Gaia Sagrada Ayahuasca Retreat Center

Gaia Sagrada is an ayahuasca and San Pedro retreat centre in the Andes of southern Ecuador, in the small community of Llayzhatan, about 45 minutes from Cuenca. It was founded by Christine Breese, PhD, who also founded the University of Metaphysical Sciences in California, and describes itself as a non-profit centre whose directors and staff earn the Ecuadorian minimum wage.

Approach

Ceremonies are led by Ecuadorian shamans, among them Namur, Titi, Mauricio and Veronica, together with Christine. The 12-day retreat includes two ayahuasca ceremonies, two San Pedro ceremonies and a sweat lodge with both medicines; the 7-day retreat has one of each; the 6-day retreat has two ayahuasca ceremonies and one with San Pedro. A rest day with a group sharing meeting follows each ceremony, and the days hold yoga, meditation and workshops, with staff available for private talks. Afterwards, guests keep in touch through WhatsApp groups and regional meetups.

Practical details

Groups usually number 20 to 30. Prices depend on length and room, from a dormitory bunk to a one-bedroom house: $1,050 to $1,850 for 6 days, $1,075 to $1,875 for 7 days and $1,375 to $4,575 for 12 days. These rates assume an hour of karma yoga a day, such as gardening or washing up, and skipping it adds $10 a day. Meals are vegetarian or vegan, the return transfer from Cuenca airport costs $48, and there are hot tubs and a sauna.

Care and safety

The centre’s medical guidelines ask guests to stop SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs and other serotonergic substances 4 to 6 weeks before a retreat, tapering with a doctor’s advice, and to keep taking medicine for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or thyroid problems. They state that ayahuasca worsens schizophrenia and psychosis, and ask pregnant or breastfeeding women not to take either medicine. Guests receive preparation instructions and a diet before arrival.