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Amayas Ayahuasca Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Ecuador

Amayas Ayahuasca operates a 7-11 day healing retreat in Ecuador’s Amazon jungle, guided by indigenous shamans and run by Karolína from the Czech Republic and her partner Gabriel from Argentina. The center organizes ceremonies in small groups of maximum 8 people to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. They offer two different Ayahuasca programs that combine ceremonies with diverse adventure activities, with the 11-day program being their most popular.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Located in the heart of the Amazon jungle in Ecuador, the retreat operates from two different centers deep in the jungle. The retreat is situated near the Misahualli River where guests can refresh themselves, with hammocks surrounded by nature for relaxation.
• Approach: The 11-day program includes four ceremonies led by powerful shamans, while the 7-day program offers three traditional ceremonies. Each ceremony is attended by a lead shaman and two assistants who remain present throughout the night for safety. Participants receive water tobacco preparation the day before ceremonies for cleansing purposes.
• Suitable For: The 11-day program is designed for those seeking a profound, life-altering experience, while the 7-day retreat is ideal for those seeking a more gentle and restorative experience. Suitable for guests experiencing the initial effects of Ayahuasca in a safe and supportive environment.
• Costs: Price information was not found on the website during this research. Costs appear to include accommodation, all activities, and transportation from Quito.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: C+ (notable for adventure-focused programs and small group size, flagged for limited verifiable reviews and missing transparency details).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

No verified guest reviews were found across major review platforms including TripAdvisor, Aya Advisors, Retreat Guru, or Reddit during this research. The retreat’s website contains generic testimonial-style quotes describing transformational experiences, but these lack specific details that would indicate authentic guest feedback. Without access to independent reviews, it’s difficult to assess guest satisfaction, ceremony quality, or potential concerns. The absence of reviews could indicate either that the retreat is relatively new or that guests haven’t shared their experiences publicly.

We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no specific safety incidents were found associated with Amayas Ayahuasca Ecuador.

• Theft: No reports of theft found across searched platforms and public records.
• Sexual Misconduct: No allegations of sexual misconduct found across searched sources.
• Crime: No criminal charges or legal issues found in public records or online discussions.

Limited online presence in safety discussion forums may indicate either clean operations or insufficient time for comprehensive community vetting.

New update as of March 2026: No incidents found.

🔍 Critical Notes

The retreat emphasizes putting all strength, care and intention into the center, with every guest being important and focusing on cleanliness, quality conditions, safety and an individual approach. The founder mentions learning from negative experiences at other centers about the importance of safe hygiene standards, which they claim are uncommon in jungle settings. However, several transparency concerns exist: pricing is not clearly displayed on the website, there’s limited verifiable information about the retreat’s operational history, and no medical screening protocols are detailed. While they mention providing detailed preparation and diet guides 14 days before retreat, specific medical contraindications aren’t clearly outlined. The retreat operates in Ecuador where ayahuasca ceremonies exist in a legal gray area.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

The retreat provides all participants with a detailed preparation and diet guide at least 14 days before their retreat. However, specific mental health screening protocols, medical contraindications, or psychiatric evaluation processes are not detailed on their website. They emphasize that preparation is essential and that without proper physical and mental readiness, the medicine may not reach its full potential. The lack of clearly stated medical screening procedures raises concerns for participant safety. Anyone considering this retreat should consult with a qualified healthcare provider, especially those with mental health conditions, cardiac issues, or taking medications.

🧪 Brew Substance

The website refers to serving traditional ayahuasca without specifying the exact plant composition. Based on the Amazon location and indigenous shaman guidance, it likely contains the traditional B. caapi vine and chacruna leaves containing DMT. Additional plant medicines include water tobacco (likely tobacco water preparation) given before ceremonies for cleansing. They also serve Gayusa tea and nasal tobacco during preliminary rituals. No mention of synthetic compounds or non-traditional substitutes was found.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Ecuador: Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest offers an authentic setting for traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, with the country having indigenous shamanic traditions and relative legal tolerance for ceremonial use.
• Setting: Ceremonies take place in a traditional maloca – a spacious, circular ceremonial hut surrounded by pristine nature, allowing participants to feel grounded and energetically connected to the jungle. The retreat operates from two different centers deep in the jungle. The location is near the Misahualli River for swimming and near the village of Cotundo for short walks.
• Style: Daily activities include rafting on rivers, visiting hot springs, spa treatments, exploring Ecuador’s Grand Canyon, and connecting with local Kichwa communities by motorized canoe. Ceremonies begin around 8:00 PM with each person having their own mattress, blanket, and pillow. After 2-3 hours, the shaman conducts individual cleansing sessions lasting about 20 minutes per person with hands-on work and healing songs.

Practical guidance: Transportation is provided from Quito with pickup around 9 AM from hotels near the airport or at the airport. Return transport to Quito is included at the end of the program. Booking appears to be done through their website contact forms, though specific booking procedures aren’t clearly outlined.

Should You Book?

This retreat may suit adventurous individuals seeking to combine ayahuasca ceremonies with extensive outdoor activities like rafting, canyon exploration, and cultural immersion with Kichwa communities. The small group size and adventure focus could appeal to those wanting a more active retreat experience. However, those prioritizing transparency, established safety protocols, or verifiable guest reviews should consider more established centers. The limited online presence and absence of clear medical screening procedures make this retreat better suited for experienced psychedelic users rather than first-time participants.

The Team & Story

The retreat is run by Karolína from the Czech Republic and her partner Gabriel from Argentina, with ceremonies led by shaman Luis, described as an exceptionally strong and respected healer who helped the founder undergo profound life transformation. They also work with Papito, an 84-year-old shaman who has been preparing for his role since age 5 and is highly respected among locals. Both shamans reportedly passed a 40-year-old “Association of Shamans” trial in Ecuador where only 20 out of 400 participants succeeded. The founder describes her life as completely different before meeting ayahuasca and aims to help others resolve their past and find their new self.

Prep & Integration Tips

Before the retreat, they send all information about a specialized diet to make ceremonies most effective, with detailed preparation and diet guides provided at least 14 days beforehand. Each day is structured to support healing and connection with space for reflection and integration. However, specific integration support details, aftercare protocols, or what to bring aren’t clearly outlined on the website. They mention that ceremony effects continue for days and weeks afterward, with people reporting feeling lighter and more emotionally balanced.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Booking appears to be handled through website contact forms, though specific procedures, deposit requirements, and cancellation policies aren’t clearly detailed. The programs include accommodation, activities, transportation from Quito, and all meals during the retreat duration.