerse yourself in Kichwa culture through music, body painting, and traditional handicraft workshops.
Enjoy time to rest and bathe in the sacred Piatúa River, known by local indigenous communities as a place of healing power.
Explore the Amazon forest with an expert who explains traditional healing and shamanic uses of Amazonian plants.
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. 5-day retreats always start on the 1st day and end on the 5th day, or begin on the 5th day and end on the 9th day. Additional activities such as Ayahuasca preparation may therefore happen according to when you join.
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 yachak—a traditional “man of knowledge.” 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 life’s 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.
Healing process during Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
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 voluntary—healing 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.
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 cleansing—physical, emotional, and energetic—and 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 Crown’s healing center is located in the Amazonian jungle of Pastaza, Ecuador—about 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 Piatúa River—considered 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-Fi—providing comfort while remaining immersed in nature.
For more details about the location and facilities, visit our retreat venue page.
What Guests Say About Feather Crown
Selected from 96 verified Google reviews. Read all Google reviews
“The whole retreat feels very real and grounded.”
“Creating a very safe and trusting environment.”
“The entire staff has a heart of gold.”
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
Cost and What is Included
Cost of the 5-day retreat: $890 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 5-day Ayahuasca Retreat price:
- Accommodation in a private room (for 1 person, couple or family) for 4 nights (5 days)
- All meals and drinks at the center (delicious carnivore, vegetarian or vegan cuisine)
- All activities as described in this presentation, including:
- 2 Ayahuasca ceremonies
- 2 individual cleansing sessions with the shaman (one in each Ayahuasca ritual)
- 2 integration sessions
- 2 aromatic plant baths
- 2 guided jungle excursions
- Cultural activities with the Kichwa people
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:
- Scheduled shared transfers on the first and last day of a complete 10-day retreat cost $50 USD per person each way. Private transfers between Quito airport or Tababela and the center cost $130 USD per vehicle each way. Other pickup locations and travel dates are quoted individually. For a 5-day stay, please confirm the transfer arrangements for your exact arrival and departure dates.
- 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 approved place with a $400 USD deposit. Bank transfer in USD is preferred; follow the current deposit PDF in your booking email. If you choose secure Stripe checkout, pay $420 total: $400 deposit plus a $20 transaction fee. Only the base deposit is credited toward the retreat price.
- We do not charge a surcharge for bank transfers. A 5% surcharge applies to payments through Stripe.
- The deposit is non-refundable, except if Feather Crown cancels the retreat or your health screening is unsuccessful. Paying the deposit does not itself constitute health-screening approval.
- The deposit may be transferred to another retreat date no later than 30 days before the beginning of the originally reserved retreat. If the change is made later, the deposit is forfeited.
- The deposit is not tied to a name. If you arrange a replacement participant who meets the acceptance requirements, that person may use your deposit to reserve their retreat.
- About 30 days before your stay, we send an itemized balance request showing your agreed retreat price, ordered transport and payments already received. Any unpaid arrival transport can be included when you pay the retreat balance by bank transfer. Return transport is prepaid only if you request it; transport already paid is never charged again.
- You may pay the retreat balance in cash in USD upon arrival without prior arrangement, or by USD bank transfer to our US account without a surcharge. Bank transfers must be sent at least 7 days before the retreat begins. A 5% transaction fee applies to all Stripe payments. Use the current payment document linked in your booking email for payment instructions.
- Arrival transport to the center must always be paid in advance. It may be paid with the deposit, separately after the deposit, or with a bank-transfer balance. If you pay the retreat balance in cash at the center, the journey to the center must still be paid before departure. About 7 days before your stay, we finalize transport logistics and any route-specific amount still to be confirmed. Prepaying return transport is optional.
- If you voluntarily leave the retreat early, no refund is provided.
- We strongly recommend comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Cancellations caused by a cancelled flight, illness or personal circumstances remain subject to our regular cancellation policy.
- 5% discount for returning visitors
Frequently Asked Questions About Our 5-Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
These answers focus on the decisions visitors most often need to make before choosing a 5-day ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador. For a broader introduction, read our First Ayahuasca Retreat Guide.
Why choose Feather Crown for an ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador?
Feather Crown has organized ayahuasca retreats in Ecuador since 2008. Our work combines experienced Indigenous Kichwa and Shipibo healers, a small group of no more than 12 participants, individual cleansing work, English translation and four to five sober helpers during ceremonies.
The retreat takes place on our private 23-hectare Amazon reserve beside the Piatúa River. Guests have private rooms, and strangers are never required to share. Our priority is careful traditional work, personal attention and honest preparation—not offering the largest groups or the most intense possible dose. You can learn more about our retreat center in Ecuador.
What is the difference between a 5-day and 10-day ayahuasca retreat, and which is better?
The 5-day retreat includes two ceremonies. Most dates cover one half of the complete 10-day itinerary, while November 1–5, 2026 with Maestro Sina is a standalone five-day retreat. Rainforest and cultural activities vary by date.
The 10-day ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador is the full program: four ceremonies instead of two, four integration sessions, and the complete sequence of rainforest and cultural activities across both halves, including activities such as Kichwa music and dance, medicinal-plant activities and the waterfall excursion. Choose the 5-day retreat when you prefer or need a shorter stay.
How far in advance should I register for an ayahuasca retreat?
Register as soon as you know which dates may work for you. Feather Crown retreats are limited to 12 participants, and popular dates can be fully booked several months in advance.
Your application and health information must be reviewed before a place is confirmed. Check our current retreat dates and availability, then complete the application form. We recommend waiting for acceptance before purchasing non-refundable flights.
Do I need previous experience with ayahuasca?
No previous experience is required. Medically eligible first-time participants are welcome when they understand that an ayahuasca retreat is serious traditional work rather than a recreational activity.
We provide preparation instructions before arrival, explain the ceremony process carefully and begin first-time participants with a responsible introductory approach. If this will be your first experience, read our First Ayahuasca Retreat Guide.
What happens after I submit my retreat application?
We review your health history, medications, supplements, experience and expectations. If clarification is needed, we may ask follow-up questions or arrange a private conversation before making a decision.
Once your application is accepted, a $400 deposit confirms your place. You then receive detailed preparation, travel and packing information. Submitting the form alone does not reserve a place until the application has been accepted and the deposit received.
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, attend a ceremony without drinking or decide not to drink again at the second ceremony.
No one is pressured to take a larger dose. The healer and support team may also limit or withhold a serving when this is appropriate for safety. Participants may still take part in the ceremonial space and may receive traditional cleansing work without drinking.
How should I plan my arrival and departure?
International participants should arrive in Quito at least one day before the retreat begins. This protects against flight delays and gives your body time to rest before traveling approximately four hours into the Ecuadorian Amazon.
After the retreat, avoid scheduling an immediate return to demanding work or major decisions when possible. A quiet day or two helps the experience settle. Review our Ecuador travel information before booking your route.
REQUEST A CALL
If you prefer WhatsApp, contact Feather Crown at +593 999 608 184.
