Meditation & Plant Medicine Retreat

Manglaralto, Ecuador

AM
Ayllu Medicina
  • Email address verified
21 reviews
Nov 16 - 23, 2024
Group size: 9 - 14
Meditation & Plant Medicine Retreat
Manglaralto, Ecuador

Ayllu Medicina
  • Email address verified
21 reviews

Nov 16 - 23, 2024
Group size: 9 - 14

About this trip

- Medicine and meditation have the same root word; learn why during this transformational plant medicine retreat with Ayllu Medicina. 


- Develop meditation techniques to help you in the retreat's plant medicine ceremonies, during integration, and to use once you return to the ceremony of life. 


- Sit with the sacred plant medicines of Ayawaska and San Pedro, with our experienced guides leading the ceremonies. You will also be assisted with cleansing your mind, body, and spirit in different ways, such as through sweat lodges, tobacco medicines, daily yoga, breathwork, and nutritious food.  


- Reconnect to your true nature and let go of what no longer serves you by taking a pause on the beautiful coast of Ecuador. Gain a community, learn ancient wisdom, and remember your relationship to the Earth and the elements.  


Are you feeling the call to take a pause and connect to your true nature? Join Ayllu Medicina on the coast of Ecuador at our Meditation and Plant Medicine retreat in November 2024, where we join two words that have the same root- medicine and meditation.


We believe that life is a ceremony that can be lived with presence, peace, love, dignity, and joy. However, we need to take a pause and gain some tools to be able to align with our hearts once more. Ayllu Medicina's transformational plant medicine retreats are designed to assist you with taking this intentional pause. 


Our November plant medicine and meditation retreat focuses on helping you access the deep state of inner peace that resides within you. You will receive different meditation techniques to aid your transformational journey and access your inner self. We will also focus on the healing power of music to help you connect with your inner rhythm. 


Ceremonies

Purifying your body, mind, and spirit can help you align with your heart, which is why we include different types of ceremonies as part of our plant medicine retreats in Ecuador. Our experienced guides lead these ceremonies, honoring the ancient traditions from which they come. 


Plant Medicine Ceremonies 


Sit in Ayawaska ceremonies and a San Pedro ceremony. Ayawaska is often compared to a wise Grandmother, and like an onion, she can help you find your center and let go of what no longer serves you. 


Grandfather San Pedro is the masculine energy, helping you find alignment and open your heart once more, ready to take flight. You can learn more about these medicines on our Ayllu Medicina blog


We will provide preparation support, and we hold circles during our plant medicine retreats to discuss any questions you may have in advance. After our plant medicine ceremonies, we also have sharing circles, so you can share any pearls from your ceremony experience. Some of our participants have sat in ceremonies previously, whereas, for others, it is their first time meeting with the plant medicines. 


Sweat Lodges 


There will also be multiple sweat lodges (temazcales) throughout the plant medicine retreat week. Enter the womb of Mother Earth to integrate, purify, and experience rebirth. 


Our volcanic grandmother stones are heated in the fire and are placed in the womb, the sweat lodge. Different incenses are placed on the stones before the door closes, and the heat begins to rise as water is poured over the stones. We share prayers and songs to guide each round. 

Meditation and Workshops

Meditation will help you honor the sacred pause of a plant medicine retreat and access a deep state of inner peace during your life. We believe meditation is one of the best medicines we can receive in this lifetime, which is why our November retreat focuses on this practice. 


We will be holding daily meditation workshops so you can learn different techniques for becoming the observer, able to stay centered with the ebbs and flows of life. You will have the opportunity to practice these meditation techniques all week, including during our plant medicine ceremonies, where meditation can be an invaluable tool.


There will also be other workshops to connect to ancient wisdom and remember the ancient wisdom inside you. Workshops include womb technology and song circles to connect to your voice and inner rhythms.  

The Ayllu Medicina Team

Your plant medicine experience and healing process will be guided by Aime and Hwaneetah. Their purpose is to share medicine, prayers, music, and intention for healing with whoever is called to share in this journey. These two healers are well-known in the region for their music, resonant prayers, and heart-opening medicine. 


Aime and Hwaneetah speak fluent English, Spanish, and French and have been working with medicine for over 20 years, along with other healing modalities. Aime is a Medicine Man of the Sacred Fire of Itzachilatlan, a medicine family based in the Ecuadorian Andes. 


Hwaneetah also runs sweats lodges, is a sun dancer, and canupa carrier. You can watch her talk on ancient womb technology on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X9LkyK4bHw


The Ayllu Medicina team will be supporting you throughout your retreat week; you can learn more about our medicine guides and facilitators on our website under 'team'. We also have a great kitchen team who will be providing nutritious food throughout the week. 


There are certified and experienced teachers holding our yoga classes, meditation, and breathwork workshops. 


Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We will also be providing orientation support, and there are options for integration sessions post-retreat. You can also choose from other add-ons, such as a moon session with Hwaneetah or a shamanic cleansing with Aime. 


The Location

Ayllu Medicina is based on the coast of Ecuador, in Manglaralto, situated near the world-famous surf capital of Montañita and the peaceful haven of Ayampe. 


Immerse yourself in nature in our retreat space. It is magical during ceremonies to hear the sounds of all the nature around, from the birds singing to the waves crashing. 


You can easily access the beach, which is a ten-minute walk from the accommodation. The accommodation has everything you need to be comfortable, feel at peace, and retreat inwards during your stay, including a swimming pool with ocean views, one of the best spots to enjoy Ecuador's sunsets! 


Rooms include air conditioning, large comfortable double beds,  wi-fi, and hot water.  


Do you plan to stay for longer? We are happy to offer recommendations for where to stay and where to visit pre or post-retreat. 

What’s included

  • Opening Fire Ceremony
    Call to the four winds & directions to set our main intention for retreat, reconnecting with the Sacred Fire of our hearts. Release old patterns & unwanted energies with a Tobacco cleanse.
  • Meditation Workshops
    Daily meditation and workshops to learn different techniques to connect to the medicine of meditation.
  • Sweat Lodge Ceremonies
    Connect to the purifying medicine of the sweat lodge (temazcal). Through incenses, steam, songs, & prayers, we release stress, tension, and detoxify the mind, body and soul.
  • Two Ayawaska Ceremonies
    Sit with the medicine of Ayawaska, also known as Grandma Ayawaska for her feminine energy. Dive deeper into your inner world during these night ceremonies.
  • One San Pedro Ceremony
    Meet with the Grandfather medicine of South America, San Pedro. Connect to your heart's center and raise your flight with this healing masculine energy.
  • Daily Yoga & Breathwork
    Start your day with daily yoga and breathwork by certified yoga teachers. All levels welcome.
  • Sun and Moon Dynamics
    Learn about ancient womb technology, the feminine principle, and Sun and Moon Dynamics in this powerful workshop with Hwaneetah.
  • Sharing Circles
    Integrate your ceremony experiences in our sharing circles.
  • Song Circles
    Connect to the medicine of music and learn some plant medicine songs when we gather to sing. No previous experience required!
  • Ice Baths
    Enjoy guided ice baths, with warm up and breath work to help you prepare.
  • 3 Daily Nutritious Meals
    Our local chefs provide plant-based, healthy meals aligned with the plant medicine dietas. Enjoy healthy nourishing plant based cuisine, which will support you during the week.
  • Healthy Snacks & Drinks
    Our kitchen will be ready to provide you with local tropical fresh fruits, smoothies, juices, and other homemade snacks throughout the day. Try different drinks native to Ecuador, like Guayusa.
  • Accommodation
    Enjoy Ecuador coastal living with our comfortable accommodation, which allows you to fully retreat inwards. Enjoy ocean views, a pool, & relaxation. Rooms include AC, hot water & private bathrooms.
  • Pre-arrival Preparation
    Speak to one of our Ayllu Medicina team members to discuss preparation advice, your intentions for this retreat and any questions you may have.

What’s not included

  • Flights
    It is recommended to fly into Guayaquil airport or Manta airport unless you are already based in Ecuador.
  • Airport pick-up
    We can arrange transportation for you via taxi. Rates are between $60-$100 depending on location.

Available Packages

Private Room Trip Price
Available until November 9, 2024
$2,444
Deposit: $400
Shared Room Trip Price
$2,200
Deposit: $400

Available options



Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival

- Arrive at our retreat space and settle into your accommodation. 


- Enjoy a welcome lunch and meet the rest of the group.


- Set your intentions and open the retreat week with our opening fire ceremony. 


- Opening sweat lodge (temazcal)


- Dinner


The schedule is subject to change. Before the retreat, you will receive a retreat-specific agenda. We can guarantee there will be time to integrate, rest, and find some quiet time between activities. 

Your Organizer


AM
Ayllu Medicina
21 reviews
- In our Ayllu Medicina community, we believe that a new way of life is possible -living in peace, love, dignity, and joy. - We believe in reconnecting the elements, fire, wind, Earth, and water to understand your own inner nature. - We believe everything is medicine, from food and water to music and meditation. Life is a ceremony to be enjoyed with intention. - We believe that the journey of healing begins by taking a pause and looking inside. Our plant medicine retreats on the coast of Ecuador are here to help you do this.

Reviews

AYAmazing!! Hwuaneetah, Aime, Emma, Mika, Vanessa and the rest of the Ayllu Family make this retreat an absolutley life changing experience. The peaceful atmosphere makes for easy learning, growing, and processing. The teachings, the sharing, the comforts, and most importantly the ceremonies are beyond words. I felt safe and well looked after at every part of my weeklong retreat. The Allyu Family looked after everything we could have wanted, and taught us so much. Before the trip do not hesitate to ask your questions, they are professionals, guides, and in the end friends who are family. Aho, Gracias, Thank you, Merci, Dzien Koje! Natasha - Harpy Eagle - Friend & Family of Ayllu, Grandmother Ayahuasca, Grandpa San Pedro, Grandfather Fire, Mother Earth. AHO!!
By Natasha K for Women's Power Plant Medicine & Yoga Retreat on May 01, 2024
Ayllu Medicina is the most wonderful, magical and down-to-earth medicine family I could ever ask for. This was my second retreat with them and I know I will be returning for the rest of my life. The whole team is incredibly wise, kind and loving, each with such beautiful lessons to share. If you're looking for the perfect place to learn from powerful plant medicines and come into greater contact with your own truth, this is it. At this point, it's hard for me to imagine sitting in ceremony with anyone else. I am filled with gratitude for Aime, Hwaneetah, Mika and Emma and hope you get the opportunity to meet this soul family. The fruits of a retreat like this are truly endless!
By Skye G for Women's Power Plant Medicine & Yoga Retreat on May 01, 2024
EM
The team at Ayllu Medicina takes care of your whole person: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Few geographical locales and the people who host them offer the depth one has access to from the experiences at Ayllu Medicina. You are compassionately attended to, prepared for the next steps. Ah-Ho!
By Erin M for Women's Power Plant Medicine & Yoga Retreat on Apr 30, 2024
Hello! I just wanted to say thank you to my Ayllu Medicina family! This is my second year attending the plant medicine retreat. It was such a beautiful journey. I felt like the plant medicine was able to go a little bit deeper this year. I felt like there was so much healing and love around granmpa fire. and like this awareness of the divine universal life force that is already inside of us is really heightened and we connect even stronger to our true whole worthy authentic selves that we came on this planet to be. I will come here again and again for sure. The Ayllu family provides such a safe and beautiful container to hold space and give as much love as possible. Thank you fam! 🤍🤍
By Stephanie I for Medicine of the Heart Retreat on Dec 05, 2023
What a life changing experience! So much love and care all around! Ayllu Medicina is the place to go for a total reset, the magic in each ceremony can only be attributed to everyone's devotion to plant medecine. They are so well prepared to make anyone feel safe in an enjoyable environment. The food is amazing and nutritious, the music will transport anyone on a voyage which will be impossible to forget! The yoga and meditation practices are fun, yet very effective. I have no words to express my gratitude towards Ayllu Medicina and highly recommend to anyone who needs a reset or just looking for clarity. Gracias milles! 🫶🏼
By Amelie G for Meditation & Plant Medicine Retreat on Dec 04, 2023
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References

Ayllu Medicina is an incredible place with an incomparable family that makes these life-changing retreats possible. If you have considered plant medicines and are trying to discover the place to do so, I cannot recommend their retreats highly enough. I've had the privilege to know Hwaneetah and Aimé since 2019 undergoing my first retreat with them and hoped I would have the opportunity to see them in future. The amazing group that has joined their efforts since then (Jillian, Mika, Vanessa, Emma, and the lovely family that helps care for the retreat space and meals) have helped create magical, comprehensive, and powerful retreat weeks that cannot be fully described in words but will certainly be felt if you have the good fortune to attend one. Wonderful facilities, food, yoga, sharing circles, and meditations are just the tip of the iceberg of the beautiful week you will experience. The ceremonies will speak for themselves in their power and beauty. I recommend Ayllu to all family and friends who ask about my experiences. Aho!
By Jaimie H on 26 Jul, 2023
KD
The team, the community, the LOVE that exists at the core of Ayllu Medicina - is second to absolutely none. The week with Aime, Hwaneetah, Mika, Jillian, Emma, Drew & more was one of the most profound, life-changing, and LIFE GIVING weeks of my life. In fact, it was the most profound week of my life. You have never felt so held, so cared for, & so welcomed like you have with this familia. The attention to detail, the programming, and the reverence for nature - our nature - will leave an impact on you for the rest of your life. Do yourself a favor and give yourself permission to be re-birthed. To be transformed from the inside out.
By Kyle D on 24 Apr, 2023
Eme and Juanita are an amazing team of shamans! I’ve had ceremonies before but never like the one I had thanks to them. They are incredibly in sink with powerful male and female energies. They are very knowledgeable and great musicians as well. They make you feel welcome from beginning to end and help you have a better understanding of your experience. Their words are always meaningful and wise. I look forward to meeting them again.
By Marcos A on 04 Dec, 2020