A 7-Day Ayahuasca Retreat in Cusco – Shared Private Experience

Imagine spending a week in the tranquil outskirts of Cusco, Peru, surrounded by mountains, engaging in profound ceremonies led by skilled shamans, and exploring the depths of your inner self. For $1,560 per person, you’ll join a seven-day journey that combines four powerful Ayahuasca ceremonies with ancestral Inca rituals, designed to foster healing, clarity, and spiritual insight. Hosted at the Wayllapampa Retreat Temple in the South Valley, this experience is ideal for seekers ready to explore consciousness in a safe, authentic setting.

What we love most about this retreat is the emphasis on diverse shamanic expertise—each ceremony is performed by different shamans, each with their own specialty, which enriches the authenticity and depth of your experience. We also appreciate the careful balance of ceremonial and leisure activities, allowing for reflection, relaxation, and integration.

One potential consideration is the intensity of the schedule—the retreat involves several days of fasting, water-only diets, and multiple ceremonies, which can be physically and emotionally demanding. This retreat is best suited for open-minded individuals prepared for a serious spiritual journey, and those who value authentic cultural experiences and personal transformation.

If you’re looking for a deeply spiritual, culturally rich retreat that combines ancestral wisdom with beautiful Andean landscapes, this tour might be just right for you. It’s especially suited for those seeking more than just sightseeing—people who desire inner growth alongside natural beauty and traditional rituals.

Key Points

Authentic Ceremonies: Led by experienced shamans with varied specialties, ensuring genuine and safe treatment.
Comprehensive Experience: Includes 9 ancestral techniques, from Coca Leaf Reading to Flowering Baths.
Accommodation & Transportation: Comfortable private or shared rooms at the retreat, with transport from Cusco.
Cultural Depth: Combines Inca ceremonies with modern healing practices.
Fasting & Diet: Designed to deepen the spiritual experience, with specific dietary restrictions on certain days.
Small Group Feel: Limited to six participants, creating an intimate environment for personal attention.

You can check availability for your dates here:

A Deep Dive into the Seven-Day Ayahuasca Retreat

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Setting and Location

The retreat is based at the Wayllapampa Retreat Temple, a peaceful spot in the South Valley just outside Cusco. The location provides a perfect combination of tranquility and natural beauty, away from the city’s hustle but accessible enough to explore local culture. The mountain views, fresh air, and serene surroundings are ideal for quiet reflection and spiritual work.

The Itinerary Breakdown: What to Expect Each Day

Day 1: Arrival and initiation
Your first day involves traveling from Cusco to the retreat, roughly an hour away. Once settled into private or shared rooms, you’ll begin with a Coca Leaf Reading—a traditional Andean practice that gauges your physical and mental state. This diagnosis helps tailor subsequent ceremonies. Following that, you’ll undergo a Negative Energy Cleansing ritual, designed to clear out any emotional or spiritual blockages. The day ends with your first Ayahuasca ceremony at 6 p.m., setting the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2: Reflection begins
After a peaceful morning with vegetarian breakfast, you’ll interpret your Ayahuasca experiences with your guide and have free time to meditate, swim, or simply relax. The evening features your second Ayahuasca ceremony, providing another opportunity for deep insights.

Day 3: Personal reflection
This day emphasizes meditation and reflection. You’ll consume organic, light food and follow the diet prescribed by the shamans, which involves eating under their guidance. The day is flexible—many choose to listen to mantra music, do yoga, or enjoy the pool and nature around you.

Day 4: Deepening the journey
The focus remains on physical and spiritual purification. You’ll undergo your third Ayahuasca ceremony at 6 p.m. after a day on a water-only diet, enhancing the intensity and depth of your visions. The day ends quietly, letting the lessons settle.

Day 5: Interpretation and relaxation
Following a nourishing breakfast, you’ll interpret your visions with the shamans, gaining clarity about your experiences. The afternoon offers a relaxing Inca massage—a notable highlight for many—plus more time to journal or rest.

Day 6: The final ceremony
The last Ayahuasca ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. This session often feels pivotal, offering a final opportunity for insights and closure. You’ll then rest peacefully in your room afterward.

Day 7: Farewell and integration
The retreat closes with a ceremony offering gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and a Flowering Bath intended to invite love and positive energy. After a hearty farewell breakfast, you’ll return to Cusco, hopefully feeling renewed and enlightened.

Ceremonies and Rituals: What Makes Them Special?

The retreat’s nine techniques include a diverse set of rituals, each adding layers to your healing process. The Ayahuasca ceremonies are the centerpiece, but the inclusion of Coca Leaf Reading, Negative Energy Cleansing, and Offerings to Pachamama demonstrates a deep respect for indigenous traditions.

This combination allows for both personal insight and collective spiritual connection. The Flowering Bath is particularly popular for its calming and love-invoking qualities, often described as a gentle, blissful experience that leaves participants feeling more open and loving.

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The Shamans and Their Expertise

A key strength of this retreat is its multi-shaman approach. Each ceremony is led by a different shaman, specializing in various ancestral techniques. This variety guarantees a richer, more authentic experience, as each healer brings their own wisdom, practice, and energy. Many reviews highlight the shamans’ safe and compassionate presence, crucial for such intimate, intense work.

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Food, Diet, and Fasting

The retreat involves strict dietary guidelines, especially on water-only days and during the shamanic diet. We found this aspect vital for purification and spiritual receptivity. Meals are vegetarian and carefully prepared, with many participants praising the delicious, nourishing food that sustains them through the physical challenge of fasting.

Accommodation and Comfort

Participants stay in private or shared rooms at the retreat temple, which offers a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. The rooms are simple but comfortable, allowing space for reflection and healing. Transportation from Cusco is included, making the journey seamless and hassle-free.

Group Size and Atmosphere

With only six participants in each group, the experience feels intimate and personalized. If the retreat exceeds this number, additional shamans are available to ensure individual attention. Many reviews mention the warm, supportive environment created by the small group size, which fosters trust and openness.

Value and Overall Impression

At $1,560, considering accommodations, multiple ceremonies, expert shamans, and the cultural authenticity, the price offers solid value. The inclusion of nine ancient techniques, alongside professional interpretation and personal consultations, makes this a comprehensive package.

While the schedule is intense, many find it rewarding, especially those seeking deep spiritual work and self-discovery. If you’re someone curious about indigenous traditions, spiritual healing, or inner growth, you’ll likely find this retreat meaningful.

Who Would Benefit Most?

This retreat is perfect for adventurous souls prepared for a physical and emotional commitment. It suits those genuinely interested in ayahuasca and ancestral ceremonies, and who appreciate authentic cultural experiences. It’s also ideal if you’re after personal transformation, clarity, and a spiritual reset in a supportive environment.

People new to plant medicine might find the schedule demanding, but those with prior experience or a strong curiosity will gain the most. The retreat’s authenticity and focus on sacred traditions ensure a genuine, life-changing journey for open-minded travelers.

The Sum Up

This seven-day Ayahuasca retreat near Cusco offers a rare blend of authentic indigenous ceremonies, professional guidance, and peaceful natural surroundings. The carefully curated schedule balances intense spiritual work with ample time for rest, reflection, and culture. With skilled shamans leading the way and a small, intimate group setting, it’s well-suited for those looking to explore their inner landscapes while respecting Andean traditions.

While the physical demands of fasting and multiple ceremonies aren’t for everyone, the potential for profound insights and personal growth make this retreat stand out. It’s a chance to connect deeply with Mother Earth, your own spirit, and a rich cultural heritage—an experience that may just change your life.

FAQ

Is this retreat suitable for beginners?
It depends. The schedule is quite intensive, involving fasting and multiple ceremonies, so it’s best for those with some openness to spiritual or plant medicine experiences. First-timers should be prepared for the emotional and physical intensity.

What language are the ceremonies conducted in?
The retreat offers assistance from a translator fluent in Quechua, Spanish, and English, so language barriers are minimized, and everyone can follow along comfortably.

Can I participate in only some ceremonies?
The package includes four Ayahuasca ceremonies, but if you prefer only the plant medicine part, you may have to purge with volcanic medicinal water instead. Check with the provider for customized options.

Are accommodations comfortable?
Participants stay in private or double rooms in a peaceful setting, which is simple but comfortable enough to rest after intense ceremonies. The focus is on spiritual work, not luxury.

What’s included in the price?
All ceremonies, transportation, accommodation, meals (or special diet), translator assistance, and a relaxing Inca massage are included. Additional elements like offerings and dispatches are also part of the experience.

Is transportation from Cusco reliable?
Yes, transportation to and from the retreat temple is included, making logistics straightforward and stress-free.

How physically demanding is the fasting?
The fast involves water-only days, especially before ceremonies, which can be challenging but is part of the traditional preparation to deepen the experience.

What should I bring?
Comfortable clothing, a journal, swimwear for the pool, and an open mind. The retreat provides guidance on what to pack and how to prepare.

In essence, this retreat offers an immersive, culturally respectful experience that prioritizes safety, authenticity, and personal growth. If you’re ready to step beyond the usual tourist trail into the heart of Andean spiritual traditions, it could be the meaningful journey you’ve been seeking.