Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador:
A Genuine Healing Journey Guided by Indigenous Elders
Since 2008, Feather Crown has been offering responsibly guided sacred plant medicine retreats with respected indigenous shamans in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador programs are grounded in safety, responsibility, ethics, and deep respect for indigenous traditionsāfar from tourism and rooted in authentic practice. We create a space for genuine healing, learning, and inner transformation, where guests can reconnect with nature, gain clarity, and experience meaningful spiritual growth.
ELDER INDIGENOUS SHAMAN
Led by an elder indigenous shaman with decades of experience, trained within ancestral traditions. His work is grounded, precise, and guided by deep knowledge passed down through generations.
SAFE & GROUNDED
Established in 2008, with proven safety protocols, experienced facilitators, and a structured ceremonial environment. Suitable for both first-time and experienced participants.
SUPPORTIVE
Compassionate elder healers, English-speaking translators, and a dedicated team of facilitators. Preparation before the ceremony, guidance throughout, and integration support afterward.
BEAUTIFUL SETTING
Join us in the mountain jungle of Ecuador, where the Andes meet the Amazon. Our serene center is surrounded by lush forest and a crystalline river for swimming and connection with nature.
DELICIOUS CUISINE
Healthy and nourishing meals aligned with the plant medicine, including vegetarian and vegan options, fresh fruits, juices, and local specialties prepared with love.
COMFORTABLE AND SERENE
Enjoy the jungle while staying comfortable. Private rooms with views, hot showers, purified water, WiFi, and a peaceful atmosphere supported by the altitude.
RECIPROCITY
A portion of our profits supports rainforest conservation, the protection of sacred sites, Indigenous organizations, and the cultural rejuvenation of Indigenous peoples.
AUTHENTIC & NON-COMMERCIAL
This is not a tourist experience. We work in a traditional and respectful way, focused on genuine healing rather than commercialization or superficial experiences.
DEEP & TRANSFORMATIVE PROCESS
A complete journey including preparation, ceremonies, and integration ā allowing for deep inner work, clarity, and lasting personal transformation.
LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT MODALITIES
Based on 95 verified Google reviews and a 5.0-star rating, Feather Crown is one of the best-rated ayahuasca retreats in Ecuador.
Authentic Healing with Indigenous Elders
Choosing an authentic ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador requires care. Ayahuasca is a powerful traditional Amazonian medicine, and the quality of a retreat depends on the experience, ethics and legitimacy of the people guiding it.
Since 2008, Feather Crown has offered responsibly guided Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador programs with respected Indigenous shamans. Our retreats take place within a 23-hectare private rainforest reserve near the sacred PiatĆŗa River, surrounded by primary forest and the living presence of the Amazon.
Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants, allowing for personal attention throughout the process. Careful health screening, a sober ceremonial support team, private accommodation, translation and guided integration help create the conditions for serious inner work. This is not a commercial or tourist-style experience, but a genuine healing process approached with respect and responsibility.
A Traditional Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
Ayahuasca comes from the Amazon rainforest, where Indigenous peoples have worked with this medicine for generations. Feather Crown is located in Kichwa territory, where relationships with medicinal plants, rivers, forests and ancestral knowledge remain part of a living tradition.
Our 5-day and 10-day retreats are led by either Don Carlos LandĆ”zuri, an elder Kichwa healer from Ecuador, or Maestro Sina, a Shipibo elder from Ucayali, Peru. The ceremony leader depends on the selected retreat date. Each retreat is led by one of these healersāthey do not lead the same retreat together. Their presentations appear together on the program pages so that participants can learn about both traditions before choosing a date.
See our current retreat dates, availability and ceremony leaders.
The ayahuasca served during our ceremonies is traditionally prepared from carefully selected plants. Our inherited vines include lineages preserved by experienced shamans, as well as varieties collected from different parts of Ecuador and the wider Amazon. We cultivate these plants regeneratively on our own land so that the medicine remains connected to the forest and can be preserved for future generations.
Learn more about our approach to regenerative ayahuasca cultivation and discover why experiencing ayahuasca in the Amazon can be so meaningful.
Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador Programs
Feather Crown offers three carefully structured program formats. The right choice depends on the depth of the process you seek, the time available to you and your readiness for traditional plant-medicine work.
The 5-day and 10-day retreats may be led by Don Carlos in the Kichwa tradition or Maestro Sina in the Shipibo tradition, depending on the retreat date. The 30-day Shipibo master plant dieta is guided exclusively by Maestro Sina.
5-Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
Our 5-day ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador includes two traditional ceremonies, individual cleansing work with the healer, plant baths, translated integration sessions and guided activities in the Amazon rainforest.
This shorter program is suitable for people with limited time or those who prefer a more concentrated introduction to traditional ayahuasca work. Depending on the selected date, the ceremonies are led by either Don Carlos or Maestro Sina.
Explore the 5-day Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador program.
10-Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
Our 10-day ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador includes four traditional ceremonies, individual cleansings, plant baths, translated integration sessions and a fuller program of rainforest and cultural activities.
The longer format gives the healing process more time to unfold gradually, with additional space for rest, reflection and integration between ceremonies. Depending on the selected date, the retreat is led by either Don Carlos or Maestro Sina.
Explore the 10-day Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador program.
30-Day Shipibo Master Plant Dieta with Maestro Sina
The 30-day Shipibo master plant dieta is a distinct traditional process rather than simply a longer ayahuasca retreat. It is guided exclusively by Maestro Sina and involves solitude, silence, carefully restricted food, work with piƱon colorado, individual guidance and structured opening and closing ceremonies.
This demanding month-long process is intended for people who feel called to deeper work with Amazonian master plants and are prepared to follow the traditional dieta rules with discipline and commitment.
Learn about the 30-day Shipibo master plant dieta with Maestro Sina.
See our upcoming retreat dates, availability, prices and ceremony leaders.
Safety, Ethics and Responsibility
Choosing the right ayahuasca retreat is above all a matter of safety. At Feather Crown, we maintain clear ethical boundaries and place participant well-being before the expectation that everyone should drink ayahuasca.
Every applicant completes a health screening before being accepted. Certain medications, heart conditions and serious mental health conditions may be incompatible with ayahuasca. Participation in a retreat never guarantees permission to drink the medicine. If our team believes that drinking would present an unacceptable risk, the participant may still be able to take part in appropriate activities and receive traditional support without drinking ayahuasca.
During every ceremony, a sober and attentive support team remains present throughout the night. Participants receive practical help when needed and are not expected to navigate an intense experience without support. We are especially committed to maintaining clear boundaries and a safe, respectful environment for women.
Please read our retreat requirements and health and safety information before applying. You can also consult our complete guide to preparing for an ayahuasca retreat.
A Complete Healing Process, Not Just Ceremonies
A responsible retreat offers more than ayahuasca ceremonies. The process begins with preparation before arrival and continues through the experiences, insights and changes that follow.
During the retreat, participants receive support from Indigenous healers and an experienced team familiar with intense ceremonial processes. The morning after each ceremony, a translated integration circle provides space to reflect on the experience, ask questions and find practical ways to bring its lessons into everyday life. Private conversations are also available when more personal support is needed.
Participants are never pressured to drink ayahuasca or consume a larger amount. Healing may also involve individual limpias, plant baths, rest, time beside the river, walks through the rainforest and meaningful contact with Kichwa culture.
Read more about what to expect during an ayahuasca ceremony in Ecuador.
Life at Our Amazon Rainforest Center
Feather Crown is surrounded by primary rainforest near the crystalline PiatĆŗa River. Participants stay in private rooms for one person, a couple or a family. Guests who do not know each other are never required to share a room.
Rooms have jungle views, orthopedic mattresses, thermal blankets and mosquito nets. The center has hot showers, electricity and reliable internet while still offering the silence and seclusion needed for inner work.
Between ceremonies, participants can rest, swim in the river and explore forest paths. Retreat activities may include medicinal-plant walks, learning how ayahuasca is prepared, traditional painting and handicrafts, visits to waterfalls, plant baths and opportunities to learn about Kichwa culture.
Discover more about the Feather Crown retreat center in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Reciprocity with Indigenous Communities and the Amazon
Joining Feather Crown also contributes to a wider relationship of reciprocity with the Amazon and its people. The center provides stable employment for several local families and follows a fair-trade approach that extends beyond regular salaries. We also contribute to locally led tourism initiatives, construction projects and other forms of sustainable community development.
We work in cooperation with PONAKICSC, the Pueblo Originario Kichwa del CantĆ³n Santa Clara, an Indigenous organization representing 22 Kichwa communities. Feather Crown is also actively involved in protecting Indigenous territory, primary rainforest and the sacred PiatĆŗa River from threats including mining and destructive development.
Our commitment to regenerative cultivation helps reduce pressure on wild ayahuasca plants while preserving important vine lineages. The aim is not only to receive healing from the Amazon, but also to give something meaningful back.
Why Choose Feather Crown
The Feather Crown Ayahuasca Retreat Ecuador experience is grounded in traditional knowledge, careful preparation and genuine responsibility:
- Indigenous Kichwa and Shipibo healers with decades of experience
- Retreats organized in the Ecuadorian Amazon since 2008
- A 23-hectare private rainforest reserve near the PiatĆŗa River
- Traditionally prepared ayahuasca cultivated on our own land
- Small groups with a maximum of 12 participants
- Careful health screening before acceptance
- A sober and attentive support team throughout every ceremony
- Clear ethical boundaries and a respectful environment for women
- Private accommodation and personal attention
- Translated integration circles following ceremonies
- Direct support for local Kichwa families and community projects
- Active care for Indigenous territory and the Amazon rainforest
Begin Your Ayahuasca Retreat in Ecuador
If you feel called to this work, we invite you to compare our retreat formats, review the healer leading each available date, read the health requirements carefully and choose the program that best corresponds with your needs.
An ayahuasca retreat can be a profound step toward healing and self-understanding, but it should be approached without promises of miraculous results. We provide experienced guidance, a supportive environment and a serious traditional process. Each participant must enter that process with honesty, patience and respect.
View upcoming ayahuasca retreat dates, prices and ceremony leaders.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Choosing Your Retreat
What makes Feather Crown different from other ayahuasca retreats in Ecuador?
Feather Crown has organized responsibly guided retreats in the Ecuadorian Amazon since 2008. Our work is grounded in Indigenous Kichwa and Shipibo traditions, careful health screening, small groups and personal attention.
Retreats take place within a 23-hectare private rainforest reserve beside the PiatĆŗa River. Ceremonies are supported by an experienced sober team, English translation and integration after every ceremonial night.
Learn more about why people choose Feather Crown.
Is Feather Crown suitable for someone experiencing ayahuasca for the first time?
Yes. Many participants come without previous experience. First-time participants receive detailed preparation information, an explanatory meeting before the ceremony and attentive support throughout the night.
We begin carefully, and no one is pressured to drink ayahuasca or take a larger amount. Read our complete First-Timerās Ayahuasca Guide.
Should I choose a 5-day or 10-day ayahuasca retreat?
The 5-day retreat includes two ceremonies and is suitable for people with limited time. The 10-day retreat includes four ceremonies and allows the process to unfold more gradually, with additional time for rest and integration.
For most first-time participants travelling a long distance, the 10-day format offers a more complete and balanced experience.
Compare our 5-day retreats, 10-day retreats and 30-day Shipibo master plant dieta.
Who leads the ayahuasca ceremonies?
Depending on the selected date, ceremonies are led by either Don Carlos LandƔzuri, an elder Kichwa yachak from Ecuador, or Maestro Sina, an elder Shipibo healer from Ucayali, Peru.
Both work according to their respective ancestral traditions and provide individual attention during the ceremonies. The healer leading each program is shown on our dates, availability and prices page.
How large are the groups, and is English translation available?
Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants. This allows the healer and support team to provide personal attention throughout the retreat.
Important instructions, consultations and integration conversations are translated into English. Traditional icaros and ceremonial songs are received in their original form.
Ceremonies and Safety
Is ayahuasca safe for everyone?
No. Ayahuasca is not suitable for everyone, and no responsible retreat can guarantee a completely risk-free experience.
Every applicant must complete a physical and psychological health screening. Certain heart conditions, psychiatric conditions, medications and other health concerns may make drinking ayahuasca unsafe.
Please 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 during your application.
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.
Do I have to drink ayahuasca during the ceremonies?
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 necessary for safety. You can still participate in appropriate retreat activities and receive traditional cleansing or healing work from the shaman.
What happens if I become frightened 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 article about ayahuasca and fear.
What happens during an ayahuasca ceremony?
Ceremonies take place at night in our purpose-built circular temple. Each participant has an individual mattress and space for their personal process.
The healer works throughout the night with traditional songs, instruments and plant-based techniques. Each participant is also invited to receive an individual limpia or cleansing session.
Learn more about what to expect during an ayahuasca ceremony.
What 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. Learn more about our regenerative ayahuasca cultivation.
Accommodation, Travel and Booking
What accommodation and facilities are available?
Guests stay in simple, clean bamboo cabins with private rooms for one person, a couple or a family. Strangers are never placed together in the same room.
Rooms have orthopedic mattresses, thermal blankets, mosquito nets, electricity and jungle views. The center also has hot-water showers, purified water and reliable Wi-Fi.
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 meals may also include freshwater 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.
Where is Feather Crown, and how do I reach the center?
Feather Crown is near Santa Clara in Pastaza province, in the Ecuadorian Amazon between Tena and Puyo. The center is approximately four hours by road from Quito and about one hour from Tena or Puyo.
International participants should arrive in Quito at least one day before the retreat begins. We can help arrange private transportation to the center for an additional fee.
Review our Ecuador and Santa Clara travel information before booking your journey.
What is included in the retreat price?
The price includes private-room accommodation, meals and drinks at the center, traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, individual cleansings with the healer, plant baths, integration sessions and the activities described in your chosen program.
International flights, transportation between Quito and the center, purchases and optional additional treatments are not included. See the exact inclusions on your selected retreat page.
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, and the remaining balance can be paid later.
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 and refundable or changeable airfare.
What integration support is available after the ceremonies?
A translated integration circle takes place after every ceremony. 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. Participants may also contact us after returning home when they need clarification about their retreat process.
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.
