Ayahuasca: Ancestral Medicine for Deep Healing

Ayahuasca, also known as Yagé, is a powerful traditional medicine that has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin for both spiritual and therapeutic purposes. The word “Ayahuasca” originates from the Quechua language: aya means “soul” or “spirit,” and huasca means “vine” or “rope,” often translated as “vine of the soul” or “spirit vine.”

This sacred brew is typically made from two primary Amazonian plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (the Ayahuasca vine) and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis plant or other DMT-containing plants like chacruna. When combined, these ingredients create a powerful brew that facilitates a deep spiritual experience. Participants often describe it as a profound journey of self-discovery, inner healing, and spiritual awakening.

During the experience, it is common to encounter vivid visions, emotional breakthroughs, and an intense sense of connection—to nature, the universe, and one’s own consciousness. These experiences vary greatly from person to person, as the medicine interacts uniquely with each individual, depending on their personal intentions and inner state.

Importantly, Ayahuasca works on three interconnected levels: the physical body, the mind, and the spirit. Therefore, it is much more than a visionary experience—it is a holistic healing process.

To ensure both safety and authenticity, it is essential that Ayahuasca ceremonies are led by experienced shamans or traditional healers known as Taitas. These guides conduct the ceremony through ancestral rituals, sacred chants (known as icaros), and protective spiritual practices that help participants navigate the experience with support and clarity.

Moreover, Ayahuasca is not just used for spiritual growth—it is also embraced for its therapeutic potential. Many participants report relief from emotional traumas, mental health conditions, and even chronic physical ailments. Ultimately, the goal of the ceremony is to purify and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit.

• Healing

• Spirituality

• Consciousness Expansion

• Happiness

• Peace of Mind 

• Awareness of the Unconscious Mind

• New Ways of Thinking

• Self-Connection

• Healing of Physical Illnesses

•  Releasing Negative Energies

• Enhance Family Relationships

• Experience Spiritual Fulfillment

• Embrace a Passion for Life

• Heal from Grief

• Discover Your Life’s Purpose

• Connect Deeply with Nature and the Environment

• Find Answers to Your Life’s Most Profound Questions

Other Groups That Benefit from Ayahuasca

• Individuals Struggling with Depression
• Those Dealing with Anxiety Disorders
• People Facing Suicidal Thoughts
• Those Struggling with Emotional or Psychological Conflicts
• People Battling Addictions (e.g., heroin, opioids, cocaine, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, cannabis, etc.)
• Those Recovering from Trauma
• Those Experiencing Unresolved Grief

 Ayahuasca Retreat in Medellin Colombia

What Makes Our Ayahuasca Retreat Truly Unique ?

• At our Safe Ayahuasca Retreat, your journey is led by an authentic, authorized native shaman from the Los Pastos community of the Amazon. Our shaman is officially recognized by both the indigenous community and the Colombian government — something you should always verify when choosing an Ayahuasca retreat.

  Unlike many centers in Medellín that work with ayahuasqueros (non-traditional healers), we offer a true, traditional Ayahuasca ceremony grounded in the wisdom of the Amazon. This ensures that your experience is authentic, spiritually enriching, and deeply connected to the ancestral practices of the Amazonian people.

• Today, many retreats offer 5, 7, 10, or even 18-day programs, where participants drink diluted medicine up to three times a day. However, with authentic Yagé, it’s nearly impossible to endure more than three intense ceremonies. True Ayahuasca is about quality, not quantity—it requires time for profound healing. Unfortunately, many of these retreats prioritize profit over authenticity, leading to what we call the «Gringo experience.

• A genuine Ayahuasca Healing Retreat requires authentic medicine, time, and deep respect. Our ceremonies take place in a sacred maloca, surrounded by fire, nature, and healing energy. We intentionally avoid luxury distractions such as pools, buffets, and tourist amenities—because true healing happens when you return to the essence of life.

• Your safety and well-being are our highest priority. During the ceremony, our experienced team provides attentive supervision to ensure that your journey is not only transformative but also fully supported at every stage.

• For over 35 years, we have been firmly established in the sacred land of Guarne, just outside Medellín, Colombia. Unlike newer retreats, our unwavering dedication to authenticity and deep respect for the indigenous traditions of Putumayo and the Amazon distinguish us as one of the leading Ayahuasca retreats in Colombia today.

What Makes Our Ayahuasca Retreat Unique?

• At our retreat, your safety is our top priority. Each participant is carefully supervised by a qualified Western doctor who thoroughly assesses any pre-existing medical conditions, potential medication interactions, and overall health status before and throughout the ceremonies. This ensures that your healing journey is not only safe but also fully supported and tailored to your individual needs.

• Unlike many retreats that purchase pre-made Ayahuasca with unclear origins, we proudly prepare our own sacred medicine right here at the retreat, Using fresh Chacruna leaves and Ayahuasca roots sourced directly from the Amazon rainforest in Putumayo, Colombia; our authentic shaman follows an ancient indigenous recipe passed down through generations. The preparation is a sacred process that takes 8 full days, ensuring the purity, potency, and authenticity of the Yagé you receive.

• We believe that the quality of the medicine is as important as the ceremony itself. At our Ayahuasca Healing Retreat, you can trust that every step honors the traditions and wisdom of the Amazon.

• To enhance your experience, we offer private pick-up and drop-off services directly from your accommodation in Medellín. Our comfortable, private shuttle guarantees a safe, stress-free journey to the retreat, allowing you to arrive fully relaxed and prepared for your transformative experience..

 Authentic Ayahuasca Retreat Colombia

What Awaits You, in Our Transformative Ayahuasca Experience?

• With over 25 years of experience, we are a professional and trusted team specializing in the healing art of Ayahuasca. Our Ayahuasca Healing Retreat stands out as one of the best in Colombia, offering a safe, transformative, and deeply spiritual journey for those seeking personal growth.

  Our mission is to help participants reach higher levels of consciousness, self-awareness, wisdom, and spirituality. We view Ayahuasca as a sacred medicine, serving as a mirror to your consciousness and guiding you toward profound healing.

  At our retreat, we prioritize safety, humility, compassion, and love—values that shape every experience. Join us for an authentic and life-changing Ayahuasca journey, where you’ll be supported on every step of your path to healing and spiritual awakening.

First Contact with Us

• From the moment you reach out to us via WhatsApp or email, we provide comprehensive support, including personalized guidance on diet and potential interactions with any existing medical conditions or medications. Our participants also have direct access to our experienced Western doctor through WhatsApp, ensuring that you receive full medical oversight and a safe Ayahuasca retreat experience. These instructions are typically provided a few days before the Ayahuasca ceremony to ensure you’re fully prepared. 

First day of ceremony

• The Ayahuasca Ceremony takes place in Guarne, a peaceful, forested area just 38 kilometers (45 minutes) from Medellín, offering a convenient option for those who prefer not to venture deep into the jungle. On the day of your experience, our shuttle service will pick you up from your home at 7:30 AM (for an additional $10). You’ll arrive at our Ayahuasca retreat around 8:15 AM, where you will be warmly welcomed by our shaman. He will provide an introduction to Ayahuasca, explaining its spiritual and consciousness-expanding effects. Participants will have the opportunity to ask any questions and clarify any doubts about the ceremony. Alternatively, we can arrange pickup from a designated location in Medellín at no additional cost.

First and Second Cup of Ayahuasca

• We will then prepare the space (bunk beds) where you’ll experience the authentic Ayahuasca healing journey. The first cup of Ayahuasca will be served at 9:15 AM, with an optional second cup at 12:30 PM for those who feel the experience hasn’t fully connected or wish to deepen the experience. Our experienced staff and shaman will guide and supervise participants throughout the entire Ayahuasca ceremony. The effects of the medicine typically last between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the individual’s sensitivity and the number of servings consumed.

Integration

• After the ceremony, we will guide you through an integration session, providing the space to reflect and ask any questions you may have. You will also be offered an optional nourishing broth to replenish fluids and electrolytes. Once you’re ready, we will close the experience with a spiritual cleansing using Guaira, a sacred plant that helps to clear energy and seal spiritual channels. This process enhances both the safety and depth of the spiritual journey at our Ayahuasca retreat, ensuring a meaningful and transformative experience.

Bonfire Interation

• If you stay at night to held a second day ceremony, at the evening, we gather around a bonfire for further integration. A light meal is served at 7:00 pm, after which you are free to rest at your own pace, completing the holistic experience offered by our Ayahuasca retreat.

What Can You Expect from Our Experience?

• ( Second Day ) On the second day of our Ayahuasca Healing Retreat, the ceremony begins at 8:00 am with a preliminary meeting with the shaman to discuss the previous day and set expectations for this second experience. Afterward, the first cup of medicine is served, followed by a second cup at 12:30 pm. This 2-day retreat is ideal for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and experience a more profound transformation. By choosing this option, you’re opting for a more transcendental and profound Ayahuasca experience, with a strongfocus on safety, healing, and authentic guidance.

• You will receive your first cup at 8:00 am, followed by a second cup at 12:30 pm. Throughout the ceremony, you will be continuously monitored by our shaman and four facilitators in the maloka. Your experience will generally end around 5:00 pm, at which point we will begin an integration session by the fire. Once you start feeling better, you will be offered a vegetable broth to replenish fluids and electrolytes. The integration process continues, and you will have the option to speak with the shaman about your experience and integrate it. Afterward, we will conduct a spiritual closure using the plant Guaira to cleanse and close energetic channels.

  After this, we will begin our journey back to Medellín. We return to Medellín around 5 or 6 pm. Please note that our Yagé (Ayahuasca) is stronger than what is used in many other retreats, and generally, two days of ceremony are enough for this medicine to give you everything you were seeking within yourself.

• Additionally, if you wish, you’ll have the option to experience rape or curanga, sacred seed plants from the Amazon known for your spiritual and consciousness-enhancing effects. This is an optional addition that complements our Healing center for a deeper connection to Amazonian wisdom.
  

   

   

   

   
   

...Learn More About How We Conduct the Ayahuasca Experience:

 How to Best Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony

• Both men and women should avoid taking antibiotics at least 2 days before consuming Ayahuasca. It is also recommended to refrain from alcohol, cannabis, recreational drugs, red meat, dairy products, processed foods, fatty or greasy meals, and fast food for 3 days prior to the ceremony. During this period, you can consume vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean white meats such as chicken or fish.

• If you have any medical conditions or are taking regular medication, you must inform the Psychotravels medical staff so they can assess potential interactions with Ayahuasca. Avoid cannabis (marijuana) for at least a week, or at least 2 days before the ceremony in cases of heavy use, to ensure there are no disruptions to the sacred plant experience (marijuana can reduce the effects of the plant).

• On the day of the ceremony, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing, preferably in light colors rather than dark ones. For added comfort, it is recommended to wear shoes such as Crocs or slippers. It is also suggested to bring an extra set of clothes in case you need to change.

• You may bring your own drink if you have preferences, but Psychotravels provides meals, water, and toilet paper during the journey.

• After the ceremony, we will return to the same departure point in Medellín (either the starting point or your home).

Continue reading about How to Best Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony

• Bring an extra set of clothes, as you may need to change after the ceremony (this occurs in approximately 3% of cases).

• On the day of the ceremony, avoid consuming solid foods at breakfast. Instead, focus on liquids such as water or tea.

• In the days leading up to the ceremony, we recommend eating healthy meals that include fruits and vegetables. Avoid large amounts of meat, fast food, sausages, and sauces.

• Three days before the ceremony, avoid red meat and dairy products. You can consume white meats like chicken or fish, or eggs if you prefer an alternative protein source.

• We suggest that men abstain from sexual intercourse for at least two days before the Ayahuasca ceremony.

• It’s also recommended that women avoid attending the ceremony during their menstrual period (Moon dates), as the experience may be stronger, and shamans generally advise against it.

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Participants :

Should I do a 1 or 2-day ceremony?

• We advise our participants that a 1-day experience at our Ayahuasca Healing Retreat serves as an introduction to our sacred medicine, while a 2-day experience is recommended for those who wish to deepen their journey of consciousness, mind, and spirit, and universe as it offers a more profound experience, as well as for those searching for a connection with their higher self and the divinity that resides within.

How many participants are there in our groups?

• Our groups typically consist of 6 to 8 people, ensuring a personalized and Safe Ayahuasca Retreat experience.

How long does the effect of Ayahuasca last?

• The effects of this medicine during the Ayahuasca Ceremony can last from 1 to 8 hours, and if you take a second cup, the effects will be longer and deeper, allowing for a more intense Ayahuasca experience.

In what cases is Ayahuasca contraindicated?

• Women on their menstrual period, patients with psychosis or schizophrenia, epilepsy, heart disease, recent postoperative conditions, or critical health issues should avoid participation in the Ayahuasca Retreat. Safety is our top priority, making ours a Safe Ayahuasca experience for all participants.

What is the diet I should follow before the ceremony?

• In the days leading up to the Ayahuasca Ceremony you should avoid junk food, sauces, heavy dressings, meats, sausages, and fats. It is highly recommended to follow a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, cannabis, and any other drugs to ensure a positive and effective Ayahuasca Healing Retreat. Limit large portions of meat, especially red meat, and focus more on eating fruits and vegetables. If you choose to eat meat, chicken and fish are preferred. By following this dietary preparation, you can maximize the benefits of our Ayahuasca experience.