Our Retreats
Whether you’re seeking to dive deep into the traditions and practices of ayahuasca and other sacred medicines or looking to combine medicine work with travel and exploration of Colombia, we offer a range of experiences at Colibri Garden
Sacred Plant
Medicine Retreats
We partner with Indigenous shamans and experienced practitioners to bring you transformative healing experiences that allow you to connect to your true essence and fulfill your highest potential.
Ayahuasca ceremonies are led by Taita Giovanni, a Master Shaman from the Awá indigenous Community of Putumayo, Colombia. Tamazcal ceremonies are held by Abuela Gloria Nanatzin Atokokolli, a Colombian Medicine Wornan, carrier of the Mexhica Toltec traditions. The team further includes experienced local healers and facilitators who will guide and support you through your communion with the medicines. Ivaylo acts as the main facilitator, translator, and cultural bridge between the healers and our guests, available for Individual attention throughout the time we share together.
We consider set and setting to be of utmost importance.
In order to facilitate an intimate space, our retreats are limited to 15 guests at a time. We also hold group coaching and Integration circles where we connect with the medicine of the word. This is the medicine of sharing openly and authentically our subjective experience of life with others, the medicine of being heard and acknowledged within a supportive, loving, and judgment-free environment.
Individualized preparation
At Colibri Garden, we understand that everyone is walking their own individual path and has unique needs and goals. The healing journey you embark on begins long before you arrive at the retreat, it starts the moment you take the first step – the decision to make the journey by signing up to a retreat.
As part of the pre-retreat preparation, each participant receives a one-on-one coaching call with an experienced guide that provides the support and guidance you need to make the most out of your communion with the sacred medicines. A group call with all retreat participants is also held before a retreat to connect with the group and answer any remaining questions.
Tools to take home
The ceremonies are 50% of the work. In communion with the sacred plant medicines we receive profound insight, clarity, confidence, and healing, and re-establish and strengthen our heart connection. The post-retreat space we enter internally offers us the possibility to plant new seeds from this space of connectedness.
Part of our work is to teach you practical tools that you can take back home and apply in the ceremony of everyday life, to continue walking a path with heart. This allows for the smoother integration of the lessons received from the medicine teachers. As part of the post-integration process, we hold two group calls on zoom, two and six weeks after the retreat.
Bespoke
Retreats
Interested in sharing sacred medicine with your community and looking for a personalised experience? Would you like a bespoke retreat that’s built with your vision in mind and limited to a group of your choice? We have options for you too. Incorporating everything from sacred medicine, holistic healing, cultural experiences, nature, and group and individualized coaching we can build a retreat that fits your goals. Get in touch to discuss how we can make this work for you.
Case Study
Awakened Adventures
A collaboration between Colibri Garden and Action-Oriented, the idea for this retreat was born after Ivaylo and Jesse met in an online community and Jesse came down to Colombia for a week of sacred medicine and nature exploration. Awakened Adventures combines adventure travel and sacred medicine as means to create a powerful experience that helps participants connect with the clarity, courage, and confidence needed to transform their lives.
The Colibri Garden
Jungle Expedition
10 days of sacred medicine
During the Colibri Garden Jungle Expedition, we visit the homeplace of Taita Glovanni in the jungle. The healing center is located in Putumayo, the Colombian center point for plant medicine traditions. Participants have the chance to experience the medicines at their source and immerse themselves in indigenous wisdom and way of life. Learning about the preparation process of ayahuasca, seeing how and where ayahuasca is grown, ceremonies in a traditional maloka, walks in the jungle, and wildlife spotting will make this an unforgettable experience in the Colombian Jungle.
What’s included?
- ATen days of sacred medicine in the heart of the Putumayo region of Colombia (Amazon)
- A1:1 preparation coaching call
- A4 to 6 ayahuasca (yagé) ceremonies
- APlant baths to cleanse, purify, and strengthen
- APre- and post-ceremony integration circles with rapé, mambe and ambil
- AJungle walks and wildlife spotting
- AGroup coaching
- APost-retreat follow-up
Got a
question?
Is Colombia safe?
Colombia, and Medellin and its surrounding areas specifically, are increasingly safe to visit for tourists. While there is a risk of petty crime, tourism is on the up, and the vast majority of visitors that stick to safer areas and look after their belongings do not face any danger in Colombia.
Should I do a full retreat or single ceremony?
There are different experiences with this situation. The two experiences are indeed different. The benefit of going to a retreat is that you would be able to feel being in community, being able to talk about your process with life and bond with others over an extended period of time, time that you take for yourself. An individual ceremony could be just as powerful in terms of connecting with the medicine and getting deep insight while not requiring us to take a week or ten days away.
Is ayahuasca safe?
Ayahuasca is safe for healthy individuals. Those with a history of serious psychiatric disorders are advised not to drink ayahuasca. Ayahuasca can be harmful when interacting with certain medications such as SSRIs, so it’s important to taper off these medications before drinking ayahuasca.
Can ayahuasca help me with depression?
Ayahuasca is not a magic bullet, but studies have shown it can help relieve symptoms of depression not only through brain chemistry but also by allowing individuals to understand the root of their symptoms and subsequently heal those traumas. For more information, check out this article.
Can ayahuasca help me release control?
Ayahuasca by its very nature is about releasing control; surrendering to the experience. If you’re somebody who spends a lot of time trying to control aspects of your life that are outside of your influence, ayahuasca may be able to help you understand where this comes from and let go of the control we tend to hold onto so tightly.
Can ayahuasca help me get off antidepressants?
There have been many anecdotal reports of people who taper off antidepressant medication prior to drinking ayahuasca and do not return to taking them due to the profound impact of the experience on their depressive symptoms. However, we always recommend consulting your doctor or psychiatrist when making decisions around prescribed medication and coming off them under the supervision of a trained professional.
Is ayahuasca legal?
Yes! Ayahuasca (yagé) is legal in Colombia.
What medications should I avoid with ayahuasca?
There are a number of medications that should not be combined with ayahuasca, including SSRIs and stimulants. You can find a list of contraindications in this article and we always advise that you consult with a doctor before tapering off prescription medications.
What is the ayahuasca diet?
In the weeks and days leading up to drinking ayahuasca, it’s important to undertake a mental and physical diet. This means avoiding certain foods and substances before ceremony, including pork, dairy, fermented foods, alcohol and recreational drugs. Find a full breakdown here.
Can I drink ayahuasca while on my period?
In the Colombian tradition, most Taitas do not allow women to drink ayahuasca (yagé) while on their period.
What’s not included in the retreats?
- Airfare to and from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (Airport Code: MDE)
- Any offsite meals or purchases
- Alcoholic beverages (strongly discouraged)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Travel medical insurance (required). We recommend IM Global.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, hosts, and facilitators
How do I sign up and prepare for a retreat?
- Get in contact to speak to a member of our team
- Purchase your flight to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (Airport Code: MDE)(Airline tickets not included)
- Purchase travel (recommended) and medical insurance (required)
- Stay connected for travel and trip updates
- Read our FAQ and Medicine Sections
- Pack your bags
- Enjoy!
