Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the heartbeat of the Earth still echoes through the trees, an ancient tradition of healing continues to thrive — guided by one of the last true shamans, Louis, and the sacred medicine of Ayahuasca.
A Journey Beyond the Mind
For many, the word Ayahuasca evokes mystery — a sacred brew said to open the door between the seen and unseen.
But in the Amazon, it is far more than that. It is a teacher, a spirit, and a medicine for the soul.
At Amayas Ecuador, our Ayahuasca retreats in Ecuador are devoted to preserving this sacred knowledge in its purest form.
Here, healing happens not through talk or theory, but through direct experience — a conversation between your spirit and the living jungle.
Meet Shaman Louis — The Guardian of the Medicine
Every ceremony at Amayas is led by Shaman Louis, a 77-year-old Yachak (traditional healer) from the Kichwa lineage.
He was born in the depths of the jungle, long before roads or electricity reached his community.
From the age of seven, he began drinking Ayahuasca with his father — a powerful shaman who recognized his son’s spiritual calling before he was even born.
Louis learned by fasting in sacred places: waterfalls, mountain caves, and ancient lagoons where the spirits of nature reside.
He speaks little, but his presence carries an energy that words can’t describe — strong, grounded, and filled with peace.
Even now, at seventy-seven, his black hair has never turned grey. He walks for hours through the jungle each day, living proof of how deeply connected energy and vitality are to spiritual harmony.
“Ayahuasca doesn’t make you powerful,” Louis often says. “It teaches you humility. Power comes from purity.”
His way of guiding ceremonies is unique — calm, deeply spiritual, and infused with the songs (icaros) that have been passed down through generations of shamans.
When he sings, the air changes — the jungle listens.
What Awaits You at Amayas Ecuador
Our retreat center is located near the small Amazonian town of Cotundo, about three hours from Quito.
It’s surrounded by rivers, mountains, and lush rainforest — a living sanctuary far from distractions.
Participants stay in private wooden cabins, each designed to blend into nature.
The centerpiece of the retreat is the maloka, a sacred ceremonial house built in a circular design to represent unity, protection, and connection.
A typical Ayahuasca retreat at Amayas Ecuador lasts 7 to 11 days, giving guests time to truly immerse in the healing process.
You can expect:
4 Ayahuasca ceremonies, led by Shaman Louis and his son, who continues the family lineage of healers.
Deep traditional cleansing rituals during ayahuasca ceremonies led by shaman
Plant-based meals aligned with the Ayahuasca diet — light, clean, and natural.
Jungle experiences — swimming in sacred waterfalls, visiting Indigenous communities, rafting rivers, visiting a grand canyon and much more.
This combination of ceremony, nature, and integration helps participants not only heal but also reconnect with life in its purest form.
The Spirit of Ayahuasca Ceremony
At night, when the jungle quiets and the moon glows above the trees, participants gather in the maloka.
A candle burns at the center as Louis blesses the Ayahuasca — a mixture of two sacred plants: Banisteriopsis caapi and Chacruna.
He sings softly, calling the spirits of water, fire, and air to protect the group.
As the medicine begins its work, visions may appear — colors, memories, emotions. Some cry, some laugh, some sit in silence, simply feeling the vibration of the songs.
The Ayahuasca ceremonies can be intense, but they are always guided with care, presence, and compassion.
Louis and his assistants stay awake all night, watching over each participant.
By sunrise, when the jungle awakens again, most people describe feeling reborn — lighter, freer, and deeply at peace.
Healing Through Nature
One of the most unique aspects of Amayas Ecuador is the way healing continues outside the ceremonies.
The Amazon itself becomes part of the process — its rivers cleanse, its silence teaches, and its energy rebalances everything within you.
During the day, participants explore natural sites such as:
- The Grand Canyon
- Hidden sacred places in the jungle
- Visits to Kichwa communities, where guests learn about traditional healing plants and Indigenous life.
- relax in the spa with massage
- raft trip on the river
These experiences ground the transformation, allowing insights from the ceremonies to take root in everyday life.
Safety, Support, and Authenticity
Ayahuasca is a sacred medicine — but it must be approached with respect and responsibility.
At Amayas Ecuador, every retreat includes a detailed preparation process, where participants receive guidance about physical, emotional, and spiritual readiness.
The retreats are small and intimate — no more than 8 participants — ensuring personal attention and safety.
A trained support team and translator are present during every ceremony to help participants communicate and feel secure.
The goal is not to create spectacle or “spiritual tourism,” but to preserve the true spirit of the medicine.
People who come here often say it feels like family — because it is.
The Wisdom of Shaman Louis
Louis’s teaching is simple but profound:
“Ayahuasca doesn’t heal you. She shows you what needs to be healed. You do the rest.”
His way of working with the medicine is based on balance and humility — guiding others to face their inner shadows, release pain, and remember love.
He never claims to be special or powerful.
Instead, he sees himself as a bridge — a translator between the language of the forest and the human heart.
In his ceremonies, healing happens quietly.
There is no drama, only presence — a deep awareness that everything, even pain, can become light.
Why the Amazon Calls
The people who arrive at Amayas Ecuador come from all walks of life — teachers, doctors, artists, mothers, travelers.
Some come searching for purpose, others for emotional healing, others for peace.
And while everyone’s journey is unique, all share one truth:
They leave changed.
Many describe the experience as a homecoming — not to a place, but to themselves.
They return to their lives with clarity, gratitude, and a new sense of connection to the Earth.
“When you drink Ayahuasca with respect,” Louis says, “you don’t escape reality — you finally meet it.”
A Living Tradition
Louis now works alongside his son, who continues the family’s healing legacy.
Together, they represent the bridge between past and future — showing that ancient traditions can live on in a modern world without losing their essence.
Their ceremonies are sung in Kichwa, Spanish, and the universal language of vibration — icaros.
Each song is a prayer, carrying energy that cleanses, balances, and awakens.
This is the true gift of the Amazon: it reminds us that spirituality isn’t somewhere “out there.”
It’s right here, in every breath, every leaf, every heartbeat.
The Invitation
The Ayahuasca retreats at Amayas Ecuador are not about escaping the world — they are about coming home to yourself.
They offer a rare opportunity to heal under the care of real shamans, in one of the most powerful and untouched places on Earth.
Discover the spiritual depth of Ayahuasca retreat in the Amazon.
If you feel called to experience this sacred medicine, the jungle will welcome you.
Not as a tourist, but as a student — ready to listen, to feel, and to remember.
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