Pachamama Sanctuary

Maine, USA
Pachamama Sanctuary Pachamama Sanctuary Pachamama Sanctuary Pachamama Sanctuary Pachamama Sanctuary Pachamama Sanctuary

 

Atmosphere

Features

 


đź’¬ Guests Say

 

  • Profound Healing: Guests frequently call their ayahuasca experiences “life-changing,” crediting the medicine and facilitators for deep emotional breakthroughs.
  • Safe Sanctuary: Many highlight the nurturing, secure environment, with attentive staff ensuring comfort and care throughout the retreat.
  • Nature’s Embrace: The serene Maine setting, surrounded by trees and open skies, is praised for enhancing spiritual connection.
  • Community Vibe: Participants value the authentic, supportive community, forming lasting bonds with like-minded souls.

đźš© Incident Report

 

After a thorough investigation across multiple platforms—including Reddit (r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut), Quora, Facebook groups (“Psychedelic Healing,” “Ayahuasca Experiences”), news outlets, retreat forums, ICEERS reports, and official records—no verified incidents of theft, sexual misconduct, or crime directly linked to Pachamama Sanctuary Ayahuasca Retreat were identified.
  • Theft: No guest reports or public posts on forums, social media, ICEERS data, or news sources mention stolen valuables or items at Pachamama Sanctuary.
  • Sexual Misconduct: There are no documented allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Pachamama Sanctuary’s staff or facilitators in online discussions (Reddit, Facebook), news archives, or ICEERS resources. While sexual misconduct is a noted risk in the broader ayahuasca retreat community, no specific cases tie to Pachamama Sanctuary.
  • Crime: No evidence of police reports, arrests, or violent incidents associated with Pachamama Sanctuary surfaced in Google News, U.S. media, retreat forums, or ICEERS findings.
Pachamama Sanctuary maintains a largely positive online reputation with no reported incidents of this nature, supported by over 200 reviews averaging 4.92/5 on Retreat Guru and glowing testimonials on their site. However, some Reddit threads (e.g., r/Ayahuasca, Jan 2024) raise unverified concerns about founder Derek Januszewski’s personal struggles (e.g., alleged drug relapse and financial mismanagement), but these lack concrete evidence tying them to guest safety or criminal activity at the retreat itself. General ayahuasca risks (e.g., oversight lapses) remain a broader community topic per ICEERS research, yet nothing specific to Pachamama Sanctuary appears in public records or discussions.

What to Expect.

Welcome to Pachamama Sanctuary, your destination for transformative Ayahuasca retreats in the USA. Our sanctuary is here to guide individuals on their journey to inner healing and spiritual enlightenment. Located in a peaceful natural setting, we provide a safe and nurturing space to explore the powerful benefits of Ayahuasca ceremonies.

We offer comprehensive information, expert guidance, and profound spiritual experiences within a supportive community. Our goal is to help you heal from past traumas and gain spiritual clarity by assisting you every step of the way. At Pachamama Sanctuary, you will reconnect with your true self and the wisdom of nature through our Ayahuasca healing retreats in the USA.

JC Arkawa Playing Flute

When you arrive, you will check in and choose your space for the weekend. You will have a comfortable memory foam mattress with blanket and pillow prepared for you lovingly. We separate men and women on opposite sides of the ceremony space. This will be yours all weekend, for ceremony and sleeping overnight.

After ceremony we will serve some fruit and other snacks. In the morning we prepare a healthy breakfast and hold an integration circle where you will have the opportunity to share your experience and begin to process what you received with the support of an integration coach and the group. All meals provided are vegan, with the exception of honey in the oatmeal.

During the day on Saturday, you will have ample time to connect with other guests, as well as take part in a very powerful Transformational Breathwork session. Many feel that this is nearly as powerful as the Ayahuasca ceremony. Time during the day Saturday is precious, providing lots of opportunities to integrate the teachings since arriving..

Our second ceremony begins at 4PM on Saturday, and if weather permits, outdoors. Our team of experienced guardians and support will ensure a safe and healthy process during ceremony. We usually conclude the Saturday with a practice expressing gratitude to the water we often take for granted in our daily lives. We serve a healthy vegan feast after ceremony.

Instruments
Group of People in Ayahuasca Retreat

Sunday Morning we start with a delicious breakfast, and hold our final integration circle. This is where you will have an opportunity to share tour major takeaways from the weekend, and hear your new friends share theirs. We conclude the weekend with a closing circle and take a picture that will be emailed to you. At the conclusion of the retreat you are welcome to linger at the Sanctuary to process things before heading home.


About our Ceremonial Leaders

Derek Januszewski

Derek Januszewski is the visionary owner and founder of Pachamama Sanctuary, a transformative retreat center dedicated to spiritual healing, personal growth, and emotional mastery. Guided by his passion for helping others overcome inner obstacles such as negativity, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs, Derek has built a space where individuals can reconnect with their true selves and tap into their full potential. His deep commitment to mindfulness, compassion, and conscious living is at the heart of his leadership at Pachamama. With a rich background in personal transformation, Derek has developed a unique approach to healing that integrates spiritual ceremonies, workshops, and community-driven…

Haru Kuntanawa

Haru Kuntanawa, also known as Prince, stands as a guiding light among indigenous communities in Brazil, celebrated for his transformative leadership in revitalizing the rich cultural heritage of his people. With a commanding presence, compassionate heart, and influential spirit, Haru has nurtured faith and unity within his tribe and neighboring villages along the enchanting banks of Acre, Brazil. Deeply respecting traditional wisdom and the sacred healing properties of natural plant medicine, Haru took visionary steps to safeguard and honor these ancient practices. He played a pivotal role in organizing the Pano Corridor Project, a groundbreaking initiative uniting diverse tribes, nations,…

Hayra Kuntanawa

Dr. Hayra Kuntanawa: Co-Leader of the Kuntanawa Hayra Kuntanawa is an internationally recognized medicine woman, Chinese Medicine doctor, teacher in various healing arts,  musical artist and holds the distinguished position of co-leader alongside her husband in the Kuntanawa Nation. The healing path has been a part of Hayra’s life since childhood, leading her to develop a unique field of medical practice. Her studies and work have taken her across Asia, Europe, North, and South,America. Hayra has graduated from and studied under numerous world-renowned schools, institutions, and teachers, including: – Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, the leading school in the United States…

Leandro

Leandro, originally from Brazil, brings a wealth of life experience and a deep commitment to healing and transformation to Pachamama Sanctuary. Now 35 years old, he is the proud father of a one-year-old daughter, Amaranta. In 2022, after years of exploring different parts of the world, Leandro found his home in the serene landscapes of Vermont, a place that inspires his journey of personal growth and service. Leandro’s path of self-discovery began at 17 with his first psychedelic experience, sparking a profound interest in the healing potential of entheogenic substances. Since 2012, he has devoted himself to studying and intentionally…

Natasha Devi

I am Natasha Devi. Life has led me back to Pachamama, to work alongside her, for her many earth children. I am a retired New York state attorney who has been living in the Peruvian Amazon for 7 years. Kambo and plant medicines have been strong teachers, healers and guides, in my life and i have dedicated ongoing energy to learning from and advocating for them. As a person sharing these sacred earth medicines, it is very important i take the time to do my own work, for my energy is intertwined when i hold space. Life has gifted me…

Sitora

Sitora is a multifaceted guide, mentor, and medicine woman, born in Uzbekistan and rooted in Persian and Mongolian ancestry. She was raised by her wise woman grandmother and the ancestral healing wisdom passed down through their lineage. In 2015, Sitora began her shamanic apprenticeship, and by 2018, she was leading her own circles and retreats. She founded the Wild Wombyn Retreats in 2020, which has expanded across the US. Sitora founded Ishtar Alchemy which specializes in feminine liberation, womb healing, and shamanic mentorship, helping others embody their sovereign power. She is a skilled herbalist, drawing wisdom from plants to create…

JC Arkawa

Juan Carlos Arkawa has worked with Ayahuasca for 22 years. He trained in Colombia and serves the sacrament with the highest respect and honor. JC is a multi-instrumentalist musician, producer, composer and arranger of indigenous Colombian descent from the town of Los Pastos. With more than 30 years of musical experience, he bases his work on the fusion of instruments and ethnic music from different parts of the world, as well as cultural knowledge from diverse ancestral communities and contemporary technology. He is a self-taught performer on more than 100 wind instruments from around the world. In 2014 he was…

Leydi Johana Ramirez Lopez

Medicine woman 10 years ago, born in Colombia, mother, walker of the red road in service with fire, for sacred altars as they are, Temazcales of medicines and awakolla. Practitioner of the shamanic medicinal wheel of Mother Earth, she provides therapeutic accompaniment through different integral medicines such as ancestral feminine wisdom, lunar sowings (woman), ancestral gynecology (uterine healing), works with obsidian and its different geometries. Johana is currently studying natural fertility, trained in mixed international circles, pregnancy and childbirth as a ceremony (Mhuysca) and placental medicine (Mhuyscas). Facilitator of ancestral medicines such as ayahuasca, kambo, sananga, mambe, ambil, rape, cocoa…

Nico

Nico’s path with Ayahuasca began 16 years ago through an apprenticeship under Taita Florentino Agreda, from Putumayo Colombia. These first few years of regular ceremonies were a powerful initiation, which brought a lot of clarity and established a deep relationship with this medicine. With Taita Florentino Nico has traveled throughout Colombia, assisting in ceremonies, playing medicine music, and eventually learning from Taitas of other traditions. Some names include Taita Isaias Munos Macanilla (Kitchwas community from the Amazon), Taita Querubin Queta (Cofan), Taita Leonel Tascon (Embera), to list a few. Another profound experience during these years of exploration and healing was…

Taita Jhon

About Taita John Muchavisoy, At a very young age, he began the journey of learning to become a traditional indigenous doctor certified by the Columbian Government. He immersed himself in the jungle for more than 15 years where he went through preparation processes and was able to work hand and hand with the various medicines of the earth, in different patients with physical, emotional and spiritual conditions. His experience and journey now totals 25 years during which time he learned from great grandparents and teachers. The main one, the renowned Major Taita Hipotito Muchuviddy, his father who brought him the…

Melissa

“The Whole World is waiting for you to shine your Light, and I am here to support this process” INTEGRATION COACH SPECIALIST:  Melissa’s mission is to support your Soul Process and your integration of Plant Medicine work using Psychosynthesis Coaching, the Psychology of the Soul, combined with a deep knowledge of Ceremonies and Plant Spirits and the ancient wisdom of Yoga. Expertise: – Psychosynthesis Integration Specialist – Pre and Post Ceremony Integration – Jungle Trained Facilitator (trained with Shipibo Tribe in Peru) – Yoga Teacher (Hata, Vinyasa, Ying) – Tantra Practitioner – Highly empathic and intuitive – Expert in Languages…

Maima MarĂ­a Manesita Queta & Taita Luis Alberto Queta

Maima María Manesita Queta is the sister of Taita Mayor Querubín Queta Alvarado 108 year old Chief of the Cofan tribe from the south of Colombia. She will be accompanied by her son Taita Luis Alberto Queta. Their tribe resides in the Ukumari Kankhe reservation in Nariño just over the Putumayo county border and are part of an unbroken lineage of Yage oral traditions that goes back over 5000 years. They work with chants, Wairas, and harmonicas to harmonize one with the medicine and perform deep energetic cleansing to help shed stagnant energy and align one’s spirit. Maima Manesita is…

Marco Gonzalez

Marco’s communion with Ayahuasca began 19 years ago. He was initiated by a Huichol Medicine Man on a pilgrimage to Wirikuta, followed by vision quests for 4 years under the guidance of Lakota Indians from the North. He has also studied under Yopo and Mamawilka from the Piaroa tribe under the guidance of the tribe elder Bolivar. His path with Ayahuasca started 10 years ago with an apprenticeship in the Amazon jungle with the Shipibo Tribe and tribe Shamans: Fidel Mozombite, Mateo Arevalo, Daniel Arevalo, Takiwasi and Atahualpa and continued in Mexico under the Mayan Shaman Don Lauro de la Cruz doing energy healing work. He continues to…

Juan

Juan, the creator of Ayacona, has dedicated himself to working with sacred medicines from the Amazon for approximately 18 years. Originally from Colombia, he has had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with various taitas, shamans, and indigenous communities from the Amazon region. Juan strongly believes in the unification of tribes, traditions, and medicines, recognizing the power and wisdom each holds. Through his ceremonies, music, and sacred space-holding, he integrates elements from different traditions, aiming to bring unity, healing, and peace to us and our planet. Juan’s alliance with the Lakota people demonstrates his commitment to fostering respect, ceremonies,…


Our Beliefs and Ayahuasca Practices at Pachamama Sanctuary

We believe in a Great Spirit that is the creator of and permeates through everything in existence;

We believe the Great Spirit created Pachamama (Mother Earth) and that Pachamama created all life on Earth;

We believe that Ayahuasca is the blood of Pachamama, and was humbly bestowed upon humankind to awaken slumbering souls and raise the vibration of each individual who consumes Ayahuasca, who then raises the vibration of humanity as a whole through their interactions with other beings (ripple effect);

We believe the use of Ayahuasca allows our members to commune with both the Great Spirit and Pachamama. Through this communion, we receive answers to both overarching and specific life questions and are guided on our path to raising the vibrational frequency of all mankind. Through our consumption of Ayahuasca, we are also guided to be stewards of Pachamama.

We believe that life is permanent and eternal. At death, our bodies decompose and thereby feed Pachamama so she may nourish future generations of beings. At death, our minds continue on through the knowledge we bestow upon other beings during our lifetime. At death, our spirit continues on through the way we make other beings feel during our lifetime. Through the use of Ayahuasca, we nourish and strengthen our minds, bodies, and spirits so as to ensure their eternal nature.

We believe primarily in the value and perpetuation of our community over the value and perpetuation of any single member.

We believe the spiritual efficacy of Ayahuasca is best when served in ceremonies of forty (40) members or less.  We also believe the spiritual efficacy of Ayahuasca is best when served only by experienced ceremonial leaders, who are best able to guide our members through their spiritual communion with the Great Spirit and Pachamama.

We believe the use of Ayahuasca is integral to our spiritual practices, as it is the only catalyst by which we are able to directly commune with the Great Spirit and Pachamama.


Location

WE are located 40 minutes outside of Portland, Maine in the town of Casco.

Nearest Airport

If you are flying in for your visit with us, the Portland International Jetport (PWM) is the nearest airport. If the price or schedule is prohibitive to fly into Portland, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is an excellent option. Concord Coach Lines picks up at all Logan airport terminals on an hourly basis and drops off in Portland. The bus ticket is affordable, with an approximately 2 hour travel time from Boston to Portland.

Car Rental, Ubers, and Lyft

At this time we do not provide airport transfers. Uber and Lyft are readily available from the Portland, Maine area.

Quite often we are able to pair you up with another guest traveling north to the Sanctuary. It is very easy to hop off of the highway on their way in and can be really fun meeting people you’ll be sharing the experience with! Please reach out to us on the main sanctuary line if you are interested in this option.

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