Retreat Info
About the Retreat:Gaia (Mother Earth) Sagrada (Sacred)Gaia Sagrada Ayahuasca Retreat Center is nestled in the magical Andes Mountains of Ecuador near the city of Cuenca (45 minutes), approximately 150 miles south of the equator. This ayahuasca healing center offering ayahuasca retreats consists of 55 acres of pristine land with fresh clean mountain air, peaceful pastures and gardens, whispering pine forests, and incredible views.Walks on miles and miles of dirt roads and trails in these mountains offer breathtaking views of the mountains and sky. Enjoy the fireflies at night. See the Milky Way at night and stars like you've never seen them before, clear and very 3D. There are UFOs on a regular basis in these skies as well!We are here to provide a safe, nurturing and natural environment for shamanic Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats. Gaia Sagrada is one of the most well respected Ayahuasca retreat centers in the world, setting the standard for what these retreat centers should be. We have a reputation for safety, compassion and professionalism.This is a place of growth and fellowship. We are here to facilitate an enjoyable and yet transformative experience for all participants. Everyone who comes here finds a new perspective on life after being in this heavenly community for a while.Gaia Sagrada is sponsored by University of Metaphysical Sciences in the USA, and people can get an introduction to Gaia Sagrada in University of Metaphysical Sciences' Free Retreats 4 All events.Description of Services:Authentic & Traditional Ceremonies
Our Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies are authentic and take you back 1000 years in these ancient traditions. Our shamans bridge the ancient and the modern in a wonderful way. This is an opportunity to truly experience the authentic, ancient traditions in the beautiful Andes Mountains without mosquitos (!) instead of in the jungle where it is hot and humid. This is the indigenous Canari part of Ecuador where the San Pedro comes from. Meet our shamans, click here.
Our shamans come from the jungle to hold the ayahuasca ceremonies, but Gaia is actually located in the Andes Mountains where ceremonies are in a much more comfortable climate. Never too hot and never too cold.
Here are some detailed descriptions of the ceremonies:Â
It is important to realize that what you put into the ceremonies is what you get out of them. It's important to be ready to do your inner work. The medicines will not do it for you. They are only a tool that helps you go deep, but you are the one who has to do something with what you discover within yourself.
Some shamans say that the Ayahuasca (the feminine medicine) shows you what you need to change, and San Pedro (the masculine medicine) gives you the power to make that change. Come prepared to look within and make peace with the past, as well as peace with the world, others and yourself.
Unlimited Vegetarian/Vegan Food!
People rave about our unlimited vegan and vegetarian buffets! The ayahuasca diet doesn't have to be bland. We figured out how to make it tasty! Check out our Ayahuasca diet info here and how to prepare.
There are also 24 hours of snacks and food in the community center. You will never go hungry here.
Workshops & Facilities
We have hot tubs, steam room, hi speed fiber optic wifi, 24/7 hot showers, comfortable beds, modern housing, library, music room, and everything else you could possibly need or want during a plant medicine retreat!
Daily yoga, meditation and various integration workshops to help with your process.
The day after each ceremony we have a family sharing meeting where people can express their experience with the medicine, ask questions, and get help with integrating their experience.
During the retreat there are workshops and activities in the morning, afternoon and evening for growth, learning new tools for self inquiry and introspection, and some just for plain old fun!
Housing
We feel that comfort and modern facilities is needed in order to focus on your inner journeys. Being physically comfortable is necessary so you're not distracted!
We offer every possible housing choice, dormitory, shared room, private rooms with bathroom, and even a full house! All beds are comfortable and cozy. We bought the best mattresses in Ecuador so you will get a good night's sleep.
Showers are 24/7 hot water, along with hot tubs and a steam room.
Food is delicious and healthy, while still within the Ayahuasca diet guidelines.
High speed Wifi is available in the community center so you can stay in touch with the world and family back home.
Practitioners:Namur (Shaman)
Titi (Shaman)
Mauricio (Shaman)
Veronica (Shaman)
Christine (Shaman)
Santiago (Firekeeper)
Antay (Firekeeper & Limpias/Individual Cleansings)
Fernando (Firekeeper & Limpias/Individual Cleansings)Team/Medical Staff:Wendy (Coordinator)
Paula (Coordinator)
Carol (Chef)
Rosa (Cook)
Marie (Cook)
Jonnathan (Cook)
Sonia (Communications)
Bri (Communications)
John (Maintenance Foreman)
Many Ecuadorian workers for grounds and a myriad of other things!
Bruce (Security, Supplies)
Javier (Driver)
Miguel (Driver)
Many volunteers to help guests in ceremonies, kitchen and groundsDetails
Founder(s) / CEO: Christine Breese, PhDGroup Size: 20-30 peoplePrice Range: $975 - $1875Our Process
Overview of Experience:Gaia Sagrada is rare. It is a non profit Ayahuasca retreat center and the directors and staff are only paid Ecuadorian minimum wage, so the prices are extremely low and at expenses only level. This is what makes Gaia Sagrada so different from other centers. The Ecuadorian shamans and workers are the ones making the money here, not the foreigners.
If you are looking for an ayahuasca retreat center that has non profit prices and isn't trying to make money on shamanic plant medicine ceremony traditions, Gaia Sagrada is the only one we know of that has non profit prices and practices.
Intake Process:To begin with, we give you instructions about preparation for the retreat so you will be ready before you come. There are some things to do before coming in order to enhance your experience.
When you are here for your retreat you have the ceremonies, workshops, yoga, meditation, great food, campfires to talk with others, music, walks, hot tubs, steam room, doggies, and lots of love!
We have family sharing meetings on the days off between ceremonies so you can express your experience with others, ask questions, and integrate your experience. We also have staff willing to talk privately with you if you need to understand something difficult or confusing in your experience.
After the retreat all the participants are given pointers and tips on how to stay in this energy and continue with the transformation and changes.
They also stay in touch with each other through a whatsapp group and support each other beautifully! They even have regional gatherings with each other, zoom meetings, and keep the energy alive after the retreat is over. There is a lot of support after the retreat.
Psychedelic Substances Offered: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Cacao and sometimes KamboHow does this Center source medicine?:Our shamans only source the Ayahuasca from people who are replanting it, as it is important to maintain the availability of Ayahuasca. It will grow more and more scarce as time goes on.
We source the San Pedro from people who replant as well. We are also starting a San Pedro sanctuary, since we are in the perfect Andean Mountain place for it. Sometimes we harvest our own San Pedro here and we are careful to make sure the San Pedro cactus continues to grow.
Practice reciprocity with local communities?: YesPhotos
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Retreat Info
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