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Travel and Healing Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Peru
Travel and Healing provides holistic tours that combine spiritual, physical, mental and emotional aspects to help people achieve spiritual enlightenment and heal trauma while offering transformational travel experiences. Their ayahuasca retreats are located in San Salvador in Peru’s Sacred Valley near Cusco. They operate small groups of up to 18 people and include basic medical checks to ensure physical suitability.
π― At a Glance
- Locations: The retreat center is situated in Peru’s Sacred Valley near Cusco, surrounded by nature in a peaceful environment. Facilities include comfortable beds for participants during ayahuasca ceremonies.
- Approach: Ceremonies begin with sacred rituals led by their shaman and meditation sessions. Groups are kept small with up to 18 participants to maximize safety and personalized attention. Programs combine ayahuasca ceremonies with shamanic healing, meditation, volunteering experiences and other sacred ceremonies.
- Suitable For: Individuals seeking spiritual growth and healing from trauma who appreciate combining ceremony work with volunteering activities and cultural immersion in Peru.
- Costs: Unable to verify specific pricing from available sources, though website indicates they offer 3-day and 5-day retreat packages.
- Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: B- (notable for comprehensive travel packages and volunteer integration, flagged for limited transparency about facilitator credentials and safety protocols).
π¬ What Guests Are Saying
The website displays testimonials from over 1000 travelers claiming 5-star experiences. Reviewers mention comprehensive trip planning including flights, accommodations, and various activities beyond ayahuasca ceremonies. One testimonial describes feeling nervous initially but receiving exactly what was needed, praising the retreat center and staff as amazing, kind and accommodating, leaving feeling cleansed from the ceremonies. Another review characterizes the 3-day ayahuasca retreat as amazing and life-changing, describing it as an experience everyone deserves. However, the authenticity and independence of these reviews could not be verified from third-party sources during research.
We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.
π© 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 incidents involving Travel and Healing were found.
- Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct found across checked platforms including Reddit, news sources, and safety databases.
- Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct found across checked sources including Reddit discussions, news outlets, and public safety databases.
- Crime: No criminal incidents, arrests, or legal issues found in searches across news outlets, public records, and discussion forums.
The limited online presence and discussion about this specific retreat center makes independent verification of safety record challenging.
New update as of March 2026: No new incidents reported.
π Critical Notes
The retreat uses authentic ayahuasca made from banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, containing the traditional hallucinogenic compounds DMT and Ξ²-carbolines. They mention having a medical team and experienced shamans present during ceremonies. However, the website provides limited information about facilitator credentials, lineage, or specific safety protocols beyond basic medical checks. The operation appears to function more as a tour company offering ayahuasca as one component of broader spiritual travel packages rather than a dedicated retreat center. Peru’s regulatory environment for ayahuasca is permissive, but the quality and safety standards can vary significantly between operators.
π Screening & Mental Health Risks
Travel and Healing mentions conducting basic medical checks to ensure physical suitability for participation. However, their website does not provide detailed information about their mental health screening process, contraindications, or psychological preparation protocols. They acknowledge that participants may experience vomiting, diarrhea, strong hallucinations, euphoria and out-of-body experiences, noting that some adverse effects like vomiting and diarrhea are considered normal parts of the cleansing experience. Anyone considering ayahuasca should consult with healthcare providers about potential risks and medication interactions before participating.
π§ͺ Brew Substance
Travel and Healing uses authentic ayahuasca prepared from the traditional ingredients banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, which contain the hallucinogenic compounds DMT and Ξ²-carbolines that create altered states of consciousness. The website mentions that once the brew is cooled, it is ready for ceremonies. The retreat also incorporates other traditional plant medicines and ceremonies including coca ceremonies, rose ceremonies, and San Pedro ceremonies as part of their broader spiritual programming.
π Location, Setting & Style
- Peru: Peru’s Sacred Valley near Cusco offers a mystical setting rich in Andean culture and ancient spiritual traditions, situated at high altitude with dramatic mountain landscapes.
- Setting: The retreat center is located in San Salvador in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by natural beauty and maintained as a peaceful environment. Facilities include comfortable sleeping arrangements for ceremony participants.
- Style: Daily activities combine ayahuasca ceremonies with shamanic healing techniques, meditation sessions, volunteering experiences and other sacred ceremonies. The approach integrates ceremony work with cultural immersion and community service activities.
Practical guidance: Participants are picked up at Plaza Nazarenas in Cusco between 9:15-9:30 am for transport to the retreat location. Cusco serves as the gateway city with Jorge ChΓ‘vez Cordero Airport providing access. Booking appears to be handled directly through their website.
Should You Book?
Travel and Healing may appeal to those seeking a comprehensive Peru experience that combines ayahuasca ceremonies with cultural activities and volunteer work. However, individuals prioritizing established safety protocols, verified facilitator credentials, or dedicated ceremony-focused environments should consider more specialized retreat centers. The limited online presence and independent reviews make it difficult to verify the quality and safety standards compared to established ayahuasca retreat centers with stronger track records and transparency.
The Team & Story
The website provides minimal information about the founding story, facilitator backgrounds, or shamanic lineages. Travel and Healing emphasizes being a women-friendly employer with over 50% female employees and 70% women in management positions, aiming to create a women-empowered, human-centered environment. However, specific details about the shamans’ training, experience, and traditional lineage are not clearly presented on their website.
Prep & Integration Tips
Preparation includes meditation sessions to get into the right mindset before ceremonies. The website does not provide detailed information about dietary requirements, preparation protocols, or post-ceremony integration support. The stated purpose is to help open the mind for personal and spiritual growth. Participants should inquire directly about specific preparation requirements and aftercare support.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Combines ayahuasca with volunteer work and cultural immersion | Limited transparency about facilitator credentials and lineage |
| Small group sizes up to 18 people for personalized attention | Functions more as tour company than dedicated retreat center |
| Uses authentic ayahuasca with traditional ingredients | Minimal independent reviews or third-party verification available |
| Includes medical team and basic health screening | Limited detailed information about safety protocols and screening processes |
Book Your Ceremony
Booking appears to be handled directly through the Travel and Healing website at travelandhealing.com. They offer comprehensive trip planning including flights, accommodations, and various activities beyond the retreat itself.