What to Expect

It’s my first ceremony. What do I need to know beforehand?

This page will show you how to prepare for and what to expect of our spiritual retreats at our sanctuary. If this is your first time sitting in ceremony with the sacrament we are here to guide you on your spiritual journey. Ahead of each weekend we hold a virtual circle for the incoming group to ask questions, discuss their journey, and share expectations.

What to Expect at Pachamama Sanctuary: A Life-Changing Experience.

Welcome to Pachamama Sanctuary, your destination for transformative Ayahuasca retreats in the USA. Our sanctuary is here to guide individuals on their journey to inner healing and spiritual enlightenment. Located in a peaceful natural setting, we provide a safe and nurturing space to explore the powerful benefits of Ayahuasca ceremonies. We offer comprehensive information, expert guidance, and profound spiritual experiences within a supportive community. Our goal is to help you heal from past traumas and gain spiritual clarity by assisting you every step of the way. At Pachamama Sanctuary, you will reconnect with your true self and the wisdom of nature through our Ayahuasca healing retreats in the USA.
Pachamama Sanctuary is proud to host spiritual retreats from a variety of ceremonial leaders and we’d love have you sit with us in ceremony. Whether you’re recovering from addiction and you’re searching for a positive, supportive, welcoming community for assistance, or you’re stuck in a rut and need some reinforcement, our Sanctuary is built with togetherness in mind. Our Ayahuasca retreats in Maine have been a source of life-changing positivity for many — and there’s nothing we would love more than to welcome you in with open arms. No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Weekend Schedule

Friday

2pm: Check-in commences (please aim to arrive before 5pm) 6pm: Opening Circle with the team 8pm: Ceremony Post-ceremony: Healthy snacks

We like to have our guests show up by 2:00 pm on Friday afternoon. This gives everyone a chance to get checked in and ensure that all of your paperwork is in order. After that you’ll have the opportunity to meet the team and the other guests, and get settled. At 6:00 pm. we start announcements where we go over ceremony conduct, house rules, what to expect over the course of the weekend as well as educating you further on what to expect during your process. After everyone has had a chance to ask questions, we move into the evening. The team will start by leading you through a guided meditation and pranayama to aid in your relaxation and grounding. We then move into a cleansing smoke bath before sharing Agua de Florida and setting our intentions with the offering of despacho to the fire. When we are through, we introduce the ceremonial leader who will then begin by offering their blessings and the serving of our sacrament. This is where the ceremony commences and you begin your process as we join in prayer and connect with Grandmother Ayahuasca. After the ceremony we share some light snacks such as hummus, vegetables and fruits. Many people feel hungry and are eager to eat but we encourage everyone to take their time and keep it light.

Read Less

Saturday

7am: Breakfast 8:30am: Integration circle Workshops and activities 2pm: Transformational breathwork 4pm: Ceremony Post Ceremony: Water blessing followed by a healthy meal

After our evening rest we start the morning with a delicious healthy breakfast. This is followed by an integration circle where guests can talk about their process with the group and share what they experienced, what they felt, and what they learned in the Friday ceremony. After that there is some free time to relax until our nourishment team serves a big beautiful vegan lunch. After lunch we have various workshops. These workshops could be another yoga class, breath work, art, music, or other activities we might have on offer that you may want to integrate into your process. We also have an energy worker on the team and you will have the opportunity to schedule a session with them prior to the weekend, or if there is space available you can choose to sign up that afternoon. At 6:00 pm we offer a shamanic breath work experience. This is an opportunity to journey by utilizing guided breathing techniques and music. Our facilitator teaches you and gives you the tools, including the playlist so that you can re-create this at home. After breathwork you will feel invigorated, and ready go into our second evening of ceremony. Once again, after ceremony we have snacks available to you.

Read Less

Sunday

7am: Breakfast 8am: Integration session and closing circle.

In the morning we serve another vegan breakfast and then go into our final integration circle of the weekend round 9am. At this time you can share your major takeaways from the whole weekend and witness all of the growth, insight, and awakenings from your new friends and family. Once everyone has had the chance to share, the team will also have some things to say before closing the circle. As our weekend together comes to an end, we take a group picture, and welcome you to spend some time with your new friends. The weekend will conclude around 11 am. You will receive an email the following day with your group photo, and if one was used over the weekend, a Spotify playlist of the music you enjoyed over the weekend. We also offer a Kambo ceremony on Sunday afternoon. If you have elected to join us for this additional offering, it begins after the main group has left. The ceremony will last about an hour and you will have time to rest and relax after. If you need more time to integrate your experience before beginning your journey home, please let us know and we will happily accommodate you until you feel ready to depart.

Read Less

What else do I need to know?

Physical Preparation Spiritual Preparation Medical Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to support you! If there is anything else we haven’t covered, feel free to reach out. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Get in Touch!

Where is the Sanctuary located?

Where is the Sanctuary located? We are located in southern New Hampshire and Boston is our closest transportation hub. Due the private and reverent nature of our Sanctuary the exact address is only provided to retreat guests.

How do I book a retreat? What happens if the weekend I want is full?

How do I book a retreat? What happens if the weekend I want is full? You can book directly through our Schedule page. Just select the retreat you are interested in and you will be taken to a booking page. At the top of the page there will be a button to Register or if the retreat is booked you will have the option to Join Waitlist (it will be noted above the button that the retreat is fully booked.)

How does the wait list work?

How does the wait list work? If you sign up for the wait list and space becomes available an email will be automatically sent to all guests on the wait list with the option to register from that email. The open space is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. These openings fill quickly and we recommend you register through the link provided in the email rather than by contacting the Sanctuary directly to book.

What happens at a retreat?

What happens at a retreat? The basic structure of sacred ceremonies at Pachamama Sanctuary are generally as follows:

Opening Prayer – Should include a prayer to the directions and a prayer of protection;
Serving of the Sacrament – Should include an offering of the sacrament, receipt of the sacrament, and consumption of the sacrament;
Prayer – Should include prayers and chants in accordance with the dictates of the specific medicine man/woman or shaman conducting the ceremony.

In conjunction with the ceremonies and rituals, Pachamama Sanctuary will also hold weekly integration meetings, to assist members and participants in integrating the spiritual insights gained during the ceremony into their everyday lives. Details can be found in our What to Expect page.

Does my religion matter? Do I need to be a religious person to attend your retreats?

Does my religion matter? Do I need to be a religious person to attend your retreats? You do not need to be a particular religion to attend our ceremonies. We believe the Great Spirit created Pachamama, Mother Earth, and that Pachamama created all life on Earth. Please visit our Statement of Beliefs to find out more about our spirituality. Our Church Doctrine will also provide further information.

What are your sleeping accommodations?

What are your sleeping accommodations? During the colder months we move inside to our two shared spaces that serve as ceremony space and sleeping accommodations. In the warmer months we have a large wooden yurt that serves as a single ceremony and accommodation space. We provide 4-inch thick memory foam mattresses in the ceremony room with sheet, blanket, pillow and pillowcase provided. You are welcome to bring other items that will make you more comfortable.

How much does this cost?

How much does this cost? Our accommodation fees vary based on the retreat offered. Please click the specific retreat on our Schedule for more detailed information.

Do you offer ceremonies in a private setting?

Do you offer ceremonies in a private setting? Please contact us for information on private ceremonies.

How are you protecting against COVID-19?

How are you protecting against COVID-19? Your health and safety is of the utmost importance to us. We are staying current on updates from the CDC and are taking recommended precautions out of an abundance of caution. Please view our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for more details.

Lost & Found

The Sanctuary and its staff are not responsible for any lost or left behind items. Please make an effort to ensure you have all of your belongings with you before leaving the retreat. If you need additional time to be thorough, please let us know and we are happy to help you.

Is Ayahuasca legal?

Is Ayahuasca legal? The Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing churches to utilize Ayahuasca during services. Because Ayahuasca is the sacrament of our sanctuary, we hold a right to utilize it in our religious services as a part of our faith. This right is upheld under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. If you have any additional questions, please let us know!

What to Expect

It’s my first ceremony. What do I need to know beforehand?

What to Expect at Pachamama Sanctuary: A Life-Changing Experience.

Weekend Schedule

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

What else do I need to know?

Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to support you! If there is anything else we haven’t covered, feel free to reach out. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Quick Links

Information

Locations