The Huachuma Project

I came to The Huachuma Project skeptical. As an engineer, I like data, logic, and things that can be measured. Psychedelics weren’t exactly in my wheelhouse, but after months of battling burnout and feeling disconnected from my own life, I figured—why not?

The setting was breathtaking. Rugged yet peaceful, far enough from modern life to make you feel like time slows down. I didn’t fully “get it” at first. The first ceremony, I felt… underwhelmed. I was expecting something cinematic, but it was subtle, almost too subtle. It wasn’t until Day 3, when we walked in silence through the valley, that it hit me. I noticed everything—the patterns in the leaves, the rhythm of my breath, how much tension I had been holding in my body for years. It was like I had been sleepwalking and suddenly woke up.

Austin and the facilitators are real pros. They don’t push an agenda; they just create a container where things happen organically. And happen, they did. The integration circles were just as powerful as the medicine itself—I saw parts of myself I had ignored for decades. I left feeling lighter, clearer, and more in control of my life than ever.

This isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s the real deal. If you’re willing to meet the medicine halfway, it will change you.

3-Star Review: The Couple Who Had Very Different Experiences
I came to The Huachuma Project with my husband. He had been deep into self-growth for years, while I was… let’s say, a little more skeptical. I wanted to support him, but I wasn’t sure this was my thing.

The setting is beautiful. The facilitators are kind and knowledgeable. The plant medicine itself? Well, this is where our experiences split. My husband had a breakthrough—he called it life-changing, said he saw his entire childhood trauma in a new light. Meanwhile, I spent half the ceremony staring at a tree and wondering when I was supposed to feel something.

I don’t blame the retreat. The medicine just didn’t hit me the way I expected. I had some mild insights, but nothing profound. Plus, I found some of the integration sessions a bit woo-woo for my taste—I’m more of a science-minded person, and a lot of the explanations felt vague.

That being said, I did appreciate the space to slow down. I left feeling more connected to my husband and with a deeper appreciation for his journey. Would I do it again? Probably not. But if you’re already open to this kind of experience, you might get more out of it than I did.

I was exhausted—mentally, emotionally, physically. Years of climbing the corporate ladder had drained me, and I needed a real reset. The Huachuma Project sounded like exactly what I was looking for.

The experience was incredibly grounding. Each ceremony was like peeling back another layer of stress, old programming, and mental clutter. By Day 4, I felt like I had exhaled for the first time in years. The setting helped—waking up to birds instead of my phone, eating fresh, nourishing food, sitting in circles with people who were real. No LinkedIn networking, no BS—just real, raw human connection.

My only small gripe? The off-grid aspect was a little more intense than I expected. I knew I was coming to disconnect, but I wasn’t quite prepared for just how minimal the amenities were. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but if you’re someone who needs a hot shower every day, just be prepared for some adjustments.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Just next time, I’m bringing my own pillow.

Nothing prepares you for losing a child. Nothing. When my son passed away unexpectedly, my world collapsed. Therapy helped, but it felt like I was circling my grief rather than actually facing it. I came to The Huachuma Project out of sheer desperation.

From the moment I arrived, I felt safe. The facilitators weren’t just experienced—they cared. On the second day, during the ceremony, I felt the presence of my son so strongly it took my breath away. I don’t mean in a hallucination-y way; I mean I felt his love, his energy. I sobbed for what felt like hours, and for the first time in two years, the tears didn’t feel like drowning. They felt like release.

The next morning, as I sat by the fire, sipping tea, I realized I could breathe again. The grief was still there, but it wasn’t suffocating me anymore.

I can’t say enough about this place. The Huachuma Project didn’t just give me healing—it gave me back the ability to feel joy without guilt. If you’re carrying a pain so heavy you don’t know what to do with it, come here.

I’ve traveled all over—done ayahuasca in Peru, kambo in Costa Rica, even sat with the Bwiti in Gabon. So when I heard about The Huachuma Project, I figured, why not add another medicine to the list?

The place is stunning, no doubt. You’re out in the middle of nowhere in Portugal, off-grid, totally unplugged. But let me tell you—this experience was way different than I expected. Huachuma isn’t like ayahuasca; there are no wild visions or ego death (at least not for me). Instead, it’s this creeping clarity that builds over hours. I found myself seeing people differently, noticing things I had ignored. It wasn’t a trip, it was like real life turned up to 11.

That being said, I did feel the schedule was a bit too loose. I thrive with structure, and sometimes I felt like I was left to just figure things out. The facilitators are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but a little more guidance would’ve been nice.

Would I recommend it? 100%. But come with the right expectations—this isn’t some wild psychedelic ride; it’s a slow, deep unraveling.