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Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Ecuador

Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat is a private, couple-run ayahuasca retreat in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, founded and led by Alan Waugh (shamanic healer trained in the Shipibo tradition since 2005) and Dianna Jerrybandhan Waugh (licensed massage therapist, certified hypnotherapist, and Reiki master). Originally established in Mount Shasta, California, the retreat relocated its primary operations to Vilcabamba in 2022. Unlike most ayahuasca centers, Sacred Valley offers exclusively private retreats — for individuals or couples only — with no group ceremonies. Alan has guided over 1,000 clients in plant medicine ceremonies across the US and South America and is the author of the bestselling book “Alchemical Ayahuasca.” Graham Hancock, author of “Ancient Apocalypse” on Netflix, has publicly recommended Alan as the best shaman he has worked with anywhere. No verified safety incidents have been reported.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Primary retreat center in Vilcabamba, Ecuador (known as the “Valley of Longevity”), set in the Andes mountains with gardens, a fish pond, river walks, and a purpose-built maloca ceremony space. A satellite healing center continues to operate in Mount Shasta, California, for non-ayahuasca modalities.
• Approach: Exclusively private retreats — just you (or you and your partner) with Alan and Dianna for the entire duration. No group ceremonies. The retreat integrates 3 ayahuasca ceremonies with shamanic healing, Reiki, breathwork, hypnotherapy (IFS/Parts), herbal and flower baths, integration sessions, and spa time. Alan selects medicines and healing modalities based on the individual’s needs. Ayahuasca is not mandatory — retreats can be conducted without plant medicine.
• Suitable For: Individuals or couples seeking deeply personalized, one-on-one healing with experienced facilitators. Particularly well-suited for those who are uncomfortable with group settings, first-timers who want maximum support, and couples seeking relationship healing. Also serves clients remotely via Zoom for shamanic healing and hypnotherapy.
• Costs: VIP Personal Retreat (8 days / 7 nights): $6,525 USD. Includes all ceremonies, healing sessions, food, accommodations, and airport transportation. A 50% non-refundable deposit ($3,262.50) is required at booking.
• Overall Assessment: A premium-priced, highly personalized retreat with a strong safety record, notable endorsements, and an impressive breadth of healing modalities. The exclusively private format provides unmatched individual attention but comes at a significant cost. Alan’s 20+ years of experience and Shipibo training, combined with Dianna’s complementary therapeutic skills, create a uniquely comprehensive offering. Directory evaluation: A- (exceptional personalization and safety record, with the high price point and limited independent third-party reviews as considerations).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Reviews across TripAdvisor (for the Mount Shasta location), the retreat’s own testimonials page, and book reviews for “Alchemical Ayahuasca” are consistently and overwhelmingly positive. Guests describe the experience as profoundly transformative, frequently citing the depth of personal attention from both Alan and Dianna as the defining differentiator from other retreats they’ve attended. Multiple reviewers describe returning for second and third visits, with one long-term client noting they’ve been working with Alan since 2016 and consider him and Dianna lifelong guides and friends.

The intimate, private format receives particular praise — guests consistently note feeling deeply safe and supported in ways they hadn’t experienced at larger group retreats. The combination of multiple healing modalities (not just ayahuasca but also shamanic healing, breathwork, hypnotherapy, and Reiki) is frequently highlighted as providing a more comprehensive healing experience. Several reviewers specifically mention the quality of the food and the beauty of the natural setting.

No negative reviews were identified across any public platform. This is notable but should be contextualized: the private, one-on-one format means the total number of guests is relatively small compared to group retreats, and the self-selection of clients who book private retreats at this price point likely contributes to consistently positive experiences.

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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 confirmed cases of theft, sexual misconduct, or criminal activity directly connected to Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat have been identified.

• Theft: No reports of stolen belongings or valuables at Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat appear in any public forums, ICEERS data, or news sources.
• Sexual Misconduct: No complaints, allegations, or legal actions involving Alan Waugh, Dianna Waugh, or any staff have been documented across Reddit, Facebook, news databases, or ICEERS resources.
• Crime: No arrests, police involvement, or violent incidents linked to Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat appear in Google News, Ecuadorian or US media, retreat forums, or ICEERS documentation.

The private, couple-run format inherently limits the volume of independent reviews but also creates a high-accountability environment where the facilitators are directly and personally responsible for every guest interaction. Alan’s endorsement from Graham Hancock and his long-standing TripAdvisor presence under the Mount Shasta location provide additional public credibility.

New update as of March 2026: No safety incidents have surfaced. The retreat is actively operating in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, with the Mount Shasta satellite center continuing to offer non-ayahuasca healing services.

🔍 Critical Notes

Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat’s strongest differentiator is its exclusively private format. While most ayahuasca retreats serve groups of 8-30+ participants with limited individual facilitator time, Sacred Valley provides an entire week of one-on-one (or couple-only) attention from both Alan and Dianna. This level of personalization is rare in the retreat space and addresses one of the most common complaints about larger centers — insufficient individual support during and between ceremonies. The breadth of complementary modalities (shamanic healing, Reiki, breathwork, IFS/Parts hypnotherapy, spa treatments, herbal baths) creates a more holistic experience than ayahuasca-only programs.

Alan’s credentials are substantial: Shipibo tradition training since 2005, over 1,000 ceremony participants, bestselling author, 20+ years as a Zen Hospice Project volunteer, and a personal endorsement from Graham Hancock. Dianna brings licensed massage therapy, certified hypnotherapy, and Reiki master credentials. Together they represent a genuinely complementary team.

The primary consideration is cost. At $6,525 for a single participant, Sacred Valley is among the most expensive ayahuasca retreats globally — roughly 3-4x the cost of comparable-duration group retreats in Peru or Ecuador. The private format justifies a premium, but prospective guests should evaluate whether the personalization is worth the additional investment for their specific needs. Additionally, the retreat operates in Ecuador, where ayahuasca use exists in a legal gray area similar to most South American countries — permitted in traditional and spiritual contexts but without formal regulatory oversight. Direct communication with Alan and Dianna about screening protocols and preparation requirements is straightforward given the personalized booking process.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

Sacred Valley’s booking process begins with a free consultation call via Calendly, during which Alan and Dianna assess the prospective guest’s needs, health background, and intentions. The private format allows for thorough, individualized screening that larger group retreats cannot replicate. Alan recommends reading his book “Alchemical Ayahuasca” before attending to ensure philosophical alignment and mental preparation. Ayahuasca is explicitly not mandatory — retreats can be conducted entirely without plant medicine if the guest prefers or if health considerations warrant it.

The integration support is notably comprehensive: 3 dedicated integration sessions during the retreat, plus a post-retreat Zoom integration session 2-4 weeks after departure. The combination of ayahuasca ceremonies with hypnotherapy (IFS/Parts work), breathwork, and shamanic healing sessions provides multiple therapeutic touchpoints for processing difficult material. Alan’s 20+ years of hospice volunteering also suggests significant experience in holding space for intense emotional and psychological experiences. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential prior to participation, particularly regarding MAOI interactions with medications.

🧪 Brew Substance

Sacred Valley works with traditional ayahuasca in the Shipibo tradition, which Alan has studied since 2005. San Pedro (huachuma) ceremonies are also available. The retreat does not appear to incorporate kambo, rapé, or yopo. Supplementary healing modalities include Reiki, shamanic energy healing (SETH™ — Alan’s proprietary method), Freedom Breathwork™, hypnotherapy with IFS/Parts therapy focus, herbal and flower baths, and massage. Alan determines which combination of plant medicines and healing modalities to use based on the individual guest’s needs and energy.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Ecuador: Located in Vilcabamba, a small town in the Loja province of southern Ecuador known as the “Valley of Longevity.” The Andes mountain setting provides natural beauty, clean air, and a spiritually significant environment. The retreat also maintains a satellite healing center in Mount Shasta, California, for non-ayahuasca services.
• Setting: A purpose-built retreat facility featuring a maloca ceremony space, a Bamboo Shala Guest House with private outdoor bathtub, gardens, fish pond, river access for walks, and surrounding mountain landscapes. The property includes dogs and wildlife. Accommodations are comfortable and private — this is a personal retreat, not a shared dormitory.
• Style: Deeply immersive and personalized. A typical 8-day retreat includes 3 ayahuasca ceremonies, multiple one-on-one healing sessions with both Alan and Dianna, spa time with massage, herbal and flower baths, river walks, journaling, meditation, integration sessions, and a closing ceremony in a Chakana Circle. Farm-to-table vegetarian and pescatarian cuisine from local suppliers. The pace is unhurried and individually tailored.

Practical guidance: Fly into Catamayo Airport (LOH) in Loja, Ecuador. The retreat provides transportation from the airport to Vilcabamba (approximately 1.5 hours). International flights typically connect through Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) with a domestic connection to Loja. Allow a travel day before the retreat begins.

Should You Book?

Sacred Valley Spiritual Retreat is the right choice if you want the most personalized ayahuasca experience available, are uncomfortable with group settings, and can invest at the premium price point. The combination of Alan’s deep experience, Dianna’s complementary therapeutic skills, and the exclusively private format creates something genuinely unique in the retreat landscape. If you’re a couple seeking shared healing work, the couples retreat format is particularly rare and valuable. However, if budget is a primary concern, or if you specifically want the community bonding that comes with group ceremonies, there are strong options at a fraction of the cost. The free consultation call is a good way to assess fit before committing the deposit.

The Team & Story

Alan Francis Waugh is originally from London and began his spiritual journey during a decade of severe depression in his twenties. He trained in the Shipibo ayahuasca tradition in Peru beginning in 2005 and has since guided over 1,000 clients through plant medicine ceremonies. He is a Reiki master, certified hypnotherapist, and the creator of several proprietary healing methods including Shamanic Energy Transformational Healing (SETH)™ and Freedom Breathwork™. He volunteered for over 20 years with the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco as a bedside caregiver and death doula. He is the author of “Alchemical Ayahuasca: Take the Journey from Depression to the Sweet Spot.”

Dianna Jerrybandhan Waugh is a licensed massage therapist, certified hypnotherapist specializing in womb regression and IFS/Parts therapy, and a Reiki master. She serves as Retreat Manager and co-facilitates all ceremonies and healing sessions. Alan and Dianna met during a group plant medicine retreat in Ecuador in 2020, married, and relocated from Mount Shasta to Vilcabamba in 2022 to build their retreat center.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to your retreat: Read Alan’s book “Alchemical Ayahuasca” for philosophical preparation. Follow the MAOI-compatible diet — avoid aged cheeses, fermented foods, alcohol, caffeine, and contraindicated medications (especially SSRIs and MAOIs). Complete the consultation call and disclose all health conditions and medications fully. Pack comfortable clothing, a journal, and personal items for an 8-day stay. After your retreat: A Zoom integration session with Alan and Dianna is included 2-4 weeks post-retreat. Continue journaling, maintain dietary principles as practical, and allow a gentle re-entry into daily life. The retreat’s newsletter and community provide ongoing connection.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings begin with a free consultation call available at sacredvalleyspiritualretreat.com. Contact Alan and Dianna via email (info@sacredvalleyspiritualretreat.com), phone (Alan: 415-516-2462 / Dianna: 909-262-5455), or through their website. VIP Personal Retreats and Couples Retreats include all ceremonies, healing sessions, food, accommodations, and airport transportation.