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Ayaspirits Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Netherlands

Ayaspirits operates 4-day ayahuasca retreats in the Netherlands with a maximum of 7 participants, combining traditional ayahuasca ceremonies with breathwork and integration sessions in a converted farmhouse surrounded by nature. The retreat center maintains a 5.0-star rating across 6+ verified reviews on Retreat Guru.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Located at The Hurnse Gaper farm, a converted course center in Hurwenen, Netherlands, the facility features a spacious ceremony room with wooden floors, private 1-2 person bedrooms, conservatory dining area, and outdoor space with fire pit surrounded by nature.
• Approach: Each 4-day retreat includes intake sessions, opening and closing circles, sharing sessions, connected breathwork, 2 rapé ceremonies, and 2 ayahuasca ceremonies with a maximum group size of 7 participants. The retreat uses 2 different ayahuasca brews during the experience.
• Suitable For: Individuals seeking intimate, supportive spiritual healing experiences in a small group setting with thorough preparation and integration support.
• Costs: €575 all-inclusive covering program, brews, rapé, food, drinks, and overnight stays.
• Overall Assessment: Small, intimate retreat with exceptional reviews but operating in legally questionable territory. Directory evaluation: B- (notable for personalized care, flag for legal status in Netherlands).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Guest testimonials consistently praise the exceptional care and transformative experiences at Ayaspirits. Participants describe life-changing weekends where they released deep sadness and pain, feeling profound liberation and expressing desire to return. Reviewers emphasize the kind, welcoming, caring nature of the facilitators and the attention to detail in creating a safe, loving environment that supports deep surrender. Multiple reviews highlight the comprehensive support system, with one participant noting how Fred, Ceylo, and Martijn “lovingly and respectfully held me in utmost safety during this step of my journey of delicate arrival into more fullness.” The intimate group size and personalized attention receive particular appreciation, with guests feeling truly cared for throughout the entire process.

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🚩 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 directly linked to Ayaspirits.

• Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct found across all sources checked.
• Sexual Misconduct: No allegations of sexual misconduct found across Reddit threads, review platforms, or other online sources.
• Crime: No criminal charges, arrests, or legal issues found specifically related to Ayaspirits facilitators or operations.

However, the broader context shows the Netherlands enacted a ban on ayahuasca importation in October 2019 citing public health concerns after three deaths were highlighted in media that year. Ayahuasca containing DMT is illegal in the Netherlands under the Opium Act as DMT is a controlled substance regulated under Schedule I.

New update as of March 2026: Center continues operating despite legal restrictions, with no specific incidents found but regulatory concerns remain.

🔍 Critical Notes

Ayaspirits demonstrates exceptional dedication to participant care and safety within their ceremonies, with consistently positive reviews highlighting the professional, loving approach of their facilitators. The retreat emphasizes creating a safe setting with support, compassion, and understanding by experienced guides in a natural Netherlands location. However, the primary concern is the legal status of their operations. Ayahuasca is illegal in the Netherlands under the Opium Act because DMT is a controlled substance regulated under Schedule I. Since October 2019, ayahuasca has been banned for consumption in the Netherlands. This creates regulatory risk for both the center and participants. The Netherlands previously allowed some ceremonial use but has moved toward stricter enforcement following safety concerns in the ayahuasca community.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

The retreat requires an intake process as part of their program structure, though specific medical screening details are not publicly available. Lead facilitator Ceylo completed medical studies in the Netherlands and has deep insights into human health and well-being. Given the small group size and personalized approach, individualized assessment appears to be part of their process. Participants should always consult with healthcare providers before considering ayahuasca, especially regarding medications, mental health conditions, and overall physical readiness.

🧪 Brew Substance

Ayaspirits uses 2 different ayahuasca brews during their retreats. The specific plant composition is not detailed in available materials, though they refer to working with “Motherplant Ayahuasca.” The program also includes 2 rapé ceremonies using traditional tobacco snuff. Lead facilitator Fred trained at The Sacred Voyage organization and has experience as an ayahuasca brewer. The retreat emphasizes deep respect for plant medicines in their approach.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Netherlands: The Netherlands offers a temperate climate and peaceful countryside setting. The retreat location is in Hurwenen, a rural area near the Waal River with nature reserves nearby.
• Setting: The Hurnse Gaper is a converted farmhouse situated on Waal River floodplains, with the Hurnse Kil nature reserve behind the dike providing walking paths, plus a garden around the house for relaxation between activities. Facilities include a spacious wooden-floored ceremony room, conservatory dining area, 1-2 person bedrooms upstairs, and outdoor space with fire pit.
• Style: The 4-day experience begins Friday with walk-in, opening circle, grounding meditation, sharing, and connected breathwork, continues Saturday and Sunday with rapé and ayahuasca ceremonies, and concludes Monday with breakfast, sharing, integration talk, and closing circle. Meals include organic fruits, soups, rice and corn waffles, gluten-free options, hummus, vegetarian pesto, salads, and breakfast items.

Practical guidance: Access via train to Zaltbommel station from either Schiphol or Eindhoven airports. Contact info@ayaspirits.com for information, intake, and registration. Given the legal status, participants should research current regulations and consider potential risks.

Should You Book?

Ayaspirits appears ideal for individuals seeking intimate, deeply supportive ayahuasca experiences with exceptional facilitator care and thorough integration support. The small group size, converted farmhouse setting, and consistently glowing reviews suggest a high-quality ceremonial environment. However, the significant legal concerns in the Netherlands should give prospective participants pause. Those prioritizing legal certainty should consider established retreat centers in countries where ayahuasca operates within clearer regulatory frameworks, such as Peru or Costa Rica.

The Team & Story

Ceylo was born in Sri Lanka’s mountains, surrounded by nature, Ayurveda, and meditation, completed medical studies in the Netherlands, has worked with plant medicines since 2015, and since 2018 facilitates retreats with partner Martijn, providing holistic healing support guided by feminine intuition. Martijn is described as naturally calm, caring, passionate about nature and self-development, working with holistic medicines as a driving force, and together with Ceylo facilitates ceremonies offering tools for personal healing. Fred began working with ayahuasca in 2009 during depression, healed through plant medicine, trained at The Sacred Voyage, became a guide and ceremony facilitator, has organized ceremonies since 2017, is an ayahuasca brewer, and is also a Connected Breath coach described as loving, gentle, powerful, understanding, and centered.

Prep & Integration Tips

The retreat includes comprehensive preparation and integration support as core components. The program structure includes intake sessions, opening circles, sharing sessions with intention setting, connected breathwork sessions, and dedicated integration sessions followed by closing circles. Specific dietary requirements and what to bring are not detailed in available information. Participants should follow standard ayahuasca preparation protocols including dietary restrictions and medication considerations.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Contact info@ayaspirits.com for information, intake, and registration. The all-inclusive price is €575 covering program, brews, food, accommodation, and support materials.